Now, it's time to address payroll

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published November 13, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Getty Images] Left wing Mathieu Darche was put on waivers Monday and will be re-assigned to AHL Norfolk if he clears at noon today.

TAMPA - Because of personnel decisions and injuries, the Lightning opened the season about$2-million over its $44-million payroll budget.

With today's planned roster moves, the team will get closer to that number.

Center Craig MacDonald and left wing Mathieu Darche were put on waivers Monday and will be re-assigned to AHL Norfolk if they clear at noon today. Defenseman Matt Smaby, who does not need to clear waivers, is expected to be sent down as well.

The moves would reduce the roster from 23 to 20, meaning no game-day scratches, and projected payroll for the season to about $44.5-million.

That includes $3.625-million to Dan Boyle, who is on injured reserve and does not count against the roster, and $500,000 to Tim Taylor, who is on the nonroster injured list.

"We said all along that we weren't going to carry 23," GMJay Feaster said. "And I've consistently said to my bosses that once we get healthy, we would make difficult decisions."

The decision to go over budget to start the season was not difficult given injuries to Boyle, Taylor, center Ryan Craig and left wing Andreas Karlsson and concerns over an inexperienced defense. But with Craig and Karlsson healthy and Doug Janik apparently nailing down the sixth defensive spot, things have settled.

The moves should help Norfolk, sixth in its division at 4-8-1 and with 29 goals, third-worst in the 29-team league.

"I'm going to light candles now in hopes that they don't get claimed," Feaster said of MacDonald and Darche.

VINNY IS FIRST STAR: Vinny Lecavalier was named the league's first star for the week ending Sunday. The center tied for the league lead with eight points on two goals and six assists and Tampa Bay won three of four games.

"I've just got to keep being consistent and keep producing," said Lecavalier, whose 24 points on nine goals and 15 assists entered Monday third in the league. "But you can't do it without your teammates, and everybody has been producing."

Phoenix's Steven Reinprecht, with three goals and four assists, was second. San Jose's Jeremy Roenick, who scored his 500th goal, was third.

OUT OF THE CELLAR: Thanks to goaltender Johan Holmqvist, who has stopped 85 of 89 shots the past three games, the Lightning climbed out of the save-percentage cellar.

Tampa Bay's .883 save percentage entered Monday 29th in the 30-team league, .002 ahead of the Flames.

"I feel pretty confident," said Holmqvist, whose save percentage has jumped from .880 to .893. "You have some bad nights, but you have to go right at it again. We know we're good. We just have to believe in what we're doing. The same thing for me. I have to keep battling and keep focused on what I have to do."

ODDS AND ENDS: Left wing Jan Hlavac broken nose said he expects to play Wednesday against the Hurricanes. ... Defenseman Filip Kuba missed practice for what the team called "body maintenance."

[Last modified November 12, 2007, 23:51:55]