The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that tough guy David Koci has been claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Blues. According to head coach Barry Melrose, Koci had done everything the Bolts had asked him to do and he had hoped that he wouldn't be claimed. Unfortunately, he was, and the Lightning will have to move on - which they did immediately by claiming veteran forward Matt Pettinger, late of Vancouver and Washington, on re-entry waivers from the Canucks. Pettinger had been playing with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL, where he'd picked up 3 goals in 2 games this season.
From the team:
The Tampa Bay Lightning have claimed left wing Matt Pettinger off re-entry waivers from the Vancouver Canucks today, executive vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton announced.
Pettinger, 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, has played in two games with the Manitoba Moose this season. He leads Manitoba in goals with three and power-play goals with two. Pettinger has played in 354 career games with Washington and Vancouver, recording 56 goals, 105 points, 11 power-play goals, eight shorthanded goals and nine game-winning goals.
The Edmonton, Alberta native played in 76 games last season with Washington and Vancouver. Pettinger played in 56 games with the Capitals, recording two goals and seven points before being traded to the Canucks in exchange for Matt Cooke on February 26, 2008. He registered four goals and six points in 20 games after the trade.
A former 20-goal scorer at the NHL level, Pettinger has also played in 144 career games in the AHL with Portland and Manitoba. He has amassed 39 goals and 72 points.
Pettinger was originally drafted by Washington in the second round, 43rd overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
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The Lightning have also placed forward Jason Ward on waivers, a necessity with Ryan Craig due to return from injured reserve at any time now. As the numbers shake out after this little flurry of activity, the Lightning have the room they need to add defenseman Marek Malik to the roster. Ward is not expected to be claimed and could be assigned to Norfolk of the AHL if and when he clears.
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