2009 Restricted Free Agents

The following players along with Lauri Tukonen were tendered qualifying offers on June 29th and their rights retained by the Lightning.

Matt Smaby
   
Matt Lashoff
   
Blair Jones
   
Martins Karsums
   
Mike Lundin
   

2009 Free Agent Signings

PLAYER NAME POS Years Avg/Yr
Lukas Krajicek Defense 1 year $1500000
Mattias Ohlund Defense 7 years $3750000
Matt Walker Defense 4 years $1700000

2009 Tampa Bay Lightning Draft

1 2 Victor Hedman Defense 6.06 220 lbs.
1 29 Carter Ashton Right Wing 6.03 205 lbs.
2 52 Richard Panik Right Wing 6.02 203 lbs.
4 93 Alex Hutchings Left Wing 5.10 173 lbs.
5 148 Michael Zador Goaltender 6.02 172 lbs.
6 162 Jaroslav Janus Goaltender 5.11 192 lbs.
7 183 Kirill Gotovets Defense 5.11 175 lbs.

Helenius Gunning for Norfolk

Submitted by timothy on August 15, 2008 - 12:12

Mike Morreale, staff writer at NHL.com, has written an article about Lightning goaltending prospect Riku Helenius.

There's some good info in the piece about Riku's work ethic in practice, with some particularly glowing comments from Seattle Thunderbirds teammate Jacob DeSerres. After recently attending Tampa's prospect camp in Victoria, B.C., Helenius' next stop will be the Traverse City Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, MI in early September before the Lightning's training camp opens in Tampa later in the month.

"After sitting out seven months with the shoulder injury, I felt I really played well in Seattle and it was a great year for me," Helenius said. "I also got used to the North American game and the coaches and that was important. I have every intention of earning a spot with Norfolk this coming season." Helenius will face stiff competition for a roster spot in Norfolk from Lightning top goaltending prospect Karri Ramo and Admirals signee Mike McKenna. McKenna, a former Predators draft pick and ECHL MVP runner-up, was one of the AHL's top netminders last season for the Portland Pirates.