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December 19, 1997
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.
Blake’s rock solid play one key to winning ways
The difference in the Los Angeles Kings’ attitude from last season to this season was summed up neatly by Rob Blake. “We couldn’t go into a game thinking we’d win,” he said of the 1996-97 season. “We don’t have that attitude any longer.” The Kings’ dramatic improvement is due to many factors, not the least of which is solid play from their captain. It has been a big turnaround for Blake, who was recognized for his strong season with a berth on Canada’s Olympic team. Last season, his first since undergoing knee surgery in 1995, was a struggle. “Before you’re injured, you think you’re invincible,” said Blake, who was limited to 62 games last season because of soreness in his knee. “The season was frustrating. But then you see the things that happened…
Loyal Devil MacLean wants trade
The player who has best represented the New Jersey Devils for 15 seasons has had enough. John MacLean wants out. In a stunning revelation, MacLean said he asked GM Lou Lamoriello Nov. 21 for a trade. He said he would not consider signing another contract with the team because he felt slighted by being pushed to the back of the line in contract negotiations and welcomes a chance to play for a team with a less restrictive system. MacLean, who has scored more than 40 goals three times, felt his spot on the checking line was taking its toll on his career. The 33-year-old right winger can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. “I feel I’m just dying on the vine here and it’s time to move on,” MacLean said. “There…
Young Sens up for trade
In the season of giving, the Ottawa Senators were reportedly doing a little early Christmas shopping in December. After struggling through the month of November by going 2-10-1, the Senators made the other 26 teams in the league aware that struggling young forwards Radek Bonk and Alexandre Daigle were available for the right price. In a report in the Ottawa Sun, Toronto Maple Leafs’ associate GM Mike Smith confirmed the two players were being shopped around by Ottawa GM Pierre Gauthier. “The price was too high,” Smith said. A healthy scratch for a game against the Detroit Red Wings Nov. 26, Bonk, 21, had four goals and eight points in 28 games. He’d scored one goal in his past 24 games-an empty netter. For his part, Daigle, 22, had gone 11 games without a…
Pat on the back
As it turns out, Pat LaFontaine isn’t even the best comeback story in his own family, never mind the NHL. Which is to say when the New York Rangers’ center counts his blessings after bouncing back from career-threatening post-concussion syndrome, he does more than add up his 15 goals and 33 points in 29 games this season. “Everything happens for a reason,” LaFontaine told The Hockey News, “and as many dark days as I had wondering whether I would be able to play again, it actually turned out to be a blessing.” It was last November when LaFontaine, then with the Buffalo Sabres, realized he had serious problems stemming from a heavy hit from Francois Leroux of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 17. He was preparing to go to the Mayo Clinic in…
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