Katchouk cleared the NHL's COVID-19 protocols and was loaned to AHL Syracuse on a conditioning assignment Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Katchouk has missed Tampa Bay's last two games while in the league's virus protocols, so he'll head to the minors to get back into game shape. The 23-year-old winger has picked up six points and 97 hits through 37 top-level appearances this year.

Katchouk was placed in COVID-19 protocols Sunday, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Katchouk's positive test should hold him out of at least Tuesday's game in Winnipeg and could rule him out for the Lightning's entire road trip through Canada. The 23-year-old rookie has six points in 37 games this season.

Katchouk sat out his second-straight game Friday when the Lightning beat the Coyotes 4-3 in overtime.

EDGE Analysis

His ice time had dropped to as low as 7:22 in a recent game, so perhaps the view from the press box will help him gain perspective for his return. Katchouk has two goals and six points in 36 games this season, but has just one goal in his last 16 games.

Katchouk has 75 hits to lead the Lightning this season.

EDGE Analysis

Katchouk only has five points (one goal, four assists) in 28 games this season, but he is in the top 50 in hits in the NHL. There's not much fantasy value in his game, but he plays an important fourth-line role for the Bolts.

Katchouk managed an assist and four hits in Friday's 3-0 win over the Kraken.

EDGE Analysis

Katchouk helped out on a Ross Colton goal 31 seconds into the second period. The 23-year-old Katchouk has found his footing a bit more recently, as all three of his assists have come in the last seven games. He's added 34 hits, 10 shots on net, 10 PIM and a plus-3 rating in a fourth-line role.

Katchouk (lower body) will return to the lineup for Saturday's game versus Florida, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Katchouk is expected to slot into a fourth-line role against the Panthers following his six-game absence. The 23-year-old winger has gone scoreless through four top-level appearances this year.

Katchouk (lower body) will not play Tuesday against Carolina, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Katchouk was considered questionable Tuesday but he'll miss his sixth straight game. The 23-year-old's next chance to suit up will be Saturday against the Panthers.

Katchouk -- who is dealing with a lower-body injury -- could be an option for Tuesday's matchup with Carolina, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Katchouk has missed the club's last five outings after suffering his lower-body injury. Even once medically cleared to play, the winger will likely have to spend some time watching from the press box this season, especially after the Lightning reclaimed Alex Barre-Boulet off the waiver wire.

Katchouk (undisclosed) will not be available for the rest of the Lightning's road trip, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

This news will rule Katchouk out until at least Nov. 9 against the Hurricanes but it sounds like he could be out even longer. The 23-year-old has been held scoreless through four appearances this season in a bottom-line role.

Katchouk will not be in action against the Capitals on Monday due to an undisclosed injury, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Even when healthy, Katchouk is far from a lock for the lineup and will likely have to compete with Alex Barre-Boulet and Taylor Raddysh for a spot all season long. In the event another injury comes up, Gabriel Dumont was called up from AHL Syracuse as an emergency depth option.