St. Louis signs deal to stay with Lightning

The six-year deal ensures most of the team's core players will return.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published August 24, 2005

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TAMPA -- NHL MVP Martin St. Louis signed a six-year contract Wednesday to remain with the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

The 30-year-old right wing had 38 goals and 56 assists for 94 points during the 2003-04 season to win the Hart Trophy as MVP, Art Ross Trophy (scoring leader) and Lester B. Pearson Award (MVP as chosen by the players) while leading the Lightning to their first league title.

"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,' general manager Jay Feaster said.

"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. 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."

The 5-foot-9 native of Laval, Quebec, signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent before the 2000-01 season and has 105 goals and 239 points in 295 games since joining the Lightning.

The Lightning lost Stanley Cup goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to the Chicago Black Hawks earlier this month, but the signing of St. Louis ensures most of the team's core players will return.

Last week, the Lightning signed forward Vincent Lecavalier to a four-year, $27.5 million contract.