The agent for goaltender Dan Ellis said he has spoken to the Tampa Bay Lightning about his client. The agent for goaltender Chris Mason said the same. 

"I've talked to them," Mike Liut said Thursday. "That's where we're at. We're talking it out right now with all the teams."

Said Mason's agent Tom Laidlaw in a text message: "We spoke. No deal yet."

There was much speculation that the Lightning could target goalie Chris Mason, but Ellis also was an intriguing option. He lost his starting job in Nashville to Pekka Rinne and his negotiating rights weer traded to the Canadiens. Ellis, 30, was 15-13-1 with a 2.69 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.

Mason, 34, who has a good track record as a No. 1 for the Blues, was 30-22-8 last season with a 2.53 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.

Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said he wants a goaltender to come in and compete with Mike Smith for the No. 1 spot. 

And speaking of goaltenders, Antero Niittymaki has signed with the Sharks, two years, $4 million. Way to rich for Tampa Bay's blood for someone who proved he could not handle the No. 1 load.