The Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to terms for a contract with defenseman Simon Lundmark. The two-way, two-year contract carries an unknown average annual value at the time of writing.
Lundmark was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Winnipeg Jets ahead of yesterday’s 4:00 pm CST deadline. He was drafted in the second round (51st overall) by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-2 right-shot defender plays either side and hasn’t found any time in the NHL to date.
He did earn a recall in the 2024-25 season when the Jets needed a defenseman against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he would not suit up for the Jets for any game action.
It did come as a surprise that Lundmark was not tendered a qualifying offer, but given he spent four years with the Manitoba Moose and had no growing role, one had to wonder if the Jets grew frustrated with his development path. You can emphasize this especially as his point totals never passed 20 in the AHL, with his season/career highs being tied in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons at 17 points.
There was some speculation that Lundmark might head back to Sweden to resume his playing career, but Tampa Bay picked him up as they see something in him.
The 24-year-old will look to earn some NHL playing time in this contract, and given Tampa Bay is looking to get back to contending status, the Stockholm, Sweden-born defender could develop and blossom into a bigger role in Tampa.
ITR 49: For Real This Time – Inside The Rink
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