Lightning claim RW Tim Wallace off waivers

Today the Tampa Bay Lightning announced that they have picked up right wing Tim Wallace off of waivers from the New York Islanders. The Anchorage, Alaska, native has played 31 games with the Islanders since being called up in early December. In that time he has one assist and is a -7, while averaging about 8:40 in ice time a night.

While nothing has yet been announced as far as the team's plans. Wallace's pickup likely means that Mike Angelidis, the captain of the AHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals, or Trevor Smith, one of their leading scorers, can return to the Admirals' playoff hunt. This is good news for the Admirals (and for the Lightning prospects playing there right now.)

And apparently he's played with the #AlaskanAssassin, Nate Thompson, before:

I'd like to welcome Tim Wallace to the bolts. Fellow AK boy and great guy. Been a long time since playing together for the AK All Stars

— Nathan Thompson (@NateThompson44) February 23, 2012

The team's press release and a brief scouting report after the jump.

TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning have claimed forward Tim Wallace off waivers from the New York Islanders today, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced.

Wallace, 6-foot-1, 207 pounds, has played in 31 games with the New York Islanders this season, collecting one assist and six penalty minutes. He's also skated in 24 games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League, recording nine goals and 20 points. Wallace ranks tied for fourth on the Sound Tigers in goals and seventh in points.

The Anchorage, Alaska native has played in 55 career NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Islanders over four seasons, collecting three assists and 18 penalty minutes. He recorded his lone assist this season against the Lightning on December 6.

The 27 year-old has skated in 328 career AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Sound Tigers, posting 84 goals and 157 points. Wallace set career highs in the AHL during his 2009-10 season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton when he registered 27 goals and 41 points. He's appeared in 55 career Calder Cup playoff games, compiling four goals and 17 points.

From forecaster.ca:

ASSETS: Displays a sound work rate and a motor that never quits. Has good size and the feistiness to win a lot of battles in the corners.

FLAWS: Isn't a natural in the scoring department. Must avoid taking bad penalties. Lacks the vision and hockey sense of a top-six winger.

CAREER POTENTIAL: Journeyman winger.

Energetic and feisty sounds pretty good for this team right now.