The Max Crozier roster roller coaster is back on track as the erstwhile defender was recalled by the Tampa Bay Lightning once again. Much like the last transaction dance, this one took place only on paper in order to save the Lightning a bucks on the salary cap.
Crozier is up to three games played on the season and has played a little more in each game with the 18:40 of ice time against the Canadiens marking a career-high. His on-ice play has been fine. Crozier is slightly upside down on shots against (41.18%), but is above water on scoring chances (57.14%) and high-danger chances (100%, 4-0). Partnered mostly with Ryan McDonagh, Crozier has a 1.97 XGA/60, the second best number by any player that has played more than one game (The Hammer is tops with a 1.90/XGA).
Erik Cernak is still day-to-day, and will return to the line-up at some point. Has Crozier done enough to usurp Nick Perbix or Darren Raddysh? Probably not, but he does offer a slightly different skill set. He’s a bit more physical (he’s up to 7 hits already) and plays a little more responsibly in his own zone.
Welcome back to the Lightning, again.
Lightning News
Why Andrei Vasilevskiy’s mask changes color [The Athletic]
It really is a super-cool feature.
Lightning Mid-Season Awards [Tampa Bay Lightning]
We know it’s a default mode to make Nikita Kucherov the MVP, but where would this team be without Brandon Hagel’s play this year? He’s given the second line some scoring punch while being one of the best penalty-killers in the league.
Two prospects named among Hobey Baker finalists [Raw Charge]
Isaac Howard and Alex Gagne are among the best college players in the sport, as decided by coaches around the country. Go out and vote for them!
View on Threads
Hockey News
NHL Bubble Watch: Projecting playoff hopes for all 32 teams [ESPN]
The Worldwide Leader has the Lightning as a playoff “lock” at the moment. We admire and approve of their optimism.
Which Eastern Conference seller teams should blow it up at the deadline [Daily Faceoff]
The line between buyer and seller will become clearer the closer we come to the trade deadline. DFO takes a look at some of the Eastern Conference teams that are lingering on the edge of the playoff bubble and what they should do with their players.
Six Trade Destinations for Brock Boeser [Bleacher Report]
Yup, the Lightning made Joe Yerdon’s list. Could he be the solution to the second line? The defensive metrics aren’t great, but he can add some more scoring to one of the league’s best offenses.
