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Recchi Awaits Fate As Deadline Nears

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By IAN BUSBY

Tribune correspondent

Published: March 1, 2009

Updated: 03/01/2009 11:46 pm

CALGARY, Alberta - Mark Recchi will arrive home and likely play Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After that, who knows where he will be.

The 40-year-old winger, who doesn't have a contract past this season, could be shipped to a contender before Wednesday's trade deadline.

With 45 points in 62 games for the Bolts, Recchi could provide a boost to a playoff-bound club needing a power-play specialist or depth.

"I have no idea what to expect," Recchi said. "They haven't talked to me. It's up to them. They can do whatever they want. I don't have a no-trade clause. It's not a big deal for me. Teams know I can help out. I'm sure people will call but we'll have to see how it works out."

Recchi was a trade-deadline mover in 2006, going from the Penguins to the Carolina Hurricanes. He recorded 16 points en route to winning the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes.

Those playoffs were the last time Recchi was in Western Canada, as the Hurricanes knocked off the Edmonton Oilers in seven games. This week's trip means the Kamloops, British Columbia, product gets closer to home.

"It's good," Recchi said. "This is the first regular-season trip for me in six or seven years. It's nice to get here. But those trips are better when you win."

DOWNIE TROUBLE

F Steve Downie was suspended indefinitely by the AHL pending a league review after he was cited for slashing a linesman late in the Norfolk Admirals' 6-4 loss to the Hershey Bears on Saturday night.

Referee Jeff Smith assessed a game misconduct on Downie for physical abuse of officials under Rule 41.1, saying Downie slashed linesman Mike Hamilton during a face-off late in the game. The rule calls for a 20-game suspension; the Admirals have 21 games remaining.

A 20-game suspension wouldn't be the first for Downie. The 21-year-old was suspended for 20 games while he was with the Philadelphia Flyers for leaving his feet to deliver a hit on Ottawa's Dean McAmmond in a preseason game in 2007.

RAMO GETS A REST

Despite giving Mike McKenna the start against the Calgary Flames, Lightning interim coach Rick Tocchet is pleased with G Karri Ramo's play during a recent four-game stretch.

The 22-year-old started six times in seven games.

"He wants to be the guy next year," Tocchet said. "Ramo has played really well. He's been consistent the past three of four games. It's been a tough year for him. We would like to get this kid some confidence because he's playing really well. He's very focused on the puck."

VETERAN HELP

A good reason to keep Recchi around the rest of the year might be to aid in the development of rookie Steven Stamkos. The pair recently teamed up with Marty St. Louis and are making a formidable second unit.

"Every time you get to play with world-class players like that, it makes the game a lot easier," Stamkos said. "It will take me some time to get adjusted to that caliber of player. Hopefully we will continue to build chemistry."

ICE CHIPS

Lightning D Lukas Krajicek returned to the lineup after missing four games with a hip injury. ... Lightning C Ryan Craig was a scratch for the first time in five games.

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