Tampa Bay Lightning Re-Sign Tanner Jeannot to Two-Year Deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed restricted free agent forward Tanner Jeannot to a two- year contract worth $2.655 million per season. The two sides were able to avoid an arbitration hearing that was set for July 24.  Jeannot’s deal will take up just about all of the Lightning’s current $2.979 million in cap space

It was no secret that the Lightning gave up seemingly everything imaginable to acquire Jeannot at this past season’s deadline. Tampa Bay surrendered five draft picks and Cal Foote to bring in Jeannot. Part of the reason the price became so high was that Jeannot was under team control as a Restricted Free Agent this summer. In addition to being under team control, Jeannot was likely looking at a pretty affordable next contract for Tampa Bay.

After coming to Tampa Bay at the deadline, Jeannot recorded just four points in 20 games. After being hurt late in the regular season, Jeannot ended up playing in just three of the six Lightning playoff games.

With being back to full health and a full training camp and preseason under his belt this year, Jeannot is a strong candidate for a bounce back year the way Brandon Hagel was this past year. Jeannot likely will not have the opportunity to play up as high in the lineup as Hagel but the Lightning are hoping to see production closer to what was seen in Jeannot’s rookie year. In his rookie season, Jeannot scored 24 goals and over 40 points.

With

Pat Maroon no longer in the picture with the Lightning

, Jeannot will be the leading tough guy now in the Tampa Bay forward group. His fighting ability quickly became known among Lightning faithful.