The Tampa Bay Lightning brought in some reinforcements on Thursday morning, recalling forward Mitchell Chaffee from the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL).
The 28-year-old forward took part in Thursday’s optional morning skate ahead of tonight’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins at Benchmark International Arena, and he’s happy to be back with the Lightning.
"I'm just honored to be back up and ready for this opportunity,” Chaffee said. “We’re kind of in a dog fight right now with the standings and everything going on, which is great. It's playoff hockey, and that's why you play the game.”
Chaffee opened the season in Tampa Bay, playing seven games for the club in October. He is fresh off a 2024-25 season in which he set NHL career highs in games played (66), goals (12), assists (6) and points (18).
The forward still holds the highest single-game hit total of any Lightning player this season thanks to a 10-hit performance in the season opener against the Ottawa Senators.
“He's a guy who's done well for us in the past, whether it's hitting, forechecking, timely scoring. He's a guy who's been proven for us going back seasons,” Lightning assistant coach Jeff Halpern said of Chaffee following Thursday’s morning skate.
Chaffee has continued to be productive for the Crunch in the AHL, scoring 24 goals and 55 points in 52 games while collecting 57 penalty minutes. He ranks third on the team for goals and is tied for third in total offense.
The forward credited the organization’s winning culture and a great group in Syracuse for his success there, but Halpern was quick to give No. 41 his due credit for the success, too.
“I think what he's done in Syracuse this year, I think the attitude that he's had and his intensity that he's brought—I think a lot of guys sometimes go down and don't have a great attitude, and it shows in their game,” Halpern said. "I think it's the opposite for Chafs. I think he's been really good.”
With Lightning forwards Brandon Hagel and Scott Sabourin listed as day-to-day by the team, there is at least a chance Chaffee draws into the lineup on Thursday.
“They've been playing really well,” Chaffee said of Pittsburgh. "They’re always going to bring it. They added some people at the deadline, and that's how it goes. They're looking to take playoff spots as well and keep their hopes going, so it's going to be a tough matchup and it's just going to be another playoff game tonight.”
He also looked forward to meeting Corey Perry, who has rejoined the Lightning locker room since Chaffee’s last stop in Tampa. As for his mentality is ahead of his possible return to NHL ice tonight?
“I want to play my game, but I also want to put myself in position to shoot the puck and win a lot of battles and bring that physicality,” he said. "That’s a big part of my game, so I'm just gonna go out there and play my game.”
The team looks slightly different than the last time Chaffee was in the Lightning locker room.
Chaffee's focus, though, isn’t any different. He wants to do whatever it takes on the ice, and he’ll aim to bring it with him as soon as tonight against the Penguins.
“It’s a winning culture here, and that’s how it’s always been. Sometimes there’s ups and downs to that, and I think a big part of it is stepping in and trying to add to that.”
