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Bolts GM Expects Busy Day As Trade Deadline Approaches

Associated Press file photo

Mark Recchi's name has been linked to Dallas and Chicago as the NHL trade deadline approaches.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON and CHANNING POOLE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 4, 2009

Updated: 03/04/2009 06:00 am

TAMPA - Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Brian Lawton planned to head home at some point Tuesday night, but he didn't plan to get much sleep.

Tampa Bay's rookie GM planned to walk back through his office door sometime before sunrise this morning in preparation for today's 3 p.m. trade deadline. Judging from how busy Lawton said his phone has been the past few days, he expects to be active in his first trade deadline experience.

"I think we've got the potential to be very active," Lawton said before Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh. "We had the potential to be active Tuesday but we are tight on our guys, we are not looking to give them away. If people want to make an offer that is going to move our organization forward, then yes, we will act. But we won't act for the sake of making deal to say we made a couple of moves."

In preparation for potential moves, veterans Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts were held out of Tuesday's lineup. Lawton said there has been a lot of interest in Recchi, who is third on the Lightning with 45 points and a winner of two Stanley Cups. Recchi's name has been linked in recent days to Dallas and Chicago.

Roberts, meanwhile, was placed on waivers Tuesday afternoon and has until noon today to clear. If he makes it through, the Lightning would still have three hours to try to work out a deal.

While Lawton said he has held conversations with other general managers regarding Roberts, a deal could not be worked out. Lawton said the hope, based on conversations, is a playoff-contending team picks up Roberts to allow the 42-year-old one more shot at a Stanley Cup in what will almost certainly be his final season.

There are other potential moves to be made for Lawton as well.

Though talk of moving cornerstone pieces Marty St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier has been almost non-existent, there has been speculation C Jeff Halpern, LW Matt Pettinger and D Marek Malik, who is currently day-to-day with an ankle/foot problem, could also be on the move. There has even been recent talk of Tampa Bay moving LW Ryan Malone, who was signed to a seven-year contract in July.

Lawton declined to comment on specific conversations he has held in regards to any potential names that have been the subject of rumors.

HEWARD ON SKATES: D Jamie Heward took the next step toward a return from a concussion suffered New Year's Day when he skated Tuesday morning in full pads for the first time. Although Heward did not participate in any contact drills, he did some laps around the ice to elevate his heart rate a little and passed the puck around with some Lightning teammates.

"Nothing you would call practice," said Heward, "but it was nice to be out there with the guys again."

Whether in the NHL, AHL or even Europe, Heward made it clear he wants to play again, but his immediate goal is to return this season.

"If something were to happen, and I do end up retiring at the end of the season, I don't want that to be my last game, getting carried off the ice on a stretcher," Heward said.

NUTS AND BOLTS: The team recalled C Paul Szczechura and RW Brandon Segal from AHL Norfolk. Segal, who made his NHL debut, became the 44th different player to appear in a game for Tampa Bay this season. ... No decision has been made regarding RW Steve Downie, who is facing a possible suspension at the AHL level after being written up for physical abuse of an official. The AHL office is still reviewing the situation. ... D Cory Murphy and wife Natalie welcomed daughter Keira Layne, who was born Monday in Boca Raton. The baby weighed in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and was born at 12:35 p.m.

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