The Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday announced that they recalled defenseman Maxim Groshev and re-assigned Steven Santini to AHL Syracuse.
Groshev, a 6’2”, 196lb lefty has been with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization since 2020 when they drafted him in the third round (pick No. 85 overall) in the 2020 NHL draft.
So far this season he has has skated in 27 games in the AHL, scoring one goal, recording 11 assists, and 12 points, with a plus-8 rating and eight penalty minutes. The 24-year old’s 12 points leads the Crunch, along with leading in assists, and shots on goal (50).
After three seasons in the AHL, he has certainly proved that he deserves his shot in the NHL. Over the course of the last three seasons with Syracuse, he has totaled 150 games, scoring 18 total goals, 38 assists, 56 points, and 53 penalty minutes. He has an overall plus-10 rating.
Santini has been with the Lightning since they signed him as a free agent in 2024. Over the course of the last two seasons he has skated in 10 games with Tampa Bay, recording one assist, one point, and has a plus-1 record with two penalty minutes. He has averaged between 11:37-11:34 time on ice between the last two years with three shots on goal.
Santini has also spent time down in the AHL this season as well. He has skated in 18 games with the Crunch this year, recording five assists and five points, with a plus-8 rating and four penalty minutes.
Santini is a shutdown defenseman who uses all of his 207lbs to shut down offenses.
Groshev is also a big 196lb defenseman, and with his success down in Syracuse as of late, it’s an even exchange for Santini and a chance to give the 24-year a shot in the NHL. All eyes will be on if Groshev gets the call to skate on Sunday night against Montreal and make his NHL debut.