During this past off-season, forward Cole Koepke moved on from the Tampa Bay Lightning after signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins. This was after he appeared in nine games for the Lightning during the 2023-24 season, posting two assists and 23 hits. He also had 20 goals and 39 points in 53 AHL games with the Syracuse Crunch that campaign.
While with the Lightning organization, Koepke primarily played down in the AHL with the Crunch and received limited chances with the NHL squad. In 26 games over two seasons as a Bolt, he had one goal, three points, 55 hits, and a minus-5 rating. However, after receiving a fresh start with the Bruins, Koepke certainly broke out and cemented himself as a true bottom-six NHL forward.
In 73 games this season with the Bruins, Koepke set new career highs with 10 goals, seven assists, 17 points, and 177 hits. Overall, he proved to be a solid depth addition for the Bruins, as he provided them with secondary offensive production and plenty of grit. Now, the former Lightning forward, who is a pending unrestricted free agent, should get himself a bit of a raise this off-season because of his solid play.
Sometimes, players benefit from a change of scenery, and that certainly was the case for Koepke. He received more consistent chances with the Bruins than he did with the Lightning, and he took advantage of them in the process. It will now be interesting to see what kind of season he has in 2025-26, whether he stays put with the Bruins or ends up joining another club.
Ex-Lightning Corey Perry Has Clutch Playoff Game
The Tampa Bay Lightning may be out of the playoffs, but multiple of their former players are still competing for the Stanley Cup. Veteran forward Corey Perry is among them, as the 39-year-old is currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers in their second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Oilers had a strong start to their series against the Golden Knights, defeating them by a 4-2 final score in Game 1. Perry played a role in the Oilers' win, as the former Lightning winger came up clutch in the contest.
The Oilers surrendered two unanswered goals to the Golden Knights to start the game, but Perry got Edmonton back on track. At the 16:26 mark of the first period, Perry scored to cut Vegas' lead to 2-1. This goal proved to be quite important for the Oilers, as it was the first of four unanswered goals by the Pacific Division club that led to their 4-2 victory.
Perry's goal was a nice one, too. After receiving a feed in front by Oilers captain Connor McDavid, the former Bolt showed patience with the puck before deking Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill and firing it home.
Perry has been solid for the Oilers so far this post-season, as he now has three goals, one assist, and a plus-5 rating in seven games. This goal in Game 1 for Edmonton, however, was a very important one.
Perry spent the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons with the Lightning, where he had 31 goals, 65 points, and 121 hits in 163 games. He also appeared in 29 post-season games as a Bolt, posting eight goals and 16 points.
