Tampa Bay Lightning plans to change uniforms

The Lightning has turned in paperwork to advise the NHL it will make changes to its home and away jerseys next season.

Whether that means the color scheme, logo or both is unclear, though there is speculation the team's primary color might change from black to a blue closer to that currently used on its third jersey.

Teams that want to make changes for next season had until Dec. 31 to notify the league.

Other teams are contemplating changes, according to the blog icethetics.info: Thrashers, Sabres, Stars, Oilers, Panthers, Kings, Predators, Islanders, Rangers, Senators, Penguins and Maple Leafs.

Neither the NHL nor the Lightning, which last changed its logo before the 2007-08 season and added a third jersey for 2008-09, would confirm changes are coming. But it makes sense a new ownership group, with principal Jeff Vinik and minority owner and CEO Tod Leiweke, would want to rebrand the franchise.

Announcements from the team are expected soon, perhaps as early as this week, concerning business and fan initiatives and what is believed a renovation of the St. Pete Times Forum.