Kent Hughes has opportunity to acquire 24-year-old Quebec forward on NHL waivers

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Greg Wilson
October 27, 2024 (8:09 PM)

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We have some National Hockey League (NHL) waiver action on October 27, as the Tampa Bay Lightning submitted the name of Quebec forward Gabriel Fortier.

Teams will have 24 hours to claim him, otherwise, he will be transferred to the Syracuse Crunch, Tampa's farm club, in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Elliotte Friedman also has some interesting information about Fortier:

«Gabriel Fortier (TB) is on waivers. He had off-season surgery, so he should be almost ready. »

So, as the hockey expert indicates, he would be ready for a return to the game.

Fortier, 24, is a second-round pick of the Lightning in 2018, 59th overall.

Officially, he will begin his sixth season in 2024-25 with the Florida team.

With the Syracuse Crunch in 2023-24, Fortier has been a solid force, scoring 13 goals and totaling 26 points in 62 regular season games. During the Calder Cup playoffs, he contributed four assists and five points in eight games, positioning himself among his team's top scorers.

Fortier, who is 24 and comes from Lachine, is already familiar with the NHL, having made his debut with the Lightning in November 2021 against the Blues. He scored his first goal a month later against the Golden Knights.

Since 2018, he has accumulated 44 goals and 100 points in 235 games with the Crunch, consolidating his leadership role.

With a tenacious and versatile player profile, Fortier could interest a few clubs, including the Montreal Canadiens, who are looking for a player with character.