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"You'd love to help, always. That's the goal. I'm just not sure it's out there with the market the way it is."

Lawton said he expects to make two trades before the team sets its roster. Expect draft choices and prospects to be the priority as the team tries to manage its payroll.

"He won't fit into our plans," Lawton said. "There won't be a roster spot for him. He has the right to come back and if he wants to he can, and he'll end up in Norfolk."

"Please be advised that in order to avoid any confusion over the next couple of weeks, as GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning Organization I am the only person authorized to speak on behalf of the team with regard to player transactions."

"No other person is authorized to negotiate player transactions. Any questions, feel free to call."

Mark Pukalo looks at why late-round draft picks are critically important to this Tampa Bay team in the midst of a "retooling." When a guy like Marty St. Louis doesn’t even have the privilege of being drafted and Brian Lawton is selected first overall you’ve got to believe Pukalo might actually be on to something here. Amen, brother.

"If you include Vinny Lecavalier in a deal, you'd better include yourself."

Apparently, Tocc’s signing as head coach is imminent, though the arsenal of stall tactics Brian Lawton has employed to delay this "formality" rival those used by the writers of 24. Kinda makes you wonder if Lawton’s going to drag this one out through the second round of Stanley Cup playoffs just to see who else might be available for the job.

As we noted last night, Snow is ruling nothing out, including a trade of the pick, even if it's the 1st. No point in rushing when there are Waddells and Lawtons out there who might do something ... unsound.

"I could have helped Rick out without the interim tag, but I didn't want him to face a lot of pressure when he started,"