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The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that it has signed forward Tom Pyatt for two years, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman confirmed. Pyatt's extension has him locked up through the 2013-2014 season and his one-way contract is worth $600,000 per season.
This season, Pyatt has tallied three goals and five points for Tampa Bay which happens to be a career-high for the forward. Pyatt is on pace to have career-highs in all statistical categories this season. Currently, he averages 13:11 in ice time per game and ranks fourth on the team with 20 blocked shots. He is also among team leaders in shorthanded ice time. His ice time averages are well above what they were in previous seasons.
The 5-foot-11 forward has played in 35 games for the Lightning this season and has been used primarily in checking situations, where he is emerging in the role. Pyatt, a former fourth round draft pick, has played in 136 NHL games in his career, sharing time between Tampa Bay and the Montreal Canadiens. He also has some post season experience, playing in 25 Stanley Cup Playoff games with Montreal.
This is the 24 year-olds first multiple year deal in the NHL. Now that the deal is done, Pyatt can rest easy this summer without having to worry where he might play next season.
Below is a video of Pyatt talking about his new contract. The video is courtesy of the Lightning's official Web site.