The Tampa Bay Lightning continue to build organizational depth, re-signing defenseman Max Groshev [https://www.nhl.com/lightning/player/maxim-groshev-8482168] to a two-year, two-way contract on Tuesday. With injuries testing Tampa Bay’s defense throughout the 2025-26 season, the team leaned heavily on its depth from the Syracuse Crunch to help fill key roles. Groshev made his NHL debut during the 2025-26 season and appeared in two games. His first came on Dec. 28 against the Montreal Canadiens, where he recorded his first NHL point with an assist while skating 13:03 and finishing with a plus-1 rating. The 6-foot-2, 196-pound defenseman spent most of the season with the Crunch, appearing in 58 games and posting three goals and 21 points. Groshev tied for third among Syracuse defensemen in points and ranked third in assists with 18. He also posted a plus-16 rating which landed him top among Crunch blue liners.
