Hodson returns as Lightning G

The Lightning hopes Kevin Hodson will be its backup goalie.

Yup, that Kevin Hodson.

Hodson played 29 games for Tampa Bay from 1998-2000 before being traded to the Canadiens. He has not played an NHL game since, and last season was an assistant with OHL Sault St. Marie.

"I can't wait to get back and surprise a lot of people," he said.

The Winnipeg native, 30, signed a one-year deal Wednesday, with a club option for a second, for about $200,000. He will get $40,000 if he plays for AHL Springfield or ECHL Pensacola.

"He's not ordained to it," general manager Jay Feaster said of Hodson playing, say, 20 games as Nikolai Khabibulin's backup. "But certainly from our perspective, we believe he's better than a lot of what's out there."

Feaster said if an affordable goalie is available either through trade, free agency or the late rounds of the draft, he could make a move if only to have more options.

But Hodson's price makes him worth a shot.

"I feel great mentally and physically," said Hodson, who went 4-8-5 for the Lightning with a 3.46 goals-against average and no shutouts after being acquired in March 1999 from the Red Wings for Wendel Clark.

"I'm in a zone right now and can't wait for training camp to start. When someone gives you an opportunity to challenge yourself on the highest level possible, you leave no stone unturned and throw everything out on the table."

EKLUND ALSO SIGNS: The Lightning signed goaltender Brian Eklund to a two-year rookie contract. The 21-year-old was selected in the seventh round (226th overall) of the 2000 draft. The 6-foot-5, 205-pounder played 48 games for Brown University the past four years with a 3.42 goals-against average and one shutout.