Monday, June 09, 2014

Bolts Re-Sign Palat

The Tampa Bay Lightning have wasted no time in locking up one of their key young players for the future, as they have re-signed 23-year old Czech forward Ondrej Palat to a new 3-year deal, reportedly worth $10 million.

Thanks to injuries and trading players away at the deadline, Palat finished atop the forwards in scoring for the Lightning, finishing the year with 23 goals and 36 assists in 81 games, ranking 66th overall in pool scoring, 49th among all forwards.  Palat joined teammate Tyler Johnson and Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon as finalists for the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year.

Palat was due to be a restricted free agent this Summer, coming out of his entry-level deal.  His new deal will go until he is 26 years old, bridging the gap between the entry-level deal and his long-term deal before or around unrestricted free agency.  This should prove to be a solid move by Lightning management.

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