Lightning Sign D Matt Walker

[Thrillhouse]

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed veteran defenseman Matt Walker to a multi-year contract today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced. Walker joins Mattias Ohlund as free agent signings aimed at bolstering the Bolts blue line as the team prepares for the 2009-10 season.

“Matt is the big, physical, intimidating presence that we lacked on the blue line last season,” said Lawton upon making the announcement today. “He is a high-character, team-first player and he demonstrated that last season, going right back in a playoff game after suffering an ugly, ugly broken finger. He is just the type of player that we were looking for to fill a specific defensive need.”

Walker, a 6-foot-3, 214-pound native of Beaverlodge, Alberta, played in 65 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season, recording one goal, a career-high 13 assists and a career-high 14 points to go along with 79 penalty minutes. He also played in 17 postseason games for Chicago, recording two assists and 14 penalty minutes as the Blackhawks advanced to the Western Conference Finals against the Detroit Red Wings.

Originally drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round, 83rd overall, of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Walker played four seasons for the St. Louis Blues before joining Chicago last season as a free agent. In his five NHL seasons, Walker has played 240 games with two goals, 23 assists and 354 penalty minutes. He has 21 games of NHL postseason experience.

[Humpzilla]

Now this is a signing I really like. Good job Lawton, ya ***

[Skorka85]

That should help make Hump a little happier.

Hahah you beat me to it, Patrick!

[Cat Smasher]

clap clap clap

[chilly666]

**** you dale tallon!!

im gonna say this, as good as he was last year, he is not even close to worth $1.7/season. maybe $1 or $1.25 million but not that much.

[Humpzilla]

Just to follow up, this EXACTLY what our blueline needs. Hell, in just a couple hours our d-core went from soft to quite respectable, if not very good.

I just hope we'll have a heavyweight, or Mr. Walker will be doing the enforcing when Konopka is iceing his knuckles...

[BStreetBullies]

Fukk, I was hoping he'd solidify the bottom of the Flyer pairs, but it's good to see him in the East.

I'm suure at least Tocchet will like the guy.

[Cat Smasher]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

Just to follow up, this EXACTLY what our blueline needs. Hell, in just a couple hours our d-core went from soft to quite respectable, if not very good.

I just hope we'll have a heavyweight, or Mr. Walker will be doing the enforcing when Konopka is iceing his knuckles...

Koci, Konopka, O'Brien? Just pray they don't go about it like last year eh.

[FlagsFan]

Another veteran blue liner to help Hedman along, good sign.

[canuckfan]

Along with Hedman, the additions of Walker and Ohlund drastically improves Tampa's defense - good signing by the Bolts. Walker is a a good foot soldier and I was surprised how well he played and how far he's come along when the Canucks and Hawks played in the playoffs - definitley not a detriment to his team when he's on the ice - perfect 5th or 6th guy.

[Humpzilla]

Originally Posted by Cat Smasher

Koci, Konopka, O'Brien? Just pray they don't go about it like last year eh.

At this point I'd feel better if they'd go out and say they're going to play a more Detroit style. Might increase my chances of them doing the opposite....

[Grittzkey]

1.7m? jesus.

[skacore]

good signing by TB.. 1.7/year is a bit much but it looks like toughness is becoming a priority for a lot of teams...nice to see

[Skorka85]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

Just to follow up, this EXACTLY what our blueline needs. Hell, in just a couple hours our d-core went from soft to quite respectable, if not very good.

I just hope we'll have a heavyweight, or Mr. Walker will be doing the enforcing when Konopka is iceing his knuckles...

Yeah Walker and Konopka are good back up, but they could use someone to really handle the duties.

[Snipes19]

Since when is Matt freakin' Walker worth almost 2 mil per year? $1.7 mil is an overpayment for him.

Walker is an okay #6 defenseman, but usually those guys only get payed around $1 mil per year. Why should he get more than that? He plays okay defensively but is worthless offensively and isn't a very good skater.

The Tampa Bay front office is so bad it's not even funny. They have to overpay to get Matt Walker. Wow. He adds some toughness, but after seeing the contract that he got, this is a terrible deal for them IMO. Not to mention they gave Ohlund 7 years!