The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed their sixth (possibly seventh) defenseman, Cal Foote, to a two-year NHL contract worth $850k per season. Julien BriseBois has said that Foote will have regular playing time this season as he goes up against Zach Bogosian in that third pair job. Whether that is in the lineup every night or splitting time with Bogosian remains to be seen.
#Bolts sign RFA Cal Foote to a 2-year contract worth $850,000 AAV. Foote will be one of Tampa Bay’s top 7 defensemen this upcoming season Julien BriseBois said yesterday and will be in line for regular playing time.
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) July 29, 2021
We have signed Cal Foote to a two-year, one-way contract worth $850,000 AAV.
📝: https://t.co/ESmNMRpcBS pic.twitter.com/VMXV6nOCDb
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) July 29, 2021
Foote, 22, was the 14th overall pick in 2017 and played 35 games for the Lightning in his rookie season last year. He was sent to the AHL near the end of the season for disciplinary reasons (which appear to be resolved) and didn’t play in the playoffs. He’ll get his second chance with the team in September.
There are five RFAs remaining in the Lightning organization: Ross Colton, Alex Barre-Boulet, Taylor Raddysh, Boris Katchouk, and Sean Day. Expect them to be signed in the coming days without much issue.
