The Tampa Bay Lightning have secured a significant piece of their defense for the long term, announcing an eight-year, $54 million contract extension for J.J. Moser, which averages to $6.75 million per year. The announcement was confirmed shortly after reports from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Moser, who is 25 years old, is enjoying his second season with the Lightning after being acquired in a trade that sent defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to Salt Lake City two years ago. With his current contract set to expire at the end of this season and with restricted free agency on the horizon, Moser’s new deal will now keep him with the team until after the 2033-34 season.
The defenseman has gained prominence this year, particularly due to the injuries plaguing the Lightning’s roster. He has recorded three goals and 12 points in 34 games, reflecting a solid performance that ranks as one of his best over an 82-game stretch. While his overall statistics may appear average, they do not fully capture his true value on the ice.
Moser’s even-strength performance metrics are among the most impressive in the league. He boasts a CorsiFor% of 57.8% and an on-ice save percentage of 94.6%, both of which lead the team among defensemen by a considerable margin. Furthermore, according to MoneyPuck, he ranks first in on-ice Goals% among the 218 defensemen who have played over 200 minutes this season, with an impressive rate of 73.8%. This places him ahead of top contenders like Cale Makar, who is recognized as a leading candidate for the Norris Trophy.
Given his notable contributions, Lightning General Manager Julien BriseBois prioritized securing Moser’s extension. With Moser now committed, the team also retains Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh through the 2028-29 season, along with Erik Černák, who is secured until the 2030-31 campaign.
If Moser maintains his current performance level, this contract could turn out to be a favorable deal for Tampa Bay. With projections indicating the salary cap should remain stable, Moser’s contract will represent 6.49% of the salary cap in the first year, decreasing to 5.94% in the second year. Notably, the Lightning have structured Moser’s contract independently from the timelines of other defensemen, signaling their high expectations for his future contributions to the team.