IRA KAUFMAN of The Tampa Tribune

EDMONTON, Alberta - Alexander Selivanov, when asked if he said hello to his former Lightning teammates Friday morning, tried to stifle a laugh. ``Who's left?'' asked the 28- year-old winger, referring to the dramatic overhaul of Tampa Bay's roster since Selivanov was traded to the Oilers almost a year ago. ``They've changed the team all around. The only thing left is the Lightning logo. That's it.'' 

Selivanov led the league in goals a month ago, scoring 18 times in the first 23 games while flourishing on a line centered by Edmonton's leading point producer, Doug Weight. Although he's still a plus-3 for a .500 team, Selivanov took a 17-game goal-scoring drought into Friday night's matchup against the Lightning. 

``It's quiet here and I like that it's a hockey town,'' said Selivanov, living here with his wife, Carrie, Phil Esposito's daughter.

``These people live for hockey around here and we're sold out all the time. This ice is great, it's like a mirror, and I'm having a good year. I've cooled off a little, but I'm still getting chances and the coach [Kevin Lowe] is happy with me. I'm staying positive and I'm not worried about scoring because I can help the team in other areas.'' 

What's this league coming to? Selivanov is talking about coming back on defense and rubbing people out along the boards. 

Selivanov has fond memories of his overtime playoff goal against the Flyers on April 21, 1996, before a raucous crowd of 25,945 at the ThunderDome in St. Petersburg. The only active Lightning player who participated in that playoff series is center Chris Gratton, although John Cullen remains with the team as an assistant coach. 

``That's still the No. 1 moment in my career, with all those people cheering,'' Selivanov said. ``My only message for Lightning fans is to prepare yourselves for Jan. 28.'' 

That's the date Selivanov circled on his calendar since the NHL schedule came out this summer, his first appearance in Tampa since his arrival here. 

``They'll boo me for sure,'' he said. 
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