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January 17, 2006
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 THE NEWSROOM
MALKIN IN THE MIDDLE? Senior Editor Brian Costello was flabbergasted to see the results for the Future Watch Top 50 prospects trickle in from NHL scouts in December. We expected Pittsburgh prospect Evgeni Malkin to top the chart, but not in the unanimous fashion that he did. “No. 1 on all 21 ballots received? Usually there are one or two scouts who might put Malkin in the middle. (Rimshot). It has never been this clear cut before.” Future Watch is our annual look at NHL-affiliated prospects and the top-50 list is pretty much a pipeline of the best incoming future stars. Malkin’s No. 1 status marks the sixth straight year the list was topped by a European (see pg. 7.) Check for Future Watch in a more comprehensive 64-page magazine format,…
COUNTDOWN
THIS WEEK WE ASKED OURSELVES Who has been No. 1 in Future Watch? (The Hockey News’ 2006 ranking of top NHL-affiliated prospects is due on newsstands in early February.) 1995 Ed Jovanovski After topsy-turvy start in Florida, JovoCop has found a home in Vancouver. 1996 Bryan Berard Daring blueliner’s career defined by courageous comeback from eye injury. 1997 Marc Denis From Colorado to Columbus to shellshocked? Not an ideal career progression. 1998 Marian Hossa Sublime scorer learning to love post-Senator life with high-scoring Thrashers. 2000 & 1999 Roberto Luongo Record for most goalie games played with no playoff games (306 and counting). 2001 Rostislav Klesla Hasn’t reached potential with Blue Jackets while hampered by injury troubles. 2002 Tuomo Ruutu Fierce hitter and competitor, he’s a major force for Hawks…when healthy. 2003 & 2004 Kari Lehtonen Conditioning an issue, but greatness still expected for Thrashers goalie. 2005 Alexander Ovechkin Caps rookie…
Ruutu back to bashing
Right winger Tuomo Ruutu returned Jan. 2 at Calgary after missing 25 games with a sore back. “Having Ruutu come back is like putting together a puzzle,” said coach Trent Yawney to the Chicago Sun-Times. “Now we’ve got two lines that can potentially do some damage.” Ruutu expects to play for Finland in the Olympics, as long as he is healthy and the Hawks give their approval, which seemed likely. CENTRAL DIVISION CHICAGO For the fourth time this season the Blackhawks swung a deal to help improve their speed and skill, acquiring right winger Radim Vrbata from Carolina for future considerations. GM Dale Tallon previously obtained center Patrick Sharp and wingers Andy Hilbert and Milan Bartovic, none of whom made an impact. COLUMBUS Defenseman Duvie Westcott (bruised sternum) joined the injury list, although…
Player Poll
FOR COMPLETE RESULTS VISIT thehockeynews.com Q WE ASKED 30 NHL PLAYERS Do you prefer the one-referee or two-referee system? TOP VOTE GETTERS TWO REFS 73.3% ONE REF 26.7% TWO REFS 73.3% The way NHL officiating standards have evolved this season, there’s no going back. That’s the common rationale players used to explain their preference for the two-referee system over a single referee. In a poll of 30 NHLers, one from every team, 73 per cent said the game is better for having two sets of eyes calling penalties rather than one. The NHL last employed the one-referee system in 1999-2000. “I just think there’s so much going on on the ice, the games are so fast, so many things happening behind the play, that you need two guys now,” said Detroit’s Brendan Shanahan. “It’s very tough for some of…
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