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Mattias Ohlund will be sideline dduring the Bolts crucial stretch of games with an ankle sprain (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)

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Assistant team captain and defensive leader Mattias Ohlund has missed the past two games with what had been an undisclosed foot injury.  It was revealed by the team after yesterday's loss to the Penguins that it's an ankle sprain and that Ohlund is now out indefinitely as he recovers.

Damian Cristodero wrote a blog post about the Lightning injury woes and about Ohlund's status before the team took to the ice for yesterday's game:

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund was limping noticeably through the Lightning locker room this morning with ice around his left ankle. Coach Rick Tocchet said Ohlund is getting "aggressive" treatment for the injury, which Tocchet said has not required tests but is obviously more than just a bump.

There is no timetable for Ohlund's return, and forwards Ryan Malone and Zenon Konopka remain sidelined as well with their own injuries.  

One of the repeat stories of the season are Lightning players shattering panes of glass behind the net with missed shots.  Kurtis Foster accomplished the feat for times so far this season.  

In what was only listed as a side-note story from yesterday's morning practice at Bell Centre, Damian Cristodero at the Times reported on a comical event after Steven Stamkos broke panes of glass on consecutive shots:

"I've never done anything like that before," Stamkos said. "I was working on the one-timer and missed the net and broke two pieces of glass."

The funny part was the way the rest of the players immediately began taking shots at the two shattered pieces of glass that were not completely broken and were still standing in their grooves. Shot after shot hit the glass, and glass kept crumbling onto the ice, but the panes would not fall.

For everything the Lightning lacked on ice last night in their loss to the Canadiens, this anecdote almost makes up for it.

Lightning forward Jeff Halpern is on his way to the LA Kings on this deadline day.  Coming back from Los Angeles will be RW Teddy Purcell and a 2010 third round draft pick that was originally owned by the Florida Panthers

Purcell is a bit of a Brandon Bochenski variety forward, in that he is a star in the AHL and can't uite pass muster in the NHL.  Rudy Kelly from Battle of California explained:

 good offensive player that never really fit in LA.  He's a puck possession guy that likes to work along the sideboards and find holes in defensive coverage.  He's a former Rookie of the Year in the AHL but he's struggled to find the same space in the NHL.  He just seems a split-second too slow for the NHL; he'll see the lane or the opening and then make the play, but by then the opening's already closed.  He re-engineered his game this last off-season to become a grittier player but he seemed to lose his scoring touch as a result.  

We're still awaiting for an official press release from the team.  But being another RW (and comparable to Bochenski in that he excels in the AHL) I would not be surprised if this is to appease Norfolk, who has been robbed of two scoring RW's by Lightning, to aid their own playoff push.

The move removes $1.4 million from the Lightning cap number (trading Halpern's prorated $2 Million for Purcell's $600,000).

We didn't make any particular note of the Lightning demoting the likes of Brandon Bochenski and newly-signed RW Mark Parrish during the Olympic break.  These re-assignments had to do with getting these guys playing time during the hiatus of action at the NHL level.  

But with the NHL back in action now, we can report RW Mark Parrish has been recalled from the Norfolk Admirals.  

Also being announced today is the demotion of goaltender Jaroslav Janus, who has been practicing with the Lightning over the last few days while Antero Niittymaki played for Team Finland at the Olympics.  Janus will be rejoining the Admirals who are completing a road trip this week.

UPDATE:  Brandon Bochenski is on re-entry waivers, meaning the Lightning are trying to bring him back to the big club.  We'll know on Tuesday at noon if he cleared.

The Lightning's official press release about Parrish is below the fold.

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The trade deadline is Wednesday and one cog that has been listed as an area of need for the Tampa Bay Lightning is on defense.  A puck-moving defenseman, a guy with the ability to move the puck up ice, out of their own zone, with speed and accuracy.

One scenario that has been brought up a few times over the course of the season is just waiting for defenseman Paul Ranger to return from his extended and enigmatic leave-of-absence from the team.  Once he returns, the role would be filled.

The problem is, it's too late in the game now to expect anything from Ranger.  Even if he returned tomorrow, he becomes more of a liability than an asset on ice.

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Foster, Lecavalier, and Downie talk with fans at fourth Unplugged event in North Tampa. (Photo Credit Alex Hunt)

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(crossposted at Loving the Lightning)

Thursday night the Lightning received another shower of support from their local fan base. Roughly 200 people came out for this season's third Lightning Unplugged event, featuring Kurtis Foster, Steve Downie, and Vincent Lecavalier.

If you suspected that fans had lost hope in recent weeks after the Lightning's losing-steak against the Bruins, Islanders, and Rangers, think again. While changes surge on and off the ice, Lightning fans remain consistent, and crammed into the Tilted Kilt to show their love for the the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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is Jim Johnson joining the Tampa Bay Lghtning coaching staff? (image via Norfolk Admirals)

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There has been uncertainty and innuendo this morning when online reports started to surface  that Tampa Bay head coach Rick Tocchet was about to be dismissed by the club.  With the resumption of team practices today, there would be no better last-chance changes to make regarding the club's coaching makeup this season..

And a change does seem to be playing out, but it's not Rick Tocchet getting his walking papers. 

The official news has not yet broken as of this posting, and there has been no team press release about the change, but it seems to be that assistant coach Wes Walz may be moving to the Norfolk Admirals in one capacity or another (head coach seems to be the position).  

The rumor that Lyle Richardson originally reported had Norfolk's current head coach (who himself was only recently named to the position) Jim Johnson coming to Tampa.  From reports, Johnson still would be heading to the Lightning, but to replace Walz on the coaching staff.

UPDATE 4:21 PM EST:  It's official now thatJim Johnson is promoted to Tampa Bay to serve the Lightning as assistant coach.  Wes Walz has not yet accepted the new position as Norfolk head coach.  We've got more below the fold, so please read on.

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RW Mark Parrish is coming back to the big show.

After spending most fo the season in exile in the AHL, he was signed to a contract by the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier this week, and today he will be making his season debut with the Lightning as they take on the New York Rangers.

This will not stop the bleeding on defense, but it does beef up the offense with experience.  The official press release is below the fold.

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