Tampa Bay Lightning signs defenseman Mattias Ohlund to $26 million deal (updated)

All you need to know about how the Tampa Bay Lightning feels about signing free agent defenseman Mattias Ohlund is the response from owner Oren Koules.

"It's done. Yahoo," was his text message.

The contract is seven years at an average of $3.75 million per season for a total of $26.25 million.

This is a very good signing for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Not only does Mattias Ohlund, formerly of the Canucks, play the gritty, tough game Tampa Bay lacks, he will be a mentor to draft choice and fellow Swede Victor Hedman.

Ohlund, 6 feet 2, 227 pounds,  had six goals and 19 assists in 82 games for Vancouver last season. He also had a career-high 105 penalty minutes and a career-high three fights. Granted, Ohlund's contract is a long one for a 32-year-old, but the contract is undoubtedly front-loaded. The full details are to come.

Here is the announcement from the team:

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed free agent defenseman Mattias Ohlund to a multi-year contract today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced.  Ohlund will be looked upon to solidify and lead the Lightning’s young, developing defensive corps. 
 
“We are thrilled Mattias elected to sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning today,” said Lawton upon making the announcement. “With so many options in front of him, having him elect to play in Tampa demonstrates the faith he has in our team’s strategy and vision for success, which should be exciting for our fans. This signing accomplished two primary goals for us. First, we have added the top-two defenseman we coveted to lead our blue line and second, we have found a leader and a mentor for Victor Hedman as he prepares to play in the NHL this fall.” 
 
Ohlund, 6-foot-2, 227 pounds, has skated in 770 career NHL games, all with Vancouver.  He has amassed 93 career goals and 325 points with 36 power play goals and 19 game-winning goals.  Ohlund is the Canucks’ all-time leader in goals by a defenseman and led the team in ice time during the 2006-07 (24:47) and 2007-08 (23:46) seasons.  He was named to the NHL All-Star game in 1998-99 and the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1997-98.  Ohlund was also recognized by his team, earning the Canucks’ Most Outstanding Defenseman award in 2005-06 and 1999-00.
 
A native of Pitea, Sweden, Ohlund has played in 52 career playoff games, recording nine goals and 28 points.  He is tied for 11th overall on the Vancouver all-time playoff points list.
 
Ohlund, 32, played in all 82 games for the Vancouver Canucks last season, recording six goals and 25 points.  He ranked third on the team in points among defensemen and second in plus/minus with a plus-14 rating.  Ohlund also led the team in hits with 152, was third overall in average ice time with 21:34 per game and was fourth in hits with 109.  He also played in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games, recording a goal and three points.
 
A Swedish national, Ohlund has represented his country in three separate Olympic Games.  He won the Gold Medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics and also participated in 2002 and 1998.  Ohlund also played in the 2001 (Bronze), 1998 (Gold) and 1997 (Silver) World Championships, the 2004 World Cup, as well as the 1996 (Silver), 1995 (Bronze) and 1994 (Silver) World Junior Championships.

Comments

[Steve-O]

Our Softness has changed as well now that we have some leadership and actual big bodies back there. Picture this on the ice: Smaby, Hedman and Artyukin. Those are some big boyz!

[boltz91]

i believe that hedman/smaby is better is it not?(well not now but soon)

[PD]

Patrick being the expert, tell me how many fights Komo lost to anybody not named Lucic last year?
Colton Orr will handle that for him and everybody..

Schenn/Komisarik...how's that?

[Patrick]

I know Milan Lucic is looking forward more than ever to playing Toronto now that they've signed his own personal punching bag on skates.

[PD]

Steve its really a simpleton observation that kids that come from Ontario or canada , mark the game on the calendar. Playing in front of family friends media...

Leafs have been way to soft at home and Burke has just changed that dramatically.

[PD]

Get a grip Ajax, your team won't even get a sniff of the Leafs this year.

Burke got to Toronto a few months ago according to my math. Eat your heart out.

[ajax]

Toronto is in the 3rd year of their 4th Five year plan......100 million to spend and they are going to do it in bits and pieces....gradually over the next few years and drafts....you guys from Toronto probably think you can sell snow to the Eskimos but no one around here (or the rest of the NHL) is buying it......lots of splashes yesterday and the guys with the King Midas check book are standing on the sidelines counting their money...ha ha....hahaha....hahaha....Almost seems no one really wants to go to the wasteland known as Toronto, don't it???

[Steve-O]

So you admit that teams have been looking forward to their games in Toronto up until now. Seems odd for a team that is cash full and has everything a player or team could want. Hmmmmm interesting admission.

[PD]

Patrick, Burke has his foundation well in place.
What he just did was change the culture on the club drastically. All of the D men are seriously mean Schenn, KOMO, Exelby, Finger, Van Ryan, most notably.

Colton Orr will punctuate that a bit. Its exactly what Burke said that he would do.
The Hi end skill guy gets added next year.

Teams wont be quite so looking forward to that game in Toronto anymore.

[PD]

Don good timing , Gravboski signed today at the right price and right term.Burk likes him.
3 mill a year x 3 yrs

Got to count him in the top 6 now Don and if Burke makes up his mind and takes Phill Kessel for Kaberle straight up..that should work for everybody.

Nothing like a 21 year old who can score 40 goals.

[Patrick]

Well PD, Trading Kubina (14 goals, 40 points) for Excelby (7 points) was a good start towards the 1-0 win model. Shipping out Kaberle for another low skilled tough guy will help even more. If you can ever find a taker that is...

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, If I remember right Toronto lost some of those scores in Andropov, Kubina and Moore. For sure it will be fun to watch a Laffs vs Flys game. Has Grabovski signed in the KHL yet?

[PD]

Gee Don sometimes you sound like you know hockey then crap like "Toronto has no scoring".
Toronto was in the top 10 in scoring last year with no Vinny , no Marty..just a pile of guys who could score.
look it up Don
Tampa was 24th.

Leafs sure just got very nasty quickly.
Getting Excelby Komo and Orr into the mix will be fun.

Top 6 Don? Two in the very near future Kadri and Tlusty
Tyler Bozak is tagged as a top 6 ready guy.
Burkes targeting Nash for next year.

[Randy C]

Look at all the positive talk on this blog! I know there are a lot of smiles out there about our once depleted D. The competition at camp should be fierce. Mr Smaby better sign soon and expect a start in the AHL if he doesn't bring his game up. Can't believe I said that, but I did! Is it safe to say we may not see the wrap around this year? Somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming!

[Don in St. Pete]

Obviously the Leafs are looking to win a lot 1-0 games. They have no scoring and practically no leaderdhip.

[Boltflasher]

From the desk of Mike Augello: There is nothing wrong with any of these acquisitions, all of the players will fulfill the role that Brian Burke has for them. Komisarek will replace Kubina's 25+ minutes of ice time, Orr and Exelby will greatly increase the grit factor of the Leafs. But do not confuse getting younger and tougher with the team improving in the standings next year. If Burke follows through on trading Tomas Kaberle, the defense will still be solid, but will not have the puck rushing ability it has had in the past. This team does not have a quality top 6 forward, unless you think Jason Blake, Matt Stajan, Alexei Ponikarovsky or Mikhail Grabovski meets that description and their main goaltender, Vesa Toskala has been injured and inconsistent for the two years he has worn Blue and White.

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, Agreed that Burke's plan is in motion, what do you think of the Bolts effots so far? Also as Berger and other's report the Laffs have nobody that another team would consider a top six forward. How does Burkie deal with that?

[PD]

Well Flasher they have a bad assed defense that goes 8 deep.

They have added a heavyweight in Colton Orr

Grant Exelby is a top quality young d man..tough
I think Schenn/Komo will be a pretty good pk, no?

Goalkeeping will be much better with a healthy Toskala and Hopefully Gustavssen

They will be adding a #1 and top 6 player for Kaberle.

He's just starting Flash.

[Boltflasher]

I'll go ahead and say it...Bolts are most improved team in the league...

[Boltflasher]

Komisarek was an upgrade over Kubina, but other than that, Leafs are improved in what way?

[PD]

Don I thought they qualified Smaby?

How bout that Brian Burke? Added Garnet Exelby, Komo and Colton Orr.

[Don in St. Pete]

Gus, Amen to that. Matt took the man out of the play before he hit the blueline then calmly passed the puck into transition the other way. That is the way it's supposed to be done. I'm hoping that Smaby is in their plans and a major part of them because he could be hedman's partner for a decade or more. When I think about Hedman and Smaby as the top pairing I see Stanley Cups and a lot of them. Sign Matt now!

[gus georgiou]

All I want to know is Smaby signed or just an offer made to him. Has he actually signed a new contract?? Other than Hedman, Ohlund, Walker, I want him on the team more than any of our other d-men!! It was finally nice last season to see a defense man play the man coming into our zone instead of trying to get the puck from him. Smaby was the best we had at taking other players out of the play!!!!!!!!

[Don in St. Pete]

Ajax, The true fans are ecstatic and then some over the 1st day! Finally a legit top 2 d for the first time in how many years? In addition he's a swede who can help Hedman with the transition. In addition if any of you watched the playoff seires between the Nucks and Blues and Nucks and Hawks, then you saw that Ohlund is still a dominant force. He lead the Nucks at a +5 in 10 games, while chipping in a goal and two assists. He's averaged over 8 goals a year including 3 + on the PP. His signing is front loaded meaning he'll be easier to move or buy out in his last two years. However the swedes seem to be so saavy they can compete until age 40 or later. Lidstrom has lost a step but is still amongst the best defenders in the league at 39. The best thing is that with Hedman and Smaby, we'll be able to ease Ohlund back into the second pairing in a year or two but he'll still provide grit, offense and leadership, something we've lacked on the backline since the Boyle trade.

[ajax]

I just want to say this....after two years of spending some pretty big dough....and two years removed from watching Palace sit on the checkbook as the franchise withered away while they had the for sale sign on the door...Isn't it about time for about 50% of you to admit these Cowboys really do want to win....have they been perfect...hell no....but Palace created this mess....these guys, with a zillion rumors about how broke they are....have time and time again shown they are trying there darnest to put an awesome team on our ice.....remember today when you complain in the future....read the blogs the last month...and no one...NO ONE...including me...thought they would write even more big checks to try and correct the mess....THANK YOU COWBOYS for at least trying!!!!!!!!!! Go Lightning Go...

[ajax]

For a team that is bankrupt and handing the keys back to Palace, I would have to say today is quite a day.....if you are a Lightinig fan...and 85% of the blog are...you have to be first shocked, but in the end.....GAGA.....over what happened today......I can't wait to see how the haters spin today...haven't seen them comment....unbelieveably absent as I am sure they are so angry that we acutally spent money for a certified NHL Dman...yes!!!!...I am sure they are digging up as many negative opinions as they can muster.....How bout them Cowboys!!!! For a franchise that is on oxygen this is shocking....come on all of you fellow bloggers......this is so opposite of what the Toronto bluers have been saying... it is time to call them on it.....another huge hiccup for the brains from Toronto...man they must be pee-oed for us not declaring bankruptcy!!!!

[Patrick]

Polar Bayer,

You make perfectly valid points, but how much has Ohlund declined? His stats look pretty consistent to previous years and he played in 82 games. I do see his minutes went down to 21 a game. I have heard others say he lost a step, but as long as he's still tough and defensively sound, I think he's mostly what the Lightning needed. Have you seen a lot of him over his career?

[Lightning Rod]

Good god, I can't begin to understand some comments. We have a small market team, that has had serious problems, since the lock-out year. This year, the team drafts a true center-stone #1 d-man, who can play now; and then on day 1 of FA they get both a Swedish mentor for him and good d-man on top of that. However, to some that's not good enough. Where can they be living? The fantasy league? Then bring on Heatly, there's no downside there.

[polar bayer]

Steve-O, I just call it how I see it. I don't get emotional about it. I didn't say every single 33-year old dman is past it. Ohlund's decline is the reason I brought up his age. Because of age there is less reason to expect him to improve and become a true top 2 dman again. In the case of a 26-year old dman, for example, there would be more reason to assume it's just a slump in form rather than something permanent. Ohlund's age makes it more likely the decline is permanent. That is all.

I think he will be a great mentor for Hedman, however. Only time will tell whether it's a good or a bad contract overall.

[RICK L]

matt walker ! done

[olin]

...Don-in-St.Pete, no worry, I have been here watching, just keeping quiet, reading about the sommer silly talk. Today Ohlund and for drafting Hedman, I speak my peace...the REAL catch so far will be Victor Hedman for many years to come, I have a picture of him with his stick in a long reach, he is by far longer than capt. dave stick and reach, and with great skate ability. He is the gem stone we needed here, give him a few games , and he will ready to go. Sign him to long term fast as you can. Like I said I'd like to see daniel tjarnqvist added as well. Mikeal Sammuelsson comes from same town as my father...I would also like to see Conklin brought in, I belive Kari Lehtonen is free agent as well???

[Joe]

Its a good signing. 7 years might be a long time but thats probably what it took to have a smaller cap hit. 3.75 million a year is worth it probably for at least the next 3 years.

Either way good signing this helps the bolts this year!!!!

[Steve-O]

On Spectors Fox Blog he lists top free agents available this summer and he has Ohlund fixed at #8

8. Mattias Ohlund: The long-time Canuck blueliner is approaching his mid-thirties and had some injury woes in recent years, although he played a full 82 games this past season. His size, experience and puck-moving skills ensure he'll attract considerable attention this summer.

So there!!!

[Don in St. Pete]

I don't know who'll end up on the top pair out of camp, but I'll bet Ohlund is one of them. By the end of the season I would expect Hedman and Smaby to be the shutdown guys, or Smaby and Ohlund.

[gus georgiou]

Stevie-O , I couldn't agree with you any more! Ohlund will give us 2 to 3 years of good defensive hockey and most importantly he will be a great influence on Hedman and our other young defensiveman. Look at most of the best D-Men in the league and they are in their 30's and some are still playing great in their late 30's. Totally amazing how people look at this as a mediocore signing, while I think it will turn out to be one of their best!!!!!!!!

[Steve-O]

Much excitement to get the "Mentor" we needed. I am dumb founded by the naysayers who say he is no longer a 1-2 D man. First he only needs to be that for a couple of years and then our young guns can take over.

Secondly, I have listened here for some time how it takes D-men more time to develop and they are late 20's-30's before they hit their prime. Now 33 is post prime? You are foolish if that is what you are selling here. The rain today dampens us your trivial logic does not. We are happy. Too bad you are not.

[BrianB23]

Have to agree with polar bayer on this one. We'll get one, MAYBE two "decent" years out of this guy before he turns into an old fart who can barely skate.

I for one am only mildly impressed with this, and I think the contract is too high a price for our valuable cap space.

[Boltflasher]

Yes, need to sign a goalie...Ohlund is here to tutor Hedman basically...even a declining Ohlund is light years better than most of what was here last year...

[Patrick]

Polar bayer,

He's not going to be a Chris Pronger for us, I'm not expecting that. But the oldest defensemen the lightning were going to start this year was 25. They needed a good vet to help these younger guys and hedman. For the reasons people were talking about bringing Chelios here, but Ohlund is obviously much better. He should be a stabilizing influence on our young D.

The contract might be longer than ideal, but 3.75 against the cap is not bad at all for a free agent signing of a 32 year old #1-#2 defenseman.

[gus georgiou]

Amazing, I am actually starting to get excited again about the Lightning. Great move by Lawton!! Maybe he can be a good GM if the two idiots Len and Oren leave him alone to do his job. If they could get Samuelson and somehow rid themselves of Prospal and his salary I would feel fantastic. I hope they can sign a decent goalie also because I am getting real nervous about Smith staying healthy this season

[polar bayer]

Ohlund's game has declined in recent times, and he's 33 by the start of the season. He is not a genuine top 2 d-man anymore. In my opinion, it's a high-risk deal. Sorry to put a damper on the excitement, but some fans might feel very differently about this contract in two years.

[Patrick]

So it seems like everyone loves this signing, so next question - Who should play next to Ohlund?

I guess the obvious pick is Hedman. But what about Ranger? Hedman playing with Ohlund probably would mean top pair minutes and top opponents. He might not be ready for that. And Ranger needs someone show him how to be more consistent.

[Mitch Cumstein]

This is an amazing signing for us!

But everybody should be advised, this guy might not be a #1 defenseman anymore. He did lose a step last year, so dont expect the world from him. But he will definitely be a top 2 guy on our team and a great example for the youngsters.

[TJ]

For anyone that hasn't seen it, here's the news release by the Bolts on their website:

http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=432966

[Boltflasher]

Stunned....absolutely stunned...never thought they would pay for this caliber free agent. Its great for Hedman and the Bolts...

[Sabian_X]

This is a fantastic move! Ohlund is a top notch defenseman, I can see him turning around that defensive core and helping to lead them in a more accountable direction. Great pick-up!!!

[Don in St. Pete]

While this signing alone doen't make us a playoff team, you have to feel a lot better about how we match up with some of those big skilled forwards in Wash, Pitt, Philly and Boston. No need for Rags and Mez to labor 23 minutes against the other teams top line every shift, every game. Ohlund also chips in offensively and can play the point on the power play.

[BrianB23]

Ranger, Meszaros, Ohlund, Lashoff, Hedman...

Not so sure about Smaby. Whatever happened to Malik? His contract is up, no qualifying offer?

[TJ]

You're quite welcome. I like this signing. So much for the "slow and steady" look at the free agents out there. But in my opinion, Ohlund wouldn't have been there in a few more days. Good Job Lawton--wow, did I just say that?? :)

[B4Thunder04]

This does sound too good to be true! All the talk around draft was trading, i bet that is why Natty thought trade. No worries! Free Agency time! Woo Hoo!