Josh Archibald quits on his team months after signing new contract.

I have something of a stunning report to bring you on this Saturday morning.

According to a report from Tampa Bay Lightning beat writer Chris Krenn, veteran forward Josh Archibald has informed his team that he will not be reporting to training camp. Furthermore Archibald has informed the Lightning that he does not intend to continue playing hockey at this time, a decision that has now led to the Lightning placing Archibald on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination.

The news comes as a complete curve ball given that Archibald just recently signed a multi-year contract with the Lightning, one valued at $1.6 million over the full two year term of the deal.

Archibald has bounced around quite a bit during his NHL career, playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes and Edmonton Oilers but despite his new contract is now appears that he will never play a single game for the Lightning.

The Lightning have released the following statement via general manager Julien Brisebois.

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. Consequently, Josh was placed on unconditional waivers earlier today for the purpose of terminating his contract.

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

It remains unclear at this time why Archibald has made this decision but this is not the kind of decision that anyone would make lightly. I would also like to wish Josh Archibald and his family all the best in whatever comes next.