The Tampa Bay Lightning announced this afternoon that defenseman Maxim Groshev is being sent back to the AHL Syracuse Crunch. The 23-year-old was called up three days ago due to Erik Černák’s week-to-week injury, but he was unable to draw into the lineup, and is set to continue his development in the AHL.
Along with Černák’s injury, the Bolts also are missing Ryan McDonagh and Victor Hedman, their defense corps ravaged for the time being. Darren Raddysh and J.J. Moser have had to step up and play big minutes. After a slower start to the season, the injuries to their blue line could have sunk the team, but impressively, the opposite has happened. Tampa Bay has won five in a row, and eight of their last 10, a sign of the franchise’s endless resilience and sustained success.
Groshev, interestingly, has made the rare professional transition from a forward to a defenseman, which occurred late last season in the AHL. Drafted in the third round back in 2020, the Russian spent time in the KHL before coming over in 2023-24, playing for Syracuse ever since. At 6’2” Groshev never showcased enough offense as a forward to suggest a next step into the NHL, but has looked comfortable on the back end so far this season, with six points in 17 games with the Crunch.
Although Jon Cooper has opted for Steven Santini and Declan Carlile for now, Groshev will be especially motivated to earn his way back to an NHL debut this season, as his contract expires this summer.