There have been many restricted free agents this summer whose contract negotiations dragged on into the start of training. The Tampa Bay Lightning are still working on Brayden Point’s contract for example. But there have also been some defensemen signings over the past week that give a glimmer of insight into next years negotiations for the Lightning.
Defensemen Mikhail Sergachev and Erik Cernak will both be restricted free agents following this season. Sergachev will be completing his third season in the NHL. Through his first two seasons, he had put up a 40 and 32 point season and should be expected to be back in that range for a third straight season.