The Lightning has claimed tough guy David Koci off waivers from the Blues and is headed for the Lightning because another team also put in a claim. Had another team not gotten involved, Koci could have been sent to the minors.

It was not a slam dunk Tampa Bay would get Koci. Because the team finished last in the league last season, it had first dibs on players through waivers, but only until Nov. 1. Since then, it has gone by points in the standings.

Koci, who had zero points and 13 penalty minutes in five games with the Blues, has an interesting story. The Lightning had him on the roster through the two season-opening games in Prague. But he was put on waivers Oct. 21 and claimed by the Blues. At the time, then-coach Barry Melrose, bemoaning the loss of toughness from a team that does not have an enforcer, hoped Koci could be re-claimed in the future.

Adding Koci increases Tampa Bay's roster to the 23-player limit.