TAMPA — The Lightning re-signed restricted free agent forward Cedric Paquette to a two-year contract worth $3.3 million, general manager Julien BriseBois said Friday.
Paquette, 26 next month, had 13 goals and 17 points in 80 games last season and was one of the Lightning’s top penalty killers. He led the team in hits with 269; since his Lightning debut in 2013, no Tampa Bay player has more hits than Paquette’s 791.
Also last season, Paquette led Lightning forwards in blocked shots with 61. He also led the team with 80 penalty minutes.
The Lightning also re-signed restricted free agent forward prospect Carter Verhaeghe, last season’s AHL points and goals leader, to a one-year, two-way contract.