Riku Helenius Photo by Alexis Boucher
It appears that Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has taken to hiding in plain sight. After stating that he would look to the draft and free agency to solve Tampa’s goaltending problems instead of a blockbuster trade, he may have made good on his words.
Renaud Lavoie of RDS tweeted that the Bolts have signed Riku Helenius to a 2 year contract. It’s a two way deal for the 2012-13 season at the price of $550,000, and a one way deal for 2013-14 at $650,000.
Helenius isn’t a stranger to the Lightning organization. He was the 15th overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Level Draft.
His NHL career was extremely brief, he played less than 6 minutes in a relief appearance before heading to Europe to ply his trade.
The signing could eliminate a middling acquisition like a Lindback, Bishop, or Lehner. It may also open the door to Mathieu Garon being moved as part of a package deal in a larger trade.
With the draft approaching, there’s a chance to see larger moves for sure. Tampa heads into the first round with both the 10th and 19th picks, so we’re likely to see some big moves being made on the 22nd.
The team has yet to officially confirm the signing. May the odds be ever in our favor.
