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Eric Neilson poses behind a table of his bobbleheads that the Syracuse Crunch gave out as a promotion last season.

(Lindsay Kramer | LKramer@syracuse.com)

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse Crunch enforcer Eric Neilson will not be returning to the team in 2015-16.

Tampa Bay assistant general manager Julien BriseBois said Wednesday morning that he will not purse a deal with the popular Neilson, who is an unrestricted free agent.

"We need opportunity for some of these other wingers to get in the lineup and show what they can do,'' BriseBois said.

The decision came down to a balance between Neilson's all-star efforts off the ice and the diminishing roles of players like him on it.

Neilson, 30, was easily one of the most popular players in team history. He was the Crunch's man of the year for his community work in each of three seasons with the team and two years ago won the AHL award in that category. When the team had a promotion to push, Neilson was almost always the smiling face behind it.

"I've told him this. I think Eric Neilson is a hall of fame teammate,'' BriseBois said.

But Neilson claimed a roster spot that increasingly became an unused luxury.

He dressed for only 20 games last year, usually playing a couple shifts per contest. He seldom saw the ice in tight games.

Overall, in 94 games for Syracuse he compiled two goals, three assists and 297 PIM.

Neilson is the second popular vet to be shown the door this off-season, along with unrestricted free agent defenseman J.P. Cote.



"We are very grateful for everything they've done for us,'' BriseBois said. "From a personal standpoint, these two are the hardest (decisions) I've had to do.''

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