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August 22, 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.
Thrashers learn from depth mistakes
SUMMER ANALYSIS The Thrashers had two major questions facing them entering the off-season: Would center Marc Savard return and what would they do for insurance in case goalie Kari Lehtonen misses half the season again? Savard did not return, but the Thrashers did sign Steve Rucchin. Rucchin said he was deeply disappointed in his 13-goal, 36-point season of 2005-06 and Atlanta will need more out of him offensively. Niko Kapanen, the team’s newly acquired second-line center, also will be asked to chip in offensively where Savard did on the power play. In goal, GM Don Waddell landed Johan Hedberg, a player the team hopes can carry them should Lehtonen go down for a prolonged period. Hedberg went 12-4-1 with a 2.67 goals-against average and .898 save percentage last season with Dallas and…
Pre-Season Schedule & Free Agents
NHL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULES Listed below are pre-season schedules provided by the individual teams. Homes games will be played in the team’s home building unless otherwise noted. (all times Eastern) ANAHEIM DUCKS Mon. Sep. 18: vs. Los Angeles, 10:05 pm. Wed. Sep. 20: vs. San Jose, 10:05 pm. Fri. Sep. 22: vs. Vancouver, 10:05 pm. Sat. Sep. 23: at San Jose, 10:30 pm (Fresno, Calif.). Sun. Sep. 24: at Vancouver, 8:00 pm. Mon. Sep. 25: at Los Angeles, 10:30 pm. Wed. Sep. 27: vs. Phoenix, 10:05 pm. Sat. Sep. 30: at Phoenix, 10:00 pm. ATLANTA THRASHERS Mon. Sep. 18: at Dallas, 8:30 pm. Wed. Sep. 20: vs. Florida, 7:00 pm. Sat. Sep. 23: vs. St. Louis, 7:00 pm. Sun. Sep. 24: at St. Louis, 8:00 pm. Wed. Sep. 27: at Florida, 7:30 pm. Fri. Sep. 29:…
Wild fills holes up front and back
SUMMER ANALYSIS The Wild desperately needed a playmaking center for sniper Marian Gaborik and a more mobile blueline to bolster the offense following another mediocre season. Check off both. The acquisitions of silky Slovak center Pavol Demitra and gritty winger Mark Parrish adds two proven scorers to a roster lacking such dynamic forwards. Demitra was Gaborik’s Olympic set-up man and is one of his best friends. His arrival jump-started stalled contract talks and Gaborik signed a three-year, $19 million extension in July. The wild card among the newcomers is offensively gifted blueliner Kim Johnsson. The former Flyers workhorse will be counted on to anchor the power play and stabilize a defense corps that struggled last season to move the puck out of danger and advance the offensive attack. But Johnsson has injury baggage…
Who lands Lewis? Leagues in dispute
The WHL and OHL are waging a King-sized battle. At issue is the status of center Trevor Lewis, whom the Los Angeles Kings selected 17th overall in the 2006 NHL draft after he scored 75 points in 56 games with Des Moines of the USHL last year. After being drafted, Lewis, 19, decided against joining the University of Michigan and opted to play in the CHL. The OHL’s Owen Sound Attack announced the signing of Lewis July 22. One problem: The WHL’s Spokane Chiefs claim Lewis is their property. He was placed on Spokane’s 50-player protected list in June. The CHL’s three leagues have divided up regions in the U.S. from which they may recruit players and the WHL has access to Lewis’ home state of Utah. However, Owen Sound maintains Lewis signed an…
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