in 1992, the expansion tampa bay lightning acquired him in the 1992 nhl expansion draft, and he would become the team's first star. he would score the team's first preseason goal against the minnesota north stars. he would set personal highs in goals, assists and points before the all-star break. at the end of tampa bay's inaugural season, bradley led the team with a career high 42 goals and 86 points. he played well enough throughout the season that he also made his nhl all-star debut. in 1995–96 he set a personal high of 56 assists. that same year the lightning debuted in the nhl playoffs. the next season (1996–97) brian bradley would score the first goal in the history of the ice palace arena. unfortunately, he would be sidelined for most of the rest of the season due to a concussion. he would play with the lightning until retiring due to chronic injuries on december 23, 1999.