Former San Jose Sharks forward Jeffrey Viel has finally earned himself a long-term contract at the NHL level. The 29-year-old winger signed a 5-year, $12.5 million deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, shortly after free agency opened.

Viel spent five seasons as a part of the Sharks organization, spending the majority of his time with their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda. He played just 49 games with the Sharks, scoring three goals and tallying a total of five points for the team in teal, while also registering 139 penalty minutes. With the Barracuda, he appeared in 212 games, scoring 45 goals and a total of 93 points, as well as 398 penalty minutes.

Since departing the Sharks organization at the end of the 2023-24 season, Viel has had stints with the Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks. Last season, the first full season at the NHL level of his career, he played 45 games between the two organizations, tallying 10 points and 79 penalty minutes. He also played in the first playoff games of his NHL career, scoring two goals and adding two assists for the Anaheim Ducks.