Trade/Transfer

According to tampabaylightning.com, the Lightning have traded twice-waived winger Jussi Jokinen to the Carolina Hurricanes for winger Wade Brookbank, defenseman Josef Melichar, and a fourth round pick.

Jokinen, who was acquired in the Brad Richards deal from Dallas last year, had a fine finish to last season while playing on a line with Michel Ouellet and Matthieu Darche. This year he started off better than expected in camp, earning a center spot on a scoring line to start the year. It's been all downhill since that time and he currently stands at 6 goals and 10 assists for 16 points and a minus-8 rating in 46 games.

Brookbank, a known fighter who stands 6'4" and 227 pounds, has one goal and 40 PIM in 27 games played for the 'Canes.

Melichar, a 30 year old 6'2" 225 pound defenseman, has 4 assists in 15 games this year. He was assigned to Albany in December by Carolina, where he has 1 goal and 4 assists in 25 games. His best season in the NHL was 2005-06 when he had 15 points in 72 games. He's regarded as a defensive defenseman and holds a $1 million contract this year.

Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune is reporting that the Lightning have claimed defenseman Cory Murphy off of re-entry waivers from the Florida Panthers. The 30 year old blueliner is in his second season in the NHL after a productive career in Europe spent primarily in Finland's SM-liiga. The smallish offensive defenseman has 2 goals and 18 points in 54 NHL games, and could potentially add some zip to the lackluster Lightning power play.

Enough Negativity... The Lightning want Vinny to play like a 8.5 million $ player. He should be the leader and make a huge difference. I believe he is starting to. The big difference in this team is coaching... it is like having a coach with a player's insight with no forward playing over 20, and none less than 10. Arty makes the biggest difference up front. We need a rugged (feared) blue liner... Smaby maybe? Great Goaltender (except shootouts) Faster team; more heart!

(Greyhounds release) The Soo Greyhounds acquired 18-year old centreman Kyle DeCoste and a 5th round pick in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection from the Brampton Battalion on Friday morning in exchange for 19-year old winger Anthony Peluso.

DeCoste, a 6’2”, 190 lb native of London, Ontario has 8 goals and 6 assists for 15 points along with 31 penalty minutes in 31 games played this season.

The Lewiston MAINEiacs of the QMJHL traded veteran defenseman and Lightning prospect Michael Ward to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles on Friday. Ward was sent to Nova Scotia with forward Stephen Horyl for a young blueliner, an overage forward and a fifth round draft pick.

Ward, who is likely in his final year of junior, has 4 goals and 13 assists in 35 games so far this year. He moves to a Cape Breton team that is 25-11-1-1 overall and sits 5 points back of first place Moncton in the Atlantic Division.

Ward is a 2007 7th round pick of the Lightning. He drew comparisons to Paul Ranger when drafted, though his offensive game hasn't exploded near as much as Ranger's did in the later years of his junior career. Ward has added more offense to his game this year, though he's known more for his defensive presence.