On Tuesday, it was announced that Jack Finley was assigned to the Syracuse Crunch. The big forward had technically still been with the Lightning as he finished his recovery from off-season surgery. In an unrelated move, goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick was assigned to the Orlando Solar Bears, leaving the Crunch with Hugo Alnefelt and Pytor Kochetkov in net.
Finley finally looks like he’s ready to start his second full season with Syracuse. Last year, the 6’6″ center played in 67 games and recorded 12 goals with 9 assists. Unfortunately issues with his shoulder kept him out of the Calder Cup playoffs last year and limited his work in training camp to start this season.
The reassignment is an indication that he is ready to go and help the Crunch keep up their hot start. Having turned 21 in September, Finley is still a bit on the younger side, but does have the potential to make the Lightning in the next year or two as a bottom-six center.
Earlier in the week, the Crunch also recalled Jaydon Dureau from Orlando, giving them a few more options up front as they head into action tonight against the Rochester Americans at 7:05 pm.
Lightning /NHL News
Checking in on some prospects [Raw Charge]
How are the younglings doing? In the case of four of the top prospects for the Bolts, not too bad.
NHL Trade Block: November [Bleacher Report]
We’re gonna do this? Really? Stamkos to Boston rumors this early in the season?
Paul Statsny calls it a career [The Athletic]
Part of one of the highest-scoring families in NHL history, the 17-year veteran has officially called it quits with 822 points to his name. The 37-year-old made stops in Colorado, St. Louis, Winnipeg, Carolina, and Las Vegas over those years.
Charlie McAvoy suspended for four games [Department of Player Safety]
The league’s disciplinary office continues their trend of looking unfavorably at head shots early in the season. Boston’s McAvoy will sit for the next four games after he took out Florida’s Oliver Ekman-Larsson with a drive-by shot to the skull. McAvoy joins Connor Clifton and Brett Howden as players suspended for head shots in the first month of the season.
Penguins advocate for neck protection in wake of Adam Johnson’s death [ESPN]
The Penguins became the first NHL franchise to mandate neck protection for players on their AHL and ECHL affiliates and are hoping those at the NHL-level follow heed.
NHL Draft 2024 top prospects [The Athletic]
While not generating quite the hype as Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini has been the nominal favorite to be the first pick in the 2024 NHL draft for awhile now. According to Corey Pronman, this year’s class appears to be leaning towards the defensive players with Russia’s Anton Silayev as a potential contender to Celebrini for first pick overall.
Adam Erne placed on waivers [Oilers Twitter]
Old friend Adam Erne was placed on waivers by the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.He has yet to pick up a point in six games with his new team, but may garner some interest from a team looking for a depth forward. The 28-year-old had 18 points in 61 games for the Red Wings last season.
