Lightning add Ian Cole on 1-year, $3M deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning agreed to a one-year, $3-million deal with free-agent defenseman Ian Cole, the team announced Wednesday.

Cole is coming off a one-year stint with the Carolina Hurricanes. He registered a pair of goals and 17 assists while averaging 17:09 of ice time across 75 appearances.

The Lightning entered free agency looking to bolster their defense corps, especially after trading Ryan McDonagh to the Nashville Predators in a salary-shedding move.

Cole brings 12 years of NHL experience to the table. The 33-year-old began his career with the St. Louis Blues before stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, and Hurricanes.

The Lightning reached the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive season in 2021-22, but lost to the Avalanche after prevailing in their previous two trips.