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February 20, 2012
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.
ASK ADAM
Hi Adam! The NHLPA’s rejection of the league’s realignment plan makes me wonder if folding two franchises would help. One problem was two conferences had eight teams and two had seven. How about axing struggling Phoenix and Columbus, giving all conferences seven teams, or adding two franchises to make eight-team conferences? Adam Mingrone, Oklahoma City, Okla. Hi Adam! Expansion is more likely. The NHL’s continuing ownership of the Coyotes tells you it loathes contraction and the possibility of new teams in Quebec City and Southern Ontario makes more sense. First, though, the league must stabilize its already troubled markets. Adam, Is this Daniel Alfredsson’s last year? Will he be traded if Ottawa slumps? John Murray, Ottawa John, Alfredsson is under contract through 2012-13 and has given no indication he wants to retire. And there’s no…
Slovakian Sledgehammer
Team Slovakia entered the world juniors with modest expectations – don’t get relegated, don’t play for relegation. Thanks to a win over the Swiss in the round-robin, it did indeed get a spot in the medal round, where it fell in the quarterfinal to Finland. And though there were some notable names on the Slovakian squad – Tomas Jurco, Martin Marincin and Martin Gernat, for example – the youngest player on the team was also one of the most visible. Right winger Marko Dano, 17, is a late birthday who isn’t draft eligible until 2013, but he spent his first WJC crashing around the ice, hitting everything that moved, while also displaying a knack for offense and willingness to stick up for teammates. No surprise, then, that his father, Jozef Dano, once…
NHL Barns Should Try Shaping Up
The NHL is littered with talent right now, but scoring is at its lowest mark since the lockout, with just 5.18 goals per game. The fact is, players and coaches are smarter than ever and this cuts down on scoring chances. Some safety advocates have put forth the idea of increasing rink size in order to cut down on big collisions and while that’s honorable, making some non-standardized changes to the rinks might also be one way to get the goals going again. While a “level playing field” seems like a necessity in pro sports, other pastimes have flourished without it. Take baseball. Boston’s Fenway Park features The Green Monster, a giant wall that prevents line drive home runs to left field, while a shallow, low-walled right field practically invites them,…
Mystery In Alaska
Underrated, underappreciated, unbelievable. All adequately describe Wes Goldie. The Alaska Aces right winger is quietly rewriting the ECHL record books. From 2006-07 to 2010-11, Goldie became the league’s first player to record five straight 40-goal seasons. With 25 in his first 40 games of 2011-12, he reached 360 for his career, good for second in ECHL history, eight behind Rod Taylor. Bulging the twine at such a prolific pace surely would’ve had the Aces’ NHL patriarch, the St. Louis Blues, looking at Goldie, especially since they’ve struggled to score, but that hasn’t been the case. The American League’s Peoria Rivermen, then? Wrong again. Goldie has just two career AHL games, both with Bridgeport in 2003-04. Surprise, surprise – he scored a goal there. Size isn’t the problem, as Goldie is 6-foot-1 and 185…
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