The Tampa Bay Lightning claimed defenseman Mike Kostka off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, according to a source.
Kostka had two goals, one assist and a plus-three rating in nine games for the Blackhawks this season. He often rotated with Blackhawks defensemen Sheldon Brookbank and Michal Rozsival for the team's final defenseman spot. Kostka missed most of October and all of November with a lower-body injury.
The Blackhawks signed Kostka to a one-year, $625,000 contract in July after he played 35 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2012-2013 season. The Blackhawks opted to keep Kostka in the NHL as the team's eighth defenseman out of training camp and placed defenseman Ryan Stanton on waivers.
Stanton was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks and has played 45 games for them this season.
The Blackhawks have 22 players, including seven defensemen, on their active roster.
