Tampa Bay Lightning Trade Rumors

Lightning Forum Top 3
Lightning GM Steve Yzerman prefers to get young, quality goalie in a trade
May 26
St. Petersburg Times
 
"After much speculation about what Steve Yzerman is looking for in a No. 1 goaltender, the Lightning general manager defined his terms. "My preference," he said, "is to go with a little bit of a younger guy that maybe has a little less experience and can step up and play well for us now." To illustrate, Yzerman mentioned Semyon Varlamov, 24, whom the Avalanche got last summer from the Capitals for first- and second-round draft picks, and who in 53 games this season had a fine 2.59 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. Yzerman said he will try through June to trade for his own upside-heavy asset. "And if we can't do anything in that way, we look forward to July 1," he said of the"
Agent: Tampa Bay Lightning "a serious contender" for Swiss star Damien Brunner
May 24
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Lightning is a "serious contender" for the services of Damien Brunner, the Swiss star's agent said Wednesday night. "I would say Tampa is serious about Damien. I would say Damien is serious about Tampa," Neil Sheehy said. That Brunner, 26, a highly skilled, fleet-skating right wing, has been released from his contract with Zug of the Switzerland's elite league -- meaning he can sign with any NHL team -- should accelerate negotiations."
Lightning interested in G Helenius returning
May 17
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Lightning have interest in bringing back former first-round draft pick goaltender Riku Helenius, general manager Steve Yzerman said Wednesday. Yzerman, in Finland to watch the World Championships, confirmed in a text message he reached out to the 24-year-old netminder. "Helenius had a very good season,'' Yzerman said. "We have interest in him returning.''"
Lightning takes close look at Swiss forward Damien Brunner
May 16
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Part of the Lightning's summer to-do list is to find a top-six forward. That is why general manager Steve Yzerman, at the world championship in Helsinki, Finland, is keeping a close eye on Swiss forward Damien Brunner. "Highly skilled and fast," Yzerman wrote Tuesday night in a text message, adding Tampa Bay isn't the only team interested in the 5-foot-11, 187-pound right-handed shot."
Lightning's Ohlund says he hopes to play again
May 9
Tampa Tribune
 
"While a story on a Swedish newspaper site Tuesday set off speculation Mattias Ohlund is retiring, the veteran Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman said he hopes to be able to play again. In a story posted on SportExpressen.se, Ohlund states his intention to continue rehabilitation from a radical knee surgery that required the insertion of a titanium plate to be inserted in his left knee."
Goaltending clear focus of NHL draft talk for Bolts
May 8
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Lightning have a gaping hole when it comes to the team's play in goal. Could next month's draft be a key to filling that gap? There will be plenty of talk about Tampa Bay when all 30 teams assemble in Pittsburgh for the NHL draft on June 22-23 as the team holds a pair of first-round picks and up to four second-round picks. The Lightning holds an optional second-round pick from Florida, which must decide the morning of June 23 whether to surrender this year's pick or next year's. The discussion will focus on whether Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman will use any of those picks as bait to try to acquire a goaltender capable of stepping in next season."
Add Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas to talk about options for Tampa Bay Lightning
April 29
St. Petersburg Times
 
"As if there wasn't enough intrigue around the Lightning's search for a No. 1 goaltender, one more name might be in the mix: Boston's Tim Thomas. There is no indication this is the way Tampa Bay wants to go, and no indication (other than sketchy reports out of Boston) the Bruins want to trade Thomas, the 2010-11 Vezina Trophy winner with one year left on his contract. But practical arguments can be made both ways. The Lightning might see Thomas as a short-term fix while waiting for permanent options after next season. And the Bruins, with Tuukka Rask waiting to start, could get something for Thomas before his contract expires. Clearly, Tampa Bay would rather find a long-term solution this"
Bolts need long-term answer at goalie
April 29
Tampa Tribune
 
"A perfectly laid out plan often gets tossed in the trash before it can be executed. Or at least, that's what appears to be the case in regards to the Tampa Bay Lightning's seemingly endless search to find a long-term goaltender. Rational thought led many to believe the trades made by Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman prior to the deadline were done with a primary focus in mind – acquire as many assets as possible and use them to work out a deal with the Vancouver Canucks to acquire 26-year-old goaltender Cory Schneider. But that route seems to have hit a detour as Schneider – and not Roberto Luongo – played in goal for Vancouver's final three games of a first-round playoff exit to"
Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle says team can't just concentrate on Steven Stamkos
April 6
Toronto Star
 
"If he scores two goals Thursday night against the Maple Leafs, local boy Steven Stamkos will reach the 60-goal mark. So you can be sure the Tampa Bay Lightning sniper will be fired up for the Leafs final home game of the season, especially after being held scoreless Wednesday in Montreal in their 5-2 loss to the East's basement dwellers. But Leafs coach Randy Carlyle says it would be a mistake to simply concentrate on stopping the 22-year-old from Markham. Tampa has a few other weapons. "I don't think you can really focus too much on one individual. You have to look at the balance of their team. Marty St. Louis is a pretty good player also," Carlyle said after the morning skate at the Air"
Inured Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier "hoping" to return late next week
March 13
St. Petersburg Times
 
"If there are no hitches, it sounds as if Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier could be back in the lineup late next week. The center will miss his 11th game tonight against the Bruins because of a fractured right hand sustained Feb. 18 against the Capitals. "I'm hoping," Lecavalier said. "I want to play as soon as soon as possible but I have to be smart, too." That's because the broken bone is next to the one broken last season on which Lecavalier had surgery. No surgery was required on the bone currently broken. But Lecavalier said he has taken MRI exams and CT scans every 10-12 days to monitor how the it is healing."
Tampa Bay Lightning's Victor Hedman says he's 100 percent, might play Tuesday
March 6
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Tampa Bay Lightning might get injured defenseman Victor Hedman back for Tuesday's game against the Senators at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. "It's a possibility I can play," Hedman said after a brief skate on Monday. "We'll see how it feels (Tuesday)." Hedman has missed four games with an upper-body injury. Original speculation was Hedman had sustained another concussion, but GM Steve Yzerman said last week that was not that case. Still no word on exactly what was bothering Hedman but after a trip last week to Michigan to see doctors there, he seems ready to go."
Bolts could be on DeKeyser's short list
March 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"Here's a name to keep in mind in the coming weeks – Dan DeKeyser. A sophomore at Western Michigan University, DeKeyser is this year's version of Matt Gilroy – a highly sought after collegiate free agent. And DeKeyser is definitely on Tampa Bay's radar screen. Then again, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound defenseman and Hobey Baker Award candidate probably is garnering attention from the NHL's other 29 teams, as well. Because DeKeyser, 21, is not draft eligible, he is free to sign with any team should he choose to leave school early. Many an NHL general manager has trekked to Kalamazoo, Mich., to watch DeKeyser play – Toronto's Brian Burke, Calgary's Jay Feaster and Washington's George McPhee have"
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie focus switching to Vancouver Canucks backup Cory Schneider
March 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"With the Lightning deciding to pass at the trade deadline on minor-league goaltender Ben Bishop — GM Steve Yzerman said he wasn't willing to give up a second-round draft pick — the search for a No. 1 was pushed into the summer. The speculation is Tampa Bay will make a run at Canucks backup Cory Schneider. The Lightning, with two first-round picks in the June draft and likely four in the second, have the ammunition to make a rich offer for the pending restricted free agent. And Schneider has an appealing resume. Unlike Bishop, Schneider has been full time the past two seasons in the NHL. He has played just 49 regular-season games in that span, but he has been a winner as Roberto Luongo's"
Tampa Bay Lightning expects Victor Hedman back from injury Monday
March 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Lightning received encouraging news on D Victor Hedman (upper body) on Saturday. He is expected to return to practice Monday and could play in games next week, head athletic trainer Tommy Mulligan said. On the other hand, veteran D Marc-Andre Bergeron (back) has decided to have surgery, which would likely end his season. Hedman, 21, has missed the past four games. Mulligan said the defenseman saw several doctors last week, including a specialist Friday in Michigan. Though Mulligan wouldn't reveal the specific injury or symptoms, it was not a concussion, he said. Considering Hedman sustained a concussion earlier this season, the 6-foot-6 Swede was pleased with the prognosis. "He's"
Lightning sign Conacher to 2-year entry level contract
March 2
Tampa Tribune
 
"Cory Conacher turned out to be the surprise of Lightning training camp this season. But the undrafted free agent out of Buffalo's Canisius College played the season without a contract from Tampa Bay. That changed on Thursday when Conacher signed a two-year entry level contract that will slide to next season. The 22-year-old is expected to finish the remainder of this season playing for the Lightning's affiliate in the American Hockey League, the Norfolk Admirals. Conacher, a free agent invitee to training camp who has played the season under an AHL contract, currently sits second in the AHL with 30 goals and is third with 64 points heading into Friday's game at Adirondack where Norfolk"
Detroit Red Wings send Mike Commodore to Tampa Bay Lightning
February 27
SportingNews.com
 
"The Mike Commodore Experiment in Detroit is over. The Red Wings, in just the second deal of NHL trade deadline day, on Monday sent the defenseman to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a conditional seventh-round pick. Commodore, 32, joined the Red Wings in the offseason and had an opportunity to contribute on the team's third defensive pairing, but has dressed for just 17 games and generally been ineffective when he has played."
As trade deadline nears, Tampa Bay Lightning has interest in St. Louis Blues AHL goalie Ben Bishop
February 26
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The NHL's trade deadline is 3 p.m. Monday, which means it is worth again in this space to consider the Lightning's interest in minor-league goaltender Ben Bishop. It is high but guarded. The question is, is it worth it for Tampa Bay to make a bold move and turn the rest of the season over to Bishop to not only see if he is worth an investment but to perhaps save the team some money? Bishop, 25, is considered NHL ready. He was 24-14-0 for AHL Peoria entering Saturday with a 2.26 goals-against average, a .928 save percentage and six shutouts. He is the perfect age to be a building block with center Steven Stamkos, 22, and defenseman Victor Hedman, 21. And with two first-round picks in the"
Bolts might not be done dealing yet
February 25
Tampa Tribune
 
"Just about 10 days ago, the Lightning hit what was thought to be a tipping point in their season following a shutout loss to the Ottawa Senators. Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman put into motion a plan to trade away Dominic Moore, Pavel Kubina and Steve Downie that returned a first-round draft pick, a pair of second-round picks and a fourth-round selection. On the ice, the team pushed the season back in their favor against the odds by winning the next three games to pull back into the playoff conversation. But after dropping a crucial contest in Winnipeg on Thursday that pushed the deficit to six points out of a playoff spot with 22 games remaining, more changes could occur in"
Wallace claimed from Islanders
February 24
Tampa Tribune
 
"For the fourth consecutive game day, the Tampa Bay Lightning made a roster move. This time, however, general manager Steve Yzerman added a player instead of subtracting one. The Lightning claimed F Tim Wallace off waivers from the New York Islanders hours before Tampa Bay faced off against the Winnipeg Jets in a key divisional matchup. Wallace, who will wear No. 20, is expected to meet the team in Pittsburgh today. The 27-year-old forward, who can play center or wing, has appeared in 55 career NHL games with Pittsburgh and the Islanders, registering three assists and 18 penalty minutes. In 304 games in the American Hockey League, Wallace has 75 goals, 137 points and 294 penalty minutes,"
Could injured Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier be back in as few as three weeks?
February 23
St. Petersburg Times
 
"If everything goes without a hitch, injured Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier could be back in the lineup by the middle of March, general manager Steve Yzerman said. The team originally said Lecavalier would be out indefinitely, but an MRI exam showed the fractured bone in his right hand is not displaced, meaning only time, and no surgery, is required for healing. Yzerman acknowledged the three-week window might be pushing it."
Pavel Kubina laments pending exit
February 18
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Pavel Kubina's pads, pants and helmet still hung from his locker at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Friday morning. But they likely won't be used again as the Lightning holds the veteran defenseman out in preparation for a potential trade. Kubina was asked Thursday by Tampa Bay to give a list of five teams that he'd be willing to be dealt (a parameter of his limited no-trade clause), but he hasn't. Agent Peter Svoboda said Kubina will do so before the seven-day window ends and could come to some conclusions today. Svoboda said the pending split with the Lightning has been difficult for Kubina, who was drafted by Tampa Bay in 1996 and has worn the uniform for parts of 10 seasons over two"
Lightning trades center Dominic Moore, asks defenseman Pavel Kubina for his trade options
February 17
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Funny guy that Steve Yzerman. After the Lightning general manager announced Thursday that he asked defenseman Pavel Kubina for a list of five teams to which he would accept a trade, Yzerman said, "This doesn't make it official the sale is on." But a few hours later, Yzerman announced he traded center Dominic Moore and a seventh-round pick to the Sharks for a 2012 second-round pick. "We're not going to give people away," Yzerman reiterated. "But if deals make sense and what we're bringing in makes us a better organization, we'll do that. We're not going to unload guys for the sake of unloading them." Yzerman's busy day backed up what he indicated Wednesday: With the team facing formidable"
Bolts trade Moore, consider moving Kubina
February 17
Tampa Tribune
 
"While waiting to consummate a trade involving defenseman Pavel Kubina, the Tampa Bay Lightning dealt center Dominic Moore to San Jose on Thursday in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2012 entry draft. In addition to Moore, the Sharks will also receive a seventh-round pick from Tampa Bay. The second-round choice obtained from San Jose was acquired by the Sharks from Minnesota, giving the Lightning enviable flexibility with three second-round picks. "It's a high pick that was too valuable to pass up," said Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman. "Having all those picks gives us lots of options." Moore, 31, has excelled in a checking role, killing penalties and taking key faceoffs. In"
San Jose Sharks get Dominic Moore in trade from Tampa Bay
February 17
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The Sharks added a veteran forward for the stretch run and playoffs Thursday, picking up Dominic Moore from the Tampa Bay Lightning for a second-round pick in the 2012 entry draft. San Jose also gets Tampa Bay's seventh-round selection this summer. "The ingredients he brings to our team are versatility, speed, faceoff ability, penalty killing," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said, likening Moore to the acquisition of Chris Higgins by the Vancouver Canucks and both Rich Peverley and Chris Kelly by the Boston Bruins a year ago."
Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman hints at sell-off
February 16
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Things are going to be a little more tense around the Lightning locker room the next 10 days or so. That is because general manager Steve Yzerman on Wednesday at the Ice Sports Forum indicated he will be a seller at the Feb. 27 trade deadline. "We have to look at any opportunity that makes us a stronger organization moving forward based on where we stand today," he said. Where the team stands is 13th in the 15-team Eastern Conference and, entering Wednesday, eight points out of the eighth and final playoff spot with five teams over which it has to jump. Things are just as grim in the Southeast Division, where the Lightning is a gaping 11 points behind the first-place Panthers."
Reality check: Ryan Malone and the Maple Leafs trade rumour of the day
February 9
Toronto Star
 
"The Ryan Malone trade rumours are again starting to heat up and the Maple Leafs are among the teams that could be in the hunt. The much-sought after forward from the Tampa Bay Lightning could provide that nice healthy dose of the truculence that Leafs GM Brian Burke covets. Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has been at several Toronto games. He's expected to decide soon whether to keep Malone. Los Angeles, Detroit and Vancouver are also rumoured to be targeting the winger. Tampa has a 6-1-1 record over the past eight games but remains 10 points out of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. If they become sellers, Malone is expected to be jettisoned."
GM Steve Yzerman: Next two games key to determining Tampa Bay Lightning trade position
February 3
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The final two games of the Lightning's four-game homestand — and perhaps its upcoming three-game road trip — will go a long way in determining if the team buys or sells at the Feb. 27 trade deadline, GM Steve Yzerman said. "Depending on how many points we get out of it and we see what else happens around the league, we'll get a better indication," he said Thursday. The league, Yzerman said, is in a feeling-out pattern as teams wait to see which will make playoff runs (buyers) and which won't (sellers). Eight teams had scouts credentialed for Thursday's game with the Jets, including the Penguins, who reserved seats for pro scout Andre Savard and director of pro scouting Derek Clancy. There"
Hedman likely back as Lightning host Capitals
January 31
Tampa Tribune
 
"After nearly a week off the ice, the Tampa Bay Lightning became reacquainted with each other for a late Monday practice. After ending the All-Star break on a four-game winning streak, the final game before the break with nine players out due to injury, Tampa Bay will face Southeast Division leading Washington Tuesday with a few more healthy bodies back in the lineup. And with a major post-break push required to even consider the chance of reaching the playoffs this season, the healthier the happier for Lightning head coach Guy Boucher. "I know that you can hold on for a while when you have injuries, but you can't hold on forever,'' Boucher said. "It's good to see some guys back for sure."
Hedman aiming for Tuesday return
January 25
Tampa Tribune
 
"The sight of red jerseys roaming the ice Tuesday morning signaled a positive warning sign. Defenseman Victor Hedman, out since sustaining a concussion on Dec. 27, wore a red non-contact jersey and took part in the full morning practice before Tuesday night's game against Columbus. The 21-year-old resumed full workouts over the weekend, both on and off the ice, and he continues to show no symptoms. Though he has yet to be cleared for contact — hence the red practice jersey — there is a chance Hedman could return to the lineup after the All-Star break, against Washington next Tuesday. "I hope so, I want to play games," Hedman said. "Being off the ice is the worst thing. I'm just trying to"
Lightning trade Jones to Calgary for defenseman Mikkelson
January 7
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Tampa Bay Lightning traded forward Blair Jones to the Calgary Flames on Friday, getting defenseman Brendan Mikkelson in return. The 31st player overall in the 2005 draft, Mikkelson has struggled to stick on an NHL roster. He played in 86 career NHL games with the Flames and the Anaheim Ducks, recording six assists and 40 penalty minutes. He made his NHL debut during the 2008-09 season, when he played in a career-high 34 games with Anaheim. Mikkelson (6-foot-3, 206 pounds) has appeared in 33 games for the AHL's Abbotsford Heat this season, scoring three goals and 15 points. Mikkelson has played in 183 career AHL games with the Portland Pirates, Iowa Chops, Toronto Marlies and"
Lightning begin to revamp roster
January 7
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Lightning shuffled a few cards on Friday, making one minor trade to improve the defense, welcoming back a top-six forward and hoping another will be back soon from injury. Tampa Bay sent 25-year-old center Blair Jones to the Calgary Flames in exchange for 24-year-old defenseman Brendan Mikkelson in hopes of improving a banged up defensive corps. In addition, 19-year-old left wing Brett Connolly rejoined the team after spending the past month on loan to Team Canada for the World Junior Championships, where he helped his country win a bronze medal. Mikkelson and Connolly are expected to be in the lineup tonight as Tampa Bay concludes a three-game road trip in Montreal. The return of"
Steve Yzerman has options to bolster defense
December 11
St. Petersburg Times
 
"By now, there has to be some concern within the Lightning that Mattias Ohlund will not play this season, much less soon. The defenseman has not skated in several weeks because of pain that has persisted in his knees despite Oct. 11 arthroscopic surgeries on both to clean out what the team called "loose bodies." Ohlund is frustrated by the situation, the team is as well, and fans are wondering what GM Steve Yzerman is going to do. He has several options. • He can stick with what he has. Bruno Gervais has done a credible job as a No. 6 defenseman in the absence of injured Pavel Kubina, so for now, at least, there is no reason to panic. • Yzerman could get aggressive and call up Radko Gudas"
Now not the time for Tampa Bay Lightning to make a move
November 27
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Lightning needs an upgrade on its blue line, of that there is little debate. And unless the goaltending stiffens a bit, an argument might be made it needs help there, too. But after only a quarter of the season, the timing and economics of making a move might not compute. Almost every team still is in the playoff hunt, so teams are not yet motivated to trade players they might not sign for next season. Three-quarters of salaries still have to be paid. In other words, if the Lightning wants a serious upgrade, it will have to take on a serious contract. Considering the team is about $3 million or so under the $64.3 million salary cap, taking on such a contract means giving one up in"
Mattias Ritola says no to AHL Norfolk, will leave the Tampa Bay Lightning for Europe
November 9
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Lightning on Tuesday suspended right wing Mattias Ritola for not reporting to AHL Norfolk and put him on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract. "I've spent almost four years in the minors," said Ritola, who added he would rather play in Europe as a way to get back to the NHL. Ritola declined to say if a team is interested, but it makes sense he has something lined up in his native Sweden, though he still must clear waivers. "I feel this is the way to go in my career right now," Ritola said."
Stamkos still growing as a goal scorer
November 9
Tampa Tribune
 
"The sizzling stick of Steven Stamkos is once again searing hot. With four goals in his past two games and seven in his past six, Stamkos is back into familiar territory – at the top of the goal scoring leaders. Since going without a goal in the opening three games of the season, Stamkos has 10, which puts him in a tie for the league lead with Toronto's Phil Kessell heading into Tuesday's game. "It's fun,'' said Stamkos jokingly, when asked about his recent streak. "But it's nice to be rewarded for the hard work. A lot of the time you are working hard and not getting the bounces. But when you are, this is where you can't let yourself cheat just because things have been going your way. If"
Bolts' Hedman, Malone lost to injury
November 7
Tampa Tribune
 
"Already without veteran D Mattias Ohlund, Tampa Bay played Sunday without D Victor Hedman and lost LW Ryan Malone. Hedman, 20, sustained an undisclosed upper-body injury during Friday night's overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks. He did not miss any ice time Friday and took part in warm ups prior to Sunday's afternoon game against Florida before being scratched. Malone played, but left after the second period, also with an upper-body injury. The status for both for Wednesday's game against Philadelphia is uncertain."
Realignment is imminent, but details remain unclear
November 6
Tampa Tribune
 
"Where, oh, where will the Lightning play next season? Or more directly, who will they play? Realignment has been a hot-button topic around the league since the Atlanta Thrashers became the new Winnipeg Jets and remained in the Southeast Division — just for this season. The Thrashers' move ensures there will be some sort of realignment next season, anywhere from slight to radical. From a straight swap of one team for another into the Southeast to a four-division format, it's all been discussed. And it will be talked about up to the Board of Governors meeting next month in Pebble Beach, Calif. The only thing certain is nobody is certain how it will play out. As recently as last month, the"
Roster decisions can wait a while
October 28
Tampa Tribune
 
"With the nine-game experiment for rookie LW Brett Connolly earning him a full roster spot, Tampa Bay continues to hold the maximum of 23 players on the roster. The Lightning are carrying two extra forwards on the roster and an extra defenseman. At some point, D Mattias Ohlund will be ready to return from the arthroscopic knee surgery he had this month. Coach Guy Boucher has also been trying to juggle the lineup and get as much playing time as possible, as two forwards have to sit each game. The situation will remain status quo until Tampa Bay is forced to make a decision. "We don't have a roster issue as far as numbers until Mattias comes back, and he's going to be out a while,'' general"
Brett Connolly sticking around for Tampa Bay Lightning
October 26
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Brett Connolly is staying in the NHL. The Lightning's rookie right wing was told by GM Steve Yzerman after Tuesday's victory over Sabres. "We feel Brett's shown that he belongs in the NHL and makes our team better," Yzerman wrote in a text message. "So, we've decided to keep him." The decision came after Connolly's ninth NHL game, the most he could have played without the clock starting on his three-year, $2.7 million contract. The other option was sending him back to Prince George of the junior Western league. Connolly, 19, has not only been playing on a line with C Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis, he has picked their brains as well. "Both guys have Stanley Cups and a lot of"
Clock ticking on Connolly decision
October 25
Tampa Tribune
 
"Decision day looms for Lightning rookie Brett Connolly, and that has many asking: Should he stay or should he go? The sixth overall pick in the 2010 draft will play in his ninth game of the season tonight as Tampa Bay opens a two-game trip at Buffalo. After that, the Lightning must decide if the 19-year-old is ready to stay with the big club for the remainder of the season or send him back to his junior team, Prince George of the Western Hockey League. Once Connolly plays a 10th game — whenever that is — the clock starts ticking on the three-year entry-level deal he signed in July. He could still be reassigned to junior at any point after the 10th game. On paper, it seems like a"
Lightning's Mattias Ohlund going on injured reserve; no suspension for Ryan Malone
October 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Lightning D Mattias Ohlund and his balky right knee will start the season on injured reserve, GM Steve Yzerman said Monday, freeing up a roster spot as the team makes its final cuts today to get to the maximum 23 players. Before those decisions are finalized, the team will wait for a report on C Dominic Moore, who, like Ohlund, had an MRI exam Monday. Moore's problem is a sore back. "It's more a precaution," Yzerman said. "We're going to get it checked out and make sure we're not missing anything." Whatever is found, the door has opened further for RW Brett Connolly to make the team. Because he is junior-eligible, Connolly, 19, can play nine NHL games before he must be sent back to juniors"
Undrafted free agent Cory Conacher in mix for roster spot
September 23
St. Petersburg Times
 
"By the time Lightning left wing Cory Conacher got off the ice Wednesday in Orlando, he had about 50 Twitter, text and Facebook messages waiting for him. There were more, he said, by the time he woke up Thursday. Scoring your first NHL goal in your first NHL game, as Conacher did in Tampa Bay's preseason loss to the Blues, will do that. Having the coach say you are in the mix to win a roster spot didn't hurt, either. "It's incredible," Conacher said. "I can't explain it. It's something I'll always remember." But as exciting as the situation is — Conacher, 21, an undrafted free agent signed to a minor-league contract and in his first NHL camp, forcing the Lightning to take notice — the"
Lightning's Ritola back healthy, ready to compete
September 21
Tampa Tribune
 
"Midway through last season, Mattias Ritola wandered around the outside of the Lightning locker room of Rexall Place in Edmonton, pondering whether his NHL career ended before it ever started. At the age of 23, in his first full season in the NHL, Ritola became struck with a rare disorder called Meniere's disease, which would bring along sudden attacks of dizziness and a whirring sound in his ears. At times Ritola was unable to get out of bed, at other times he would wake up fine, only to suffer an attack just hours before he was supposed to suit up for Tampa Bay. Rides in airplanes would cause excruciating pressure and pain in his ear drums. The frustration and aggravation had Ritola"
NHL policy change on substance abuse?
August 18
Toronto Sun
 
"The recent off-ice deaths of two NHL players could spark a change in how the league conducts its substance abuse and behavioural program. Commenting on the passing of New York Ranger Derek Boogaard and Winnipeg Jet Rick Rypien at the league's research and developmnt camp in Toronto, commissioner Gary Bettman told a wire service that he will soon approach the Players Association to study the current policy. Boogaard passed away in May after a mishap with alcohol and a painkiller drug. Rypien, who reportedly suffered from depression, died Monday and police will only say the circumstances were not suspicious. Both men had been in the program, which has helped many players with varied"
Malone trade rumours don't add up
July 21
Toronto Sun
 
"Ryan Malone's name has been linked the Leafs for a few years — back in 2009, there were assumptions that he was going to be acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a deal that would have involved swapping first-round draft picks. Last summer, there were whispers the Leafs were going to trade defenceman Tomas Kaberle to the Lightning, with Malone going back to Toronto. Speculation has been floating around the internet that the Leafs might again be interested in the 6-foot-4, 219-pound left winger. But the rumours don't add up to a lot of sense. Malone's salary cap hit is $4.5 million for each of the next four seasons, and he has a no-movement clause in each of the next two years. It's nice"
Lightning, right wing Purcell agree on two-year deal
July 20
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Lightning reached an agreement Wednesday morning on a two-year deal with right wing Teddy Purcell. Purcell was scheduled to have his contract settled by an arbitrator in Toronto, but Rogers Sportsnet reported the two-year contract is worth $4.725 million for a salary cap hit of $2.36 million."
No deal yet for Tampa Bay Lightning, Teddy Purcell
July 20
St. Petersburg Times
 
"While the Lightning accomplished its main offseason goal — agreeing to terms with star center Steven Stamkos on a five-year, $37.5 million deal Tuesday — general manager Steve Yzerman still has work to do with wing Teddy Purcell. Yzerman said last week that he didn't think it was "out of the question" the team could reach a deal with Purcell before today's arbitration hearing, set for 9 a.m. in Toronto. The sides had yet to come to an agreement by Tuesday evening, and though Yzerman had planned to speak with agent Kent Hughes, it looks as if they will see how it goes today. Purcell, 25, who made $750,000 last year, had a breakout season with career highs of 17 goals, 34 assists and 51"
Lightning agree to terms on five-year deal with Steven Stamkos
July 19
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to terms on a five-year deal with star center Steven Stamkos. Stamkos, one of the league's top players, had been a restricted free agent. Though the protracted contract talks led to rampid speculation about offer sheets from other teams, both Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman and Stamkos had said they were optimistic they'd get a deal done before the season. It was believed the deal would be in the $7.5 million a year range, but no terms have been officially released so far. "Steven is extremely important to this franchise and is part of the foundation of our hockey team," Yzerman said in a statement. "We are very pleased to have him signed and"
Why Karl Alzner's signing proves there won't be offer sheets for Drew Doughty or Steven Stamkos
July 17
Pro Hockey Talk
 
"When Washington re-signed Karl Alzner to a two-year, $2.57 million deal the most stunning part of the contract was how cheaply it was and with how few years it came attached with it. Capitals GM George McPhee chalked it up as another cap management victory this summer and those watching things around the league were left amazed for a couple of reasons. Not only was McPhee able to keep one of his young stud defensive stoppers, he was able to do it without outside interference in the form of an offer sheet. Last year we saw one restricted free agent signed to an offer sheet as Sharks GM Doug Wilson tried to take advantage of the Blackhawks poor salary cap situation by signing Niklas"