When the Tampa Bay Lightning first recalled defenseman Charle-Edouard D’Astous from the American Hockey League in late October, the veteran 6-foot-2 skilled hockey participant had practically all the things on his resume however an NHL recreation.
D’Astous on the time stated he wished a possibility to show himself as an NHL participant. Not even three full months later, the 27-year-old defenseman has carried out that—and extra.
After serving to Tampa Bay climate quite a few accidents on its again finish, stepping up on each offense and with some physicality when wanted, the Lightning on Friday introduced a one-year extension that can maintain D’Astous in Tampa by means of the 2026-27 season at an $875,000 common annual worth.
The defenseman has scored three objectives and 13 factors by means of 33 video games in his first NHL season.
“It went fairly quick, to be sincere,” D’Astous stated of the negotiation. “I wished to remain right here, and I feel the group wished me to remain right here, too. I’m so pleased and grateful that I can proceed my journey with Tampa.”
Since D’Astous made his NHL debut on Oct. 25, the Lightning have posted a 23-9-1 file and earned the fourth-most standings factors of any group. He ranks third amongst Lightning defensemen in objectives (three), assists (10) and factors (13), and his 39 penalty minutes are second-most on the Tampa Bay blue line.
His two game-winning objectives are tied with Darren Raddysh for essentially the most by any Bolts defenseman.
He has helped the Lightning by means of accidents to a number of key items this season together with captain Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, Erik Cernak and Emil Lilleberg. Because of this, D’Astous has performed in quite a few spots within the lineup and seen time on the facility play and penalty kill.
“Coming in, getting the prospect to play that a lot, I am very lucky for the coaches that they’ve confidence in me they usually’re placing me in all these conditions and taking part in numerous minutes. Clearly it hurts once you see guys miss video games. I imply, in a technique, it is good for me as a result of I’ve a possibility to show myself and assist the group, however in one other means, it is arduous as a result of these guys are large, large items of our defensive core,” D’Astous stated. “However I am very pleased that the coaches belief me and provides me the prospect to show myself and be capable of contribute extra to the group’s success.”
D’Astous’s journey to the NHL was not like most.
He first signed with the Lightning this offseason after impressing abroad. The veteran defenseman was the 2025 Swedish Hockey League (SHL) Defenseman of the Yr after scoring 12 objectives and 39 factors to assist his Brynäs IF group declare a daily season title.
He performed the earlier two seasons within the Finnish Elite League, the place he was named the league’s finest defenseman and likewise received the Juha Rantasila Trophy because the league’s prime objective scorer amongst blueliners.
After stints in Europe, the ECHL and AHL, D’Astous has lastly put pen to paper on a one-way deal within the NHL, and it feels even higher than he thought it could.
“If I look again on my journey, my profession thus far, when you would have advised me after I was 21, 22, or after I was in Europe that as we speak I might signal a one-way deal for subsequent 12 months, it could have been arduous to consider,” D’Astous stated. “It has been an unimaginable journey for me, and I’m actually pleased concerning the new contract with Tampa.”
He received’t let that feeling go, saying he plans to maintain working to get higher. There isn’t any closing satisfaction for the veteran defenseman regardless of lastly reaching the NHL.
“I wish to make a distinction each day. Each time I am within the lineup I wish to assist the group win. I feel I’ve acquired higher in myself. I feel I can deliver extra,” he stated. “I simply wish to get higher each day. Now that I’ve confirmed that I might be right here, I wish to show that I could make a distinction.”
