The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed both Cory Conacher and Gabriel Dumont to two-year contracts. The deals will both be two-way in 2017-18, one-way in 2018-19, and pay both the minimum of $650K while in the NHL.
Conacher is one of the most reliable offensive players in the AHL, and posted another outstanding season with the Syracuse Crunch this year. With 60 points in 55 games and another 28 in the playoffs en route to a Calder Cup finals berth, Conacher is a huge part of their minor league program.
Otherwise, he actually got into 11 games with the Lightning this season and put up four points. At 27, it’s hard to believe Conacher really has a future in the NHL but earning a one-way deal is a big step for him. Tampa Bay would have more incentive to keep the 5’8″ forward in the NHL if it wasn’t costing them any more money, meaning he could have a shot at playing more of a role in 2018-19.
Dumont split this season between Syracuse and Tampa Bay, recording four points in 39 NHL games. His effectiveness has little to do with points though, as he generally is added to the lineup to provide physicality and “grit” to a fourth line. He has shown some scoring touch in the AHL, but has just seven points in 57 career NHL games. Now 26, he’ll likely bounce back and forth again next season.