Off Season NHL News Bites

Stamkos Signs WIth Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed center Steven Stamkos to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The team was not releasing details of the contract, however the maximum annual salary the first-year centre can earn as a rookie is US$875,000 while the most he can make in performance bonuses is $2 million per year.

“It is obvious to all of our staff in a brief period of time that Steven is a very special young man with great potential,” Brian Lawton, Tampa Bay’s vice-president of hockey operations, said in a statement. “His work ethic and eagerness to learn have been very impressive.”

Another man impressed with the young forward’s potential is new head coach Barry Melrose, who is counting on him to be the “cornerstone” of the organization.

Jackets Sign LeClaire

Goaltender Pascal Leclaire re-signed Wednesday with the Columbus Blue Jackets for three years and $11.4 million US.

Leclaire posted a 24-17-6 record with a 2.25 goals-against average and .919 save percentage in 54 games with the Blue Jackets.

“He is an important part of our team and we think he will continue to improve and play a significant role in helping us reach our goals,” Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson said in a statement.

Leclaire, 25, has played 113 games over four seasons with Columbus, the only franchise in the NHL yet to make the playoffs, and boasts a career GAA of 2.71.

Flippula Winging It Until 2013

The Detroit Red Wings reached a contract agreement with restricted free agent Valtteri Filppula on Wednesday that runs through the 2012-13 season.

The two-way forward scored 19 goals and added 17 assists in 78 games with a plus-16 rating the past season. He was a key contributor in the team’s drive to the Stanley Cup, scoring five goals and six assists in 22 playoff games, with a plus-7 rating.

Jailed For Attacking Linesman

A former junior hockey player who came out of the stands to attack a linesman nearly two years ago was given 30 days in the penalty box Tuesday by a Calgary judge.

O’Byrne Escapes Nightclub Incident

Charges levied against a Montreal Canadiens defenceman following an incident at a Tampa Bay nightclub last February have been dropped.

O’Byrne and teammate Tom Kostopoulos were arrested outside Whiskey Park, a Tampa nightclub, in the early morning hours of Feb. 11. O’Byrne was accused of stealing a woman’s purse and Kostopoulos was accused of resisting arrest.

The incident occurred following the Canadiens’ annual rookie dinner, where new recruits pick up the tab for an expensive meal at a restaurant.