Lightning Sign Defenseman Foster to One-Year Deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning added some veteran depth to their blueline last week by signing defenseman Kurtis Foster to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Foster appeared in only 10 games last season for the Minnesota Wild after suffering a badly broken leg during the 2007-08 season that almost forced him into retirement. After undergoing lots of conditioning, he made an improbable comeback last season. In those 10 games, he scored one goal and five assists for six points. In 186 career games with the Wild and Atlanta Thrashers, he has 21 goals and 56 assists for 77 points. This is a decent signing for the Lightning, as Foster gives the team some offensive skill on the blueline, especially on the power play, and some toughness as well. While Foster was impressive in the few games he played last season, he will have to prove himself again this season to show that his leg injury will not effect his performance on the ice.