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Lightning sign former Wild left wing

The Associated Press

Veilleux had a career high with 13 goals and 23 points last season with Minnesota.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 7, 2009

TAMPA - The Lightning added depth to their front line on Tuesday, signing former Minnesota Wild left wing Stephane Veilleux to a one-year contract worth $750,000.

Veilleux, a former linemate with current Tampa Bay assistant coach Wes Walz on the Wild, had a career high with 13 goals and 23 points last season with Minnesota. A former third-round draft pick of the Wild in 2001, the 6-foot, 195-pound forward has 43 goals and 90 points in 361 career games, all with Minnesota.

"Stephane is a prototypical two-way player," Lightning general manager Brian Lawton said in a statement. "He plays a gritty game and is responsible in the defensive zone while also adding scoring depth for us. This is a great signing for us as we continue to build our organizational depth."

Heading into free agency, Lawton said he was looking to add depth to the bottom lines. But after Tuesday's signing, the Lightning currently have 13 forwards under contract for next season, including right wing Radim Vrbata, who left the team in the middle of last season to return to Europe. Only Martins Karsums remains unsigned as a restricted free agent among those who appeared in a game with Tampa Bay last season.

The Lightning remain in need of securing a backup goaltender to Mike Smith, whom Lawton said has been cleared to resume full workouts and will be ready for training camp when it opens on Sept. 12.

Smith has been dealing with post-concussion syndrome and hasn't played in a game since Jan. 30.

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