Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman crossed out a massive task on his offseason to-do list Monday, signing centerman Tyler Johnson to a seven-year contract extension worth $35 million.
Despite a disappointing 2016-17 season that saw the club miss the playoffs, one of the main factors behind why Johnson, 26, wanted long-term security in Tampa Bay was because he believes the Lightning can contend again soon.
"We've been close," Johnson told Roger Mooney of The Tampa Bay Times on Monday. "I think we have a group that's able to do that, and that's one of the biggest reasons why I wanted to stay here, because I really feel this is the best opportunity to win a Cup."
The Lightning lost in the Stanley Cup Final in 2015, then took the Pittsburgh Penguins to seven games in the Eastern Conference Final a year later. The team's failure to build upon that success last season was largely due to injuries up and down the roster, including Johnson, who was limited to 66 games.
Despite his injury plagued campaign, Johnson managed to put up 45 points in 2016-17.
Since becoming a regular in the Lightning lineup in 2013-14, Johnson has averaged 0.69 points per game, a clip that increases to 0.89 in 47 career playoff contests.
By reaching a new deal the former restricted free agent avoided arbitration, which was scheduled for July 20.
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