The Tampa Bay Lightning may be focused on their current playoff run in hopes of winning back-to-back Stanley Cup titles, but that hasn’t stopped them from looking into the future as well. The team announced they have signed forward Maxim Cajkovic to a three-year, entry-level deal.
A third-round pick in 2019, the Slovakin forward has spent the past three years in the QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs and most recently this year with Val-d’Or Foreurs. Due to the pandemic, Cajkovic only appeared in 12 games for Val-d’Or this season, scoring six goals and 14 points, but fared even better in the playoffs scoring seven goals and 12 points in nine games. Cajkovic also represented Slovakia at the 2020 World Junior Championships, posting two assists in five games.
The 6-foot, 201-pound Cajkovic isn’t likely to get much of a chance to crack Tampa Bay’s impressive lineup next year, but will likely start his professional career next year with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.