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More Cap Space Created For Lightning

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - One day after clearing some salary cap space by moving D Matt Carle, the Lightning cleared a roster spot by assigning LW Jason Ward to their American Hockey League affiliate in Norfolk, Va.

While nothing is imminent, on the surface the moves the past two days appear to be two steps in creating space for another move somewhere down the line.

"We just continue to work away and are always looking at our options," Lightning general manager Brian Lawton said.

With the number of forwards on the roster and the depth at the position through the organization, Lawton has focused discussions with other teams on improving the defense.

"The defense is the toughest thing to reshape, and that was evident early on this summer, first off just from the standpoint that there is a very limited pool of available defenseman on the free-agent front," Lawton said. "The blue line is still a work in progress and it's hard, there is no doubt about it, it's very, very hard."

Steve Eminger became the 11th different defenseman to suit up for the Lightning in 13 games this season.

WARD WANTS A CHANCE: It was evident from all the summer signings at forward that it was going to be difficult for Ward to find a spot on the Bolts roster, and suffering a groin injury just before the start of the season didn't help his cause.

Ward said he wishes he would have received more than one regular-season game to show the new regime what he could do on the ice.

"I obviously don't want to play in the minors, but if that's what I have to do to show what I can do, at least I'm playing," Ward said before heading to the airport Saturday morning. "Having one game and not playing in over a month is not really getting an opportunity, kind of like a patch. It's been a frustrating year for me. I know what I can do, and not getting the opportunity to do what I know I can do is frustrating.

"I'm not done with the NHL. I'm a guy who works hard wherever I go, and it doesn't matter what league I'm in."

SWAPPING SUITS: It was an odd feeling Saturday for Eminger and Carle, who ended up facing their old teams one day after being dealt for each other.

"It is kind of strange, but I guess anything can happen," Eminger said. "For me, I might as well get the pressure out of the way early facing Philadelphia and then Washington his original team on Monday."

Carle shared the same emotion squaring off against the Lightning one day after working out with them.

"It will make a good story in the long run to look back at my career and say that I was part of a trade like that," Carle said. "And it will make for an interesting first game with the Flyers."

NUTS AND BOLTS: LW Evgeny Artyukhin was scratched with what is believed to be a groin injury. LW Ryan Craig returned to the lineup in Artyukhin's spot. ... RW Marty St. Louis played his 552nd game with the Lightning, tied for second most all-time.

Erik Erlendsson

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