The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their off-season makeover as winger Evgeny Artyukhin has returned to the team after playing the previous two seasons in Russia.
Artyukhin, 25, was drafted 94th overall by the Lightning in the 2001 and played for the team during the 2005-06 season. Despite the buzz surrounding the new Continental Hockey League in Russia, the six-foot-five, 254-pound forward signed a two-year contract worth $1.9 million US to return to Tampa Bay.
"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 in a statement. "He brings a real unmistakable presence to the ice as soon as he comes over the boards."
During his lone season in the NHL, Artyukhin scored four goals and added 13 assists (17 points) with 90 penalty minutes in 72 games with the Lightning. Last season, the Moscow native split time between Avangard Omsk and CKSA Moscow and had six goals and eight assists with 139 penalty minutes in 42 games.
The move is the latest for a Tampa Bay team that has gone to considerable lengths to refurbish its roster after finishing with the NHL's worst record in 2007-08. In addition to drafting Sarnia Sting sniper Steven Stamkos with the first overall pick in last month's draft, the Lightning have inked free-agent deals with forwards Ryan Malone, Gary Roberts, Radim Vrbata and Adam Hall, and goalie Olaf Kolzig.
Reports on Monday said the team had also signed veteran winger Mark Recchi to a one-year deal worth $1.25 million.
Tampa also dealt for the rights to — and subsequently re-signed — forward Vaclav Prospal, and shipped Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich to San Jose for fellow defencemen Matt Carle and Ty Wishart and two draft picks.
The 2004 Stanley Cup champions also re-signed star centre Vincent Lecavalier to a nine-year, $77-million extension, and jettisoned head coach John Tortorella in favour of Barry Melrose.
With files from the Associated PressWotherspoon clinches World Cup title
Canadian Jeremy Wotherspoon clinched the season crown in the 500 metres with another gold medal-winning performance at a long-track speedskating World Cup event Friday in the Netherlands.
Argonauts ink David Lofton
Import defensive back David Lofton signed Tuesday with the Toronto Argonauts, and was assigned to the practice roster.
Canucks bow down to Kings
Jean-Sebastien Aubin made 27 saves as the Los Angeles Kings doubled the visiting Vancouver Canucks on Monday night.
Contact Us About Us HomeMonday, December 1st, 2008