TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenseman Steven Santini to a two-year, two-way contract, Vice President and General Manager Julien BriseBois announced today.
Santini, 30, played in 58 games for the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) during the 2024–25 season, recording six goals and 17 points along with a +10 rating. He ranked third among Crunch defensemen in total points and finished tied for third in both goals and assists. Santini also logged one assist and six shots on goal across three Calder Cup Playoff games. In his AHL career, the Bronxville, New York native has played in 361 games, tallying 21 goals, 87 points, a +56 rating, and 186 penalty minutes.
Santini made one NHL appearance for the Lightning in 2024–25, skating 11:37 with one hit and two blocked shots in Tampa Bay’s 8–3 win at Calgary on December 12. The 6-foot-3, 214-pound blueliner has appeared in 124 NHL games across stints with the Lightning, New Jersey Devils, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues, accumulating five goals, 23 points, and averaging 17:10 of ice time per game.
He was originally selected 42nd overall in the second round of the 2013 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils.
