Young star Connor Geekie is entering his second season with the Lightning but this season he is hopeful to break through. Th 6-foot-4 and 212-pound center played 52 games with the Lightning last season, producing eight goals and six assists for 14 points, along with one power play goal, three game-winning goals, and 97 hits. The 11th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes, he is developing into a solid player who could make an impact this season.
Ekblad stated, "Going down the wall there, I'm trying to make a hit every single time I do that. I was aiming for his chest, I caught him in the chin, and that's unfortunate. It was not my intention."