Lightning assign three to Norfolk

Nov 14, 2007 - 12:54 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Lightning reduced their roster by three Tuesday, assigning defenseman Matt Smaby, left wing Mathieu Darche and center Craig MacDonald to Norfolk of the American Hockey League.

A second-round pick in 2003, the 23-year-old Smaby made his NHL debut on October 4 against New Jersey and has recorded four penalty minutes in four contests this season. The 6-5, 222-pounder also has picked up seven penalty minutes in four contests with the Admirals.

Darche, 30, registered a goal and three assists in 13 games with Tampa Bay this campaign. He has collected two tallies and six points in 41 career contests with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks and Lightning.

Selected in the fourth round of the 1996 draft by Hartford, MacDonald notched one assist in 14 games with Tampa Bay in 2007-08. The 30-year-old has appeared in 174 NHL contests with the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks and Lightning, amassing eight goals and 15 assists.