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Lightning prospect check-in: O'Reilly's first AHL goal, another strong start for Duke

The Tampa Bay Lightning prospects are making their latest impressions for their NHL club, with some looking to do it at a new level of play
ByHarrison Smajovits
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Here's how some Lightning prospects are faring so far this season
Here's how some Lightning prospects are faring so far this season | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As the Tampa Bay Lightning season marches on, so do the campaigns of their prospects across the hockey world. That's quite a literal way to put it, with players watching the ice in multiple countries.

Let's take a look at four prospects who are typically on the radar during the latest Lightning prospect check-in.

Benjamin Rautiainen, Tapparra (Finland)

So far, Rautiainen is off to another start over in his home country. He's tallied two goals and two assists for four points in seven games so far.

Compared to last year, it's naturally a slow pace. His MVP-worthy season saw him finish with 77 points in 59 games. It's early. He'll pick up the pace. You don't go through a whole season scoring more than a point per game in each and every game.

Rautiainen will have the full season in Finland to build his hype. He's under contract and is required to stay over there until next season since he didn't make the NHL roster on opening night.

Sam O'Reilly, Syracuse Crunch

He's not setting the world on fire, but in the context of it being his first season in affiliated hockey, he's not looking too bad. Across six games played, he has a goal and an assist for two points. Both were firsts for him in the AHL.

The quicker he gets going, the quicker he might find himself in the NHL with the Lightning. When he arrives, he will help provide some needed center depth.

Dylan Duke, Syracuse Crunch

The longest-tenured Lightning prospect on this list is already building upon the career season he had last season with Syracuse. He has a goal and three assists for four points across six games. He assisted the aforementioned goal by O'Reilly.

Maybe this is the season he sees more action in the NHL. He's coming off 32 goals in 72 AHL games in 2025-26. There is always room for more growth, but at some point, he has to get a chance to see if he can perform beyond two games at the next level.

Jack Pridham, University of Denver (NCAA)

When looking around, it made sense to check in on at least one college man.

Pridham came over from the Chicago Blackhawks in a trade over the offseason. After scoring 46 goals and 90 points for the Kitchener Rangers last season, he took his talents to the NCAA.

Through four games, he hasn't scored, but has collected two assists. We'll see how he adjusts to the college ranks in time. After a handful of games, it's hard to judge. The expectation is that he's helping the Pioneers win another national championship.

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