Lightning Re-Sign Forwards Jones and Tukonen

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have re-signed center Blair Jones and right wing Lauri Tukonen to new contracts. Exact length and financial terms of their contracts were not disclosed. Jones did not appear in any NHL games last season, instead playing in 80 games with the Lightning’s AHL affiliate in Norfolk, scoring 20 goals and 34 assists for 54 points. Tukonen appeared in 35 games last season with Lukko and Ilves of the Finnish League, scoring eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points. The Lightning acquired the Finnish forward from the Dallas Stars last November in exchange for defenseman Andrew Hutchinson. These aren’t bad depth signings for the Lightning. Jones has the potential to become a top-nine scoring forward and could possibly make the team next season. If he does, he will likely center the third or fourth line. Tukonen doesn’t have bad offensive skill and could be a fourth line forward next season if he makes the Lightning.

Stars Acquire Defenseman Hutchinson from Lightning

The Dallas Stars announced on Sunday that they have acquired defenseman Andrew Hutchinson from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for right wing Lauri Tukonen. Hutchinson has played in two games so far this season, scoring no points. He signed a two-year contract with the Lightning this past summer. Tukonen is currently playing with Lukko Rauma of the Finnish League, where he has five goals and eight assists for 13 points in 22 games. This move was likely made to bring some defensive depth to the struggling Stars' roster. Hutchinson won't likely play a lot of games for the Stars, but will bring some depth and experience to the team when he does.