The Lightning reassigned center Vladislav Namestnikov to AHL Syracuse on Friday.
The 2011 first-round draft pick was on the ice for 9:51 and didn't have a point in Thursday night's 6-3 loss to the Blues. He has appeared in 26 games with the Lightning this season.
The move is an indication that center Cedric Paquette is nearing a return after missing the past two games with an upper-body injury. Associate coach Rick Bowness said Thursday that Paquette might be ready to play Sunday at San Jose.