There could be a new French Connection in the works, as RDS is reporting that the Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to terms of a contract with Alex Tanguay pending a physical. The deal will be a 1-year pact worth $2.5 million.
The two sides have reportedly been in negotiation since July, but it was not until two weeks ago when Tanguay was contacted by Lightning stars Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis that he decided to join the Bolts.
The Ste-Justine, Quebec native spent a solitary season with the Canadiens after being acquired along with a 5th round pick from the Calgary Flames for a 1st and a 2nd round pick. He suffered through an injury-plagued campaign in his native province, missing 28 games with a separated shoulder. He did manage 16 goals and 25 assists in 50 games.
After spending his first six seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, helping the team capture the Stanley Cup in 2001, the 29-year old has bounced around over the past three years. His two-year tenure in Calgary was marked with disagreements with then-head coach Mike Keenan over playing style.
When freed of defensive shackles, the smooth skating Tanguay is a point-a-game type producer who could flourish with a change of scenery, specifically with the offensive weapons around him that the Lightning possess in Lecavalier, St. Louis, Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone.
In 659 career games, Tanguay has 193 goals and 387 assists. He was originally chosen 12th overall by the Avalanche in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.