Matt Walker joins the Tampa Bay Lightning

by John Fontana on Jul 1, 2009 2:11 PM EDT in Lightning Team News

Defenseman Matt Walker, who played for the Chicago Blackhawks last season, is joining the Tampa Bay Lightning defensive corp. The deal is for four years and $6.8 million dollars in total.

Walker's 11 year career had him playing a smattering of games per season with the St. Louis Blues up until last season when he joined the Chicago Blackhawks. In 65 games with the playoff bound 'Hawks he had 14 points and was plus seven. That seems to be the big noteworthy thing about him - he is relatively stable in that area and not a sieve. He's a lower pair defenseman though.

How does this signing effect the Lightning depth chart on the blue line? Who stays and who is AHL bound?

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Seems like a decent signing.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 1, 2009 3:33 PM EDT reply actions

Muddies the picture of the depth chart

This guy seems like a 3rd pair D-man… And they have Krajicek re-signed now… If you get Smaby and Lundin re-signed as well, what are your lines? You carry 7 D-men of course but…

Guess it’s a pleasant problem to have – depth.

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

by John Fontana on Jul 1, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Allow me to step on a limb by saying this beats having Jamie Heward around.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 1, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

or David Koci for that matter

but only slightly ;) j/k

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

by John Fontana on Jul 1, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I've blocked him from my mind.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 1, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think Walker is going to cry to go home like Janne Niskala

(boy, last off-season was a disaster, looking at those three moves alone)

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

by John Fontana on Jul 1, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

At least Vrabata worked out!

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 1, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Walker is a tough SOB

But not a fantastic hockey player. He had some stretches with the Hawks where he was pretty good – even got into the three stars of the game a few times.

He’s also insanely frustrating at times and can get lost with quick play around him. Prepare to ride a roller coaster with him.

Second City Hockey - Blackhawks, Beers, Beards & Blasphemy

by Killion on Jul 2, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the input, Matt

I was expecting something like that — on paper alone it says he’s got moments but he hasn’t won steady lineup spots for one thing or another… Your description says why.

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

by John Fontana on Jul 2, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions