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January 12, 1990
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.
LaFONTAINE COMES TMRnimW IN ri IITHH
ISLANDERS Although opponents fully realize that Pat LaFontaine is the Islanders’ only big gun, they have been unable to silence him at important moments. The center scored twice in the final 3:23 to force overtime in the team’s 5-4 win over New Jersey Dec. 19, he scored the game-winner in an 8-6 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins Dec. 23 and had two goals and and assist in a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues Dec. 28. “Half the time, I look up and he’s by me,” said linemate Derek King, who had nine points in a five-game span while playing with LaFontaine. “I just try to get it to him-.” …Defenseman Doug Crossman’s two assists against Pittsburgh Dec. 23 raised his season point total to 26—one more than he compiled…
McNALL INSISTS HE PLAYS NO FAVORITES
Los Angeles Kings’ owner Bruce McNall debunks charges he plays favorites and that he erred in allowing some players to fly home from eastern trips on his personal plane. “It’s been blown out of proportion,” McNall says, answering assertions by former Kings’ player Dean Kennedy, now with Buffalo, that “they’re flying the same guys back time after time.” Kennedy also claims that Wayne Gretzky, John Tonelli and Kelly Hrudey get favored status from McNall. McNall insists that every King will get the same perqs. Meanwhile, otherex-Kings defend McNall’s actions. “On a professional level you can’t treat everybody the same,” says goalie Glenn Healy, who went from the Kings to the New York Islanders last season. “To suggest that Glenn Healy got treated the same way as Wayne Gretzky is preposterous.…
FLAMES
Unlike last season, when it took Theoren Fleury only three weeks to step into the lineup and eventually earn a Stanley Cup ring, the players in the Calgary Hames’ system may be a little longer away. With one possible exception. The Hames are impressed with Salt Lake center Marc Bureau. Traditionally, the Hames like to give their better prospects a look in January and Bureau may earn a promotion to the big club soon, even if it’s temporary. (Formore on Bureau’s chances with the Flames, see Minor Pro Report, page 24.) Bureau is one of many prospects the Hames have on their International League affiliate. In fact, six of their top 10 prospects play for the Eagles. 1. Marc Bureau, 23, 6-0, 190, C, Salt Lake (IHL), signed as free agent in 1987, 22-17-39…
JETS
When Winnipeg Jets’ general manager Mike Smith looks to the future, he takes one glance east and another glance west. Then he smiles. That’s because the Jets own the rights to two highly-skilled forwards, right winger Teemu Selanne of Joker-it, Finland and center Stu Barnes of the Western League’s Tri-City Americans. “I would say they are both highly-skilled offensive-type players,” Smith says. But the GM cautions that we shouldn’t expect to see them too soon. “They are top prospects but, because of the kinds of players that they are, I wouldn’t be so sure they’re just going to step in and play. 1. Teemu Selanne, 19, 6-0, 190, RW, Jokerit (Finland), drafted first round (10th overall) in 1988, 4-8-12 in 11 games. Selanne was off to a brilliant start in Finland this winter before…