Scott Sabourin Signs One-Year Deal with Tampa Bay Lightning
Aging enforcer Scott Sabourin has secured his future with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, signing a fresh one-year two-way deal that keeps him in the fold heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Lightning management, led by General Manager Julien BriseBois, confirmed the agreement this week, marking a continuation of Sabourin’s tenure with the Eastern Conference squad.
The 33-year-old journeyman spent the previous two seasons with the San Jose Sharks before departing via free agency last summer. His stint in San Jose proved largely forgettable at the NHL level, where he managed just four appearances without registering a point in 2023-24, though he accumulated nine penalty minutes in limited action. The physical forward found his primary role in San Jose’s minor league system, suiting up for 127 games with the Barracuda of the American Hockey League. Playing a depth role in the AHL, he contributed 28 goals and 52 points while establishing himself as a physical presence with 303 penalty minutes.
Sabourin’s inaugural campaign with the Lightning saw him receive NHL opportunities during a stretch when injuries decimated Tampa Bay’s roster. The gritty competitor appeared in 26 games for the Bolts, registering 1 goal and 4 assists to complement 89 penalty minutes. He also logged 24 games with the Syracuse Crunch, the Lightning’s AHL affiliate.
The new deal represents a modest financial improvement, with Sabourin’s NHL salary bumping from $775,000 to $850,000 annually. Come next offseason, the veteran will once again test the open market as an unrestricted free agent.
