Lesser-Known Lightning: Kurtis Foster

*Lesser-Known Lightning is a segment where I will try to better inform fans about some Lightning players.  These players may be new to Tampa Bay and/or not as well known as some of the fan-favourites.  The differences between this segment and a young prospect review are that the players reviewed here will have past NHL experience and be over the age of 25.  I will run one of these articles every day until the start of the season (October 1st).*

Lightning Defensemen Kurtis Foster

Name: Kurtis Foster

Position: Defenseman

Height/Weight: 6’5’’ / 220 lbs.

Age: 27

Born In: Carp, ON, CAN

NHL Total Number of Games Played: 186

Goals – Assists – Points: 21-56-77

PIM: 155

Career +/-: -1

Acquired by Lightning: Free Agent ‘09

The Low-Down: Has a tremendous slap shot from the point.  Still needs to work on defensive zone coverage.  Injury concerns as he was sidelined 50 games with a serious leg injury last year.

Current Status: One year deal:  one-way worth $600,000.  Still on Lightning training camp roster.

Where they fit on the Lightning (present and future): Foster is 5^th or 6^th on the Lightning’s defensive depth chart at the highest.  He was likely brought in to be a power-play specialist as he provides a serious slap-shot from the point.  This year appears to be a sort of try-out with the team for Foster, as the Lightning may look to Matt Lashoff to fill the role of power-play specialist for the future.