News: The Flyers announced Thursday they signed forwards forwards Lukas Kaspar, Krys Kolanos, Mika Pyorala and Jason Ward and defenseman Joey Mormina to one-year contracts. "Lukas, Krys and Jason are experienced skilled players who have each had a share of NHL time during their careers," Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said. "We feel each player solidifies our organizational depth at the forward position. Mika is a 28-year-old player with a wealth of experience in the European Elite Leagues and is capable of playing all forward positions. Joey is a player we are familiar with and drafted back in 2002. He has AHL experience and we feel he will be a positive influence on our young defensemen in Glens Falls, as well as providing depth to the organization."
Analysis: The 30-year-old Ward appeared in only one game with the Lightning in 2008-09 after appearing in 79 games with Tampa in 2007-08. He just didn't fit into the new regime's plan last season. Ward will once again provide organizational depth for the Flyers, but he has little to no Fantasy appeal.
News: LW Jason Ward was assigned to Tampa Bay's minor league affiliate in Norfolk on Saturday.
Analysis: Ward, who cleared waivers on Oct. 21, missed the first four games of the season with a groin injury and only appeared in one game on the season. On his way to the airport, Ward said he would have liked to get more than one game to show what he's capable of doing. "I know what I can do and not getting the opportunity to do what I know I can do is frustrating," he said. Ward has little to no Fantasy value when in the NHL and can be ignored in all formats.
News: Lightning RW Jason Ward, who hasn't played all season because of a groin injury, was waived Tuesday.
Analysis: The Lightning would like to sneak Ward to the minors and possibly get him a few games before bringing him back. Either way, Ward is nothing more than roster depth and can be ignored in Fantasy.
News: Tampa Bay RW Jason Ward (groin) could not return to play in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Atlanta Thrashers. He has yet to play this season.
Analysis: Ward is practicing and is close to returning to the lineup. Still, he has little to no Fantasy value when healthy.
News: Lightning RW Jason Ward (groin) did not return to the lineup Saturday against the Wild and remains day to day. He has yet to play this season.
Analysis: Ward is practicing and is close to returning to the lineup. Still, he has little to no Fantasy value when healthy.
News: Lightning RW Jason Ward (groin) did not return to the lineup Thursday against the Islanders. He remains day to day and awaits his 2008-09 debut.
Analysis: Ward is practicing and is close to returning to the lineup. Still, he has little to no Fantasy value when healthy.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Lightning LW Jason Ward, who suffered a groin strain on Oct. 2 while the team was still in Europe, was activated from injured reserve on Oct. 11, but it's unclear when he could return to the lineup.
Analysis: Ward is practicing and is close to returning to the lineup, but still remains an injury-risk start for Fantasy Week 2 (Oct. 13-19). Still, he has little to no Fantasy value when healthy.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Lightning LW Jason Ward suffered a strained groin muscle during practice before the start of the season and was placed on injured reserve.
Analysis: The good news for the Lightning is that unlike in football when someone goes on injured reserve, the player can come back in hockey when he is healthy. Ward could be out a couple of weeks, but when healthy, he has little to no Fantasy value.
News: Lightning RW Jason Ward scored his seventh goal of the season and finished at plus-1 during Thursday's 5-3 win against Philadelphia. Kimmo Timonen lost control of the puck in the third and Ward was there to quickly poke the puck past Martin Biron for a 5-2 lead at 2:18. I twas his second goal in five games.
Analysis: Ward has played in 56 games this season and has managed 10-plus points for the fourth straight season. But he still sees most of his time on the lower lines for Tampa Bay and has little to no Fantasy value.
News: Tampa Bay recalled D Dan Jancevski and LW Mathieu Darche from Norfolk of the AHL Wednesday. Jancevski replaced D Paul Ranger (shoulder), while Darche took the spot of RW Jason Ward (healthy scratch) in the lineup.
Analysis: Ward had been playing on the third line with Chris Gratton and Ryan Craig, as well as on penalty kill. In 20 games, Ward scored two goals and had three assists. He's not worth starting in most Fantasy leagues.
News: The Tampa Tribune reports that Jason Ward has become one of the more versatile players on the Lightning roster, after coming to Tampa Bay in a trade with the Kings last season. He is playing on the second scoring line with Brad Richards and Jan Hlavac, and he has two goals in his past three games. "He's playing really well right now. I enjoy playing with him," Richards said. "His feet are always moving; he's on pucks and creates a lot of turnovers. He gets in front of the net. He opens up and does some good things. We're playing with a lot of confidence right now, which is good."
Analysis: When Ward had a chance to leave as an unrestricted free agent, he never really considered leaving the Lightning. He told GM Jay Feaster that he wanted to return, so he signed a two-year dealin early May -- six weeks before free agency opened. He started the year on the checking line, but on Oct. 18 he moved up to Richards' line. "I don't think Wardo was playing that well on (Chris) Gratton's line. He wasn't moving his legs and wasn't chasing down pucks," Lightning coach John Tortorella said. "He has been a huge part of the success of [the Richards] line, because they have had the puck more and with him, that's the biggest strength of his game in forechecking. He's been around the puck more now, and his legs are really moving." Ward has six goals in 26 games with the Lightning. Ward is worth Fantasy consideration larger leagues at this point.
News: D Paul Ranger and RW Jason Ward each posted a goal and assist in Wednesday's game at Washington with two shots on goal. Ranger, who had the first goal by a Lightning defenseman this season, finished with an even rating. Ward posted a plus-2.
Analysis: Despite the solid night, Ward is only worth Fantasy consideration in the deepest of leagues at this point. The Lightning host the Flyers on Thursday night.
News: Jason Ward has scored a goal and has two assists in three preseason games with the Tampa Bay Lightning to go along with a plus-1 rating.
Analysis: Ward might be a worth adding in the late rounds of larger Fantasy leagues, especially if he can find his way onto either the second or third scoring line.
News: Ward re-signed a two-year contract to remain with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He gave up the opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Analysis: Ward managed four goals and four assists in 17 games with Tampa Bay after being acquired in a trade from Los Angeles at the NHL trade deadline. He is not someone to consider on Draft Day 2007-08 in most Fantasy leagues, however.
News: Eric Perrin and Jason Ward each had a goal and assist in Tuesday's game against the Islanders. Perrin also had an even rating, while Ward was a minus-1.
Analysis: Ward's goal was his first since Jan. 11 when he was with the New York Rangers. He is only worth a look in the largest of Fantasy formats at this time.
News: The Los Angeles Kings traded RW Jason Ward to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday for a fifth-round draft pick in 2007.
Analysis: Ward will likely work on a checking line and will not have much Fantasy appeal down the stretch unless injuries decimate the Lightning forwards.
News: The Los Angeles Kings traded LW Sean Avery and minor-league prospect LW John Seymour to the New York Rangers for RW Jason Ward and unsigned prospects Marc-Andre Cliche and Jan Marek.
Analysis: Ward has managed just four assists and 10 points through 46 games with the Rangers. His Fantasy value was minimal in New York and is that much less with Los Angeles. He has 58 points through 232 career games in the NHL.
News: Brad Isbister and Jason Ward scored on Thursday at Florida for the Rangers, who have lost a season-high four in a row.
Analysis: Despite the score, Ward is not worth using in most Fantasy leagues.
News: Ward has gone scoreless over the past 10 games with a minus-5 rating after starting the season with three points (2 G, 1 A) in the first eight games.
Analysis: Ward is not a recommended Fantasy option in most formats.
News: Jason Ward has posted nine goals, 13 assists and a plus-3 rating through 58 games at the Olympic Games break. He is one of five Rangers to play in all of his teams' games.
Analysis: Ward, who is on pace for 31 points, is only worth a look in Fantasy leagues of 12 or teams as a No. 5 or 6 wing.
News: Ward scored a goal and had a plus-1 rating in 9:17 of ice time in Wednesday's game against Ottawa.
Analysis: Ward has 11 points (5 G, 6 A) and a plus-8 rating over the past 15 games. He has emerged as a useful No. 5 or 6 Fantasy wing in leagues of 12 or more teams.
News: Ward scored a goal in Tuesday's game against the Flames, skating on the team's third line with Ville Nieminen and Michael Nylander.
Analysis: Ward got off to a decent start this season, but he has tailed off significantly. His Fantasy value is minimal.
News: Ward signed with the Rangers on Thursday. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.
Analysis: Ward posted a career-high 12 points in 53 games with the Canadiens in 2003-04. He will likely split time between Hartford of the AHL and the big club. He has minimal Fantasy appeal.
News: Ward (neck) missed Game 1 and 2 at Tampa Bay on Friday and Sunday.
Analysis: Ward might return during the second round at some point, but he is not useful in postseason leagues.
News: Ward (neck) was unable to play in Montreal's decisive Game 7 at Boston in the first round.
Analysis: Ward is questionable for the second round against the Lightning. He has no Fantasy appeal.
News: Ward is not in the lineup for the pivotal Game 7 on Monday night in Boston.
Analysis: Ward has been dealing with a neck muscle injury. He might be able to return in the second round against Tampa Bay if the Canadiens advance.
News: Ward (shoulder) picked up two assists in Tuesday's game against the Penguins.
Analysis: Ward has three assists over his past two games and appears fully recovered from a separated shoulder.
News: Ward (ankle) was unable to return to the lineup on Tuesday night.
Analysis: Ward might return on Thursday against Nashville, but keep him reserved in larger Fantasy leagues until he can officially play and prove his health.
News: Ward (ankle) is nearing a return after missing six weeks. "My ankle is fine," Ward told the Montreal Gazette. "I hope to be able to play [Tuesday] or Thursday."
Analysis: Ward will likely see few minutes initially, as he gets back into game-shape. He is not worth using in most Fantasy leagues.
News: Ward broke his left ankle when he was struck by a Vladimir Malakhov slapshot during Saturday's game against the Rangers, according to the Montreal Gazette. Ward will miss up to two months.
Analysis: Chad Kilger might take Ward's spot in the lineup. Ward has no Fantasy value when healthy.
News: Ward suffered a hyperextended right elbow during Thursday morning's practice. The Montreal Gazette reports that X-rays revealed no fracture, but he will not play Friday in Buffalo. Ward is not a useful Fantasy player.
Analysis:
News: Ward was recalled from Hamilton of the AHL on Wednesday. He scored a goal and had an assist in his first game in the NHL since 2000-01. "He's a guy who every game makes things happen with his work ethic, his intelligence," said Claude Julien. He has no Fantasy appeal, despite the impressive performance.
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