TAMPA, FLA. (AP) - The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired 41-year-old goalie Dwayne Roloson from the New York Islanders shortly after beating the New York Rangers on Saturday night.
The Lightning, who earned a 2-1 overtime win on Saturday, sent minor league defenseman Ty Wishart to the Islanders.
Roloson is 6-13-1 this season with a 2.64 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in 20 games. He is in the final year of a two-year contract and can become a free agent on July 1. In 532 NHL games, Roloson is 196-229-42-33 with a 2.66 GAA.
The 22-year-old Wishart has four goals and 14 assists in 31 games this season with Norfolk of the AHL. He was chosen by San Jose with the 16th pick in the 2006 draft.
Wishart played five NHL games with the Lightning during the 2008-09 season.
Roloson is one of 11 NHL goalies to play after turning 41.
“He’s a goalie that battles hard,” Lightning coach Guy Boucher said. “He’s done really well this year.”
The move by Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman means the Lightning will have three goalies, including Dan Ellis and Mike Smith, who is expected back soon from a left knee injury.
The surprising Lightning, currently leading the Southeast Division, have missed the playoffs the past three seasons.
“It’s an opportunity we wanted to jump on,” Boucher said. “It’s an opportunity Steve felt you didn’t want to miss.”
Wishart will report to Bridgeport of the AHL.
Boucher said rookie goalie Cedrick Desjardins, who earned the win over the Rangers on Saturday night, will be sent back to Norfolk. Desjardins also beat Montreal 4-1 in his NHL debut on Thursday night.
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