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Team Roster Still Evolving

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2008

TAMPA - The transaction wire buzzed often for the Lightning on Tuesday as the evolving roster continues to spin.

Tampa Bay claimed former second-round pick Matt Pettinger on recall waivers from the Vancouver Canucks while forward David Koci, who made his Lightning debut Saturday, was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Blues. In addition, LW Jason Ward was placed on waivers and has until noon today to be claimed by another team.

In adding Pettinger, Tampa Bay picks up a blue-collar player who can skate and kill penalties, according to vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton. And because Pettinger was claimed on recall waivers, the Lightning are only responsible for half of his remaining salary, which was $1.1 million to start the season.

Pettinger, who was a second-round pick by the Washington Capitals in 2000, is also a key investor in the Bear Mountain resort in Victoria, British Columbia, owned by Lightning co-owner Len Barrie.

Lawton said that wasn't a factor in acquiring Pettinger.

"I talked with Len about it, and Len said he has obviously known him for X amount of years, but he said we have to go by what our scouts say and what our management says," Lawton said. "It didn't get to a point where he made that decision for the hockey club."

At some point this week the Lightning are expected to activate LW Ryan Craig off injured reserve and officially sign D Marek Malik, which means a decision will have to be made in order to remain at the roster maximum of 23 should Ward not clear waivers.

NOT A WHOLE LOTTA VRBATA: After being scratched from Saturday's lineup, RW Radim Vrbata responded with his first point of the season on an assist and was involved in some quality scoring chances early. On Monday, Vrbata said he needs more ice time to match his 27-goal season from last year.

But Melrose said Vrbata still needs to give more than he did on Tuesday to earn more ice time. "We need him to get scoring chances . . . but he also has to compete on the wall and compete for loose pucks," Melrose said. "That's the way the NHL is now, you have to stick your nose in."

NUTS AND BOLTS: LW Gary Roberts appeared in his 1,200th career game. ... RW Marty St. Louis registered his 300th career assist.

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