The Tampa Bay Lightning signed forward Ryan Callahan to a six-year contract on Wednesday.
The deal reportedly has an average annual value of $5.8 million.
Callahan, 29, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
"He's proven to be a fierce competitor and outstanding leader who fits very well with our team," Lightning vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman said in a statement.
Yzerman acquired Callahan from the New York Rangers on March 5 in exchange for long-time Bolt Martin St. Louis. Callahan had six goals and five assists in 20 games following the trade.
"I couldn't be happier to be part of the Tampa Bay Lightning organization for the next six years and I am excited for this new chapter of my career," Callahan said in a statement. "Tampa Bay has been a great place to live and play from the day I got there. As soon as the season ended I knew it was a place I wanted to be."
Callahan was selected by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and registered 132 goals and 122 assists in 450 games with the franchise. He was New York's captain at the time of the trade.
[SportsNetwork.com]
