Bolts Extend Mike Smith

TSN is reporting that the Tampa Bay Lightning have signed goaltender Mike Smith to a 2 year contract extension. Smith has one year left on his current contract, acquired from the Dallas Stars as part of the trade deadline blockbuster deal for Brad Richards.

Tampa Tribune Lightning beat writer Eric Erlendsson is reporting that Smith will make $2M for the 2009-2010 season increasing to $2.4M for the 2010-2011 season.

"It goes without saying that Mike has a bright future in the Lightning organization," Vice President of Hockey Operations Brian Lawton said. "It is important in our plan to have locked up Mike, along with Ollie (Kolzig), to solidify our goaltending situation this season and beyond."

While Lawton's statement confirmed Smith as a central cog in the future of the Lightning, his comments could be interpreted to imply that the Lightning might be interested in locking up Olaf Kolzig beyond the 2007-2008 season. If so, this would certainly cast some doubt on the future of goaltending prospect Karri Ramo within the organization.