Lightning Sign Defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that they have signed free agent defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $1 million at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level. In 60 games last season with the Montreal Canadiens, he had 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points. He also appeared in three games with Hamilton of the AHL last season, scoring six assists. In 399 career NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild, and Montreal Canadiens, he has 75 goals and 119 assists for 194 points. Not a bad signing for the Lightning, as Bergeron will add a lot of offensive skill to their defense. He's also great on the power play and is versatile, as he can also play on the wing. Despite being talented offensively, his defensive game is not very good, as he struggles against bigger NHL forwards and turns the puck over a lot. However, he should add some offensive punch to the Lightning blueline for the rest of the season, unless they send him off to the minors.