Hockey News

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Steven Stamkos can hardly wait to get started for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The No. 1 pick in the NHL draft, already penciled in as the team’s second-line center, signed a three-year, $2.625 million contract that could be worth up to $11.175 million with incentives.

Stamkos relishes the opportunity to give the Lightning an immediate return on its investment, although the 18-year-old player realizes nothing - even a roster spot - will be handed to him in training camp.

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TAMPA, FL - The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have entered into a one-year affiliation agreement with the Augusta Lynx of the ECHL, it was announced today by Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton. Augusta will serve as the primary ECHL affiliate of the Lightning and Admirals starting with the 2008-09 season.

Admirals general manager Mike Butters, Augusta general manager Dan Troutman and owners Jan and Robert Burch made the announcement at a 1 p.m. news conference today in Augusta. The Lightning organization will provide the Lynx with players under NHL and AHL contracts. Tampa Bay will also play a role in selecting the coaching staff.

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TAMPA, FL - The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have entered into a one-year affiliation agreement with the Augusta Lynx of the ECHL, it was announced today by Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton. Augusta will serve as the primary ECHL affiliate of the Lightning and Admirals starting with the 2008-09 season.

Admirals general manager Mike Butters, Augusta general manager Dan Troutman and owners Jan and Robert Burch made the announcement at a 1 p.m. news conference today in Augusta. The Lightning organization will provide the Lynx with players under NHL and AHL contracts. Tampa Bay will also play a role in selecting the coaching staff.

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TAMPA, FL - The Tampa Bay Lightning, parent club of the American Hockey League’s Norfolk Admirals, have named Mike Butters general manager, Darren Rumble head coach and Alan May assistant coach of the Admirals, Lightning owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie announced today.

“Mike Butters is a lifetime hockey man with extended experience as a player, manager and owner,” Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said. “He is a meticulous evaluator of talent and his knowledge of the game will prove to be a valuable asset for the Admirals as we try to return them to the top of the standings.”

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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -The Tampa Bay Lightning signed goalie Mike Smith to a $4.4 million, two-year contract extension on Monday.

Smith was acquired from the Dallas Stars in February. The incumbent starter played in 13 games with the Lightning last season.

“It goes without saying Mike has a bright future,” Tampa Bay vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said.

Smith will share time with Olaf Kolzig, the former Washington
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TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Lightning signed goalie Mike Smith to a US$4.4-million, two-year extension on Monday.

Smith, 26, went 15-19-0 with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage in 34 games last season with Tampa Bay and Dallas. He was acquired at the trade deadline in a deal that sent all-star forward Brad Richards to the Stars.

Smith will make US$950,000 this season, $2 million in 2009-10 and $2.4 million in ‘10-’11.

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TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed free agent center Zenon Konopka to a two-year contract today, owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie announced.

“Zenon Konopka is a prime example of the type of player we want to have in our organization,” vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said. “He is a great leader in the dressing room and is one of those players that you love to have on your team, but hate to play against.”

Konopka, 6-foot-1, 213-pounds, played in 62 games with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League last season. He scored a career-high 24 goals and recorded a professional-best 55 points. Konopka ranked third on the team in goals and was second in points. He also ranked second on the team with 11 power play goals and tied for fourth among forwards with a plus-9 rating. Konopka also played in three games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, recording four shots on goal and 15 penalty minutes.

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TAMPA, FL - The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have signed free agent right wing Brandon Bochenski to a two-year contract, Lightning owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie announced today.

“Brandon is a proven player at the AHL level with more than 100 games of experience in the NHL,” vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said. “Adding him for the next two years continues to address our need to build organizational depth.”

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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -The Tampa Bay Lightning moved forward with a major roster overhaul Tuesday, signing free agent forward Mark Recchi to a one-year contract.

Recchi, a seven-time All-Star who has played 19 NHL seasons, had 14 goals and 48 points in 72 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Atlanta Thrashers in 2007-08.

“Mark Recchi is a guy who we will be counting on both on and off the ice,” Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said. “He is able to play in a top-six forward role, but can also be productive on the third and fourth lines. Adding him to the roster significantly increases our depth.”

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SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -The San Jose Sharks acquired standout defenseman Dan Boyle from Tampa Bay on Friday, trading defenseman Matt Carle and top prospect Ty Wishart to the Lightning to acquire their second proven NHL defensive star in two days.

The Sharks, who received journeyman defenseman Brad Lukowich in the deal, also gave up a first-round pick in 2009 and a fourth-round choice in 2010. San Jose then made room for its new defensive talent by trading veteran defenseman Craig Rivet to Buffalo for two second-round draft picks.

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