Richard Panik Reassigned To Syracuse

The Lightning have reassigned forward Richard Panik to the Syracuse Crunch. This was predictable, given Panik’s limited ice time and the fact that the Bolts were scratching two forwards each game. He’ll get the developmental minutes he needs in Syracuse. The team is also readying itself for the return of Steven Stamkos, who after an encouraging X-ray is set to begin skating with contact. (Photo/Susan Ferlita)

Here is the release from the team:

The Tampa Bay Lightning have reassigned forward Richard Panik to the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced.

Panik, 22, has skated in 39 games with the Lightning this season, collecting two goals and 11 points to go along with 15 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound forward ranks tied for ninth in the NHL among rookies for power-play assists with four. Earlier this season, he was named to represent Team Slovakia at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Panik has appeared in 64 career NHL games, all with the Lightning, over the past two seasons, recording seven goals and 20 points with 19 penalty minutes.

The Martin, Slovakia native has played in 115 career AHL games with the Crunch and Norfolk Admirals, posting 41 goals and 82 points. He ranked second on the Crunch last year during the Calder Cup playoffs for goals with nine and ranked first for penalty minutes with 59. Panik won the Calder Cup Championship in 2012 as a member of the Admirals.

Panik was originally drafted by the Lightning in the second round, 52nd overall, at the 2009 NHL Draft.

Follow me on Twitter @LightningShout and please “like” LightningShout on Facebook. You can email us at [email protected].