The Tampa Bay Lightning have locked up a core piece of their two-time Stanley Cup championship-winning roster by signing Brayden Point to an eight-year, $76 million contract extension.
The 25-year-old is entering the final year of a three-year, $20.25 million contract. His new deal will kick in ahead of the 2022-23 season and will see his salary cap hit go from $6.75 million to an average of $9.5 million per season.
“I’m very excited to stay in Tampa for another nine years,” Point said in a press release. “I want to thank the entire Lightning organization for this and say thanks to our fans. Since being drafted by Tampa, I’ve always felt like Tampa has been home and the fans have played a huge role in making my time in Tampa so wonderful.”
Point has recorded 139 goals and 171 assists in 351 regular-season games with the Lightning after being selected in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft and has consistently taken his game to new heights in the playoffs.
The talented two-way centre has led the playoffs in goals in each of the past two seasons. His teammate Nikita Kucherov is the only player with more post-season points since 2017-18.
“Brayden is a key contributor to the Lightning’s success and one of the most dynamic players in the NHL. To be able to agree to terms with him on a long-term contract is great news for our organization going forward,” Lightning GM Julien BriseBois added. “Not only is Brayden a skilled player, he is also a fierce competitor who fits in well with the pedigree of our team. Our organization looks forward to having him be a big part of this team for many years to come.”
Tampa Bay’s roster is going to look different next season as they go for a third consecutive championship.
The team lost Yanni Gourde to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft, Blake Coleman in free agency and traded Tyler Johnson and Barclay Goodrow.
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