Tampa Bay Lightning Sign Forward Benjamin Rautiainen to Three-Year Entry-Level Contract

On Friday, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced that they have signed center Benjamin Rautiainen to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Rautiainen was drafted by Tampa Bay in the fourth round, 108th overall, of the 2025 NHL Draft.

Rautiainen put up 25 goals and 52 assists for 77 points in 59 games this past season with Tappara Tampere in the SM-LIIGA. While his postseason was somewhat underwhelming, as he contributed only a goal and six assists for seven points in 18 playoff games, Tappara still went on to win the league championship. Rautiainen became the first player to surpass 70 points since the 2007-08 Liiga season and received the Lasse Oksanen Award as the league’s top player throughout the regular season.

During the 2024-25 season, Rautiainen had 10 goals and 23 assists for 33 points in 50 games. He also represented Finland at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he notched two goals and two assists for four points in seven games. 

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis ranked Rautiainen as the sixth-best prospect in the Tampa Bay system prior to the start of the 2025-26 season. Ellis noted that Rautiainen “isn’t a play driver, but he’ll chase you down all game long to try and get the puck back and can be a general nuisance. Rautiainen isn’t big or particularly strong, but he makes up for it with good hockey IQ.”