Bolts Free Agent Signings: B. Boyle, Stralman, Nabokov

(source: wikipedia)

One of the three Lightning Free Agent Signings on July 1st was that of goaltender Evengi Nabokov who played in 40 games with the New York Islanders last season. Nabokov had a 15-14-8 record with 4 shutouts, a .905 save percentage, and a 2.74 goals-against average. He led the Islanders for games played, wins, GAA, save percentage, and shutouts.

A native of Kemenogorsk, Kazakhstan, the thirty-eight year old is one of the most established goalies in the NHL. He has played in 686 career games split between the Islanders and the San Jose Sharks. He has an all-time record of 350-221-98, a .912 save percentage, 2.43 GAA, and 59 shutouts.

Drafted 219th overall in the 1994 Entry Draft, Nabokov went on to be a Vezina Trophy finalist (2007-08), and played in 86 career Stanley Cup Playoff games. In the postseason he has a 42-42 record with seven shutouts, a .908 save percentage, and 2.43 GAA.

Rangers’ Brian Boyle

The Lightning also have signed center Brian Boyle to a three-year contract. Standing in at 6-foot-7 and weighing in at a hefty 244-pounds, he played in all 82 games with the New York Rangers last season and netted six goals and 18 points with a plus-1 rating. The bruiser was second on the team with 154 hits and second among the forwards with 500 draws taken in the face-off circle, winning 52.9%.

The Hingham, Massachusetts native also played in all 25 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Rangers, and helped them to the Finals. Throughout the postseason he notched three goals and eight points.

Selected 26th overall by the Kings in the 2003 Entry Draft, he has played in 391 career NHL games between the Rangers and the Kings, racking up 52 goals, 100 points, and 311 penalty minutes. Prior to becoming a free agent, Boyle played five seasons in New York.

(source: FullTilt)

Rounding out the three signings on the day, was that of defensemen Anton Stralman, who was signed to a five-year contract.

The Tibro, Sweden native spent the previous three seasons with Brian Boyle and the New York Rangers. Last season he recorded a goal and 13 points to go along with a plus-9 rating in 81 games. He averaged 19:24 in ice time per game, ranking fourth on the team. Stralman ranked third on the team with his 104 shots on goal and 12 assists.

The 5-foot-11, 190 pound defensemen played in all 25 postseason games with the Rangers and recorded five assists, averaged 21:03 in ice time, and ended with a plus-4 rating.

Drafted 216th overall in 2005, he has gone on to play in 394 career NHL games split between the Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Toronto Maple Leafs. In his seven-year NHL career, he has amassed 18 goals, 112 points, and 159 penalty minutes. He has a combined plus-32 rating in the previous three seasons in New York. In his career he has also played in 55 Stanley Cup Playoff games, all with the Rangers in the last three seasons. Over that time he has three goals and 11 points.