The Tampa Bay Lightning got some work done, re-signing forward and pending restricted free agent J.T. Brown to a two-year, one-way contract, the team announced Friday prior to the NHL Draft.
Brown was at the end of a two-year, $1.9 million deal.
The 25-year-old Brown hit a single-season career-high in goals with eight and points with 22 during the regular season, and then appeared in nine playoff games, adding two assists. He was also used on the penalty kill during the regular season, averaging 1:26 of PK time per game.
His post-season was interrupted by an upper-body injury suffered blocking a shot, but he returned for the entire Eastern Conference Final versus the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Updated: The Bolts have also re-signed forward and pending restricted free agent Cedric Paquette to a two-year deal.
#lightning Cedric Paquette: 16-17 $800 000, 17-18 $825 000 #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) June 24, 2016
The Lightning still have a lengthy list of pending RFAs, most notably 26-year-old center Alex Killorn (14 G, 40 PTS, 81 Games in 2015-16), 23-year-old center Vladislav Namestnikov (14 G, 35 PTS, 80 Games in 2015-16), and 23-year-old right winger Nikita Kucherov (30 G, 66 PTS, 77 Games in 2015-16).
#TBLightning has had discussions with Nikita Kucherov camp, but preliminary. No offers yet. Will be an RFA July 1.
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) June 24, 2016
#TBLightning has re-signed Luke Witkowski to a one year, two way deal
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) June 24, 2016
Meanwhile, the big storyline following the Lightning at this draft is about the future of Steven Stamkos in Tampa Bay.
He’s a pending unrestricted free agent, and would be the most highly touted UFA in this year’s class if he does go to the open market. General manager Steve Yzerman said the door hasn’t “closed” on re-signing Stamkos, however teams will be allowed to begin talking to representatives for the coveted forward tomorrow.