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May 15, 1987

May 15, 1987

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.

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SCOREBOARD

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THE WAY WE WERE

NHL

Murphy Will Be Back, But Pact Not Signed

LOS ANGELES—Negotiating with a head coach, or a prospective head coach, has become an annual postseason ritual for the Los Angeles Kings. In 20 National Hockey League seasons, the Kings have gone through 14 head coaches, six in the past six years. Continuity behind the bench has not been this team’s strong suit, a fact of the franchise’s life that has contributed to its 20-year record of 592-742-244. The Kings have won more games than they’ve lost only five times, just twice in the last 10 seasons. Only two coaches, Bob Pulford and Bob Berry, have lasted as long as three seasons. In 1987-88, the Kings will begin a season with a coach other than the one they started the previous season with for the ninth time. Mike Murphy, 35, figures to be that man when…

Departments

The ‘Ice Fridge’ Cometh Warns Worried NHL Fan

I AM WRITING out of concern for the current state and future of the National Hockey League. What was once the world’s fastest and most exciting sport has become a slow, boring equivalent to football on ice. The common tactic of your bigger, slower teams (e.g. New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers) is to neutralize the game’s more graceful and swift athletes by hooking, holding and even tackling them. The problem is only perpetuated by the NHL’s obvious attitude of ignoring these violations. What would happen if the NFL decided to ignore pass interference or holding? The NHL has apparently decided to tell referees not to call these violations. Why? I believe the answer is the Edmonton Oilers. The league has done practically everything to try to neutralize their dominance in recent years.…