Ciccarelli Finally Traded, Has Mixed Feelings About Deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning bolstered its offense by acquiring 500-goal scorer Dino Ciccarelli from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a conditional pick in the 1998 NHL draft.

The Lightning has been working for some time to obtain the 15-year veteran who has expressed reservations about leaving a Stanley Cup contender for a team that made the playoffs for the first time only last season.

Ciccarelli, 36, is building a home in suburban Detroit, about 45 minutes from his hometown of Sarnia, Ontario and was quoted on Tuesday as being undecided about what he might do if the deal was struck.

Lightning general manager Phil Esposito is confident the NHL’s No. 12 career goal scorer will join Tampa Bay.

“When I talked to him on Tuesday night, he said he didn’t know which way to turn,” Esposito said. “But he never said to me he wouldn’t report to us or anything like that. I guess he just needs some time to get over the shock.”

Goaltender J.C. Bergeron, who has spent the last four seasons with Tampa Bay, has agreed to terms of a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings.

Journeyman center Jesse Belanger signed a two-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

Team Canada added Washington defenseman Sylvain Cote to its roster for the World Cup of Hockey, and removed Pittsburgh center Ron Francis.