The Lightning announced they’ve recalled goaltender Brandon Halverson from AHL Syracuse. They had an open roster spot after reassigning Maxim Groshev yesterday. They’ve also shifted center Brayden Point to injured reserve, according to Erik Erlendsson of Lightning Insider, leaving them with an open spot even after Halverson’s addition.
Halverson’s presence indicates there’s a risk that Andrei Vasilevskiy won’t be available for tonight’s game against the Penguins. The team’s Gabby Shirley reports he’s not present at morning skate. He’s not yet carrying an injury designation. Vasilevskiy has started four out of the Bolts’ last five games and looked no worse for wear in his latest start against the Islanders on Tuesday, allowing two goals on 23 shots in a loss.
The 29-year-old Halverson is in his third season in the Tampa organization. He began at the bottom of the ladder as an ECHL signing by the Orlando Solar Bears late in the 2023 offseason before being loaned up to Syracuse and landing a deal with them a few months later. Halverson remained on a minor-league deal through last season, in which the 2014 second-round pick of the Rangers made a career-high 45 appearances with a 2.22 GAA, .915 SV%, five shutouts, and a 22-11-11 record. That delayed breakout earned him an NHL deal from the Bolts in February, essentially serving as a call-up in place of an injured Johansson. It was a two-year, two-way deal, keeping him under contract through this season.
That signing led to Halverson’s first career NHL start late last season, a 6-4 loss to Utah on March 22. It was his second-ever NHL appearance and first in over seven years. While in the Rangers organization, he entered a February 2018 game in relief of Henrik Lundqvist.
While Halverson’s brief NHL resume has seen him post an underwhelming .800 SV% and 5.11 GAA in 71 minutes of action, he’s got a career .901 mark in the AHL over seven seasons. That matches his work for Syracuse this year, along with a 2.58 GAA, two shutouts, and a 9-4-0 record in 13 games.
Point hasn’t played since Nov. 22, so his IR placement is solely for roster management purposes and doesn’t offer any meaningful update to his timeline. He’s dealing with an undisclosed injury and doesn’t yet have a date for his return to the lineup.
Uh-oh…
I really hope Andrei Vasilevskiy is just under the weather (flu or something) or is handling a minor personal matter and it isn’t an injury concern (fingers crossed) for why he won’t potentially be at the game tonight. The injury bug has been absurd on Tampa this season as at some point it has to calm itself down.
After the Olympics, will be even more injured Lightning. Rooting for Pelletier to get a decent look at some point.
Are there as many shady hemp shops in Tampa as there are in Daytona Beach?
Do you have ESP? You don’t know who may or may not get injured. That’s a foolish remark. Actually, there probably won’t be that many injuries as the Olympic rules have harsh restrictions on physical play. Basically, don’t be expecting anything close to the 4 Nations nonsense. Personally, I think these special exhibition events like the Olympics, 4 Nations, etc are pointless and overall meaningless events.
Also, a lot of Tampa’s players won’t be in the Olympics. Only some will be as guys like Kucherov, Vasilevskiy, and really 80% or more of the team won’t be on Olympic teams.
Too many games between compressed NHL schedule and Olympics, that is why I am expecting injuries. Thought and still think it is a rational take. Maybe not. Time will tell.
I lived in Tampa for a bit in 2003, then spent the next 20 something years mostly Colorado. Moved to Daytona Beach last month and am surprised at how many shady hemp stores there are here. Was legitimately wondering if there are a lot of shady hemp shops in Tampa.
You can find anything in Tampa, but overall, its a nicer place to live. Daytona is a bit run down.
Hagel, Cirelli, Point, Guentzel, Cernak, Hedman, Moser, Bjorkstrand, Girgensons
That is a solid 9 out of 20. Actually 9 out of 18, because Kuch and Vasi are not eligible. Which is insane. Russia providing all the energy to power the olympics, but not allowed to participate. So dumb.
9 out of 18 regulars will be at the olympics, that is 50%. Outside chances for McDonough, Lileberg (is Norway participating in hockey?)
That is well north of the 20% you stated.
Seems like the worst has been avoided…Cooper saying it’s “nothing serious” and he expects him to be ready to go for Saturday against the Islanders
(Obviously though, could just be a smokescreen)