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September 15, 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.
POCKLINGTON WILL SELL, AND OTHER PREDICTIONS
Impertinent thoughts on pertinent subjects… There will be no replacing Phil Esposito’s ebullience, but Neil Smith did well in setting up the New York Rangers’ new high command. On a scale of 1 to 10, the Smith-Roger Neilson-Larry Pleau-Gord Stellick general staff rates a seven. (I never give a 10.) If Esa Tikkanen was a Canadian, his name would be Ken Linseman. The Dump-On-Ron Hextall Brigade overlooks one fact—Each member of the anti-Hexy faction would dearly love to have the boisterous one on his team, Chris Chelios included. Milestones should be recognized. We’re approaching the Rangers’ Golden Jubilee Year—50 seasons since they won a Stanley Cup (1940). Shoulder patches are in order. If the Ed Garvey gang ever takes over the NHL Players’ Association, you can figure on the NHL’s…
STANLEY CUP WOULD BE A NICE ENCORE
Going into this season, Bernie Nicholls has a bit of a problem—what to do for an encore. The Los Angeles Kings’ center enjoyed the best season of his career last year, shattering the team record for goals in a season with 70. His 80 assists gave him 150 points on the season, also a team record—most points by any King not named Wayne Gretzky. The 28-year-old Nicholls cashed in on his performance in June when he signed a five-year, $3.6 million contract. Despite becoming a member of the swelling millionaire’s club with the Kings, Nicholls insists he doesn’t feel pressured. “I don’t feel I have to score 70 goals again to justify (the contract),” he said. “As long as I have a good year and the team does well, that will be satisfying…
LANNY: HIS IMAGE REFLECTS THE MAN
On the day Lanny McDonald was to announce his plans for the coming season, the neighbors decided to introduce some suspense into the proceedings. As reporters drove up to McDonald’s rambling ranch house outside Calgary, they noticed the ‘For Sale’ sign. ‘Just listed,’ it said. We wondered: Was it a gag? Or would McDonald really follow the example of his two contemporaries, Larry Robinson and Borje Salming, and seek greener, more lucrative pastures elsewhere? The answer, of course, turned out to be negative. Even after acknowledging that he was “tempted” by an offer to play for another team, McDonald said he knew his future lay in the Calgary Flames’ front office. How come? “Because,” said McDonald, straightfaced, “money cannot buy happiness.” The thing is, he meant it, too. Somebody asked the other day how you explain McDonald’s…
SABRES’ DRAFTEE FIGHTS LONG ODDS
Trivia question: What do Pierre Turgeon and Dave Snuggerud have in common? Answer: They were both taken first overall in the 1987 draft. By virtue of the Sabres’ last-place finish in 1986-87, Buffalo was rewarded with the first overall choice in the entry draft and the supplemental draft, too. With the first choice in the supplemental, the Sabres took Snuggerud, a relatively unknown left winger from the University of Minnesota. And while that may be a far cry from Turgeon’s status as the first overall choice in the entry draft, Snuggerud is hoping to play alongside Turgeon this season after signing a multi-year contract with the Sabres Aug. 18. “I’m not even going to think about position,” he said. “I’m just coming to camp with the idea of doing my best and showing them…
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