Tampa Bay Lightning Bolstering Roster with Tanguay Signing

Alex Tanguay has found a home in Tampa Bay. The 29 year old signed a one-year deal with the Lightning worth $2.5 million. Tanguay spent last season with the Montreal Canadiens, he registered 16 goals, 25 assists for a total 41 points. He played in only 50 games suffering from a separated shoulder.

Lightning GM Brian Lawton told the Times that Tanguay was “the guy we wanted.”

Alex Tanguay is a versatile forward who can play both left wing and centre. He’ll be joining fellow Quebecers Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. The Lightning had a disappointing 2008-09 season, they signed many big names prior to training camp which included Mark Recchi, Jussi Jokinen, Gary Roberts, and Olaf Kolzig. Not one of these signings worked out, in fact not one of these players were on the Tampa roster by the end of the season.

I discussed in an earlier post “The Montreal Canadiens Will Fail” that signing everyone doesn’t work. Tampa Bay finished with the second worst record in the league with only 24 wins and a total 66 points. The Lightning have also added veteran Mattias Ohlund, most likely to help develop 2009, second overall draft choice, Victor Hedman. Both are from Sweden.

Sophomore Steven Stamkos is returning and hopes to build off the success he had late last season. The Tampa Bay Lightning appear to be headed in the right direction, hopefully they learned from last years mistakes and stick with the current roster they’ve built.

Tanguay still only 29 has a lot left in the tank, he logged 81 points in 81 games with the Calgary Flames in 2006-07 for his best season. The Montreal Canadiens who cleaned house were barely able to see what Tanguay could offer the club. I think he’s a great fit in Tampa and I’m sure they will have a more successful year with the tweaks they’ve made.