Lightning re-signs Karlsson

Which Andreas Karlsson will the Lightning see next season:

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published May 17, 2007

Which Andreas Karlsson will the Lightning see next season:

The player who had just three goals, nine points and averaged 8:24 of ice time in 53 regular-season games or the one who averaged almost 16 minutes in the final two games of the playoffs and earned the trust of coach John Tortorella?

Tampa Bay is banking on the latter and Tuesday signed the 31-year-old forward to a one-year, $500, 000 contract, the same terms as last season.

"We would not have re-signed him if I didn't have a personal comfort level that he has made great strides in the mind of the head coach, " GM Jay Feaster said.

Especially in the East quarterfinal loss to the Devils.

Karlsson, who could have become an unrestricted free agent, averaged 2:43 of ice time the first four games. But after wing Marty St. Louis lobbied on Karlsson's behalf, Tortorella put Karlsson on right wing next to center Brad Richards.

Karlsson responded with five shots in the final two games, five hits and was 4-for-4 on faceoffs while averaging 15:50 of ice time.

"We always felt he could be more, " Feaster said.

Now Karlsson will get a chance to prove it.

CAPITALS: Nicklas Backstrom, 19, will sign a three-year, entry-level deal that could be worth as much as $4-million a year.

[Last modified May 16, 2007, 23:55:57]