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June 6, 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.
Canucks lost pace, need to seek speed
2005-06 PREP The Canucks felt they were an up-tempo team prior to the lockout and that their core players would be perfectly suited to the new NHL. Consequently, they made few changes, with right winger Anson Carter being the most prominent pick-up. WHAT HAPPENED? Vancouver jumped out to a 10-2-2 start, but it didn’t last. Whether it was the major injuries to goalie Dan Cloutier, defensemen Ed Jovanovski and Sami Salo and versatile winger Matt Cooke, or simply a case of teams catching up to them, by March the Canucks were having problems skating with the likes of Anaheim and San Jose and missed the playoffs. WHAT NOW? The Canucks need to get quicker and younger and compete with more energy on a nightly basis. Re-signing Jovanovski is a must and moving…
Next Islanders’ GM has cap room to use
2005-06 PREP Blueline stalwarts Adrian Aucoin, Roman Hamrlik and Kenny Jonsson left after the lockout, but GM Mike Milbury thought he had a mobile defense that would thrive. The Isles added a proven sniper in Miro Satan and an offensive No. 2 center in Mike York. WHAT HAPPENED? Goalie Rick DiPietro’s performance was uneven, Milbury fired yet another coach (Steve Stirling) and finally resigned himself amidst a lost season. No. 1 defender Alexei Zhitnik had problems with the obstruction crackdown, while Brent Sopel and Brad Lukowich also struggled and were jettisoned at the trade deadline. WHAT NOW? The first job somehow remains hiring Milbury’s successor, more than four months after he announced he was stepping aside. Still, he left more than $10 million in cap space for the next GM, which should…
Youth movement key in Colorado
2005-06 PREP Colorado’s off-season signings – Pierre Turgeon, Patrice Brisebois and Ian Laperriere – weren’t exactly geared toward youth and speed. Laperriere had an excellent season, though, but Turgeon and Brisebois slowed down toward the end of the year and struggled in the playoffs. WHAT HAPPENED? The Avs were the second highest-scoring team in the West with 283 goals. Excellent offensive seasons from several defenseman was a big reason why, but Alex Tanguay and rookie Marek Svatos put up big numbers, too. WHAT NOW? The Avs must find a No. 2 center speedier than the aging Turgeon, as well as more dependable depth on defense than Brisebois and Kurt Sauer. But overall, Colorado should still be an exciting team. Expect new GM Francois Giguere to add a free agent or two this…
Security breaches
In its first season following the labor stoppage to end all labor stoppages, the NHL can congratulate itself on the accomplishment of a second mission, beyond guaranteed profits: Parity. Four teams that didn’t make the playoffs in 2003-04 are in the semifinals. Of course, the NHL won’t remind you it didn’t have one repeat semi-finalist out of 12 in its previous three playoffs. Nor can it publicly lament this year’s final-four presence in only one top-28 U.S. market, especially after convincing the fans of Buffalo, Edmonton and Carolina a lockout was necessary to level the field. What’s done from the year of misery is done, just as well-run franchises in Detroit and New Jersey probably are done winning three Cups in seven and nine years, respectively. Along with the dynasties, also…
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