Evgeny Artyukhin's agent says client has no hard feelings for the Tampa Bay Lightning after trade

Mark Gandler, agent for Evgeny Artyukhin, who was traded Thursday by the Lightning to the Ducks for Drew Miller and a 2010 third-round pick, said his client understands moving players is part of the business and has no hard feelings toward the organization.

The episode ends a strange and tumultuous relationship between the parties that included Artyukhin playing two years in his native Russia because of a contract dispute while Jay Feaster was the general manager. Artyukhin finally got the contract he wanted when Oren Koules' OK Hockey took over the team.

"Once he signed with Tampa, there were no issues between he and the organization, whatsoever," Gandler said. "It's not a blaming game here. I think it's a situation where things evolve and just worked out better for everyone involved."

Artyukhin suspended two games

Lightning RW Evgeny Artyukhin said this  morning  he is suspended for two games by the league for Saturday's knee-to-knee hit on Florida's Ville Peltonen.

Artyukhin said it was an accident and that he apologized to NHL director of hockey operations Mike Murphy.

Artyukhin will miss tonight's game against Dallas and Wednesday's game against Buffalo. He will be eligible to return Jan. 27 against Montreal.

-- DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer

Artyukhin's status for Monday's game up in air

There's a chance the Lightning could be without Evgeny Artyukhin for Monday's game with the Stars.

The league office is reviewing a knee-on-knee hit delivered by Artyukhin in Saturday's loss to the Panthers. The hit involved the Panthers' Ville Peltonen, who had to be helped off the ice near the end of the second period. At that time, the game was tied 3-3, and the Panthers scored the go-ahead goal on the ensuing power play (Artyukhin was called for trippping). Panthers coach Peter DeBoer called the hit "dirty" after the game.

Any discipline would be announced before the game Monday night.

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Artyukhin reunion

So, it looks like the Lightning will make every effort during the summer to sign Evgeny Artyukhin. A fan favorite because of the way he hits, the big Russian has spent this season with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in the Russian Super League. GM Jay Feaster was very upset when Artyukhin, saying he wanted to hone his skills in a situation where he would get more playing time, turned down one-way contracts of one and two years.

Anyway, it looks as if both sides want to get together, and the Lightning could sure use the physical presence. Arty has had a tough go in Russia too where he began the season on the forth line and drove referees crazy with his physical play.

I'll have more on this in tomorrow's paper, but I know I liked watching Arty play. Bet you can't wait to see him back with the Lightning either. It sounds like it might happen in 2007-08.