The Tampa Bay Lightning and forward Ryan Callahan have agreed to terms on a 6-year, $34.8 million dollar contract.
We’ve published articles in the recent past about the arguments to keep Ryan and to let him walk, along with posting some alternative options to re-signing Callahan and how state income taxes might play into his free agency.
From the team’s press release:
TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Ryan Callahan to a six-year contract today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced.
“We are pleased to announce that we’ve reached an agreement on a six-year contract extension with Ryan,” Yzerman said. “He’s proven to be a fierce competitor and outstanding leader who fits very well with our team.”
“I couldn’t be happier to be part of the Tampa Bay Lightning organization for the next six years and I am excited for this new chapter of my career,” Callahan said. “Tampa Bay has been a great place to live and play from the day I got there. As soon as the season ended I knew it was a place I wanted to be.”
Callahan, acquired from the New York Rangers on March 5, 2014 along with a conditional second-round pick in 2014, which became a first-round pick due to New York reaching the Conference Finals, and a first-round selection in 2015 in exchange for Martin St. Louis, played in 20 regular season games with Tampa Bay following the trade. During that time he amassed six goals, three power-play tallies and 11 points to go with a plus-4 rating. He recorded at least a point in 10 of his 20 games with Tampa Bay. Callahan also appeared in all four Stanley Cup Playoff games for the Bolts. Callahan, 28, has skated in 45 games with the Rangers last season, posting 11 goals and 25 points to go along with 16 penalty minutes. Serving as the Rangers’ captain, he notched four power play goals, ranking tied for fourth on New York at the time of the trade.
The Rochester, New York native has skated in 470 career NHL games with the Lightning and Rangers, putting together 138 goals, 47 power-play goals, 27 game-winning goals, 127 assists and has a career plus-2 rating. He has played in 63 career Stanley Cup Playoff games and registered 14 goals, 4 power-play goals and 24 points.
Callahan represented Team USA at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, appearing in six games and collecting one assist. Callahan also played for his country at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, earning a Silver Medal.
He was originally drafted by the Rangers in the fourth round, 127th overall, at the 2004 NHL Draft.
