Left wing Stephane Veilleux will be part of the Tampa Bay Lightning next season. This was not a depth signing as Veilleux got a one-way contract for $750,000. GM Brian Lawton said he expects Veilleux to be a third- or fourth-line player. If that is where he ends up, he could add some needed secondary scoring to a lineup that lacked it last season. 

"He just comes to play every night," Lawton said. "He's a self motivator."

That seems to be a theme for Lawton this summer with signings such as defensemen Mattias Ohlund and Matt Walker. Both are thought of as hungry, gritty players who need no help getting focused for games. Lawton said the same about Veilleux, who played for the Wild last season.

"Night in and night out, rain or shine, this is a guy who will show u and give you everything," Lawton said. "We like what he brings. We think he can help our team. We're excited about him." 

Here's the announcement from the team:

The Tampa Bay Lightning has signed free agent left wing Stephane Veilleux (steph-AWN vay-OO) today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced.

“Stephane is a prototypical two-way player,” Lawton said.  “He plays a gritty game and is responsible in the defensive zone while also adding scoring depth for us.  This is a great signing for us as we continue to build our organizational depth.”

Veilleux, 6-foot, 190 pounds, has played in 361 career NHL games, all with the Minnesota Wild.  He has amassed 43 career goals and 90 points.  Veilleux was the eighth player in Wild history to play 300 games.  He has also appeared in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

A native of St. Georges de Beauce, Quebec :State, Veilleux played in 81 games with Minnesota last season, recording 13 goals and 23 points.  He established career highs in games played, goals, points, shots on goal with 146 and average time on ice with 15:47. Veilleux scored 10 of his 13 goals last season with his team trailing by one or with the score tied.  He also ranked second on the Wild in hits with 98.

Veilleux was drafted by Minnesota in the third round, 93 rd overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.