Life with 14 forwards on the Lightning’s active roster has been difficult to manage. Playing time has been sipped away from the likes of Tom Pyatt, Blair Jones, Ryan Shannon and Mattias Ritola at different points all season.
It’s been a game of musical chairs, with the music playing while Mattias Ohlund has been on injured reserve. There’s been no pressing need to make a decision which of the aforementioned forwards to keep or demote to AHL Norfolk.
Musical chairs haven’t worked for the Lightning, though. It’s just too many personnel to utilize in a balanced fashion that’s fair to the players and gives consistency to the lineup.
It would seem that Wednesday, the music finally stopped and Mattias Ritola was the one without a seat. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported via Twitter that Ritola has been placed on waivers. If he clears, he will be sent to the Norfolk Admirals. The admirals already have a very potent lineup this season and boast a 7-2-1 record, with 15 points. They lead the East division at current.
Ritola was acquired in 2010 via waiver claim from the Detroit Red Wings. He’s played in five games so far this season and is a minus-2.
