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.

May 2, 2011

The Hockey News - May-02-11

<div class="byline">&#x2013; RYAN KENNEDY</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0036-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-02881/9519062-1-eng-US/f0036-022.jpg"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-13186/9519069-1-eng-US/f0036-132.jpg" title="f0036-13" width="77" height="89"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-011310/9519055-1-eng-US/f0036-012.jpg" title="f0036-01" width="657" height="735"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>BLAKE GEOFFRION</b> <span class="photo-credit">(JOHN RUSSELL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>I</b>t&rsquo;s been a long wait for Nashville fans, but they finally have a home-grown Predator on the roster &ndash; and he comes from hockey royalty.</p><p>Rookie center Blake Geoffrion, 23, lived and played hockey in Tennessee as a youth, but is best known by those outside the state as the son of Danny Geoffrion, grandson of &lsquo;Boom Boom&rsquo; Geoffrion and great-grandson of Howie Morenz.</p><p>With all that history in the family tree, Blake has heard some great stories that have helped him along the way to the NHL. As a hot-shot rookie, for example, father Danny came into training camp a little too full of himself and was quickly taken down a peg when teammates shaved every single hair off his body.</p><p>Since Blake&rsquo;s NHL debut Feb. 26, he has been shoe-checked (an underthe-table ketchup attack), been soaked by water placed above his helmet in his stall and had his shirt sleeves sewn closed. His response? &ldquo;Go with it, smile and have fun,&rdquo; Geoffrion said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve gotten my fair share and everyone goes through it.&rdquo;</p><p>The freshman already has his first NHL hat trick and GM David Poile, who worked with &lsquo;Boom Boom&rsquo; for eight years with the Atlanta Flames, sees a smart kid who is great in the community. &ldquo;Blake is a very mature young man,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s comfortable in his own skates, as they say.&rdquo;</p><p>And the kid listens to advice from his famous family. &ldquo;If given an opportunity, treat it like your last,&rdquo; Geoffrion relayed. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very thankful for everything I&rsquo;ve had.&rdquo;</p><p>2011 UFA | RFA</p><h2><b>UNSUNG HERO</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-03727/9519048-1-eng-US/f0036-032.jpg" title="f0036-03" width="753" height="602"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-04579/9519041-1-eng-US/f0036-042.jpg" title="f0036-04" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(BILL SMITH/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>If he&rsquo;d played the full season, center <b>Ryan Johnson</b> may have led NHL forwards in blocked shots. Of course, that&rsquo;s part of the reason the 34-year-old missed time; he sacrifices his body like few others. Johnson is also a tenacious penalty-killer and a faceoff ace, winning more than 60 percent of his draws this season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-05493/9519034-1-eng-US/f0036-052.jpg" title="f0036-05" width="753" height="602"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-06435/9519027-1-eng-US/f0036-062.jpg" title="f0036-06" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JAMIE SABAU/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>A minor-leaguer for the majority of his pro career, <b>Derek MacKenzie</b> finally found regular NHL work at age 29. Primarily a fourth-line energy player for the Jackets, he made the most of his minutes &ndash; many of which came on the penalty kill &ndash; collecting nine goals and 22 points in 60 games and posting a team-best plus-15.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-07366/9519020-1-eng-US/f0036-072.jpg" title="f0036-07" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-08311/9519013-1-eng-US/f0036-082.jpg" title="f0036-08" width="327" height="551"></div><p>Rock-solid blueliner <b>Brad Stuart</b> doesn&rsquo;t get a ton of ink thanks in part to guys named Lidstrom and Rafalski, but his time-on-ice average in 2010-11 was tops on the Wings in non-power play situations. His responsible and tough defensive play, crisp outlet passes, PK prowess and willing shot-blocking make him invaluable.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-09267/9519006-1-eng-US/f0036-092.jpg" title="f0036-09" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-10237/9518999-1-eng-US/f0036-102.jpg" title="f0036-10" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ANDY DEVLIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>Jerred</b>&nbsp;<b>Smithson</b> is the prototypical Pred: little flash, but tons of sweat. A popular player with his teammates who is used in key defensive situations, Smithson is a frequent shot-blocker and ranked seventh in the NHL in faceoff percentage. For his efforts, he was rewarded with a two-year contract extension in January.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-11217/9518992-1-eng-US/f0036-112.jpg" title="f0036-11" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-12201/9518985-1-eng-US/f0036-122.jpg" title="f0036-12" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Skilled <b>Matt D&rsquo;Agostini</b> blossomed this season after coming over from Montreal at the 2010 trade deadline, but somehow remains under the radar. The 24-year-old nearly doubled his career-best goal total (21 through 79 games) and, despite mostly third-line minutes, was tied for the team lead in game-winners with five.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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IN THIS ISSUE

Boom Time In Nashville

<div class="byline">PHOTOGRAPH BY JEFF VINNICK</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0003-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-012146/9517724-1-eng-US/f0003-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>Remembering Roger</b></h2><p><b>A statue of Roger Neilson&rsquo;s enduring pose from the Canucks&rsquo; run in 1982 is now on display in Vancouver.</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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THEBIGPICTURE

<p class="dropcap"><b><span>E</span>dward John &lsquo;EJ&rsquo; McGuire</b> passed away of cancer April 7. He was 58. McGuire was VP of the NHL&rsquo;s Central Scouting Bureau and its director since 2005.</p><p>McGuire became a go-to personality at Central Scouting after wrapping up a coaching career that spanned 16 seasons, including 11 as an NHL assistant coach with Philadelphia, Chicago and Ottawa.</p><p>McGuire is survived by his wife, Terry, and their daughters, Jacqueline and Erin.</p><p><b>Mandi Schwartz</b> also succumbed to cancer after a battle that included fundraising from the hockey world and a bone-marrow drive. Schwartz, 23, who died April 3, starred at Yale University after attending Notre Dame in Wilcox, Sask.</p><p>Her brother, Jaden, was drafted 14th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2010.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

IN MEMORIUM

<div class="byline">By Larry Humber</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0045-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-01579/9519527-1-eng-US/f0045-012.jpg"></div><p><b>ANSWERS AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT ISSUE AND AT <a href="http://THN.com/XWORD">THN.com/xword</a></b></p><h2><b>ACROSS</b></h2><p>1 Superstar sidelined by concussions</p><p>4 He tends net in Boston</p><p>9 Doesn&rsquo;t dress: 2 words</p><p>10 Legendary goalie ___ Sawchuk</p><p>11 Give out</p><p>12 The Hurricanes are based in this city</p><p>13 Pass over</p><p>15 An ___-ran finishes far behind</p><p>18 He&rsquo;s the coach in Phoenix</p><p>21 Joffrey ___ is a winger with Toronto, pictured</p><p>23 One of the Stastnys</p><p>24 Where Dan Boyle plays</p><p>25 Philly was home of &lsquo;The Broad ___ Bullies&rsquo;</p><p>26 He won his first Smythe Trophy in 1974</p><h2><b>DOWN</b></h2><p>1 ___ Campbell captained Canada&rsquo;s women 2 He fed Brett Hull in St. Louis 3 Stopped: 2 words</p><p>5 The Queen Elizabeth ___ was the scene of early drafts</p><p>6 Toronto&rsquo;s AHL team</p><p>7 Jonathan Toews was Chicago&rsquo;s first ___ winner</p><p>8 Provoke a fight, ___ things up</p><p>14 Anze ___ is with the Kings</p><p>15 Where Byfuglien, Burmistrov and Bogosian play</p><p>16 Eric, Jared, Jordan and Marc</p><p>17 There&rsquo;s junior hockey in Prince ___</p><p>19 Ex-netminder ___ Wakely</p><p>20 Eject, ___ out</p><p>22 Lying face down</p><p><b>LAST</b>&nbsp;<b>WEEK&rsquo;S CROSSWORD SOLUTION ACROSS</b> 1. CLAMPS, 4. JACKET, 9. ALL-STAR, 10. HYPER, 11. KURRI, 12. DEMITRA, 13. ERIK, 15. DIRK, 18. ROBIDAS, 21. CLINT, 23. CHINA, 24. ICETIME, 25. SCOTTY, 26. HENRIK <b>DOWN</b> 1. CHALKS, 2. ABLER, 3. PATRICK, 5. ASHAM, 6. KOPITAR, 7. THREAT, 8. BRAD, 14. RIBEIRO, 15. DUCHENE, 16. FRACAS, 17. STREAK, 19. DRAFT, 20. SHIN, 22. ICIER<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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CROSSWORD

<div class="byline">WITH JASON KAY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-012172/9517769-1-eng-US/f0004-012.jpg" title="f0004-01" width="991" height="630"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>F</span>irst</b>, a request. From this point on, if you notice one of our writers using the phrase, he/she &ldquo;isn&rsquo;t getting any younger&rdquo; in their prose, let us know. As of now, it&rsquo;s banned in our pages (except in direct quotes).</p><p>Why? Because it&rsquo;s a lazy cliche that, unless you&rsquo;re Ponce de Leon or that dude in the Brad Pitt movie, applies to all of us, all the time. For example, I&rsquo;m now 17 seconds older than I was when I wrote the previous sentence. (Funny, I only feel about 15 seconds older). Be among the first to let us know and you could be rewarded with some sweet THN swag.</p><p>That isn&rsquo;t to say the sentiment the cliche conveys isn&rsquo;t valid. Time is sometimes a cruel foe. I&rsquo;m reminded of that frequently and never more acutely than a few weeks ago when I attempted to play shinny again after several years off skates. I was never any good, but man, did I suck. Approaching my 45th birthday, I&rsquo;m apparently not getting any less old.</p><p>As I dealt with my bruised ego and aching quads, I also gained a new level of respect for the NHL&rsquo;s senior citizens, players such as Teemu Selanne (featured on pg. 16) who ripped it up this season at 40. And he&rsquo;s not the only elder who starred in 2010-11. Below is our all-old guy team, veterans 37 and older as of the end of this year&rsquo;s playoffs, whose play belied the data on their birth certificates:</p><p><b>F &ndash; Mark Recchi, 43.</b> The NHL&rsquo;s greyest beard is a key on Boston&rsquo;s power play. Youngest teammate: Tyler Seguin, born 1992. Once played with: Bryan Trottier, born 1956.</p><p><b>F &ndash; Teemu Selanne, 40.</b> Third league-wide in PP goals. Youngest teammate: Cam Fowler, born 1991. Once played with: Randy Carlyle, born 1956.</p><p><b>F &ndash; Ray Whitney, 38.</b> Among Phoenix&rsquo;s scoring leaders. Youngest teammate: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, born 1991. Once played with: Doug Wilson, born 1957.</p><p><b>D &ndash; Nicklas Lidstrom, 40.</b> The best 40-year-old in league history? Youngest teammate: Tomas Tatar, born 1990. Once played with: Mark Howe, born 1955.</p><p><b>D &ndash; Sean O&rsquo;Donnell, 39.</b> A regular rock for Philly. Youngest teammate: James van Riemsdyk, born 1989. Once played with: Wayne Gretzky, born 1961.</p><p><b>G &ndash; Tim Thomas, Boston, 37.</b> Will become the oldest Hart Trophy winner in NHL history if the vote goes his way. Youngest teammate: Tyler Seguin, born 1992. Once played with: Mark Recchi, born 1968.; -)</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-021844/9517762-1-eng-US/f0004-022.jpg" title="f0004-02" width="456" height="245"></div><h2><b>LISTEN UP!</b></h2><p><b>THE HOCKEY NEWS RADIO SHOW</b></p><p><b>FRIDAYS 3-4 EST</b></p><p><b>XM 204</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-031485/9517755-1-eng-US/f0004-032.jpg" title="f0004-03" width="291" height="305"></div><p><b>NEXT</b>&nbsp;<b>ISSUE</b> MAY 16, 2011</p><p><b>CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TO SUBSCRIBE:</b> <a href="http://THN.com">thn.com</a>&nbsp;<b>CONTACT US:</b> <a href="mailto:editorial@thehockeynews.com">editorial@thehockeynews.com</a><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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Respect For The Elders

<h2><b>Protect, Not Harm</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he equipment used in today&rsquo;s NHL, especially the shoulder and elbow pads, is a major contributor to the frequency of head injuries and needs to be rethought. Data presented at the GM meetings indicate that many concussions are caused by accidental hits, inevitable at the speed of today&rsquo;s game. These hits would be less dangerous if the equipment served as protection without also functioning as a weapon.</p><p><i>Steve Sherman, Munich, Germany.</i></p><h2><b>Winds Of Change</b></h2><p>The Chicago Blackhawks&rsquo; 2009-10 slogan: One Goal. The Chicago Blackhawks&rsquo; 2010-11 slogan: One And Done.</p><p><i>Darryl Eanos, Grayslake, Ill.</i></p><h2><b>Hart Of Fire</b></h2><p>There have been many names thrown out there for MVP, but how about Jarome Iginla? Nobody does more for their team than Iginla. He is a topclass player and without him Calgary would be chilling in the basement with Edmonton.</p><p><i>Colin Dinney, Sooke, B.C.</i></p><h2><b>Repeating History</b></h2><p>Some highly respected hockey personalities, including Sidney Crosby, himself a victim, and Ken Dryden, the scholarly Hall of Famer, have spoken out on the violence in hockey of late. But this is not a recent phenomenon, it has long been a refrain amongst the NHL&rsquo;s elite. In 1976, superstar Bobby Hull contemplated early retirement because of violence in the game. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a disaster,&rdquo; he said. In 1990, Wayne Gretzky asked: &ldquo;Why do the best shots in the game have to be on somebody&rsquo;s nose instead of somebody&rsquo;s net?&rdquo; In 1997, Mario Lemieux complained that, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not hockey anymore. It&rsquo;s like football on skates!&rdquo; The game&rsquo;s very best have bared their hearts about the ruination of the sport. Yet despite their words, pro hockey&rsquo;s big wigs have decided to do very little about it. Why? As always, it&rsquo;s the almighty dollar that remains the bottom line. Catering to the blood-thirsty, rather than to fans who enjoy the game for the speed, skill and excitement.</p><p><i>Glen Goodhand, Lindsay, Ont.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-03962/9517831-1-eng-US/f0006-032.jpg" title="f0006-03" width="505" height="688"></div><h2><b>Predatory Pricing</b></h2><p>I&rsquo;m calling out Nashville CEO Jeff Cogan on his NHL business sense (Making Cents Of The Playoffs, April 18). He wants to get 2011-12 deposits and raise ticket prices if demand exceeds supply? Seriously? I understand it&rsquo;s a business, but it&rsquo;s not just about the money at this moment. It&rsquo;s about building a relationship with your fans. Established teams can raise prices, but the Preds? That fan base is still in its infancy. If Cogan pulls these shenanigans he will lose the fans and be solely to blame for the team&rsquo;s demise in Nashville.</p><p><i>Greg Hopkins, Nepean, Ont.</i></p><h2><b>Flying Higher?</b></h2><p>Congratulations to the Colorado Eagles of the Central League for selling out every home game with 5,298 people (Inside Hockey, April 4). But I must say we consider that a small crowd in Fort Wayne, where the Komets <i>average</i> 7,400-plus.</p><p><i>Bob Shraluka, Decatur, Ind.</i></p><p><b>Submit your letter at: <a href="http://THN.COM/LETTERS">thn.com/letters</a></b></p><h2><b>WRITE TO WIN!</b></h2><p><b>The author of our lead letter for the next four issues receives a Garnier prize pack</b></p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-012399/9517824-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg" title="f0006-01" width="141" height="394"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></div>

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THN INBOX

<div class="byline">Dan Spitzig, Ottawa</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0006-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-021625/9517862-1-eng-US/f0006-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>CODY McCORMICK & MIKE BROWN</b> <span class="photo-credit">(CLAUS ANDERSEN/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><span>I</span> can understand the NHL wants an exciting playoff race, so they reward losing teams a point if the loss is in extra time. If they insist on doing this, why not make all games worth three points? If you win in regulation, you get three points. I checked it out and it wouldn&rsquo;t actually change the standings much, but the race for the playoffs would be much more exciting. A positive side-effect would be that teams would stop playing for the ties late in the games and actually try to win them. What a concept! Traditionalists probably wouldn&rsquo;t like it, but they probably don&rsquo;t like the shootout, either.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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POINT GUARD

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-05485/9517893-1-eng-US/f0006-052.jpg" title="f0006-05" width="522" height="368"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-04618/9517900-1-eng-US/f0006-042.jpg" title="f0006-04" width="87" height="88"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p><b>2-0 42%</b></p><p>3-2-1 36%</p><p>Current 22%</p><p><b>Vote on polls from everything top to bottom in the world of hockey at <a href="http://thehockeynews.com">thehockeynews.com</a></b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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POLLRESULTS

<div class="byline">- RYAN KENNEDY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-05488/9517959-1-eng-US/f0008-052.jpg" title="f0008-05" width="396" height="111"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-021743/9517952-1-eng-US/f0008-022.jpg" title="f0008-02" width="356" height="299"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-012289/9517945-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg" title="f0008-01" width="747" height="862"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>KRIS VERSTEEG</b> <span class="photo-credit">(GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>here&rsquo;s nary</b> a Conn Smythe winner in the bunch, but the grinders and shutdown kings always play an integral role in a Stanley Cup championship.</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-031229/9517938-1-eng-US/f0008-032.jpg" title="f0008-03" width="122" height="139"></div><p>In the past decade, players such as John Madden and Sammy Pahlsson have made post-season names for themselves thanks to selfless play and a tireless work ethic, particularly in the games that matter most. But are they playing better or are we just noticing them more? &ldquo;I try to keep my play the same, even down the stretch,&rdquo; said Carolina&rsquo;s Chad LaRose, who formed a potent line with Craig Adams and Kevyn Adams when the Canes won their Cup in 2006. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s upbeat, that&rsquo;s the style.&rdquo;</p><p>Flyers bench boss Peter Laviolette was at the helm of the Hurricanes for that title year and remembers the effectiveness of his depth guys. &ldquo;They provided energy and created some big goals,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re important to a team. What we got was a line that can play against other teams&rsquo; top lines and maybe save our top line for a shift or two.&rdquo;</p><p>Though nullifying the effectiveness of a high-flying star is a Herculean task in itself, there&rsquo;s a pretty simple blueprint to success. &ldquo;Most of it comes down to skating,&rdquo; LaRose said. &ldquo;It has a lot to do with back pressure. Top players usually play more eastwest than north-south, so if you can be up and down the ice and always keeping your feet moving, it helps a lot.&rdquo;</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-04689/9517931-1-eng-US/f0008-042.jpg" title="f0008-04" width="1127" height="1010"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>HURRY CANE Chad LaRose used his skating to keep top-line opponents honest en route to a Cup win.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(GREGG FORWERCK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>On top of defensive play, third- and fourth-liners can be counted on to do the dirty work in other aspects of the game as well. When the Flyers went to the final last season, Laviolette noted the marquee names such as Daniel Briere and Chris Pronger were balanced out by hard-hat players including Blair Betts, Ian Laperriere and Daniel Carcillo. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re those consistent players,&rdquo; the coach said. &ldquo;They block shots, take key faceoffs and provide energy.&rdquo;</p><p>This is particularly true when the stakes get high. For LaRose, he has a particular flashpoint of the &rsquo;06 Cup run he is proud of. &ldquo;Against Buffalo in the conference final, I really felt we did some good work,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Game 7, (our team) took a penalty in the first minute of the game and we had to kill it &ndash; and we shut &rsquo;em down. It seemed the whole team gelled after that.&rdquo;</p><p>Accolades for teams that have playoff success year after year are directed towards the stars, but it&rsquo;s the character guys filling out the roster who make the difference in later rounds. No team in recent memory has proven that point better than the Detroit Red Wings who have berthed pseudo-stars like Kris Draper, Darren McCarty and Kirk Maltby en route to multiple Cup titles.</p><p>The reigning champs from Chicago were no exception to the rule either, with Madden, Dave Bolland and Kris Versteeg among the bottomsix forwards who shared the spotlight with superstars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in besting Philadelphia. &ldquo;I think Kris Versteeg was big, chipping in goals and being an agitator,&rdquo; Laviolette said.</p><p>Philadelphia, of course, acquired Versteeg, who had six goals and 14 points in last year&rsquo;s playoffs, from Toronto this year, showing that GM Paul Holmgren, not just Laviolette, had a similar opinion of the 24-year-old.</p><p>Seems like a pretty good model to follow when it comes to role players: can&rsquo;t beat &rsquo;em one year, add them to your roster for a run at glory the next.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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Grinding For Glory

<div class="byline">By Charlie Teljeur</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0009-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-012057/9517990-1-eng-US/f0009-012.jpg"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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The Instigator

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-021434/9518021-1-eng-US/f0009-022.jpg" title="f0009-02" width="259" height="354"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(MICHAEL MARTIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>+PLUS</b></h2><h3><b>FOOTE FAREWELL</b></h3><p><i>Avs blueliner <b>Adam Foote</b>, last of the Quebec Nordiques, retires with two Cup rings, an Olympic gold and a legacy as a hard-nosed defender.</i></p><h2><b>&ndash;MINUS</b></h2><h3><b>LITTLE STAMMER</b></h3><p><i>After a hot start, Steven Stamkos struggles with just three goals in a 20-game period down the stretch.</i></p><h2><b>+PLUS</b></h2><h3><b>RED WING RUN</b></h3><p><i>Detroit&rsquo;s 20th straight playoff appearance extends the longest current mark among the four major North American sports leagues.</i></p><h2><b>&ndash;MINUS</b></h2><h3><b>TOUGH YEAR</b></h3><p><i>With just a couple games left in the season, Ottawa&rsquo;s Chris Phillips was virtually assured the NHL&rsquo;s &ldquo;Green Jacket&rdquo; with his minus-34 mark.</i><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0009-02

PLUS MINUS

<div class="byline">- TIM KOLUPANOWICH</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0010-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-012260/9518087-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-021649/9518080-1-eng-US/f0010-022.jpg" title="f0010-02" width="551" height="500"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ET LE BUT Montreal celebrates its Clarkson Cup victory as champs of the Canadian Women&rsquo;s League.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(BRANDON TAYLOR/CWHL)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>hey&rsquo;ve built it,</b> now they&rsquo;re waiting for you to come. The Canadian Women&rsquo;s League, which underwent a major makeover prior to this season, completed a successful on-ice campaign when Montreal beat Toronto 5-0 March 27 to win the Clarkson Cup for the second time in three years.</p><p>Off the ice, there&rsquo;s still work to do. In hopes of attracting an NHL partnership and greater corporate support, the CWHL decided to hold a dispersal draft last year and fold clubs in Ottawa and Mississauga, Ont. Those clubs were replaced with teams in Toronto proper and Boston. Two other existing Toronto area franchises, Brampton and Burlington, brought the total to five teams. The talent pool is strong, but without NHL backing and more sponsorship dollars, the chances of significantly growing the game and becoming a truly professional league remain slim.</p><h2><b>Japan Out</b></h2><p>In the Land of the Rising Sun, there are naturally more important things than hockey to worry about at the moment.</p><p>With its on-going attempts to recover from a triple disaster &ndash; earthquake, Tsunami, nuclear scare &ndash; the Japanese Ice Hockey Federation announced March 29 it was pulling out of all remaining 2011 IIHF events. &ldquo;With the extent of the disaster we were certainly expecting a decision from the JIHF about Japan&rsquo;s participation,&rdquo; said Adam Steiss, IIHF communications manager.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-06399/9518073-1-eng-US/f0010-062.jpg" title="f0010-06" width="211" height="156"></div><p>Japanese teams will not be punished with relegation, however. The IIHF will slot the men&rsquo;s (Division IA) and women&rsquo;s (Division I) teams at bottom position of their current division.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-07282/9518066-1-eng-US/f0010-072.jpg" title="f0010-07" width="459" height="689"></div><h2><b>iBrain</b></h2><p>Not sure if you have a concussion? Check your phone. Former Philadelphia Flyers captain Keith Primeau, along with <a href="http://stopconcussions.com">Stopconcussions.com</a>, announced the launch of a free app to help users recognize symptoms, request emergency services and find directions to local hospitals.</p><h2><b>Writers Revolt</b></h2><p>It&rsquo;s a question we&rsquo;ll never know the answer to, but we remain curious: how will the decision by a group of hockey writers to withdraw from NHL Awards voting impact the outcome?</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-08207/9518059-1-eng-US/f0010-082.jpg" title="f0010-08" width="134" height="151"></div><p>In protest of a New York Islanders decision earlier this season to revoke the media credential of blogger and former team PR man Chris Botta, writers who cover the Isles, Rangers and Devils, along with a scattered few from other markets, have decided to withhold their votes. Despite the fact more than 10 percent of NHL regions aren&rsquo;t represented in voting, the league is unfazed. &ldquo;The (awards) will be determined by the voters who vote,&rdquo; said NHL spokesman Frank Brown via email.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-031055/9518052-1-eng-US/f0010-032.jpg" title="f0010-03" width="71" height="100"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p><b>For more on Aaron Ekblad, go to <a href="http://thn.com/ekblad">thn.com/ekblad</a></b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-01

Money Matters

<div class="byline">- RORY BOYLEN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-04733/9518125-1-eng-US/f0010-042.jpg" title="f0010-04" width="400" height="771"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JULIE NOWICKI)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>Being</b>&nbsp;<b>granted</b> &ldquo;exceptional player status&rdquo; in the Ontario League is about more than being a great hockey player.</p><p>To gain early entry the applicant must pass a series of tests from Hockey Canada that include academic, mental  maturity and on-ice evaluations. Most importantly, there must be a strong family backing. &ldquo;The support system is crucial for any person who is moving on,&rdquo; said Phillip McKee, the Ontario Hockey Federation&rsquo;s executive director.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-05534/9518118-1-eng-US/f0010-052.jpg" title="f0010-05" width="268" height="271"></div><p>Sun County Panthers (Windsor, Ont.) blueliner Aaron Ekblad, 15, became the second player granted early entry to the OHL draft after John Tavares was deemed &ldquo;exceptional&rdquo; in 2005. He eventually became a No. 1 NHL pick, so the honor comes with its own unique set of expectations. Ekblad&rsquo;s a 6-foot-3, 200-pounder who scored more than a point per game playing a year up in midget. He&rsquo;s the type of player every team craves and comparisons  to Chris Pronger have begun. Whether they&rsquo;re fair or not still must play out, but such talk will follow Ekblad to the OHL.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-04

Exceptional Ekblad To Join OHL

<div class="byline">- RYAN DIXON</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>I</span>f there&rsquo;s a roster rule</b>&nbsp;that has the power to rankle some GMs, it&rsquo;s the one that limits a team&rsquo;s total call-ups late in the season.</p><p>The rule, collectively bargained during the last round of CBA negotiations, states teams have a maximum of four call-ups from lower loops such as the American League and ECHL from the trade deadline through the end of the NHL regular season and playoffs. But the edict only applies to minor pro clubs still playing out the season. (The same applies for Europeans, hence Chicago&rsquo;s ability to call upon the services of Marcus Kruger from Sweden).</p><p>That&rsquo;s part of the reason why Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland would like to see the call-up rule removed at the start of the playoffs. The way he sees it, if two NHL teams are meeting in the post-season and only one&rsquo;s AHL team is still playing, the rule could create an uneven playing field. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got access to all of our minor league players,&rdquo; Holland said, &ldquo;and you, depending on how you&rsquo;ve handled your call-ups, you could be in a tougher spot.&rdquo;</p><p>But there is a rule rub in this. The NHL allows for &ldquo;emergency&rdquo; call-ups that do not count against the maximum of four in the event a team cannot ice either two goalies, six defensemen or 12 forwards. That might seem only fair, until you consider the relative nature of the word &ldquo;emergency.&rdquo; One insider with strong knowledge of the process confirmed teams play a little fast and loose with the definition this time of year.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-012207/9518156-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg" title="f0012-01" width="834" height="887"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>CALLING OUT CALL-UPS Dertoit GM Ken Holland would like the NHL do away with post-deadline call-up limits.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(DAVE REGINEK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>At first blush, one might think the four-call-up rule benefits AHL teams because it prevents them from being raided by their parent club. While this is true, the case can also be made AHL teams suffer from it because once an NHL squad brings a player up, they&rsquo;re often reticent to send him back down &ndash; even if their services are no longer required &ndash; because they don&rsquo;t want to burn another call-up should the need arise again.</p><p>From the players&rsquo; perspective, limiting call-ups is about maintaining a hierarchy within the membership. More call-ups means more opportunities for young players to showcase their stuff and potentially win jobs the following season that veterans might not be so anxious to relinquish. As mentioned, the rule also prevents a team that is well out of the race from bringing up a boatload of AHLers to fill NHL spots, thus creating a competitive imbalance, not to mention the fact teams would still be charging big-league prices to see a squad mainly minor league in talent.</p><p>When the rule was initially put in place, there was an agreement the NHL and NHL Players&rsquo; Association would hold &ldquo;good faith discussions&rdquo; to tweak it if change was required. Those talks have taken place, but nothing was settled upon and with the next round of CBA negotiations due after next season, there&rsquo;s little chance things will be altered this summer.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-01

Lobbying For Change

<p>Carolina&rsquo;s Cam Ward was in some pretty heady company as the season wound down.</p><p>Prior to this year, goalies had turned in 2,000-save seasons just 13 times. Ward made it a cool 14 in the waning days of March and with two games still to play as Carolina fought for the playoffs, the third-most saves of all-time was within reach.</p><p>Adding to the intrigue, Montreal&rsquo;s Carey Price had an outside chance of joining Ward. That would be the fourth time a pair of goalies hit the 2,000 mark in the same season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-011945/9518218-1-eng-US/f0013-012.jpg" title="f0013-01" width="523" height="641"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>CAM WARD</b> <span class="photo-credit">(GREGG FORWERCK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-021360/9518211-1-eng-US/f0013-022.jpg" title="f0013-02" width="1754" height="1719"></div><p>* THROUGH APRIL 7, 2011<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-01

Show Stoppers

<div class="byline">- BRIAN COSTELLO</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-03986/9518256-1-eng-US/f0013-032.jpg" title="f0013-03" width="248" height="375"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-04802/9518249-1-eng-US/f0013-042.jpg" title="f0013-04" width="279" height="182"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>A</span> FIRST ROUND PICK</b> (eighth overall) by Chicago in 1998, Mark Bell is in his second season with Kloten in the Swiss A league. Bell, 30, spent six seasons in the NHL and was Chicago&rsquo;s top center for two. Bell&rsquo;s career went downhill after a 2006 trade to San Jose and a DUI conviction that included a six-month jail sentence. By 27, he was out of the NHL. Bell was sixth in scoring for Kloten last year with 27 points in 39 games and so far this season has 25 points in 41 games, good for 10th in team scoring.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-03

What Ever HAPPENED TO… MARK BELL?

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0014-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-021635/9518287-1-eng-US/f0014-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>STRONG FIN-ISH? Dany Heatley&rsquo;s totals took a dip this year, but a strong playoff will make amends.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(FRANCOIS LACASSE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-012179/9518294-1-eng-US/f0014-012.jpg" title="f0014-01" width="206" height="245"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>O</span>n</b>&nbsp;<b>and off the ice</b>, Doug Wilson&rsquo;s panic threshold has proven to be extraordinarily high. As a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, there were few challenges that ever caused him to lose focus. And now, in his seventh year as San Jose Sharks GM, he&rsquo;s still exhibiting that same type of composure.</p><p>This spring, we&rsquo;ll see whether his players repay him for it or whether the organization falls short of hockey&rsquo;s ultimate goal again. But even then, his patience won&rsquo;t be stretched to its snapping point.</p><p>Come rain or come shine, Wilson doesn&rsquo;t make panic trades, doesn&rsquo;t shuffle his coaches as an iPod does songs, doesn&rsquo;t dump trailer loads of cash and contractual term at the doorstep of one-year wonders. If the San Jose Sharks believe in you, you&rsquo;re going to get the benefit of the doubt for as long as you prove you&rsquo;re deserving of it, even when there are media wolves howling for your head.</p><p>That has been the case in years past and was again this season during the team&rsquo;s low point: a six-game losing streak (it&rsquo;s longest skid in 15 years) from Jan. 3 to 13 that was punctuated by a 5-2 home defeat to Edmonton.</p><p>At that point in the year, with a 21-19-5 record in the breakneck-paced Western Conference, other GMs would have pulled the chute on coach Todd McLellan and/or shook up the dressing room with a blockbuster deal.</p><p>Instead, Wilson held his hands firm on the steering wheel and added a couple of minor pieces (Kyle Wellwood and Ben Eager) to his roster. Since that loss to the Oilers, the Sharks have been in full frenzy, going 26-4-4 and pushing to the pinnacle of the ultra competitive Pacific Division.</p><p>But what if they can&rsquo;t improve upon their appearance in the Western final last season? What if bad bounces, a few missed assignments and some otherworldly performances from the opposition results in a second-round loss or worse? Does he tear into the Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dany Heatley core?</p><p>Few who know Wilson believe he is willing to go that far, unless the Sharks suffer a complete breakdown in the team&rsquo;s character during the playoffs. He has built this group for the long haul.</p><p>The Big 3 and Joe Pavelski all are locked up through 2013-14. Wilson has restricted free agent Devin Setoguchi and seven unrestricted free agents (including Ian White and Scott Nichol) to look at, yet with only $7.5 million in salary cap room under the $59.4 million ceiling &ndash; and an internal budget well below that &ndash; it is far more likely the Sharks return for the 2011-12 campaign more or less intact.</p><p>Wilson has been on the job long enough in San Jose without a Cup that most would have accepted it if he made radical changes. You can bet that, in past years, there were many rival GMs who wanted to take rookie-of-the-year frontrunner Logan Couture or Ryane Clowe (who broke the 60-point barrier) off Wilson&rsquo;s hands in exchange for a short-term rental player. That he didn&rsquo;t pull the trigger then indicates he won&rsquo;t change course now.</p><p>Sure, the Sharks might have won an extra playoff game or two after such a swap. But the long-term price paid in those sorts of deals are filled with as much regret as any one-night stand &ndash; and you don&rsquo;t build a solid family in either instance.</p><p>You don&rsquo;t make the playoffs every season, as the Sharks have done since Wilson&rsquo;s arrival, if you take unwise, hasty risks. Nor do you don&rsquo;t wind up as one of only two Western Conference teams &ndash; the other is the similarly patient L.A. Kings &ndash; with six 20-goal scorers.</p><p>The Sharks family may never be perfect, but what family is? All you can do is keep the faith for as long as possible. And that&rsquo;s been Wilson&rsquo;s M.O. all along.</p><p>WANT MORE PROTEAU? READ ADAM&rsquo;S BLOG ONLY ON <a href="http://thehockeynews.com">THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM</a><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0014-02

No Sink-Or-Swim Ultimatum In S.J.

<div class="byline">BY ADAM PROTEAU</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0016-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-011949/9518332-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>CLIMBING THE CHARTS Teemu Selanne notched his 1,300th career NHL point this season. Next up, the top 25.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(DEBORA ROBINSON/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>I</span>n 2010, controversial/terrible</b> rap group Insane Clown Posse released a dubious song called &ldquo;Miracles&rdquo; in which they referenced a number of scientifically explainable phenomena (including the apparently puzzling propensity for sons to resemble their fathers) as something mystical and godlike; <i>Magnets &ndash; how do they work?</i> was perhaps the most unintentionally hilarious of the song&rsquo;s many unintentionally hilarious lyrics.</p><p>If the ICP wanted to get it right and avoid the ensuing ridicule, all the rappers had to do was focus on a true sight to behold, one shrouded in reverence and mystery.</p><p>&ldquo;<i>Teemu Selanne</i>,&rdquo; they should have rapped, &ldquo;<i>how does he work?</i>&rdquo;</p><p>It is not a question easily or definitively answered. These days, Selanne is evading Father Time like he&rsquo;s dating Daughter Time. And he still is tearing up the league he first entered in 1992. After two consecutive injury-plagued seasons of 48 then 54 points, he&rsquo;d registered 29 goals and 78 points in 71 games this year.</p><p>In case you&rsquo;re wondering, that puts Selanne ninth overall in the league in assists (49) and points. And he&rsquo;ll turn 41 years old in a few months. Process that if you can, all you pain-addled, salt-and-pepper-haired, beer-league players and overconfident young ageists.</p><p>Aside from his obvious on-ice expertise &ndash; his baby-soft hands, his sneeze-quick speed, his resilience and his creativity &ndash; the key to the Finnish Flash&rsquo;s success is his effervescent outlook on life. If you&rsquo;re really only as old as you are in your heart, Selanne should be eligible for selection at the 2011 NHL draft in Minnesota.</p><p>&ldquo;He loves everything about hockey,&rdquo; said Ducks teammate and fellow Finn Toni Lydman. &ldquo;He always has and you can see it (in the way) he treats everybody. He&rsquo;s always got time for people, never walks past anybody. I&rsquo;ve always wondered how he does that &ndash; he always seems to be in a great mood.&rdquo;</p><p>Added Ducks MVP Corey Perry: &ldquo;He comes in every day with a smile on his face&hellip;been that way ever since I&rsquo;ve been here and ever since I&rsquo;ve known him. The way he works in practice is truly amazing at 40 years old. It doesn&rsquo;t seem like he&rsquo;s aging at all.&rdquo;</p><p>Here&rsquo;s more evidence as to how young at heart Selanne is: Did you know he was a kindergarten teacher? It&rsquo;s true. He did it as part of his army service in Finland and he did it for three years.</p><p>&ldquo;That was one thing I wanted to do,&rdquo; Selanne said with a laugh when reminded of his teaching days. &ldquo;When I was playing back home we only practiced at 5:00 at night, so I had a whole day to kill. And it was really boring, so I enjoyed playing with the kids for four hours a day. It was perfect.&rdquo;</p><p>When you consider Selanne&rsquo;s people-person approach to life and his willingness to treat perfect strangers as lifelong pals, you&rsquo;d be tempted to think it arises from the fact he hasn&rsquo;t a damned thing left to prove. He has his Stanley Cup, his Olympic medals (a silver and two bronzes), his Calder Trophy, his global icon status as a point-per-game, 1,000-plus game NHLer and a hero in his homeland. At the end of last season, he had amassed 606 goals and 1260 points in 1186 regular season games and still holds what is one of the least-breakable records in league history: 76 goals as a rookie.</p><p>But the &ldquo;he&rsquo;s happy because he&rsquo;s done it all&rdquo; theory is incorrect. Before any success, long before the NHL ever came calling, Selanne wanted to be a fun teacher and not a strict schoolmarm. So he was a fun teacher with those kindergarten kids and, in his own way, he teaches all his Ducks teammates about fun to this day.</p><p>And, honestly, what&rsquo;s not to be happy about? Selanne&rsquo;s a valuable contributor and peerless mentor on a good team that survived the retirement of Hall of Fame blueliner Scott Niedermayer and improved as this season progressed. His face is bathed in California sun nine months a year and the media demands on him are nowhere near where they&rsquo;d be if he were working in a Canadian city or hockey-first climate. If only Salmiak (a Finnish licorice) fell from the sky, he might imagine himself in paradise.</p><p>Which is not to say his charmed life hasn&rsquo;t involved work. He knows as well as anyone what it takes to maintain his conditioning at this point in his career.</p><p>&ldquo;Hockey discipline now is year-round,&rdquo; Selanne said. &ldquo;When my generation came in, we would still work in the summer, but nothing like now. When we were young, eating habits was only keeping our stomachs full. Now you really think about what you eat. You can play five games in eight nights when you&rsquo;re young and you&rsquo;ll still feel pretty good. But getting ready for the next game now takes so much more work than before.&rdquo;</p><p>Besides holding the rookie records for goal-scoring and points (132), Selanne added a new one this season. In a March 28 5-4 win over Colorado, he became the first NHL player age 40 or older to record a hat trick and five points in the same game. And a little more than a week later, his power play goal against San Jose gave him 236 in his career, tying him with Mario Lemieux for fifth all-time.</p><p>With every accolade, his legend grows. And before this season began, that legend&rsquo;s allure was already sufficient enough to take grown men who&rsquo;ve played the game at high levels and turn them into giddy fans.</p><p>&ldquo;I used to play with a guy in junior in my hometown and now he&rsquo;s about 35,&rdquo; Lydman said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s come to Anaheim to visit and see a couple of games because he&rsquo;s a huge Teemu fan. He always was and still is. So I hooked him up and got him to meet Teemu. It made his year.&rdquo;</p><p>Although this is Lydman&rsquo;s first year in Anaheim and his first year playing alongside Selanne for an extended stretch, the 33-year-old has plenty of international experience with the superstar. The two have played together on Finland&rsquo;s past two Olympic teams and in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. He knows what Selanne means to his countrymen.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-011701/9518325-1-eng-US/f0017-012.jpg" title="f0017-01" width="698" height="1059"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>FAB FROSH Selanne set an NHL record likely never to be broken when he scored 76 times as a rookie.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(ANDY HAYT/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;Him and Jari Kurri are like Gretzky and Mario in Canada,&rdquo; Lydman said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re a smaller country, but they have the same impact.&rdquo;</p><p>With the Ducks shaking off a bad start to make a playoff charge, Selanne had the opportunity to improve upon his already-impressive post-season stats (35 goals, 72 points in 105 games). Selanne turns 41 on July 3, about the time the Ducks will want to know if he&rsquo;s returning for a 19th season.</p><p>After the record-setting March 28 game ended, his teammates serenaded him with a chant of &ldquo;one more year!&rdquo; And in the opinion of one of them, Selanne is closer to coming back than tying a bow on a Hall of Fame career.</p><p>&ldquo;We have a running joke in the dressing room that we are three-quarters of the way there, getting him to come back, so hopefully he&rsquo;s listening to us,&rdquo; Perry said. &ldquo;Hopefully he comes back for a couple more years.&rdquo;</p><p>Selanne won&rsquo;t be ready to talk about next season until the current one is over. But he doesn&rsquo;t sound like a last-gasp veteran looking around wistfully, trying to take it all in one last time.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s easier to make a decision a month after the season when your head is clear and you can look back and see the whole picture,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You ask yourself if you&rsquo;re ready to push yourself again and if you are, the work has to begin in the summertime. If you don&rsquo;t do that well in the summer, you can&rsquo;t catch up during the year. But I really still enjoy this and the passion for the game is the reason why I&rsquo;m still playing.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0016-01

Ageless Wonder

<div class="byline">BY RYAN DIXON</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0018-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-011828/9518377-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span>hen</b>&nbsp;<b>Sean Burke comments</b> on the competency of his 16-year-old son, it&rsquo;s not about a father being proud of his boy so much as an experienced man marvelling at how much his old profession has changed.</p><p>Brendan Burke was selected by the Portland Winterhawks in the Western League&rsquo;s bantam draft in April and, as a goalie, obviously hopes to follow in his dad&rsquo;s footsteps. In fact, his footwork might already be better than the old man&rsquo;s ever was. &ldquo;He can come out with the Coyotes and skate in practice with us at 16,&rdquo; said the senior Burke, Phoenix&rsquo;s goalie coach and a veteran of 820 big-league games in the crease. &ldquo;He can&rsquo;t play at the NHL level yet, but technically, he&rsquo;s better at 16 than I was five years into my NHL career.&rdquo;</p><p>Brendan can&rsquo;t even have an NHL career for at least two more years, seeing as how he&rsquo;s not draft eligible until 2013. But the reason he can already be a regular at Coyotes practice and not stand out like a snowball in the desert is because the intensive, specified schooling young goalies get now is driving up the minimum standard for performance at the position.</p><p>At the NHL level, that means the gap between elite creasemen and supporting puckstoppers is closing faster than Roberto Luongo&rsquo;s five-hole.</p><p>From Boston&rsquo;s Tim Thomas challenging Dominik Hasek&rsquo;s save percentage record, to Henrik Lundqvist once again doing it all for the Rangers, to Pekka Rinne standing tall for the Preds, it&rsquo;s not hard to find evidence of top-rate goaltending this year.</p><p>But it&rsquo;s not the performance of upper-tier starters that has signalled a sea change; it&rsquo;s the guys behind them who&rsquo;ve improved. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think the best goaltenders in the league now are any better than the best goaltenders in the league were 10 years ago,&rdquo; Burke said. &ldquo;I just think the difference between the top guys and the bottom guys is very little.&rdquo;</p><p>The result is a goalie like 22-year-old Jhonas Enroth riding to the rescue in Buffalo &ndash; when Ryan Miller was hurt late in the year &ndash; or other rookies such as Toronto&rsquo;s James Reimer, Chicago&rsquo;s Corey Crawford and Sergei Bobrovsky in Philadelphia proving their salt in the blue ice.</p><p>The fact just three goalies &ndash; Montreal&rsquo;s Carey Price, Carolina&rsquo;s Cam Ward and Miikka Kiprusoff of the Flames &ndash; played 70 games this year indicates the depth of quality goaltending in the league. That&rsquo;s the fewest number of netminders to hit 70 contests since 2005-06. Last year, seven goalies hit the 70-game mark. It might be a bit early to say there&rsquo;s a dramatic change in the way teams are deploying their puckstoppers, but former NHL goalie and current CBC analyst Kevin Weekes believes the shift should become more pronounced in coming seasons.</p><blockquote class="pullQuote"><b>&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t even sit in a meeting with a modern-day goalie coach and understand half the things he&rsquo;s saying&rdquo;</b><br><b><i>&ndash; Sean Burke</i></b></blockquote><p>At one point, Weekes played behind Martin Brodeur, so he knows a thing or two about what a franchise goalie can mean to a club. But he wholeheartedly believes the grinding nature of today&rsquo;s schedule, to say nothing of the rising skill level in the league, creates a strain on goalies that requires starters to scale back. And if the team trusts No. 2, why not get him some more action? &ldquo;If your No. 2 guy is every bit as good, or close to being as good as your No. 1 guy, it puts your team in a great situation,&rdquo; Weekes said.</p><p>The notion of a goalie playing the vast majority of a team&rsquo;s games is actually a relatively new one. Prior to expansion, clubs typically relied on just one goalie. But in the years since 1967 &ndash; as the number of games in a season has incrementally risen &ndash; there have been many examples of goalies benefiting from moderate workloads.</p><p>In the Islanders&rsquo; four Cup-winning seasons between 1980 and 1983, Billy Smith played just 52 percent of the team&rsquo;s regular season games, but 97 percent of its playoff contests. Hasek suited up for more than 70 games just once, in 1997-98, when he won the second of back-to-back Hart Trophies. Patrick Roy maxed out at 68 games. He also formed a late-&rsquo;80s duo with Brian Hayward that was not uncommon in those days. (Other top-notch tandem examples: John Vanbiesbrouck and Mike Richter of the Rangers and Andy Moog and Reggie Lemelin with the Bruins.) Only in the past 15 years have we seen that approach change in select cities. Brodeur has started 70-plus games an incredible 12 times; Kiprusoff six and Luongo four.</p><p>But even the workhorses are starting to get more breaks. Vancouver made a conscious effort to limit Luongo&rsquo;s action this year, preferring to hand off about 25 games to up-and-comer Cory Schneider. Maybe that&rsquo;s because the Canucks took note of the fact the most regular games played by a Cup-winning goalie in the post-lockout era were the 62 Marc-Andre Fleury appeared in for Pittsburgh in 2009.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-011581/9518370-1-eng-US/f0020-012.jpg" title="f0020-01" width="1128" height="1422"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Asking a supremely talented, ultra-competitive goalie to give up crease time might seem like it requires the approach of a con man more than a coach, but Weekes said any puckstopper, regardless of his reputation, who doesn&rsquo;t recognize the value of pulling back is just letting ego take over. &ldquo;At the end of the day if you&rsquo;re (upset about getting) four less games a season or eight less starts&hellip;really? C&rsquo;mon,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re playing the lion&rsquo;s share of games, so instead of it being 74, OK, it&rsquo;s 65.&rdquo;</p><p>Thomas is likely to win his second Vezina in three seasons, though some believe his case for the Hart was hurt by the fact he didn&rsquo;t play 60 games. But maybe the more reasonable schedule was part of the reason he excelled. &ldquo;I think since all the rule changes&hellip;it&rsquo;s much more difficult, unless you have a team that plays a very, very good trap, to play as many games as guys used to there for a little while,&rdquo; Thomas said.</p><p>L.A.&rsquo;s Jonathan Quick saw about a dozen fewer games this year than last after some claimed he burned out down the stretch. Though Quick, who had better numbers this year, says he never physically felt tired last season, he does believe sharing duties more evenly with Jonathan Bernier has had a positive effect. &ldquo;I do notice I feel better than I did last year,&rdquo; Quick said. &ldquo;You have to believe that has to do something with it.&rdquo;</p><p>For whatever alterations the goalie landscape is undergoing, one aspect of the position remains every bit as true today as it was when Terry Sawchuk was stoning shooters at the Olympia in Detroit or the Canadiens were leaning on Ken Dryden: great goaltending is still the No. 1 cause of swollen confidence for the team receiving it. The salary cap may have a hand in the parity seen league-wide this year, but playoff races also remained tight because so many clubs sport top &rsquo;tenders. &ldquo;That is such a huge thing for a player, especially a defenseman,&rdquo; said Canadiens assistant coach Kirk Muller. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re able to just play your game and you&rsquo;re relaxed knowing you&rsquo;ve got the wall back there.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-021141/9518363-1-eng-US/f0020-022.jpg" title="f0020-02" width="1127" height="872"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>PIPING HOT Toronto&rsquo;s James Reimer and Phoenix&rsquo;s Ilya Bryzgalov were great late for their teams this season.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><blockquote class="pullQuote"><b>&ldquo;If your No. 2 guy is every bit as good, or close to as good as your No. 1, it puts your team in a great situation&rdquo;</b><br><b><i>&ndash; Kevin Weekes</i></b></blockquote><p>As Burke notes, teams now have to decide if they either want to sink a ton of funds into skaters and hope they&rsquo;ll get good enough goaltending from one or two members of the ever-increasing middle class or if they want to tailor their game around a top-flight goalie and allocate resources appropriately.</p><p>In the case of the league-owned Coyotes, economic realities dictate what is required of starter Ilya Bryzgalov and he rarely disappoints. &ldquo;We need Bryzgalov,&rdquo; Burke said. &ldquo;Without &lsquo;Bryzie&rsquo; this year, we&rsquo;re not even close to making the playoffs.&rdquo;</p><p>Another certainty in the goalie game is that youngsters like Brendan Burke will only continue to become more polished, further shrinking the space between the world&rsquo;s best and their backups. When the elder Burke speaks about the tutelage his son and others like him receive, he sounds like a dad who&rsquo;s just wandered into his child&rsquo;s room and sees all kinds of high-tech gadgets laying about. Those things, no doubt, do fancy things, but are really just an extension of what was always getting the job done. &ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t even sit in a meeting with modern-day goalie coaches and understand half the things they&rsquo;re saying because they&rsquo;ve got names and terms for everything I&rsquo;ve never heard of,&rdquo; Burke said. &ldquo;But when you break it down, it&rsquo;s the same stuff we were always doing, only we were just doing it naturally or trying to do it because it felt right.</p><p>&ldquo;Now you know why they&rsquo;re doing it.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0018-01

Closing The Gap

f0022-01

LIVING ON THE BRINK

<div class="byline">BY PETER BOTTE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-03715/9518495-1-eng-US/f0030-032.jpg" title="f0030-03" width="250" height="185"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-011416/9518502-1-eng-US/f0030-012.jpg" title="f0030-01" width="77" height="89"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-02972/9518488-1-eng-US/f0030-022.jpg" title="f0030-02" width="1297" height="1168"><figcaption class="caption-body">JOHN TAVARES <span class="photo-credit">(GERRY THOMAS/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he crazy stories seemingly never cease when it comes to the Islanders. Against-the-grain GM choices, mindless contracts, never-ending arena woes or, recently, blogger controversies affecting the NHL&rsquo;s post-season voting process.</p><p>But John Tavares wants to make one thing perfectly clear: His future with the NHL&rsquo;s widely-perceived shipwreck franchise should not be added to that list.</p><p>Tavares, 20, has taken the requisite next step towards NHL stardom &ndash; and the injury-riddled Isles even appear poised to accompany him up that ladder &ndash; with improvements across the board in his second season after they anointed him their franchise centerpiece as the First overall pick in 2009.</p><p>But the skilled center admittedly was stung earlier this season by rumors emanating from Canada that claimed he would attempt to force his way off the Island either via trade or as a restricted free agent when his entry-level contract expires after next season. &ldquo;I never really understood that, to be honest,&rdquo; said Tavares, who&rsquo;s adamant the young Islanders group in place now is talented and wants to return the team to glory. &ldquo;I mean it when I say I hope I stay here my whole career.&rdquo;</p><p>The Islanders, who haven&rsquo;t won a playoff series since 1993, clearly feel the same way after watching Tavares front them to one of the top records in the East during the second half of the season, despite enduring a raft of injuries.</p><p>That included the need to play six different goalies &ndash; with oft-hurt Rick DiPietro once again limited to minimal ice time &ndash; and No.1 defenseman Mark Streit missing the entire season following shoulder surgery.</p><p>Still, Matt Moulson, whose younger brother was Tavares&rsquo; youth hockey teammate, has posted successive 30-goal campaigns riding on JT&rsquo;s left flank. P.A. Parenteau, another career minor-leaguer, exceeded 50 points for the first time on the opposite side.</p><p>Rookie waiver claim Michael Grabner (what exactly was Florida thinking?) also surpassed 30 goals to add to a core boasting emerging defense pairing Andrew MacDonald and Travis Hamonic, forwards Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen and Blake Comeau and recent top draft picks Nino Niederreiter and Calvin de Haan. &ldquo;I believe it&rsquo;s legitimate, as far as building towards something special,&rdquo; said injured captain Doug Weight, &ldquo;and Johnny is at the head of the line.&rdquo;</p><p>Weight, who is contemplating retirement after missing most of the past two seasons with shoulder and back injuries, took Tavares under his wing last year, renting his family&rsquo;s guest house to JT and Moulson. He believes Tavares&rsquo; improvement &ndash; both statistically and intangibly &ndash; has been borne from a commitment to get stronger last summer and his effort to &ldquo;open up&rdquo; around his teammates. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s more comfortable with the guys, more vocal,&rdquo; Weight said. &ldquo;And on the ice, it&rsquo;s very evident he has a different gear in his skating now.&rdquo;</p><p>Weight also spoke of Tavares learning how to best couple new-found weight and strength with his puck skill and vision. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s really been fun to watch him turning into the player people expected,&rdquo; Weight said. &ldquo;And I see much more improvement on the horizon.&rdquo;</p><p>Personal improvements aside, Tavares sees the Islanders making similar steps overall, even talking playoffs as early as next season. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve had some very good stretches these last two years, but it&rsquo;s time for us to put it together for an 82-game season and really start making an impact,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The next few years should be a lot of fun around here.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0030-03

Long Island Iced ‘T’

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-04531/9518533-1-eng-US/f0030-042.jpg" title="f0030-04" width="242" height="453"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ANDRE RINGUETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>Sidney Crosby</b></p><p><i>1.39 PPG</i></p><p><b>Alex Ovechkin</b></p><p><i>1.21 PPG</i></p><p><b>Patrick Kane</b></p><p><i>0.88 PPG</i></p><p><b>Steven Stamkos</b></p><p><i>0.88 PPG</i></p><p><b>Ilya Kovalchuk</b></p><p><i>0.81 PPG</i></p><p><b>John Tavares</b></p><p><i>0.75 PPG</i></p><p><b>Rick Nash</b></p><p><i>0.62 PPG</i></p><p><b>Vincent Lecavalier</b></p><p><i>0.59 PPG</i></p><p><b>Patrik Stefan</b></p><p><i>0.40 PPG</i></p><p><b>Joe Thornton</b></p><p><i>0.35 PPG</i></p><blockquote class="pullQuote">72 <b>OHL goals in &rsquo;07 by Tavares, besting Wayne Gretzky&rsquo;s record of 70 by a 16-year-old</b></blockquote><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0030-04

RECENT Top Picks

<div class="byline">&#x2013; RICH CHERE</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0031-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-011299/9518648-1-eng-US/f0031-012.jpg"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-1376/9518641-1-eng-US/f0031-132.jpg" title="f0031-13" width="77" height="89"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-02872/9518634-1-eng-US/f0031-022.jpg" title="f0031-02" width="657" height="796"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ZACH PARISE</b></figcaption></div><p><b>H</b>e seemed as durable as any Devils skater.</p><p>Tireless, dedicated and fit, Zach Parise had missed only three of 410 games in his first five NHL seasons. That was why the realization that a torn meniscus in his right knee could end his season in October so boggled the 26-year-old left winger&rsquo;s mind. &ldquo;I think the hardest part for me was I&rsquo;d never been injured before,&rdquo; Parise said. &ldquo;You appreciate the fact that it&rsquo;s a pretty special thing to be playing in this league.&rdquo;</p><p>Parise underwent arthroscopic surgery Nov. 2. For a while he couldn&rsquo;t get around much at all and he attended the Nov. 29 funeral for former Devils coach Pat Burns in Montreal on crutches.</p><p>But he was driven to play again this season, eventually returning April 2 after missing 65 games. He doesn&rsquo;t believe the injury or time missed will impact his impending RFA status, but it took an emotional toll. &ldquo;I was told three months,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know that meant you don&rsquo;t do anything at all for three months. I thought I was going to be back skating in three months.&rdquo;</p><p>And then there was the pain of rehabbing. &ldquo;You obviously don&rsquo;t want to push it and aggravate it,&rdquo; Parise explained. &ldquo;So it&rsquo;s hard to determine whether, &lsquo;that&rsquo;s painful so should I not be doing that?&rsquo; Or, &lsquo;is this what I need to do?&rsquo; What&rsquo;s too much? For the longest time even just doing a leg press was hard.&rdquo;</p><p>It was a season Parise would just as soon forget.</p><p>2011 UFA | RFA</p><h2><b>UNSUNG HERO</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-03668/9518627-1-eng-US/f0031-032.jpg" title="f0031-03" width="753" height="602"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-04520/9518620-1-eng-US/f0031-042.jpg" title="f0031-04" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Although he was a minus-23 in 79 games, <b>Andy Greene</b> led the Devils in blocked shots (157), shifts per game (28.5) and was third in average time on ice (22:18). The 28-year-old&rsquo;s offense took a dip from six goals and 37 points in 2009-10 to four goals and 22 points, but he&rsquo;ll still be in line for a big raise as a UFA this summer.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-05414/9518613-1-eng-US/f0031-052.jpg" title="f0031-05" width="753" height="602"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-06350/9518606-1-eng-US/f0031-062.jpg" title="f0031-06" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ANDY DEVLIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Injuries gave sophomore <b>Andrew MacDonald</b> an opportunity he took full advantage of. In his 60 games, he led the team in time on ice (23:24), points (27) and assists (23) by a blueliner. He was often bitten by the injury bug &ndash; broken foot, fractured hand and season-ending torn hip labrum &ndash; but is a big part of the team&rsquo;s future.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-07289/9518599-1-eng-US/f0031-072.jpg" title="f0031-07" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-08233/9518592-1-eng-US/f0031-082.jpg" title="f0031-08" width="327" height="551"></div><p><b>Michael Sauer</b> won&rsquo;t be nominated for the Norris Trophy anytime soon, yet he is one of the Blueshirts&rsquo; most reliable D-men. The stay-at-home blueliner amassed only 14 points in 74 games, but turned the puck over just 10 times in that span &ndash; the lowest total of any Ranger who has appeared in at least 60 games.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-09195/9518585-1-eng-US/f0031-092.jpg" title="f0031-09" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-10156/9518578-1-eng-US/f0031-102.jpg" title="f0031-10" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(PAUL BERESWILL/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Third-year grit guy <b>Darroll Powe</b> doesn&rsquo;t get the hype some of his teammates receive. But he&rsquo;s the most physical Flyer &ndash; he leads the team in hits this season with 191 &ndash; and also one of the franchise&rsquo;s top penalty-killers, as his average of 3:11 of shorthanded time on ice per game (third-best on the Flyers) can attest to.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-11123/9518571-1-eng-US/f0031-112.jpg" title="f0031-11" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-1293/9518564-1-eng-US/f0031-122.jpg" title="f0031-12" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ANDRE RINGUETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>Tyler Kennedy</b> was an unheralded part of the Pens&rsquo; 2009 Cup run and is stepping up in the 2010 absence of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Kennedy&rsquo;s 20 goals and 43 points this season are improvements on his previous career highs of 15 goals and 35 points and couldn&rsquo;t have come at a more important time.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0031-01

Keep Your Chin Up, Kid

<div class="byline">&#x2013;EDWARD FRASER</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0032-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-02939/9518756-1-eng-US/f0032-022.jpg"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-1399/9518763-1-eng-US/f0032-132.jpg" title="f0032-13" width="77" height="89"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-011393/9518749-1-eng-US/f0032-012.jpg" title="f0032-01" width="657" height="778"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JAMES REIMER</b></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>M</span></b>ere minutes after the Maple Leafs had been eliminated from the playoff hunt in Game 79, a nervous young fan approached the night&rsquo;s losing netminder. He could have been excused if he simply signed an obligatory autograph. Instead, still dripping with sweat from facing 40-plus shots for the sixth time, the rookie beamed a genuine, welcoming smile and talked at length with the girl as a throng of reporters stood in wait. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s life right there,&rdquo; said James Reimer of his admirer (who, it was later discovered, was a seven-year-old two-time cancer survivor). &ldquo;We&rsquo;re having fun, we&rsquo;re playing a game. I like to see how excited they are and how much they enjoy things. That&rsquo;s the fun part.&rdquo;</p><p>That gives you a pretty good idea who James Reimer is off the ice. On the ice? &ldquo;He&rsquo;s been phenomenal for us,&rdquo; said captain Dion Phaneuf. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s given us a chance to win night in and night out.&rdquo;</p><p>On Dec. 31, before Reimer&rsquo;s first NHL start, Toronto was 13th in the Eastern Conference with a .406 points percentage. In the next 45 games, 35 of which the 22-year-old played, the team went 24-14-7 (.632) and climbed to 10th. Coming up short again is little solace to fans wishing to see playoff hockey for the first time since 2004, but staying in the hunt to the end is a good sign for the future, said Reimer: &ldquo;GMs and coaches want players who&rsquo;ve played in the playoffs and as far as I&rsquo;m concerned we&rsquo;ve been in the playoffs for two months.&rdquo;</p><p>2011 UFA | RFA</p><h2><b>UNSUNG HERO</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-03690/9518742-1-eng-US/f0032-032.jpg" title="f0032-03" width="753" height="602"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-04524/9518735-1-eng-US/f0032-042.jpg" title="f0032-04" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>Gregory Campbell</b> has proven his worth as a first-year Bruin. Acquired last summer with Nathan Horton, the ex-Panther has anchored an effective fourth line all year, posting 13 goals through 78 games. An important penalty-killer, Campbell also demonstrated a willingness to drop the gloves, which plays well in Boston.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-05409/9518728-1-eng-US/f0032-052.jpg" title="f0032-05" width="753" height="602"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-06348/9518721-1-eng-US/f0032-062.jpg" title="f0032-06" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JEN FULLER/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>When Ryan Miller was lost to injury down the stretch in 2009, it sunk the Sabres&rsquo; playoff hopes. <b>Jhonas Enroth</b> wouldn&rsquo;t let that happen this year. When Miller was lost, albeit for a shorter time frame, Enroth filled in admirably and kept Buffalo afloat in the playoff chase. The Sabres may finally have found their No. 2.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-07285/9518714-1-eng-US/f0032-072.jpg" title="f0032-07" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-08243/9518707-1-eng-US/f0032-082.jpg" title="f0032-08" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(FRANCOIS LACASSE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>With some key components missing on the blueline, the size and savvy of <b>Roman Hamrlik,</b> who turned 37 April 12, was a big help to the Habs. The veteran logged as much average ice time as anybody on the team and his 33 points through 76 games represented his highest total since 2006-07 when he posted 38 in Calgary.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-09196/9518700-1-eng-US/f0032-092.jpg" title="f0032-09" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-10158/9518693-1-eng-US/f0032-102.jpg" title="f0032-10" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(GERRY THOMAS/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>It&rsquo;s hard to picture a guy who earns $7 million as &ldquo;unsung,&rdquo; but <b>Jason Spezza</b> had a better season than many realize. When Spezza was out of the lineup nursing injuries, Ottawa&rsquo;s points percentage was an horrific .300. With the big center in the lineup, the Sens were an even 27-27-6 with two games left in the season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-11130/9518686-1-eng-US/f0032-112.jpg" title="f0032-11" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-12114/9518679-1-eng-US/f0032-122.jpg" title="f0032-12" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Whether blocking shots on the penalty kill or manning the point on the power play, <b>Tim Brent</b> has done everything asked of him. A smart, hard worker with decent hands, the 27-year-old had proven himself a capable point-producer in the AHL, but had just one point in 19 NHL games prior to this season. This year he had 20 in 79.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0032-02

Proper Perspective

<div class="byline">&#x2013; JOHN GRIGG</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0033-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-011243/9518878-1-eng-US/f0033-012.jpg"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-13124/9518871-1-eng-US/f0033-132.jpg" title="f0033-13" width="77" height="89"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-02855/9518864-1-eng-US/f0033-022.jpg" title="f0033-02" width="713" height="769"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MARCUS JOHANSSON</b> <span class="photo-credit">(FRANCOIS LACASSE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>F</span></b>or Capitals rookie center Marcus Johansson, 2010-11 has been a tale of two seasons. Johansson scored just five points his first 23 NHL games, a run interrupted by a hip flexor injury that kept him out of action for two weeks. &ldquo;The first couple of months it was hard,&rdquo; said the 20-year-old Swede.</p><p>Mike Knuble is a 14-year vet who, in the late 1990s, broke in with Detroit, a team also saddled with high expectations. He knows it&rsquo;s tough for any rookie, let alone a Swedish kid leaving his home and what Knuble called the &ldquo;pretty cool and cozy&rdquo; play of the Elite League for the fast-paced lifestyle of the rugged NHL.</p><p>But Knuble believes Johansson has adapted well and it showed when he turned it on after Christmas. &ldquo;He flipped a switch,&rdquo; Knuble said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s playing with a ton of confidence.&rdquo;</p><p>Johansson credits that to increased playing time. He&rsquo;s skated on a number of lines, learning as he goes and soaking it all in. &ldquo;I want to get better at everything,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not tough to adjust because everyone is so good.&rdquo;</p><p>On a night when the Caps clinched their fourth straight division title, Johansson played on the top line much of the game, but missed three good chances. He wasn&rsquo;t frustrated and didn&rsquo;t sulk, however, he just prepared for the next shift. For a guy whose calling card is offense, he&rsquo;s shown a level of maturity that comes with the confidence he&rsquo;s gained. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a Swedish kid, they stay pretty mellow,&rdquo; Knuble said.</p><p>2011 UFA | RFA</p><h2><b>UNSUNG HERO</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-03674/9518857-1-eng-US/f0033-032.jpg" title="f0033-03" width="753" height="602"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-04549/9518850-1-eng-US/f0033-042.jpg" title="f0033-04" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(CLAUS ANDERSEN/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>A number of players underachieved  or didn&rsquo;t progress as hoped, but 26-year-old <b>Anthony Stewart</b> picked up some slack. Although he faltered along with his teammates in the second half, the 25th overall pick in 2003 scored more than three times as many points this year as he had in 105 previous NHL games.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-05465/9518843-1-eng-US/f0033-052.jpg" title="f0033-05" width="753" height="602"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-06407/9518836-1-eng-US/f0033-062.jpg" title="f0033-06" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ANDY MARLIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>Tim Gleason</b> led Canes blueliners in hits and shorthanded ice time. That along with his attitude earned him the respect of his teammates. He was voted this season&rsquo;s Steve Chiasson Award winner as the player who best exemplifies determination and dedication and inspires teammates with his approach to the game.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-07342/9518829-1-eng-US/f0033-072.jpg" title="f0033-07" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-08276/9518822-1-eng-US/f0033-082.jpg" title="f0033-08" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>With another dismal season in the books and a record-setting 10th straight year out of the playoffs, the only thing worth championing is the future. GM <b>Dale Tallon</b> has struck it rich with 10 draft picks this June, including seven of the first 90. Couple those with seven in the first three rounds last year and there&rsquo;s hope for the future.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-09223/9518815-1-eng-US/f0033-092.jpg" title="f0033-09" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-10190/9518808-1-eng-US/f0033-102.jpg" title="f0033-10" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ANDRE RINGUETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Coach Guy Boucher loves his role players and <b>Adam Hall</b> has embraced his job. He&rsquo;s an energy player who gets about 12:00 a game 5-on-5 and leads the team in hits. But he&rsquo;s &lsquo;The Man&rsquo; when Tampa is a man down. No forward kills more penalty time and, to top it off, he&rsquo;s also electric in the faceoff circle, Tampa&rsquo;s best.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-11168/9518801-1-eng-US/f0033-112.jpg" title="f0033-11" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-12150/9518794-1-eng-US/f0033-122.jpg" title="f0033-12" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Is anyone more underrated than <b>Brooks Laich</b>? The UFAto-be&rsquo;s numbers took a hit this year &ndash; after three straight 20-plus-goal seasons &ndash; as the Caps buckled down defensively, but don&rsquo;t think his contribution dipped. Fourth in team scoring, he anchors the PK and the second power play unit. Laich backs down from no one.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0033-01

Beltway Beginner

<div class="byline">BY JIM GINTONIO</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-02978/9518916-1-eng-US/f0034-022.jpg" title="f0034-02" width="250" height="185"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-011410/9518923-1-eng-US/f0034-012.jpg" title="f0034-01" width="77" height="89"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-03779/9518909-1-eng-US/f0034-032.jpg" title="f0034-03" width="1345" height="1092"><figcaption class="caption-body">ILYA BRYZGALOV <span class="photo-credit">(DALE MACMILLAN/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>T</b>he rallying cry was &ldquo;Two weeks! Two weeks!&rdquo; from Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.</p><p>It was an unsolicited view of the fluid Coyotes&rsquo; ownership situation; for the past several months, fans had heard that a resolution would be reached in &ldquo;two weeks.&rdquo;</p><p>It has been another tough year off the ice for the organization, but once again the Coyotes found a way not only to emerge as one of the league&rsquo;s better teams, but also to block out the distractions of possible franchise relocation.</p><p>Throughout the season, however, there has been constant chatter about the possibility: If they don&rsquo;t want to talk about it, visiting media certainly do. Players do their best to accommodate them, but at times patience has been tested.</p><p>For the most part, the team has expressed the desire to remain in Phoenix and not return to its former home in Winnipeg.</p><p>When the out-of-towners do not get the answers they think their readers or viewers want, reaction has been quick and sometimes unfavorable. Meanwhile, Canadian media have been predicting the demise of the franchise since the spring of 2009.</p><p>The Goldwater Institute and the city of Glendale have been involved in a testy relationship for almost two years and fans for the most part are clamoring for the end game. The situation created periods of fan apathy during the season, but attendance picked up.</p><p>On the ice, the team revolves around Bryzgalov, who firmed up his game considerably in the final six weeks of the season. That is one of the ironies, as well: The big Russian will be an unrestricted free agent at season&rsquo;s end, commanding a hefty salary that a new owner (Matthew Hulsizer if the team stays in Arizona) will have to meet. It&rsquo;s also fair to wonder if Bryzgalov will re-sign to play in a city not on his &ldquo;most-wanted&rdquo; list if the team moves.</p><p>Overall, however, it&rsquo;s the &ldquo;pack mentality&rdquo; mantra that coach Dave Tippett instilled last season that has carried the day.</p><p>&ldquo;Raise the ante&rdquo; became another team catchphrase. It can be traced back to last season&rsquo;s first-round post-season series against the Red Wings; Phoenix was ousted on home ice in Game 7. &ldquo;It did bother guys, it really bothered us throughout the summer,&rdquo; said blueliner Derek Morris. &ldquo;Guys have played well because of it.&rdquo;</p><p>A hounding defense and a team mindset that the Desert Dogs want to play and win games by 1-0 scores goes a long way.</p><p>But as solid as the defense has been, the offense &ndash; which eclipses the conventional meaning of the world &ldquo;balanced,&rdquo; somehow found a way to deliver in most games. Twenty-goal scorers were tough to find, but 11 players had 11 or more markers on the year.</p><p>Defenseman Keith Yandle, who emerged as a Norris Trophy candidate, is regarded as one of the top up-and-coming blueliners in the league. He led the team in assists and scoring for much of the campaign. He also topped the team in ice team by almost three minutes with more than 24-plus per game.</p><p>The Coyotes: balanced and unconcerned with individual glory. That&rsquo;s the two-fold philosophy that gives the team its identity.</p><p>There is also a chemistry that GM Don Maloney believes can be long-lasting. &ldquo;We have identified who we are and how we need to play to be successful,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;With our excellent goaltending, strong defensive detail and nice mix of youth, experience, leadership and character, we feel we can be a strong playoff team now and in the future.&rdquo;</p><p>In Phoenix or elsewhere.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0034-02

On The Edge With A Plan

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-04630/9518954-1-eng-US/f0034-042.jpg" title="f0034-04" width="242" height="430"><figcaption class="caption-body">DALE HAWERCHUK</figcaption></div><p><b>Dale Hawerchuk</b></p><p><i>929 pts</i></p><p><b>Thomas Steen</b></p><p><i>817 pts</i></p><p><b>Shane Doan</b></p><p><i>719 pts</i></p><p><b>Paul MacLean</b></p><p><i>518 pts</i></p><p><b>Doug Smail</b></p><p><i>397 pts</i></p><p><b>Jeremy Roenick</b></p><p><i>379 pts</i></p><p><b>Laurie Boschman</b></p><p><i>379 pts</i></p><p><b>Morris Lukowich</b></p><p><i>345 pts</i></p><p><b>Freddy Olausson</b></p><p><i>335 pts</i></p><p><b>Keith Tkachuk</b></p><p><i>334 pts</i></p><blockquote class="pullQuote"><b>29 Phoenix&rsquo;s finish in the 30-team NHL in attendance; 12,085 fans on average</b></blockquote><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0034-04

ALL-TIME Scorers

<div class="byline">&#x2013; ROB TYCHKOWSKI</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0037-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-011170/9519184-1-eng-US/f0037-012.jpg"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-13128/9519177-1-eng-US/f0037-132.jpg" title="f0037-13" width="77" height="89"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-02817/9519170-1-eng-US/f0037-022.jpg" title="f0037-02" width="657" height="794"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>TEEMU HARTIKAINEN</b></figcaption></div><p><b>H</b>e&rsquo;ll never be the &lsquo;Finnish Flash,&rsquo; but that&rsquo;s fine with Teemu Hartikainen. He&rsquo;s quite content to be the &lsquo;Finnish Bash.&rsquo;</p><p>The 6-foot-1, 215-pound left winger plays like he&rsquo;s straight out of Kelvington, Sask., and in doing so is playing himself right into Edmonton&rsquo;s good books. &ldquo;He adds sand-paper to our lineup,&rdquo; said coach Tom Renney, whose club needs a lot of it.</p><p>Hartikainen brings size, strength, determination and physicality to the Oilers, with a little offense for good measure. He goes to the tough areas of the ice to retrieve pucks and will set up shop in the crease. &ldquo;I think he&rsquo;s got NHL DNA,&rdquo; Renney said.</p><p>There was little buzz about Hartikainen when he was drafted 163rd overall in 2008, but of all the players airlifted into Edmonton due to the injury situation, the 20-year-old has made the biggest impact. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m in my first year,&rdquo; said Hartikainen, who&rsquo;s averaging more than 17 minutes of ice time. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t expect anything, but when I saw guys being lost to injuries, I started thinking about it, that I might get a chance this year.&rdquo;</p><p>He promised himself he&rsquo;d make the most of it. And with his physical play and ability to go to the crease and play a hard game, he has. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s savoring the opportunity,&rdquo; Renney said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a great competitor. He&rsquo;s looking at this as a chance to make a statement and he should.&rdquo;</p><p>After 42 points in 66 AHL games, Hartikainen is set to conquer the NHL. &ldquo;I feel I&rsquo;m ready,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve seen I can do it.&rdquo;</p><p>2011 UFA | RFA</p><h2><b>UNSUNG HERO</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-03655/9519163-1-eng-US/f0037-032.jpg" title="f0037-03" width="753" height="602"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-04560/9519156-1-eng-US/f0037-042.jpg" title="f0037-04" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(GERRY THOMAS/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The Flames were 14th in the West in late December when <b>Tim Jackman</b> sparked the dormant coals with high-energy, intense forechecking from the fourth line that became infectious throughout the lineup. During that pivotal stretch, Jackman also generated eight points in eight games averaging nine minutes of ice time.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-05506/9519149-1-eng-US/f0037-052.jpg" title="f0037-05" width="753" height="602"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-06448/9519142-1-eng-US/f0037-062.jpg" title="f0037-06" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(MICHAEL MARTIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>In a season that took a sharp turn south for the Avs, <b>David Jones</b> saw his importance go due north in a big way. Jones completed his first healthy season in four attempts and his goal-scoring helped negate the loss of Chris Stewart (he ranked among the NHL&rsquo;s top 50 goal-scorers). He also led the team in plus-minus.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-07383/9519135-1-eng-US/f0037-072.jpg" title="f0037-07" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-08297/9519128-1-eng-US/f0037-082.jpg" title="f0037-08" width="327" height="551"></div><p>With teammates dropping likes flies around him, <b>Tom Gilbert</b> was a tower of power, health and consistency on the Edmonton blueline. His ice time average of 24:33 led the team by more than four minutes (other than injured Ryan Whitney). Gilbert has missed just two games in four seasons and also led the team in blocked shots.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-09241/9519121-1-eng-US/f0037-092.jpg" title="f0037-09" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-10203/9519114-1-eng-US/f0037-102.jpg" title="f0037-10" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ANDY DEVLIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>No player in the league has blocked more shots the past five seasons than <b>Greg Zanon</b>. Few players celebrate goals less frequently than him as well. The 30-year-old wall on skates has blocked more than 1,000 pucks since 2006-07, out-distancing Anton Volchenkov by about 60. Zanon has also gone 128 games without a goal.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-11167/9519107-1-eng-US/f0037-112.jpg" title="f0037-11" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-12144/9519100-1-eng-US/f0037-122.jpg" title="f0037-12" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>Raffi Torres</b> made more money and scored more goals in other outposts during his seven-year NHL career. But it&rsquo;s doubtful he was appreciated as much as he was as a third-line energy pest for the Canucks. Late-season suspension aside, he found his niche grinding along the boards and creating havoc while the top lines recuperated.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0037-01

To Hit Is To Stick

<div class="byline">&#x2013; ADAM PROTEAU</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0038-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-011269/9519292-1-eng-US/f0038-012.jpg"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-13144/9519299-1-eng-US/f0038-132.jpg" title="f0038-13" width="77" height="89"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-02872/9519285-1-eng-US/f0038-022.jpg" title="f0038-02" width="657" height="805"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>RAY EMERY</b> <span class="photo-credit">(DEBORA ROBINSON/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>R</span></b>ay Emery wasn&rsquo;t a dead man walking, but was a decidedly injured man limping. Sidelined last year after only 29 games with the Flyers, Emery was an afterthought to most hockey people and remained so well into this season. But he was in the fight of his young life &ndash; against avascular necrosis, the same degenerative bone condition that forced baseball and football star Bo Jackson to retire early &ndash; and had to be focused simply on bringing life back to his hip before thinking of playing again.</p><p>Incredibly, he&rsquo;s done both. First, Emery, 28, had bone grafted from his lower leg and inserted into his afflicted hip. Then, after extensive rehabilitation, he signed with Anaheim in early February. He worked himself back into shape in the American League (posting spectacular numbers), only to find his services were required more quickly than first anticipated when Ducks starter Jonas Hiller was diagnosed with vertigo.</p><p>Emery excelled, beginning with a 6-0-0 run while posting a 1.90 goals-against average and .935 save percentage, virtually saving Anaheim&rsquo;s season. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a guy that came in and we needed somebody to step up when Jonas went down,&rdquo; said Ducks MVP Corey Perry. &ldquo;He has done what everybody has asked of him. He&rsquo;s gone beyond expectations and he&rsquo;s taken this team to another level.&rdquo;</p><p>It&rsquo;s a short body of work to be sure, but Emery&rsquo;s game looks to be back on track. And that&rsquo;s a healthy outlook.</p><p>2011 UFA | RFA</p><h2><b>UNSUNG HERO</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-03702/9519278-1-eng-US/f0038-032.jpg" title="f0038-03" width="753" height="602"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-04569/9519271-1-eng-US/f0038-042.jpg" title="f0038-04" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>Toni Lydman</b> may be the loudest unsung NHLer, thanks to his nomination by <i>Revolver</i> magazine as the year&rsquo;s &ldquo;most metal athlete,&rdquo; but the Finn goes about his job quietly. His plus-minus was top five in the NHL and the Ducks gave up an average of 46 shots when he missed the first four games of the year due to an eye injury.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-05460/9519264-1-eng-US/f0038-052.jpg" title="f0038-05" width="753" height="602"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-06393/9519257-1-eng-US/f0038-062.jpg" title="f0038-06" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ANDRE RINGUETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Other teams hate <b>Steve Ott,</b> which is why the Stars love him. The grinding third-liner not only led Dallas in hits by a wide margin, but he was also the team&rsquo;s ace in the faceoff circle, winning more than 57 percent of his draws to rank in the NHL&rsquo;s top five. On top of that, he&rsquo;s known as a character guy in the dressing room.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-07331/9519250-1-eng-US/f0038-072.jpg" title="f0038-07" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-08269/9519243-1-eng-US/f0038-082.jpg" title="f0038-08" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ANDY DEVLIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>On a team flush with big-name defenders, <b>Matt Greene</b> has been as important as any King on the back end. The 27-year-old veteran was second on the team in hits and third in blocked shots, despite missing 11 games to injury, and third in shorthanded time on ice, despite averaging less than 17 minutes per game.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-09231/9519236-1-eng-US/f0038-092.jpg" title="f0038-09" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-10195/9519229-1-eng-US/f0038-102.jpg" title="f0038-10" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(DALE MACMILLAN/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Sometimes a player just needs a fresh start. That&rsquo;s what <b>Lauri Korpikoski</b> got in Phoenix. The former New York Ranger has become a stalwart on the Coyotes penalty kill, but has also revved up the offense in Arizona, more than doubling his previous best in points this season, his second with the Desert Dogs.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-11171/9519222-1-eng-US/f0038-112.jpg" title="f0038-11" width="753" height="601"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-12158/9519215-1-eng-US/f0038-122.jpg" title="f0038-12" width="327" height="551"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>Kyle</b>&nbsp;<b>Wellwood</b> has been humbled several times in his up-and-down career, but this season qualifies as an &ldquo;up.&rdquo; Since catching on with Sharks in January, the crafty pivot has impressed teammates with his moves and helped turn around a sketchy first half in the Bay Area. In 32 games with Wellwood, the Sharks went 24-4-4.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0038-01

Saving Grace

<div class="byline">BY RYAN KENNEDY</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0040-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-02542/9519337-1-eng-US/f0040-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>STROME RUN IceDogs center Ryan Strome was one of the top scorers in the league this season.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(CHL IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-01863/9519344-1-eng-US/f0040-012.jpg" title="f0040-01" width="77" height="89"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span></b>ith two brothers who also play hockey, Niagara&rsquo;s Ryan Strome never has to look too far if he wants somebody to fire pucks with. The target, however, is another story. &ldquo;My dad replaced the garage door not too long ago, so we&rsquo;re not allowed to shoot there anymore,&rdquo; Strome said.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-03418/9519330-1-eng-US/f0040-032.jpg" title="f0040-03" width="252" height="89"></div><p>Instead, the boys constructed their own shooting gallery, one that didn&rsquo;t have the family car hidden behind it. Whether that was the answer or just the fact practice makes perfect over all those years, this was Strome&rsquo;s breakout season with the Ontario League&rsquo;s IceDogs and one that launched him up the 2011 draft rankings.</p><p>A 6-foot-1, 183-pound center from Mississauga, Ont., Strome&rsquo;s initial October ranking by International Scouting Services projected him as a second-rounder, 34th overall. Fast-forward to the March rankings and the offensively gifted center had vaulted to sixth. That Strome threw up 106 points in 65 games this season &ndash; good for third in the OHL &ndash; had something to do with that, though even he admits he wasn&rsquo;t expecting triple digits. &ldquo;Not at all,&rdquo; Strome said. &ldquo;The goal was to average a point per game.&rdquo;</p><p>Sometimes lost in the Strome narrative this season was the fact the competitive pivot used to be a Barrie Colt. He was actually one of the pieces moved to Niagara last season in exchange for now-St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo when Barrie was pushing for a Memorial Cup berth. And though the Colts fell short, the IceDogs got a player whose greatness was buried on a deep Barrie lineup. &ldquo;It was tough not playing the minutes I thought I would,&rdquo; Strome said. &ldquo;I came to Niagara and got all the opportunity in the world. I couldn&rsquo;t be more happy.&rdquo;</p><p>Nor could the IceDogs. With Strome up front and highly acclaimed defender Dougie Hamilton on the blueline, Niagara has two potential top-10 picks on its roster, both of whom bring dangerous skills every night that work in tandem. &ldquo;Ryan&rsquo;s been outstanding,&rdquo; Hamilton said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a lot of fun playing with him on the power play. I&rsquo;d definitely rather play with him than against him.&rdquo;</p><p>Along with the sheer numbers, Strome has impressed this season by doing things with a high level of skill and creativity. His best goals are YouTube favorites, but behind that pizzazz is a player who does not like to lose. &ldquo;He competes hard on pucks,&rdquo; said one scout. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s crafty. When he loses the puck, he works hard to get it back.&rdquo;</p><p>With offensive skills that are pretty well established, Strome has concentrated on defensive play and faceoffs. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll do whatever it takes,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the players who are well-rounded at both ends that are successful.&rdquo;</p><p>Which is always nice to hear, particularly when a kid excels at more than one sport. Strome, for example, has always been an excellent lacrosse player and only recently gave it up to concentrate full time on hockey. He believes the 1-on-1 play in lacrosse and the fact players must often operate in tight quarters to make plays has helped on the ice &ndash; as fellow enthusiasts John Tavares and Tyler Seguin can attest to.</p><p>Off the ice, Strome has been lauded by scouts for his character and some have even gone as far as pointing out how highly they&rsquo;ve thought of his father and family. His false start in Barrie was part of the reason his ranking was so low entering the season, but scouts have also liked what they&rsquo;ve seen in his progression. Getting stronger and more confident were two of the key elements for Strome to work on this year and clearly the latter has been established; just check out his YouTube clips and watch the sweet moves.</p><blockquote class="pullQuote"><b>79 Difference in Strome&rsquo;s points (106 to 27) this season compared to last year.</b></blockquote><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0040-02

Dogged Determination

<div class="byline">BY WILLY PALOV</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0041-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-01749/9519375-1-eng-US/f0041-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ATLANTIC CATCH Nathan MacKinnon is favored to be taken first overall in the Quebec League draft.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(COURTESY OF SHATTUCK-ST. MARY’SM)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-03390/9519389-1-eng-US/f0041-032.jpg" title="f0041-03" width="77" height="89"></div><p><b>M</b>aybe there&rsquo;s something in the water in Cole Harbour.</p><p>It looks like another rising star is blossoming in the Halifax, N.S., suburb, with Nathan MacKinnon following a familiar path. MacKinnon, 15, is currently in his second year at Shattuck-St. Mary&rsquo;s, the same Minnesota prep school Sidney Crosby attended in 2002-03.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-02479/9519382-1-eng-US/f0041-022.jpg" title="f0041-02" width="183" height="111"></div><p>Like his Penguins role model, MacKinnon used breakout performances in major tournaments to lift his profile. The explosive center was exceptional at the World Under-17 Championship as an underager and the Canada Winter Games.</p><p>MacKinnon finished tied for seventh in tournament scoring at the under-17s with eight points in five games in December and January. A month later he finished fourth in Canada Games scoring with eight goals and 11 points in seven games for overmatched Nova Scotia.</p><p>MacKinnon has a combination of power, finesse and smarts. &ldquo;Nathan is strong on his skates, strong on the puck and willing to get physical,&rdquo; said one scout. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s more of a strong two-way player with offensive ability as opposed to a pure offensive threat.&rdquo;</p><p>MacKinnon&rsquo;s blend of skill, grit and smarts make him is an early candidate to go in the top five in the 2013 NHL draft. And while no one is saying he&rsquo;s the next Crosby, the new kid has already given in to the fact he will have to hear his name in the same breath as the Pens captain. &ldquo;I guess it&rsquo;s just a compliment like any other compliment and I try to leave it at that,&rdquo; MacKinnon said. &ldquo;I think people have picked him because we&rsquo;re from the same home town and we went to the same school.&rdquo;</p><p>If there is one way Crosby and MacKinnon are mirror images, it&rsquo;s their drive to win. Crosby&rsquo;s hatred of losing is legendary and MacKinnon is very much the same way. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s so competitive,&rdquo; said Cole Murphy, MacKinnon&rsquo;s linemate at the Canada Games and best friend. &ldquo;Even when we&rsquo;re in warm-up, just playing knock-out with the soccer ball or in video games or anything, he&rsquo;s a really intense competitor.</p><p>&ldquo;But he&rsquo;s not a sore loser or anything. He knows when to quit and when to drop it. I think that&rsquo;s a big reason why he&rsquo;s so good.&rdquo;</p><p>MacKinnon is the runaway favorite to go first overall in this summer&rsquo;s Quebec League draft, but said he hasn&rsquo;t yet closed the door on going to the NCAA. In all likelihood, he will play major junior, where league scouts and GMs say without hesitation he is the best player to come through the territory since Crosby&rsquo;s days as a member of the Rimouski Oceanic from 2003 to 2005.</p><p>&ldquo;I know I wouldn&rsquo;t be compared to him if I was from Toronto,&rdquo; MacKinnon said, &ldquo;so I just take it for what it&rsquo;s worth and move on from there.&rdquo;</p><p><b>For more on the future, check out: <a href="http://thn.com/prospects">thn.com/prospects</a></b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0041-01

Another Cole Harbour Kid

<div class="byline">BY RISTO PAKARINEN</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0042-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-01789/9519427-1-eng-US/f0042-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MASKED MENACE Mika Zibanejad still must wear a cage in the Elite League, but his talent has been unmasked.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(ANDREAS GRANDIN)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-04318/9519434-1-eng-US/f0042-042.jpg" title="f0042-04" width="77" height="89"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>I</span></b>f there&rsquo;s one play that perfectly symbolizes Mika Zibanejad&rsquo;s season, it came in Djurgarden&rsquo;s final regular season home game. Zibanejad, 17, took a long pass against Skelleftea, stopped the puck with his skate, flicked it up the ice on top prospect Adam Larsson&rsquo;s right side, went around the 18-year-old defenseman on the left and beat the goalie with a wrist shot five-hole.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-03395/9519420-1-eng-US/f0042-032.jpg" title="f0042-03" width="296" height="82"></div><p>Larsson has been the highest-ranked European prospect this season, but Zibanejad is closing the gap. &ldquo;The first thing I noticed when I saw him last fall was that he was as strong as an ox,&rdquo; said Goran Stubb, the NHL&rsquo;s director of European scouting.&rdquo;</p><p>Zibanejad, the son of an Iranian father and Finnish mother, is trying to take his ascension in stride. He expected to spend the entire 2010-11 season with Djurgarden&rsquo;s junior team, where he scored 12 goals and 21 points in 27 games. But when he was one of the final cuts from Team Sweden&rsquo;s under-20 team while team-mate Patrik Cehlin earned a spot, he got his chance with the elite league team &ndash; and ran with it.</p><p>Zibanejad knows things can change quickly. &ldquo;You have to remember what goes up, must come down and it can happen fast,&rdquo; said the 6-foot-1, 191-pounder. &ldquo;Up here, playing with the Elitserien team, I learn something new almost every day.&rdquo;</p><p>Djurgarden coach Hardy Nilsson admitted he had no idea who Zibanejad was before the season began. But once he saw what he had, he hasn&rsquo;t been shy to throw him on the ice. In that game against Skelleftea, for example, Zibanejad played more than any forward, with responsibilities on both the second power play unit and as a penalty killer.</p><p>The rookie teenager scored nine points in his 26 games with Djurgarden and added two more in the team&rsquo;s seven-game first round playoff loss to Lulea. Along with his under-20 numbers and 15 points in 13 games for Sweden&rsquo;s under-18s, he&rsquo;s played a lot of hockey. &ldquo;Mika is a fantastic player,&rdquo; said Mikael Johansson, Djurgarden&rsquo;s assistant coach. &ldquo;You can see how his confidence builds with every game. He&rsquo;s very talented and reminds me of other big right-handed shooters that have played with Djurgarden in the past.&rdquo;</p><p>That&rsquo;s code for Mats Sundin. And that&rsquo;s high praise.</p><p>Coach Nilsson calls Zibanejad &ldquo;Caged Mika&rdquo; to differentiate him from Mika Hannula, another forward on the team. At 17, Zibanejad still has to wear full facial protection, but the mask is about the only thing that reveals his young age.</p><p>He&rsquo;s strong, he&rsquo;s got great hands and a good hockey sense. &ldquo;The best part is he&rsquo;s an all-round player who can play all forward positions,&rdquo; Stubb said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s very good around the boards, in front of the net and in the corners. He&rsquo;s also responsible in his defensive play. I&rsquo;d say he&rsquo;s the complete package.&rdquo;</p><p>But Zibanejad is humble about his game: &ldquo;Everything is more structured than in the junior league, so I can&rsquo;t afford to make mistakes here,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The fact that we&rsquo;ve had a similar system in (junior) has made the transition a little easier.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0042-01

From No-Name To Big Deal

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-02504/9519465-1-eng-US/f0042-022.jpg" title="f0042-02" width="480" height="546"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MIIKKA SALOMAKI</b> <span class="photo-credit">(SALOMAKI: COURTESY OF KARPAT)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>1. MIIKKA SALOMAKI, LW</b></h2><p>Karpat Oulu (Fin.)</p><p><i>Feisty banger made hay at the WJC, where his role increased as tourney progressed. Good head for the game; plays well without the puck.</i></p><h2><b>2. MAX FRIBERG, LW</b></h2><p>Skovde (Swe.)</p><p><i>Jumped onto world junior team when Gabriel Landeskog was injured and played well. Will make jump from Div. 1 to SEL&rsquo;s Timra next year.</i></p><h2><b>3. MARKUS GRANLUND, C</b></h2><p>HIFK (Fin.)</p><p><i>Still a skinny kid, but Mikael&rsquo;s younger brother is dynamite on the power play and got experience with HIFK&rsquo;s top team in a short call-up.</i></p><h2><b>4. JOHAN SUNDSTROM, C</b></h2><p>Frolunda (Swe.)</p><p><i>Already 6-foot-3, 196 pounds, Sundstrom can also play wing and doesn&rsquo;t mind fighting through traffic to make an impact. Great hands.</i></p><h2><b>5. MAXIM SHALUNOV, RW</b></h2><p>Chelyabinsk (Rus.)</p><p><i>Makes great opening passes and is good with the puck; needs to fill out.</i></p><p>Read more of Ryan Kennedy&rsquo;s <b>&lsquo;Hot List&rsquo;</b> Tuesdays at <a href="http://THN.com">THN.com</a><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0042-02

On The Rise

<div class="byline">BY TODD DENAULT</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0043-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-01771/9519496-1-eng-US/f0043-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>SERVE AND PROTECT Dave Dryden used an old-school mask, but knew it could be improved.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(HHOF IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>P</span>unch</b>&nbsp;<b>Imlach</b> was not the type of man to let a golden opportunity pass him by. Never was this more apparent than on the evening of March 20, 1971, when Imlach&rsquo;s expansion Buffalo Sabres travelled to the Montreal Forum.</p><p>Imlach penciled Dave Dryden into his lineup with the intention of creating the first brother-against-brother goalie matchup in NHL history. &ldquo;Punch knew that it had never happened before and was sure that (Habs coach Al) McNeil would feel the same as he did,&rdquo; Dryden said.</p><p>McNeil didn&rsquo;t, turning to Rogie Vachon as the Canadiens goalie. A disappointed Imlach pulled Dryden from the Sabres net after only 90 seconds and replaced him with Joe Daley. With the brothers sitting on the end of their respective team&rsquo;s benches it appeared history would have to wait. But then, halfway through the second, a twist of fate and a dash of destiny converged.</p><p>Lunging for a shot, Vachon felt a twinge in his groin and McNeil was forced to use Ken Dryden. Imlach seized the opportunity, removing Daley and reinserting his Dryden.</p><p>The scoreboard read &ldquo;Canadiens 5, Sabres 2&rdquo; when the final siren blared, but very few remembered the result. Instead they committed to memory the sight of the brothers, masks lifted and resting on the top of their heads, making their way to center ice and shaking hands as a phalanx of cameras captured the moment.</p><p>Ken Dryden became the greatest goaltender of his generation, retiring with six Stanley Cups. At the same time, Dave Dryden &ndash; six years Ken&rsquo;s senior &ndash; largely became a footnote in the wake of his brother&rsquo;s success. &ldquo;Today,&rdquo; Dave said, &ldquo;when Ken and I talk we quite often laugh about the two different paths that our hockey careers took.&rdquo;</p><p>Dave debuted in the NHL as a 20-year-old emergency goaltender with the Rangers in 1962. He re-emerged as a backup with the Black Hawks in the mid-&rsquo;60s before joining the Sabres in the fall of 1970, culminating in an appearance in the 1974 All-Star Game.</p><p>He then made the jump to the WHA, where he unexpectedly became a player/owner with the Chicago Cougars for one year before joining the Edmonton Oilers in 1975. In the WHA&rsquo;s final season of 1978-79, Dryden enjoyed his finest year, claiming both the Gordie Howe (MVP) and Ben Hatskin (top goalie) Trophies.  A year later, and only a season after his famous brother, the older Dryden retired to little fanfare. In the ensuing years, he went on to serve as an assistant coach in Detroit and an equipment consultant for the NHL, among other pursuits, but left his biggest imprint on the game before he hung up his pads in 1980.</p><p>&ldquo;In the summer of 1977, I was sitting at home one day,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Even though it was the off-season, I couldn&rsquo;t stop wondering how I could combine the cage front while at the same time having the weight of the mask anchored to my face. Working with a homemade mold, created in my bathroom, I came up with the idea of taking my mask and inserting a cage on the very front that would completely protect the front of my face from my eyes down to my mouth.&rdquo;</p><p>The new mask made its debut in an Oilers exhibition game in Europe that fall. &ldquo;I remember when I first brought the mask out,&rdquo; Dryden laughed, &ldquo;a lot of guys were looking at me kind of funny. In that first game, almost right after the opening puck drop I took a hard shot right to the face. Right away I realized that I hadn&rsquo;t felt a thing. After that some slowly started believing in this new type of mask.&rdquo;</p><p>But it wasn&rsquo;t until spring of 1986, when a rookie named Patrick Roy sported a &ldquo;combo mask&rdquo; during an amazing run to the Stanley Cup, that the concept took root. Roy was soon joined by Edmonton&rsquo;s Grant Fuhr and Philly&rsquo;s Ron Hextall and the floodgates opened. The vast majority of goalies around the world now wear the style of mask. Yet Dave Dryden&rsquo;s status as an innovator remains largely unknown.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0043-01

Hockey’s Other Dryden

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-02380/9519558-1-eng-US/f0045-022.jpg" title="f0045-02" width="991" height="1389"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(BLAST: HHOF IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>In the late &rsquo;70s and early &rsquo;80s, Philly&rsquo;s Norm Barnes rocked a beard all year &ndash; not just in the playoffs.</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0045-02

Blast from the Past

<div class="byline">- RYAN KENNEDY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-03320/9519589-1-eng-US/f0045-032.jpg" title="f0045-03" width="676" height="689"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JERSEY: GARY PETERSON/ACTION SPORTS IMAGES/SPOKANE CHIEFS)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he Chiefs have always looked good in their Montreal Canadiens-inspired jerseys, especially because of their own note-worthy logo, but the Habs never flipped the paint script like this.</p><p>Much like the Colorado Avalanche did with their third jerseys, Spokane took their secondary color and made it their primary base, creating an eye-catching design that doesn&rsquo;t stray too far from the original. The American flag shoulder patch even stands out more on the blue, but the clean look of the original sweater remains on this take.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0045-03

JerseyHound

<div class="byline">BY KEN CAMPBELL</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0046-01582/9519627-1-eng-US/f0046-012.jpg" title="f0046-01" width="311" height="544"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>F</span>eel free</b> to debate amongst yourselves the following statement by Scott Gomez concerning Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price: &ldquo;He&rsquo;s the best in the world right now.&rdquo;</p><p>The most overworked? All right. The most un-flappable? Certainly. But the best in the whole wide world? Well, you could certainly make that case, particularly after watching him stop 42 shots against the Cup-champion Blackhawks to vault the Habs into the playoffs with a 2-1 overtime win in the third-last game of the season.</p><p>For all the skill and elan the Canadiens have displayed in their 100-plus years, no team in NHL history has relied on out-of-this world goaltending more. After all, if not for the startling heroics of Patrick Roy, the Habs would be staring down the barrel of a 32-year Stanley Cup drought instead of just an 18-year skid.</p><p>That is, of course, assuming Montreal does not win the Stanley Cup this season, which it almost certainly won&rsquo;t. It won&rsquo;t be from a lack of effort from Price, but it will be because somewhere along the line the Canadiens lost the recipe for sustained success in the playoffs. The same franchise that has boasted such legends as &lsquo;Rocket&rsquo; Richard, Jean Beliveau, Guy Lafleur and Doug Harvey has for too long survived on a steady diet of Chicoutimi Cucumber.</p><p>And unfortunately for the most rabid fan base in the world &ndash; yes, that includes you, Toronto &ndash; it is a philosophy that is doomed to fail if the ultimate goal is to win a Cup. It might carry them a good distance in the post-season, the way Jaroslav Halak&rsquo;s magical run did last year, but no team can continue to rely on getting that kind of goaltending and some key veterans deciding to turn on their games when the calendar hits April.</p><p>There was a time when a club could turn to its goaltender to almost single-handedly capture a championship, but those days are long gone. Just look at the teams that have won the Cup over the past decade: They have all been a triumph of the collective, with netminding being just a part of the picture. In some cases, teams have won Cups despite, not because of their goaltending.</p><p>The Canadiens&rsquo; problem when it comes to building a playoff winner is a design that is flawed in two critical areas that exist on either side of the puck.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0046-02371/9519620-1-eng-US/f0046-022.jpg" title="f0046-02" width="816" height="898"><figcaption class="caption-body">CAREY PRICE <span class="photo-credit">(PRICE: ABELIMAGES/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><blockquote class="pullQuote"><b>If not for Patrick Roy, the Habs would be in a 32-year Cup drought</b></blockquote><p>First, the Habs have neither the offensive thrust from their stars nor the ability to chip in timely offense from their worker bees to be a serious threat to score goals. As hard as it is to believe, Montreal has not had even a 40-goal scorer since Vincent Damphousse hit that number in 1993-94. For a 50-goal man, you have to go way back to Stephane Richer in 1989-90. Since then, however, it has been an endless parade of 20- and 30-goal men and second-tier offensive threats.</p><p>When it comes to third- and fourth-liners making key offensive contributions, the Canadiens simply don&rsquo;t get it on a consistent basis. When the Tampa Bay Lighting won the Stanley Cup in 2004, its star-studded lineup got two goals from Ruslan Fedotenko in Game 7. It was the same case with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, when Maxime Talbot scored a deuce in the deciding game. Last spring, the Blackhawks jumped out to a 1-0 series lead in the final during a scorefest in which Troy Brouwer played like a beast.</p><p>Who is going to do that for the Habs? Mathieu Darche? Perhaps. David Desharnais, Lars Eller or Travis Moen? Don&rsquo;t like those odds.</p><p>And while Montreal isn&rsquo;t the most porous defensive team in the league, there&rsquo;s a good chance Jacques Martin will be required to turn in his membership card for the Dave King Mind-Numbingly Boring Defensive Hockey Society after this season. With two games left in the season, the Habs had given up 40 shots nine times and had been outshot in 31 games. More than that, they surrender many Grade-A quality chances that overburden their goalie by forcing him to constantly make miraculous saves.</p><p>After Montreal wrapped up its playoff spot, Gomez said he hopes he doesn&rsquo;t &ldquo;get into that mode where I suck all season and then the playoffs come,&rdquo; but that is exactly what he has done the past couple of years. Injuries have certainly played a part, but the Canadiens have also received two straight sub-par regular seasons from Mike Cammalleri. If he turns in a playoff like last year all will be forgiven, but can a team realistically expect to have its stars flick the switch like that every season? Perhaps, because they&rsquo;re a savvy bunch of vets who embrace their pressure-packed market and understand the value of playing your best when it counts. But too much is asked and expected of Price. And ultimately, because he&rsquo;s only human, he won&rsquo;t be able to deliver.</p><p>CAN&rsquo;T GET ENOUGH CAMPBELL? CLICK ON <b><a href="http://THN.com">THN.COM</a></b> FOR KEN&rsquo;S EXCLUSIVE BLOG<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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May 2, 2011

Boom Time In Nashville

THEBIGPICTURE

IN MEMORIUM

CROSSWORD