We Like It PALAT!
Photo: The Canadian Press
By Monika Cook
The Tampa Bay Lightning wrapped up another key contract deal this past Friday. Ondrej Palat, the 26-year-old Czech winger, is officially locked up to play for the Bolts for another 5 years.
Palat’s hockey career is nothing short of amazing. For the 2016-17 year, Palat helped the Lightning with 17 goals and 35 assists during his 75 games. As most fans know, Palat is 1 of 3 ‘Triplets”, alongside Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov. Combining for a total of 14 goals in the games they were paired together, the Triplets were a lights-out line for the Lightning in 2016/17. Palat has also played in the AHL level for Syracuse; making it to the Calder Cup finals in 2012-13 along with Johnson, as well as Norfolk; where he participated on the team that won the Calder Cup after going 28 games straight for wins (with Johnson as well). Some key awards that Palat received during his 2012-13 Syracuse Crunch AHL time were the AHL Playoffs Most Assists (19) and AHL Playoffs Most Points (26). He also received the awards of Rookie of the Month (in January & March) at the NHL level in 2013-14.
Very similar to Tyler Johnson’s brand new contract, Palat has signed long term for the Bolts. Looking at the annual average value(AAV) cap hit of 5.3 million a year for 5 years, the Lightning will have their trio to keep scoring goals and making other key players for a while.
As fans patiently awaited the resigning of their last key player on this line, Yzerman also wrapped up some other contracts including Michael Bournival. Yzerman adds that Palat is the last ‘planned’ contract, leaving the option open for others if the situation is eye catching enough. Now, fans can look forward to the start of the 2017-18 year with some of their favorite players back on the ice.
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July 17th, 2017
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