Declan Carlile recalled by the Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning recalled former Merrimack defenseman Declan Carlile.

The 23-year-old signed with the Lightning as a free agent after the 2021-22 season. He appeared in 69 games for the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) last season and totaled 24 points (8g-16a). This season for the Crunch, he has nine points (3g-6a) in 31 games.

Carlile had 56 points for the Warriors (13g-43a) in 83 career games over three seasons (2019-22). Carlile could make his NHL debut tonight when the Lightning visit the Minnesota Wild at 8 p.m. ET.

Carlile becomes the second former Warrior called up to the NHL this week. The Chicago Blackhawks called up Brett Seney on Monday. Seney played for the Blackhawks on Tuesday night against the Nashville Predators and finished with a shot, two PIMs, and two hits in 11:27 of ice time. The Blackhawks play in New York against the Rangers tonight.

When Carlile debuts, he'll be the third former Warrior to play in the NHL this season alongside Seney and Johnathan Kovacevic, who has been a regular on defense for the Montreal Canadiens since opening night.

Last week, Kovacevic scored one of the craziest goals of the NHL season (against the Lightning) when Tampa thought a play was blown dead (it wasn't).

Zach Uens (Florida Panthers) and Collin Delia (Winnipeg Jets) are also under NHL contract for the 2023-24 season.

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