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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.
PHOENIX
SHOULD THE YOTES GO YOUNG OR OLD? Just look at the successes enjoyed by the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins recently and you’ll see it takes patience with prospects and building from within to emerge as a contender and stay that way. This isn’t to suggest the Coyotes, who will be in the running for the playoffs again, should get rid of veterans Ed Jovanovski or Adrian Aucoin, or that they shouldn’t have signed Ray Whitney to add to last year’s meager offense. To the contrary, the Coyotes surprised everyone by jumping in the post-season mix last year and should be aiming to improve on that showing. These veterans are key to the success; without them Phoenix would be going back to square one and would lose a bunch of new…
NY ISLANDERS
WILL JOHN TAVARES HAVE A STAMKOS-LIKE BREAKOUT? The Islanders never will publicly put such heavy pressure on their expected franchise player, but naturally they’d love if he approached Lightning center Steven Stamkos’ 51-goal sophomore explosion. Tavares’ rookie year – 24 goals and 54 points while dressing in all 82 games – ended statistically similar to the 23-goal season Stamkos posted with Tampa Bay in 2008-09. But the paths taken to achieving those numbers weren’t the same for the prized teens. Stamkos was criticized early in his freshman year, earning limited minutes in the first half before closing well with 19 points in 20 games. Conversely, Tavares started strong last season, with 15 goals in 31 games, before enduring a mid-season disappearing act with just two goals in his next 31. A late-season rebound enabled…
CALGARY
WHAT IS DARRYL SUTTER THINKING? IS HE RIGHT? For years, Flames fans could look at moves their team made and say, “In Sutter we trust.” Those days are as gone as the $150 barrels of oil that spoiled the city of Calgary. When the Flames missed the playoffs in 2010, it was obvious changes were needed. They needed more scoring, more speed, more energy and youth. Instead, Sutter hopped into the Hot Tub Time Machine and turned to free agents whose best days appear behind them and, worse yet, failed to reach expectations during their first tours of duty in Calgary. Welcome back Olli Jokinen and Alex Tanguay. There are some obvious reasons Sutter signed Jokinen to a two-year, $6-million contract the same day he inked Tanguay to a one-year, $1.7-million deal. For…
WASHINGTON
CAN THE CURRENT CAPS WIN IN THE PLAYOFFS? Think of the upcoming regular season as the test drive to determine whether coach Bruce Boudreau can devise a way to thwart shot-blocking defenses and to see how far youth and mobility will carry the Capitals’ blueline. Observers are also going to get a dose of toughness and the result should be at least a trip to the second playoff round. Tough winger D.J. King, obtained in an off-season trade with St. Louis, is a physical presence that wasn’t around last spring. It’s dicey to bet against any Alex Ovechkinled squad, but then came a stunning first round ouster at the hands of the Canadiens, who effectively shutdown the firepower. However, the same core that racked up 121 points and the Presidents’ Trophy returns. Last…
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