Jan 3, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center Alex Killorn (17) and Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) battle for the puck during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed forward Alex Killorn.
The Halifax, Nova Scotia native has signed a two-year deal with the Bolts.
Bolts re-sign Alex Kilorn: two years, $5.1 million ($2.4 M, $2. 7M)
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 19, 2014
Killorn was drafted by the Lightning in the third round of the 2007 NHL draft, 77th overall.
He made his NHL debut in the 2012-13 season where he recorded 19 points in 38 games. Last season, he was one of three players to play in all 82 games, where he tallied 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points. In four playoff games, he added a goal and an assist.
After being drafted by the Lightning, the 24-year-old attended Harvard for four years where he played in 130 games and recorded 109 points.
#TBLightning @Akillorn19 on new deal: "They wanted me to be part of what they have going on in the future, so I was excited about that."
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) June 19, 2014
The signing of Killorn continues general manager Steve Yzerman’s commitment to the team’s young core. Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat have both been signed to new three-year deals this offseason.
“Clearly the Lightning values Alex and sees him as part of their core,” Killorn’s agent Matt Keator said according to the Tampa Bay Times. “And it went very smoothly on both sides and were able to reach an agreement in a timely fashion. They see him as part of their core and their future, and he was really happy there too. It all led to the same thing.”
Killorn was scheduled to become a restricted free agent on July 1.
One other restricted free agent is Andrej Sustr, and according to his agent, his client and the Lightning are working towards a deal.
Keator, who also represents #tblightning D Andrej Sustr, says two sides are still working towards a deal before he becomes RFA.
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) June 19, 2014
Yzerman still has some big decisions to make regarding free agents, including decisions on restricted free agents Mark Barberio, J.T. Brown and Richard Panik amongst others.