Similar to what the Tampa Bay Lightning have done in the past with “on the cusp” NHL defenders, defenseman Mark Barberio has been re-signed to a new 1-year, 1-way deal, per the team.
Here’s the full release:
TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed defenseman Mark Barberio to a one-year, one-way contract, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced today.
Barberio, 24, played in 49 games for the Lightning during the 2013-14 regular season, posting five goals and 10 points to go along with 28 penalty minutes. He ranked tied for fourth in the NHL among rookie defensemen with a plus-10 rating. On January 19 the Montreal, Quebec native also became the second player in Lightning history to score his first two NHL goals in the same game (Stamkos – October 30, 2008 at Buffalo). Barberio also made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut in 2014, skating in two games against the Montreal Canadiens.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound defenseman has skated in 51 career NHL games, all with the Lightning over the past two seasons. Barberio made his NHL debut during the 2012-13 season against the Ottawa Senators on April 9. He has recorded a plus or even rating in 40 of his 51 career games.
Barberio was originally selected by the Lightning in the sixth round, 152nd overall, at the 2008 NHL Draft.
Barberio’s one-year deal is likely a “show me” deal, giving the young blue-liner another chance to seize a permanent spot on the blue line at the NHL level, something he hasn’t been able to do just yet in spite of strong showings in the QMJHL and the AHL. He’ll most likely start the season as the 7th defenseman once again with an opportunity to play a regular shift, particularly on nights where head coach Jon Cooper runs with 7 defensemen in the lineup.
