2010 Lightning Unsigned Free Agents

PLAYER NAME Type Age POS
Mark Parrish UFA 33 Right Wing
Stephane Veilleux UFA 28 Left Wing
Paul Ranger RFA 25 Defense

2010 Lightning Free Agent Signings

PLAYER NAME Age P LENGTH CAP NO.
Martin St. Louis 35 R 4 years $5,625,000
Pavel Kubina 33 D 2 years $3,850,000
Steve Downie 23 R 2 years $1,850,000
Dan Ellis 30 G 2 years $1,500,000
Brett Clark 33 D 2 years $1,500,000

2010 Lightning NHL Entry Draft

RND PICK PLAYER NAME POS HT WT
1 6 Brett Connolly R 6.02 191
3 63 Brock Beukeboom D 6.01 200
3 66 Radko Gudas D 6.00 202
3 72 Adam Janosik D 6.00 179
4 96 Geoffrey Schemitsch D 6.02 185

Smolenak Jumps to KHL

Submitted by timothy on May 26, 2009 - 15:13

According to a story released today on the team's official website, the Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik of the KHL have signed Lightning left wing prospect Radek Smolenak to a contract for next season. Smolenak's three-year entry level contract with the Lightning expired at the end of this season, although Tampa could retain his NHL rights as restricted free agent by tendering a qualifying offer.

Smolenak seemed poised to push for a roster position next season with the Lightning next season after having a breakout season with Tampa's AHL minor league affiliate the Norfolk Admirals. Smolenak posted career highs in nearly every statistical category by posting 24 goals and 25 assists in 71 AHL games while amassing 165 penalty minutes. Smolenak recorded 1 assist in 6 games with the Lightning during a brief mid-season recall.

There is no word regarding the length of the contract Smolenak signed with the Petrochemists or whether the contract contains an "NHL out", and there is no word yet whether Tampa intends to retain his rights by tendering a qualifying offer to the tough left winger. Hat tip to the members of the BoltProspects message board for the heads-up on this story.