Lightning issue qualifying offers to 10 players

The Tampa Bay Lightning have issued qualifying offers to 10 players, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced Wednesday. There were three players who did not receive qualifying offers, making them unrestricted free agents on July 1.

The Lightning issues qualifying offers to forwards Steve Downie, Blair Jones, Martins Karsums, Teddy Purcell, Juraj Simek, Paul Szczechura and Nate Thompson, as well as defensemen Mike Lundin, Vladimir Mihalik and Paul Ranger.

Forwards Chris Lawrence, Radek Smolenak and Lauri Tukonen did not receive offers and will become free agents on July 1.

The deadline for NHL clubs to issue offers is Monday, June 28.  By issuing qualifying offers to the aforementioned players, the Lightning are given the right of the first refusal or draft choice compensation should the player sign an offer sheet with another NHL club.

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