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By TOM JONES
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 9, 2000
TAMPA -- Are the New York Rangers and the Lightning cooking up a deal before Tuesday's trade deadline?
The Rangers had two scouts at Wednesday's game, and one is expected back for Friday's game against Panthers.
All-Star defenseman Petr Svoboda has been the Lightning player most named in trade rumors, and perhaps the Rangers have interest. More than likely, though, the Rangers could be checking out captain Chris Gratton.
The Rangers are thin at center, and they might be willing to put together a package that includes Manny Malhotra, their first-round draft pick last year. After playing 73 games, with eight goals and 16 points, with the Rangers last season, the two-way center has played 27 games (without a point) this season. He spent part of this season playing for the Canadian National Junior Team.
Lightning general manager Rick Dudley is a fan of Malhotra, and it is believed he asked for Malhotra instead of Niklas Sundstrom in the deal that brought goalie Dan Cloutier to Tampa Bay for the No. 1 pick in last summer's draft.
A scout from the Los Angeles Kings, another team believed to have interest in Gratton, also attended the game.
SMALL DEAL: The Lightning pulled the trigger on a minor trade. It sent minor-league left wing Jeff Shevalier to the Ottawa Senators for future considerations.
Shevalier was signed last summer as a free agent and spent the majority of the season with the Lightning's affiliate in Detroit. He was second on the Vipers in points with 36 (11 goals, 25 assists). In five games with Tampa Bay, Shevalier had no points and two penalty minutes.
BACK IN BLACK: Tough guy Reid Simpson could be back this weekend after missing the past 24 games with a broken jaw sustained in a fight with the Islanders' Eric Cairns.
"I'll probably have to wear a chin guard the rest of the season, but that's okay," Simpson said. "I'm just happy to be able to get back for the last 10 or 15 games."
Simpson, who said he lost "a few pounds" but feels quicker, continues to wear braces on his bottom teeth, but that's mostly as a safeguard.
Meantime, Simpson will be glad to get back into the lineup because he is looking for a job for next season. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
"I'd really like to come back here," Simpson said. "I like the direction of the team. I like the coaching staff a lot, and I think we're building to something special here.."
ODDS AND ENDS: Team CEO Tom Wilson, president Ron Campbell and Dudley spoke to and took questions from approximately 600 season-ticket holders before the game at the new Marriott next to the Ice Palace. The loudest complaints were about the giveaway of tickets and, of course, the Lightning's dismal spot in the standings. ... Center Bruce Gardiner (viral infection) missed the game, but he should be ready for Florida. The healthy scratches were defenseman Ben Clymer and forwards Nils Ekman and Matt Elich.