Tampa Bay Lightning sign Anders Lindback to 2-year, $3.6 million -NHL Update
Tampa Bay had been in need of a solid goaltender for the past 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season and needed one before the next for sure. They acquired 24-year-old Anders Lindback from Nashville Predators recently and have now finally
signed him on to a two-year, $3.6 million contract.
The signing came on Friday, July 6, 2012, which will give him a salary cap hit of $1.8 million, but the goalie will be making $1.4 million next season and $2.2 million the one following it.
Giving Anders a two-year deal was a strategic move from Tampa Bay as they will not have to keep him on long term but instead, have locked him on for two seasons, giving him ample time to provide himself to the Lightning.
Tampa Bay Lightning general manager, Steve Yzerman, made the announcement.
"Two years gives Anders an opportunity to settle into our organization, earn that starting job and not have to worry about a contract for another year," Yzerman said. "He's not committed for too long, and if his game takes off — and we hope that it does
— he's in a position to sign a longer-term deal."
Prior to the next season officially kicking off, Lindback will have to fight against Mathieu Garon for the starting spot on the club, which should make for an exciting preseason and training camp with the team.
"I'm very happy with this deal, and I'm really excited to get going. I really feel like I can just focus on getting in as good shape as I can towards the start of the season. … Hopefully, it will turn out really good,” Lindback said, adding that he is working
towards securing the top spot for sure.
Lindback, a native of Gavle, Sweden, was acquired by Nashville Predators using their 207th overall draft pick back in 2008 during the seventh round. In a total of 38 games played, the young goaltender has a .914 save percentage and 2.53 goals-against
average.
At six-foot-six and 203 pounds, Anders Lindback is certainly a solid player and just might be what Tampa Bay has been looking for this whole time.
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