The Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to terms to bring back playoff star Dwayne 'Roli' Roloson for the 2011-2012 hockey season. The deal is a 1-year contract reportedly worth $3 million dollars, matching his salary from last year. Roloson, who was acquired mid-season from the New York Islanders anchored the Bolts in net for the stretch run and deep into the playoffs where he was solid to sensational at times.
This is the first step to solving the gaping whole in net, but another move will need to be made. Roloson will start the season at 42 years old so the Lightning surely will need to find a capable backup to Roli and that conversation is believed to start with Mike Smith, who adapted well to the backup role in Tampa last season.
Roloson was 18-12-4 with a 2.56 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in the regular season with the Bolts but really turned it on in the playoffs posting a 10-5 record with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage, helping his team come within one game of a Stanley Cup Finals appearance.