3 Tampa Bay Lightning Prospects Expected To Get NHL Playing Time In 2024-25

The Tampa Bay Lightning have never had a tough time finding gems in the rough. This season, with a lack of depth up front especially, they are going to need options and the team has them. These are three prospects of the Lightning that are expected to get playing time in the NHL this season.

Conor Geekie

Conor Geekie is a top prospect that was part of the return for Mikhail Sergachev and it gives the Lightning a great dynamic forward very soon. There is a chance Geekie makes the Lightning out of training camp and slides into a second or third line role. He was excellent in the WHL last season, scoring 43 goals and 99 points in 55 games and Tampa Bay could use the boost this season. If he doesn't make the NHL right away, he will be given a trial at some point in 2024-25.

Gage Goncalves

Gage Goncalves has proven that he deserves a long look for a depth spot in the NHL this season. He can produce offensively and has done so in each of the last two seasons in the AHL. The 23-year-old has put up over 50 points in back-to-back seasons and got a two game look last season for the Lightning. He didn't record a point, but the depth is even weaker this season and he is the type of player Tampa Bay brings in and seemingly comes out of nowhere to produce.

Niko Huuhtanen

The Lightning will have former seventh round pick Niko Huuhtanen in the AHL this season after playing very well in Liiga for the past two seasons. The 21-year-old already has a good amount of experience against some pretty good talent and can produce. The power forward should eventually find a spot in the bottom-6 in Tampa Bay and will likely get a few games in at the NHL level this season.