Crazy update on why Ondrej Palat left Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Lightning have kept almost all of the core that has appeared in three straight Stanley Cup Finals, winning it all in 2020 and 2021.

Since their championship in 2020, the team has seen Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow, Ryan McDonagh and now Ondrej Palat from the main core depart.

However, the Lightning had an opportunity to keep Palat as he was trying his hardest to stay, including taking a massive discount.

Palat ended up agreeing to a five-year, $30 million contract with the New Jersey Devils with an AAV of $6 million.


Which is almost double of what he asked from Tampa. If true, it would be interesting to know why the Lightning said no.