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Lightning re-sign Otto Somppi to one-year, two-way deal

The forward is the first of seven to re-sign after the team issued qualifying offers on Monday afternoon.
 
Forward Otto Somppi signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Lightning that was announced Tuesday.
Forward Otto Somppi signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Lightning that was announced Tuesday.
Published July 27, 2021|Updated July 27, 2021

TAMPA — The Lightning have re-signed one of the seven players they made qualifying offers to, forward Otto Somppi signing a one-year, two-way deal that was announced Tuesday.

The 23-year-old forward was third in points at 26 this year for the AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch, behind teammates Boris Katchouk (34) and Taylor Raddysh (29). He had 12 goals (which tied for first for the Crunch) and 14 assists in 32 games.

Like Raddysh, Somppi has yet to make his NHL debut after he was selected in the seventh round of the 2016 draft.

Related: Lightning more likely to lose than add pieces at start of NHL free agency

Over the past three years in Syracuse, he’s skated in 104 AHL games recording 48 points (including 19 goals). He also played in 21 ECHL games with the Orlando Solar Bears, another affiliate team of the Lightning’s.

The Lightning are still awaiting deals with forwards Alex Barre-Boulet, Ross Colton, Katchouk, Raddysh and defensemen Sean Day and Cal Foote.

Barre-Boulet, Colton and Foote are restricted free agents this year, meaning the Lightning have the right of first refusal or draft pick compensation should any of those players choose to sign an offer sheet with another NHL team.

Contact Mari Faiello at mfaiello@tampabay.com. Follow @faiello_mari.

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