Report: Mattias Ohlund signs with the Tampa Bay Lightning

by John Fontana on Jul 1, 2009 12:18 PM EDT in Lightning Team News

Jon Jordan (Hockeybuzz) and Ken Allen (USA Today) are reporting via Twitter that the Tampa Bay Lightning have signed Mattias Ohlund. This has not been confirmed by the team at this time. There will be more information as it becomes available.

12:25 PM: Bob McKenzie is reporting the deal is for seven years and $3.75 million per season. This is a direct contradiction to the crying-poor reports of the Bolts from the last several months and may lead to more trouble.

Damian Cristordero reports on TampaBay.com that Oren Koules sent a text message about the deal, saying:

It's Done, Yahoo.

12:33 PM: Ohlund compliments Victor Hedman and becomes not only a contributing minutes member of the Lightning but a mentor for the Bolts freshly drafted Swede. That influence also goes much further than just influencing Hedman though. Ohlund becomes the oldest member of the Lightning blue-line (pending other signings).

Poll

Your opinion on the signing of Mattias Ohlund?

Approve - leadershiip and stability

77 votes

Disapprove - age, length of contract

6 votes

Confused -- are they free spending or cash strapped?

11 votes

94 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Hope he does well for you.

We’ll miss him in Vancouver. I don’t think you’ll regret having him.

I am a Free Canadian
Real Eyes Realize Real Lies

by Temujin on Jul 1, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks

Speculation is that he will never play the full length of his contract, but it was a ploy to soften the cap hit.

The Raw Charge -- the Tampa Bay Lightning weblog at SB Nation.

by John Fontana on Jul 1, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

The last two seasons will pay him $1 mill each

IMO, it’s unlikely he sticks around for 7 years. Most Swedes seem to want to finish their careers in their homeland, so that speculation is probably accurate.

He’s a steady D-man but takes hooking/holding penalties (typical swede!). Tough as nails though, and is a heavy hitter when he lines someone up.

See Here or Here for more details.

I am a Free Canadian
Real Eyes Realize Real Lies

by Temujin on Jul 1, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Enjoy him, he’s reliable and should be a good guy to have around your rookies.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Jul 1, 2009 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

Was just appending the post to bring that up

He becomes the mentor for Hedman but he also can lend influence to the Bolts young crop of Defensemen. There is a lot of promise in the system but promise does not deliever unless it’s brought along just right.

The Raw Charge -- the Tampa Bay Lightning weblog at SB Nation.

by John Fontana on Jul 1, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Perfect mentor for Hedman

I like the signing.

For more hockey news; www.illegalcurve.com

by WpgMikos on Jul 1, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

by kericr on Jul 1, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

sorta fit, sorta didn't

Conklin HAS played for teams going deep into the playoffs but not winning. But he also has to play for a team playing in the Winter Classic. It’d break a tradition if he didn’t.

The Raw Charge -- the Tampa Bay Lightning weblog at SB Nation.

by John Fontana on Jul 1, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions