With an off day after their first two training camps, it’s a prime time for the Tampa Bay Lightning to open up some space in the locker room by making their first training camp cuts. On Wednesday, they announced that the roster had been reduced by ten players, with the majority of them reassigned to their Canadian Hockey League teams. All of the cuts were expected, and it leaves the team with 53 players in camp.
Released from invitation:
Maddox Labre – The 18-year-old defenseman spent time at the prospect showcase prior to training camp. After going undrafted last season, he’s very much on the Lightning’s radar as a potential over-age selection next summer. He’ll head back to Victoriaville of the QMJHL.
Returned to USHL:
Caleb Heil – After stoning future hall-of-fame winger Steven Stamkos in the shootout last night, Heil is on his way back to the Madison Capitals for his final season in the USHL. Madison’s season is under way (they are 1-1) and he’ll hop right into competition.
Returned to CHL:
Everett Baldwin (Saint John) – It was a solid summer for the 2025 draft pick. He showcased the aspects of his game that enticed the Lightning (mainly his skating), but definitely needs a little more work. Expect him to be in junior for at least another season or two.
Ethan Czata (Niagara) – Another 2025 pick who was exactly as advertised. Czata could be a top-five prospect for the Bolts really, really soon.
Aiden Foster (Prince George) – The physical forward really set the tone in the prospect tournament. He didn’t look overwhelmed in his preseason games, but needs to work on his finishing skills a bit. We’ll see if his offense jumps a notch this season.
Jan Golicic (Gatineau) – There was a stark difference in his game from his first rookie showcase performance to this year’s. He’s still a bit of a project, but is trending in the correct direction.
Marco Mignosa (Sault St. Marie) – For us, probably one of the biggest eye-openers in the rookie portion of the camp. We really didn’t know too much about him prior to camp, but he was noticeable on the ice in the prospect showcase.
Sam O’Reilly (London) – Okay, so we might have jumped the gun on the AHL speculation (it looks like that won’t roll in until next season), but O’Reilly made the most of his debut training camp for the Lightning. From the prospect showcase to the game against Nashville, O’Reilly looked like a future NHLer.
Kaden Pitre (Flint) – Pitre turns 20 in February. We fully expect him to sign an ELC at some point this year and join the Crunch when the Firebirds’ season is over.
Grant Spada (Guelph) – Spada had no problem engaging physically with opponents every time he was on the ice this summer/fall. Like Golicic, there is still a lot of room for improvement, but if he keeps it up, he’ll be a fan favorite in Syracuse and Tampa in a few years.
Still in camp
A quick glance at the 53 players left in camp doesn’t reveal any surprises. The next big round of cuts will take place once Syracuse opens up their training camp and that should give us a better idea of who is in the fight for the final spots on the Lightning roster.
