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Lightning's Niskala Headed Back To Finland

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 6, 2008

NEWARK, N.J. - Lightning D Janne Niskala recently told General Manager Brian Lawton that if he wasn't going to play regularly then he would like to return to play in Europe. After clearing waivers Wednesday, Niskala was reassigned to the Finland national team, and once the European leagues resume play, Niskala will be officially assigned to a team likely in Sweden or Finland.

Niskala, 27, earned a spot out of camp and had a goal and two assists in six games. But with the addition of Lukas Krajicek and Marek Malik along with the return of Paul Ranger, Niskala was pushed to the seventh defenseman spot.

With a clause in his contract that allowed him to return to Europe, the Lightning granted him his wish and are no longer responsible for his contract. The team is still eligible to recall him from Europe before the trade deadline, but he would be subject to re-entry waivers.

With RW Radim Vrbata expected to come off injured reserve in time for tonight's game against the New York Rangers, the Lightning will carry six defensemen.

Halpern Skates

C Jeff Halpern took part in his first team practice Wednesday morning, but his timetable for a return from reconstructive knee surgery hasn't changed.

Halpern tore the ACL and sprained the MCL in his left knee at the World Championships in May, and he had surgery shortly after suffering the injury. He said he is still at least six weeks from thinking about returning to the lineup.

"This makes me think that there is at least a light at the end of the tunnel," Halpern said. "I'm not anywhere near where I need to be right now, but this allows me to keep up with the speed. When I'm skating by myself and feel a little tenderness, I back off. But there, I'm forced to keep up and push through that, so it's good for me mentally to be out there and around the guys."

TV Add-Ons

The Lightning are in discussions to add four games to their television schedule to broadcast on WTOG, Channel 44. The four games believed to be added to the TV schedule are all road games: Nov. 29 at Colorado, Dec. 20 at Atlanta, April 4 at the New York Islanders and the regular-season finale April 11 at Atlanta. The team is awaiting final approval before making an official announcement.

Nuts And Bolts

Lightning coach Barry Melrose will be a guest with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on Sirius XM Channel 204 as part of the NHL hour hosted by Bettman today at 4 p.m. ... Lightning COO Sean Henry resigned from the team Wednesday. Henry was asked to stay on by new ownership, but said, "As hands-on as ownership is, I'm selfish, I want to row." His resignation is effective Dec. 12.

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