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Smaby, Bolts agree to deal

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: July 27, 2009

TAMPA - The Lightning struck a deal with defenseman Matt Smaby late Saturday, avoiding a potential arbitration hearing.

Smaby, 24, agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth $1.05 million that will pay him $500,000 this season and $550,000 for 2010-11. Both seasons are one-way contracts that pay him the same whether he is in the minor leagues or in the NHL. Smaby was schedule to have his arbitration case heard Tuesday in Toronto.

Smaby earned $825,000 at the NHL level last season but was on a two-way contract.

"He is big, physical and really skates well for a man that stands 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds," Lightning general manager Brian Lawton said in a statement. "He played well for us last season and I expect his personal development to continue in 2009-10."

Lawton met with Smaby's agent, Ben Hankinson, in Minnesota on Saturday to finalize the deal.

Originally a second-round pick in 2003, Smaby spent three years at the University of North Dakota before joining the Lightning for the 2006-07 season.

He played in a career-high 43 games last season, playing most of the final month with a broken bone in his foot.

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835.

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