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Tampa Bay Lightning Prospect Guide: Syracuse Crunch Players To Watch In 2026-27
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- Tampa Bay Lightning Prospect Guide: Syracuse Crunch Players To Watch In 2026-27
The Tampa Bay Lightning have several young players pushing toward the NHL, and theSyracuse Crunchwill once again be a key stop in the organization's development pipeline.
Syracuse opens its 2026-27 home schedule Oct. 10 against the Belleville Senators at Upstate Medical University Arena.
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Here are three Lightning prospects to watch with Syracuse in 2026-27.
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2026 Syracuse Crunch vs Utica Comets
Ethan Gauthier, F
Ethan Gauthier enters his second full professional season looking to build on a strong finish to 2025-26.
The 2023 second-round pick recorded 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points in 56 games with Syracuse last season.
Gauthier produced 18 of those points over his final 25 games, and the Lightning hope the 21-year-old can continue that progression in a larger role with the Crunch this season.
Dylan Duke , F
Dylan Duke established himself as one of the AHL's top goal scorers last season.
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The 23-year-old scored 32 goals and finished with 59 points while playing all 72 games for Syracuse. His 32 goals tied for third in the AHL.
Duke is competing for an NHL roster spot during Lightning training camp, but he has said he'll return to Syracuse focused on earning another call-up if he doesn't make Tampa Bay .
Sam O'Reilly, F
Sam O'Reilly enters his first professional season as Tampa Bay's top-ranked prospect according to NHL.com.
The 2024 first-round pick split last season between London and Kitchener in the OHL, combining for 71 points in 56 regular-season games.
O'Reilly then produced 28 points in 18 playoff games and was named MVP of the Memorial Cup.
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The 20-year-old is competing for a Lightning roster spot this fall. If Tampa Bay decides he needs additional development time, Syracuse could give fans an opportunity to watch one of the organization's premier young players.
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