Jack Finley Makes NHL Debut For Lightning Against Boston

Jack Finley skating for the Tampa Bay Lightning
Photo: Yahoo Sports

BOSTON, Mass. — After sending down forward Gage Goncalves to the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, the Tampa Bay Lightning called up another rookie forward to boost their bottom-six offensive core. Yesterday, Jan. 14, the Bolts called up 6-foot-6 center Jack Finley from the Crunch ahead of their game against the Boston Bruins.

Finley made his National Hockey League debut in Boston as the 22-year-old took his rookie lap on enemy territory at TD Garden during warm-ups. His father, Jeff, was also in attendance to witness his son’s debut, as he himself was an NHL player with 708 games under his belt.

Finley played just 8:25 minutes of ice time in his inaugural NHL campaign against the Bruins, shooting once on Jeremy Swayman and taking several faceoffs; he finished with a plus-1 rating. For his first game, he played very well and looked eager to participate, but his team lost 6-2 to the Bruins.

About Finley

Originally a 57th overall 2020 draft pick by the Lightning, Finley has participated primarily in the AHL for the Crunch. However, it was a long-time coming for the rookie to make his debut for the team that drafted him.

Making his professional debut in the AHL with the Crunch, Finley got a brief taste of AHL hockey while playing in the Western Hockey League during the 2020-21 season, where he skated in only two games. In four seasons with the Crunch, the center has notched 27 goals and 32 assists in 131 games.

During this season with the Crunch, he accumulated two goals and four assists for six points in ten games. He also battled a tough injury to start the 2024-25 season, but seems to have acclimated well.

Bottom-Six Concerns

Now, it is unclear where Finley will fit with the Bolts for the next games. However, the overall concern with this team is its response to the lack of offensive production from the bottom-six lines.

Relying on the top six is proving time and again not an effective method of winning, especially against division rivals such as Boston, who are neck and neck in the standings. Likewise, Finley offers size and strength to the Bolts that they simply cannot ignore.

Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G. Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Brad Marchand wins his second Cup.- Bruins are in on another overseas player. Maxim Shabanov of the KHL. Is this the only real route they can take now?- Bruins Development Camp Roster is out. What are some intriguing names?- More teams shopping draft picks. Will the Bruins be able to trade the 7th pick?- Troy Terry is potentially available. Is he a fit for the Bruins?& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 
  1. Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G.
  2. Season 4. Episode 36. What's Your Vector, Victor?
  3. Season 4. Episode 35. Riding the Sturm Out.
  4. Season 4. Episode 34. Marco? Polo?
  5. Season 4. Episode 33. Sweens Extension

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Jake Farmer

I'm a photographer and writer covering the ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits based in Greenville, South Carolina, and writer of Tampa Bay Lightning content. Twitter and Instagram: JakeCF.Hockey

Leave a Reply

Carter Amico 2025 Draft Profile

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Carter Amico

Carter Amico is a big, mobile defenseman who played prep hockey at Mount St. Charles in Rhode Island and is a product of the United States National Development Team. In 80 total games with the development team, Amico scored just two goals and does not provide much offense. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound blueliner will head to […]

Read More
Benjamin Kevan 2025 Draft Profile

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Benjamin Kevan

Benjamin Kevan is a 6-foot-183-pound forward who most recently played with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League. The 18-year-old also participated in the United States National Development Program and played 13 games with two goals and an assist, and contributed the same offensive stats in seven games in the World Junior […]

Read More
Adam Benak 2025 Draft Profile

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Adam Benak

Adam Benak is an 18-year-old left-shooting center from Plzen, Czechia, who is projected to be drafted around the middle of the second round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the 2024-25 season playing for the Youngstown Phantoms, where he scored 17 goals and 42 assists over 56 games. He also played for the […]

Read More