The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled defenseman Slater Koekkoek and forward Erik Condra from the Syracuse Crunch.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been teetering on the edge of something very unpleasant over the course of the last couple of games. As injuries continue to mount, the Lightning continues to head down a road that despite their best efforts has continued to lead them to defeat.
The Lightning are currently two days into a three-day break before the team must prepare to face down their next challenge. One can only hope the Lightning have used this time wisely and capitalized on their opportunity to discover their weaknesses and formulate a plan in which to overcome those very same weaknesses.
It seems as if the Lightning have taken the first step towards making some much-needed adjustments. Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced in an official press release late yesterday evening the team has officially recalled defenseman Slater Koekkoek and forward Erik Condra from the Lightning’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.
Tampa Bay Lightning
As one could easily imagine, there are many fans throughout the Bolts Nation who are delighted to hear the news. Many were left in a state of utter confusion as to why Koekkoek was reassigned to the Crunch just before the team’s meeting with the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night.
Slater Koekkoek has worked incredibly hard this season to not only attempt to help the Lightning reach another level, but to prove to everyone he is not only ready, but he deserves his spot right here in Tampa Bay.
Koekkoek is currently one of three Lightning defensemen with a positive plus/minus rating so far this season with his plus-2 rating. In addition to his defensive duties, Slater Koekkoek has found himself on the scoresheet as well. In the 17 games he’s played so far this season, the 22-year-old Lightning defenseman has brought home a total of four assists.
Unlike Koekkoek and his 17 games, Erik Condra has only been able to play in two games with the Bolts this season, both in which he was unable to make his way to the scoresheet. While he may not have many credits to his name this season in the NHL, Condra has been lighting things up with the Syracuse Crunch this season.
In the 19 games Erik Condra has played with the Crunch this season, he has been able to bring home five goals and 13 assists for a total of 18 points. These numbers are good enough to propel Condra to third place on the team in terms of overall points. Condra is also second place on the team in assists.
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It’s been difficult to watch the Lightning continue to travel down the road they are currently on. The team has improved their game over the last couple of games, but it still hasn’t been enough to propel the team to where they need to be. Something has to change, and soon if the Bolts want to get back on track.
Hopefully, adding players like Slater Koekkoek and Erik Condra into the Lightning lineup will serve as the piece of the puzzle the Lightning have been missing as of late and are able to make a statement when they head into the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday night.
Next up, the Tampa Bay Lightning will take on the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night in Calgary. From there, the Bolts will continue their road trip through Canada with stops at Rogers Arena to take on the Vancouver Canucks and Rogers Place where they will take on the Edmonton Oilers.
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Here’s hoping the Lightning come out on the other side of this Canadian road trip with at least half of the available points and can get themselves back on track to be a contender in the Atlantic Division.