Breaking: Lightning announce surprising free-agent signing

According to a report from NHL insider Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, the Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed pending unrestricted free agent Braydon Coburn to a two year, $3.4 million deal with an annual average cap hit of $1.7 million.

Check it out:

Coburn’s three year, $11 million deal and its $3.7 million cap hit expires on June 30th. While the Bolts shave Coburn’s salary by more than half moving forward it’s still surprising that GM Julien Brisebois has decided to retain Coburn’s services even at $1.7 million. The veteran blueliner put up four goals and 23 points in 74 games in 2018-19,

The team currently has just over $6 million in cap space and have restricted free agents Brayden Point and Cedric Paquette, as well as pending unrestricted free agents Dan Girardi and Anton Stralman to re-sign. 

Don’t be surprised if you start to hear names like Ryan Callahan, Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson or Alex Killorn on the trade market as the Bolts look to free up salary for the offseason.