The Bolts, on Monday, signed Brett Clark to a two year contract. Clark had spent the last six seasons playign with the Colorado Avalanche, and is a veteran of 11 seasosn in the NHL.
But how he fits and where he fits is something that makes me scratch my head, even when taking Steve Yzerman at his word from the press release:
“In Brett Clark, we are adding an experienced, intelligent defenseman who plays the game efficiently,” Yzerman said. “He’ll not only help steady and stabilize our defense, we expect him to help mentor our younger defensemen as they grow and develop. We are pleased he elected to join the Lightning today.”
Younger Defensemen being a keyword there, that opens up a very large audience when you think about it: Hedman, Lundin, Smaby, Lashoff, Wishart, Mihalik… A $2.6 million dollar contract ($1.3 a year for two years) makes it look like a very pricey seventh defenseman was picked up.
But Clark is not going to be a seventh defenseman.
Clark is a puck moving defenseman. Clark is a shot blocking defenseman… But lets re-iterate the first part of things — Clark is a puck moving defenseman. The end-all, be-all lacking aspect of the Lightning defense that’s been beaten to death since Paul Ranger disappeared… Clark brings a good deal of veteran experience to the club as well.
Mile High Hockey didn’t have the most love for the guy last season, grading him a “C” overall.
We’ve added the signing to the Lined Up Update. The full press release is below the fold.
LIGHTNING SIGN DEFENSEMAN BRETT CLARK
TAMPA BAY –
“In Brett Clark, we are adding an experienced, intelligent defenseman who plays the game efficiently,” Yzerman said. “He’ll not only help steady and stabilize our defense, we expect him to help mentor our younger defensemen as they grow and develop. We are pleased he elected to join the Lightning today.”
Clark, 6-foot, 195 pounds, has played in 517 career NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche, Atlanta Thrashers and Montreal Canadiens. He has amassed 34 goals and 139 points with 11 power play goals. Clark has had a even rating or higher in five of the previous six seasons and averaged more than 20 minutes in ice time per game in three of the previous four. He led the NHL in shifts per game during the 2007-08 season.
A native of Wapella, Saskatchewan, Clark has also appeared in 10 career Stanley Cup playoff games, all with Colorado, recording two goals and four points. He scored a goal in his postseason debut in 2006 and finished the playoffs tied for the team scoring lead among defensemen with two goals and four points.
Clark played in 64 games with the Avalanche last season, recording three goals and 20 points with two power play goals. He led Colorado in blocked shots with 162 and was tied for fourth among defensemen in points.
Prior to beginning his professional career, Clark played one season at the University of Maine where he skated in 39 games, recording seven goals and 38 points. That season he was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. The following season he joined the Canadian National Team.
Clark was drafted by Montreal in sixth round, 154th overall, of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.
[Note by John Fontana, 07/06/10 9:42 AM EDT ] Post has been updated with a correct image of Brett Clark.
