He was brought in as what seemed to be a temporary remedy to a defensive corps depleted by injuries, and now he’s officially sticking around for another season in Tampa Bay.
Brendan Mikkelson, acquired from the Calgary Flames in January 2012, was re-signed by the Lightning this afternoon to a one-year, one-way deal. The 25-year-old played 41 games with the Lightning last season, and though he wasn’t an offensive force (1 goal, 2 assists) he was steady and dependable on the blueline.
Before being traded to the Lightning for Blair Jones last winter, Mikkelson had spent time on the roster of both the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks, playing in a total of 86 NHL games prior to joining the Bolts.
With Mikkelson inked, the Lightning now will focus on other restricted free agents on the roster and in the system – defensemen Keith Aulie, Brian Lee, Evan Oberg and goaltender Jaroslav Janus. The Bolts did not tender a qualifying offer to newsly acquired LW Benoit Pouliot, but are working to sign him before Sunday and the start of the 2012 NHL free agent season.
