Dan Girardi bolts to Lightning following Rangers buyout

Fresh off a buyout from the New York Rangers, free-agent defenseman Dan Girardi has signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning on a two-year deal worth a total of $6 million. Girardi was already set to make $1.1 million per season for the next six years as a result his buyout, according to CapFriendly.

Girardi scored just four goals with 11 assists last season but posted a plus-8 rating through 63 games with New York.

The 33-year-old turns a lemon into lemonade with his new contract and the lack of state tax in Florida combining with his six-year payout from the Rangers.