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June 1, 1992
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.
Sun setting on Wild West
The entry draft has always been the New York Islanders’ most valued tool and accurate barometer. Stellar draft picks once put them on top of the NHL and kept them there for four years. Two of their top picks, Denis Potvin and Mike Bossy, were elected into the Hall of Fame last year. And the Stanley Cup teams of the early ’80s were built on a foundation of scouting and development. But some argue the Islanders lingered too long with that theme. They kept relying on the draft to rebuild, even when it became apparent the organization’s young players were not developing in the late 1980s. The result was a decline that has kept the Islanders out of the playoffs three times in the past four seasons. With two blockbuster deals last October and another…
Early picks paid dividends
The entry draft played an integral part in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Stanley Cup championship in 1991, which isn’t surprising. When you pick in the top five as often as the Penguins did in the 1980s, you’re bound to come up with some significant talent. Some of the Penguins’ high choices such as Mario Lemieux (first overall in 1984) and Bob Errey (15th in 1983), stayed around Pittsburgh long enough to drink champagne from the Cup but most of them eventually were sent away in trades. First-round Pittsburgh draft choices such as Doug Bodger (ninth in ’84), Craig Simpson (second in ’85), Zarley Zalapski (fourth in ’86), Chris Joseph and Darrin Shannon (fourth in ’88) were sacrificed in deals that brought components of the Cup-winning team, players such as Paul Coffey, Ron Francis, Ulf…
Global warming new forecast
On the day the St. Louis Blues said goodbye to Brian Sutter after 16 years in the organization, they also bid a not-so-fond farewell to his trademark dump-and-chase hockey. General manager Ron Caron promised the change in coaching kwould mean a change in style as rwell. Sutter and dump-and-chase are out. Coach Bob Plager and Eurohockey are in. The Blues plan to move into the 1990s in time for the 1992-93 season, joining theft NHL brethren in importing skilled European players. “We are ready to go to the European market to bring more finesse players and more skilled players to develop a quicker game, putting more emphasis on offense,” Caron said. The Blues will get their first infusion of European talent at the 1992 entry draft in Montreal. Director of scouting Ted Hampson made…
Repeating beginner’s luck
The San Jose Sharks struck gold when they selected right winger Pat Falloon in last year’s entry draft and they’re hoping for a similar yield in this year’s lottery. Because they obtained the Minnesota North Stars’ first-round pick as part of last year’s dispersal draft, the Sharks will pick third and 10th in the entry draft. “We get two of the first 10 picks, so we have to hit a home run,” said Chuck Grillo, the director of player personnel for the Sharks. “We have to come up with players who will become part of our core group for the future.” Grillo and his staff have scoured the globe to accomplish that mission. “We’ve all worked hard to prepare for this draft,” Grillo said. “We think we had a good draft last year but…
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