Lightning signs Modin, Warriner

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 15, 2000

The Lightning has locked up last season's second-leading scorer and a player who came on strong the second half of the season.

Left wings Fredrik Modin and Todd Warriner, restricted free agents, agreed to two-year deals. Modin's is worth $975,000 next season and $1.275-million in 2001-02. Warriner's is for $750,000 and $1.1-million.

The signings should be announced soon.

"We're really delighted," said Don Meehan, agent for both players,"that we could negotiate deals that made both the team and the players happy."

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Modin, 25, acquired in October from the Maple Leafs for Cory Cross, had 22 goals, 26 assists and 48 points, putting him behind only Vinny Lecavalier.

The 6-1, 200-pound Warriner, 26, acquired in November from Toronto for a third-round draft choice, had 11 goals and 13 assists in 55 games for Tampa Bay.

After sitting out a game with a groin pull, Warriner had seven goals and five assists in the season's final 16 games and was plus-1.

EUROPEANS REACH AGREEMENT: The Lightning signed Russian left wing Alexander Kharitonov and Swiss center Thomas Ziegler.

Had Tampa Bay not signed the European draft choices by today, they would have been obligated to the teams they have contracts with in their home countries.

Kharitonov, 24, a 5-8, 170-pounder, was a third-round pick (81st overall) and played for Moscow Dynamo. His five points in six games for Russia in the World Championships tied for the team lead with Pavel Bure.

Ziegler, 22, a 5-10, 174-pounder, was a ninth-round pick (263rd overall) and played for Ambri-Piotta. He had four points in seven games at the World Championships.

"We're thrilled to get these deals done," general manager Rick Dudley said in a statement. "Kharitonov was one of the top three or four players at this year's World Championships. ... He's small, but he possesses all the things needed to be a good NHLer: speed, character and skill.

"Ziegler was impressive at the World Championships as well. ... He has excellent speed, and he likes to be involved in the corners. It will be interesting to see him at camp."

KINGS: Los Angeles signed Andreas Lilja, the Swedish defenseman selected 54th overall in last month's draft.

MIGHTY DUCKS: Anaheim signed free agents Dan Bylsma and Dean Malkoc to one-year contracts and Kevin Sawyer to a two-year deal. Swedish center Jonas Ronnqvist agreed to a two-year contract.

PREDATORS: Nashville re-signed free-agent center Greg Johnson, its third leading scorer last season.

THRASHERS: Atlanta agreed to a two-year contract with former Philadelphia defenseman Adam Burt. It re-signed forward Denny Lambert for three years.

WILD: Minnesota signed defenseman Ladislav Benysek and center Pavel Patera. Benysek spent last season with the Czeck League's Sparta Praha and Patera played with the Dallas Stars.

- Times wires contributed to this report.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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