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Forward Jokinen Traded To Canes

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 8, 2009

TAMPA - Two days after all 29 teams passed on LW Jussi Jokinen, the Lightning dealt the 25-year-old forward to Carolina on Saturday.

Tampa Bay acquired D Josef Melichar, LW Wade Brookbank and a fourth-round draft pick in 2009 from the Hurricanes.

Melichar, 29, has spent most of the season playing with Carolina's top minor-league affiliate and will report to AHL Norfolk. He would have to clear re-entry waivers if the Lightning decide to bring him up.

Brookbank, 31, has been a healthy scratch for the Hurricanes for the past month, not playing since Dec. 26. He was flying back to Carolina on Saturday, but Tampa Bay GM Brian Lawton said Brookbank's next destination won't be determined until they speak today.

Jokinen, who had six goals in 46 games but none in the past 30, was placed on waivers Wednesday but went unclaimed during the 24-hour window, the second time this season he passed through the waiver wire without being picked up by another team. By working out the trade, the teams were able to trade salaries just as much as players. Melichar and Brookbank make a combined $1.475 million, while Jokinen makes $1.875 million.

"It winds up being a little bit of a payroll deduction for us and we get a fourth-round pick out of it," Lawton said. "I think that speaks to the new NHL, and it's not an indictment to any of the players involved, it's a reflection of what the new NHL is and how trades have changed."

SHROUD OF SECRECY: Lightning G Mike Smith continues to be the invisible man around the Tampa Bay locker room, and his upper-body injury continues to be cloaked in mystery.

Smith hasn't practiced since leaving the ice during a stick-slamming episode when pulled from the game Jan. 30 against Philadelphia.

Lawton, who earlier in the week said Smith would be ready to play Saturday, reported Smith was doing "great" and should be at practice today or Monday and should play Tuesday.

NUTS AND BOLTS: Lightning C Steven Stamkos celebrated his 19th birthday Saturday with an assist. ... D Andrej Meszaros had his 298-game streak end when he missed Saturday's game with an upper-body injury, believed to be his left arm.

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