Thomas inked a one-year contract with Leksands IF (Sweden) on Wednesday.
Thomas made just five appearances for the Lightning last year, instead spending the bulk of the year in the minors with AHL Syracuse. With the Crunch, the 25-year-old blueliner notched eight points in 16 contests. At this point, it's hard to see a path back to the NHL for the 2014 fourth-round selection.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Joins active roster
Rotowire
Thomas was recalled from the taxi squad Monday, CapFriendly reports.
Thomas was on the active roster but watched Monday's game against Florida as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old went scoreless in five games during his first taste of NHL action.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Sent to taxi squad
Rotowire
Thomas was demoted to the taxi squad Sunday, according to CapFriendly.
Thomas has appeared in five NHL games this season but is still looking for his first career point. The 24-year-old blueliner could be recalled again for Monday's tilt with Florida.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Draws into lineup
Rotowire
Thomas was promoted to the active roster under emergency conditions Saturday, per CapFriendly.
Thomas entered the lineup because the Lightning had three of their regular defensemen sidelined by injury. The 24-year-old Thomas could be a candidate to play again in Monday's regular-season finale versus the Panthers.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Rises to taxi squad
Rotowire
Thomas was promoted to Tampa Bay's taxi squad Friday.
Thomas will likely be on hand as an emergency option for Saturday's game versus Detroit. He's picked up one assist through four top-level appearances this year.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Shuffles to minors
Rotowire
Thomas was reassigned to AHL Syracuse on Thursday, per CapFriendly.
Thomas has seen action in four NHL games this season, going pointless while supplying three hits, two shots and two blocks over that span. The 24-year-old will return to AHL Syracuse, where he's racked up eight points and a plus-6 rating in 11 games this campaign.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Dropped to taxi squad
Rotowire
Thomas was reassigned to the taxi squad Sunday, per CapFriendly.
Thomas made his NHL debut this month and has been in the lineup for the last four games. Still searching for his first career point, he could be recalled before Tuesday's game in Nashville.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Descends to taxi squad
Rotowire
Thomas was assigned to the taxi squad Saturday, per CapFriendly.
Thomas continues to serve as depth on defense while the Lightning are missing two of their regular blueliners due to injury.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Up to active roster
Rotowire
Thomas was promoted to the active roster Friday, per CapFriendly.
Thomas is likely involved in the Lightning's salary cap management. Luke Schenn and Andreas Borgman seem likely to replace Thomas on the active roster for games versus the Red Wings on Saturday and Sunday.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Recalled from minors
Rotowire
Thomas was recalled from AHL Syracuse to the taxi squad Thursday.
With Ryan McDonagh, Jan Rutta and Erik Cernak all dealing with lower-body injuries, Thomas will add depth on the Lightning's blue line. The 24-year-old has yet to make his NHL debut, but he's been successful in the minors, posting eight points over 11 AHL appearances this year.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Hits waivers
Rotowire
Thomas was placed on waivers Monday.
He'll likely end up on the taxi squad, which is one step closer to his ultimate dream -- an NHL career. Thomas has played four consecutive seasons with AHL Syracuse, but he never put up more than 22 points (72 games). He's a steady bottom-paring guy if he gets a shot with the big club. The taxi squad will also have defenders Luke Schenn and Andreas Borgman.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Handed one-year deal
Rotowire
Thomas put pen to paper on a one-year, two-way pact with Tampa Bay on Monday.
Thomas has spent the past four seasons playing for AHL Syracuse without getting an opportunity to make his NHL debut. The 2014 fourth-round pick will stick with the club for at least one more year but is unlikely to offer much in terms of fantasy value even if he can crack the Lightning's lineup.
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Ben Thomas: Will hit free agency
Rotowire
Thomas didn't receive a qualifying offer from Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
Thomas has been a pretty steady blue-line contributor for AHL Syracuse over the past three seasons, notching 59 points in 210 games, so he'll likely get another look with a different organization on a two-way deal this offseason.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Reassigned to minors
Rotowire
Thomas (undisclosed) was shipped down to AHL Syracuse on Sunday, TSN reports.
Thomas was limited in training camp due to an undisclosed injury, which made his demotion all but guaranteed since team brass didn't get a good look at him. The blueliner figures to spend the bulk of the upcoming campaign in the minors honing his game.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Sporting non-contact jersey
Rotowire
Thomas took the ice Friday in a non-contact sweater, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.
Thomas was a long shot to make the Opening Night roster even without picking up an undisclosed injury and now seems destined to start the season in the minors with AHL Syracuse. Having said that, the departure of Jake Dotchin could open the door for Thomas or Slater Koekkoek to earn a roster spot.
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Lightning's Ben Thomas: Agrees to entry-level contract
Rotowire
Thomas signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Lightning on Tuesday.
Thomas, a 2014 draft pick, has spent four season playing in the WHL where he has tallied 90 points. Most of the blueliner points have come from assists rather than goals, something that will likely transition into his game should be make it to the NHL.
