With just two days to go before the start of training camp comes word that Tampa Bay and star forward Brayden Point are still quite a ways apart on a new contract. That's according to Joe Smith of The Athletic, who says there's no doubt Point wants to start training camp Thursday with his Lightning teammates, but a gap remains in the negotiations.
Point and his agent are scheduled to meet in Calgary Wednesday to go over negotiating strategy. Meanwhile, Lightning GM Julien BriseBois continues to state he's confident he'll get Point singed before training camp begins. With the clock ticking, that will surely be a tall order if the two sides are as far apart as Smith seems to be indicate.
In his article, Smith states a story by NHL Trade Rumors claiming Point was about to sign a contract that would give him $8 million per year for eight year was inaccurate, saying the contract is likely to be shorter (five years) and likely somewhere between $8 and $9 million. Tampa Bay currently has around $8.5 million in cap space.
Smith says it's surprising that Point isn't signed yet as Tampa Bay seems to have a "team first" mentality which has resulted in players like Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman taking relatively team friendly contracts.
Point had a break-out year last season, putting up 92 points, including 41 goals, in 79 games.
-
