The Tampa Bay Lightning are keeping their options open ahead of tonight’s matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets. With Big Jack Finley’s status still uncertain following an upper-body injury, the Bolts added some forward depth by recalling Jakob Pelletier from AHL Syracuse.
Pelletier’s return to the NHL roster isn’t just a stopgap-it’s a reward for a standout season in the minors. The 22-year-old winger has been lighting it up for the Crunch, posting 41 points in 35 games in his first season with Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate.
That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed. Not only did it earn him a call-up earlier this season-he made his Lightning debut back on November 15-but it also landed him a spot in the upcoming AHL All-Star Classic.
What makes Pelletier a compelling option here isn’t just the offense. Sure, he’s got the numbers, but his game is built on more than just scoring.
He’s a high-motor forward who plays with pace, takes care of business in his own zone, and can slot into different roles without missing a beat. If Finley can’t go, Pelletier could slide in alongside Nick Paul and Oliver Bjorkstrand-a line that could benefit from his energy and two-way reliability.
Through 87 NHL games in his career, Pelletier has chipped in 11 goals and 18 assists-not earth-shattering numbers, but enough to suggest he can hold his own at this level. And with the Lightning dealing with some lineup shuffling lately, that kind of plug-and-play versatility is valuable.
As for Finley, his availability remains in question after taking a tough hit in a first-period scrap with Chicago’s Nick Foligno. The fight ended with what appeared to be a punch that knocked Finley’s head into the glass-an impact that likely led to the injury, though the team is calling it an upper-body issue.
The 23-year-old has managed 2 goals and 1 assist in 18 games this season, but it’s been an up-and-down campaign. He spent nearly a month as a healthy scratch and only re-entered the lineup consistently after Brayden Point went down with an injury in Philadelphia two weeks ago.
Whether it’s Finley or Pelletier getting the nod tonight, the Lightning are showing once again how deep their organizational pipeline runs. And with the playoff race heating up, every roster decision matters just a little more.