TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled defenseman Matt Taormina from the Syracuse Crunch today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced. Additionally, the team has reassigned defenseman Nikita Nesterov to the Crunch.

Taormina, 29, has skated in 10 games with the Crunch this season, posting two goals and five points to go along with a plus-4 rating. He ranks second among Crunch defensemen for points. The Washington Township, Michigan native also ranks tied for second on Syracuse with a plus-4 rating. Taormina scored in back-to-back games on October 28 at Toronto and October 30 versus Hershey. On October 30 against Hershey, Taormina posted a goal and two assists, earning first star honors in the Crunch’s 4-1 win.

The 5-foot-9, 192-pound defenseman has skated in 56 career NHL games over four seasons with the New Jersey Devils and Lightning, recording four goals and 12 points. Taormina has played in nine career games with the Bolts, most recently in the 2013-14 season.

Nesterov, 22, has appeared in six games with the Lightning this season, recording 19 penalty minutes. The 5-foot-11, 191-pound defenseman has played in 33 career NHL games, all with the Lightning over the past two seasons, notching two goals and seven points.