Before forward Dana Tyrell passed through waivers and before it was clear Syracuse Crunch forward Alex Killorn would be promoted from the Crunch to the Tampa Bay Lightning, another transaction occurred and the situation wasn’t entirely clear at the time: ECHL veteran and Lightning prospect Alex Hutchings was recalled from the Florida Everblades. This was a curious move and unclear at the time.
Yesterday afternoon we learned Ryan Malone would miss the game with the New York Rangers with the ambiguous lower-body injury. While head scratching was taking place over this (was this Malone’s typical season injury issues rearing its head, or was it just a precaution), the whole issue was brushed aside. Nothing to worry about.
Perhaps it is something to worry about. Malone has been placed on Injured Reserve, clearing a roster spot. The Lightning have recalled Richard Panik from the Syracuse Crunch to take his place. A 2009 second-round draft pick by the Lightning, Panik is making his NHL debut if and when he is inserted into the Tampa Bay lineup.
The 22-year-old forward stands 6’2″ and has 21 goals and 14 assists in 43 games with Syracuse this season after making his first full professional season last season with the Norfolk Admirals, Tampa Bay’s former AHL affiliate. He put up 41 points for the Ads in 2011-12 (19 goals, 22 assists) in 64 games.
From Chad Schnarr of Bolt Prospects on Twitter:
Sometimes Panik will run you over. Other times he does this: youtube.com/watch?v=D5gG_D…
— Bolt Prospects(@BoltProspects) February 11, 2013
