TAMPA, Fla. - Pavel Kubina is returning back to his first NHL home after signing a US$7.7-million, two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The 33-year-old defenceman spent last season in Atlanta and also made a stop in Toronto since last playing for Tampa.
He was a late-round draft pick of the Lightning in 1996 and won the Stanley Cup with the organization in 2004.
Kubina had six goals and 38 points in 76 games for the Thrashers last season.
He's expected to help fill the void left by Andrej Meszaros, who was traded to Philadelphia on Thursday.