Lightning Make Goalie Move Wednesday Amid Andrei Vasilevskiy’s Vezina Finalist Nod

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Spencer Garrett Ostrow | Last updated May 7, 2025 1:58 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Lightning were bounced in five games by the Florida Panthers in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy didn’t quite look like his usual self.

It was a noticeable drop-off from the regular-season he had, when he put together one of the best campaigns of his career. The Vezina Trophy finalist posted a career-best 2.18 goals-against average (GAA) and went 38- 20- 5 over 63 games. He also ranked second in high-danger save percentage (.853), total saves (1,581), and shutouts (6).

In the playoffs, however, he posted a 3.27 GAA, an .872 save percentage, and went just 1-4.

Vasilevskiy recently wrapped up his 11th NHL season after being selected in the first round of the 2012 draft by Tampa. The 30-year-old still has three seasons remaining on his contract at a $9.5 million AAV, and he remains locked in as the team’s No. 1 goalie.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Tampa Bay general manager Julien BriseBois made a move to lock in his backup goaltender for the next two seasons.

The Lightning announced on social media that they "have signed goaltender Jonas Johansson to a two-year contract extension worth an AAV of $1.25 million!"

We have signed goaltender Jonas Johansson to a two-year contract extension worth an AAV of $1.25 million!

: https://t.co/7ZM6LrDm14 pic.twitter.com/30QAsVUcDK
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) May 7, 2025

Johansson has bounced around during his six years in the NHL. Drafted in the third round of the 2014 draft by the Buffalo Sabres, he has spent time with the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and, most recently, the past two seasons with the Lightning.

In 45 games with Tampa, he’s gone 21-13-8 with a .892 save percentage and a 3.27 goals-against average (GAA).

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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