Seems very few days can pass without some sort of change taking place on the Lightning these days. Come to think of it, it’s sort of been that way since about June 28 or so really. I guess that means we should start to become surprised when things slow down, rather than keeping with the status quo of late.

So I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that another roster move was made today when Jason Ward was sent to Norfolk of the American Hockey League this morning. Ward was in the process of getting ready for the morning skate today when general manager Brian Lawton pulled him aside and broke the news to him. Ward said in some ways he’s a bit relieved right now because right now he’s happy just to be able to play some hockey, and if that means helping out Norfolk right now, then he’s willing to do so and try to make in impression on somebody who might be willing to offer him a chance to play in the NHL again this year.

Also tonight, Evgeny Artyukhin is out of the lineup with what Barry Melrose tongue-in-cheek referred to “an injury below the neck and above the ankles’’, seeing as how the league doesn’t require full disclosure on injuries these days. In actuality, I believe it’s a groin issue judging on where Artyukhin has been getting post-game wraps the past few days. Melrose said that watching Artyukhin play against the Rangers on Thursday that it was obvious the injury was bothering Artyukhin enough that he needs to sit and rest.

With Artyukhin in the pressbox tonight, Ryan Craig gets back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch against New York. Also, Mike Smith will be in goal, with the assumption that Olie Kolzig goes on Monday in his return to Washington.

Had the chance to speak to Matt Carle this morning to get his thoughts on the trade that went down on Friday. As predicted, he was caught off-guard a little bit and said it certainly would be weird working out with the Lightning on Friday and playing against them tonight. Carle said he doesn’t feel any disdain for being moved so quickly and understands the business side of the game.

Also talked to Steve Eminger, who reflected a lot of the same things Carle said, saying he was surprised to be moved so quickly, and expressed how strange it’s going to be to play against the Flyers tonight and then against the Washington Capitals on Monday, the team he broke into the league with.