The Tampa Bay Lightning organization has made a calculated move to bolster its forward depth, announcing the signing of veteran forward Scott Sabourin to a one-year, two-way contract. This type of agreement signals that the primary role is anticipated to be within the team`s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, with the potential for call-ups to the National Hockey League (NHL) roster as operational requirements dictate.
Sabourin, now 32 years of age, brings a considerable amount of professional experience, particularly at the AHL level. His most recent campaign, the 2024-2025 season, saw him predominantly with the San Jose Barracuda, the AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks. In 68 appearances there, he recorded 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points, serving as an alternate captain – a role that often denotes leadership and a respected presence within the locker room.
In contrast to his consistent AHL workload, Sabourin`s NHL exposure last season was notably limited, consisting of a single game with the San Jose Sharks. His time on ice in that appearance totaled 10 minutes and 27 seconds, during which he did not register any points and finished with a minus-two rating. This performance snapshot is characteristic of his NHL career trajectory to date.
Across five seasons, Sabourin has accumulated 47 NHL games distributed among the Ottawa Senators (over two separate tenures), the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the San Jose Sharks. His statistical output at the NHL level totals 2 goals and 6 assists, accumulating 8 points with a cumulative minus-10 rating. These figures highlight that his contribution in the NHL has typically been less focused on offensive production and more aligned with other facets of the game.
His AHL resume is significantly more extensive, spanning 532 games across numerous teams including the Barracuda, Belleville Senators, Toronto Marlies, Stockton Heat, San Diego Gulls, Iowa Wild, Ontario Reign, and Manchester Monarchs. Over this considerable sample size, Sabourin has posted 88 goals and 93 assists for 181 points.
An interesting note from his path to the pros: Sabourin was not originally a draft pick. He signed an entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings back in 2013. His eventual NHL debut came later in 2019 with the Senators, notably scoring his first NHL goal on his very first shot against the Toronto Maple Leafs. A statistician might appreciate the efficiency, even if the volume has been low.
For the Lightning, this signing represents a low-risk acquisition aimed at solidifying organizational depth. Sabourin`s veteran presence can be valuable for younger players in the AHL system, and his six-foot-four, 207-pound frame provides a physical option should the need arise for a different dimension on the NHL roster. It`s a move that may not generate headlines but is a standard part of managing a professional hockey organization`s personnel assets from top to bottom.