Merela will be the odd-man out on Tuesday as the Lightning are opting to dress seven defensemen. He has just one goal and no assists in 17 games this season.
Waltteri Merelä News
Merela will take the place of the scratched Alex Barre-Boulet. Merela is yet to register a point in 14 games this season.
Merela played 14 of 17 games for the Lightning this season, averaging 10:35 time-on-ice ice, registering 16 shots on goal, and failing to record a point. The Finnish forward played predominantly on the fourth line with Luke Glendenning and Austin Watson.
Merela had zero points, 12 shots, and 10 hits through 10 games with the Lightning this year before being sent down to Syracuse (AHL) earlier this week. He has now been recalled as Conor Sheary suffered an upper-body injury on Tuesday and has been placed on the injured reserve.
Merela was an undrafted free agent out of Finland, who has spent the last four seasons in Finland's top-tier. In 2023, he had 33 points (15G / 18A) in 41 games with Tappara Tampere (Liiga).