J.J. Moser secures eight-year deal with Tampa Bay Lightning

J.J. Moser became the latest member of the Tampa Bay Lightning to sign a long-term contract as the defenseman agreed to an eight-year deal worth $6.75 million annually, the club announced Saturday, shortly before the team defeated the Florida Panthers 4-2.

Moser becomes the fourth defenseman and 10th player on the Lightning’s roster who will be under contract with the franchise for more than three years, according to PuckPedia. It’s a list that includes Anthony Cirelli, Jake Guentzel, captain Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh.

Injuries have played a significant role in the Lightning’s chase for a fourth Stanley Cup and first since 2021, when they won a second consecutive title.

Those adjustments have seen Moser become one of the most trusted options for Lightning coach Jon Cooper. Moser, 25, leads the Lightning with an average of 21 minutes, 41 seconds of ice time and has played in 34 of the team’s 36 games entering Saturday.

Having a mostly healthy and consistent Moser has provided stability within a defensive structure that has seen the team be without top-four staples Erik Cernak, Hedman and McDonaugh throughout various portions of this season. It was a trio that entered Saturday playing fewer than 20 games each.

Moser, who has tallied three goals and 12 points this season, is three points shy of what he produced over 54 games in his first campaign with the Lightning in 2024-25.

The Lightning acquired Moser as part of the package that saw them part ways with star defenseman Mikhail Sergachev in a June 2024 trade with the Utah Mammoth. Tampa Bay also received prospect forward Conor Geekie, a 2024 seventh-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick.

Moser’s contributions this season have played a part in why the Lightning (21-13-3) entered Saturday third in the Atlantic Division in which they were four points behind the first-place Detroit Red Wings while also being tied on points with the Washington Capitals for the first of two Eastern Conference wild-card spots.

His new deal also comes more than a month before Moser will head to the Olympics, where he is expected to play for Switzerland. Moser is one of 11 active Swiss players in the NHL this season. It’s a group that also features Kevin Fiala, Nico Hischier, Roman Josi and Timo Meier.