The defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning signed Hart Trophy winner Martin St. Louis to a six-year contract that will keep the NHL's reigning MVP in Tampa through the 2010-2011 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
'I've said it many times in the past and I continue to maintain that Martin St. Louis is the 'heart and soul' of our hockey team,' Lightning president and general manager Jay Feaster told reporters shortly after announcing the deal. 'Dating all the way back to the summer of 2004, there was never a moment when we were not firmly committed as an organization to getting Marty signed long-term.'
Just eight days ago, Tampa Bay signed Vincent Lecavalier to a four-year deal worth $27.2 million. It is believed that the 30-year-old St. Louis signed a deal worth less than that of Lecavalier.
'The fact that he was willing to take less and give up the chance to explore unrestricted free agency demonstrates his commitment to our team, his teammates, our franchise and our incredible fans,' Feaster said. 'We are thrilled to know that not only our MVP, but the NHL's MVP, is back in the fold and will be here in Tampa Bay for a very long time.'
While Tampa Bay was able to keep Lecavalier and St. Louis, it was unable to re-sign goalie Nikolai Khabibulin who signed a free agent deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. There was simply not room under the NHL's new salary cap to keep all three players.
St. Louis recorded 38 goals and added 56 assists in 2003-04. In the playoffs, he scored nine goals and 15 assists including a goal in the second overtime of Game Six of the Stanley Cup Finals at Calgary. The Lightning went on to win the Stanley Cup in Game Seven.
During last season's NHL lockout, St. Louis played in Switzerland. The 5'9' 185 pound St. Louis has proven that little men can play a big role in a successful hockey team.
