Lightning re-signs LW Dingman

TAMPA -- The Lightning re-signed restricted free-agent left wing Chris Dingman to a multi-year contract, general manager Jay Feaster said Tuesday.

"Chris Dingman was a solid performer for us last season following the trade with Carolina," Feaster said. "We really like the physical, power forward-type dimension he brings to the club."

Dingman, 26, was acquired from the Hurricanes on March 5 with Shane Willis for goaltender Kevin Weekes. Willis re-signed last week. Dingman, 6 feet 4, 225 pounds, had four assists in his 14 games with the Lightning last season.

"I'm excited to get the deal done, and now I'm just looking forward to the start of the season and making the playoffs," Dingman said.

The Lightning has nine restricted free agents left: forwards Ben Clymer, Gordie Dwyer, Matt Elich, Ruslan Fedotenko, Vinny Prospal and Andre Roy and defensemen Dan Boyle, Sascha Goc and Mike Jones.

BRUINS: Former first-round draft pick Jonathan Girard re-signed on a one-year contract.

CAPITALS: Defenseman Jean-Francois Fortin re-signed for one year.

PANTHERS: Restricted free-agent center Viktor Kozlov re-signed on a one-year deal. He played 50 games last season before an abdominal strain in February sidelined him for the season and the Olympics.

PENGUINS: Defensemen Jamie Pushor and Rick Berry and forward Ville Nieminen accepted qualifying offers.

PREDATORS: Restricted free-agent center Greg Classen agreed to terms.

RANGERS: Defenseman Richard Lintner agreed to terms. He was acquired from Nashville in March and played last season in Slovakia and Sweden.

SABRES: Center Tim Connolly agreed to a one-year deal, accepting the team's qualifying offer.

STARS: Right wing David Oliver signed a one-year deal.

SAFETY NETS: The league might not have safety nets in every arena before the start of the season, said Bill Daly, the league's top attorney. Last month, commissioner Gary Bettman ordered all 30 teams to add netting to protect fans from flying pucks like the one that killed a 13-year-old girl at a Blue Jackets game in March. Daly said the league is testing different designs.