Mar 28, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New York Rangers defenseman Anton Stralman (6) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Lightning have made their first major splash in NHL free agency as they have signed defenseman Anton Stralman.
Per @Real_ESPNLeBrun, terms of Stralman deal with #TBLightning $22.5 million over five years
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) July 1, 2014
The 27-year-old has spent the last three seasons with the New York Rangers. He’s also spent time with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Stralman stands 5-foot-11 and weights 193lbs and is a right-handed shot. In 394 regular season games, he has 112 points (18-94). Stralman was one of the most sought after defenseman on the free agent market.
While he isn’t a big time goal scorer, Stralman is very solid in his own zone. TSN said on their free agency broadcast that he is an “elite possession defenceman.”
Last season he averaged 19.25 minutes a game and it is expected that he will log top four minutes for the Bolts.
The signing of Stralman solidifies the Lightning’s blue line for years to come.
Stralman joins Victor Hedman, Jason Garrison, Matt Carle, Mark Barberio and Radko Gudas, meaning the Bolts will have a steady blue line for the foreseeable future. The team also has Eric Brewer under contract for another season.