Weekly Rebounds: Nashville's Steve Sullivan Working His Way Back

Every week there are minor moves and stories around the National Hockey League that tend to fall through the cracks. Consider this our weekly roundup of those stories from the previous week, all wrapped up in one neat little package.

During the 2006-07 season, Nashville forward Steve Sullivan suffered a back injury that knocked him out of the lineup for the remainder of the season. As a result of the injury, he missed the entire 2007-08 season and the first three months (and counting) of this season.

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal points out that the 34-year old Sullivan is "skating hard" by himself in Nashville and may in fact make it back to the Predators lineup this season, Assuming he makes it back to the lineup -- and, let's be honest, that's quite an assumption at this point -- how much of an impact can we expect? Prior to his injury during the '06 season, he had played a full 82-game season one time (2002-03, which Chicago) and was a solid bet for 60-70 games per year.

Having said that, when he's on the ice, the 5-foot-8 forward is as steady as they come, good for 25 goals and 60 points. Can he step in and contribute anything close to that after not playing for nearly two seasons, at the age of 34, and with a bad back? Who knows, but it might be interesting to see what he could provide to the Predators.

Edit: The Nashville Tennessean reports Sullivan skated with the Predators in a full practice on Tuesday.

Minor Matters

... Remember when Jamie Lundmark was a can't-miss prospect for the New York Rangers? That was quite some time ago, and it never really worked out for the former first-round pick. Over the past couple of years he's bounced around the league, spending time with New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Calgary. He's back in the NHL now, after getting called up by the Flames this past week. In 28 games with the Quad City Flames of the AHL, Lundmark picked up 30 points (seven goals, 23 assists). In his first game with the Flames on Tuesday, he picked up an assist in their 6-3 win over St. Louis.

... After spending two weeks in the Edmonton lineup, Rob Schremp was sent back down to the Minors on Tuesday, after picking up three assists for the Oilers. He's always been an intriguing player because of his offensive flare and ability to do ridiculous things with the puck (like this - though, that skill doesn't really translate to games), but, as I said two weeks ago when he was originally called up, he's one-dimensional and still gets lost finding his way to the defensive zone. Head coach Craig MacTavish said the demotion was so Schremp can get top-six minutes every night.

Waivers

... The Columbus Blue Jackets placed No. 3 goaltender Fredrik Norrena on waivers, due in large part to the emergence of rookie Steve Mason. The 35-year old Norrena started five games for Columbus this season, posting a 1-3 record and a .872 save percentage.

... On Friday, the Tampa Bay Lightning placed defenseman Mike Lundin on waivers. He eventually cleared, and was assigned to Norfolk of the AHL. Just another weekly roster adjustment for Tampa Bay. Lundin played 25 games for Tampa Bay this season, averaging 16-minute per night, registering two assists.