With the signing, Tampa Bay has eight defensemen under contract -- Clark, Pavel Kubina, Mattias Ohlund, Victor Hedman, Matt Walker, Matt Lashoff and Matt Smaby -- and still could sign Mike Lundin and Paul Ranger. With that in mind, Yzerman said it is time to start rounding out the offensive lines, so his concentration will be more focused in that direction.

Ultimately, though, Yzerman called Clark "a steady, intelligent defenseman who moves the puck. Very understated. Plays his position well. Has good hockey sense. Just a nice, solid defenseman who will compliment our group and round out the defensive unit."