Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Callahan, Lightning still talking extension

Montreal Canadiens v Tampa Bay Lightning - Game One

TAMPA, FL - APRIL 16: Ryan Callahan #24 of the Tampa Bay Lightning stands for the anthem against the Montreal Canadiens in Game One of the First Round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on April 16, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Getty Images

While Martin St. Louis marches on with the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Final, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ryan Callahan are still trying to get a new contract worked out.

Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports Callahan and the Lightning are still talking about an extension but there’s nothing imminent regarding a signing. Callahan can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He was acquired from the Rangers in a blockbuster deal along with a first-round pick in the 2014 draft for St. Louis.

In 20 regular season games with Tampa Bay, Callahan had six goals and 11 points. In the Lightning’s four-game sweep at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens, he was held without a point while averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game.

Callahan is coming off a three-year contract that paid him nearly $13 million overall. It was reported during the season he was seeking a seven-year deal that would pay him $42 million from the Rangers. Even though he reportedly lowered his demands, the process led to him being traded out of New York.

Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has stated he would “love” to re-sign Callahan, but the lure of free agent money could make negotiations tricky.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT