Tampa Bay Lightning Re-Sign Mitchell Chaffee

Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

With the Tampa Bay Lightning’s season over, general manager Julien Brisebois is focusing on re-signing as many free agents as he can before the start of free agency.

It was announced on May 16 that the Lightning have re-signed forward Mitchell Chaffee to a two-year contract worth $800,000 AAV. The deal is one-way, meaning that he’ll likely need waivers to be sent down to the American Hockey League (AHL).

A former Minnesota Wild prospect, Brisebois signed Chaffee to a one-year contract on July 1, 2023. Coming off of a major injury, the thought was that he could get back in shape and hone his skills with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. He did so well there, earning himself a call-up to the Lightning.

Once there, Chaffee proved to be a valuable addition to the bottom six. In 30 games, he scored four goals and added three assists for seven points. More than that, he was responsible in his own end, with a plus-2 rating that ranked fourth on the team.

Playing in all five Lightning playoff games against the Florida Panthers, Chaffee showed off the physical side of his game. His 23 hits were tied for the most among all forwards, a sign that he’s getting better as a player.

Moving forward, Chaffee has the security of knowing he’s remaining with the Lightning organization for a couple more years. During that time, he can continue taking steps toward establishing himself as an elite NHL player.

ITR 37: Round Two Inside The Rink

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Lauren Burg

Lauren Burg is a Tampa Bay Lightning writer for “Inside the Rink.” A lifelong Tampa Bay Area resident, she graduated from the University of South Florida’s world-renowned journalism program in December 2009. While in college, she discovered hockey and the Tampa Bay Lightning. She quickly became a passionate fan, attending many games over the years. She also experienced an All-Star game in 2018, numerous road games, and, most recently, the Bolts back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. Since graduating college, she’s been working hard to combine her two loves, writing and hockey, hoping to one day make that her full-time career. In her free time, she enjoys attending sporting events (both home & road when possible), taking photos, and traveling.

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