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November 8, 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.
Road trip puts a real hurt on limping squad
Wayne Gretzky’s absence and a rash of injuries gutted the Los Angeles Kings, leaving them a shell of their former selves. Still, can back-to-back road thrashings ever be justified? “We haven’t done anything to help our own cause,” Tony Granato said following 5-2 and 7-2 waxings Oct. 22-23 at the hands of the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers. “Call it what you want, but it’s just not fun right now. For the kind of talent we have, it’s inexcusable to be playing like this.” Gretzky missed both of those games and five overall to be with his father, Walter, who underwent surgery Oct. 19 in Hamilton, Ont., to treat a brain aneurysm. Gretzky’s father has recovered to the point that the Kings’ center was scheduled to rejoin the team in time for…
Two-job Murray building a winner
Almost every day in the NHL, a coach and his general manager have a conversation like this: Coach: We ‘re getting killed out there. I need some size, some presence. Is Hammerhead still available? GM: I haven’t talked to them since last month. They wanted Brickwall, LaPeenom and a No. 1 pick for him. They think he’s another Messier! I can’t stand dealing with those guys. They think they’re geniuses. Coach: Look, I had Boomalot in juniors. He’s a good kid and I keep reading he’s on the block. Don’t the Cyclops need a back-up goaltender? GM: Yeah, but there are a dozen goaltenders on the market. We can’t even get a No. 3 for Babblingbrook. … For seven years, Bryan Murray had these sorts of talks with Washington Capitals’ general manager David Poile—one of…
Rookie rearguard gets Foote in NHL door
In a season already full of disappointment, the Quebec Nordiques at least had the solid play of defenseman Adam Foote to be positive about. Foote, 20, was recalled Oct. 18 from Quebec’s American League affiliate in Halifax due to several injuries to the Nordiques’ defense corps. Foote had reacted very strongly when he was cut after the pre-season. He couldn’t understand why he wasn’t given a chance. But instead of moping around and dragging his feet in the AHL, he went down to Halifax intent on getting back to the Nordiques. “I respected the Nordiques’ decision to send me down,” said Foote, who was Quebec’s second-round choice (22nd overall) in 1989. “But I’m still convinced that I should have stayed here.” NAGGING DOUBTS: John Kordic had his first brush with controversy since arriving in…
Top Soviet prospect injured in car accident
Soviet Viacheslav Kozlov, perhaps the best prospect in the Red Wings’ organization, was seriously injured in a car crash that killed the passenger, Kirill Tarasov. In the Oct. 20 collision with a bus, Kozlov suffered a broken nose and a severe concussion, but was expected to be out of a Moscow hospital within days and could be playing hockey again within a month. Red Wings’ assistant general manager Nick Polano said after getting word from sources in the Soviet Union. “That’s really good news,” Polano said, adding that he was confident the information was accurate because it was verified by a member of the Red Army coaching staff. Kozlov, 19, was driving to practice when the accident occurred. Tarasov, 18, was the only passenger. The defenseman is no relation to former Soviet national…
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