The Hockey News: Headlines: Tampa Bay Lightning sign goalie Mike Smith to two-year extension

Tampa Bay Lightning sign goalie Mike Smith to two-year extension

Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Mike Smith deflects a shot on goal by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 6, 2008, in Philadelphia. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Tom Mihalek

2008-07-14 12:50:00

TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Lightning signed goalie Mike Smith to a US$4.4-million, two-year extension on Monday.

Smith, 26, went 15-19-0 with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage in 34 games last season with Tampa Bay and Dallas. He was acquired at the trade deadline in a deal that sent all-star forward Brad Richards to the Stars.

Smith will make US$950,000 this season, $2 million in 2009-10 and $2.4 million in '10-'11.

"It goes without saying that Mike has a bright future in the Lightning organization," vice-president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said in a release. "It is important in our plan to have locked up Mike ... to solidify our goaltending situation this season and beyond."

The 6-3, 211-pounder has posted a 27-24-0 record in 57 career NHL games with Dallas and Tampa Bay, along with a .905 save percentage, a 2.45 GAA and six shutouts.

He was drafted by Dallas in the fifth round, 161st overall, in the 2001 NHL draft.

COMMENTS (4)

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bossr55 Posted
(2009-04-30 06:36:05)

They've also got an unbelievable goalie prospect here at Colorado College in Richard Bachman. I only hope that moving Smith to TB doesn't cause Bachman to leave CC early.

Alexander K. Posted
(2009-04-30 06:36:03)

Two backups? Last I checked Ellis was the starter for Nashville, and had the best save percentage in the league, and the playoffs (wow...some backup). And Smith was being called on by the fans to replace Turco when his play was slipping...and still managed to put up respectable numbers in a porous Tampa system. And this contract signing is proof he's tagged as their future Number 1. Yep...two backups right there........

Alex L Posted
(2009-04-30 06:36:02)

Yea...Dallas is such a great goalie factory they produced two back-ups! W00t! W00t!

Alexander K Posted
(2009-04-30 06:36:01)

And once again Dallas proves it is a goaltending factory. Between Turco and Smith, they were too deep for Dan Ellis and had to let him go. How many teams can say they had that problem?