The Tampa Bay Lightning have been actively looking to land a scoring star throughtout the offseason.  With a line-up improved over last season's edition, that was the missing link for GM Dave Normoyle.

He expects that he solved that problem last night with the acquisition of center Radek Bonk.

Radek Bonk in action.

When the Lightning did not have a lot of luck signing a Free Agent forward this summer, and the well looking pretty dry, the club's GM did the next best thing.  He traded for a starting goaltender, signed a second one through free agency, and then signed a proven back-up, knowing tthat one of the 3 would bring some return in a trade for what he needed.

The 4-year contract that free agent Martin Biron signed with the club was attractive enough to provide interest from several clubs, and last night the match was found with the Colorado Avalanche.

Bonk is coming off a career best season, having potted 31 goals and 81 points last season in the Mile High City.  The Bolts expect an even better season this time around.

"Radek is in his prime, and is entering the final year of his contract.  We expect he will come to camp in great shape, and hope to contribute to a very successful season for him, with the goal being resigning him after that." stated GM Normoyle.

Also joining the Lightning in the deal is future goaltending star Steve Mason.  Mason, who shone for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Tournament last year, is coming off of a final season in the CHL which saw him complie a 32-7-3 record last year with a 2.51 goals against average and a sparklin .916 save percentage.

Mason joins prospects Matt Keetley and David LeNeveu as the future of the Tampa Bay goaltending core.

Headed to Colorado in the trade with Biron were a trio of players from Macon, blueliner Randy Jones and forwards Rich Peverley and Marc-Antoine Pouliot.

Robert Esche will move into the slot left by Biron as the expected back-up for Tim Thomas this coming season.  It is believed that John Grahame is still being marketed, as the Whoopee do not require 4 goaltenders.

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