Tampa Bay claims David Koci

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.

Comments

[Badbud]

Halpern has played in 24 Play-off games.

6goals, 6 assits,12 points.

He is a grinder who play pretty good for bolts last season.

He got hurt playing for Team USA,we could have used his leadersip to start the season IMO still can use some now.

[PD]

Leo, go Als

[PD]

agree on Halpern , he has grit , plays both ends and leads by example..something a few C's don't.

[Marcel]

Not sure if the label "perennial loser" is applicable to any of the current players.

It's pretty hard to find a player that was never associated with winning anything and making the NHL.
Points, team championship or something.

Halpern took the penalty in gane 7 OT against the Canucks in 07 first round, that led to the series winning goal.
Talk about a LONG skate back to the bench, costing the team the series.

I say he'll be a winner if he can make it back from injury.
Anyone playing in the show with both ACL's replaced is a winner.

[Mike13]

I for one can't wait for Halpy to be back with the Bolts. He's great in the locker room and is a rough veteran who has demonstrated, at least to some extent, that he can contribute on the score sheet as well.

[jiffy]

Marcel-
My bad. I don't know where I got that he was in the Finals... Thanks for the correction.
Could the "loser" label apply to many of the current team then? I agree average in production but don't you need that from your 3 + 4 lines? I just look at him as a steady veteran that will contribute somewhat and play his role. I guess we will see if the same chemistry is there this season when Halpern comes back.
That is exactly the opposite of how the Lightning started this season- NO ONE knew what their role was. It looks like Tocc's is getting there and we should see a more representative product soon on the ice from what was touted before the season began.

[Marcel]

Jiffy,

He was in college when the Caps went to the finals.
He also happened to put up much better numbers after coming to Tampa than at any other time in the NHL.
Some speculate he was too conservative and did not play up to his potential.

In any event, he has a big obstacle in trying to return from this injury, especially since his talent level is average at best, he will need to be 100%, otherwise he's finished.

The "perennial loser" label is because he's NEVER won anything anywhere, as a matter of fact, all he's ever been part of is losing, on and off the ice.
Sad but true, I wish him luck with recovery.

[Lightning Rod]

Never hurts to have A character guy around. Thanks for the secure site.

[Badbud]

"Koci, who had zero points and 13 penalty minutes in five games"

Bolts Win the CUP,or YAFKM.one or the other.

[jiffy]

Why is Halpern a "perennial loser". This guy plays one year with the Stars- doesn't fit in there (I know we have had guys that don't fit in here). Comes here and has numbers like he did in Washington, helping get them a Stanley Cup Final chipping in 10-15 goals a season. Sounds good to me for a 3 or 4 line man.
I am all about the defense it must get better to play a complete game. Forget about adding more forwards. The only way to get an elite d-man right now is to trade a top dog. Is it St. Louis?? (not that I am looking to get rid of him) Don't know but, he could instantly make a struggling offense better with the plays he makes- not necessarily his goal scoring...

[Marcel]

Mike,

Halpern tore it up AFTER he was dealt a blow by Dallas, does not say much watching a guy play his best AFTER he's been traded, more like a mere attempt at doing everything he could to prove he belongs in the show.

This guy has enough to worry about, now he has both left & right ACL's replaced.
If he makes it back, it will be a big sign of his courage combined with medical technology. I wish him well.

[mike p]

Yea, good point flasher. I know everyone on this blog seems to have Halpern coined as a perennial loser, but he seemed to have a good run during his short time in Tampa. It was also impressive because it was during a time when the team had given up and points were hard to come by.

[Nfkfan]

Koci can play as defense or a forward, dont discount him just yet..

[Boltflasher]

Any news on how Halpern and the knee is doing or if there is a target date for his return?

[Graham]

I've been thinking during the last few games that there wasn't anyone on the team who would go out to fight to change the pace of the game. Sure Gratton will fight your grandmother if she slashes one of his wingers and Malone is willing to dance with pretty much anyone out there after an elbow to the face but we need someone to change the tone of the game. The Lightning need a 3-4 minute a game enforcer. They need a Boogard.

[Oscar]

We got Koci back? Whoop dee do! Now what? I thought he was Melrose's boy.

With our porous defense, we still scour the waiver wire for FORWARDS??? These kind of forwards?

YGTBSM!

Nice to have a *secure* site. Thanks DC and hierarchy.

Go Bolts!

Casper is now...

[Kipp]

That's great but who's he going to replace?