With both Ryan McDonagh and Jan Rutta out, Gaunce comes up to serve as the Lightning's seventh defenseman. The 29-year-old has scored four goals with 24 assists (28 points) in 47 AHL games this season.
Gaunce spent most of the 2018-19 season in the AHL, where he led all Crunch defensemen with 46 points (10G / 36A) in 59 games. During his brief time in the NHL, the 29-year-old has two goals and three assists in 34 combined games with the Avalanche, Stars, Penguins and Lightning.
Gaunce did not appear in a game during his call-up but his return to the AHL suggests that Victor Hedman is good to play on Saturday. Gaunce has two points (1G / 1A) in six AHL games this season.
Gaunce, 26, had two assists in three games with the Penguins earlier this season and he’s back because Olli Maatta got hurt last night vs. the Jets. Gaunce, who has 13 points (2G / 11A) in 47 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) this season, is expected to play tonight.
Gaunce was recalled ahead of Saturday’s game as insurance, but never played.
Gaunce averaged 13:50 TOI per game in nine contests with the Stars this season. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound defenseman returns to Texas having skated in 28 games for the club, posting seven points (1G / 6A) and 25 penalty minutes this season.
Gaunce, 23, has skated in 28 games for Texas this season, earning seven points (1G / 6A) and 25 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound defenseman has played 11 career NHL games, all with the Colorado Avalanche, collecting one goal and 16 penalty minutes. Originally selected by Colorado in the second-round (50th overall) in the 2008 NHL Draft, Gaunce was acquired by Dallas via trade from Colorado in exchange for forward Tomas Vincour on April 2, 2013.
No immediate fantasy value in the AHL.
