TheDaysOf 04
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To touch on what Sky said, here are 4 players the Lightning developed.
Tyler Johnson - made his NHL debut at age 23 in 2013. Made the 2013-14 team out of camp at age 24.
Yanni Gourde - made his NHL debut at age 23 in December of the 2015-2016 season (played 2 games). Played 20 more games as a call up in 16-17 before becoming a full time player in 17-18.
Jonathan Marchessault - made his Lightning debut at age 23 (played 2 regular season games + 2 playoff games) in 2014-15. Played 45 games as a call up in 15-16 before becoming a full time NHLer for Florida in 2016-17
Cory Conacher - made his NHL debut at age 23 in 2013.
Obviously the thing they have in common with ABB is they were all undersized, undrafted players. Johnson and Gourde played as overagers in the CHL. Gourde and JAM broke in professionally with other organizations first. ABB is no different by not playing his first pro game with Syracuse until age 21.
The Lightning's ability to unearth overlooked prospects and not rush them to the NHL has worked out pretty well under the Yzerman/JBB era. Let it take its course. ABB is 23 years old, but when he's ready, he's ready. He very well might be ready soon, but it still doesn't make it any easier trying to crack into a team that returns 10 forwards who played in Game 6 of the Cup Finals and a healthy Steven Stamkos.
Tyler Johnson - made his NHL debut at age 23 in 2013. Made the 2013-14 team out of camp at age 24.
Yanni Gourde - made his NHL debut at age 23 in December of the 2015-2016 season (played 2 games). Played 20 more games as a call up in 16-17 before becoming a full time player in 17-18.
Jonathan Marchessault - made his Lightning debut at age 23 (played 2 regular season games + 2 playoff games) in 2014-15. Played 45 games as a call up in 15-16 before becoming a full time NHLer for Florida in 2016-17
Cory Conacher - made his NHL debut at age 23 in 2013.
Obviously the thing they have in common with ABB is they were all undersized, undrafted players. Johnson and Gourde played as overagers in the CHL. Gourde and JAM broke in professionally with other organizations first. ABB is no different by not playing his first pro game with Syracuse until age 21.
The Lightning's ability to unearth overlooked prospects and not rush them to the NHL has worked out pretty well under the Yzerman/JBB era. Let it take its course. ABB is 23 years old, but when he's ready, he's ready. He very well might be ready soon, but it still doesn't make it any easier trying to crack into a team that returns 10 forwards who played in Game 6 of the Cup Finals and a healthy Steven Stamkos.
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