Feaster: No three-way deal

OTTAWA -- If the trade for backup goalie John Grahame was the first step in a larger deal, Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said it was news to him.

If players went to Feaster to complain about the demotion to the minors of popular backup Kevin Hodson, neither captain Dave Andreychuk nor center Tim Taylor said they were aware.

In short, the team shot down about every aspect of a report in Toronto's Globe and Mail that was based on anonymous sources.

"It's clear that some members of the media, and I stress some members of the media, are totally irresponsible and don't bother to check any of this stuff and go off on these flights of fancy," Feaster said Tuesday.

Feaster has inquired about Bruins defenseman Kyle McLaren and Islanders defenseman Roman Hamrlik. But the GM denied Grahame is part of a three-way deal with the Islanders that would, in part, send Grahame to New York and Hamrlik to Tampa Bay.

"That is absolutely not true," Feaster said. "John Grahame represents a significant upgrade and will help us make a push for the playoffs."

Feaster said the deal "is not only for today but next year and down the road."

Taylor and Andreychuk said they met with Feaster but only to discuss if Grahame would fit the team chemistry.

"We had both played with him so we were just talking. Not whether he should make a deal, but talking about him and what he's like," Taylor said. "That's ridiculous to say players went in there ranting and raving about a deal.

"This deal is good for our team. It's tough to lose a guy like (Hodson). At the same time, we're upgrading our goaltending with another No. 1 goalie. We're back in the same position we were last year when we had (Kevin Weekes) and (Nikolai Khabibulin). It was a great tandem."

GRAHAME ARRIVES: Grahame, who flew from Boston to Tampa Monday night to take a physical, arrived in Ottawa at about 3:30 p.m. While disappointed he did not secure the No. 1 spot in Boston, he said the Lightning was a "fresh start."

"From what I've been told, there are a bunch of young guys here, and they're playing very well and I can add to that," he said. "It will be good for me to come in and try to be part of something that's just getting going, and trying to build something that will be successful for years to come."

AS FOR HODSON: He will find out at noon today if he cleared waivers and is on his way to AHL Springfield. Hodson said he had no hard feelings toward Tampa Bay, especially considering he was retired two years when the team called.

"How can you have any hard feelings to the guys who gave you a chance?" Hodson said. "I owe everything to these guys, the whole organization. ... I love the guys in the room here. I think I really forged a lot of long-lasting friendships. I respect them all."

A FRIEND INDEED: Feaster might have had a hand in getting Bob Hartley hired as coach of the Thrashers. When Hartley was fired from Colorado, Feaster said he called Atlanta GM Don Waddell and put in a good word for his friend who also is the godfather of his son, Ryan.

"I reached for the phone a few times and didn't do it," Feaster said. "I swallowed really hard and made the phone call because the last place I want to see Bob is in my division."

The two became close when Hartley coached and Feaster was GM of the Hershey team that won the AHL's Calder Cup in 1997.

"My kid said that now we can never root for Uncle Bob's team," Feaster said, laughing.

ODDS AND ENDS: Right wing Jimmie Olvestad was a healthy scratch. ... Right wing Ben Clymer missed the third period after aggravating a groin strain. ... Grahame wore No. 47.