July 1, 2009

Despite all the cries of financial woes, the enigmatic Tampa Bay Lightning just can't keep their wallets shut.

The Lightning have signed veteran defenceman Mattias Ohlund, 32, leaving other potentially interested parties, including the Maple Leafs, likely shaking their collective heads in amazement.

Ohlund's average salary of $3.5 million US is not that far out of line. But a seven-year deal? For a guy who will be 40 by the time the terms of the contract run out?

That's far too long to be locked in to the veteran defenceman, who had six goals and 19 assists with the Vancouver Canucks last season.

Ohlund, who is the Canucks' all-time leading scorer among defencemen, will receive $24.5 million as part of his seven year deal with Tampa.