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ZHL GENERAL MANAGER: |
Chad Jenkins |
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For the second time in as many years, GM Rick Dudley was a busy man on draft day. He sent the fifth overall pick and two later-round selections to the New York Islanders for G Kevin Weekes, the rights to 1999 first-rounder D Kristian Kudroc and a 2001 second-round pick. "We addressed two needs today, acquiring a very good, young goaltender to complement Dan Cloutier, and a 6-6, 240-pound defenseman with a nasty nature -- something we covet," Dudley said. ... With their other first-round pick, eighth overall, the Lightning took RW Nikita Alexeev, a 6-5, 215-pound Russian who won the faster skater competition at the Top Prospect skills evaluation. "We think the combination of size and speed was great," Dudley said. "There were other factors. He has improved so much. He came from a program where he improved. He is a very bright kid and we like him a lot." ... Tampa Bay lost G Zac Bierk and C Bruce Gardiner in the expansion draft. Bierk was taken by the Minnesota Wild, while Gardiner was claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets. |
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Tampa Bay Lightning