The Lightning signed Dan Girardi to a two-year, $3 million contract ($1.5 million cap hit) Saturday.

What the Lightning Receive

Girardi is a declining 33-year-old defenseman that has seen his ice time drop in five consecutive seasons. He doesn't have strong puck skills and has posted an atrocious 45.8 Corsi For percentage over the past four years. Girardi does bring leadership, experience and a professional approach, and with a change of scenery, he could show modest improvement playing a sheltered role.

Fantasy Breakdown

Girardi isn't an offensive contributor, and he averaged just 0.89 shots per game last season, so his only fantasy relevance will be in the hits and blocked shots columns. There aren't many settings where he'll be a serviceable option.

Additionally, Girardi's addition to the Tampa Bay blue line will likely hurt the chances of one or both of Mikhail Sergachev (Sergachev's scouting profile here) and Jake Dotchin logging respectable minutes. In theory, Girardi's no-nonsense, stay-at-home game would help a young defenseman as a third-pairing partner. However, Girardi was an offensive and possession anchor when paired with both Ryan McDonagh and Keith Yandle over the past four years, so it's difficult to project Girardi's addition as a fantasy positive for anyone on the Tampa Bay blue line.

This signing might be most troubling for Andrei Vasilevskiy and Peter Budaj, although it's likely that Girardi's role and minutes are sheltered enough to limit the damage.

Still, as noted, the relocation to Tampa Bay could work for Girardi and a mini rebound isn't out of the question. Considering the salary and term, it's a low-risk gamble for Tampa Bay, too. 

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

None

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

1. Sergachev

2. Vasilevskiy

3. Budaj