The Tampa Bay Lightning announced this afternoon the organization has come to terms with defenseman Victor Hedman on an eight-year contract extension.
The Tampa Bay Lightning has gotten off to a hell of a start in the Free Agency Period. After what one would consider a successful showing at the 2016 NHL Draft, the Tampa Bay Lightning shocked the world when they were able to come to terms on an eight-year contract extension with Lightning captain Steven Stamkos.
As if this wasn’t amazing enough news for Tampa Bay Lightning fans, both here in the Bolts Nation and around the National Hockey League, it seems like Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman had much more in store for Bolts fans.
The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today the organization has come to terms with Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman on an eight-year contract extension. Hedman’s new deal is said to be worth $7.875 million per year for a total of $63 million.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The signing of both Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman could usher in a whole new era for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The news means the Lightning’s number one sniper and most dangerous two-way defenseman are both locked down for the foreseeable future.
If the Tampa Bay Lightning can get players like Nikita Kucherov and Alex Killorn to sign the deals in front of them, the Lightning will be in an excellent position to be competitive next season. This will be extraordinarily important considering the big trades taking place in the National Hockey League today.
There are still plenty of changes on the horizon for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2016-17 season. With the Lightning buying out the contract of Matt Carle, there will be an opening for a new, young defenseman. This could be the opportunity Slater Koekkoek has been waiting for.
If given the time to play alongside defensemen like Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman, Koekkoek could become quite the asset to the Lightning’s blue line.
Next: Tampa Bay Lightning Re-Sign Steven Stamkos
Victor Hedman signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning so far ahead of his contract expiration speaks volumes for his dedication to the team and the desire of the Lightning’s core group to work together to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup high above their heads. We don’t know about yo