Jan 21, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center Conor Geekie (14) and defenseman Darren Raddysh (43) defend the puck against Montreal Canadiens right wing Patrik Laine (92) during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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Tampa Bay Lightning Reassign Conor Geekie to AHL Syracuse

Tampa Bay Lightning send Conor Geekie to AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch for further development.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have sent top prospect Conor Geekie to their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, opening up two spots on their active roster. Geekie, who left Saturday’s game against the Islanders with an arm injury, appears healthy but won’t be in the lineup against the Senators tonight. Instead, he’ll focus on regaining form in the minors.

Geekie’s reassignment follows a rough stretch in which he recorded no points and a minus-five rating over nine games. His on-ice performance, including a 43.4% Corsi For percentage, indicated he was struggling to help the team’s possession game. The Lightning sees this move as an opportunity for Geekie to develop further after a challenging stretch in the NHL.

Lightning Send Conor Geekie to AHL Syracuse https://t.co/ffyz2Oyj7X #NHL #THW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) February 4, 2025

Acquired last summer in the Mikhail Sergachev trade, Geekie was Tampa Bay’s top prospect and ranked 74th on The Athletic’s league-wide top 100 prospects list. The 20-year-old center had an outstanding junior season in 2023-24, scoring 43 goals and 99 points in the WHL, but came into the NHL with just two games of professional experience from last year’s AHL playoffs.

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Despite his potential as a top-six, two-way center, Geekie spent most of his rookie season on the wing due to the Lightning’s depth at center. He played in 49 games, contributing six goals and six assists while averaging just over 12 minutes of ice time per game. However, his production didn’t match the pace of his linemates like Brandon Hagel, who has been one of the team’s most reliable scorers.

The Lightning’s offense remains one of the best in the league, led by stars like Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, but the team is still seeking additional scoring depth. Geekie’s move to Syracuse gives him a chance to play more minutes and refine his game in a less pressurized environment.

With two years remaining on his entry-level contract, Geekie has plenty of time to prove he belongs at the NHL level. For now, the Lightning are hoping the stint in the minors will help him unlock the potential that made him the 11th overall pick in the 2022 draft.

Image Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Conor Geekie

NHL

Tampa Bay Lightning

Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!