At least there won’t be a contract dispute with this year’s top draft selection. The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed their top pick in the 2025 NHL draft, Ethan Czata, to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Niagra IceDog was selected in the second round with the 56th pick this summer. While the agreement is in place, don’t expect the 18-year-old to be suiting up for the Bolts anytime soon as the contract can slide if Czata returns to junior hockey this season.
According to PuckPedia, the contract will carry a cap hit of $931,667 once Czata makes it to the NHL.