Lightning Re-Sign Restricted Free Agent D Nolan Pratt

[Humpzilla]

The 2004 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed defenseman Nolan Pratt to a two-year contract, Executive Vice President & General Manager Jay Feaster announced today.

Pratt, 29, appeared in 58 games for the Lightning in 2003-04, scoring one goal and adding three assists with 42 penalty minutes. The Fort McMurray, Alberta native ranked third among Lightning defensemen in plus/minus rating during the regular season with a plus-11. He also saw extensive time during the team’s Stanley Cup run, playing in 20 of 23 games on the Tampa Bay blue line and recording eight penalty minutes. He averaged more than 18 minutes per game during the playoffs.

“Nolan Pratt has proven to be an important and dependable part of our defensive corps, and we’re happy to have him back as we prepare to defend our Stanley Cup Championship,” Feaster said. “Nolan was given an opportunity to prove himself during the 2004 playoffs, and he answered the call. He has shown he can thrive while playing within John Tortorella’s system, and we look forward to him continuing to increase his role with us.”

The 6-foot-3, 203-pound defenseman spent his 2004-05 season with EV Duisburg, winning the German Division 2 championship. He played in 10 games for Duisburg and scored two goals while adding two assists. He saw time in 12 playoff games and recorded three assists with 10 penalty minutes.

A veteran of eight NHL seasons, Pratt has played in 374 games scoring seven goals and registering 34 assists with Hartford/Carolina, Colorado and the Lightning. He was acquired by the Lightning from Colorado in exchange for a sixth round choice at the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. The 2005-06 season will mark his fourth campaign with Tampa Bay.

In three seasons with the Lightning, Pratt as appeared in 171 games while netting two goals and adding 13 assists with 128 penalty minutes. He has played in 24 postseason games with Tampa Bay recording one assist and eight penalty minutes.

[LightningJeff]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

Tampa Bay re-signs Nolan Pratt for Two years, $625,000

Pratt, who appeared on his way out of the organization several times, has a chance to be a regular this season. He played 58 regular-season games in 2003-04, his third season with the Lightning, with a goal and three assists. He went on to play 20 of the Lightning's 23 postseason games.

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Actually Pratt did a better than solid job in the playoffs.