Former Pittsburgh Penguin Josh Archibald’s contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning was placed on unconditional waivers today for the purpose of contract termination. 

“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,” Tampa Bay’s general manager Julien BriseBois said in a statement released by the Lightning today. 

“We wish Josh, his wife Bailey, and their entire family the very best in their future endeavors,” he added. 

The 30 year old was a sixth round pick by the Penguins in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, selected 174th overall. 

He made his NHL debut during the 2015-16 season, his only game of the season, but he made more of an impact the following year. Archibald played in 10 games for the Pens, scoring 3 goals, and also saw playoff time as well, appearing in 4 games for the team, earning himself a spot on the 2017 Stanley Cup engraved roster. 

Archibald was traded to the Arizona Coyotes during the 2017-18 season, and after that, spent a few years with the Edmonton Oilers, where he played the bulk of his 305 NHL games. 

Last offseason, the Penguins brought Archibald back on a one year, $900K deal. Archibald brought a wrecking ball style of play to the Penguins lineup, while chipping in 6 goals and 6 assists in 62 games. He had a unique knack for drawing penalties, allowing the Pens to get some extra power play opportunities.

Archibald also made waves in the Penguins-Capitals rivalry, when he fought Rasmus Sandin in a game back in March.

Under new management, Pittsburgh opted to let Archibald walk in the offseason, where he signed a two year, $1.6 million in total deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

His contract with Tampa Bay surprisingly gave Archibald a pretty significant modified no-trade clause; Archibald would provide Tampa Bay with a list of only 15 teams he could be traded to. 

It’s unknown yet why exactly Archibald is stepping away, or if this is it for him playing in the NHL. 

In his place, the Lightning signed veteran center Tyler Motte. Motte’s cap hit, $800K, matches Archibald’s. 

Since his contract is being terminated, Archibald will not count against Tampa Bay’s salary cap.