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Two Sign As Lightning Assess Assets

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 3, 2008

TAMPA - TAMPA - After four days of keeping fans on the edge of their seats anticipating the next move, the Lightning took a deep breath on Wednesday to evaluate where they stood.

But it doesn't mean they stood pat, as they announced the signings of Ryan Craig and recently acquired defenseman Janne Niskala.

Craig, who missed all but seven games last season because of a back injury and knee surgery, signed a two-year deal worth $1.575 million that will pay him $775,000 this year and $800,000 next season.

Niskala, who was acquired from Philadelphia on Monday in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick, signed a one-year, one-way contract worth $600,000.

The Lightning also are in discussions to extend the contract of goaltender Mike Smith, who is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

In the meantime, Tampa Bay officials are believed to be sorting through the roster, which now has an abundance of NHL-caliber forwards and defensemen, depth the Lightning haven't enjoyed in some time. And that doesn't include the pending announcement of a two-year deal for Evgeny Artyukhin, who is slotted to play wing on the fourth line, or the anticipated signing of No. 1 draft pick Steven Stamkos.

Tampa Bay is expected to start those discussions with Stamkos' agent, Mark Guy, at some point next week after the free agency period calms down. Entry level contracts in the NHL are done under a rookie salary cap that allows for a maximum base salary of $875,000, including a 10-percent signing bonus, and maximum bonus structure of $2.875 million, which counts against the salary cap.

With 15 forwards and nine defensemen under NHL contracts, something will have to give to alleviate those numbers. The most likely way for that to happen is to explore the trade route.

On defense, the expectation is that Niskala is ready to play at the NHL level. A puck-moving, offensive-minded defenseman, the 26-year-old scored 19 goals and 44 points in 80 games with Milwaukee of the American Hockey League.

Niskala is not a potential replacement for Dan Boyle, who may be a target to be moved to reduce salary. A message left for Boyle, who has a no-trade clause in the six-year, $40 million contract extension signed in February, was not returned Wednesday.

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835 or eerlendsson@tampatrib.com.

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