By The Tampa Bay Lightning have locked up Maxim Groshev for two more years, announcing a contract extension for the 24-year-old forward-turned-defenseman on a two-way deal.
The Russian-born player, selected by Tampa Bay in the third round (85th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, will remain in the organization as he continues his path toward carving out a full-time NHL role.
Groshev has spent the bulk of his North American career with the Syracuse Crunch, appearing in 181 AHL games while steadily developing within the Lightning system. But in the middle of the 2024-25 season, Groshev made an interesting move, switching from forward to defense in hopes of creating a clearer path to the NHL.
It worked at least in some part.
Groshev made his NHL debut against the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 28, 2025, and wasted little time making an impression, registering an assist in his first game. He later appeared in another contest against the Utah Mammoth, giving Tampa Bay a brief look at what he could potentially bring to the NHL level.
With the Lightning looking for more consistency and depth on the blue line, Groshev could find himself in a stronger position to compete for meaningful ice time next season. Tampa Bay’s defensive group showed flashes at times, but depth remains a question mark, and players capable of filling multiple roles always carry extra value.
Still, while the organization clearly sees something worth investing in, the reaction from fans suggests this wasn’t the announcement many were waiting for.
Shortly after the extension became public, Bolts Nation quickly shifted the conversation elsewhere – toward Darren Raddysh.
Comment sections are filled with questions about the status of the Lightning defenseman, as fans seek clarity on what comes next. As of now, though, the organization has remained quiet.
For a fan base watching the blue line closely, silence speaks loudly.
