The Tampa Tribune: After Tampa Bay failed to capitalize on a four-minute power play at 6:01, Antoine Vermette beat Denis to the short side with a quick shot after the puck squirted out of the corner off the skate of Patrick Eaves.
But the Lightning rallied in the third period, first on Fedotenko's ninth goal of the season. Fedotenko took a long outlet pass from Ranger, cut to the slot and fired a wrist shot between two Ottawa defensemen that beat Emery on the glove side 3:30 into the period.

The Ledger:

Benched, But Fedotenko's Not Talking

TAMPA-Ruslan Fedotenko said he is not interested in talking about his one-game benching eight days ago.
«I still have no comment on that," he said of missing the Dec. 16 game against the Hurricanes.
«That would be the politically correct answer. It was a coach's decision. I'll leave it at that.»
Told that made it seem he believes the benching unwarranted, he added, «Everybody has their own explanation. They can read between the lines, and we'll leave it at that.»
As for evening a season of peaks and valleys, Fedotenko said he wants to build on a mini-surge.
The wing entered Saturday with three goals in six games. He said his surgically repaired left hip feels stronger and he is «creating some chances.»
Still, his nine goals entering Saturday had him on pace for 21, five fewer than last season. And he had just four goals in his previous 24 games.
«So it's positive or negative," he said.
The bottom line: «I need to play better. I've worked on things. Hopefully, I'm putting it back together.»

The Tampa Tribune: Changes are indeed afoot within the Lightning locker room.
One precursor to a bit of roster tweaking took place Friday when forwards Dmitry Afanasenkov and Andreas Karlsson were placed on waivers. The league's other 29 teams will have a chance to claim either by noon today.
...
In addition, Dallas has been rumored to be looking for offensive depth after losing captain Brenden Morrow and Eric Lindros to injury. Tampa Bay might be willing to part with underachieving Vinny Prospal or pending free agent Ruslan Fedotenko in order to land a quality defenseman.

The Edmonton Sun: Don't be surprised if the Lightning make cost-cutting measures if they keep Feaster and Tortorella. The owners of the Bolts were counting on playoff revenues and there are whispers they're ready to throw in the towel, which means players could be packing their bags. If the Bolts make a move, there are a variety of players who could be on the move. The most often-mentioned names are LW Vaclav Prospal and RW Ruslan Fedotenko and there's plenty of interest in both. There are whispers Chicago, Dallas, Calgary and Ottawa have asked about Prospal, who is also a natural centre. The Hawks, Rangers, Islanders, Wild, Bruins and Canucks have all made calls about Fedotenko. Trying to clear cap space, the club waived LW Dmitry Afanasenkov and C Andreas Karlsson Friday. Afanasenkov was picked up by Philly ...

phillyBurbs.com: In Tampa, Afanasenkov roomed with former Flyer Ruslan Fedotenko, who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for the Lightning in the 2004 finals.
“He's already called me a couple times, yesterday, today,'' Afanasenkov grinned. “He said [Philadelphia] is a great organization, great city ... the fans are crazy about hockey. He thinks it's a good move for me.''

TSN: - According to the Arlington Heights Daily Herald Times, Blackhawks defencemen Jassen Cullimore, Adrian Aucoin and Jim Vandermeer could be available. The paper also notes that the Blackhawks continue to be mentioned in rumors with Tampa Bay involving center Vaclav Prospal and winger Ruslan Fedotenko.

St. Petersburg Times: Prospal's five goals and 18 assists put him on pace for 10 and 34. The 44 points would be 36 fewer than last season.
Prospal scored an opportunistic goal Friday against the Avalanche and played a season-high 23:10.
«I believe my personality is not that I would give up on something," he said. «I'm not satisfied with how things are going, but I feel I'm on the right path.»
As for the trade rumors, «You just have to dismiss them.»
Teammate Ruslan Fedotenko, also part of trade speculation, agreed: «Knowing I'm coming up on unrestricted free agency, something could be done, so we'll wait and see. It's a business. I just have to roll with it.»

St. Petersburg Times: I know exactly what the problem is with the Lightning. It's the coaching staff. How could they mess with the only thing that is working? The combo of Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis should not be put on separate lines. Together, they're dynamite. Apart, the Lightning's chances are down the drain. Second, Tim Taylor has no business being the captain of the team. He is not even a fair player performance-wise. Any one of the «Big Three» would make a fine captain. Third, Johan Holmqvist should be the starting goalie. Fourth, if GM Jay Feaster trades Ruslan Fedotenko, he'll be making a big mistake. If it weren't for Fedotenko, the Lightning would not have won the Stanley Cup. It's bad enough that he let Fredrik Modin go for a mediocre goalie. Last, Dan Boyle is the most overrated defenseman in the league. The Lightning doesn't need more offense. It needs better defense. I know, John Tortorella doesn't pay attention to statistics. That's why his team has one of the worst records in the league. His abrasive style doesn't help, either. Thanks for letting me vent.

Ann Witt, Clearwater

The Tampa Tribune: NOT YET FOR FEDS, SARICH: The Lightning were allowed to begin contract negotiations with prospective free agents Ruslan Fedotenko and Cory Sarich as of Jan. 1, but Feaster said that isn't much of a consideration at the moment.
«Honestly, I think that right now we've got bigger issues," Feaster said, «in terms of we have to get a run going.
«Until that happens, that we get a run going and we put ourselves in a position where we're solidly in the playoffs, I'm not worried about next year. I'm … worried about right now.

FOXSports: Another team that has performed well of late is the Tampa Bay Lightning, and their recent hot streak (six wins in seven games) could have an impact on possible moves by team management.
GM Jay Feaster had previously threatened to shake up his roster, and there was talk of forwards Vaclav Prospal or Ruslan Fedotenko getting dealt, but their improvement has Feaster expressing his happiness to the local media and suggesting he might be a buyer, rather than a seller, by the deadline.
If that happens, perhaps it'll finally put an end to the season-long speculation of Feaster dealing away one of his star players for more depth elsewhere in his lineup.