With J.J. Moser still recovering from his injury and Erik Cernak missing the majority of the last game, the Tampa Bay Lightning recalled defenseman Max Crozier from the Syracuse Crunch on Friday. The 24-year-old was a fourth-round pick in 2019 and came in at the 8th spot in our most recent Top 25 Under 25.
This is the second season in a row where the Lightning have turned to Crozier to help out when injuries plagued the blueline. Last year, he appeared in a total of 13 regular-season games and three playoff games. The former Providence Friar recorded two assists in his debut season with the Lightning. With the Crunch this season, despite an injury that’s limited him to 22 games, he’s posted 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists) in 22 games. Among those 3 goals are 2 game-winners.
The right-shot defender spent most of his time in Tampa last year paired with Emil Lilleberg (95:42 TOI), and the young duo held their own by posting a 47.89% shot share (34 shots for vs. 37 shots against) and a 55.11 xGF% while holding opponents to 2.49 xGA. With decent size (6’3′, 193 lbs) he can play physically (he had 16 hits last season), but can also move the puck as well.
While the sample size wasn’t the largest from last season, it was a at least a positive sample.
We had him pegged at the top of the list of recalls this season (as well as a borderline candidate to make the roster out of camp), and not to pound our own chests too vigorously, but we did see this scenario playing out,
“It will be a tough battle to earn a starting spot in the right side this fall, but with the way Erik Cernak plays hockey, there will be an opportunity to fill in as an injury replacement at some point in the season.”
Raw Charge Top 25 Under 25 #8 – Max Crozier
How long Crozier will be with the Lightning is still to be determined. There hasn’t been any information released at all about Cernak’s injury, but it does feel like Crozier was called up to play. With Cernak likely out (he’s officially day-to-day) it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him paired up with his old friend Lilleberg with Nick Perbix joining Ryan McDonagh on the second pairing.
