Trade talk would focus on prospects, picks

TAMPA -- If the Lightning acquires a defenseman before Tuesday's trade deadline, it will be in exchange for prospects and draft choices.

General manager Jay Feaster said Sunday that because of the way the team has come together the past month, "I'm not looking to subtract from this group."

He also dismissed rumors teams have asked about the availability of left wings Vinny Prospal and Fredrik Modin. "That is not the case at all," Feaster said. "These players have not been players teams have inquired about, and because of where we are right now they are players we will not move."

If Sunday's trades around the league are an indication, teams are looking for just what Tampa Bay wants to offer.

Whom do teams want? Feaster declined to comment, but it is not difficult to determine the Lightning's most attractive prospects: Russian forwards Evgeni Artukhin and Alexander Polushin, who was exceptional at the World Juniors, and Swedish defenseman Andreas Holmqvist, none of whom Feaster will move.

He is more apt to dangle players such as forward Anton But, who has 12 goals for Yaroslavl (Russia) and forward Eero Somervouri, who has 19 for HPK (Finland).

Whatever happens, Feaster said he anticipates a busy two days in his search for a defenseman who can step into the top four or provide depth and insurance against injuries.

"We will be active," he said. "We will make phone calls and be active."

OFFERS MADE: Feaster said he made offers for Hurricanes defenseman Glen Wesley and Sharks defenseman Bryan Marchment, who were traded to the Maple Leafs and Avalanche, respectively.

Feaster said Wesley's list of teams for which he would waive his no-trade clause did not include the Lightning. Marchment did not have such a clause but Feaster said his list of preferred teams also did not include Tampa Bay.

LUKOWICH HURT: Defenseman Brad Lukowich was lost for the third period because of a hip-flexor injury. He said the injury occurred Friday against the Avalanche. He will be evaluated today.

LECAVALIER HOT: Center Vinny Lecavalier has five goals and 10 assists in his past 13 games and is plus-5. "Every night is different, but I think it goes in spurts," he said. "Hopefully it will keep going."

ODDS AND ENDS: Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin's nine-game unbeaten streak ties his career high and the team record he shares with Daren Puppa. ... With his assist, center Brad Richards tied his career high of 62 points. ... Richards' 29th power-play assist tied him for the league lead with Columbus' Ray Whitney. ... Defenseman Darren Rumble was a healthy scratch.