Forward Waltteri Merela will play for SC Bern in Switzerland’s premier professional league next season instead of the Lightning. The Lightning signed the 25-year-old Finn to a one-year, two-way contract after he impressed them in preseason. He made his North American hockey debut on opening night. The Lightning wanted Merela to return as a depth component, but their salary limit crunch and desire for roster flexibility prevented them from offering him a one-way deal and guaranteed NHL money.
Merela was the Lightning’s only waiver-exempt forward and played 10 of their first 11 games without a point. He was sent to Tampa Bay and Syracuse again in November. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound player scored one goal in 19 games, but he proved he could skate and play responsible NHL hockey. He could soon be an NHL regular, according to the Lightning. After spending most of last season in Syracuse, Merela scored 15 goals and 34 points in 55 regular-season games, tying for third on the squad. He scored three goals, including two game-winners, in eight Calder Cup playoff games.
At 25, Merela signed his entry-level contract, making him an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent this offseason. The Lightning needed to make him a qualifying offer to retain his rights. The Lightning hope to do so before July 1’s qualifying offer deadline to maintain Merela’s NHL rights until he’s 27. SC Bern signed him for one season.Merela surprised everyone in training camp by adapting fast to the North American game’s speed and smaller rink size. He joined the Lightning after four seasons in Finland, earning back-to-back Liiga titles, and his competitiveness was evident from his first Lightning sweater during the team’s developmental camp last July.
“We watched a lot of video, watched a lot of live games (when scouting Merela),” said Lightning deputy general manager/director of player development and AHL Syracuse general manager Stacy Roest before last season. He has won several games with his hard-working straight-line hockey style. Big, strong, and can shoot the puck.”
On a two-way contract, Merela made a prorated portion of his $775,000 NHL base pay (plus a $95,000 signing bonus) and a prorated piece of his $82,000 minor-league salary for Syracuse games. His deal with SC Bern wasn’t released, although he’ll likely make more there.
