By Sporting News staff reports

updated 12:51 p.m. ET Aug. 30, 2009

Alex Tanguay's deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning is a go, pending only completion of a physical that will take place Monday or Tuesday.

The deal brings to the Lightning the best remaining offensive player in the free-agent market. Tanguay and the Lightning have been talking for about a month.

David Ettedgui, Tanguay's agent, confirmed the accord.

"We have an agreement in principle," Ettedgui told the St. Petersburg Times. "We're pretty happy he is with the Lightning and he's looking forward to giving his best."

Tanguay and his handlers were believed to also have negotiated with the Minnesota Wild and New York Islanders. Ettedgui told the Times his client did not accept the largest offer, but opted instead to play in a lineup that includes francophone stars Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis.

Tanguay, 29, is coming off two down seasons, the latest with the Montreal Canadians when he missed 30 games because of injuries. He underwent offseason surgery to fix a nagging shoulder problem.

Ettedgui said Tanguay spoke to Lecavalier, the player who could most benefit from his playmaking skill. And he also knows coach Rick Tocchet from their days with the Colorado Avalanche.

"He feels fully confident playing for him," Ettedgui told the newspaper. "And he's excited to play with great players like Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis and with younger players like Steven Stamkos."

Lecavalier likewise is excited at the prospect of having Tanguay as a teammate.

"All the guys I talked to who played with him said he's unbelievable," Lecavalier told The Canadian Press on Saturday. "He's going to bring a lot of offense to our team.

"He's a hard-working guy, a good guy and you never have enough of those guys. I played with him in the world juniors (in 1998). I'm happy he's part of it."

Lecavalier, the Lightning's captain, and winger St. Louis reportedly lobbied to bring Tanguay to Tampa.

Lecavalier said the team will be stronger next season with the addition of Tanguay, former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Mattias Ohlund and second overall pick Victor Hedman.

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"It's a big season," he said. "We didn't have a good season last year but the team has changed and has been given a new dimension."

Tanguay had 16 goals and 41 points in 50 games last season for the Canadiens. He missed 28 games after suffering a separated shoulder on Dec. 30. Tanguay said after the Canadiens' season ended that the surgery was not related to that injury.

Montreal had acquired Tanguay in June 2008 from the Calgary Flames.

Lecavalier was attending the NASCAR Nationwide series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. He was an honorary starter for one of the support races, the Rolex Grand-Am. Read more about his experience in the Unrestricted blog.

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