Take heart

Take heart those of you from the recent debate on this blog who said the Tampa Bay Lightning needs to add some toughness. The team, apparently, has inquired about free agent Arron Asham. Agent Jarrett Bousquet said he has spoken to Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman, though he added he hasn't spoken to Yzerman in about a week and characterized Tampa Bay's interest only as "mild."
The level of the Lightning's interest is difficult to pinpoint. The team, under Yzerman, has adopted a policy of not commenting on potential player acquisitions, and Yzerman has been busy the past week or so with the acquisition of Simon Gagne in trade from the Flyers and the signing of two assistant coaches. A third assistant, by the way, is expected to be signed by the end of the week.
Either way, Asham, 32, is an intriguing player for Tampa Bay, which is trying to flesh out its third and fourth lines and lost some toughness this summer when it did not re-sign Zenon Konopka and traded defenseman Matt Walker for Gagne. Asham seems to fit the bill. He also seems to fit the profile of a tough guy who can play. In discussing the potential of signing players who can fight, both Yzerman and coach Guy Boucher said it is imperative the player also plays the game.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder had 10 goals, 24 points and 126 penalty minutes in 72 games last season for the Flyers while averaging 10:04 of ice time. He added four goals and seven points with 10 penalty minutes in 23 playoff games and was plus-4 while averaging 11:14 of ice time. And Asham is not afraid to step in when necessary with 14 fights last season and 31 the past two seasons.
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