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March 24, 1989
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.
ARBOUR, VUKOTA CANDID IN THEIR COMMENTS
They’ve been playing out the string for more than a month now, but the New York Islanders authored a week of very interesting reading. Mick Vukota wanted the hockey world to know he thinks Wayne Gretzky was wrong about fighting. It belongs in the NHL. Al Arbour wanted the hockey world to know that New Jersey Devils’ coach Jim Schoenfeld was right about referee Don Koharski. Arbour called Koharski “a bleepin’ fat bleep” after a 4-4 tie with the Philadelphia Flyers March 9. Although Vukota earns his money punching and getting punched in the head and face, he’s one intelligent 22-year-old. So his opinion on the game’s most controversial subject was worth hearing. “The thing Gretzky forgets is that not everybody comes with an abundance of talent into the NHL,” said the…
STAY-PUT CUNNEYWORTH SEEKS REDEFINED ROLE
As the Pittsburgh Penguins staggered through the days leading up to the trading deadline, there was a lot of uncertainty about the future of left winger Randy Cunneyworth. Not about whether he would be traded—that was widely accepted as inevitable—but just when he would be dealt, and for whom. Perhaps to Minnesota in a Dino Ciccarelli deal? To Vancouver for Tony Tanti, maybe? How about Chicago, for Steve Larmer? The Penguins were smitten with the idea of adding another goal-scorer on the right side, and Cunneyworth dangled as trade bait for several weeks. But the deadline passed, and with it much of the anxiety Cunneyworth felt at being part of almost every major rumor that drifted through the dressing room. “I was a little surprised,” he said, “and somewhat relieved, too.” Penguin general manager Tony…
BALDWIN CLAIMS VETO HIS ON WHALER DEAL
WHALERS The nasty ownership battle between Donald Conrad and Richard Gordon is still unresolved. Conrad joined forces with Colonial Realty Co. of West Hartford to match Gordon’s bid to take over the team. Under the rules of a partnership buyout agreement, he can gain control. However, 13 corporations, which own 25 per cent of the team, still must approve the deal, and former managing general partner Howard Baldwin insists he can kill it. Baldwin is owed about $1.7 million by the current partnership (Conrad and Gordon), and said since the indemnification agreement is made with those two men, he can hold up the deal by not giving Gordon a legal release. Baldwin is not happy with his ouster by Conrad last summer…Right winger Kevin Dineen hit 40 goals for the second…
SAVARD’S INJURY PROVING A PAIN
Denis Savard doesn’t get around much any more, and the Chicago Blackhawks aren’t going very far without him. “You can’t take one of the best three players in the league out of your lineup,” said veteran defenseman Doug Wilson. “Denis is Denis. He’s like Mario Lemieux is to Pittsburgh. He’s going to win some games on his own.” But not with a bad right ankle, which has troubled Savard since Jan. 21 in St. Louis, when the Blues’ Peter Zezel fell on him. Savard suffered ligament damage and has been in and out of the lineup. He left March 6 for an indefinite period to let the ankle heal. “I haven’t been the same player since I got back from my injury,” said Savard, 28. “I haven’t felt good. It’s tough to compete…