Jakob Pelletier has one goal heading into September: crack the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup.
With less than a month to go before training camp, AHL.com Features writer Patrick Williams spoke with Pelletier to discuss his offseason, his goals and his push for an NHL roster spot.
“I thought I had a good camp (last year),” Pelletier said. “It’s a hard team to go there and take a spot. You’ve got to work your way (through), and then if you get an opportunity, you have to take it.”
Pelletier is coming off a strong season with the Syracuse Crunch, leading the American Hockey League with 77 points (28 goals, 49 assists) in 63 games. His 31 power-play points led all AHL forwards, while his five shorthanded goals tied for the league lead.
“The way they prepare you in the AHL, the way they treat you, the expectations in the AHL are the same as with the Lightning,” Pelletier said of his time in Syracuse.
The Lightning roster is a tough one to crack, with several future Hall of Famers already locked into spots and prospects Sam O’Reilly, Conor Geekie and Benjamin Rautiainen waiting in the wings. But after four straight first-round exits, there’s an opportunity for Pelletier and the rest of Tampa Bay’s young players to make an impact and help the team take the next step.
Pelletier signed a three-year contract with Tampa Bay in July 2025. The deal converts to a one-way contract this season, putting him in position to establish himself as a reliable option for the Lightning.
