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October 11, 1985
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.
The Hockey News
THE COVER STORY………Page 3 With two consecutive Stanley Cup banners hanging in Northlands Coliseum, the Edmonton Oilers are within shouting distance of being the NHL’s newest dynasty. But that doesn’t mean the rest of the league will run and hide from the Oilers. Read what the competition has to say about the prospects of knocking off Wayne Gretzky and company. To subscribe to THE HOCKEY NEWS or make a change of address to an existing subscription, see Page 30.…
ON THE CONTRARY
The absolute worst thing that could happen to a hockey writer (alias “expert”) is for some wise guy to unearth the previous fall’s predictions. I am the wise guy because in some incredible manner no less than 20 sets of 1984 forecasts have leaped out of my desk and nestled comfortably on my typewriter. More than anything, the 1984 predictions demonstrate that, as prognosticators, writers make good horse doctors. I’ll give you a for-instance. The Philadelphia Flyers not only mortgaged the Patrick Division last season but they ran away with—Oilers or no Oiler—the entire regular NHL season. And do you know what; only one writer (Rich Friedman) out of 20 had the genius to pick the Flyers for second. Even our fearless Philadelphia reporter, Al Morganti, forecast fourth for the Broad Street Bullyoke. I…
No More Foul-Ups, Bleeps And Blunders
In unhappier times, some two or three years ago, the Smythe Division used to bear the brunt of National Hockey League scorn. People used to invent cute nicknames like the Stiff Division or the Sominex Division and they liked to dismiss the achievements of the one quality club, Edmonton Oilers, because they could fatten up on everyone else’s foul-ups, bleeps and blunders. No more. The Smythe Division flexed its newfound muscles last season. When the dust settled and they tallied up the final point totals, surprise, surprise, surprise, three of the league’s five top teams were from this once downtrodden group. Winnipeg Jets led a charmed life last season and made the most dramatic strides. From a routine 73-point finish the year before, the Jets improved by 23 points last season and moved…
Henning Wants Defense To Help Out On Offense
MINNESOTA NORTH STARS BLOOMINGTON—The best offense is a good defense. That twisted maxim partially explains Lome Henning’s hopes for his Minnesota North Stars this year—the new coach wants his defense to become more involved in the offense. Craig Hartsburg and, to a lesser (but historical) degree. Bob Rouse were quick to comply with team policy on Sept. 25 when the Stars met the Winnipeg Jets-for the second time in two nights. Hartsburg scored a goal to help Minnesota take a 3-1 lead over Winnipeg. And then, after the Jets came back to tie, Hartsburg moved in from the left point and gunned a quick two-footer off a pass from Mats Hallin with 1:26 left for a 4-3 victory. The North Stars’ captain wasn’t the only blueliner to respond offensively. In the second period Bob Rouse was killing…
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