Lightning's Waltteri Merela: Sent back to Syracuse

Merela was reassigned to AHL Syracuse on Sunday.

With the Lightning off until Feb. 7, Merela will return to Syracuse after playing 19 games in the NHL. He scored one goal while averaging 9:49 TOI in a fourth-line role. The rookie winger could return to Tampa following the break if Tanner Jeannot (lower body) and Austin Watson (lower body) remain unavailable.