Alex Killorn and the Lightning wanted to keep the team together, and Tampa Bay made sure hed be part of its long-term future.On Sunday, the Lightning signed Killorn to a $31.15 million, seven-year contract to avoid arbitration and lock up another important player.Earlier this offseason, Tampa Bay signed captain Steven Stamkos for eight years and $68 million, defenseman Victor Hedman for eight years and $63 million, and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy for three years and $10.5 million.After a trip to the Stanley Cup finals in 2015 and the Eastern Conference finals in 2016, Killorn saw the Stamkos contract and the potential for more postseason success and wanted keep the trend going.When you have your captain, the leader of your team, taking a pretty substantial discount, I think that sets a precedent for everyone else, Killorn said by phone. For me, it wasnt just about money. I think the contract was a great contract, but living in Florida, playing on a team that has a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup every year is important.Killorn, who turns 27 in September, will count $4.45 million against the salary cap through the 2022-23 season.He has 53 goals and 85 assists for 138 points in 272 regular-season NHL games. In 47 Stanley Cup playoff games, he has 15 goals and 18 assists.The native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, has 33 playoff points, fourth most among Canadian-born players over the past three years. That total trails only Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks and Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks.Ive been pretty fortunate because when you play on a team that does so well, obviously youre going to be put in those situations, Killorn said. I think playoff hockey kind of suits my style.Winning in the playoffs is what its all about for the Lightning, who needed to keep Killorns cap hit manageable because of three other restricted free agents who need contracts: forwards Nikita Kucherov and Vladislav Namestnikov and defenseman Nikita Nesterov.General manager Steve Yzerman said recently that negotiations with Kucherovs camp are ongoing, and Namestnikovs arbitration hearing is scheduled for July 29.If Yzerman can get the other deals done while navigating the salary cap, the Lightning should be one of the favorites to win the Cup next season and for several more years after that.Theres obviously still a couple guys that need to be signed, but it seems like most guys want to be here and want to be a part of this, Killorn said. Everyone really believes in the management and what theyre doing, so were just excited for the future. Bernie Parent Jersey . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. Samuel Morin Flyers Jersey . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. http://www.hockeyflyersauthentic.com/sean-couturier-jersey/ . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Michael Raffl Jersey . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Scott Laughton Flyers Jersey . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. CLEMSON, S.C. -- Running back Wayne Gallman was knocked out of third-ranked Clemsons game against North Carolina State after getting injured in the first quarter, and receiver Hunter Renfrow left in the fourth after hitting his head on the ground while trying to make a catch.Gallman was hurt Saturday when Dravious Wright hit him hard and caused him to fumble for the first time this season. Gallman was helped offf the field, evaluated on the sideline and then went to the locker room.dddddddddddd The nature of his injury wasnt announced.Renfrow jumped to catch a high pass, and as he landed he hit the back of his head on the ground. Renfrow had missed the previous four games with a broken hand. ' ' '