Tue Jul 1 16:57:52 2008

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Lightning add Kolzig to crowded net

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Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their massive offseason rebuilding project on Tuesday, signing veteran free agent goaltender Olaf Kolzig to a one-year contract.

"Olaf is a real stabilizer in the locker room and on the ice," Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said. "With Karri Ramo, Olaf Kolzig and Mike Smith we have a great deal of depth at the goaltending position and we like all the options that allow us to move forward."

Kolzig, 38, has spent all 16 seasons of his career with the Capitals after Washington drafted him with the 19th overall pick in 1989. The Johannesburg, South Africa native owns the Caps franchise records among goaltenders for games played (711), wins (301), save percentage (.906) and shutouts (35) among others.

Since taking over as the Capitals starter in goal in 1997-98, Kolzig has appeared in at least 54 games each season and won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender in 1999-2000 after winning a career-best 41 games with a 2.24 goals-against average, a .917 save percentage and five shutouts.

Last season, Kolzig posted a 25-21-6 record -- his seventh 25-win campaign -- with a 2.91 GAA and a .892 save percentage in 54 games. But, he lost his starting job after Washington acquired Cristobal Huet from Montreal at the trade deadline and Huet helped the Caps to the Southeast Division title and a playoff berth.