The Tampa Bay Lightning took an unrestricted free agent off the board on Friday, signing defenseman Eric Brewer to a new 4-year deal, reportedly worth $15.4 million, which works out to be $3.85 million against the cap per season. Brewer was not considered one of the top potential free agents that were heading to market this year, but he has certainly proved his worth to Tampa management, giving him a new deal.
Brewer was not especially good as a hockey pool player in 2011, scoring only 9 goals and 7 assists in 76 games with the Lightning, ranking 104th among defensemen, quite a ways away from the top 80, which would have given him better shot at being a drafted defenseman for the 2012 season. Brewer has definitely taken to the role that he has been given, leaving a bit more of the offense to teammates like Pavel Kubina and Brett Clark.
It is definitely a reasonable cap hit for Brewer, which definitely helps the Bolts move forward with some of their bigger plans. The addition of Brewer's deal brings their projected 2012 total up to $40.4 million for 12 players and two buyouts, currently on their books. The salary cap floor, which they are $7.9 million away from, won't be an issue this Summer with the signing of Steven Stamkos still to come, and they still have $23.9 million still to spend for upwards of 11 players, including both goalies, this Summer.
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