A few teams were eyeing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nate Thompson as a potential trade deadline addition. They can now cast their eyes elsewhere as the Lightning announced they’ve locked up the rugged forward to a four-year contract extension.
ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun reports the deal has a cap hit of $1.6 million per year, totaling out to $6.4 million in all.
Thompson’s been a solid third-line forward for the Lightning and doubles as a penalty killer as well. Offensively, he’s got six goals and four assists this season through 30 games.
With Thompson locked up long-term, that takes yet another name off what was already shaping up to be a short list of players who could’ve been moved by the April 3 trade deadline. Thompson along with Anaheim’s Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry were all thought to be there to be had, but all three are out of the picture now.
Hey, maybe that Roberto Luongo deal can finally happen to give us something to run with on deadline day.