The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed free agent forward, Josh Archibald to a two-year contract worth $1.6 million. Archibald will carry a cap hit of $800,000 in his two seasons.
We have signed free agent forward Josh Archibald to a two-year contract worth an AAV of $800,000.
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) July 1, 2023
📝: https://t.co/JTUI6xxVub pic.twitter.com/bnUnCA2eSQ
Archibald marks the Lightning’s second free agent signing since free agency opened at noon ET Saturday. Archibald, like Conor Sheary, is a former Pittsburgh Penguin. Archibald was part of their second Stanley Cup Championship in a row in 2017.
Since his initial time in Pittsburgh, Archibald has bounced around a bit, spending time in Arizona, Edmonton and returning to Pittsburgh last season. Last year in Pittsburgh, Archibald played in 62 games and had six goals and six assists.
Josh Archibald, signed 2x$0.8M by TB, is a fourth line forechecking winger. #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/299ijhOLBo
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2023
Archibald provides a solid depth option to play in the Lightning’s bottom six. At $800,000 per season, there is little risk involved. Archibald will likely draw in on the fourth line when in the Lightning lineup and play on the wing opposite of Pat Maroon.
With Archibald and Maroon potentially taking up the fourth line wing positions, a center will likely be next in the new iteration of the Lightning fourth line with Corey Perry gone and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare likely leaving.