Tampa Bay Lightning Conor Geekie Has Been Suspended for One Preseason Game

The Tampa Bay Lightning have gotten their preparation underway for the 2024-2025 campaign, with a roster that carries some changes after a flurry of big moves were made. Perhaps most importantly, talented scoring winger Jake Guentzel has been signed, replacing longtime team captain Steven Stamkos. And in keeping with some sense of continuity, longtime D-man Victor Hedman has been announced as captain of the club to lock in his leadership status within the team. The team made one major trade, dealing defenseman Mikhail Sergachev in a transaction that brought in 20-year-old forward Conor Geekie, a former first-round draft choice.

Lightning prospect Conor Geekie is bound and determined to show he belongs in the NHL. At age 20, he has gotten several looks during preseason and is doing his best to impress. In one game against the Florida Panthers, Geekie found himself in the news for all the wrong reasons when he decided to answer a hit with a fight of his own. The instigator penalty that Geekie received led to almost 20 minutes in penalty minutes and an early exit from the game.

But that wasn't all: The league wanted in on the action, too, holding a disciplinary hearing to take a closer look at what Geekie had done. After holding the hearing, the NHL announced it had suspended him one preseason game for instigating a fight under Rule 70.2. The suspension will keep Geekie out of the Lightning's final preseason matchup, but it's a minor setback as the team readies itself for the regular season.

It's been quite a journey up to this point for Conor Geekie. Drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in 2022, he became an influential player in junior hockey with stellar performances in the WHL. He was heavily on attack both for the Wenatchee Wild and Swift Current Broncos, having 99 points combined in the season of 2023. It was his strong play that made him such a touted prospect, and the Coyotes' decision to trade him to Tampa Bay in the Sergachev deal came as something of a surprise. Going forward, Geekie does have a fantastic opportunity to break into the NHL as he is quite young.

Considering his recent suspension, Conor Geekie is one of the more exciting younger players in the Lightning organization, with hopes that he can contribute sooner rather than later. His NHL debut might be near, and with the start of the regular season next week, as the opener against the Carolina Hurricanes approaches, the Lightning will be looking for him to show just how talented he can be once the puck drops.