We will know at noon today if defenseman Janne Niskala has cleared waivers or was picked up by another team. The Lightning does have some roster issues. It's roster is at the 23-man limit, and when right wing Radim Vrbata (groin) is off injured reserve, that will make 24. Having Niskala through waivers gives the team another option. Wing Jason Ward already has cleared.

Niskala is an interesting case. He played fairly well in the season's first six games. He showed he could skate, had a goal and two assists and averaged 13:42 of ice time. But his ice time faded and played just 11:52 in his last game, Oct. 21 versus the Thrashers. He has been a healthy scratch the past four games as the team added Marek Malik, and Mike Lundin emerged as one of the steadier blue liners.

We'll wait and see what happens.