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September 9, 1988
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.
Nords Move Malcontents To Get Poddubny
QUEBEC CITY—Martin Madden said he was being accommodating, but only to the Quebec Nordiques and not disgruntled defenseman Normand Rochefort or malcontent center Jason Lafreniere. The Nordiques shipped the two players, who had demanded to be traded, to the New York Rangers on Aug. 1 in return for center-left winger Walt Poddubny, defensemen Jari Gronstrand and Bruce Bell, and the Rangers’ fourth-round pick at the 1989 'entry draft. Initiated at the NHL annual meetings in June by then-Nordique general manager Maurice Filion, the transaction was completed by new GM Madden. It was Madden’s third deal since he became GM on June 27. He traded left winger/center Mike Eagles to Chicago for goalie Bob Mason on July 5 and sent defenseman Terry Carkner to Philadelphia on July 25 for defenseman Greg Smyth. The Nords plan…
Jones, Pocklington Are Big Winners In Trade
MY CONDOLENCES TO Jari Kurri, Pat Quinn, Brian Mulroney and Robbie Ftorek. Wayne Gretzky may have ruined your careers. Without The Great One ladling him those passes, Kurri may never score another NHL goal. With Gretzky a Los Angeles King, Quinn’s Vancouver Canucks may never make the playoffs in our lifetime. Considering what Gretzky did to Canada, Prime Minister Mulroney may need a legion of shrinks to shape up the national pysche. As for the Sweaterboy coach, having Gretzky at center means we’ll never know whether Robbie is that good behind the bench—or just lucky to have Wayne on his side. Sympathy cards might also be necessary for Rollie Melanson (or whomever the L.A. goalie happens to be), Marty McSorley and Rogie Vachon. Before Gretzky, the Kings couldn’t spell defense if you spotted…
THIS WEEK…
10 YEARS AGO: • A U.S. district court granted a temporary restraining order against Detroit Red Wing center Dale McCourt’s move to the Los Angeles Kings as compensation for Detroit’s signing of free-agent goalie Rogie Vachon. The Wings offered goalie Jim Rutherford and winger Bill Lochead, but the Kings asked for McCourt. Arbitrator Ed Houston ruled in L.A.’s favor. McCourt filed suit, refusing to go. The Kings eventually ‘traded’ McCourt to Detroit for Andre St. Laurent, Detroit’s 1980 first-round draft choice (Larry Murphy) and 1981 first-round choice (Doug Smith). • Chicago Blackhawk defenseman Bobby Orr pronounced himself ready for 1978-79 after missing the entire ’77-78 season because of his debilitated knees. “I’ve talked to my doctors and they assure me that I can’t do any further damage,” he said. After six games…
Nystrom Dumped As Isle Assistant Coach
UNIONDALE, N.Y.—New York Islanders loosened another link with their storied past by reducing Bob Nystrom to part-time status after 14 seasons as a player and two more as an assistant coach. Islander president and general manager Bill Torrey insisted it was entirely head coach Terry Simpson’s decision. But Simpson, vacationing in Saskatchewan, didn’t make himself available to explain why Rick Wilson—and not Nystrom—will be his assistant coach in 1988-89. On Aug. 15, the Isles announced Wilson had replaced Nystrom, an original Islander who played from 1972-86 and assisted Simpson in 1986-87 and ’87-88. Wilson, 38, a Prince Albert, Sask., native, played four NHL seasons on defense for Montreal, St. Louis and Detroit from 1973-77. He began his coaching career in 1978 at his alma mater, the University of North Dakota, where he was…
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