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September 27, 2010
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
CAROLINA
WHO’S MORE KEY, ERIC STAAL OR CAM WARD? The easy answer is to say Ward; he’s the undisputed No. 1 goalie in Raleigh and a past Conn Smythe Trophy winner. But the 25-year-old Staal is a four-time 30 goal-scorer (it would have been five if not for an injury-limited season of 29 goals in 2009-10) and a two-time Canadian Olympian who has led his team in points three of the past five seasons. The second overall pick in 2003, Staal led the 2006 playoffs in scoring as the Canes hoisted the Cup and is the leader of a young up-and-coming squad full of NHL neophytes. Until last season, Staal had been nothing if not durable. Having missed just one game his first five years in the league, the $6-million man was stalled…
Crowd Shots
There is no way this team will be a doormat STUD OR OUT TO STUD? THN correspondent Jim Cressman may be a knowledgeable hockey man, but if he thinks the Colts will finish 20th in the Ontario League (Major Jr. Preview, Sept. 6) he doesn’t know the Barrie franchise. They have never missed the playoffs since their inception in 1994 and they have Dale Hawerchuk, one of the top Jr. B coaches, coming in this year. Many of the returning players have no profile because they had little ice time last year, but they’ll carry the load when they need to. Barrie has one of the best management teams in the league and there is no way this team will be a doormat. They will easily be in the top 10. Al Wrigley, Barrie, Ont. PADDING THE…
FLORIDA
WHO WILL BE NEXT TO GO? In radio spots airing on sports radio in South Florida, new GM Dale Tallon talks about the Panthers main goal for this season: Make the playoffs. While that seems like a stretch considering the team finished 14th in the Eastern Conference last season and traded away veterans Nathan Horton and Keith Ballard, stranger things have happened. Just look at how Colorado and Phoenix rose up last season. Realistically, however, the Panthers are rebuilding. And, in an improved Southeast Division, that likely means an NHL record 10th straight season out of the playoffs. The Panthers have a number of big-money expiring contracts coming up, so if/when Florida is out of it, who is the next to go? Goalie Tomas Vokoun didn’t garner much attention during the off-season…
BOSTON
WILL MARC SAVARD RECOVER FROM A TUMULTUOUS 2009-10? Three injuries (foot, knee, concussion) cut Savard to 41 regular season games, stopped his better-than-point-per-game streak after five seasons and cost him a round of playoffs. His return from the concussion was marked by a storybook overtime goal in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal against Philadelphia, but later, he took much of the blame for a too-many-men penalty that led to the Flyers’ Game 7 winner. Meanwhile, Savard’s seven-year contract extension (cap figure: $4 million) was investigated by the NHL and he spent the summer hearing he could be traded. Savard, 33, told an Ottawa reporter the trade speculation – fueled partially by salary cap woes – “hurt me a little bit” and “bothered me inside.” Strength at center (David Krejci, Patrice…
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