Tampa Bay Lightning lose Jack Finley to the St. Louis Blues

Prior to rosters freezing for the Olympic break, the Tampa Bay Lightning placed center, Jack Finley on Waivers. On Saturday, Finley was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Blues from Tampa Bay.

Finley, 6’6”, 227lbs was drafted by the Lightning in the second round (No. 57 pick overall) of the 2020 NHL draft. He has spent the entirety of his career in the Tampa organization.

He made his NHL debut on January 14, 2025 at Boston. Since then he has skated in 23 total games with the NHL team, recording two goals and an assist this season with three points. Last season he had a +1 rating and so far in 2025-26 he has a +2 rating with an average of 8:25 on ice. He has a career 12 shots on goal (11 this season). Finley scored one of his goals on Nov. 15 against the Florida Panthers and December 20thagainst Carolina.

Though Finley has skated the entirety of his career with the Lightning, returning to St. Louis is a homecoming for the 23-year old who was actually born and raised in St. Louis. The son of former NHL player Jeff Finley was born while his father was playing for the Blues, so like father, like son, (Jack) Finley will be returning home to join the very team his dad played for just 23 years ago when he was born.

This season with the Syracuse Crunch, Finley has a goal and two assists, with three total points in just three games played. He was sidelined back in November with an undisclosed injury that forced him to miss some games.

Last season with the Crunch he had 14 goals, 14 assists, and 28 points in 40 games played. 

Finley will now say goodbye to Tampa Bay and return home to St. Louis to join the Blues once the Olympic break concludes.