Conacher has frequently been called-up as a reserve forward but it looks like he'll play Monday with Anthony Cirelli and Alex Killorn. Conacher has one assist in three games with Tampa Bay this season and has 17 points (8G / 9A) in 20 AHL games.
Conacher was a healthy scratch vs. The Sabres on Monday but will replace Carter Verhaeghe as the 11th forward on Wednesday night. So far he has one assist and two shots while averaging 12:05 TOI/gm in two games this season.
Conacher has scored five goals with seven assists (12 points) in 16 AHL games this season. Conacher has been a predominately AHL player throughout his career, collecting 303 points (117G / 186A) in 324 career AHL games. He has also scored 28 goals with 46 assists (74 points) in 189 career NHL games with the Lighting, Senators, Sabres and Islanders.
Conacher was recalled prior to Wednesday's game but Anthony Cirelli returned to the lineup, so Conacher was a healthy scratch. He heads back to the AHL where he has six points (3G / 3A) in seven games.
After spending a season in Switzerland, Conacher returned to the Lightning last season and scored one goal and three assists (four points) in 11 games with the Lightning. He spent the majority of the season in the AHL, where he amassed 60 points (17G / 43A) in 56 games with the Syracuse Crunch.
Conacher registered one shot in 8:04 TOI last night vs. the Flames while replacing Jonathan Drouin (illness) last night. The Lightning have the next three days off, so Conacher returns to the AHL and Drouin should be back by Monday.
With Jonathan Drouin listed as a game-time decision, Conacher has been called-up to potentially fill-in for him. Conacher has two points (1G / 1A) in seven games with the Lightning this season as well as 44 points (12G / 32A) in 42 games with the Crunch.
Conacher has 10 goals and 32 assists (42 points) in 41 games with Syracuse this season, but is likely only coming up as insurance for Tyler Johnson, who’s status is uncertain for tonight’s game. Conacher also has one goal and one assist in seven NHL games this year.
Conacher has picked up four goals and 11 assists (15 points) in 18 games with Syracuse this season. He failed to pick up a point in his only game with the Lightning this season.
Conacher made his season debut on Saturday, but his return to Syracuse this afternoon suggests that Ryan Callahan could be ready to return for Sunday’s game.
Conacher has scored five goals and 17 assists (22 points) in 28 games with Bridgeport (AHL) this season. This is a minor-league deal and Conacher is expected to report to Utica (AHL).
Nikolay Kulemin skated on the top-line in practice on Friday, but the Islanders are going to give Conacher another chance to play with John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. However, Kulemin will be moved to that line if Conacher is not playing well.
Heading into training camp everyone wondered who would be the third man on this line. A lot of people picked Brock Nelson as the man who would fill the role. Some thought maybe Ryan Strome would get the nod, or even Josh Bailey. But, it will be Conacher who will start there on opening night. “It’s pretty special,” Conacher said about the opportunity to play on the top line. “I’ve gotten this opportunity before, in Tampa when I first started my career, and I just have to try to take advantage of this opportunity." Conacher is a speedy winger who is a definite fantasy sleeper heading into the season, but like he said he needs to take advantage of the opportunity he has been given.
Conacher along with a fourth-round pick was sent to the Senators for Ben Bishop last season. Bishop has been amazing this season, while Conacher has struggled severely and now finds himself in Buffalo. The 24-year-old spent four years at nearby Canisius College, so this is a bit of a homecoming for Conacher. He recorded four goals and 16 assists (20 points) in 60 games with Ottawa this season.
I wonder if the Senators are rethinking the Ben Bishop for Conacher trade right now? Bishop is 18-5-2 with a 1.96 GAA and .934 SV% while Conacher is scratched for the second time in the last eight games and has two goals and six assists in 35 games.
Conacher was a healthy scratch after recording just one assist in his last 10 games. After being acquired from Tampa Bay for goaltender Ben Bishop, Conacher has just four goals and six assists (10 points) in 41 games with Ottawa. Before he was traded he had 24 points in 35 games with the Lightning. He was expected to compete for a top-6 job at the start of the season, but that has not developed. He will likely skate on the fourth line with Mika Zibanejad and Matt Kassian, while Mike Hoffman takes a seat.
Conacher played on the Senators top line on Tuesday, resulting in him scoring and Spezza recording a hattrick.
