TAMPA — The Lightning have signed restricted free-agent defenseman Max Crozier to a three-year deal worth an average annual value of $775,000.

The signing sets the stage for Crozier, 25, to compete for a regular role in the Lighting’s lineup next season. The deal is a two-way contract for 2025-26 but becomes a one-way deal for the final two years, suggesting the team expects Crozier to be a blueline regular by then if not sooner.

The right-shot defenseman has 18 NHL regular season games under his belt, including five with the Lightning this past season. He was called up during the first-round playoff series against the Panthers but did not play.

Crozier just finished his second full season at AHL Syracuse, where he set career highs with nine goals and 34 points in 52 games. His plus-16

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