Leafs Trade Modin to Tampa Bay

TORONTO (AP) _ Left wing Fredrik Modin was traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday for defenseman Cory Cross and a 2001 seventh-round draft pick.

Modin, 24, is beginning his fourth NHL season. The 6-foot-4 Swede had 16 goals and 15 assists in 67 games last season, playing mostly with leading scorer Mats Sundin. He was dropped from the top line late last season, and was scoreless in eight playoff games.

Cross, 28, who re-signed Thursday with Tampa Bay, had two goals and 16 assists in 67 games last season, his sixth with the Lightning. Tampa Bay had the league’s worst record last season.

``I’m excited about going to a contender,″ Cross said. ``It’ll be good to get into a progressive, winning environment.″

Cross flew to Montreal to join the Leafs for their season opener Saturday night against the Canadiens.