Lightning signs Nick Abruzzese to one-year contract

Abruzzese is changing zip codes for the first time in his pro hockey career. He was originally taken by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fourth round, 124th overall, of the 2019 NHL Draft, and has spent over three seasons playing for the organization.

After wrapping up his third year at Harvard University, Abruzzese played nine games for the Maple Leafs at the end of the 2021-22 season. However, he didn’t see any time during the team’s run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Slate Hill, New York native played two games in April of the 2022-23 campaign, but that was the last time he saw his name in the NHL lineup.

In 11 games with the Leafs, Abruzzese has scored a goal and two assists for three points.

He’s spent the majority of the past three years with the Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. Abruzzese has been a solid scoring threat on a team that qualified for the Calder Cup Playoffs in each season he was on the roster. He scored over 40 points every year with the Marlies, including a career-best 2023-24 campaign, where Abruzzese scored 16 goals and 36 assists for 52 points.

In his tenure in the AHL thus far, the 26-year-old has appeared in 211 games, scoring 47 goals and 96 assists for 143 points. He’s also notched eight points in 12 postseason affairs.

Along with his professional experience, Abruzzese also played for the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

According to PuckPedia, the Lightning are projected to have a hair under $4.3 million in cap space for the 2025-26 season.