Injuries to Scott Sabourin (undisclosed) and Brandon Hagel (undisclosed) will allow Michael Chaffee and Oliver Bjorkstrand to re-enter Tampa Bay's lineup. The 28-year-old Chaffee has not play an NHL game since late October. He has zero points in seven games this season.
Chaffee played a career-high 66 games with Tampa Bay last season, tallying 16 points (12G / 6A). The 27-year-old forward started the season with Tampa Bay but was held off the scoresheet in seven straight games, resulting in him being a healthy scratch for multiple contests, and ultimately being placed on waivers on Monday. He will report to the Syracuse Crunch (AHL).
Chaffee will get the chance to make his 2025 playoff debut on Thursday as the Lightning are opting to dress 12 forwards. Defenceman Darren Raddysh will sit in his place.
Chaffee exited Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers after 8:56 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old Chaffee has played a career-high 66 games and scored a career-high 18 points (12G / 6A) this season.
Chaffee will slot in for Jake Guentzel, who is a surprise scratch with an undisclosed injury. Chaffee has 12 goals and five assists in 62 games this season.
Chaffee will draw out in favour of Luke Glendening when they Lightning face the Senators on Thursday. Chaffee has 12 goals and five assists in 62 games this season.
Chaffee will get the chance to immediately draw back into the Lightning lineup on Thursday as Nikita Kucherov (illness) is unavailable. Cam Atkinson will also slot in for Darren Raddysh.
Chaffee will take a seat on Tuesday as the Lightning opt to dress seven defencemen. Victor Hedman (undisclosed) will draw back into the lineup in his place.
Cam Atkinson enter the lineup on Wednesday, replacing Chaffee, who is battling an undisclosed ailment. The 26-year-old Chaffee has provided depth offense for Tampa Bay this season, scoring nine points (5G / 4A) in 20 games while averaging 13:04 time-on-ice.
Chaffee exited Monday's 8-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche after playing only 9:55 time-on-ice. The 26-year-old Chaffee has been productive from a limited role for Tampa Bay this season, scoring nine points (5G / 4A) while averaging 13:04 time-on-ice in 20 games.
Chaffee was expected to be an unrestricted free agent come summer but has been re-signed by Tampa Bay for a two-year, $1.6 million ($800,000 AAV) contract extension on Thursday. The 26-year-old made his NHL debut in 2021-22 but played 30 of his 32 career games this season with Tampa Bay, picking up seven points (4G/3A) in 30 games played in 2023-24.
Chaffee was returned to Syracuse (AHL) for the All-Star break but has been deservedly returned to Tampa Bay on Monday. The 26-year-old had only appeared in two NHL games previous to this season and picked up his first career points on January 25th, 2024 this season. Through three games and only 8:25 average TOI he has a goal and an assist to go along with his +1 plus/minus.
Chaffee has not played since December 12th, when he registered two hits in 6:56 time-on-ice. He will likely line up on the fourth line with Luke Glendenning and Waltteri Merela.
Chaffee went pointless in his only game with the Lightning this season, though he remains productive for Syracuse (AHL). He has 11 goals and 14 assists in 33 AHL games this season.
