🏷️ Tampa Bay Lightning up for sale

In today’s edition:

• 🏷️ Tampa Bay Lightning up for sale

• 🦈 Possible renovations to SAP Center

• 🆕 Getzlaf joins player safety department

• 🐻 Wrigley to hold 4 college hockey games

• And more!

Tampa Bay Lightning up for sale

The Tampa Bay Lightning have begun a multi-stage sale process that will value the team at nearly $2 billion, Sportsnet's Elliotte Freidman reports.

Friedman adds that the purchaser is believed to be Doug Ostrover, co-founder and CEO of investment firm Blue Owl Capital.

The deal is reportedly not done yet, and there will be no immediate change in ownership control or day-to-day operations.

Current owner Jeff Vinik will reportedly retain full operational control for the next few years and retain a significant ownership stake with the new group.

Vinik purchased the Lightning for a reported $170 million in 2010, and is widely hailed as one of the NHL's best owners due to his great work in the community.

Possible renovations to SAP Center

The San Jose Sharks are eyeing renovations to the SAP Center, the NHL's fourth oldest arena.

Team president Jonathan Becher has overseen updates in recent years, including a new overhead display and a Penthouse Lounge.

Discussions are ongoing between the Sharks and San Jose regarding a long-term agreement, with positive outcomes hinted at despite public silence.

Upgrades could continue as part of a broader strategy to enhance the venue's appeal.

The Sharks are committed to maintaining the SAP Center as their home base for the foreseeable future.

What's Next

As renovations are teased, further improvements to the SAP Center are likely, aiming to modernize the venue and keep it competitive within the league. Future announcements about updates and developments in their talks with the city are anticipated.

Getzlaf joins player safety department

Ryan Getzlaf, whose decorated NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks included a Stanley Cup championship, three NHL All-Star Game appearances, a host of franchise records, a legacy of philanthropy in Orange County and beyond, and two Olympic gold medals for Canada, has joined the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety, NHL Senior Vice President Player Safety George Parros announced today.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan as the newest member of our department," Parros said. "His accomplishments on the ice speak for themselves: he won at every level and was widely respected for being a hard-nosed and highly-skilled Player and effective leader.

Wrigley field to host 4 college games

The Big Ten Conference has held football games at Wrigley Field. Now, it will turn to hockey at Chicago’s historic ballpark.

The Big Ten and the Chicago Cubs announced Thursday they will hold four outdoor hockey games at Wrigley Field on Jan. 3 and 4, 2025, just days after the NHL puts on its Winter Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at the venue on Dec. 31.

The event, which is being called The Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series, will include three men’s hockey games and one women’s hockey game.

On Jan. 3, two men’s games will be played with Penn State facing Notre Dame and Ohio State playing Michigan.

On Jan. 4, Wisconsin and Michigan State will play in the final men’s game, and Ohio State and Wisconsin will play in the women’s game, which is technically a Western Collegiate Hockey Association matchup.