The Lightning have recalled prime middle prospect Conor Geekie from AHL Syracuse, per a crew announcement. He’s anticipated to play in Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Sabres. To remain cap-compliant, they reassigned winger Cam Atkinson to Syracuse in a corresponding transfer.
Geekie, 20, will get the decision for the primary time for the reason that Bolts despatched him to the minors in early February. The 2022 first-round choose, whom Tampa acquired from Utah in final summer season’s Mikhail Sergachev commerce, made the Lightning’s opening evening roster however had seen his ice time dwindle because the season progressed.
As anticipated, Geekie has been a pressure for Syracuse for the reason that demotion. The 6’4″, 207-lb middle has 11-9–20 by means of his first 24 minor-league video games within the Lightning group, rating third amongst lively Crunch skaters in factors per recreation with 0.83. Evidently, that’s sufficient momentum to get him one other look within the NHL over the Bolts’ remaining three video games as they proceed to mull their Recreation 1 lineup when their first-round sequence begins.
It’s not as if Geekie was a whole non-factor earlier than the AHL stint. He had 6-6–12 in 49 appearances whereas averaging 12:09 per recreation, routinely getting second-line alternatives on the wing with Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli. Such a chance should still be obtainable. Head coach Jon Cooper has opted to deploy teenager Gage Goncalves in that function in latest days whereas preserving veteran trade-deadline pickups Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde in a third-line function with Nick Paul. Would possibly the higher-ceiling Geekie get one other have a look at the 2RW spot whereas Goncalves slides right down to fourth-line duties?
The group’s top-ranked prospect (through Scott Wheeler of The Athletic) might have ended up with a minus-three score, however his possession metrics with Hagel and Cirelli had been robust. He’s additionally made his mark as one of many crew’s extra bodily forwards, posting 8.67 hits per 60 minutes to rank fourth on the membership amongst certified skaters. In any occasion, the youthful brother of Bruins ahead Morgan Geekie has accomplished sufficient between his preliminary NHL stint and his minor-league project to safe a second straight look on the opening evening roster subsequent fall.
As for Atkinson, the veteran winger continues to be a cap casualty after clearing waivers in March. The Bolts have now despatched the 35-year-old right down to Syracuse on three events within the final a number of weeks, though it’s by no means for very lengthy and he doesn’t really report back to the minor-league affiliate. This time certainly received’t be any completely different, and the veteran of over 800 NHL video games ought to be again on the roster when the postseason begins. He’s been restricted to 4-5–9 in 38 showings with the Bolts after signing a one-year deal final summer season.
