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© St. Petersburg Times, published November 21, 2001
TAMPA -- The least visible of the three players acquired Nov. 9 from the Devils for defenseman Andrei Zyuzin might be the most intriguing.
When the Devils agreed to add Russian left wing Anton But (pronounced BOOT) to the mix, it clinched the deal.
"He was a very important guy in the trade," Lightning general manager Rick Dudley said.
Dudley said there was another team in the bidding; he declined to name the team but said it offered an NHL forward and defenseman.
"It was tempting," Dudley said Tuesday before the Lightning faced the Mighty Ducks at the Ice Palace. "But it wasn't nearly as good of a deal because the defenseman involved wasn't better than the two guys we got here."
The Devils regarded Josef Boumedienne and Sascha Goc highly.
But, 21, is highly regarded in Russia, and Dudley said the last "eight to 10" scouting reports filed on him "say he should play (in the NHL). He can score and he's very strong on his skates."
The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder scored three goals in seven games at the 2001 World Championships. Dudley, who saw him, called him "a noticeable guy."
But is under contract to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Dudley said he does not expect Alexander Svitov-like problems getting him to North America once an NHL contract is signed.
"There is no reason to believe, if we go through the proper channels, he wouldn't be able to play," Dudley said.
ON THE FARM: Dieter Kochan is cruising. Evgeny Konstantinov is up and down. That is the basic report on Tampa Bay's two top minor-league goaltenders.
Kochan, 27, with AHL Springfield, is 4-5-1 with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. Konstantinov, 20, though playing well lately, has been inconsistent. He is 5-5-0 with a 3.93 GAA and an .885 save percentage.
Kochan, who had three rough outings to finish his time with Tampa Bay last season, missed most of training camp with an eye infection.
"He's battled back," Lightning goaltenders coach Jeff Reese said. "After what happened last year, that shows some maturity."
ODDS AND ENDS: Springfield's Sheldon Keefe, who suffered a serious eye injury Nov. 10 when he was accidentally hit by an opponent's stick, practiced Tuesday and is expected to play Friday. ... Boumedienne, Goc and left wing Gordie Dwyer were scratched. ... Defenseman Cory Sarich played after missing four games with a bruised right shoulder. Defenseman Grant Ledyard played after missing two games with a concussion.