3 Things to Watch for in the Upcoming Tampa Bay Lightning Rookie Showcase – Hockey Writers – Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning recently announced the Prospect Camp and 2024 NHL Rookie Showcase roster, held at Ford Ice Center Bellevue in Nashville, Tennessee, starting Sept. 13 to 16. The Lightning hopefuls will report to the tents on September 11th at the TGH Ice Plex for two days of practice before their three games start on the 13th.

The NHL Rookie Showcase features prospects from the Lightning, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Nashville Predators. All four teams will play each other once in the four-day Showcase, starting with Nashville vs. Florida at 2 pm (CT) and Tampa Bay vs. Carolina at 5 pm (CT) on Friday, September 13. Admission to all games is free and open to the public, and all matchups will be available for live streaming on TampaBayLightning.com.

The roster includes a mix of players who played last season in junior, college, or the Lightning's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate with Syracuse. Here are three things that you need to pay attention to that may affect the Nyazi as they train.

First look at Conor Geekie

Geekie, the 11th overall pick in the 2022 Draft, was acquired by Tampa Bay in a trade with the Utah Hockey Club. The 20-year-old center had 43 goals and 56 assists in 55 games last season, split between the Wenatchee Wild and Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He made his professional debut with the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners and skated in two Calder Cup Playoff appearances.

Although he is expected to start the season in Syracuse, some have suggested that if he shines in the Showcase and in the training camps, he may start his game for the Lightning. Geekie projects as a top-six forward who is willing to play physical and should be a solid scoring option in the midfield. The Rookie Showcase will be the first step in determining where he starts the campaign.

Will Syracuse Player File Case For Roster Spot?

While the Lightning's schedule appears to be set, a few players from the Syracuse Crunch may have lightning rethinking their schedule. Emil Lilleberg played 37 games for the Lightning when an injury opened up a roster spot. Although listed as the seventh blueliner, a strong showing in his second full season in North America could shake up the depth chart.

Maxim Groshev also has a full season of North American hockey under his belt and started raising eyebrows at the end of last season with the Crunch. He also had an impact at the Lightning's Development Camp in July, especially during the 3-on-3 competition. He showed that his skating has improved, and he was very smart with the puck. The Lightning feels his true skill set will continue to improve as he gets comfortable with the American culture (from “3 Players Who Stood Out at Lightning Development Camp 3-on-3 Tourney“, Tampa Bay Times, July 5, 2024).

Prospects for Lightning's New Target

Under the Showcase rules, any player on an entry-level contract (or below), as long as he is 24 years of age or younger and has less than 20 games of NHL experience, is eligible to participate in the NHL Rookie Showcase (exceptions permitted with prior approval from the NHL). all groups). When Hugo Alnefelt decided to return to Sweden, his departure left a void in the depth of the network's hope.

To counter that, the Lightning scored a goal from Harrison Meneghin of the WHL's Lethbridge Hurricanes. The 19-year-old appeared in 53 games for Lethbridge in 2023-24, posting a 27-20-5 record with three shutouts, a 2.59 goals-against average, and a .919 save percentage. The 6-foot-3, 170-pound netminder was named to the WHL First Team All-Star last season.

Ryan Fanti, who signed a one-year contract with the Crunch in July, will be the other goalie for the show. The 24-year-old appeared in 17 games with the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL last season, posting a 9-6-2 record along with a 2.75 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. The 6-foot-3 netminder played in 51 ECHL games, all with the Komets, compiling a 24-22-1 record, a 3.25 goals-against average, and a .901 save percentage. Fanti also appeared in nine AHL games with the Bakersfield Condors, posting a 1-5-1 record, a 3.88 goals-against average, and a .883 save percentage.

Related: Expectations for Lightning's Max Crozier in 2024-25

Performances begin on Wednesday (Sept 11). The Lightning's first game will be against the Hurricanes hopefuls on Friday (Sept 13). After the game against the Predators on Saturday (Sept 14), the Lightning's showcase will conclude with a game on September 16 against the Panthers' hopes.