Tampa Bay Lightning place forward Alex Barré-Boulet on waivers

One of the forwards in the Tampa Bay Lightning system might be heading down to the minors.

On Thursday, the team announced they are placing forward Alex Barré-Boulet on waivers.

This is the second time Barré-Boulet was put on waivers this season. The 26-year-old cleared right before the start of the regular season, but was quickly recalled by the Lightning in mid-October.

If Barré-Boulet were to clear on Friday, he can join Tampa’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. The former AHL Rookie of the Year has not played in the minors since last season.

Barré-Boulet has been in and out of the Bolts’ lineup for most of the 2023-24 campaign. In 36 games, the Montmagny, Quebec native has scored six goals and three assists, all career highs for the fourth-year pro. He last registered a point when he scored against the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 21.

Barré-Boulet is in the final year of a three-year contract with an AAV of $758,333.

The former CHL Player of the Year has spent most of his time with the Crunch since coming to the organization in 2018. In 285 AHL games, Barré-Boulet has scored 111 goals and 187 assists. In 68 career NHL appearances, he has notched 12 goals and six assists.

Barré-Boulet had a very, very brief spell with the Seattle Kraken. In October 2021, he was placed on waivers by the Lightning, but was claimed by the Kraken. However, after two games with his new team, Barré-Boulet was put back on waivers by Seattle, in which Tampa took him back.

The Lightning (30-22-5) are currently fourth in the Atlantic Division, five points back of the Toronto Maple Leafs for third. They hold the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, five points ahead of the ninth-place New Jersey Devils.