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The Tampa Bay Lightning have taken advantage of a lesser known NHL rule, taking prospect Dominic James out from underneath the Chicago Blackhawks for themselves.
While a legal move in the eyes of the NHL, the move by Tampa Bay is rarely utilized.
Lightning Sign Former Blackhawks’ Prospect to Entry-Level Deal
While no official announcement has been made by the team at this time, James made a post from his personal Instagram account announcing the good news.
James, a 23-year-old forward who just finished his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, was originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks 173rd overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The club retained his exclusive signing rights from that moment through August 15th 2025, when his exclusive rights with the club expired and James became an unrestricted free agent.
While most players who go unsigned by the team who drafted them rarely tend to find an NHL deal elsewhere, it appears as though James is the exception.
James amassed 77 points throughout 111 games with UMD, enjoying his most productive season as a senior last winter, where he netted 30 points in 35 games.
James May Have Snubbed Chicago
It may not all have been on Chicago, however. A quote from Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson last spring indicated that the club offered James a contract in some capacity.
Davidson says the Blackhawks offered Dominic James a «pretty damn good opportunity,» but it currently seems like he’s going to free agency in August. «No ill will.»
Whether the opportunity was in the NHL or the AHL, it appears as though James thought the best chance to advance his career was elsewhere.
The terns of James’ deal with Tampa Bay are unknown at this time.
Previously on HouseOfHockey