Trade/Transfer

Steve Ewen of the Dub Hub is reporting that forward James Wright has been reassigned to his junior team, the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. From the Dub Hub phone interview with Wright, "I'm disappointed to be sent home. Any hockey player is disappointed when he doesn't make the team. But I'm going to try to keep a good head on my shoulders and play hard. They [Lightning] need to make the playoffs and this it the route they're going and it's hard for me but I do understand." Wright doesn't turn 20 until March 24th, so he is currently ineligible to be assigned to the Norfolk Admirals.

Earlier today, the Bolts claimed LW/C Nate Thompson off of waivers from the New York Islanders. Thompson, a 2003 6th round pick of the Boston Bruins signed a three-year entry level contract with the Bruins in 2005, but was claimed off waivers by the Islanders in October 2008. This past summer the Islanders resigned Thompson to a one-year contract.

Tampa Bay - The Tampa Bay Lightning have assigned prospect right wing Martins Karsums to HC MVD Balashikha of the Kontinental Hockey League today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced. Karsums has played 36 games for the Norfolk Admirals this season, scoring 4 goals and adding 12 assists.

Despite speculation that prospect goaltender Dustin Tokarski will be recalled to Tampa today to back up Antero Niittymaki in tonight's match against the Florida Panthers, no official word of the recall has yet to be announced.

The Belleville Bulls are reporting they have acquired Lightning 2009 second rounder Richard Panik in a seven player trade with Windsor.

Panik, Austen Brassard, defenseman Paul Bezzo, and goaltender Steve Gleeson were sent to Belleville with Owen Sound’s third round pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection, Owen Sound’s second round pick in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection and Windsor’s seventh round pick in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection for goaltender Philipp Grubauer, defenseman Marc Cantin, and forward Stephen Johnston to Windsor.

(Regina Pats release) Regina Pats General Manager is proud to announce the acquisition of forwards Carter Ashton, Craig Orfino and a 3rd round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft from the Lethbridge Hurricanes. In exchange, the Pats send 17 year old forward Graham Hood, 15 year old prospect Taylor Balog, a 2nd round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, as well as their 1st round pick in 2011.

Eighteen year old Carter Ashton is native of Saskatoon and was a 1st round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. This season he has 13 goals and 13 assists in 28 games with the Hurricanes.

The OHL's Ottawa 67’s announced Wednesday that winger and Lightning prospect Matias Sointu was traded to the Sudbury Wolves for goaltender Francis Dupuis.

According to the Orleans Star, the trade represents an opportunity to gain more playing time for Sointu.

“Here in Ottawa, we have a solid group of young forwards and with Corey Cowick coming back in the New Year it looked like Matias wasn’t going to get the minutes he needs to continue his development,” 67's coach Chris Byrne told the Star. “In Sudbury, I think he’ll be a top-six forward and have the opportunity to develop at a faster pace. We thank him for his contribution to our team and wish him well with the Wolves.”