Lightning re-sign forward Ondrej Palat to three-year deal
Lightning rookie forward Ondrej Palat scored 23 goals and recorded 36 assists this season. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Tampa Bay Lightning signed forward Ondrej Palat to a three-year contract, keeping him with the team through the 2016-17 season, the team announced Monday.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reports that Palat's deal is worth $10 million, with him receiving $2.8 million next season, $3.2 million in 2015-16 and $4 million in 2016-17. Palat was set to become a restricted free agent on July 1.
Palat, 23, played in 81 games this past season, scoring 23 goals and recording 36 assists, leading the team with a +32 rating.
Palat is a finalist for the Calder Trophy, given to the league's top rookie, and among rookies was ranked second in points and third in goals.
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The 6-foot, 180-pound forward represented his native Czech Republic at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, skating in four games.
Palat was originally selected by the Lightning in the seventh round, 208th overall, at the 2011 NHL Draft.
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