Lightning Sign Michel Ouellet to One-Year Contract

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have signed free agent right wing Michel Ouellet to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 39 games last season with Hamburg of the German League, he had 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points. He last played in the NHL during the 2008-09 season with the Vancouver Canucks. Not a bad depth signing for the Lightning, as Ouellet has some offensive ability and good hockey sense. However, he will likely have to compete for a roster spot at training camp in September, and if he does make the team, it will likely be on the third or fourth line.

Canucks Aquire O'Brien and Ouellet from Lightning

The Vancouver Canucks announced today that they have acquired defenseman Shane O'Brien and right wing Michel Ouellet from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Lukas Krajicek and right wing Juraj Simek. Ouellet had been on the trade block for some time, even being waived last week by the Lightning, while O'Brien popped up in the rumor mill in recent days. In 77 games last season with the Lightning, O'Brien had four goals and 17 assists for 21 points and 154 penalty minutes. He played in Tampa Bay's first game against the New York Rangers in the Czech Republic over the weekend. Ouellet played in 64 games last season with the Lightning, where he scored 17 goals and added 19 assists for 36 points. He had recently been demoted to the Lightning's AHL affiliate in Norfolk. In 39 games last season with the Canucks, Krajicek scored two goals and nine assists for 11 points. Simek has yet to play in an NHL game. In Krajicek, the Lightning get a defensive blueliner with some experience, though it does not help out their defensive situation since they had to trade O'Brien. Only time will tell if the Lightning will make another move to acquire another defenseman. They may want to consider looking at Bryan Berard or Richard Matvichuk for depth, as both players have recently been released from training camp tryouts. The Canucks get another very physical defenseman in O'Brien, giving them one of the toughest bluelines in the Western Conference. The Canucks also get some scoring depth they've been seeking with Ouellet. However, they demoted him to the minors after the trade was announced, which will not help the Canucks' lack of scoring if Ouellet sits in the minors.

Islanders Claim Pock Off Waivers, Michel Ouellet on Waivers

The New York Islanders announced on Monday that they have claimed defenseman Thomas Pock off waivers from the New York Rangers. Last season with the Rangers, Pock played in one game, scoring no points. In four NHL seasons, all with the Rangers, Pock has played in 59 games, scored seven goals and added seven assists for 14 points and 20 penalty minutes. Seeking more defensive depth, the Islanders have done so with the addition of Pock, who also has the skills to add some offense to the Islanders' blueline.

According to rds.ca, the Tampa Bay Lightning have placed right wing Michel Ouellet on waivers. The Lightning, who currently have an overabundance of forwards, have been rumored shopping some forwards for defensive help, with Ouellet, Jussi Jokinen, and Jason Ward the subject of such trade rumors. With Ouellet on waivers, it is possible that speculation over Jokinen trade rumors could end, coupled with the fact that he has had a strong training camp. Last season, Ouellet scored 17 goals and added 19 assists for 36 points 64 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ouellet has decent offensive talent and goal-scoring skills and could be a good pickup for a team seeking a top-six forward or offensive depth. However, with Ouellet being on waivers, that likely means there is not much of a trade market for him right now, which likely means the Lightning may have to part with a more skilled forward to add some decent defensive depth.