Lightning reward D Charle-Edouard D’Astous with 1-year extension

Field Level Media|published: 01/02/2026, 3:49pm EST

Dec 27, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (51) moves the puck against the Florida Panthers during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous to a one-year, one-way contract extension worth $875,000 on Friday.

A 27-year-old rookie, D'Astous has totaled three goals and 13 points in 33 games while averaging 19:05 in ice time.

D'Astous originally signed with the Lightning in May and debuted in the NHL in October after spending six pro seasons in the minor leagues or overseas. He was the 2025 Swedish Hockey League Defenseman of the Year as a star import for Brynas IF and played for KooKoo of the Finnish Liiga from 2022-24.

He is a veteran of 98 career ECHL games and 27 American Hockey League games, including four in October with the Syracuse Crunch, Tampa Bay's AHL affiliate.

D'Astous' extension for the 2026-27 season means he will not reach unrestricted free agency this summer. His current one-year, two-way deal with the Lightning carries an NHL cap hit of $775,000.

The Lightning have won six consecutive games and entered Friday as the second-place team in the Atlantic Division.

--Field Level Media