A little over a week after the Tampa Bay Lightning were eliminated from the postseason following a Game 7 loss to Pittsburgh, the attention quickly shifted toward next season.
One of the first elements for the 2016-17 season was announced on Monday as Tampa Bay released its preseason schedule.
The schedule is very similar to what the Lightning have played in the past, a six-game list with minimal travel. And the opponents in a home-and-home alignment are also similar, with one exception as Carolina replaces Dallas as the opponent for two of the games. Tampa Bay will continue to play two games apiece against Nashville and Florida.
What players actually take the ice will be interesting to watch for Tampa Bay. Not only is there the uncertainty of any potential roster changes made over the summer months, but the Lightning currently have 11 players scheduled to take part in the World Cup of Hockey. In addition, head coach Jon Cooper will serve as an assistant coach for Team North America, made up of Under-23 players from Canada and the United States.
So don't expect to see many household names on the Lightning roster for many of these games, particularly the early portion of the preseason schedule. Also, there is a five-day gap between games 4 and 5 from Oct. 1 to Oct. 6 on the schedule, where the Lightning in the past have gone to Estero for a portion of training camp at Germain Arena. Tampa Bay has a game scheduled for Oct. 6 in Sunrise against the Panthers, which is a short ride from Ft. Myers.
Here is the full schedule (all times eastern): Date Opponent Time Location Sept. 27 Carolina 7:30 p.m Amalie Arena, Tampa Sept. 29 Florida 7:30 p.m. Amalie Arena, Tampa Sept. 30 Carolina 7:00 p.m. PNC Arena, Raleigh, N.C. Oct 1. Nashville 8 p.m. Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN Oct. 6 Florida 7:30 p.m. BB&T Center, Sunrise, FL Oct. 8 Nashville 7:00 p.m. Amalie Arena, Tampa