The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded goaltender Pheonix Copley to the Los Angeles Kings for future considerations, a tidy depth move that reflects growing confidence in Andrei Vasilevskiy’s health after an injury scare in camp.
Tampa Bay claimed Copley off waivers earlier this month as insurance while monitoring Vasilevskiy.
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With the former Vezina winner healthy enough to start the opener, the Lightning shifted back to their original crease plan and recouped an asset slot by sending Copley to a familiar home.
Copley, 33, spent the past three years in the Kings organization, starting 35 games for Los Angeles in 2022–23 and appearing in 42 contests last season with AHL Ontario before knee surgery cut his NHL year short. His return helps LA cover while Darcy Kuemper manages a lower-body issue.
From Tampa Bay’s perspective, the move cleans up the depth chart and preserves roster flexibility early in the season.
The Lightning addressed the most volatile position during camp by stockpiling options; now, with Vasilevskiy available and the NHL schedule settling in, Tampa can reallocate the spot and minutes where they’re needed most, while relying on internal call-ups if circumstances change.
There’s minimal downside for the Bolts.
Copley served his purpose as a short-term safeguard, and the organization exits with cap and roster clarity plus future considerations in hand. If Vasilevskiy’s workload needs managing, Tampa Bay still has the ability to tap its AHL pipeline for spot duty.
For now, the crease belongs to its cornerstone, and the Lightning move forward with a cleaner path in goal as the season begins to take shape.
The Lightning head to Detroit to take on the Red Wings on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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