Conor Geekie, like Gage Goncalves, could open the season on the third line. As I noted in Booms and Busts column, Geekie, the 11th overall pick in the 2022 draft scored just 14 points in 52 NHL games but was much more dangerous in the AHL with 11 goals and nine assists in just 24 regular-season games in 2024-25. If you just look as his NHL production, it certainly does not stand out. But that does not tell the full story.

Geekie's AHL output provides a bit more insight into his upside. Tampa needs tertiary support, which Geekie and Goncalves can provide. Geekie has the size, speed and skill to take a major leap forward this season, which would significantly lengthen the Tampa Bay lineup.