Reviewing the post-trade deadline recall rules AKA Why Lightning can’t recall Koekkoek

With Jason Garrison leaving the game against the Boston Bruins in the second period, the #FreeKoekkoek tweets that everyone had saved in their drafts were immediately fired off.

But I’m sorry to burst everyone’s bubble. Slater Koekkoek will not be getting a recall phone call. And the simple reason is, the Lightning can’t recall him.

There are two rules in particular that are relevant. The first is that after the NHL trade deadline passes, the only players that can be loaned to the AHL are players that were recalled from the minors after the trade deadline. The second is that an NHL team is only allowed four “regular” recalls after the trade deadline.