Penguins sign Craig - 07-02-10

The Penguins have signed former Lightning left wing Ryan Craig to a one-year, two-way contract. Craig will earn $500,000 at the NHL level.

Craig, 28, appeared in three games for the Lightning last season. He failed to score a point and was an even plus/minus.

In 73 games with the Norfolk Admirals, Tampa Bay's AHL affiliate, Craig (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) scored 45 points (23 goals, 22 assists) and was a plus-6.

An eighth-round pick in 2002, Craig has spent his entire NHL career with the Lightning. His most productive NHL season was in 2005-06 when he recorded 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists) in 48 games.

EN Says: Plan the parade.

This is a good signing for the sake of organizational depth but nothing else Craig is a "tweener." He'll probably bounce between the NHL and AHL this season. So don't expect to see him get stuck on Evgeni Malkin's wing and pot 20 goals.

Craig brings some decent size and he is known to be a hard worker in the "dirty" areas on the ice. He'll go to the corners and to the front of the net.

He doesn't have a great deal of skating ability and isn't all that impressive with the puck.

That said, given the Penguins' lack of depth on the wings at the NHL level, it wouldn't be shocking to see Craig earn a roster spot in training camp.

Some highlights. Craig is known to drop the gloves from time to time:

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-He even survived a fight with Gary Roberts a few years ago:

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(Photo: Photobucket)