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February 2, 1996
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.
Malakhov shows signs of promise
After eight months, the wait at Dears to be over. Vladimir Malakhov is finally starting to pay dividends for the Montreal Canadiens. The big Russian rearguard frequently has struggled since being acquired in a trade from the New York Islanders last April. Malakhov was supposed to provide the Canadiens with offense, but generally has not. And because he’s European and appears uncomfortable expressing himself in English, he has remained an enigma. But maybe the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is starting to emerge from his shell after producing three goals and six points in a span of five games. Malakhov was particularly brilliant in a 6-5 win over the Penguins at Pittsburgh Jan. 12, contributing a goal and two assists. “I don’t do anything different.” Malakhov said, with an embarrassed smile. “I think I play better,…
Schools of thought vary
Rick Heinz likes to think he runs the largest goaltending school operation in the world. With locations in 60 cities across North America, the ex-NHL netminder is probably right. And there’s nothing Heinz and company won’t engage in, special occasions included. “We do March break and Christmas tryouts,” he said. “We do private instruction, weekend clinics and pre-tryouts." From the time he began teaching some 27 years ago (first at Can-Am, then at the Huron school’s goaltender division), he has witnessed a number of changes in the game, but he’s not one to implement anything dramatic into his instruction. The butterfly slide-save employed a slew of NHL goaltenders these days, including Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalanche and Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, is something Heinz and his staff have incorporated into their…
Is Muller worth all the hassle?
Assuming Kirk Muller hasn’t completely forgotten how to play hockey during his walkout/lockout/suspension/get-me-the-heck-out-of-here-situation with the New York Islanders, he’ll probably help the team to which he eventually goes. But if I’m running a team and I’m not absolutely certain Muller is the final piece of the Stanley Cup puzzle, I’ll pass on him, thanks just the same. That’s especially the case if you believe the rumblings Muller wants a new five-year contract. The $2 million (Cdn.) a year he is sched uled to receive through 1997-98 is already more than adequate compensation for what he is likely to give in return. The clock on Muller’s final five productive years started ticking three years ago. At 30, Muller is a good hockey player. That’s what he has always been. He is not a top-flight performer,…
Maloney may have been on right track
As time passes, most former GMs don’t look nearly as stupid as when they were fired. Well, maybe Gerry McNamara still does, but you can usually make a case the guy the owner felt had to go may not have been taking the franchise in such a bad direction after all. Take the example of Don Maloney, the Rangers’ plant who was sabotaging the proud Islanders’ organization before he was caught and shot as a spy Dec. 2. True, Maloney turned his back on team doctors who had developed an affordable serum that would have kept Clark Gillies from getting old. And maybe Maloney did personally redesign the uniforms over the pleas of the marketing department to keep the status quo, then hand write letters to all the season-ticket holders that…
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