Tampa Bay Lightning adds to blue line by signing Matt Walker to 4-year deal; likely is done for the day (updated)

The Tampa Bay Lightning further solidified its blue line by signing defenseman Matt Walker, formerly of the Blackhawks, to a four-year deal at $1.7 million per season, owner Oren Koules said.

This comes after the signing earlier in the day of Mattias Ohlund. The two signings, plus the addition of draft choice Victor Hedman, have given the Lightning a much more professional defense very quickly.

Walker, 29, is a 6-foot-3, 213-pounder, who plays a mostly defensive game but is savvy enough to kill penalties. He also plays a somewhat rugged game and had 79 penalty minutes in 65 games. His 13 assists and 14 points last season also were career highs.

"We're so happy," Koules said in a text. "Adding Hedman, Walker and Ohlund should help our D immensely."

Koules said the team is done shopping for the day -- "taking a breath," he said -- but did not rule out more moves in the future.

From the team:

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed veteran defenseman Matt Walker to a multi-year contract today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced.   Walker joins Mattias Ohlund as free agent signings aimed at bolstering the Bolts blue line as the team prepares for the 2009-10 season.

“Matt is the big, physical, intimidating presence that we lacked on the blue line last season,” said :placeLawton upon making the announcement today. “He is a high-character, team-first player and he demonstrated that last season, going right back in a playoff game after suffering an ugly, ugly broken finger. He is just the type of player that we were looking for to fill a specific defensive need.” 

Walker , a 6-foot-3, 214-pound native of Beaverlodge , Alberta , played in 65 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season, recording one goal, a career-high 13 assists and a career-high 14 points to go along with 79 penalty minutes. He also played in 17 postseason games for Chicago , recording two assists and 14 penalty minutes as the Blackhawks advanced to the Western Conference Finals against the Detroit Red Wings.

Originally drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round, 83 rd overall, of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Walker played four seasons for the St. Louis Blues before joining :placeChicago last season as a free agent. In his five NHL seasons, Walker has played 240 games with two goals, 23 assists and 354 penalty minutes. He has 21 games of NHL postseason experience.

Comments

[Don in St. Pete]

Randy, That's always been the thought with Downie, but he's never been able to sustain it. I figure if you put him on the 3rd line he doesn't have time to think about but just goes about his work.

[Randy C]

Ya never know, Downie has enough up side, IMO, to be the set up guy for Vinny. He is so tough getting and possessing the puck down low. Between him and V20, V4 would see more of the puck up high and in front of the net. Just a thought.

[Don in St. Pete]

Randy, I agree that we probably can't afford to spend much on the 4th line. I see Downie making the 3rd line though as he's much better defensively. If Vrbata isn't back it's likely Bochenski gets tried on the second line. That would leave Hall. Artyukhin, Craig and Konopka on the 4th line.

[Randy C]

Don,

With the offseason training regimen that our trainers are putting the boys through, I bet we see Craiger at his best. Him, Arty, and Downie for an energy line with a scoring punch.

[Don in St. Pete]

Craig had a heap of potential whereas you knew the cieling for Perrin. Does anyone remember the beginning of the 05-06" season when Craiger had 8 goals and 8 assists in the first 8 games before blowing out his knee? He was leading the league in scoring st the time, so perhaps he's coatailed of of this and his fast start again the following year before blowing out the other knee. His main problem is he was only an average skater before having major surgery on each knee. After only 54 games last year and a short season the year before he could be rady to show his potential again, but the odds seem to be against him.

[Boltflasher]

Yep, Ajax, agree...Craig over Perrin was a mystery...let's see if he again gets a roster spot this year...

[ajax]

Craig should thank his lucky stars to have been on woeful Tampa the last two years.....he is to slow to put on a checking line or kill penalties...not the type of guy you need for 8-10 minutes of high voltage energy a night....But hey I have been writing the same thing about him for two years.....within weeks they signed him and let Perrin go who wannted less money....another very poor roster decision by the ole crew...but hey the past is the past.....now on to that tiny little dilema called Mike Smith...

[gus georgiou]

Don, as slow as Craig is and having plenty of people with toughness and willing to fight on the team, I would rather see a young guy here up from Norfolk or thru a trade who has more potential to score points than Craig. I'm sorry, but he is taking a roster spot and contributing minimally to the betterment of this team. It wouldn't take much to be a quicker skater and find someone who also will go in the corners and give us 5 to 10 points a year!

[Don in St. Pete]

Gus, Ryan Craig is signed and on the roster. If they trade him or send him to Norfolk that's fine too. However you do have to stay under the slary cap and he comes fairly cheap.

[hyjyljyj]

"Habby to the Oilers. No surprise there. Hope he packs the longjohns."

Uh-oh. Two more teams, and he'll SUCK:

"Forget Conklin, if he was actually any good he wouldn't have been moved around from Edmonton, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Columbus, and NOW St. Louis."

Yes, you see, because being paid to play hockey by a large number of clubs in the National Hockey League...means you are not a good hockey player. For example, what do all the following players have in common?

Mike Sillinger
Michel Petit
JJ Daigneault
Jim Dowd
Paul Coffey - NHL record holder for points among Dmen
Phil Housley
Rob Ramage
Doug Crossman (10 pts. in a game for the TBL)
Ron Tugnutt (NHL record 70 saves in a game)
Adam Oates - coveted by TBL as a coach, one of best passers in history
Esa Tikkanen
Rich Sutter - from the sucky Sutter hockey family
Robbie DiMaio
Curtis Joseph
Doug Gilmour
Bill Guerin
Michael Nylander

What do they all have in common? They all SUCK...since they all played for more teams than Ty Conklin. The top four all played for TEN teams, Sillinger for 12. (Just because you can win face-offs like Yannick Perreault on crack doesn't mean you don't suck, Silly!)

Go get Danis for the net, forget about the name similarity. Just don't put a mural of him on the arena, OK?

BLOKheads get a cautious A- so far: kept Lecavalier, St. Louis and Malone, picked Hedman instead of trading the pick, and added two really solid Dmen besides. So far, so good. Now don't screw it up, go get a #2 who can be a #1 if Smith's cobwebs persist

[gus georgiou]

Don, explain to me why you think Craig should be on this team next season. He contributes nothing offensively to the team and if he is to be used as an enforcer on the 4th line, Artyukhin offers more as point scorer and is heads and tails above Craig as a tough guy. Don't need two of them!!!!!!!!!

[Don in St. Pete]

Man! I can't wait to see Marty and Stammer blowing by Kubina 6 times a year of more. Not only that but we won't have Excelby running our top guys quite as often.Tough to see Koci go, he gave his all but maybe this year with Malone, Artyukhin, Craig and Smaby we can hold our own without an enforcer.

[Geografer]

Sorry - Garon signed with Columbus (looked at the wrong column) - either way I think compared to what Anderson, Clemmenson and Conklin went for today they overpaid. Not sure this is the right guy to mentor Mason either - especially if he (as he probably will) struggles during his sophmore season.

[Geografer]

And another one is gone (not that I would have been that excited for him). Garon has resigned with Pitts. 2 yrs, 2.4 million (they overpaid).

[TJ]

Geo- I totally agree...the NHL is no place to "develop" talent at any position. I also agree that Helenius and Tokarski need to be playing on a nightly basis, and that using either of them as a backup would be pointless and slow their development. No reason to do that to them just because they already in our system and would come on the cheap (relatively) side. Could be a problem down the road for either of them when they ARE ready to step in and playn as a #1, which won't be for several years at best.

[Geografer]

Then he was making a joke of an offer or these guys want nothing to do with this organization. All 4 (Clemmenson, Conklin, Anderson and Boucher) went for peanuts. I can't believe how low (and short term) their contracts were.

[Ryan]

You sign Murphy cause he instantly made the PP better. Without him the PP was basically give it to Vinny and have him blast it. Murphy could actually QB a PP. Heres to another year with a shotty PP YAY!

[Michael]

Geo, Brian Lawton was just on the radio and he said that they have a few very good goalies in the minor leagues, but that they didnt feel it was right to call them up yet, espically just to be back-ups, and they have been persueing a back-up goalie all day through free agency, and are also open to trading for one. I think its safe to say they wont go to the minor leagues to get one

[Geografer]

Kuby to Atlanta. Good to see him back in the SE.

[Geografer]

TJ - my concern about whats up Lawton's sleeve is based on comments he made at the draft. He specifically said he likes to "develop" young players in the NHL (a comment I still don't get and why I question his sanity as GM - some [Stamkos, Hedman - yes but most no] this is what Jrs and AHL is for). My concern is that they think Tokarski or Helenius is going to fill this roll - this would kill them (these guys each need to be starting 50+ games next year). Don't know who he is going to trade for that is that proven and especially at such a low cost. Conklin went for pretty much the same cost as did Anderson. Three extremely proven and great goalies who are great at backing up (which is not an easy position) and have all proven they can carry their team when they need too. Pitts would not have even made it to playoffs last season when Fleury went down if not for Conks. NJ would not have made playoffs this year without Clemm (who was in AHL and was brought up to be the back-up to the back-up and completely carried that team).

[TJ]

Geo- Looks more and more like Lawton may be filling that particular position via trade not with a FA. I think that has already been suggested on a couple of other websites. Maybe they have something up their collective sleeve on this one. So far, Lawton has done a very decent job with the draft and now FA signings, so I'll see what he comes up with for a backup to Smitty.

[Jim - NJ]

Mike- you need a dman that can shoot accurately from the point. Goals win games. Especially a dman like Murphy who can play both ends very well. And cheap too.

[Geografer]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO - Clemmenson just went to Florida for a STEAL!! 1 million 1st year just over that in 2nd. Where was OK Hockey in this??? That is a huge steal. Guess we'll get to see him 6 times a year at least.

[Herb]

Well, well, it is a nice surprise that the Bolts landed some quality D-men. I am ecstatic for the free agency signings of one Mr. Brian Lawton. Just start the season already for I am pumped for better success on the ice. Yes they need to get a backup goaltender but they have made a great start to better the product on the ice. I am glad I renewed my full season tickets. I just hope the team can stay somewhat healthy and compete for a playoff spot. Go Bolts!!!

[mike in tampa]

Why are you guys so stuck on Murphy's butt? He was a liability....I know everyone wants the "next" Dan Boyle, but come on....Kraijcek is SOOOO much better defensively than Murphy.

We don't need offensive defensemen, we have plenty of offense w/ V4, Stammer, Marty, Malone, Prospal (?) and all we need is someone to stop the other team from camping out in our zone, and then our forwards can do their thing.

There is NO coincidence that all of our big guys had terrible years, MArty, V4, Prospal, etc....when there is no D there are no goals. Proven fact.

[Jim - NJ]

Hossa with a lifer to Chicago. Wow, didn't waste Khabi's payroll space too soon!

[Jim - NJ]

"Of the 207 goals scored by the Lightning in 2008-09, only 13 were credited to defensemen, including a team-high 5 by Cory Murphy."-nhl.com

Who only played in 25 games towards the end. He was our best Dman in such short amount of time.

I guess that says nothing to Lawton.

[Jim - NJ]

Josh- You know why you would pick Murphy over Krajicek? Because you've probably watched a watched a game and have some kind of common sense to what talent is.

Maybe there's some credibility in their decision to pick Krajicek though? Oh wait, no, they said he was "elite". That explains it.

I feel like I'm watching someone play blackjack and doubling-down on 20 with the house showing 16.

[Geografer]

Habby to the Oilers. No surprise there. Hope he packs the longjohns.

[Geografer]

Wow - Boucher was taken for only a 2yr deal (which would have been perfect for the goalies in our system) at only 925K a year.

[Steve-O]

No question the Lightning are a better team today than they were 2 months ago. Still need that Back-up goalie however. Lets call it enough changes for now and be done with new pieces. Just re-sign the bodies that need resigning (Smaby) And no major injuries Please!

[Geografer]

Well there goes Boucher. Philly has taken him. Boucher and Emery in goal. Should be interesting.

[Patrick]

If we have to sign either krajicek or murphy, I'd much prefer murphy.

[Patrick]

Geo,

I knew Danis was a UFA, but now that the Isles have Roloson and Dipietro, perhaps they aren't planning on signing him?

[Josh]

Jon Jordan posted the same thing on Twitter.

Sorry Jim-NJ but I'm pretty sure Cory Murphy's not getting signed now since Krajicek is.

[Mike13]

TSN is reporting that Krajicek has been re-signed. No word on the $$

"TSN-Moderator: The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed defenseman Lukas Krajicek. It's a one year deal."

[Don in St. Pete]

Jon Jordan saying they may address the goaltending via trade. Perhaps they're in the running for Josh Harding? I'll have to see what Minny needs.

[Jim - NJ]

Tj- that's what I'm thinking but they made it sound like they had him in immediate plans when they drafted him

Anyone can be a good dman on a good team. Now a good dman on a bad team? That's credability! Sign Cory Murphy!

[Geografer]

Patrick - see my post under "Some names to watch as free agency opens" - Yann Danis is UFA and on the market.

[Steve-O]

I too am curious if Ashton will have a chance of sticking out of training camp. I am looking forward to the Young Guns camp to see what is what!

[Patrick]

Since the Isles have signed Roloson, doesn't that mean Yan Danis needs a home?

[TJ]

Does anybody know if there is somewhere on the internet that we can watch the press conference to see for ourselves what's up?

[TJ]

Jim- you may have something there with Ashton. But I don't know enough about this kid (other than who his father is) to say if he's going to be ready right out of training camp or does he need some time in Norfolk to get some experience. I do know that Lawton was really hot to trade up to get him for most of the first round before landing him at #29. So hopefully the kid's got something going for him there. Just have to wait and see...

[BrianB23]

Bring back Khabby!!

In all seriousness though, I'd say Clemmensen would be a great pick up. Yea, I know all the hooplah about him being a starter somewhere, but hey, we don't know FOR SURE that Smitty is going to be ready. Sooo... Clemmensen makes perfect sense to me.

Forget Conklin, if he was actually any good he wouldn't have been moved around from Edmonton, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Columbus, and NOW St. Louis. Get real, don't sweat losing out on him.

[Geografer]

We're done for the day??? What goalie do you think is still going to be there?

Mike - as far as announcements -
1. it gives Koules something to do
2. it frees Lawton up to take/make calls (thought apparently two signings is all he can handle in one day - not sure who they think is going to stop the puck from going in the net).

[Jim - NJ]

Tj- Carter Ashton? He's got fast hands.

[goldenbolt]

Let's get clemmenson - I'm also hearing nitamayki(sP) not sure on him but if the price is right a good deal.
'D' has gone from weakness to a mild strength...... way to go.

[Mike13]

So here's a question. Why isn't Brian Lawton making these announcements?

[TJ]

Jim- Yes he does, but my concern is them not swapping Marty around like they did last year. If they leave Marty on line with Stammer and Malone, Vinny's going to need some more help besides Prospal. If they reunite the MVP line, then I think Stammer and Ryan will need something else on the other wing.

[Patrick]

Great call on this one Damian.