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August 1, 1993
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.
Johnston not shy about staking claim on Cup
The last time Eddie Johnston held this job, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ pre-season objective was clear: Get into the playoffs. Somehow. And as Johnston prepares for his second stint as Pittsburgh coach, the goal is well-known. It has just been upgraded a bit since the early 1980s. The Penguins’ success in 1993-94 should be easy enough to measure. If it ends with a Stanley Cup rally, the season went as planned. If it doesn’t, well, anything less than total victory will be considered abject failure. Such lofty expectations might trouble some coaches, but Johnston doesn’t back away from predictions of a third Stanley Cup in four years for the Penguins. “The talent and pride we have, there’s no doubt in my mind we can bring back another Cup,” Johnston said. “I like to put myself…
Great Axeman hoping to become Great Dane
George Dupont has always dreamed of travelling overseas. Now he'll get his chance. The Acadia Axemen center signed a one-year deal with HIK, a Copenhagen-based team in the Danish Elite League. The deal is worth about $30,000. The signing was the result of a memorable year for the Nepean. Ont., native, who was recently named The Hockey News/Bauer Canadian University Player of the Year. Dupont bettered University of Toronto Blues' goalie Paul Henriques in a vote of coaches. The 26-year-old led the Atlantic Universities Athletic Association with 13 goals and 57 points in 26 games and was named to the league's first all-star team. But he saved his best for the playoffs, scoring 13 points in seven games. He was named the tournament MVP at The Nationals in Toronto, leading Acadia to a 12-1…
On-ice product in good shape; now they need ice to play on
The Tampa Bay Lightning, who figured it would take five years to build a playoff contender, may be ahead of the pace it initially set for itself. After a stunning inaugural campaign in which the team won 23 games and finished with 53 points, the Lightning used the events of the recent NHL congress and entry draft to make adjustments that should ensure a satisfying sophomore season and long-term success. The most important was the drafting of power center Chris Gratton with the third pick overall. Unlike Roman Hamrlik, the first pick overall by Tampa Bay in the 1993 draft, Gratton possesses natural leadership qualities. Management expects he’ll be the player who some day guides the team through a serious Stanley Cup playoff run. Gratton’s style and leadership qualities have been compared to Kirk Muller’s…
Daigle contract outrage misguided
The news spread like wildfire on draft day in Quebec City: the Ottawa Senators had just signed their first choice, Alexandre Daigle, to a five-year contract worth more than $12 million. The NHL establishment was stunned. One by one, Harry Sinden of Boston, Glen Sather of Edmonton, Phil Esposito of Tampa Bay and Marcel Aubut of Quebec deplored the Senators’ generosity. How could they give so much money to such a young player? “What’s Peter Forsberg worth now?” Aubut wondered about the Swedish free agent his team drafted in 1991. “And what’s Chris Pronger, the second draft choice, worth? Half or three-quarters of Daigle’s salary? What’s going on? These guys have never played in the NHL.” Sinden cynically said that in Boston, Daigle would be $11.5 million poor than in Ottawa. The irony of…
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