Benjamin Rautiainen: The NHL situation changed significantly

Benjamin Rautiaisen chances to fight for an NHL spot have improved. The Tampa Bay Lightning’s offense has suffered two significant absences, creating space in the lineup for the Finnish prospect.

Lightning confirmed on Wednesday that Yanni Gourde will be sidelined until December due to hip surgery. Dominic James, on the other hand, broke his hand during summer training and will miss the first weeks of the season.

Gourde played all 82 regular-season games last season in a Tampa Bay uniform, collecting 28 points (9+19). In the playoffs, he recorded one assist in seven games.

James appeared in 43 regular-season games last season and scored 15 points (7+8). In the playoffs, he registered 2+1 in seven games.

Rautiainen is currently at the Lightning’s young players’ training camp. The forward, who moved from Tappara to North America, has started the camp strong, recording 1+1 in two games.

However, an NHL spot is not easily obtained. Rautiainen is competing for the same spots as Sam O’Reilly, who was the brightest star of the Kitchener Rangers, coached by Jussi Ahokas, that won the OHL Memorial Cup last spring.

The Lightning drafted Rautiainen in the fourth round with the 108th pick in last summer’s NHL draft.

Rautiainen had a breakout season in the Liiga last year. He scored an impressive 25+52=77 points in 59 regular-season games, won the scoring title, and ended his season with a Finnish championship.