Lightning nab D Carle

Jul 5, 2012 - 2:35 AM Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Lightning signed defenseman Matt Carle to a six-year contract on Wednesday.

TSN.ca reports the deal is worth $33 million.

Carle played 12 games with Tampa in 2008 after joining the team as a part of the return from San Jose in a trade for defenseman Dan Boyle. The Lightning shipped Carle to Philadelphia with a third-round draft choice for defenseman Steve Eminger, winger Steve Downie and a fourth-round pick.

Carle spent the last four seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers. Last season, he scored four goals and dished out 34 assists in 82 games. He was also a plus-four.

In seven seasons, the 27-year-old defenseman has recorded 32 goals, 170 assists and a plus-55 rating in 471 games with San Jose, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia. The offensively-inclined Carle has also produced 74 power play points in his career.