The Tampa Bay Lightning made a trio of roster moves Monday, sending defenseman Simon Lundmark and forward Jakob Pelletier back to the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, while also reassigning forward Milo Roelens to Syracuse from the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears.
Let’s start with Lundmark, who just got his first taste of NHL action last week. The 25-year-old blueliner made his debut on January 24 in Columbus and didn’t look out of place.
He logged 16:45 of ice time, finished with a plus-one rating, and chipped in two hits and two blocked shots. It was a solid showing for a player who’s been grinding in the AHL for years and finally got his shot.
Lundmark has been a steady presence on the Crunch blue line this season, skating in 27 games and notching five assists. He’s not a flashy point producer, but his 281 career AHL games between Syracuse and Manitoba have shaped him into a reliable, two-way defender.
Originally a second-round pick by Winnipeg back in 2019, Lundmark signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent last summer. His NHL debut may have been brief, but it’s a sign that the organization sees potential value in his game.
Jakob Pelletier also heads back to Syracuse after a short stint with the Bolts. The 24-year-old forward played in two NHL games this season, averaging just over nine minutes a night and contributing three hits and two blocked shots. But where Pelletier has really made noise is in the AHL.
He’s been one of the most productive players in the league this season, putting up 19 goals and 41 points in 35 games. That ties him for third in scoring across the AHL, and he leads Syracuse in just about every offensive category: points, plus/minus (+16), and shorthanded goals (2).
He’s also second on the team in goals and third in assists. Simply put, Pelletier has been a force.
Drafted 26th overall by Calgary in 2019, Pelletier has found his stride in the Lightning system after signing with the team in July 2025. With 174 career AHL games under his belt and 171 points to show for it, he’s proven he can be a difference-maker at that level.
The question now is whether he can carve out a more permanent role in the NHL. For now, he’ll continue to lead the charge in Syracuse.
The third move sees 23-year-old Milo Roelens return to the Crunch after spending most of the season with the Solar Bears. At 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, Roelens brings size that’s hard to miss.
He’s played in 32 games with Orlando this season, scoring 11 goals and adding seven assists. He also appeared in two games with Syracuse earlier this year, picking up one assist.
Roelens is no stranger to the Crunch, having played 35 games with them last season. His game is still developing, but he’s shown flashes of offensive potential, especially at the ECHL level. Prior to turning pro, Roelens played in 238 QMJHL games, racking up 165 points across stints with Acadie-Bathurst, Sherbrooke, and Gatineau.
All three players add depth to a Syracuse roster that’s been competitive and well-balanced this season. With Lundmark’s defensive reliability, Pelletier’s offensive firepower, and Roelens’ physical presence, the Crunch get a boost as they continue their push through the second half of the AHL season.