With their two injured forwards still not set for return, the Tampa Bay Lightning added some depth to their roster as they recalled Dominic James from the Syracuse Crunch. It will likely be a short trip to Tampa for the 23-year-old forward as the team is hoping Zemgus Girgensons returns to action this weekend.
James was signed by the Lightning this summer after the Chicago Blackhawks let his draft rights expire. Chicago drafted him in the sixth round of the 2022 draft, but after three more seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, the forward opted not to sign with the team. He got a bit of a late start to training camp due to his late signing, but he impressed the team when he was in the line-up.
The Michigan native has gotten off to an excellent start with the Crunch posting five points (two goals, three assists) in his first four games. For a player that was known more for his defensive acumen than his scoring, it’s a promising addition to his game. He profiles out as a bottom-six, checking forward that can kill penalties, and be an absolute pain to play against.
Should he get into the game tomorrow, it would be an interesting shift from the way the team has been handling the fourth line, opting for size over skill in Curtis Douglas and Jack Finley. James plays with a lot more speed, but isn’t afraid of physical contact either, effectively forechecking in the offensive zone.
James is on a two-year, entry-level deal and is exempt from waivers, so the Bolts would be able to send him back to Syracuse without the risk of losing him once Girgensons, who has taken regular line rushes at practice this week, is ready to return. There would be some nice poetic justice to the Lightning let him make his NHL debut against the team that drafted him tomorrow night.
It’s been a busy week off the ice for the Lightning as they’ve shuffled their roster during the break as they’ve rewarded some players who are off to solid starts in Syracuse.
