Connect with us

Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning Sign Sergachev to 3-Yr Contract Extension

Mikhail Sergachev has signed a 3-year extension with Tampa Bay Lightning. Considering the price, it’s hard to understand no offer sheet.

The Tampa Bay Lightning slowly chipped away at their restricted free agency dilemma when they signed defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to a three-year deal worth $4.8 million per season on Wednesday. It’s an excellent deal for Tampa Bay but it makes the money situation for other free agents even that much tighter.

Related: Examining the Top 25 NHL Players Under 25 Years Old

There’s every chance that Sergachev out-performs this contract and while he’ll be cast as a middle-pair defenceman over most of the term of this deal, he may elevate himself into the top two by the time the third year comes. He plays solid in all areas and he’s one of the bright, up-and-coming blueliners in the NHL.

The Lightning likely made his deal a priority.

Why No Offer Sheet?

Arpon Basu of The Athletic asks, “When will NHL players push for a revamp of the offer sheet system?” He contends that players like Sergachev and several others could have cashed in large if offer sheets were done this offseason and a real thing. Instead, the RFAs had very little leverage.

The Lighting were prone to an offer and for the team making it, Sergachev on a $6.5 million offer sheet would only cost many teams a late first round pick. It doesn’t feel like that much to give.

As is, the Lightning are a projected $1.9 million over the salary cap with 19 players on roster (12F/5D/2G). The Lightning still have Anthony Cirelli and Erik Cernak left to get signed.

Next: Danault Negotiations w/ Canadiens Non Existent, But Ready for New Role

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Ferrell Gray

    November 25, 2020 at 1:43 pm

    inaccurate take on offer sheets, as per usual. draft pick compensation is as dependent on term as it is on salary.

Leave a Reply

More News

Discover more from NHL Trade Talk

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading