Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman’s busy day has continued ahead of tonight’s 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, as he signed J.T. Brown to a two-year, one-way contract:
LIGHTNING RE-SIGN FORWARD J.T. BROWN TO TWO-YEAR CONTRACT
TAMPA BAY -€” The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed forward J.T. Brown to a two-year, one-way NHL contract today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced.
Brown, 25, skated in 78 games with the Lightning during the 2015-16 season, notching eight goals and 22 points to go along with 59 penalty minutes. He ranked tied for third on the Bolts with a plus-16 rating. Brown also set career bests for games played, goals, points, plus/minus and penalty minutes this past season. The 5’10, 175-pound forward played in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games in 2016, notching two assists and two penalty minutes.
The Burnsville, Minnesota, native has appeared in 198 career NHL games, all with the Lightning over four seasons, registering 15 goals and 51 points to go along with 95 penalty minutes. He has also played in 37 playoff games with the Lightning, recording a goal and six points.
Brown was originally signed by the Lightning as a free agent on March 28, 2012.
J.T. Brown has quickly become a staple of the bottom-six forward group with his fast, but aggressive style of play. Brown missed some time in the 2016 NHL Playoffs after blocking a shot off the hand in Game 2 of the first round against the Detroit Red Wings. He would return to play the Bolts’ final nine games of the playoffs.
As stated in the team’s press release, Brown enjoyed a breakout season with the Bolts, setting multiple career highs, and will continue to be an important piece to complement Brian Boyle and others on the third and fourth lines going forward.
UPDATE – 4:38 p.m.: The Tampa Bay Lightning have also re-signed Cedric Paquette to a two-year deal, announced by the club shortly after the signing of J.T. Brown:
LIGHTNING RE-SIGN FORWARD CEDRIC PAQUETTE TO TWO-YEAR CONTRACT
TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed forward Cedric Paquette to a two-year, one-way NHL contract today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced.
Paquette, 22, skated in 56 games with the Lightning last season, recording six goals and 11 points to go along with 51 penalty minutes. His 51 penalty minutes ranked fourth on the Bolts during the regular season. The 6-foot-1, 199-pound forward was one of five Lightning players to notch a shorthanded tally last season. Paquette also appeared in 17 Stanley Cup Playoff games in 2016, posting one assist and 24 penalty minutes. He ranked third on the Bolts during the postseason for penalty minutes.
The Gaspe, Quebec, native has played in 122 career NHL games, all with the Lightning, over the past three seasons, registering 18 goals and 31 points to go along with 102 penalty minutes. Paquette recorded his first and lone career hat trick against the Detroit Red Wings on January 29, 2015 at Amalie Arena.
Paquette was originally drafted by the Lightning in the fourth round, 101st overall, at the 2012 NHL Draft.
