Hamrlik: Lightning's missing link?

Islanders defenseman Roman Hamrlik, who was supposed to be out until mid January with a separated left shoulder, has made a remarkable recovery and could be in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Hurricanes.

Why should Lightning fans care? Because it is believed that general manager Jay Feaster wouldn't mind bringing Hamrlik back to Tampa Bay and that New York general manager Mike Milbury wouldn't mind shedding Hamrlik from a defense of redundant parts.

It doesn't take much, then, to conclude that Hamrlik is, to an extent, being showcased and that Feaster and other GMs will watch to see if he regains top form.

No one is speaking about this, of course. Feaster never talks about players from other teams, and Milbury despises leaks so much that, as the story goes, he walked away from trades that lost their secrecy.

So let's have some fun and try to connect the dots. Feaster and Milbury spoke face to face Dec.7, before the Lightning played at Boston, and Dec.14, when the Islanders played at the St. Pete Times Forum. Tampa Bay is on the lookout for a defenseman with Hamr-lik's skills, and it certainly would be intriguing to bring him back after five seasons with the Oilers and Islanders.

Not only would Hamrlik be a good addition to the power play and give the Lightning a second rushing defenseman, he was Tampa Bay's first draft choice and the No.1 overall pick in 1992.

His 16 goals, 49 assists and 65 points during the 1995-96 playoff season are Lightning records for defensemen, as are his career numbers of 27 power-play goals, 97 power-play points, 133 assists, 185 points and 281 shots. His 42 power-play points in 1995-96 are a team record.

Hamrlik struggled in 1997-98 with three goals and 15 points in 37 games. Under pressure from ownership to cut payroll, fans and the media, then-general manager Phil Esposito, on Dec.30, 1997, traded Hamrlik and Paul Comrie to Edmonton for Bryan Marchment, Steve Kelly and Jason Bonsignore.

"I never wanted to trade him," Esposito said Tuesday. "I knew he would develop into a good player, and he has."

The conceptual return of Hamrlik, 6 feet 2, 210 pounds, who is averaging 25 minutes, 58 seconds of ice time and is on pace for eight goals and 46 points, has merit. The Lightning needs a power-play quarterback and another defenseman besides Dan Boyle to consistently lead the team from the defensive zone.

Using those parameters, the 28-year-old Czech makes more sense than Boston's Kyle McLaren, a hard hitter about whom Feaster has inquired but who doesn't contribute as much offensively and has battled injuries.

New York would benefit by giving up a defenseman who serves basically the same role as Adrian Aucoin and Kenny Jonsson, freeing money to fill other needs.

Hamrlik, who is making $3.5-million this season, would be expensive. But Tampa Bay would give up at least one significant player to get him, so the effect on its $28.1-million payroll would not be seismic.

The Ottawa Sun speculated about a possible three-way deal that would send Hamrlik to the Lightning for struggling defenseman Pavel Kubina and center Brian Holzinger. Kubina and Holzinger would then be shipped to the Bruins for McLaren, whom Milbury is believed to covet.

The Islanders also may be looking for a big left-handed shot for their power play. Could Fredrik Modin, who still is looking for a consistent scoring touch, be in the mix?

It is all guesswork at this point. There are no indications anything is imminent or confirmation Feaster has put any players on the block. But Hamr-lik's sudden recovery, the end of the trade freeze and Tampa Bay's well-documented needs are enough to get the imagination churning.

It remains to be seen whether they are enough to spur Feaster to action.