According to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, the Tampa Bay Lightning have claimed Greg McKegg off waivers from the Florida Panthers, and the Columbus Blue Jackets claimed Zac Dalpe from the Minnesota Wild. Both Ryan Carter and Teemu Pulkkinen cleared today.
McKegg will join a crowded group in Tampa Bay after the team called up both Adam Erne and Yanni Gourde this morning as well. The former third-round pick may be another option for the team should the decide to trade any forwards before Wednesday’s trade deadline. Though he hasn’t found much success at the NHL level thus far in his career, he does provide some center depth for a team that has an expiring contract in Brian Boyle likely on the market.
Minnesota had been trying to slip Dalpe through waivers to reset his clock before the Wednesday trade deadline according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune, but will now have to give him up to the Columbus Blue Jackets who are dealing with some injuries up front and could use some help. The former Carolina Hurricanes second-round pick has bounced around the AHL ranks throughout his career and will hope for an extended look at the NHL level with his new team.
As Russo points out, the Wild are willing to trade Pulkkinen after he cleared waivers, and a team could immediately install the elite AHL scorer into their minor league system. Should they find a taker, he’ll likely not command a big price after the Wild acquired him off waivers from the Red Wings earlier this seaosn.