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Lightning, draft picks are expected to part

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 1, 2001

It appears the Lightning will not sign Fedor Fedorov or Brett Scheffelmaier by 5 p.m. today, meaning Tampa Bay will lose the rights to both 1999 draft picks.

Lightning assistant general manager Jay Feaster said Thursday through spokesman Bill Wickett that he does not anticipate signing either player. Fedorov's agent, Mike Liut, said he did not have an appointment to speak with Tampa Bay.

Teams have two years to sign their selections before the players return to the draft.

"We haven't talked," Liut said. "They've looked at their lineup. They have a lot of young guys and it might not be the right mix in terms of what they need and whether they can provide the opportunity. We haven't got together on a number (salary)."

Fedorov, 20, a 6-foot-3, 187-pound center, had a terrific season for the OHL's Sudbury Wolves, scoring 33 goals with 45 assists and 88 penalty minutes in 67 regular-season games. The sixth-round pick (182nd overall) had four goals, six assists in 10 playoff games.

Scheffelmaier, 21, a 6-5, 202-pound defenseman, had three goals, 10 assists and 279 penalty minutes in 62 games for Medicine Hat of the WHL. He was drafted in the third round (75th overall).

Fedorov has name recognition -- he is the brother of Detroit's Sergei Fedorov -- and the recognition of the OHL as the Eastern Conference's most improved player.

"I wouldn't close the book on it," Liut said, but added, "at this point we're not even close."

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