Zemgus Girgensons
| Position | Left Wing / Center | Current Team | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| Shoots | Left | Current Contract | 3 years |
| Height | 6'3" | Expires | 2026-27 |
| Weight (lbs) | 197 | Expiry Age (Jun 30) | 33 |
| Age | 31 (Jan 5, 1994) | Expiry Status | UFA |
| Drafted | 2012, Round 1, Overall 14 (BUF) |
| Date | Team | Transaction | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25, 2025 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Activated from IR | |
| Oct 6, 2025 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Placed on IR | |
| Jul 1, 2024 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Signed 3 years @ $850K AAV starting in 2024-25 | |
| Jun 20, 2023 | Buffalo Sabres | Signed 1 year @ $2.500M AAV starting in 2023-24 | |
| Oct 8, 2020 | Buffalo Sabres | Signed 3 years @ $2.200M AAV starting in 2020-21 | |
| Jul 5, 2019 | Buffalo Sabres | Signed 1 year @ $1.600M AAV starting in 2019-20 | |
| Aug 17, 2017 | Buffalo Sabres | Signed 2 years @ $1.600M AAV starting in 2017-18 | |
| Sep 1, 2016 | Buffalo Sabres | Signed 1 year @ $1.150M AAV starting in 2016-17 | |
| Jul 15, 2012 | Buffalo Sabres | Signed to an entry level contract. |
2025-26 Player Card
URL: https://www.thestanleycap.com/cdn/player_cards/20252026/zemgus-girgensons-8476878.png
2024-25 Player Card
URL: https://www.thestanleycap.com/cdn/player_cards/20242025/zemgus-girgensons-8476878.png
2023-24 Player Card
URL: https://www.thestanleycap.com/cdn/player_cards/20232024/zemgus-girgensons-8476878.png
About Player Cards
Player cards present an infographic of a players performance. In this case it shows the player performance over a 3 season span. Each square is separated into three separate sub-boxes with the two smaller boxes on top representing the past two seasons and the larger box on the bottom representing the current or most recent season. This allows the reader to guage how consistent a player has been, and if early in the season it can help identify whether a players performance may be impacted by small sample size and subject to regression or is consistent with recent past performance.
Notes and Definitions
- The numbers represent percentiles so the higher the better.
- Percentiles are determined by comparing Forwards to Forwards and Defensemen to Defensemen.
- Bursts/mi are calculated from NHL Edge Data are are speed bursts above 20mpg per mile skated. The NHL doesn't adjust for ice time so the players that skate more will naturally have more bursts over 20, or at least more opportunity to have more. The NHL also does not provide ice time in the context of NHL Edge Statistics, however, it does provide distance skated. By adjusting for distance skated it will have a similar effect to adjusting for ice time but also adjust for situationional effect. For example, Players don't typically skate as much on the PK, mostly within the defensive zone, so don't get significant opportunity in that ice time to get speed bursts above 20mph. Adjusting with miles skates would account for this better than adjusting with ice time.
- Sh%AE is Shooting Percentage above Expected (Sh% - xSh%) and is an indicator of how good a shooter is at converting chances into goals.
- Relative statistics are On Ice - Off Ice statistics and can be an indicator of whether the player makes his teammates better or worse.
- All data is 5v5 except Shooting Hardest and Average, Skating Top Speed and Bursts/mi which are all situations, ES Average which is even strength (NHL doesn't give a specific definition).
Data Sources
- Salary data is from TheStanleyCap.com
- Shooting and Skating (except Sh%AE) are from NHL Edge
- Other statistics are from Puckalytics.com and derived from data from NHL.com
Terms of Use
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If you have any questions, send an e-mail to the e-mail address at the top of this page.
5v5 Individual Stats
| Season | Team(s) | GP | TOI | G/60 | A/60 | Pts/60 | xG/60 | GAE/60 | Sh% | xSh% | Sh%AE | %SA Rush | %SA Reb. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | BUF | 71 | 875:03 | 0.34 | 0.62 | 0.96 | 0.54 | -0.20 | 5.26 | 8.33 | -3.07 | 4.88 | 2.44 |
| 2016-17 | BUF | 75 | 871:27 | 0.48 | 0.62 | 1.10 | 0.65 | -0.17 | 6.80 | 9.13 | -2.34 | 4.44 | 7.41 |
| 2017-18 | BUF | 71 | 825:48 | 0.36 | 0.58 | 0.94 | 0.61 | -0.25 | 5.21 | 8.73 | -3.52 | 1.64 | 2.46 |
| 2018-19 | BUF | 72 | 780:44 | 0.38 | 0.85 | 1.23 | 0.62 | -0.24 | 6.76 | 10.96 | -4.20 | 1.85 | 5.56 |
| 2019-20 | BUF | 69 | 779:41 | 0.69 | 0.38 | 1.08 | 0.59 | 0.11 | 12.33 | 10.42 | 1.91 | 1.01 | 3.03 |
| 2021-22 | BUF | 56 | 666:10 | 0.63 | 0.54 | 1.17 | 0.64 | -0.01 | 9.33 | 9.45 | -0.12 | 0.99 | 5.94 |
| 2022-23 | BUF | 80 | 892:56 | 0.60 | 0.34 | 0.94 | 0.73 | -0.13 | 8.65 | 10.46 | -1.81 | 1.30 | 5.84 |
| 2023-24 | BUF | 63 | 661:47 | 0.73 | 0.54 | 1.27 | 0.64 | 0.08 | 11.59 | 10.24 | 1.36 | 6.12 | 7.14 |
| 2024-25 | TBL | 82 | 805:55 | 0.07 | 0.30 | 0.37 | 0.60 | -0.52 | 1.37 | 11.02 | -9.65 | 2.78 | 6.48 |
| 2025-26 | TBL | 12 | 151:57 | 1.18 | 0.39 | 1.58 | 0.39 | 0.79 | 30.00 | 9.97 | 20.03 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
5v5 On Ice Stats
| Season | Team(s) | GP | TOI | SAF/60 | GF/60 | xGF/60 | SAA/60 | GA/60 | xGA/60 | GF% | xGF% | xGF Rel | xGA Rel | xGF% Rel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | BUF | 71 | 875:03 | 35.59 | 1.58 | 1.97 | 37.64 | 1.30 | 2.08 | 54.76 | 48.59 | -0.08 | -0.25 | 1.79 |
| 2016-17 | BUF | 75 | 871:27 | 36.15 | 1.45 | 1.99 | 42.07 | 1.93 | 2.24 | 42.86 | 47.00 | -0.38 | -0.28 | -1.43 |
| 2017-18 | BUF | 71 | 825:48 | 36.84 | 1.53 | 2.07 | 40.91 | 2.25 | 2.33 | 40.38 | 47.06 | 0.00 | -0.13 | 1.44 |
| 2018-19 | BUF | 72 | 780:44 | 39.19 | 1.77 | 2.10 | 40.96 | 2.54 | 2.37 | 41.07 | 47.00 | -0.46 | -0.35 | -1.47 |
| 2019-20 | BUF | 69 | 779:41 | 35.86 | 1.69 | 2.08 | 36.63 | 2.08 | 2.13 | 44.90 | 49.36 | -0.17 | -0.26 | 0.92 |
| 2021-22 | BUF | 56 | 666:10 | 36.03 | 1.71 | 2.09 | 37.65 | 2.16 | 2.18 | 44.19 | 49.00 | -0.27 | -0.42 | 1.42 |
| 2022-23 | BUF | 80 | 892:56 | 38.77 | 1.41 | 2.24 | 35.41 | 1.95 | 2.26 | 42.00 | 49.79 | -0.63 | -0.77 | 1.07 |
| 2023-24 | BUF | 63 | 661:47 | 38.17 | 1.90 | 2.17 | 39.80 | 1.90 | 2.47 | 50.00 | 46.77 | -0.25 | -0.06 | -2.06 |
| 2024-25 | TBL | 82 | 805:55 | 35.44 | 0.97 | 1.98 | 35.29 | 1.64 | 1.90 | 37.14 | 51.10 | -0.56 | -0.55 | 0.14 |
| 2025-26 | TBL | 12 | 151:57 | 30.40 | 1.58 | 1.72 | 31.98 | 2.76 | 2.05 | 36.36 | 45.59 | -1.13 | 0.10 | -13.71 |
NHL Edge Stats
| Skating | Shooting | Zone Time | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | GP | Top Speed | Bursts>20/mi | Avg. Speed | ES Avg. Speed | Top Speed | Avg. Speed | %Long Range | %Mid Range | %High Danger | ES DZ% | ES NZ% | ES OZ% |
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Legend
| Percentile 0-25 | Percentile 25-50 | Percentile 50-75 | Percentile 75-100 |
5v5 Lines
| Season | Teammate | Teammate | Team | TOI | GF/60 | GA/60 | GF% | xGF/60 | xGA/60 | xGF% | xGF Rel | xGA Rel | xGF% Rel |
|---|
Glossary
| Type | Statistic | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | G/60 | Goals Against per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | A/60 | Assists per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | Pts/60 | Points per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | xG/60 | Expected Goals per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | GAE/60 | Goals Above Expected (G/60 - xG/60). |
| Individual | Sh% | Shooting Percentage. |
| Individual | xSh% | Expected Shooting Percentage. |
| Individual | Sh%AE | Shooting percentage above expected (Sh% - xSh%). |
| Individual | %SA Rush | Percentage of shot attempts determined to be on the rush. |
| Individual | %SA Reb. | Percentage of shot attempts determined to be from rebounds. |
| On Ice | SAF/60 | Shot Attempts For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | GF/60 | Goals For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | xGF/60 | Expected Goals For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | SAA/60 | Shot Attempts Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | GA/60 | Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | xGA/60 | Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | GF% | Goals For Percentage = Goals For / (Goals For + Goals Against) |
| On Ice | xGF% | Expected Goals For Percentage = Expected Goals For / (Expected Goals For + Expected Goals Against) |
| On Ice | xGF Rel | xGF/60 when On Ice - xGF/60 when not On Ice. |
| On Ice | xGA Rel | xGA/60 when On Ice - xGA/60 when not On Ice (lower is better). |
| On Ice | xGF% Rel | xGF% when On Ice - xGF% when not On Ice. |
News and Opinions
-
Jack Finley’s first NHL game is the difference in Lightning’s 3-1 win over Panthers at Raw Charge (Sat Nov 15, 2025)
-
Zemgus Girgensons scores twice in Lightning’s 5-2 win over Predators at Raw Charge (Wed Oct 29, 2025)
-
Top 10 Latvians in NHL History at The Hockey Writers (Sun Aug 17, 2025)
-
Girgensons earns another Olympic shot as Latvia reveals early six at Bolts by the Bay (Mon Jun 23, 2025)
Current Contract
Zemgus Girgensons signed a $2,550,000 3-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning and General Manager Julien Brisebois on July 1, 2024 with an AAV of $850,000. This contract will start in 2024-25 and end after the 2026-27 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 0.97% of the salary cap.
Standard Contract (UFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
Zemgus Girgensons signed a $2,500,000 1-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres and General Manager Kevyn Adams on June 20, 2023 with an AAV of $2,500,000. This contract will start in 2023-24 and end after the 2023-24 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 2.99% of the salary cap.
Standard Contract (UFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 29 | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 | - | - | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 | UFA | ||
| Total | - | - | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 |
Zemgus Girgensons signed a $6,600,000 3-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres and General Manager Kevyn Adams on October 8, 2020 with an AAV of $2,200,000. This contract will start in 2020-21 and end after the 2022-23 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 2.70% of the salary cap.
Standard Contract (UFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 26 | $2,200,000 | $2,200,000 | - | - | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | UFA | ||
| 2021-22 | 27 | $2,200,000 | $2,200,000 | - | - | $2,200,000 | $2,200,000 | $2,200,000 | UFA | ||
| 2022-23 | 28 | $2,200,000 | $2,200,000 | - | - | $2,400,000 | $2,400,000 | $2,400,000 | UFA | ||
| Total | - | - | $6,600,000 | $6,600,000 | $6,600,000 |
Zemgus Girgensons signed a $1,600,000 1-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres and General Manager Jason Botterill on July 5, 2019 with an AAV of $1,600,000. This contract will start in 2019-20 and end after the 2019-20 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 1.96% of the salary cap.
Standard Contract (RFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 25 | $1,600,000 | $1,600,000 | - | - | $1,600,000 | $1,600,000 | $1,600,000 | RFA-arb | ||
| Total | - | - | $1,600,000 | $1,600,000 | $1,600,000 |
Zemgus Girgensons signed a $3,200,000 2-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres and General Manager Jason Botterill on August 17, 2017 with an AAV of $1,600,000. This contract will start in 2017-18 and end after the 2018-19 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 2.13% of the salary cap.
Standard Contract (RFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 23 | $1,600,000 | $1,600,000 | - | - | $1,600,000 | $1,600,000 | $1,600,000 | RFA-arb | ||
| 2018-19 | 24 | $1,600,000 | $1,600,000 | - | - | $1,600,000 | $1,600,000 | $1,600,000 | RFA-arb | ||
| Total | - | - | $3,200,000 | $3,200,000 | $3,200,000 |
Zemgus Girgensons signed a $1,150,000 1-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres and General Manager Tim Murray on September 1, 2016 with an AAV of $1,150,000. This contract will start in 2016-17 and end after the 2016-17 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 1.58% of the salary cap.
Standard Contract (RFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 22 | $1,150,000 | $1,150,000 | - | - | $1,150,000 | $1,150,000 | $1,150,000 | RFA | ||
| Total | - | - | $1,150,000 | $1,150,000 | $1,150,000 |
Zemgus Girgensons signed a $2,775,000 3-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres and General Manager Darcy Regier on July 15, 2012 with an AAV of $925,000. This contract will start in 2012-13 and end after the 2015-16 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 1.54% of the salary cap.
Entry Level Contract ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 18 | $925,000 | $1,400,000 | - | $92,500 | - | $92,500 | - | ELC | ||
| 2013-14 | 19 | $894,167 | $1,369,167 | $700,000 | $92,500 | $832,500 | $925,000 | $70,000 | ELC | ||
| 2014-15 | 20 | $894,167 | $1,369,167 | $700,000 | $92,500 | $832,500 | $925,000 | $70,000 | ELC | ||
| 2015-16 | 21 | $894,167 | $1,369,167 | $25,000 | - | $832,500 | $832,500 | $70,000 | ELC | ||
| Total | $1,425,000 | $277,500 | $2,497,500 | $2,775,000 | $210,000 |
Career Statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | League | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | Shots | Sh% | TOI/G | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | Shots | Sh% | TOI/G |
| 2009-10 | EmJHL | Green Mountain | 19 | 17 | 12 | 29 | 6 | |||||||||||||
| 2009-10 | EJHL | Green Mountain | 23 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||
| 2010-11 | USHL | Dubuque | 51 | 21 | 28 | 49 | +7 | 46 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 8 | +7 | 8 | ||||||
| 2011-12 | WJC-A | Latvia | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -6 | 6 | ||||||||||||
| 2011-12 | USHL | Dubuque | 49 | 24 | 31 | 55 | +17 | 69 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | +2 | |||||||
| 2012-13 | WC-A | Latvia | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -3 | |||||||||||||
| 2012-13 | AHL | Rochester | 61 | 6 | 11 | 17 | -7 | 28 | 91 | 659.0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | +2 | 9 | 3,333.0 | ||||
| 2013-14 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 70 | 8 | 14 | 22 | -6 | 14 | 115 | 7.0 | 15:19 | |||||||||
| 2013-14 | WC-A | Latvia | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | +1 | 29 | 12 | |||||||||||
| 2013-14 | Olympics | Latvia | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 2 | 9 | |||||||||||
| 2014-15 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 61 | 15 | 15 | 30 | -16 | 25 | 115 | 13.0 | 19:05 | |||||||||
| 2015-16 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 71 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 20 | 110 | 6.4 | 15:02 | ||||||||||
| 2015-16 | WC | Latvia | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -4 | 4 | ||||||||||||
| 2015-16 | WC-A | Latvia | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -5 | 4 | 21 | |||||||||||
| 2016-17 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 75 | 7 | 9 | 16 | -7 | 18 | 112 | 6.2 | 13:10 | |||||||||
| 2016-17 | WC | Latvia | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -6 | |||||||||||||
| 2016-17 | OGQ | Latvia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +1 | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 2017-18 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 71 | 7 | 8 | 15 | -12 | 26 | 113 | 6.2 | 13:43 | |||||||||
| 2018-19 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 72 | 5 | 13 | 18 | -11 | 17 | 78 | 6.4 | 13:37 | |||||||||
| 2019-20 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 69 | 12 | 7 | 19 | -1 | 10 | 85 | 14.1 | 13:48 | |||||||||
| 2021-22 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 56 | 10 | 8 | 18 | -7 | 27 | 92 | 10.9 | 14:47 | |||||||||
| 2021-22 | OGQ | Latvia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +1 | |||||||||||||
| 2022-23 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 80 | 10 | 8 | 18 | -5 | 14 | 114 | 8.8 | 12:59 | |||||||||
| 2023-24 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 63 | 8 | 6 | 14 | -1 | 21 | 73 | 11.0 | 11:51 | |||||||||
| 2024-25 | OGQ | Latvia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | |||||||||||||
| 2024-25 | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 82 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -7 | 47 | 83 | 2.4 | 11:40 | 5 | 3 | 0.0 | 10:56 | |||||
| 2025-26 | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 13 | 4 | 1 | 5 | -3 | 6 | 13 | 30.8 | 14:56 | |||||||||
| NHL Career | 783 | 95 | 104 | 199 | -76 | 245 | 1103 | 8.6 | 14:00 | 5 | 3 | 0.0 | 10:56 | |||||||