The Lightning announced they’ve recalled wingers Boris Katchouk and Scott Sabourin from AHL Syracuse. They’re the corresponding transactions for yesterday’s injured reserve placements of Dominic James and Ryan McDonagh, bringing their active roster count back to 23.
At least one of them will draw into the lineup tonight against the Rangers. Tampa Bay’s list of injuries entering the matchup is lengthy. Not only are they without James and McDonagh, but Victor Hedman and Pontus Holmberg both sustained undisclosed injuries against the Capitals on Saturday and remain day-to-day.
The recall marks Katchouk’s first stint on an NHL roster since the 2023-24 season. The 27-year-old was a second-round pick by the Lightning in 2017 and began his second stint with the organization by signing a two-way deal over the summer. He did not have an NHL contract last season. After being released from a professional tryout with the Ducks, Katchouk landed with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a minor-league deal. The 6’2″ grinder racked up 21 goals and 49 points in 67 appearances in his first extended taste of AHL hockey since the 2020-21 season in his first go-around with Tampa. Katchouk is off to a good start this season in his familiar stomping grounds in Syracuse, rattling off four goals and five assists for nine points through 12 games.
Between his extended minor-league stints, Katchouk was a regular NHLer between 2021-22 and 2023-24. He broke into the league with Tampa but was traded to the Blackhawks during his rookie season in the Brandon Hagel deal. Katchouk remained in Chicago until being claimed off waivers by the Senators, who didn’t issue him a qualifying offer, late in 2023-24. In 176 appearances, Katchouk had a 15-21–36 scoring line with a -23 rating while averaging 11:09 per game, controlling 47.6% of shot attempts at even strength.
Sabourin’s recall is his fourth of the young season, although he hasn’t yet played for the Bolts. The club has brought him up when roster space allows so that he can serve a four-game suspension he was issued for roughing Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad in a preseason game. With that suspension now satisfied, he is eligible to play tonight. The 33-year-old enforcer has notched three goals and five points with 13 penalty minutes in 11 games for Syracuse thus far. It’s his first year in the Lightning organization after signing a two-way deal over the summer.
Katchouk can remain on the roster for up to 30 days or play 10 games until he needs waivers to return to Syracuse. Since Sabourin has already been on the active roster for four days, his waiver-exempt clock is down to 26.
Amazing not to see Geekie or Pelletier be one of the recalls, even more so because these are likely short-term appearances until James and Paul come back. Don’t understand the thinking here.
Perhaps there might be a fight on Saturday night in Sunrise?
Guess they’d rather lose and throw punches than score goals and win. Apparently they haven’t learned their lesson already…
@Lightning Strike – You don’t understand the thinking? SMH…well, Rangers and Panthers play physical. In case of the Panthers though, they play underhanded. You fail to remember the Bolts owned the Panthers in the preseason winning 2 of the first 3 preseason games against them and that doesn’t include the development games which the Bolts won all. The last preseason game was just to make statement that the Bolts are fed up with the Panthers dirty play and gave them a beating (it was well praised by Bolt fans and hockey fans in general) as the loss didn’t mean anything to them. It was just a meaningless preseason game.
Tampa has learned their lessons but apparently you missed it completely. Tampa is more than capable to beat Florida in more ways than one not just in the physical aspect but in winning as well.
As for the call ups, Boris Katchouk had a solid preseason and has played pretty well in the AHL let alone plays physical but he developed his game for the NHL. Scott Sabourin also plays a physical game but also provides other aspects to his game. Conor Geekie’s game is not up to par yet for the NHL as Raw Charge reported a good analysis on Geekie’s play between the AHL and NHL. As for Jacob Pelletier, the Bolts want Pelletier to develop more in the AHL (Syracuse is considered one of the best developmental systems in the AHL) but he’ll get his chance as he signed a 3 year deal with them but Pelletier’s game in the NHL prior to joining the Bolts has rather been up and down.
Its not complicated. You are down bottom six guys, you replace with bottom 6 guys. You do not need more scoring with Holmberg and James out. You need reliable physical guys.
You win Stanley Cups or at the very least increase your odds by being able to play a heavy defensive game, a physical game, and a potent offensive game. Being able to play these styles, and being better at them all then any opponent, which is how Florida and Tampa won cups and reached 6 straight finals.
It is funny how Cernak played his best hockey of the season, after McDonough left the game the other night. He was paired with Dastous, who can skate and move the puck. I called that a month ago, they should stick with it. Crozier with Liliberg will help that duo move the puck better as well.
My best guess is Sabourin isn’t there to play defensive, physical or whatever style of hockey. One could make that case for Katchouk. Douglas and Sabourin are going to go after Greer, Kunin and likely anybody else that wants to mingle on Saturday. I would say there will be fireworks in the first five minutes and all game long. The Panthers started this the second time these teams met in the preseason.