Shortly before their flurry of NHL roster moves, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced that they had signed 2023 draft pick Ethan Gauthier to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 18-year-old from Arizona is currently an assistant captain for the Drummondville Voltigeurs and has 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 28 games for the QMJHL team. Signing the contract won’t affect his situation this year.
The contract is slotted to begin in the 2024-25 season, but can slide if Gauthier doesn’t play in 10 NHL games. Is there a chance that the 6’0″, 183 pound winger could make the Lightning out of camp next year? Honestly, it wouldn’t be impossible. He had a really good rookie camp this year and didn’t look lost in his limited preseason appearances this fall.
It’s been awhile since a player with junior eligibility forced their way onto the Lightning roster, but Gauthier has the skillset to do the same thing Brayden Point did back in 2016-17. Unless the Lightning decide to blow up the roster, the most likely scenario involves Gauthier staying in Drummondville for at least one more season.
Other News
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Roberto Luongo added to Vancouver’s Ring of Honor [The Province]
The likable goaltender was honored prior to the Canucks game last night and took the opportunity to lobby for the team to return full time to the “skate” jersey that they had during he 1990s.
