UNIONDALE, N.Y. - When, or if, the Lightning's search for a top-four defenseman finally hits critical mass, it will go through Islanders general manager Mike Milbury.
That isn't based on anything either he or Tampa Bay general manager Jay Feaster has said. Neither has been one to talk about trade possibilities, and this case is no different.
This is based on obvious needs and desires.
The Lightning needs another puck-carrying defenseman. And the Islanders, who have lost seven of eight games, are split by internal bickering and hurting at the box office, desire to cut payroll.
The answer could be Tampa Bay's acquisition of Roman Hamrlik, a proven scorer who can run the power play and play exhaustive minutes. Even while slumping, he is averaging 24:31, which would be tops among the Lightning.
Feaster, who is believed to have spoken recently with Milbury, would love it. And the Islanders wouldn't mind shedding Hamrlik's $3.6-million salary. With zero goals and eight assists in 25 games, it is not as if he is thriving.
The question is, can a deal be done given Tampa Bay's finances and the players it is speculated Milbury wants?
Hamrlik was on Feaster's radar last season. But Hamrlik got hot, as did Tampa Bay, and Lightning players went public with their desire not to change the locker room chemistry. So things fizzled.
What is different this season?
The Islanders are not interested in paying Hamrlik the $4.5-million annually he could get in arbitration. Tampa Bay isn't either. Even this season's salary is not attractive unless it can be offset in the trade process or the Lightning can hold off far enough into the season to a point when most of that salary already is paid.
But Dan Boyle's injury, though apparently minor as concussions go, has spotlighted Tampa Bay's need for another rushing defensemen. And with the team expected to challenge for the East championship, it will be difficult to justify standing pat, especially with CEO Tom Wilson on record saying Feaster will be given the financial backing to do it.
So whom does Feaster offer in return?
Speculation last season was that left wing Fredrik Modin and Sheldon Keefe were the bait, and Modin would fill a role alongside center Alexei Yashin. But it also is believed the Islanders like Alexander Svitov.
The second-year center was recently sent to the minors because of a lack of game intensity. Dealing him would be difficult because of his considerable upside. And what is the incentive to trade Modin, who with seven goals and at plus-15 has been one of the Lightning's best players?
"At this point, I'm very happy with the performance of the hockey team," Feaster said Monday. "And to the extent we're able to continue playing solid hockey and continue to be in contention to be one of the top teams in our division and a playoff team, we would look to try to add without subtracting."
If that's the case, Feaster would have to get creative, especially now that Milbury sounds like he is preparing to deal.
"We haven't been active in the trade market because I think this is a pretty good team. And I was hoping with a little time it would jell and we could see how far it goes," he told reporters in New York. "But it hasn't jelled, and it hasn't worked."
Milbury will be at the board of governors meetings today in Palm Beach while the Lightning faces the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. Feaster will be at the game.
