Marek Malik News

After Tampa Bay Lighting General Manager Brian Lawton landed the biggest defensive prize at the 2009 Entry Draft in Sweden's Victor Hedman, he made sure to add a complementary piece the opening day of free agency on Wednesday.

For David Koci , one goal is not nearly enough. The enforcer, who scored his first NHL goal Thursday against the Canadiens, said he someday wants to be known as much for how he plays as how he fights.

Chris Gratton said he believes the Lightning hoped he would retire in December or not report to AHL Norfolk so he could be suspended and not paid his $1.25 million salary.

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM. Injuries: Tampa Bay - G Mike Smith , D Andrej Meszaros , D Paul Ranger , D Cory Murphy and D Marek Malik are out.

Here's the latest from Tampa: Laing to Replace Gordon Quintin "Shot-Blocking Machine" Laing has indeed been recalled and is expected to replace Boyd Gordon, who is believed to have suffered a lower body injury in Tuesday's game.

Had Cory Murphy not been slashed across his stick Tuesday, had he not dropped it because of the blow, everything might have been different.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had some help on the road. Down by a goal in the third period, the Maple Leafs , in front of a supportive crowd of mostly Toronto fans and Canadian tourists, forced overtime with six minutes left in regulation, and John Mitchell netted the winner in the shootout for the 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday ...

When Matt Lashoff took the ice Tuesday, he was the 48th player to suit up for the Lightning, and the 20th defenseman.

Injuries: Tampa Bay - G Mike Smith , D Andrej Meszaros , D Paul Ranger and D Marek Malik are out.

Stricter enforcement of the instigator rule. That proposal out of this week's general managers meetings was met with skepticism by Lightning players and coaches, who said the rule already inhibits ...

Lightning rookie Steven Stamkos is going to be a "great, great player," Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said.

Evgeny Artyukhin has been warned. Actually, warned might be too strong a word. He has been challenged.

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM. Injuries: Tampa Bay - G Mike Smith , D Andrej Meszaros , D Paul Ranger and D Marek Malik are out; LW Ryan Malone is day to day.

GM Brian Lawton said there is "potential" for the Lightning to be "very active" by today's 3 p.m. trade deadline.

With the Lightning not expected to move any of its big-name players by the 3 p.m. Wednesday trade deadline, don't expect any windfalls.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Vancouver Canucks, Friday, 7 p.m., GM Place THE SETUP: The Lightning have lost five of their last six, and six straight on the road.

Gary Roberts had not fought in more than a year. And at age 42, few might expect the left wing to drop the gloves, especially after battling injuries for the better part of the past two seasons.

Erik Cole , Jason Strudwick and Andrew Cogliano also scored for the Oilers , who kept pace with the Western Conference pack for a playoff position.

The Lightning's flirtation with the Canadiens about trading C Vinny Lecavalier might have been more than rumors, after all.

Vaclav Prospal beat Manny Fernandez on a power play with 1:33 left to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 4-3 victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Bruins on Sunday night.