Lightning Sign Restricted Free Agents Jones, Tukonen

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed restricted free agent forwards Blair Jones and Lauri Tukonen today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced.

Blair Jones

Jones, 6-foot-2, 193 pounds, has played in 24 career NHL games, all with the Lightning. He amassed one goal and three points during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons. Jones has appeared in 200 career AHL games with the Norfolk Admirals and Springfield Falcons, recording 39 goals and 117 points. He has ranked in the top three for points with Norfolk in each of the previous two seasons.

A native of Central Butte, Saskatchewan, Jones played in 80 games with the Admirals last season, registering 20 goals and 54 points, both professional career highs. He ranked second on Norfolk in assists (34) and points, tying for second in power play goals (8) and placing fourth in goals.

Jones was drafted by Tampa Bay in the fourth round, 102nd overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Lauri Tukonen

Tukonen, 6-foot-2, 198 pounds, has played in five career NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings in 2006-07 and 2007-08. He has played in 185 career AHL games with the Manchester Monarchs, recording 36 goals and 103 points.

A native of Hyvinkaa, Finland, Tukonen played in 21 games with Ilves Tampere and 14 games with Lukko Rauma of the Finnish Elite League last season. He accumulated eight goals and 21 points despite having his season shortened due to injury.

Tukonen was acquired by the Lightning from the Dallas Stars in exchange for D Andrew Hutchinson on November 30, 2008. He was drafted by Los Angeles in the first round, 11th overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.