Today the Tampa Bay Lightning locked up two of their free agents to short term deals.
TAMPA, FL – Yanni Gourde and Andrej Sustr will once again wear Tampa Bay Lightning blue this upcoming season. Gourde signed a two-year deal worth $1 million per season, while Sustr was given a one year deal worth $1.95 million. In 20 games this past season Gourde registered eight points (6 goals – 2 Assists). Sustr played in 80 games and managed 14 points (3 goals – 11 assists). Gourde will be playing on a one-way contract, meaning he is on the Lightning roster to stay.
The 25 year old center actually scored his first NHL goal this past season late in the season against the Florida Panthers. Sustr will likely factor back into one of the three defensive lines again this season. While Gourde will factor in nicely with Stamkos and the other Lightning centers.
Bolts issue qualifying offers to nine players.
The Lightning didn’t just sign Gourde and Sustr today, the went ahead and offered nine free agents (mixture of Restricted and Unrestricted). The deadline for clubs to submit qualifying offers was 5:00pm today.
The following players were officially offered qualifying offers.
F – Michael Bournival (19 games this past season, 2 goals – 1 assist)
F – Tanner Richard (3 games this past season 0 points)
G – Kristers Gudlevskis (1 game this past season, 3 shots against – 3 saves / 11 minutes on ice)
F – Tyler Johnson (66 games this past season, 19 goals – 26 assists)
D – Slater Koekkoek (29 games this past season, 0 goals – 4 assists)
F – Tye McGinn (zero games this past season)
D – Jake Dotchin (35 games this past season, 0 goals – 11 assists)
F – Ondrej Palat (75 games this past season, 17 goals – 35 assists)
F – Matthew Peca (10 games this past season, 1 goal – 1 assist)
Three players were not issued qualifying offers
(Dylan Blujus, Jonathan Racine and Henri Ikonen)
Development Camp starts this week.
The annual Lightning Development Camp kicks off this week in Brandon. Camp will run Tuesday June 27th to Saturday July 1st. The event is open to the public and is located at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon.
