Tampa Bay Lightning Sign Niktia Kucherov as NJ Devils & Pittsburgh Penguins Claim P.A. Parenteau & Mike Condon

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced on Tuesday that they reached an agreement with restricted free agent, Nikita Kucherov. 

The signing comes just in time for the Bolts to open their season against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday October 13. Kucherov could be ready to play in the home opener at Amalie Arena on Thursday night. 

During the World Cup of Hockey this past summer, he represented Team Russia as he lit the lamp two times and added an assist on 13 shots in Russia’s four games. 

Lightning beat writer, Bryan Burns Tweeted that he saw Kucherov in the hallways of Amalie Arena on Tuesday morning, where the 23-year-old forward responded to the reports of the signing, “It is nice to be here. I am happy.”

 

This past season, Kucherov led the Bolts with 66 points and finished second in goals with 30. During the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he added 11 goals and eight assists. 

In 45 playoff games over the past two seasons, he has put up 20 goals and 22 assists as he helped the Lightning to the Eastern Conference Finals in each season as well as the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. 

In Other News:

The New Jersey Devils claimed P.A. Parenteau of the waiver wire on Tuesday. Parenteau, signed a one-year contract with the New York Islanders on July 2, but was waived on Monday. 

In eight seasons with the New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and the Islanders, he has put up 101 goals and 167 assists in 424 games. 

During the 2015-2016 campaign, he scored 20 goals and 21 assists with the Maple Leafs. His best season was five years ago, in 2011-2012, when he 18 goals and 49 assists with the Islanders. 

Other waiver news includes, the Pittsburgh Penguins claimed goaltender Mike Condon. Condon, 26, will serve as the back-up to Marc-Andre Fleury, while Matt Murray is on the injured reserve with a broken hand. 

Condon put up a record of 21-25-6 with a 2.71 goals against average and .903 save percentage with the Canadiens last season. 

The Carolina Hurricanes claimed defenseman, Klas Dahlbeck, 25, from the Arizona Coyotes. The Minnesota Wild claimed forward, Teemu Pulkkinen, 24, who played parts of three seasons with the Red Wings. Pulkkinen led the American Hockey League in goals during the 2014-2015 season, with 34.

The Maple Leafs claimed center, Seth Griffith, 23, who played for the Boston Bruins over parts of the past two seasons.