Tampa Bay Lightning News

Holmberg has sat as a healthy scratch since being recalled, so he'll swap places with Bobby McMann, who will likely play Saturday for Ryan Reaves.

Holmberg was recalled to give the Maple Leafs some defensive depth as Maxime Lajoie was sent down to the Marlies (AHL). Holmberg has spent seven games with the Maple Leafs this season, recording zero points, a -2 plus/minus, four blocks, and three hits.

Merela had zero points, 12 shots, and 10 hits through 10 games with the Lightning this year before being sent down to Syracuse (AHL) earlier this week. He has now been recalled as Conor Sheary suffered an upper-body injury on Tuesday and has been placed on the injured reserve.

Holmberg was held without a point through seven games with the Maple Leafs this season, averaging 8:45 time-on-ice and has now been loaned to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. Most recently, Holmberg was skating on a line with Max Domi and Calle Jarnkrok. In a parallel move, the Maple Leafs have recalled Nick Robertson from the Marlies.

Harkins was originally acquired off waivers from Winnipeg by Pittsburgh on October 1st but has cleared waivers again and been assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL). The 26-year-old winger failed to pick up a point in four games so far in 2023-24 but had four SOG, two PIMs and a -1 plus/miuns.

Holmberg has been recalled from the AHL after recording two points (1G / 1A) in two games with the Marlies. The Maple Leafs' sixth-round pick from the 2018 NHL Entry Draft will likely serve as a depth forward for the team as they enter the second game of a season-long, five-game road trip.

Vasilevskiy has officially been placed on LTIR after having back surgery and is expected to miss approximately two months to start the season. Jonas Johansson has been appointed the starting goalie position for the Lightning in the interim and had a very impressive preseason, posting a 3-0-0 record along with a 2.10 GAA and .932 SV%.

Guentzel was expected to miss most of the opening month of the season after undergoing off-season ankle surgery but has now been deemed fit to play on opening night. Lining up primarily alongside Sidney Crosby, Guentzel has been the picture of consistency over the last five seasons, tallying 333 points (159G / 174A) in 331 games. Expect Guentzel to continue his point-per-game pace lining up on the top line and top powerplay unit for the Penguins.

Holmberg had a shot to make the Maple Leafs' opening roster after putting up five goals, eight assists, 27 SOG, and 18 PIMs in 37 games played in his rookie season in 2022-23 but has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL) to the 2023-24 campaign. The 24-year-old right-winger was Toronto's 2018 sixth-round pick (156th overall) and should find his way back to the Maple Leafs at some point this season.

Guentzel, who underwent off-season ankle surgery, continues to be a full participant in practice and could play in the season opener for the Penguins. Last season, he scored 73 points (36G / 37A) in 78 games and would be a major boost for a Penguins team that is coming off missing the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. If Guentzel is able to suit up, expect him to take his familiar role alongside Sidney Crosby on the top line and top powerplay unit.

Pelletier is expected to be out long-term after undergoing shoulder surgery. Last season he made his NHL debut, recording seven points (3G / 4A) in 24 games for the Flames. In his absence, Dryden Hunt is expected to make the opening-night roster and center the 4th line for Calgary.

Guentzel was initially expected to miss the first month of the season, but then GM Kyle Dubas said he may only miss five games. Now, it looks like Guentzel may not be in danger of missing any games after being a full participant in Tuesday's practice. Guentzel had 36 goals and 37 assists (73 points) in 78 games a season ago.

Harkins had three goals, two assists, 18 SOG, 12 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus through 22 games with Winnipeg in 2022-23 but has been claimed off waivers Monday by Winnipeg after being placed on them by Pittsburgh. The 26-year-old centre played four NHL seasons in Winnipeg, scoring 13 goals and picking up 27 points across 154 NHL games played. He spent the majority of 2022-23 with Manitoba's AHL team picking up 25 goals and 50 points in 44 games but will hope to crack the Penguins' main unit to start the season.

Guentzel underwent offseason ankle surgery in early August and was expected 12 weeks. Penguins' GM Kyle Dubas later stated he would only miss about five games, so returning to the ice in training camp suggests he's on track for an early season debut.