TSN reports the Los Angeles Kings addressed their need for goaltending stability today by claiming veteran netminder Sean Burke off re-entry waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Injuries have bitten the Kings' goalies hard this season, with Dan Cloutier and Mathieu Garon both sidelined indefinitely, leaving the club with two rookie call-ups to fill the void. The Kings have Jason LaBarbera on their farm club but were unwilling to call him up for fear of losing him via waivers.

Burke has spent this season toiling on the Lightning's farm team, and TSN reports that he still has over $700K remaining on his $1.6 million contract for this season. However, by plucking him off re-entry waivers, the Kings are only on the hook for half the remaining amount, with the Lightning having to pick up the rest, which will now count against their cap for the rest of the season.

Burke hasn't seen much action in the AHL, playing in only seven games, and his stats weren't that great either (4.52 GAA and .856 SP).

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and the Kings needed an affordable short-term fix between the pipes. If Burke can return to his once-strong NHL form, he'll be a boon to the Kings. If not, his salary is easily absorbable and he can be demoted once Garon returns to action.

At this point, he can't make the Kings goalie situation any worse than it already was, so it's a worthwhile move on the part of GM Dean Lombardi.