With Dominic James set to return, Lightning place recently signed free agent on waivers

The Tampa Bay Lightning have placed center Jansen Harkins on waivers to reassign him to the Syracuse Crunch, opening a roster spot for forward Dominic James. James is set to return to the lineup as early as Thursday against the Minnesota Wild after recovering from an offseason broken hand that sidelined him for the team's first three games.

Harkins signed a one-year, two-way contract with Tampa Bay over the summer and skated in the season opener before being scratched. If Harkins clears waivers, the 29-year-old will provide veteran depth in the AHL while remaining a prime recall candidate for head coach Jon Cooper.