The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenseman Nick Perbix to a two-year contract extension with a $1.125 million cap hit.

Perbix is currently on a one-year, $842,500 contract with the Lightning, and was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season. His closest paid comparable among defensemen is New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith, who’s currently making $1.1 million.

Perbix’s current deal is also his first NHL deal, as he spent 2021-22 with the Lightning’s AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, on an AHL contract before signing his current NHL contract. With this being a one-year contract, Perbix had only been eligible for an extension since January 1st.

Perbix has become a solid presence on the Lightning blueline, something much needed after they lost Ryan McDonagh and Jan Rutta in the offseason. That hasn’t necessarily shown up offensively, but three goals, five assists, and eight points in 29 games is still some good production for a rookie defenseman.

However, his bigger impact has been his play-driving ability, which has been much needed to help fill out the Lightning’s depleted depth on the blueline. His 51.36% expected goal share at 5v5 while playing a top four role is quite impressive, and he’s also second to just Ian Cole among Lightning defensemen in wins above replacement with 4.2.

Perbix was a sixth round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2017 draft, another product of the Lightning’s excellent drafting and development system. He spent several years in college with St. Cloud State before making his pro debut in the AHL last season.

Perbix coming in at just a $1.125 million cap hit for two seasons is big value for the Lightning, as they always have to look for cheap depth options with their current salary cap situation. They’ll have just over $3 million in cap space next season after Anthony Cirelli, Mikhail Sergachev, and Erik Cernak’s extensions kick in, with a few key players still left to re-sign in Alex Killorn, Ross Colton, and Cal Foote.