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June 1, 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.
Speed still priority No. 1
It can be said that the draft is the lifeblood of most hockey teams, but it”s especially true of small-market teams such as the Edmonton Oilers, who cannot compete on the free i agent market with the likes of the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and I Colorado Avalanche. “We”re not a rich hockey team. We have to build through the draft,” said I director of player personnel Kevin Pren-dergast. That said. GM Glen Sather is not bheyond using picks as assets when he I spots an opportunity to improve the team. He uncharacteristically used two of the team”s first rounders-Steve Kelly I and Jason Bonsignore-to lure defense man Roman Hamrlik away from the I Tampa Bay Lightning this year and it was a deal that strengthened the Oilers” blueline. He…
Draft dividend too far away
For the Chicago Blackhawks, this year”s draft is probably more insignificant than any in recent memory. After missing the playoffs for the first time in 29 years, the Hawks need help right now-not in a year or two. GM Bob Murray and his staff are much more concerned with being active in the freeagent and trade markets than with whatever they might be able to accomplish in the draft. That doesn”t figure to be much anyway since they only have two of the first 64 picks. “I”ve learned my lesson with drafts,” Murray said. “The players from the draft are not going to help you for at least two years, maybe three, and maybe four. I”m not going to put another Dan Cleary in the position I put him in this year.…
Time to get on fast track
Can a team make itself quicker through the draft? The Philadelphia Flyers just might try. GM-President Bob Clarke said during his team”s first-round playoff loss to the Buffalo Sabres that hockey”s new freer-flowing game demands more speed. And since the Flyers were constructed to go through people instead of around them, there could be more draft picks resembling Mike Sillinger than Joel Otto. Calling The Shots: John Blackwell is the director of scouting, but Clarke has the final say. Clarke doesn”t go to quite as many junior events as he once did and so he puts more faith on reports from his scouts. In particular, Inge Ham-marstrom has a big influence on talent evaluation in Europe. Coach Roger Neilson may have some input this year, too. Draft Tendency: In recent years, the Flyers have…
Scouts back in business
After missing the playoffs for six straight seasons, you”d think the Carolina Hurricanes were used to high draft picks. The reality is quite the contrary. The deal that netted defenseman Glen Wesley from the Boston Bruins in 1994 came at a heavy cost: three first-round picks. The last one came last summer in the form of Sergei Samsonov. In February, however, management showed it was willing to deplete farm depth even further when it signed restricted free agent Sergei Fedorov to an offer sheet, a move that could have cost the team five first-rounders. The Hurricanes were disappointed the Detroit Red Wings matched the offer to Fedorov, but from a development standpoint, this could be a chance for Carolina to re-stock its system. For the first time since 1995, the Hurricanes will…
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