Verhaeghe, 22, played in 58 games with the Syracuse Crunch last season, posting 17 goals and 48 points to go along with 30 penalty minutes. He ranked second on Syracuse for points and was third for goals and assists (31). The Toronto, Ontario native led the Crunch for power-play goals with seven. Verhaeghe also appeared in seven Calder Cup Playoff games, recording a goal and eight points.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound forward has skated in 135 career AHL games with the Crunch, Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Toronto Marlies over four seasons, recording 39 goals and 93 points. Verhaeghe set career highs for games played, goals, assists and points during the 2017-18 season while with the Crunch.

Verhaeghe was acquired by the Lightning from the New York Islanders in exchange for goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis on July 1, 2017.