Another top name player has been taken off the trade market a day before the NHL trade deadline.

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced Monday night the re-signing of defenseman Dan Boyle to a six-year, $40 million contract extension, which breaks down to roughly $6.6 million per season against the Lightning’s cap starting next season.

A smooth-skating offensive blueliner, Boyle had a career season with the Bolts last year, with 20 goals and 63 points.

Boyle’s value to the Lightning was perhaps never better highlighted than this season when he missed 45 games this season to a wrist injury. The Lightning’s offense struggled at times without him, particularly on the power-play.

With a healthy Boyle back hopefully full-time starting next season, he should once again prove himself a valuable cog in the Lightning’s offensive attack.  

In re-signing Boyle, however, the Lightning need to free up cap space to absorb his salary, especially with incoming ownership rumored to be slashing payroll for next season, and it’s widely expected the Bolts could shop forward Brad Richards and his $7.8 million per season contract.

Richards could be dealt at the trade deadline or this summer, depending on how much pressure management is placed under by ownership to move him.