TAMPA — In anticipation of the NHL’s deadline for setting opening-night rosters, the Tampa Bay Lightning has placed veteran defenseman Zach Bogosian on waivers. This move potentially means parting ways with another member of their Stanley Cup championship team.
The Lightning faces a unique roster crunch as they must carry three goaltenders on their 23-man, opening-night roster before placing starting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy on long-term injured reserve on Day 2. Consequently, they can have no more than 20 skaters for their upcoming game against the Nashville Predators.
Currently, it seems that Bogosian is the odd man out. He has been a member of Tampa Bay’s 2020 Cup squad and has played numerous regular-season and playoff games with the team over the past four seasons. On the other hand, Gabriel Fortier, their second-round draft pick in 2018, has been waived and is expected to be assigned to the AHL.
By placing Bogosian on waivers, the Lightning makes him available to any NHL team looking for a veteran right-shot defenseman. Teams have 24 hours to claim him. This decision also suggests that the Lightning is satisfied with starting the season with just seven defensemen.
Bogosian, 33, joined the Lightning as a free agent in February 2020 and missed their second championship run due to spending the year in Toronto. He returned to Tampa Bay in July 2021. Last season, he missed the first six weeks due to a shoulder injury and had one goal and four assists in 46 regular-season games.
With Vasilevskiy expected to be inactive for the first two months, the Lightning can receive salary-cap relief by placing him on long-term injured reserve. However, he must be on the active roster for the first day of the season.
The Lightning’s main roster crunch is at forward, where Alex Barre-Boulet, Waltteri Merela, and Austin Watson are vying for the 12th and 13th spots. Barre-Boulet has been a mainstay on the third line and second power-play unit during the preseason, while Merela has impressed with his tenacity. Watson, who is on a personal tryout, brings an enforcer presence to the team following the departure of Pat Maroon.
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