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January 28, 2013
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
PHOENIX COYOTES
10TH ALTHOUGH THE NEWS surrounding the business side of the Coyotes continued to be charitably described as chaotic, the franchise’s on-ice fortunes never were better than they were last season, when they won the Pacific Division and made their first conference final appearance in team history. It was unfortunately vintage Coyotes this summer, when their leading scorer Ray Whitney subsequently moved on to richer pastures in Dallas. Although GM Don Maloney made some decent additions – including the repatriation of defenseman Zbynek Michalek and the signing of Steve Sullivan – the Coyotes once again have to lean on Dave Tippett’s top-notch coaching, captain Shane Doan’s leadership and Mike Smith’s goaltending to have any hope at competing for a playoff berth. New owner or no new owner, that’s a reality to which fans…
POOL PARTY
FIRST THINGS FIRST. STOP READING THISimmediately and go to your fantasy site. If you drafted your team prior to the start of the non-season, then check the waiver wire and see if you can pick up Justin Schultz. The defenseman was tearing up the American League with the Oklahoma City Barons. He had 18 goals and 48 points in 34 games and was second in the league in scoring behind teammate Jordan Eberle. It’s possible Schultz could win rookie of the year in both the AHL and NHL. Having checked on Schultz, we’ve got some pondering, postulating and prognosticating to do. Maybe even some pontificating. Let’s start with the last 48-game season, back in 1994-95. Not many players remain in the NHL from that time, but there are a few, most notably…
DALLAS STARS
9TH THE STARS SURPRISEDmany by staying in the playoff race all season despite the free agent loss of star center Brad Richards, but there was no sense of overachievement in GM Joe Nieuwendyk. Armed with the funds of new owner Tom Gaglardi, Nieuwendyk was one of the busier men in the off-season, signing veterans Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney to short-term contracts. He also traded fan favorite Steve Ott to Buffalo for center Derek Roy, shipped pivot Mike Ribeiro to Washington and allowed blueliner Sheldon Souray to sign in Anaheim. In short, Nieuwendyk showed he wanted to win sooner than later and address a power play that was the NHL’s worst last season. There’s no doubt he’s done that – as well as lock up goalie Kari Lehtonen to a five-year contract…
ST. LOUIS BLUES
1ST WHEN YOU FINISH with the secondmost points in the league, as the Blues did last year, there’s not a lot to tinker with. So GM Doug Armstrong assembled essentially the same team (veteran Jason Arnott is the only big-name departure), which now will have a full year under coach and reigning Jack Adams Award winner Ken Hitchcock. They need some more offensive support for the goaltending tandem of Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott – St. Louis was first in goals against last season, but only 21st in goal for – but the return to health of sniper David Perron and the addition of elite prospect Vladimir Tarasenko will help in that regard. So will the continued development of stud blueliners Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk. Still, as it is with all…
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