Tampa Bay Lightning D Slater Koekkoek Reassigned To Syracuse Crunch
After being a healthy scratch for the first three games of the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have reassigned defenseman Slater Koekkoek to the Syracuse Crunch.
The Tampa Bay Lightning definitely started off the 2016-17 season on the right skate. Despite a number of bumps in the road along the way, the Lightning remains one of two teams in the National Hockey League who remain undefeated. We know…it’s still early in the season, but it’s never too early to be happy.
Unfortunately, there is one player in the Lightning’s lineup that has yet to take the ice and feel the excitement of the Bolts’ amazing start to the season. Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Slater Koekkoek was named a healthy scratch in the first three games of the season.
Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced yesterday the team has recalled defenseman Matt Taormina. In return, the team has reassigned defenseman Slater Koekkoek to the Lightning’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.
A move like this so early in the season, especially when Koekkoek has yet to be given an opportunity to play, seems rather suspect to many people around the Bolts Nation.
However, Lightning fans have been assured that Koekkoek being reassigned is not to be considered a form of punishment.
According to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper was quite clear that Koekkoek’s re-assignment was not a “demotion.” Their only intention was for Koekkoek to be able to play more games in lieu if sitting on the bench every night collecting rust. Cooper assures Koekkoek will be back.
#TBLightning Cooper made it clear Koekkoek getting sent down is not a "demotion." Just to get him more games. Will be back.
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) October 20, 2016
Last season, Koekkoek played in nine regular season games with the Tampa Bay Lightning. In those nine games, Koekkoek scored one lone assist. This may not seem like much, but this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Koekkoek’s experience from the 2015-16 season.
Slater Koekkoek was able to play in 10 postseason games with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Six of the games Koekkoek played in were against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the Eastern Conference Final. This kind of experience is not something a young player comes across every day.
When a player has tasted even the mildest form of success at that level of play, it lights the fire inside their soul which makes them yearn to have that feeling once again. Over the course of the 2016-17 preseason, Koekkoek worked his tail off in the hopes of finding his spot on the Tampa Bay Lightning’s roster.
While he may not have himself a permanent spot just yet, his work did not go unnoticed by the powers that be. Cooper did say that Koekkoek would be back and their intention was for Koekkoek to get some games under his belt.
This is a very similar situation to the one Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy experienced last season when he was reassigned to the Syracuse Crunch. The Lightning had no interest in demoting Vasilevskiy; however, as Bishop was holding down the fort, the Lightning wanted Vasy to have an opportunity to play.
It’s unknown as to exactly when we will see Slater Koekkoek back here in the Bolts Nation, but one could reasonably assume it won’t be too long. Koekkoek has done all the right things to prove himself a valuable asset to the team. After he gets a few games under his belt, we have a good feeling he’ll be back.
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