Artyukhin agreement official, contract to wait

As expected the Lightning and big Russian Evgeny Artyukhin struck an agreement Friday on a two-year contract.

"I am more relieved than anything that we have finally concluded this discussion that we've had for two years," Gandler said.

It was unclear how much Artyukhin will be paid, but the 6-foot-5, 254-pound wing had asked for $1-million a season. At one point Thursday, the sides were believed to be about $100,000 apart.

Artyukhin, whom Tampa Bay drafted 94th overall in 2001, last played for the Lightning in 2005-06. He has played in Russia the past two seasons because of the contract dispute. He had eight goals, 14 assists and 282 penalty minutes in 67 games in his homeland.

All that is left is for Artyukhin to sign, but that won't happen until July 1. Because Artyukhin is a restricted free agent who did not play for his parent team last season, he cannot sign until July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

Gandler said he has asked the NHL Players' Association to review the rule next week with the NHL to perhaps carve out an exception.

It is believed prospective owner Oren Koules wants Artyukhin to play on a line with center Chris Gratton, who also must be re-signed, and Nick Tarnasky.

"Arty," Gandler said, "is very excited." 

Comments

[Bill Berg]

We hope he will perform as GOOD as he and his Agent are talking! Hard to believe he has only played in 67 games in 2 seasons. It can be a very interesting line if Gratton will re-sign and hope all 3 can produce Brute, Force and maybe Score 30-40 goals between the 3!

[hockey chic]

I agree with a previous poster and that it that d guys will think twice about going after Marty with Arty protection. Here is hoping he brings it to the d stupid enough to challenge him. Break out the artey jerseys again.

Finally something to bring to poms poms out...You guys know you love me..

Go bolts!! Oren lets get this party started.

[matt]

Good, now that it is done, let's get Gratts back in the fold. I don't think they have to wait with him until July 1st.

[Nan]

Great news, hope he is worth it. We need some bangers out there to protect our top guys. This team has not been physical enough. Now if they can just get Vinny resigned and get some decent draft picks, makes some trades, etc, etc.

[wahls]

Wonderful news. Good to hear that they could finally come to some kind of agreement. I think Arty will be a great addition to the team and will get people out of their seats with his body checks (and the occasional helmet to the head of anyone foolish enough to challenge him). Hopefully the refs realize that they don't need to send him to the penalty box every time he looks at someone.

[TJ]

I will reserve judgement until I see how Arty plays. I just hope the refs don't start calling penalties every time he runs over someone. I do think the "crash" line of Gratton centering Tarnasky and Artyukhin can be an exciting line to watch and maybe add a little "Jam" (as Torts likes to call it) to the lineup, something we haven't seen in a while. I am SO ready for hockey season to start again!

GO BOLTS!

[Elwood]

Wonderful, terrific. I think I'll go take a Gandler and wipe my Feaster.

[Don in St. Pete]

If Gratton can be signed and we can pick up a couple of 2 way wingers like Vrbata and Malone we would have 4 well balanced lines when Halpern comes back. One of our worst problems last year was that our top 2 lines were out of gas by the middle of the 3rd period. If we have better balance we'll be fresher and better defensively as well. A veteran defenseman like Hainsey would be huge as well, then Lundina and Janik could play at Norfolf as insurance in case of injury. Welcome back Arty!

[ajax]

I saw an interview with the Pens coach and he talked about forcing yourself to go with your 4th line and how it helps to bring the club together. I'll have to find it and mail a copy to Torts before Vinny and Marty are old before their time.
I am throwing in my hat and the towel. WHAT A SIGNING, JUST WHAT WE NEED. YIPPIE

[harvey]

Don't bother sending anything to Torts. It's likely his address will change sooner than later.

Opinions will vary on this signing but keep in mind what it is. Nothing. Just another bottom line guy who brings a physical presence. Nothing more.....nothing less.

I have this sneaking suspiscion that many more moves will be made this summer and this one got done only because of the circumstances. There's a long way to go!

Throw in the towel if you like. Just remember, this ain't over yet. Expect a lot more before we get out of summer. At that time you can throw in the hat, towel, or whatever. Don't quit before the games over.

Ain't over here yet. Far from it!

[Badbud]

WOW, gald to see them spend money on "TOP Line Scorer".

1st Stamkos and NOw R2, You can almost feel the Cup :0

Pentaly Killers,better bring their A games,2008-2009,as they will need it.

Did I read that Len Barrie was going to be team President? Are you freaking kidding me???? God Help the Lightning,this is going to be a real dog and pony show.

[wahls]

Come one now guys, Jay didn't bring Arty in for the top lines. Did I miss something, is it July 1st already? Jay can't be picking up any top line scorers until Free Agency begins. He might as well get our UFAs and RFAs signed before then so he can focus his energy on getting those top line forwards once July 1st rolls around. Expect some news on Grats, Darche, MacDonald, and Picard before July 1st if we are thinking of keeping them. None of them are top line scorers, but you can't tell me that he should just ignore signing them because "all we need is top line scoring" (yes, Darche and Mac should get 2 way deals, but they should still be signed).

Also, I'm going to hold judgement on Barrie until he gets in here. He hasn't even confirmed that he is an investor, so I don't think anyone really knows what his role is going to be. The good news is that if he sets his mind to doing something, he doesn't let anything get in his way. Hopefully he uses that energy to bring us a cup by bringing in the players we need and to get the refs off our butts instead of taking something out on the fans. Things will be much different though, that is or sure. We haven't had hands on owners like this before, lets hope it turns out to be a good thing.

[olin]

....what, no comments from GM Jay????
Don't think he cares to eat his word's from a couple season's back- I am happy that #76 will be back- we need him- not so sure on a 3 tough guy line- I'd try to work him in with our more skilled player's so he's on the ice for protection and maybe he can pick up some slop goal's in front of the net and learn from maybe stamkos-V4 and MSL. Give the guy a chance...
I agree with Harvey- Tort's neds to go big time...I persoanlly am sick of his being behind the bench no matter how good a coach he is- Get someone new to be there- Oren please jump start this team back into contention...I think the veteran players are looking for something like that....GO BOLT'S

[DannyD]

Warning to refs: Dont make stupid calls against Arty. Peckman and the Chief will be all over you.Sign Vinny long term,bring in two more players and lets make a run.Give Torts a chance.Its not his fault.Where were our scouts? We still made the playoffs two out of the last three years without a goaltending, a young defense.no bruisers. Think about that new owners!Now add Stamkos

[Phil]

Toot Toot! Here comes the Russian Freight Train! Finally an agreement instead of more bullheadedness. Feaster and Torts are like George "W" in dealing with others -- arrogant and think everything is wonderful.

Still no call to renew my season tickets -- maybe those AFS seats are already filled? I may have to resort to finding a scalper next season. LOL.

Go Bolts!

[h29]

Can't say that I'm upset to see R2 back with the team. I love watching the guy hit. The GAT line would be fun to watch. Call me a barbarian or a thug. Sticks and stones...

I have a question for all of the GMs on this site. Assuming we sign SS and Gratton and get one good scorer from UFA, who are your starting 12 up front and what are the lines? Then who do you drop when Halpern gets back here?

Just curious what you all think.

[boltflasher]

Its way too early yet h29, don't yet know what the injury recoveries are going to take, especially the knees on Halpern and Craig. Vinny may miss training camp and the early part of the season. Alot of new faces trying to learn the Torts "system"...what UFAs will come here, or even RFs, who will resign with the team...can't even speculate on it yet...let's revisit this in July or August...

[WIZ]

If you think Vrbata is a TWO way player, you need to watch a few more games isolating on him.

[WIZ]

I find it comical that there is so much joy in bayville because of this signing! The team gutted it's first line with the Prospal trade, traded the best PP point guy & second line centre the team has ever seen for a back-up goaler who has yet to show he was worthy of being the key return on the unloading of Richard's contract.
Stamkos steps in and will be a fine NHLer maybe sooner than later, but this isn't the OHA and he doesn't have the luxury that Pat Kane had, having Toews and Sharp to work with him in the offensive zone. There are not the linemates here who can be recipients of his playmaking. He may end up on Vinny's wing.
The lack of huge numbers of UFAs makes instant recovery even more difficult. Does anyone think they will go gun-slinging with a full bag of cash to try and sign restricted free agents and the original teams will stand there and NOT match?
Three years to respectability.

[bingo]

Arty - Wah Wah Wah..... so he can hit here's the number to contemplate. He's played only 67 games in two years. Was a 3rd / 4th line player in the hapless russian league and scored 8 goals and 14 assist along with the 280 minutes of penalties. He's nothing - can't shoot, will spend more time in the penalty box and as usual take his stupid run the player penalties like Simon. Does anyone believe he will be in shape coming to camp? He went for the money...... and was released by the teams who signed him...... yup a real signing.......

Maybe we can use him for trade bait, but they probably overpaid for this one again.

[Not The Marlboro Man]

I really don't think this all that bad of a signing. Free agency hasn't even started yet, but if Mr. Chin doesn't get up off of his fat rear end and get som real scorers in here instead of the pretend and make believe type he managed to bring up the last two years. We have enough 3rd and 4th line help and its never a problem finding it. The Bolts need 1st and 2nd line talent in a bad freakin way. The fans aren't going to pay to see rookies matched with 3rd and 4th liners. This year's free agency is loaded with 30 goal scoring potential. No more prayers and hopes, we want good players and we want a smart GM to make those important deals we need. If Feaster pulls it off, I'll shut my Yap, but if he doesn't, I'll be there to remind everyone of everything goofy he does again....promise! Now about that Memorial day cocktail thats waiting....see ya!

[Matt]

"I find it comical that there is so much joy in bayville because of this signing! The team gutted it's first line with the Prospal trade, traded the best PP point guy & second line centre the team has ever seen for a back-up goaler who has yet to show he was worthy of being the key return on the unloading of Richard's contract."

WIZ,
Really? Can you get over Richards being traded already? You are going to go on a very small sample size for determining what Smith can do? I suppose you were a super scout back in the day. huh? Because from what I read(not from the Bolts), scouts saw him as a starting caliber NHL goalie. I'm not sure anyone thinks he's the re-incarnation of Patrick Roy. And the Bolts did get a still young winger in Jokiken and a great 3rd line C in Halpern, oh and the Bolts saved close to 3 million dollars after all was said and done. ( Halpern 2 mil, Jokiken 1.75, Smith 950K, and Richards replacement Stamkos, 850K = 5.50 million or a 2.3 million dollar savings of over what Richards made)

If you think Richards was worth 7.8 million dollars, well then there is no arguing with you. Everyone wants to say he hasn't had any linemates, yet Halpern having Richards linemates was pretty good. I always thought "Superstars" made people around them "better". Who has Richards made better? Modin, who was a 30 goal scorer before he got here(when healthy). St. Louis, who scores on any line but better with Vinny4. Stillman, who was an 80 point guy before coming to TPA. I don't know if he's helped anyone actually be a "better" player.

And Prospal, are you serious? Did you not see how his disrespected his team and head coach? I'm not a fan of Torts and thought what Prospal said was hilarious, but you just can't do that in professional sports. And what has he ever done without having Vinny4 on his wing?

Richards is a good NHL player but by no means is he a superstar, or worth anything close to what Feaster gave him. Unloading his salary was a must, and if people can't see past that, then there is truely no arguing with people like you!

[Matt]

"Stamkos steps in and will be a fine NHLer maybe sooner than later, but this isn't the OHA and he doesn't have the luxury that Pat Kane had, having Toews and Sharp to work with him in the offensive zone. There are not the linemates here who can be recipients of his playmaking."

WIZ,
You consider a luxury as having 2 rookies and a 2nd yr guy on a top line? Really? And i'm sure Oulett(20 goal scorer playing with Crosby, who scouts compare Stamkos to) can be the recipient of some of Stamkos's playmaking. Not to mention Jokiken, who is a great passer. Do they need an upgrade, hell yea. But to say the Bolts don't have anybody to play on that line, really makes very little sense.
And what the hell is the OHA? Did you mean the OHL or is that really the extent of your knowledge?

[The Source]

There was a time when the OHL *was* called the OHA. Perhaps Wiz is simple old school.

I'll buy the 'simple' part. WIZ just took a whiz and Matt wuz just trying to clean his monitor. Well said!

No arguing indeed...

[Don in St. Pete]

Arty cementd the 4th line as more than the token 1.5 minute per game we got from them lastr year. While I don't see Tarno as a long term bolt, he does have a nose for the net and Grats can make everyone around him better. If Arty can chip in 10 goal with about the same output from Grats and a half dozen from Tarno, we'll be playing for the cup next June. It may require a coaching change but we have most of the parts assembled and manangement has promised a couple of top six forwards. We'll see what shakes out after the cup battle is over.

[WIZ]

The OHA (seen many of these games...have you?) dates me but my expertise still outshines getting a chubbie over Artyukhin signing.
If matt whizzing is being delusion and actually thinking Jokiken and Oulette are BETTER pro PLAYERS than TOEWS and SHARP ?????, he and you better see doctors, because you have blocked uninary tracts when it comes to your experience with the game.
Old School ? Yeah when I started having a season ticket in a NHL building, the Sarnia Bees (not sting) and the St. Catherine Teepees, played in the ONTARIO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION, and there were only six NHL teams.
But it is clear you two geniuses are better and trying to flame people than actually knowing the players, the game, or that drinking too much Kool-aid( Lightning,or any other team's )make you as a fan see things as they actually aren't. Have fun making fun of others, since you have the team figured out and on the right track. "Simply" know more than you, deal with it, children.

[WIZ]

SHARP a second year player? NOPE and he played a few for the Philly Phantoms to become the consummate pro he has turned Matt, both JUSSI JOKINEM and MICHEL OUELLET are SECOND year pros, and Dallas got rid of JJ because altough he was great on the shoot out, was a terrible three zone player so they got rid of him. He is gonna make stamkos a better player or help his development? You are in over your head.
I will say goalie Smith is better than anyone wearing the bolt uniform in goal in the last couple, but he isn't a PROVEN, quality, regular NHL 'tender and may never improve beyond what he developed into in Dallas. His biggest return to the stars was getting them Richards in return. You tell me get over Richards? I do not have any emotion where he plays as I am team partial, just stating the opinions of someone who has spent much much time watching, scouting, and writing for Hockeysfuture before the Tampa area had a team. i am not trying to impress. I am just trying to let you see you need to temper your insults and devisive comments trying to look like a know it all. I came here to contribute, not anger or be angered. So let's end this. I DO know more than you.