Tampa Bay Lightning Prospect's Four-Point Performance Leads Flint Past Sarnia
The Tampa Bay Lightning took a flyer on Flint Firebirds forward Kaden Pitre in the sixth round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Although he isn't putting up astronomical numbers, he's quietly had a productive season, which has been met with full health.
Last season, Pitre only played 35 games. He lost out on the second half of the season when he was injured in a game on Jan. 26, against the Mississauga — now Brampton — Steelheads.
Despite missing half the year, Pitre still mustered up 10 goals and 30 points, good for almost a point-per-game.
Here's the scouting report on the Lightning prospect as per Dobberprospects.com:
Pitre is a defense-minded forward. He plays with a high motor and is very physical but currently lacks the skills to be a threat with the puck. He was starting to flash a more refined transition game and deception in attack, but then Pitre lost the second half of last year to injury. A wildcard, he has the mentality and motor to be a bottom-six defensive forward with continued linear growth. Should he start growing more aspects of his game, he could be an excellent all-around bottom-six player. It's hard to project when he missed so much time; playing a full season this year should help paint a clearer picture for the future. Markus Roach
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Pitre has shown excellent progression in his offensive game this season. He has set career highs in goals (20) and points (48) in just 52 games, while maintaining a physical and responsible 200-foot game.
On Wednesday night, Feb. 26, the Firebirds hosted the young Sarnia Sting. The Flint Firebirds were riding a winning streak, having won their last two games as they entered this match.
They are immersed in a fierce battle for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. Finishing in sixth, seventh, or eighth place would lead to a challenging first-round matchup against either London, Windsor, or Kitchener.
Flint needs to climb the standings and try to surpass the Erie Otters for fifth place. If successful, they are likely to face the reigning Memorial Cup champions, Saginaw, which will not be an easy challenge itself.
The Firebirds buzzed down the Sting with a convincing 6-2 win led by the first star of the game, Lightning prospect Kaden Pitre.
Pitre tied the game up with a seeing-eye wrister from the boards with 6:19 left in the first period. He later had the primary assist on Urban Podrekar's powerplay marker in the second period.
Two minutes later, with the game knotted up at deuces, Pitre scored what would end up being the game-winner off a beautiful cross-ice feed from New York Rangers prospect Nathan Aspinall.
Pitre's four-point night was the third game this season where the Tampa Bay prospect has recorded four or more points in a game. Earlier this month he had five assists in Flint's 5-2 win against Ottawa.
Since the new year, Pitre has 24 points in 20 games. He's got the agitating playstyle of a bottom-six forward that the Lightning love. If he continues to progress offensively like we've seen this year, then the Lightning may have a hidden gem in their pipeline.
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