Gentlemen, start you free agent engines

Despite all the words of doom about fiscal ruin, despite all the public whining and carping about salaries getting out of control and despite all the unofficial warnings to member clubs to keep payrolls under control-get ready for a free agent season in the NHL which will even turn the heads of owners in other sports. From talks with many GMs, coaches, agents and players, I think the summer of 1997, and probably even more so in 1998, will be the years in which free agency really becomes a huge avenue of opportunity or ruin in the NHL, depending on your point of view. The reasons are twofold: First, the old thinking that 32-year-old players were on their last legs is being proven wrong again and again-which means the age at which a…

New RIVALS

Canada ready for Women’s Worlds

Canada’s women’s national team has a ton of mettle and medals, but it knows that doesn’t mean gold is assured in the upcoming Women’s World Championship. “I’m not going to guarantee anything,” said Canadian coach Shannon Miller, “but my very strong prediction is a gold medal. We’re on a mission and it is a gold medal and we’ll do whatever it takes. I can give you that.” Canada knows that when it brings its ‘A’ game to the rink, it’s almost impossible to beat. But after a loss to the United States in the round-robin portion of the recent Three Nation’s Tournament, (Canada came back to beat the U.S. in the final), there has been concern Canada is slipping. Canada and the U.S. are the favorites going into the Women’s World Championship, slated…

Bourque hits Bucyk mark

In a couple of obvious ways, the goal Ray Bourque scored to tie John Bucyk as the Boston Bruins’ all-time points leader wasn’t entirely satisfying. Bourque’s 352nd goal and 1,339th point didn’t come in a victory or in Boston. Bourque, who achieved the milestone during a 3-1 road loss to the Florida Panthers, still gained a tremendous amount of satisfaction from the milestone, though. “It’s nice to go down in history, especially with a team that has so much of it,” said Boston’s 36-year-old captain. “To put up these numbers and play so long (17-1/2 seasons) has been a great thrill and a lot of fun.” The recent pursuit of Bucyk was more fulfilling than it might have been a couple months ago because Bourque, who was slowed by injuries in the first…