TAMPA - Oh, the ebb and flow of trade season. One injury and the focus changes ... a bit.
Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said he still is in the market for a top-six forward. But with a shoulder injury likely to keep Jassen Cullimore on the bench until at least Monday, Feaster said he is keeping an eye out for a depth defenseman.
There also is a sense Tampa Bay could be looking for a goaltender. The Lightning's No. 3 is Brian Eklund. And while the 23-year-old is playing well at Pensacola of the ECHL, Tampa Bay probably doesn't want to go into the playoffs with Eklund as the backup if Nikolai Khabibulin or John Grahame is hurt.
Feaster declined comment on that situation but said adding a defenseman before the March 9 deadline is possible. Feaster reiterated he will not trade anyone on the current roster.
"To the extent that there is a deal to be done that adds a solid defensemen for depth purposes, that is something we would be interested in taking a look at," he said.
Cullimore bruised his right shoulder Wednesday against the Thrashers, missed Thursday's game against the Maple Leafs and is expected to miss today's game against the Capitals.
He could return Monday against the Avalanche.
"While the injury is not serious," Feaster said, "it does highlight the lack of depth on the blue line."
