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October 5, 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.
IS ROBITAILLE AS GOOD AS HIS STATS?
What does Luc Robitaille have to do to silence the critics? In four seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, Robitaille has averaged 49 goals, 49 assists and 98 points. Yet he can’t shake the critics the way he’s been able to shake opponents. But those aren’t the only impressive numbers Robitaille has put up on the board. Consider these: Two 50-goal seasons, including a team-leading 52 last season. Two 100-point seasons, including 101 last season. An average of 103 points over the past three seasons, all as a first-team all-star at left wing. A 45-goal season as a rookie in 1986-87, when he won the Calder Trophy and made the second all-star team. Is Robitaille flashy? No, he is not. A fluid and fleet skater? Hardly. A defensive force or a banger who can jolt…
IS SEAN BURKE AS GOOD AS WE PREDICTED HE’D BE?
The mantra was hardly original. After all, New York area hockey fans have been singing the praises of their favorite goaltenders with two-syllable chants ever since Ed Giacomin proved that a masked man actually could leave the crease without courting disaster. And it wasn’t all that catchy. Certainly, Eddie, Billy, Chico, J.D. and Beezer were more inventive and pleasing to the ears. But then, its simplicity and imposing sound when 19,040 people bellowed it in unison seemed appropriate under the circumstances. That’s because the young man whose name it invoked played goal in a simply imposing manner when the chant was in vogue. The time was the spring of 1988. “Sean-Burke!” was the chant. And Sean Burke was the then 19-year-old wunderkind who inspired its incantation by lifting the until-then pathetic New Jersey Devils’…
CAN LEAFS SURVIVE WITHOUT STOPPER?
From the first day of training camp last season, the debate began. And it’s still going on. In fact, there are those who believe the Toronto Maple Leafs’ goaltending situation is more unsettled now than it was a year ago, when Allan Bester was considered the No. 1 man, supported by Jeff Reese and ex-Philadelphia Flyer backup Mark Laforest. Now, Bester, Reese and Peter Ing are battling for two spots. Who’ll get them? Perhaps it isn’t important. The bottom line for Maple Leaf fans is that whomever is in net must supply consistent, capable netminding and not be the team’s undoing. The inference, of course, is that didn’t happen last season. And unless there’s a dramatic reversal on the part of Bester, Reese or Ing, it’s not going to happen this season either. Only in Toronto would…
WILL FREE-SPENDING PAY BIG DIVIDENDS?
The answer actually depends on the context of “dividends.” Are we talking financial dividends? Or on-ice dividends? One might argue the two go hand in hand, that if the Blues are successful on the ice, they’ll go a long way in the NHL playoffs and make a handsome profit. But in the Blues’ case, the spending spree produced financial dividends long before the first regular-season faceoff. The $12 million to be paid to Brett Hull and Scott Stevens over four years raised the ire of opposing club officials, but piqued the interest of St. Louis hockey fans, who responded by opening their wallets. Despite an average price increase of $4 per ticket, the Blues have surpassed last season’s season-ticket sales by more than 2,000. The Blues will have about 12,000 season-ticket holders this season. With…
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