Alex Tanguay is a Bolt of Lightning

No one was more excited then Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis when their Tampa Bay Lightnings went out and drastically improved their offense with the signing of nine-year veteran Alex Tanguay. This former 1998 Colorado Avalanche first round pick who played last season with the Montreal Canadiens is apparently healed from a separated shoulder suffered in early March that sidelined him for 28 games.  Since mid -July Tanguay who scored only 41 points in 50 games with the Habs has been in constant negotiations as an unrestricted free agent with the Lightnings. What really impressed this nine- year veteran who scored 21 playoff points in 2001 in helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup was when Lecavalier who is coming off a mediocre season of 67 points and St. Louis who led the team with 80 points called him two weeks ago in an attempt of persuading him to sign. Tanguay who signed a one- year deal worth 2.5 million will join a young and talented nucleus, which includes Steve Stamkos, a healthy Ryan Malone and of course Lecavalier and St. Louis. Tampa Bay won’t exactly challenge for the Stanley Cup with this signing but it sure will help them in their pursuit of making the playoffs in a competitive Eastern Conference. With the defensive shackles removed watch for Tanguay who has also spent time with the Calgary Flames in his career to once again get back to averaging a point per game. In his career this Quebec native has scored 193 goals and 580 career points.