The Lightning are giving their top prospect another shot at the big time, calling up Conor Geekie from Syracuse just in time for Sunday’s game against the Sabres. To make the money work under the salary cap, they had to send veteran Cam Atkinson down to the minors.
It’s been quite a journey for the 20-year-old Geekie, who started the season with Tampa but got sent down to Syracuse in February when his playing time started dropping off.
He’s been absolutely crushing it in the minors since then.
The 6’4", 207-pound center has put up impressive numbers – 20 points in just 24 games with Syracuse. That’s good enough for third-best on the team in points per game at 0.83.
This call-up gives Tampa’s coaches a chance to see what Geekie can do before the playoffs start. With only three games left in the regular season, they’re still figuring out their lineup for Game 1 of the first round.
It’s not like Geekie was struggling in his first NHL stint. He managed 12 points in 49 games while playing about 12 minutes per night, often alongside Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli on the second line.
That spot might still be his for the taking. Coach Jon Cooper has been trying out young Gage Goncalves there lately, while keeping trade deadline pickups Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde on the third line with Nick Paul.
The kid’s got potential. Even though his plus-minus wasn’t great, he played well with Hagel and Cirelli. He’s also turned out to be one of Tampa’s most physical forwards – throwing nearly 9 hits per hour of ice time.
Fun fact: Hockey runs in the family. His brother Morgan plays for the Bruins.
As for Atkinson, this is his third trip to Syracuse on paper – though he never actually goes there. It’s just a salary cap move. The 35-year-old veteran should be back with the team when the playoffs start. He’s picked up 9 points in 38 games this season after signing a one-year deal last summer.
