Tampa Bay Lightning Call Up Dylan Duke
After just one game with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Conor Sheary was sent back to the Syracuse Crunch. With Anthony Cirelli’s status uncertain for tomorrow’s matchup against the Detroit Red Wings, the Lightning have called up forward Dylan Duke. This marks the 21-year-old’s first NHL recall, and if Cirelli is unavailable, Duke could make his NHL debut.
Duke had an impressive career at the University of Michigan, recording 100 points (54 goals, 46 assists) in 123 games. He made his professional debut with the Syracuse Crunch at the end of last season, playing three regular season games without a point, then adding two assists in five post-season games.
The 5’10”, 176 lb forward has 13 goals and 9 assists in 36 games this season, showing no signs of being out of place at the professional level. Although injuries have kept him out of some games, Duke is typically one of the Crunch’s best players when healthy.
Duke’s style is straightforward. While not a giant, he is strong on his skates and excels in front of the net. He thrives on tips, deflections, and rebounds, but also has solid playmaking abilities. His skillset includes good hands and the ability to set up his teammates.
Originally projected to be a second-round pick in the 2021 draft, Duke was selected in the fourth round by the Lightning with the 126th pick. Despite joining a star-studded Michigan team, Duke stood out as one of their top scorers, earning 19 points in 40 games as a freshman.
The left-shot forward, who can play both center and wing, ranked seventh in our recent Top 25 Under 25 list. His high ranking is partly due to his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively. If Cirelli is unavailable, Duke would likely slot into the third or fourth line, with Nick Paul moving up to fill Cirelli’s spot. He is expected to remain with the team through the weekend before being reassigned to Syracuse after the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
