Prior to their match-up with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced that they had assigned defenseman Haydn Fleury to the Syracuse Crunch on a conditioning loan. The 27-year-old has appeared in just two games with the Lightning so far this season, recording one assist.
Other than freeing up a spot for Tyler Motte on the charter plane, this doesn’t really do much for the Lightning in regards to their roster. The maximum length of the loan is 14 days and Fleury remains part of the active roster. So, the Bolts will still have to make a move when Motte is ready to come off of injured reserve, which is expected to be on this current road trip.
Per the rules of the CBA, Fleury did have to agree to the assignment in order for the Lightning to go through with it. After spending the first couple of weeks in the press box, he’s probably happy to get some time on the ice, even if it’s in the AHL (especially since he’ll still be getting his NHL benefits and pay).
Fleury was signed to a two-year $1.525 million contact in the summer of 2022 and has played sparingly over the last two seasons. He has a total of 31 games played as a member of the Lightning while recording two assists.
Overall, he’s been solid as a defender, but hasn’t contributed much offensively.
