Most of forward Vaclav Prospal’s best seasons came in a Tampa Bay Lightning uniform and now it appears he’ll be joining the club for the third time in his career.

Nearly five months after the Philadelphia Flyers acquired Prospal from the Lightning, they’ve dealt his rights back to the Bolts for a seventh round pick in 2008 and a conditional pick in 2009.

Something about Tampa Bay agrees with Prospal, where’s spent roughly half of his 11-year NHL career. In each of those 5 seasons with the Bolts he’s consistently scored over 55 points per season, including a 79-point performance in 2002-03, an 80-point season in 2005-06 and a career-high 29 goals in 62 games this past season.

The Flyers acquired him just prior to the trade deadline in February to bolster their offensive depth. His availability at that time was likely tied to his UFA status this summer, his clashes with then-Lightning coach John Tortorella and the uncertainty over the sale of the club to OK Hockey, headed by Hollywood producer Oren Koules.

Prospal played well for the Flyers down the stretch and in the first round of the playoffs but faded in the next two rounds. GM Paul Holmgren claimed Prospal wasn’t that keen to return to the Flyers.

The situation in Tampa Bay has changed since Prospal was dealt;  Tortorella has been fired, the sale of the Lightning to Koules was approved, and apparently the team will be aggressively pursuing UFA talent this summer to bolster their roster.

Acquiring Prospal would be a step in the right direction, reuniting the “MVP” line of he, Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier.

This move might also be interpreted as additional enticement for Lecavalier to re-sign a long-term contract with the team before next summer.

Prospal will be re-signed, as this move wouldn’t have happened if he wasn’t keen to return to Tampa Bay and the Lightning front office weren’t interested in bringing him back.

Prospal’s trade to Philadelphia essentially kicked off the February 2008 trade deadline, and it’ll be interesting to see if his deal back to Tampa Bay is the starting gun for another bout of entry draft weekend dealings.

The day before the NHL trade deadline was quiet but for a couple of re-signings, but finally one trade occurred, when the Tampa Bay Lightning shipped forward Vaclav Prospal to the Philadephia Flyers in exchange for defenseman Alexandre Picard and a conditional draft pick in 2009.

No surprise that Prospal was dealt. An unrestricted free agent at season’s end he wasn’t expected to be re-signed by the Lightning, currently in the process of changing owners. Prospal’s very public recent post-game clash with head coach John Tortorella likely sealed his fate.

This was a move the Flyers needed to make, having lost scorers Mike Richards and Simon Gagne to injury, the latter for the rest of the season due to concussion. The Flyers were mired in a ten-game losing skid until Monday, falling out of a playoff berth during that slide, so something had to be done to bolster their offence and perhaps save the season.

Prospal’s had a good season thus far, with 29 goals and 57 points in 62 games. If he can carry that scoring pace over to Philadelphia he could provide the much-needed scoring boost they’ve recently lacked.

This move was an obvious salary dump by the Lightning, as the return is clearly with an eye on the future while clearing the boards of Prospal’s remaining salary.

With the NHL’s trade deadline fast approaching here’s my take on some players thought to be possible trade bait and who might be on the move by February 26th:

Mats Sundin: As long as the Toronto Maple Leafs have a shot at a playoff berth, he won’t waive his “no-trade” clause.

Marian Hossa: The Atlanta Thrashers are trying to re-sign him leading to speculation that if he’s not re-signed by the deadline he’ll be shopped. If the Thrashers are still in the playoff chase I suspect GM Don Waddell won’t move him, but if not, he could indeed hit the trade block.   

Alex Tanguay: His name’s popped up this past week due to media concerns about the Calgary Flames off-season cap issues, but he’s denied seeking a trade or being asked to waive his NTC. I suspect Flames GM Darryl Sutter could retain him for the upcoming playoffs and perhaps consider shopping him in the off-season.

Olli Jokinen: Ever notice that it’s Canadian-based media outlets that often report the Florida Panthers captain could be traded? Ever notice that to date they’ve yet to be right?

Rob Blake: He says he hasn’t agreed to waive his NTC or asked to waive it, but the possibility exists that this LA Kings blueliner could be playing elsewhere by February 26th.

Jaromir Jagr: If the NY Rangers were to shop him I have my doubts there’d be many takers given his low production this season and his reputation for moodiness.

Patrick Marleau: A fixture in the rumor mill since last April, his below-average stats and the expensive ($12.6 million) two year contract (with a no-trade clause) beginning next season should keep him in the Shark tank.

Dan Boyle and Vaclav Prospal: Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster suggested that if the club fails to make a playoff push he could be forced into making some cost-cutting moves, leading to speculation impending UFAs Boyle and Prospal could be part of those moves.

Brian Campbell: He’s postponed his contract talks with the Buffalo Sabres until the off-season. That’s led to trade speculation that Sabres GM Darcy Regier rejected, claiming he hopes to re-sign Campbell. I believe him.  

Maxim Afinogenov and Dmitri Kalinin: The former has struggled offensively this season and the latter’s eligible for UFA status this summer. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the Sabres trying to move either guy by the deadline.

J.P. Dumont: The Nashville Predators might not have enough money available this summer to re-sign him and if they’re out of the playoff race in a month’s time could consider shopping Dumont.

Michael Ryder: The Montreal Canadiens aren’t expected to re-sign him after this season and could try to move him in the coming weeks. His sub-par production this season however could hurt his trade value.

Nikolai Khabibulin: I wouldn’t doubt Chicago Blackhawks management would love to dump the remaining year and $6.75 million on his contract, but that and his poor performance this season won’t make him enticing to anyone at this year’s deadline.  

Yanic Perreault: The Chicago Blackhawks could try to peddle this faceoff specialist to a Stanley Cup contender.

#### Tarnstrom: He’s been considered the odd man out on the Edmonton Oilers blueline, and with some teams seeking a veteran puck-moving defenceman Tarnstrom could attract some attention leading up to the deadline.

Keith Carney: This blueline veteran was a frequent scratch in the first half of this season, and he could end up shopped by the Minnesota Wild in the coming weeks.

Christian Backman: Plenty of speculation the St. Louis Blues could shop a defenceman for depth elsewhere in the roster, and Backman’s name has been floated as part of those rumors.

Bear in mind, folks, that this is only a quick observation of who might or might not be dealt. There are likely to be players that no one suspected as trade bait who could be traded by February 26th, and that most of the above-mentioned players could end up staying with their respective teams.

Feel free to chip in with names you think might be on the move by the deadline. It'll be interesting to review this list and your takes after February 26th.