On Saturday the Tampa Bay Lightning officially re-signed forwards Taylor Raddysh, confirming Friday’s reports, and Boris Katchouk to three-year contracts. Both contracts have the identical $758,333 cap hit and the same structure – the first year of their contracts are a two-way deal, while the remaining two years are one way.
We have signed forwards Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk to three-year contracts, both worth $758,333 AAV.https://t.co/a7FyCjR3sh
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) July 31, 2021
Both players had a strong previous season in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch. Katchouk finished the season leading the team in points with 34 (11+23) points in 29 games and Raddysh was second, scoring 29 (12+17) points in 27 games. Raddysh and Katchouk haven’t made their debuts in the NHL yet, however Raddysh was called-up several times to the Lightning’s taxi-squad last regular season.
Before the start of free agency, the Lightning’s general manager Julien BriseBois listed both Raddysh and Katchouk alongside with another recently re-signed forward Alex Barre-Boulet, as young players, who have the best chance to make the team. Although recent signings of Corey Perry and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare make it harder them and realistically they will be competing for the last vacant spot on the Lightning’s roster.
Forward Ross Colton and and defenseman Sean Day remain the only unsigned players, who earlier received qualifying offers from the Lightning.
The Lightning also traded goaltender Spencer Martin to the Vancouver Canucks for future considerations. Martin spent the most of the previous season on the taxi squad and haven’t played in the NHL since the 2016-17 season. It was an expected move, as the Lightning had six goaltenders under the contracts and both spots in the Syracuse Crunch were taken by recently signed veteran goalie Maxim Lagace and a young Swedish goalie Hugo Alnefelt.
We have traded goaltender Spencer Martin to the Vancouver Canucks for future considerations.https://t.co/NgfPSItuwG
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) July 31, 2021
Lightning Links
Ryan McDonagh is the next Lightning’s player, who got his day with the Cup.
Keeping the party going in Wisconsin! pic.twitter.com/bCTM6zuAYo
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) July 31, 2021
Four Lightning prospects made the team USA White during the game against Sweden at the 2021 World Junior Summer Showcase.
The puck is down & we are underway in the penultimate game of the 2021 World Junior Summer Showcase! Let’s go #TeamUSA.#WJSS streaming, stats & info → https://t.co/Cvc4WiS41w pic.twitter.com/ijqGEZqGWN
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) July 31, 2021
Unfortunately, team USA White were defeated 1-7 by Sweden. Eamon Powell recorded an assist on the only their goal in this game.
Eamon Powell (#5 in White) picks up the secondary assist on this play. He makes the pass over to Cameron Berg (NYI), who then finds Sasha Pastujov (ANA) in the slot for the goal. Alex Gagne and Dylan Duke were all on the ice for this play, so they each pick up the +1. pic.twitter.com/VmMYtXj1sY
— Future Bolts (@LightningProsp1) August 1, 2021
Hockey News
The NHL opened investigation after Evander Kane’s wife accused him of gambling on his own games.
The League was made aware this evening of a post on social media alleging that San Jose Sharks Player Evander Kane bet on NHL games. The integrity of our game is paramount and the League takes these allegations very seriously. (1/2)
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 31, 2021
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed forward Nick Ritchie to a two-year deal.
Welcome to Toronto, Nick!
🖊 We’ve signed forward Nick Ritchie to a two-year contract. #LeafsForever
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 31, 2021
Tyler Bertuzzi signed a two-year extension with the Detroit Red Wings.
UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today re-signed left wing Tyler Bertuzzi to a two-year contract.
Details: https://t.co/vlCVkRRGqC pic.twitter.com/HlCtGzmylG
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 31, 2021