Lightning sign free-agent defenseman Matt Carle to six-year, $33 million deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced the signing of free-agent defenseman Matt Carle, late of the Philadelphia Flyers, to a six-year contract.

The Lightning have signed defenseman Matt Carle to a six-year contract tonight, Steve Yzerman has announced.—
Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) July 05, 2012

Once Justin Schultz agreed to sign with the Edmonton Oilers and Ryan Suter accepted his monster deal from the Minnesota Wild, Carle was the most attractive remaining blueliner. He actually spent the first 12 games of the 2008-09 season in Tampa before being sent to Philly.

Carle-"I'm excited to be back. It was a hard decision. The organization is going in the right direction, and I'm happy to be a part of it."—
Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) July 05, 2012

Darren Dreger of TSN has the numbers:

Carles agrees to 6 year contract with Tampa Bay. $5.5 aav.—
Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 05, 2012

That means the deal is for six years and $33 million.

Carle had 11 goals and 102 assists over the last three seasons, when he played in 244 of a possible 246 games.