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February 13, 1998
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.


Zalapski told to stay home while GM attempts to deal
Defenseman Zarley Zalapski’s days with the Calgary Flames came to an unhappy end Jan. 26 when GM Al Coates told him not to bother showing up for practice. Instead, Zalapski was skating across town with Canada’s national team in an attempt to “stay sharp.” In the meantime, Coates continued to shop Zalapski around the NHL, trying to find someone, anyone, willing to assume his $1.6 million per season contract. Coates characterized interest in Zalapski as lukewarm. “I can’t say anything is imminent because, as everybody knows, we’ve been trying to do that for some time and it hasn’t materialized,” Coates said. If a trade can’t be worked out, the Flames may place Zalapski on waivers to see if anyone in the NHL would pick him up for the cost of his contract. Zalapski, acquired by…


COACH CRAWFORD’S COMMENTS


Doping rule may haunt medal round
International hockey and Olympic officials met Feb. 1 in Japan to figure out a plan to prevent the medal round from turning into a “messy embarrassment” over the International Olympic Committee’s doping regulations. Under IOC rules, if a player tests positive, his team would forfeit the game. That would mean the losing team would be declared the winner, but by the time the drug tests become available, those players could be back home. “What are they going to do, turn the 747 around, if a guy on the winning team tests positive?” said Dave Fitzpatrick, a Canadian who works for the International Ice Hockey Federation. As it stands now, players on teams not qualifying for the medal round leave Japan the day after they are eliminated. Fitzpatrick said there’s a better than average chance…


Sharks start to turn corner
The San Jose Sharks hit the 50-game mark in possession of the eighth and final playoff berth in the Western Conference, prompting GM Dean Lombardi to issue a cautiously optimistic state-of-the-team address. “It’s starting to evolve into what I think it takes to eventually be a top team in this league,” Lombardi said. “I’m starting to see people, as individuals and as a group, that are learning to compete.” After missing the playoffs by 31 points in 1995-96 and 19 points last season, the Sharks were justifiably encouraged to be in the thick of the crowded playoff race in the West. Since completing a second consecutive last place finish, San Jose has turned over half its roster. Lombardi has added fiery center Mike Ricci and gritty wingers John MacLean and Dave Lowry since…