The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed Daniel Walcott to a one-year, two-way contract. Walcott was scheduled to become a Group VI unrestricted free agent after missing nearly the entire 2018-19 season with a shoulder injury.
Now 25, Walcott played just five games for the Syracuse Crunch last season after establishing himself as something of a utility man following a trade in 2015. Originally selected by the New York Rangers in the fifth round of the 2014 draft, Walcott was flipped to Tampa Bay in exchange for a seventh-round pick a year later. He ended up playing both defense and forward for the Crunch, though didn’t produce much offense at either position. His aggressive play style nevertheless endeared him to the coaching staff, and has now done enough to earn him another NHL contract.
Given that he hasn’t played in the NHL yet and doesn’t seem to have a lot of upside left, it is unlikely that Walcott will make a real impact on the Lightning next season. More likely he’ll be ticketed for the AHL once again to prove he is healthy enough to contribute on a full-time basis.