Bolts Breakdown

This episode of the Bolts Breakdown podcast is a preview discussion of the Atlantic Division before the 2026-27 NHL season.Boomer and Tommy walk through each of the Lightning’s opponents & discuss last year’s series as well as key additions & subtractions for each club during this offseason.The episode also highlights recent Lightning news, like Nikita Kucherov’s lack of contract extension & injury updates from the recent Lightning media day (linked below).Finally, the ThunderBucket prompt concludes the episode: If you could sneak into b...

In this episode, Boomer & Tommy discuss how important Yanni Gourde has been to the Tampa Bay Lightning over the course of his career. They talk about his unique path to the NHL.They talk about his tenacity on the ice.They talk about his leadership in the dressing room....They ask whether Gourde has done enough to warrant a statue, or a jersey retirement, or a Lightning hall of fame nomination.Plus, there's a 15-question trivia-style game about...

This episode is all about the Tampa Bay Lightning & how they've lost the last four years in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Tommy & Boomer remember each series (2023 vs the Toronto Maple Leafs, 2024 vs the Florida Panthers, 2025 vs the Florida Panthers, and 2026 vs the Montreal Canadiens). With each year, they recap the big moments & discuss any trends they have seen.Here are some questions they discuss in the episode:1) Are there any reoccurring problems or trends from the last four years? If so, have...

Nikita Kucherov’s 2025-26 season was one for the history books. And in this episode of the Bolts Breakdown Podcast, Boomer & Tommy relive all the best moments & crazy statistics. The show even includes each of the host’s top five Nikita Kucherov highlights from the 2025-26 season. They discuss (as fans) what makes Kucherov so intriguing. They discuss what about Kucherov’s game irks them. They discuss what he could do next season that would still be surprising.The episode concludes with a drawing from the ThunderBucket. <...

This episode discusses who Jeff Viel is & why he's a perfect fit for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Signed July 1st, 2026, Jeff Viel joins the Bolts on a 2.5M AAV, 5-year contract. What does he bring to the team?Is he more than just a fighter?What role will he play?How impactful will he be?Boomer & Tommy discuss all these questions & more. They conclude the episode with another offseason game: 10 questions about how Jeff Viel is similar to the other players on the...

This episode of the Bolts Breakdown Podcast talks about the Tampa Bay Lightning & their physical, in-your-face identity. Boomer & Tommy discuss if fighting 56 times in a season is a good idea, if it’s necessary, if it’s overkill, and much more.Then, they discuss the best five fights from the season, each giving their rankings & discussing their decision.Finally, the episode ends with a drawing from the ThunderBucket. This week’s prompt was this: If you could have two Lightning players switch bodies (freaky-friday style), which two would you switch...

This episode of the Bolts Breakdown Podcast is all about the Tampa Bay Lightning forwards.• What will the line combos look like?• Which rookies will make their debut?• Are there any weaknesses in the group?Tommy & Boomer discuss all of it and more. Plus, this episode features a 10-question game about all the current forwards on the team! Tommy scored 26 of 30 points; can you beat him?The episode ends with another ThunderBucket prompt (Which opposing fanbase cries the most when they l...

This episode of the Bolts Breakdown Podcast talks about Ilya Mikheyev & his role in with the Lightning. Boomer & Tommy discuss the Russian winger's seven season NHL career (including stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, & Chicago Blackhawks) & what Bolts Nation can expect from him in Tampa Bay.Will Mikheyev play top-six minutes? Will his injury history catch up with him? Is he too old to have his breakout season? We answer all these questions & more.Plus, the episode ends with a Dominic James...

Bolts Breakdown exists in two formats: as a podcast & as a newsletter. Both are free resources for Tampa Bay Lightning fans.In this episode of the Bolts Breakdown Podcast, Boomer & Tommy discuss the current defense & just how good they really are. First, though, they talk about recent Tampa Bay Lightning news: The release of the 2026-27 NHL schedule!You can read all about it here: https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/p/the-2026-27-tampa-bay-lightning-scheduleThen, Boomer & Tommy play a 15-question trivia-style game about the Lightning No. 1 defender JJ Moser. Play along & see...

Bolts Breakdown exists in two formats: as a podcast & as a newsletter. Both are free resources for Tampa Bay Lightning fans.LINKS:Read The Full Newsletter: ⁠https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/p/tampa-bay-lightning-single-game-recordSubmit To The ThunderBucket: https://bit.ly/ThunderBucketSubscribe For Free Weekly Newsletters⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/embed⁠⁠X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://x.com/BoltsBreakdown⁠⁠Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/boltsbreakdown/⁠⁠Email: boltsbre...

In this episode, the 18th episode of Bolts Breakdown, Boomer & Tommy talk about the 2026 Tampa Bay Lightning offseason: Jeffrey Viel, Dennis Hildeby, John Carlson, Ilya Mikeyev. This episode also includes discussion over the departure of Darren Raddysh & Nick Paul, both now members of the Toronto Maple Leafs.At the end of the episode, Boomer & Tommy play a commonality game with every member of the current Tampa Bay Lightning team. See if you can beat Tommy’s score of 8/10!The episode concludes with another drawing from the ThunderBucket: “Which player on t...

In this episode, the 17th episode of Bolts Breakdown, Boomer & Tommy talk about Anthony Cirelli & Brandon Hagel, the Tampa Bay Lightning's dynamic duo!This episode features a "Guess Who" style Lightning trivia game. 25 statements about either Brandon Hagel or Anthony Cirelli, it's your job to decipher which player it applies to!Additionally, Boomer & Tommy rank their top-five most important Lightning players in this current age of Lightning hockey.SHOWNOTES:Read The Full Newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/boltsbreakdown/p/ranking-the-10-most-important-players...

Jon Cooper's story is one of the most unique success stories in sports.In this episode, the 16th episode of Bolts Breakdown, Boomer & Tommy talk about Jon Cooper & his story. Plus, Boomer delivers a Jon Cooper Trivia Game! See if you can beat Tommy who scored 12-of-15.Read The Full Newsletter: https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/p/jon-cooper-the-unstoppable-coachPat Maroon Article (The Once Unwanted Hockey Legend): https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/p/the-once-unwanted-hockey-legendSubmit To The ThunderBucket: bit.ly/thunderbucketMusic: “Energetic Action Sport” by AlexGrohl (Pixabay)Bolts Breakdown exis...

Listen to the 15th episode of Bolts Breakdown where Boomer & Tommy walk through all 31 Lightning prospects currently in the Lightning organization. ⁠⁠Read The Newsletter⁠ - The Tampa Bay Lightning Prospect Pipeline⁠⁠Submit To The ThunderBucket⁠All 31 Names:Sam O'Reilly, Benjamin Rautiainen, Conor Geekie, Dylan Duke, Ethan Czata, Jayson Shaugabay, Jack Pridham, Hagen Burrows, Ethan Gauthier, Noah Steen, Caleb Heil, Joe Connor, Everett Baldwin, Jan Golicic, Ethan Hay, Jack Harvey, Klavs Veinbergs, Grant Spada, Daniil Pylenkov, Marco Mignosa, Aiden Foster, Joona Saarelainen, Tristan Allard, Warren Clark, Lucas Mercuri, Gabriel Szturc, Roma...

Listen to the 14th episode of Bolts Breakdown where Boomer & Tommy walk through all 18 series-clinching goals from the Tampa Bay Lightning/Jon Cooper era.Read The NewsletterWatch All 18 GoalsAlex Killorn 2015 Stanley Cup GoalMusic: “Energetic Action Sport” by AlexGrohl (Pixabay) Bolts Breakdown exists for Tampa Bay Lightning fans - to help Bolts Nation follow the team & enjoy their fandom more.⁠ Subscribe For Free Weekly Newsletters⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/embedX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https...

Listen to the 13th episode of Bolts Breakdown where Boomer & Tommy talk about Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak. Check out the full newsletter:https://open.substack.com/pub/boltsbreakdown/p/tampa-bay-lightning-player-spotlight-ff5?r=5gsqvk&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=webMusic: “Energetic Action Sport” by AlexGrohl (Pixabay) Bolts Breakdown exists for Tampa Bay Lightning fans - to help Bolts Nation follow the team & enjoy their fandom more.⁠ Subscribe For Free Weekly Newsletters⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/embed<...

Listen to the 12th episode of Bolts Breakdown where Boomer & Tommy discuss the Lightning's roster: contracts, free agents, extensions, etc.Tampa Bay Lightning Roster Overview (Newsletter):https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/p/tampa-bay-lightning-roster-overviewMusic: “Energetic Action Sport” by AlexGrohl (Pixabay) Bolts Breakdown exists for Tampa Bay Lightning fans - to help Bolts Nation follow the team & enjoy their fandom more.⁠ Subscribe For Free Weekly Newsletters⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/e...X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://x.com/BoltsBreakdown⁠Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boltsbreakdown/Email: boltsbreakdown@gmail.com

Listen to the 11th episode of Bolts Breakdown where Boomer & Tommy recap the 2025-26 Lightning season. A Recap Of The 2025-26 Lightning Season (Newsletter)Boomer's Favorite HighlightTommy's Favorite HighlightMusic: “Energetic Action Sport” by AlexGrohl (Pixabay) Bolts Breakdown exists for Tampa Bay Lightning fans - to help Bolts Nation follow the team & enjoy their fandom more.⁠ Subscribe For Free Weekly Newsletters⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/embedX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://x.com/BoltsBreakdownSubstack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https...

Listen to the 9th episode of Bolts Breakdown where Boomer & Tommy discuss the Tampa Bay Lightning's 1-0 overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens in the sixth game of round one in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.Music: “Energetic Action Sport” by AlexGrohl (Pixabay)Bolts Breakdown exists for Tampa Bay Lightning fans - to help Bolts Nation follow the team & enjoy their fandom more.⁠Subscribe For Free Weekly Newsletters⁠: ⁠https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/e...X: ⁠⁠https://x.com/BoltsBreakdown⁠⁠Substack: ⁠⁠https://boltsbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠Email: boltsbreakdown@gmail.com