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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.
IN MEMORIAM
WREN BLAIR 1925-2013 If the only thing he had done was tip off the Boston Bruins about a kid from Parry Sound, Ont., named Bobby Orr, his place in hockey history would have been secured. But Wren Blair, who died Jan. 2 at 87, was also one of the game’s most accomplished executives. The fiery Blair – who, as a Bruins scout, discovered Orr in 1960 – became coach and GM of the Minnesota North Stars when the NHL expanded in 1967, but gave up his coaching duties in 1970, disappointing fans who enjoyed his antics. He remained GM until 1974. Blair was part of a group that bought the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1975 and held several positions, including GM (1975-76) and president (1975-77). In 1979, he began a six-year stint as…
COLORADO AVALANCHE
14TH THE LOW-SPENDINGAvalanche have amassed an impressive amount of elite young talent, including Gabriel Landeskog, Ryan O’Reilly, Matt Duchene and Paul Stastny, but the consensus is they’ve missed the playoffs three of the past four years because they lack experience. So GM Greg Sherman went out in the summer and acquired right winger P-A Parenteau and shot-blocking defenseman Greg Zanon to boost their veteran know-how. That said, Colorado’s blueline (featuring Erik Johnson and Jan Hejda) is far from the most impressive in the Western Conference and puts pressure squarely on the shoulders Semyon Varlamov. The Russian’s first season in Colorado was solid, but he’ll need to be better than that – and everyone else will have to pull their weight – to keep the Avs in the playoff hunt. OFFENSE The Avalanche only…
LAST MINUTE OF PLAY
GUESS WHO ! “I debuted with Dallas in 2008 and I’ve topped 20 goals in all four of my NHL seasons.” “I was traded with Matt Niskanen to Pittsburgh for Alex Goligoski in February 2011.” “Playing on a line with the league MVP, I broke out for 40 goals and 81 points last season.” Separated AT BIRTH Zach Parise Long-time Devil. Wild gave up arm and leg to sign him. Stoned convincingly by Quick in ’12 Cup final. James Franco Devilish villain in Spider-Man films. Lost arm in 127 Hours. Convincing stoner in Pineapple Express. Email your suggestions to sab@thehockeynews.com WHO AM I: JAMES NEAL CROSSWORD By Larry Humber ANSWERS AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT ISSUE AND AT THN.com/xword ACROSS 1 Nickname of Ottawa’s Daniel Alfredsson 8 Canada’s ___ Ouellette is a three-time Olympic gold medalist 9 Rich Sutter’s son ___ was drafted 39th in 2012 10 Home of…
CAROLINA HURRICANES
9TH THE HURRICANES are a tough read. The last time the NHL emerged from a lockout, they went on to win the Stanley Cup, but aside from a trip to the Eastern Conference final three years later, they haven’t been heard from since. However, with GM Jim Rutherford making an enormous splash at the draft by acquiring Jordan Staal and with coach Kirk Muller behind the bench for his first full season, they’re hoping to change that. In order to do it, Carolina needs a lot more than just the reinvigoration that uniting Jordan and Eric Staal brings to the organization. The Hurricanes desperately need Eric to become the difference-maker he was early in his career, when he emerged as one of the league’s elite point-getters, and get some secondary scoring from someone…
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