Tampa Re-ups Lukas Krajicek
Submitted by timothy on July 1, 2009 - 14:56
The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed defenseman Lukas Krajicek to a one-year contract today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced. Terms of the restricted free agent's deal was not released, but Lawton indicated during the NHL Entry Draft in Montreal last weekend that the sides were close on a deal. The Lightning acquired Krajicek with Juraj Simek from Vancouver in exchange for Shane O’Brien and Michel Ouellet on October 6, 2008.
“Lukas is one of the elite skating defensemen in the NHL and he played admirably for us last season in a difficult blueline situation,” said Lawton. “We are pleased to sign him for the 2009-10 season and we look forward to seeing for training camp.”
Krajicek, a 6-foot-2, 196-pound native of Prostejov, Czech Republic, played in 71 games with the Lightning last season, recording two goals and 19 points. He led all Tampa Bay defensemen in assists and points while also ranking second in blocked shots with 90. His 71 games played were the second-most played during a season in his career. In 2008-09 Krajicek established career highs for assists, points and average ice time with 19:37.
The 25-year-old has played in 278 career NHL games with Tampa Bay, Vancouver and Florida. Krajicek has registered 10 career goals and 69 points with five power play goals and two game-winning goals.
The Lightning had five restricted free agents remaining to resign including defensemen Matt Smaby, Mike Lundin and Matt Lashoff, and forwards Blair Jones and Martin Karsums. Restricted free agent goaltender Karri Ramo and forward Radek Smolenak have signed with KHL teams for next season, and speculation continues that the Lightning might be interested in signing restricted free agent Lauri Tukonen after acquiring his rights from Dallas last season and issuing him a qualifying offer on June 29.
