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February 21, 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.
Roloson of the dice; which goalie goes?
TRADE TALK It’s inevitable the Wild will move goalie Manny Fernandez or partner Dwayne Roloson, since both will be unrestricted free agents and neither are expected to resign this winter. But it might not be easy. Fernandez is playing so well it would be difficult to justify dealing him – especially if the Wild remain playoff contenders. Unless, of course, GM Doug Risebrough can fetch an even better stopper in return. Conversely, it was unable to showcase the snake-bitten Roloson, who is dragging a 5-16-1 record. Blueline depth is something the Wild, who have four pending unrestricted free agents, could provide. Willie Mitchell is its best defensemen and someone the Wild want to re-sign, although he is not untouchable. Filip Kuba, Andrei Zyuzin and Daniel Tjarnqvist have relatively inexpensive contracts and could fill a number…
Vets on the block for rebuilding Blues
TRADE TALK St. Louis already has traded Doug Weight and Mike Sillinger. The other Blues vets – all of whom are unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, anyway – are on the market. This means forwards Dallas Drake and Dean McAmmond and defenseman Eric Weinrich are available. Left winger Keith Tkachuk, whom the Blues have an option on for next season, also probably is available, but his high salary may be a tough fit under most teams’ caps. He also has a no-trade clause and wants to stay. With a new owner coming in, the Blues are starting over, so they’re looking for talented youngsters and high draft picks. The downside of the Blues’ 25-year run of making the playoffs was they never had picks early in the first…
Wickenheiser still a go-to gal
Hayley Wickenheiser can’t part with a weather-beaten old t-shirt that’s now eight years old. It has far too much sentimental, and inspirational, value. She picked it up at the NHL rookie camp of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1998, when she was the first and only female skater ever to receive such an invitation. It has a motto on it. “Every day you don’t work out someone else does,” Wickenheiser recites. “I wear that sometimes when I don’t feel like training.” At just 27, it’s hard to believe Wickenheiser is already in her 13th season with the Canadian national women’s team program. It was almost half a lifetime ago she made her debut as a 15-year-old with immense skill and size. It wasn’t long before she became Canada’s go-to player. Wickenheiser was named MVP at the…
Salary cap impact on NHL’s March 9 trade deadline
TRADE TALK The NHL’s March 9 trade deadline includes an extra challenge this season, that of being able to make deals while remaining under the $39-million salary cap. In the past, it was a sure bet prominent franchises such as Detroit, and Colorado would add a top-flight player (or three) entering the home stretch. This season, though, clubs that fall out of the playoff race can not count on being able to free up salary cap space, and thus, take on high-salaried star players. The best GMs, it goes to figure, will be the best bargain hunters at the deadline. In this issue, our 30 NHL correspondents look at potential trade moves each team can make to shore up their rosters.…
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