No surprise, Artyukhin is signed

Since we've been writing about him consistently since the new ownership group came along, it should be no surprise Evgeny Artyukhin is finally, signed, sealed and delivered. The key, apparently, was Artyukhin sending the team his expired contract from Russia's Central Army team. Because of a lack of a transfer agreement with Russia, the NHL is requiring newly signed Russian players to prove they are not under contract in their homeland.

The signing ends a two-year negotiation to get the 6-foot-5, 254-pound wing back in a Lightning uniform.

Here is some of the team announcement:

"We are extremely happy to have Arty back in the fold after playing in Russia the previous two seasons," vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said. "He brings a real unmistakable presence to the ice as soon as he comes over the boards and having his size and speed, along with his willingness to use them physically, will make us a tougher team to play against each night."

Drafted by Tampa Bay in the third round, 94th overall, at the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, the right wing played 72 games for the Lightning during the 2005-06 season and recorded four goals, 17 points and 90 penalty minutes. The fan favorite made his NHL debut on October 20, 2005 at Atlanta and scored his first goal November 5, 2005 at Toronto.

Before his recall to Tampa Bay, Artyukhin played four games with Springfield of the American Hockey League, posting two goals and one assist with four penalty minutes.

A native of Moscow, Russia, the 25-year-old forward spent the past two seasons in the Russian Super League, now the Continental League. Artyukhin played 44 games with Yaroslavl in 2006-07, where he had five goals and eight assists with 183 penalty minutes.

Artyukhin split the 2007-08 season between Avangard Omsk and CSKA Moscow. He played 19 games with Avangard Omsk, scoring three goals and recording five points with 40 penalty minutes. Artyukhin played 23 games with CSKA Moscow, recording three goals and nine points with a plus-3 rating and 99 penalty minutes. He scored four goals in six playoff games with Moscow.

Artyukhin played 102 career games in the AHL with Springfield and Hershey, recording 14 goals and 37 points with 257 penalty minutes. He spent the 2002-03 season with Moncton of the QMJHL, playing 53 games and posting 14 goals, 40 points and 204 penalty minutes.

[Dirk Shadd, Times files]

Comments

[Nate Dogg]

Oh good, our big Russian "special child" is back...

[Don in St. Pete]

Arty can fight and he will, but that is really not his talent. If he's playing with other talented players that know enough to get him the puch he has blazing speed and a move like Hossa to get a d-man on his back, which usually causes penalties which is good for a team as loaded with snipers as us. Arty is at his best whne he uses his speed combined with his power to draw penalties and to force the other team into mistakes and mishandling the puck.

[Eric]

Any guy that takes the helmet off of your own head and beats you with it....bring it on.

[Paul from Orlando]

db is correct and it won't change this year either - just watch!!

he's an enforcer and that is definatly something we need

[db]

I like Arty too, but remember that he also intimidated the refs into giving him bogus penalties just because of his size. I hope it is different this season and they let him skate. and pound opponents into the boards.

[Don in St. Pete]

Slapnuts, To rephrase your statement: He makes jam of the opponents against the boards. Many years ago there was a player who played like him though not quite as fast but with the same reckless abandon and fearlessness, except he could score a lot better and that was Frank Mahavolich. Oh crap, now I've given away my age.

[LightningRod]

He's really big; but more important fast fast fast. Anyone who hasn't seen him will like how he skates like the wind, and at his size it is impressive. He's aggressive; and could give Chara a run for his money, in a fight.

[Slapnuts]

He brings the "Jam" to the rink...

[Zombie Kid]

I like turtles.

[Don in St. Pete]

Arty is not a defenseman but a right winger. It's all about intimidation with him. If your a d-man and a guy that's 6'5"+ and 255lbs+ is bearing down on you you tend to be in a hurry to unload the puck. He is also fast. The fastest big guy I've ever seen except maybe Scott Niedermayer. With his speed he can draw penalties when he takes the puck to the net, a, la Hossa but with less finishing skills. He could one day be an exceptional player.

[Tim]

Because he is a bad-%#@ and loves to run over people.. he is a "linebacker on skates"...

[Brad]

I don't understand why everyone wanted the Lightning to sign this guy. He's a mediocre defenseman and is never going to be much of a scorer.

[Mike13]

I think I saw Feaster this morning. He was wearing a hard hat standing with a bunch of construction guys on Gandy. He had a clip board and it looked like he was trying to sign some of them to fill out the defensive corps.

[Voice of the Turtle]

Is there anyone who cannot figure out why the announcement was made by Brian Lawton and NOT Jay Feaster? With all these signings and re-signings, the titular General Manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning appears to be hiding under his desk, that is, if he still has one.

Jay has endured a rather tough 12 months or so, but, for the time being, he is still receiving checks, and, in the legal profession, that seems to be all that matters. If the guy had any talent as a hockey executive, some team would have thrown him a lifeline by now. Instead, he patiently waits behind bars of silence for his inevitable decapitation.

At this point, unless this gentleman has failed to save any money, it is hard to understand why he doesn't suddenly "find that he needs to spend more time with his family" and sever his connections with the Bolts.

It appears likely that he will be facing even more unpleasant embarrassment before too long. At this stage, the brash new owners seem to just pretend that Jay doesn't exist.

You are welcome Oren

[Don in St. Pete]

DC, Thanks for posting the confirmation!