Impressive start to rookie campaign led Bolts to extend Perbix

Sushi, anyone?
If your name is Nick Perbix, the answer is probably yes. After signing a two-year contract extension on Monday that will keep him in Bolts blue through the end of the 2024-25 season, Perbix will surely be enjoying some postgame sushi in the Lightning locker room after many victories over the next two and a half seasons.
"You can tell he's still taking in being a part of the NHL as everyday life," said Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper. "Sometimes we have some sushi available after the games and that's where I always meet Perby, is in the sushi line, because he said they never had that in college, so he's really taken advantage of that in here.
"Every time I want to find Perbix, that's where I know where to find him after the game."

Perbix has been a revelation on the Lightning blue line this season since being recalled by the big club less than a week after Opening Night. After skating in the Prospect Showcase with Tampa Bay in September, Perbix made his NHL debut on October 18 vs. Philadelphia and has skated in 29 games with the Bolts, scoring three goals and adding five assists for eight points with a plus-eight rating.
Primarily skating on a defense pair with Mikhail Sergachev, Perbix has shown an incredible amount of poise across all three zones for the Lightning this season. When he has the puck in his own end, he doesn't panic. When the opportunity presents itself to jump up into the play and generate offense, he does it. If there is a hit to be made, he makes it (see Perbix's huge hit on Matthew Tkachuk from his second career NHL game on October 21).

Steady, calm and consistent, the 24-year-old Perbix has met and exceeded expectations throughout his rookie season. Now, the Lightning will have the right-handed D-man helping stabilize the back end at a $1.125M cap hit in each of the next two seasons.
"It's much-needed depth for a blue line that's been obviously shaken up in the last couple of years because of some departures, and he's come in and contributed for us in a positive way," said Cooper. "I think it's a win-win for everybody. It's a little different for Perbix because he spent some time in college and so the pro game's a little new to him, but he's done a heck of a job for us.
"One thing about him, he'll just continue to work and not rest on this saying he's made it or anything. That's what we like about him.
"He's a great kid. He's [one of] these kids that want to learn."
Speaking to Perbix on Monday afternoon, it was clear that Cooper's sentiment was spot on. Perbix has made the transition to the NHL game look easier than most, but he knows he still has plenty of work to do and is looking forward to more improvement. With as good as he's already been, Perbix continuing to get better is an exciting thought for Tampa Bay staff and fans alike.
"I think it's just about building every game, getting that little bit much more experience," Perbix explained. "With that being said, obviously I'm a little bit more comfortable, but there's definitely still a long way to go.
"Honestly, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it a little bit. I mean, a lot has happened in the last 12 months for me, but I'm just really grateful and, like I kind of just said, it's about getting better every day, because the goal is to earn another deal after this and not stop here.
"So yeah, like you said, I can't rest on my laurels, but it's definitely a good feeling right now."
Perbix shared that he received the encouraging news that he'd be sticking around long-term about a week ago when he was told to lock down a permanent living situation in Tampa. Still new to the business of contract negotiation and signing, the rate at which the entire process moved forward took the rookie defenseman a little bit by surprise.
"It happened a lot quicker than I realized," said Perbix with a smile. "I kind of got told to get a place about a week or so ago and then my agent called a few days ago and told me it was happening, and I'm like, 'Oh, wow. OK!'
"So, it was kind of a little surprise. I didn't really know how it all worked either, being so new, so it was a pleasant surprise."
Once Perbix heard things were moving forward with his extension, it was an easy decision regarding who he would tell first. He immediately picked up the phone and called his parents, who were thrilled to hear the news for a few different reasons.
"I called my dad first, right away," Perbix said. "My mom and dad were together, so I told them to put me on speakerphone and told them and they were pretty happy.
"Actually, ironically, they were just down the last few days, so I got a two bedroom and they stayed in the other room, so they were loving it too. They were really happy. They were excited. It's exciting."
Perbix has recorded the 10th-most assists and points among rookie defensemen in the NHL this season, while his three goals are tied for the second-most and his plus-eight rating ranks third.
According to Natural Stat Trick, with Perbix on the ice at 5-on-5 this season, the Bolts have generated 52.39% of the scoring chances and 56.22% of the high-danger scoring chances.
While Perbix has been skating on a pair with Sergachev at 5-on-5, the Lightning have recorded 52.24% of the shots on goal, 53.62% of the scoring chances and 58.76% of the high-danger scoring chances. Translation - good things are happening more often than not with the rookie defenseman on the ice.
Among all Tampa Bay defenders this season, Perbix's plus-eight rating and three goals are tied for the second-best, while his eight points rank fourth. His 31 blocked shots are the fifth-most among Bolts D-men and his 16 takeaways rank third.
Among Lightning defensemen with 20 or more games played this season, Perbix's nine giveaways are the fewest on the team, an impressive number for a rookie adjusting to the speed and pressure of the NHL.
"He's a super kid," said Cooper "There's a little naivete with him and it's great to see, but he works, and those kids that want to learn and want to work, you like to have them around, and that's what he's been for us."
As the season rolls along, it will be interesting to see how Perbix's numbers stack up all-time in terms of rookie defensemen in Tampa Bay franchise history. His 16 takeaways this season are already tied for the fifth-most by a Lightning rookie defender, while his three goals rank 10th and his eight points are tied for 13th. The Bolts still have 47 games remaining.
After the Bolts battle the Blackhawks in Chicago on Tuesday night, the team will immediately travel to Perbix's home state of Minnesota to take on the Wild. With his new contract extension officially signed, Perbix will certainly have plenty of ticket requests to fulfill for a multitude of family and friends ready to support their favorite Lightning defenseman.
"I think there's a lot of people asking, that's for sure," said Perbix with a laugh. "But it'll be fun. I played in that rink a couple times throughout college, so a little, tiny bit of familiarity, but it'll be fun. Hopefully see some family and friends. It'll be nice."