J.T. Brown claimed off waivers by Anaheim Ducks

Tampa Bay Lightning forward J.T. Brown, who was placed on waivers yesterday afternoon, has been claimed by the Anaheim Ducks.

Yesterday afternoon it was announced the Tampa Bay Lightning had officially placed forward J.T. Brown on waivers. Over the next 24 hours, the other 30 teams in the NHL would have an opportunity to claim him for their own. Now, it seems one team has decided to take the Lightning up on their offer.

According to Hockey Night in Canada’s Elliotte Friedman is reporting J.T. Brown has been claimed off waivers by the Anaheim Ducks. This is going to be quite the change for Brown and his family.

The Western Conference tends to be a little more contentious than the Eastern Conference and the Pacific Division, where Brown is currently headed, has a strong leader at the forefront. Currently leading the way for the Pacific Division is the Vegas Golden Knights.

While it is never fun to pick up your family and move all the way across the country, the move may very well prove to be a good thing for J.T. Brown. There is a possibility the shift to Anaheim may afford the veteran forward more ice time.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning are stacked to the gills with talented players at the forward position. In other words, things could easily turn into an episode of Game of Thrones when it comes to battling for ice time. Whether Brown ends up playing for the Ducks or their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, he should find himself with more ice time.

Since the start of the season, J.T. Brown has been going back and forth with other players on the team serving as the “healthy scratch.” While players get paid whether or not they are on the ice, no player wants to sit in the press box while their teammates hit the ice. Hockey is a sport, after all. Competition is a driving force.

Brown hasn’t had a whole lot of offensive production this season. In the 24 games he’s played this season, he’s brought home a goal and three assists for a total of four points to accompany a minus-1 rating. Maybe a change of scenery will be the thing Brown needs to find his spark.

Let’s just hope he doesn’t find said spark the next time the Bolts take on the Ducks.

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We here at Bolts By The Bay would like to extend our very best wishes to J.T. Brown, his wife Lexi, and their baby girl Lily as they transition to their new home and the next phase in J.T.’s career. Good luck in Anaheim.