Abruzzese penned a one-year, two-way contract with the Lightning on Tuesday.
Abruzzese posted 15 goals, 36 points and a plus-11 rating over 56 regular-season games with the Crunch in 2025-26, and he added a goal and three helpers over four postseason contests. The 2019 fourth-round pick will continue to provide organizational depth for Tampa Bay in 2026-27, as he hasn't gotten into an NHL game since the 2022-23 campaign, when he was with the Maple Leafs.
... See More... See Less
Lightning's Nick Abruzzese: Pots pair for Crunch
Rotowire
Abruzzese scored two goals in AHL Syracuse's 5-3 win over Rochester on Friday.
Abruzzese has done a fine job for the Crunch this year with 11 goals and 42 points through 45 outings. He hasn't had a lot of explosive performances, but he also missed time from late January into early March. He has earned three goals and two assists since he returned.
... See More... See Less
Lightning's Nick Abruzzese: Three assists Wednesday
Rotowire
Abruzzese notched three assists in AHL Syracuse's 3-2 win over Laval on Wednesday.
Abruzzese has three multi-point efforts this campaign. The forward has a total of four goals and 10 helpers through 16 contests in his first year with the Crunch. He's not likely to see much time with the Lightning this year, but he's on pace for a career-best AHL campaign.
... See More... See Less
Lightning's Nick Abruzzese: Goal, assist in AHL loss
Rotowire
Abruzzese scored a goal and added an assist in AHL Syracuse's 4-2 loss to Rochester on Wednesday.
Abruzzese is off to a positive start in his first year with the Crunch, racking up a goal and four assists over five games. The 26-year-old has aged out of prospect status and is more likely to be a career minor-leaguer at this point. However, if he continues to play well, he could get a call-up to the Lightning to fill a bottom-six spot.
... See More... See Less
Lightning's Nick Abruzzese: Put on waivers
Rotowire
Abruzzese was placed on waivers by Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
Abruzzese had 15 goals and 43 points across 72 regular-season appearances with AHL Toronto in 2024-25. The 26-year-old is likely to spend most, if not all, of the upcoming campaign with AHL Syracuse.
... See More... See Less
Maple Leafs' Nick Abruzzese: Waived by Toronto
Rotowire
Abruzzese was placed on waivers by the Maple Leafs on Thursday with the intent to reassign him to AHL Toronto.
Abruzzese hasn't appeared in an NHL game since he made two appearances for the Maple Leafs during the 2022-23 season. Assuming he clears waivers, he'll head back to the AHL, where he'll likely spend most of the 2024-25 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Maple Leafs' Nick Abruzzese: Returns to AHL
Rotowire
Abruzzese was reassigned to AHL Toronto on Thursday, Kevin McGran of The Toronto Star reports.
Abruzzese had two assists over two games during his time with the big club. He'll likely finish out the campaign with the Marlies.
