Jakob Pelletier Hat Trick Raises Questions About NHL Future

Jakob Pelletier reminded the Tampa Bay Lightning of what he can do offensively on Saturday night, recording his second career AHL hat trick in the Syracuse Crunch’s 7-2 victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

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The 25-year-old forward scored all three goals in the second period, helping Syracuse improve to 4-4-1-0 on the season. Pelletier’s hat trick was his first since March 9, 2022, and gives him four goals and three assists for seven points through nine games this season. While Saturday’s performance was impressive, it raises a familiar question: What more does Pelletier need to do to earn a regular opportunity with Tampa Bay?

Pelletier’s AHL Success

Pelletier is coming off the best season of his professional career. In 2025-26, the former Calgary Flames first-round pick led the American Hockey League in scoring with 77 points (28 goals, 49 assists) in 63 games. His performance earned him the John B. Sollenberger Trophy as the league’s scoring champion, First Team All-Star honors, and the AHL Player of the Year award.

Pelletier also finished the season on a 20-game point streak, the longest in the AHL in more than 17 years. He led AHL forwards with 31 power-play points and tied for the league lead with five shorthanded goals. Despite that production, Pelletier appeared in just five NHL games with the Lightning last season.

A One-Way Contract, But Still in Syracuse

Tampa Bay signed Pelletier to a three-year contract on July 2, 2025. The agreement was structured as a two-way deal for the first season before converting to a one-way contract for 2026-27 and 2027-28. A one-way contract means Pelletier receives the same salary regardless of whether he plays in the NHL or AHL. It does not guarantee him a spot on Tampa Bay’s roster.

The Lightning placed Pelletier on waivers in September, and he cleared before beginning the season with Syracuse. Tampa Bay has established forwards such as Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel, and Anthony Cirelli occupying prominent offensive roles. The organization has also been using younger forwards, including Gage Goncalves, Conor Geekie, and Dominic James.

That leaves Pelletier competing for an opportunity on a roster where his offensive production alone may not determine whether he earns a recall.

What’s Next for Pelletier?

Pelletier isn’t without NHL experience. Originally selected 26th overall by Calgary in the 2019 NHL Draft, he has appeared in 91 NHL games with the Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, and Lightning, recording 11 goals and 18 assists. The question isn’t whether Pelletier can produce in the AHL. He has already established himself as one of the league’s top offensive players.

The challenge is turning that production into a permanent NHL role. His three-goal performance on Saturday gives Tampa Bay another reason to keep him in consideration. However, with the Lightning’s current forward depth, a recall could depend as much on roster availability and the role the organization needs filled as it does on Pelletier’s scoring. For now, Pelletier remains in Syracuse, where he will look to build on Saturday’s performance and work his way back into the NHL.