Eagleson extradition nears

Let the extradition proceedings begin. Almost two years after Alan Eagle-son was indicted in the United States on 34 charges of racketeering, embezzlement and fraud, his lawyer is anxiously waiting for American justice authorities to seek the extradition of the former executive director of the NHL Players’ Association. “Let’s go, let’s get started,” said Eagleson lawyer Brian Greenspan about a report in the Toronto Sun that the extradition request is making its way through U.S. and Canadian channels. One of the reasons Greenspan wants to get it under way is that he may finally see what the Sun called a “tractor trailer of evidence” the American authorities have on Eagleson. “We are still waiting,” Greenspan said. When asked what material on his client the U.S. authorities had disclosed, he said, “Not a single word.” The…

ELSTON

No experience? No problem

The days of recycling head coaches in the NHL are over. Well, they’re temporarily on hold. There is a new trend in hiring and it goes something like this: Promote from within, no experience necessary. Everywhere you look, teams are hiring coaches with little or no head coaching experience. “Everything is cyclical,” said Rick Bowness, fired as coach of the Ottawa Senators Nov. 20 and replaced by 36-year-old rookie Dave Allison. “A few years ago, you had to be an ex-college coach. Then it was ex-NHL players and then it was former minor league players. Now it’s guys with little or no experience. This will pass, too.” NHL coaches were dropping at a record pace-three were fired in the first few months of the season and the axe was hanging over a few others. Rick…

Brad no ordinary Smyth with new scoring touch

Some players simply exude offensive greatness every time they carry the puck. Brad Smyth, on the other hand, is more concerned with results than appearances. “If you watched him in practice, you wouldn’t think he’d get a lot of points,” said Carolina Monarchs’ coach Rich Kromm. “But he just has a nose for the net.” Through eight weeks of the season, Smyth led the American League in goals with 22 and points with 45 in 24 games. All this from a guy who last season scored just two goals in 26 International League games for the Cincinnati Cyclones and no points in three AHL games with the Springfield Falcons. “Things are going well now, but I set some high standards for myself,” said the 6-foot, 202-pound right winger who went undrafted after his junior career…