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Injuries provide rookie chance for regular shifts

Nikita Alexeev, the No. 8 pick in 2000, knows he has a lot to learn as he acclimates himself to the NHL.

By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 1, 2002

TAMPA -- Nikita Alexeev has no illusions.

Not anymore.

Sure, he expected to play in the NHL as a rookie. All rookies do. But he didn't think it would take torn cartilage, a broken fibula, a bone chip and two separated shoulders to get him in the lineup.

Alexeev is one of several young players -- prospects who might otherwise be in the minors -- being asked to play significant roles for the injury-riddled Lightning. With just 21 games of NHL experience, Alexeev will skate a regular shift tonight against San Jose.

And for many more nights.

"It's a lot to ask," coach John Tortorella said. "You're dealing with a 20-year-old coming up and, with all our injuries, you're going to expect him to produce regularly. It's a lot to ask."

Tampa Bay is besieged by injuries at forward: Martin St. Louis (broken leg), Fredrik Modin (torn wrist cartilage), Vinny Lecavalier (chipped ankle bone), Brian Holzinger (shoulder) and Gordie Dwyer (shoulder). Zdeno Ciger is out with anxiety attacks, and Tim Taylor is limited by a severe groin pull.

Also filling the void are right wing Sheldon Keefe, 21, whose aggressive style has impressed coaches, and center Martin Cibak, 21, who caught Tortorella's eye during training camp. In Tuesday's 4-3 overtime loss to Detroit, Keefe skated 17 shifts, Alexeev 16 and Cibak 11.

Alexeev, the eighth overall pick in the 2000 draft, has split time this season between the Lightning and Springfield. He has one goal and two assists with the Lightning; five goals and nine assists in 35 games with Springfield.

"I have to prove myself every shift," said Alexeev, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound right wing from Murmansk, Russia. "It's my first year in professional hockey, and I'm learning a lot about what it takes to get here. You have to concentrate and be totally thinking just about hockey and be a lunatic about it. You have to do what it takes, play every shift 110 percent. If you don't, you're not going to make it."

Tortorella has seen improvement. Early in the season, when he scratched Alexeev for eight of the first 15 games, Tortorella wanted to see the talented skater play with more desire.

He still does.

"I think if he gets more of the urgency, he's going to get in areas to score. One comes before the other," Tortorella said. "I've asked Nikita, because he's such a good skater and such a big body, to get involved more in the forecheck.

"It's a matter of willingness. He's not afraid. It's just making him understand that that's part of scoring goals, being involved and being in the area. He's shown improvement. I can tell he really wants to learn, but he's up and down like a yo-yo."

Alexeev does not mind criticism. Singled out during practice and video sessions, he sees every mistake as a chance to learn. He also relishes advice from veterans such as Dave Andreychuk.

"It's a lot of things to put in my mind, but I will use it all in the future," Alexeev said. "I'm 6-5. I know I should be more physical. I have to concentrate on more hits.

"It's a young team now, and there are a lot of guys who can make the team. We're rookies. We have to show what we can do and do our best, show that we want to be here."

Even after the injuries heal.

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