Lightning Sign Defenseman Walker to Four-Year Contract

The Tampa Bay Lightning added more depth to their blueline on Wednesday by signing defenseman Matt Walker to a four-year contract worth $6.8 million. The deal averages out to $1.7 million per season. In 65 games last season with the Chicago Blackhawks, Walker scored one goal and 13 assists for 14 points and 79 penalty minutes. In 240 career games, he has scored two goals and 23 assist for 25 points and 354 penalty minutes with the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks. Again, the Tampa Bay Lightning front office has pulled another bonehead move. While Walker provides the team with defensive depth and toughness, they have grossly overpaid for his services. Paying nearly $2 million per season for four years to a blueliner who is essentially a sixth or seventh defenseman is not a smart move. Don’t be surprised if the Lightning shuttle him off to the minors in the middle of his contract if he doesn’t live up to expectations as no other team will want that kind of salary on their books.