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September 19, 2006

September 19, 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.

DEPARTMENTS

Can coach Nolan inspire Zhitnik?

PLAYER UNDER PRESSURE This category could be filled easily with the likes of Alexei Yashin and/or Rick DiPietro. But nearly every team in the NHL can say that about its No. 1 center and franchise goalie. It gets redundant after a while. Another player the Isles positively need improved two-way production from this season is defenseman Alexei Zhitnik. Zhitnik’s first season on Long Island, after signing a four-year, $14-million contract, was largely a mess, beginning with an inability to adhere to the obstruction crackdown and ending with a serious ankle injury that sidelined him during the team’s failed playoff push. The Isles are hoping Zhitnik – who’s reunited with former Sabres coach Ted Nolan – will combine with veteran newcomers Brendan Witt and Sean Hill to help solidify what was a rag-tag blueline…

IN THIS ISSUE

Times are a-changin’

Long before the Devils became Stanley Cup contenders, New Jersey’s training camp resembled Times Square on New Year’s Eve. In the franchise’s early days, GM Max McNab would invite large numbers of players to camp at Ice World in Totowa, N.J., with the hope that a few sleepers might emerge. They rarely did. “We had a lot of people, but not many good players,” McNab recalled. Jobs were there for the taking. Lots of jobs. But is that still true in the NHL these days? Are there many jobs to be won and lost in training camp or are rosters often predetermined with no more than one or two newcomers making the club? “I think there are more jobs to be won now with the cap than before,” said Devils center John Madden. “If a…

DEPARTMENTS

Expectations high for rookie center

PLAYER UNDER PRESSURE As Ottawa’s projected No. 2 center – despite his lack of NHL experience – Alexei Kaigorodov has to get the job done. Kaigorodov has scored a lot of points in the Russian league and is being brought over to North America to do the same thing. There’s a lot of talk about the 23-year-old’s potential and he’s going to be given every chance to shine as the club’s second line center, most likely playing on a unit with sniper and captain Daniel Alfredsson. This is a lot to expect from a rookie, but people in Ottawa are tired of the excuses from the Senators for their post-season failures and that puts a lot of pressure on the kids. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Kaigorodov managed nine goals and 30 points with 42 penalty…

DEPARTMENTS

Cameras roll as replay rocks

The Ontario League continues to be a leader in the Canadian Hockey League. Last season it used the two-referee system for half its regular games and implemented the NHL’s rules standard. Now, video replay has arrived. Every goal in the OHL will be reviewed by an in-arena official before play can resume as the league follows up on a process its used successfully the last two playoffs. It comes with a price – about $7,000 a team to install the equipment – and the referees credit the owners for their foresight. “It’s appreciated,” said referee Sean Reid. “No one wants to be seen as wrong, but sometimes you are, so it’s there for the betterment of the game.” The OHL is the first CHL league to use video replay for all games. “It’s the day and…