The Lightning has made an offer to free agent forward Michel Ouellet, his agent said Sunday, the first day unrestricteds can be signed . Paul Corbeil said Tampa Bay is one of "seven to 10'' teams who have shown interest in the former Penguins right wing.

Defenseman Cory Sarich, whom the Lightning expected to lose, signed a five-year, $18-million deal with the Flames.

As for the Lightning's hoped-for addition, "We are talking to other teams right now but we are sure the Lightning is a good team for Michel,'' Corbeil said, adding he planned on speaking the Lightning GM Jay feaster again today and was not sure when his client would decide with whom to sign.

Ouellet, 25, had 19  goals (11 on the power play) and 47 points last season for the Penguins and made $500,000. He was not given a qualifying offer by Pittsburgh because it was worried about what Ouellet might have won in arbitration. Ouellet has, according to the word out of Pittsburgh, all the attributes coveted by the Lightning: he is a hard worker, willing to play a two-way game, good in front of the net and good in the locker room.   

"We'll see what happens,'' Corbeil said, "but Tampa could be a good place for him.''