The Tampa Bay Lightning took a risk by trading their captain Martin St. Louis to the New York Rangers in exchange for free agent-to-be and team captain Ryan Callahan, but the chance has paid off as Callahan signed a six-year extension with the forward.
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ESPN reports that the Lightning and Callahan came to terms on a six-year $34.8 million contract after it was reported early Wednesday morning that the two sides were nearing a deal.
According to the report, the deal will also include a no-trade clause. Callahan was due to become an unrestricted free agent and other teams had shown interest but now it has been confirmed that he will remain in Tampa Bay.
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Callahan, 29, notched 17 goals and 19 assists last season for 36 points, notching six tallies and five helpers for 11 points with Tampa Bay after the trade. Callahan is an NHL veteran of eight years.
Callahan was the heart-and-soul captain for the Rangers, but the team parted ways with their leader on March 5, ending an eight-year relationship with him. The Lightning made the playoffs for the first time in three seasons in 2013-14, but were swept out of the first round by the Montreal Canadiens. Callahan was held off the score sheet in that series.
Tampa Bay has a bright future ahead of it and it is looking to make Callahan a centerpiece of that future.
Known for his grit, Callahan also has a scoring touch as he has 132 goals, 122 assists and 254 points in his NHL career. It is likely that his next goal will come in a Tampa Bay Lightning sweater.
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