Bolts place Archibald on unconditional waivers, sign Motte

The Tampa Bay Lightning placed forward Josh Archibald on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, the team announced Saturday.

“Yesterday, I was informed by Josh’s agent, and by Josh himself in a subsequent conversation, that he was not planning on playing hockey for the time being and that he would not be reporting to training camp,” general manager Julien BriseBois said in a statement.

The Lightning signed Archibald to a two-year deal with a cap hit of $800,000 on July 1. He won’t count against Tampa Bay’s salary cap.

In a corresponding move, the Bolts brought in forward Tyler Motte on a one-year, $800,000 deal Saturday. Motte, 28, split last season between the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers, chipping in with eight goals and 19 points in 62 games.

Motte played out last season on a one-year, $1.35-million pact.

Archibald spent the 2022-23 campaign with the Pittsburgh Penguins, registering six goals and 12 points in 62 games while averaging almost 10 minutes of ice time per contest.

It was Archibald’s second stint in Pittsburgh, which selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 NHL Draft.

The 30-year-old also suited up for the Arizona Coyotes and Edmonton Oilers, amassing 83 points in 305 career outings.

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