Stamkos Logging More Minutes

TAMPA In recent days Lightning coach Barry Melrose has been frequently asked about the ice time and role of rookie and overall No. 1 draft pick Steven Stamkos.

After seeing fewer than 10 minutes of ice time in two of the opening three games - including six minutes and change in the home opener - Melrose put Stamkos on the ice for the opening faceoff Thursday against the New York Islanders. On Saturday, the 18-year-old logged just under 14 minutes and took the third attempt in the shootout loss to Minnesota.

Melrose defended selecting the rookie for the shootout over the likes of Vinny Prospal, who is 5-for-9 all-time in shootouts, or Marty St. Louis, who is 4-for-16. Shootout specialist Jussi Jokinen (17-for-29) and Vinny Lecavalier (8-for-24) took the first two shots. All three were stopped by Minnesota G Niklas Backstrom.

"Jokinen is going first no matter what,'' Melrose said. "Vinny is going to go second and Stamkos scored in the shootout in Pittsburgh [during preseason for the clinching goal] and [Stamkos] has beautiful hands so, to me there was no question. Now, if we had got past three, that's when it becomes a bit more difficult.''

HEWARD RE-ASSIGNED: In preparation for today's expected signing of veteran D Marek Malik, the Lightning on Sunday sent D Jamie Heward to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals.

Heward, 37, was signed to a contract just before the start of the season and appeared in the first three games. He played 20-plus minutes in the first two games and registered a pair of assists in the home opener against Carolina on Oct. 11.

With D Paul Ranger back and healthy, Heward was a healthy scratch for the past two games.

CRAIG SKATES: LW Ryan Craig returned to practice, going through a full on-ice workout with the team. Craig has been out since suffering a strained groin muscle during practice on Oct. 8 and has been on injured reserve ever since.

Craig was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the season played in Prague, Czech Republic, against the New York Rangers.

SEE SAW V FOR FREE: Beginning at 10 this morning, anybody purchasing lower-level tickets to Tuesday's game against Atlanta will receive a free ticket to see the first ever showing of Saw V - produced by Lightning co-owner Oren Koules - at the Muvico in Ybor City on Thursday night in addition to a Saw V t-shirt. Tickets must be purchased at the Forum box office or by calling (813) 301-6600.

There are two scheduled showings for the film, one at 7 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. based on availability. The movie opens nationwide Friday.