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May 1, 1991

May 1, 1991

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.

IN THIS ISSUE

DEFENSE REMAINS PRIME OBJECTIVE

There was a time when general manager Mike Smith made almost all the draft decisions while he was assistant GM of the Winnipeg Jets. Now, he makes next to none. The credit belongs to director of scouting Bill Lesuk. “I still resent people saying I drafted Keith Tkachuk (19th in 1990),” Smith said. “I never saw him play. Bill Lesuk drafted him. “I’m involved in the draft, but we’re not going to pick some John Doe because I saw him play one game rather than pick a guy they (scouting staff) have seen all year.” Last June, the Jets broke a pattern of selecting major-junior players in the first round, something they had done in 10 of 11 previous drafts. Instead, they made Tkachuk their first-ever first-rounder from a United States high school. And with…

IN THIS ISSUE

DRAFT PREVIEW ’91

88 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THE FIVE-STAR GENERAL YOUR AUTHORITATIVE GUIDE TO THE NHL ENTRY DRAFT ERIC LINDROS NORDIQUE NIGHTMARE: ANATOMY OF A COLLAPSE 44 TOP-RATED PROSPECTS: THN TAKES YOU INSIDE THE DRAFT WHY NHL FIRST-ROUND PICKS ARE OVERRATED…

IN THIS ISSUE

PAGE NOT SECRETIVE ABOUT LINDROS

No NHL team has ever had the fortune—or misfortune—of selecting first overall at the draft three years in a row. And despite some horrible first-round selections in the past, Quebec can’t miss this season with Eric Lindros. The 6-foot-5, 228-pound center has the potential to be the NHL’s next superstar. The Nordiques’ director of scouting Pierre Gauthier usually puts up a smoke screen when asked who the team will take in the draft. But not this season. “If we finish dead last,” said Gauthier, “we’ll evidently go with Eric Lindros. He’s in a class by himself. There are other outstanding young talents out there, but Lindros is one-of-a-kind.” The team may have trouble signing the Oshawa Generals’ star, but owner Marcel Aubut will get involved to ease the situation. “We have 15 picks this year, and…

IN THIS ISSUE

THE GRASS IS GREENER

Most NHL general managers are probably guilty of coveting thy neighbor’s draft system. At the very least, they are envious of perceived advantages the National Basketball Association, National Football League and Major League Baseball teams have in harvesting talent. “They’re drafting men and we’re drafting boys,” says St. Louis Blues’ general manager Ron Caron. That’s less true than it used to be since the NFL began accepting underclassmen into its pool. But for the most part, NFL and NBA scouts have an easier time projecting. “When people think about a No. 1 draft choice, they think in terms of a guy like (Detroit Lions’) Barry Sanders,” San Jose Sharks’ GM Jack Ferreira says. “He’s ready to step in. We’re dealing with 18-year-olds and trying to project what they will be like at age…