The Tampa Bay Lightning have lost Riley Nash on waivers to the Arizona Coyotes. This comes nearly a month after the Lightning claimed Nash on waivers from the Winnipeg Jets.
Riley Nash did not make it through waivers, as @FriedgeHNIC reports he was claimed by the Arizona Coyotes . . . a significant drop in the standings for the veteran center
— Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) January 6, 2022
Nash’s waivers claim by the Lightning in early December was somewhat of a surprise, but this certainly was not as the veteran forward needed to be placed on waivers yesterday to free up roster space for Nikita Kucherov’s return tonight.
Kucherov’s return means the Lightning are losing the $9.5 million LTIR cushion provided by Kucherov’s injury status, and thus they had to return to a 22-player roster instead of the full 23 player roster they were able to carry in his absence.
In Nash’s ten games with the Lightning, he came as advertised as he was held scoreless, was reliable in the faceoff circle (52.9%-win rate), added depth to the penalty kill unit, and provided a calming presence to the Lightning’s fourth forward line.
His stint with the Lightning will likely be a blur in the minds of most Lightning fans down the line, but he did escape winter in Manitoba and helped the Lightning post a 6-3-1 record in a time of many injuries and COVID absences for the Lightning.
With Nash gone, and the Lightning forward core finally looking healthy, Gemel Smith figures to return to his role as the depth/emergency fourth line center in the event of another plague of injuries. However, Smith remains on Season Opening Injured Reserve after being injured in the Lightning’s preseason.
Information on the timeline for Smith’s return has been scarce since it was originally indicated that a return would have been possible around the middle of December. Until clarity is provided on Smith it is still possible for Stamkos, Joseph, or Katchouk to fill in at center as needed as they all possess center experience at the pro level.