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Lightning Trade Jokinen To Hurricanes

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 7, 2009

TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Lightning today traded forward Jussi Jokinen to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Josef Melichar, forward Wade Brookbank and a fourth-round draft pick in 2009.

Jokinen, acquired from Dallas at the trade deadline last season in a multi-player deal that sent Brad Richards to the Stars, has cleared waivers twice this season, including on Thursday. The 25-year-old winger appeared in 66 games with Tampa Bay, scoring eight goals and 30 points. Jokinen scored six goals in 16 games to start the season but has gone without a goal since Nov. 13, the last game coached by Barry Melrose before he was fired.

Tampa Bay general manager Brian Lawton has had Jokinen on the trading block since the summer but found no takers for the $1.875 million salary Jokinen is making this season. But Jokinen earned a spot on the roster out of training camp after being moved to center. The return of Jeff Halpern from a knee injury in December, however, pushed Jokinen back to the wing, where he wasn't as effective this season. Although bothered by a lingering knee situation, Jokinen was also a healthy scratch at times over the past month.

The team placed Jokinen on waivers the first time on Dec. 19, but he went unclaimed and continued to play. Jokinen again was put on waivers on Wednesday and cleared. Rather than assigning Jokinen to the minors, Lawton worked out a trade with the Hurricanes, acquiring three assets for a player that nobody wanted twice.

Melichar, 29, spent six seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2002-2007 before returning to Europe and play in Sweden last season. He was signed as a free agent by Carolina this season, but has appeared in only 15 games this season, registering four assists. Melichar cleared waivers on Nov. 12 and was assigned to Carolina's AHL affiliate, Albany, on Dec. 5. In 23 games with Albany, Melichar has a goal and three points. He would have to clear re-entry waivers to be brought up and is expected to be assigned to Norfolk. Melichar signed a one-year contract worth $1 million and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Brookbank, 31, has played in 27 games with Carolina this season, scoring a goal and 40 penalty minutes. He has not appeared in a game since Dec. 26 and played twice since Dec. 4, sitting out as a healthy scratch. Brookbank, who will not be available for tonight's game against the New York Islanders, is in the final year of a contract that pays him $475,000 and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

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