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September 18, 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.
Wishing upon a star
Cam Neely recently became an author. But whether he authors a comeback with the Boston Bruins remains to be seen. There is a glimmer of hope he’ll resume a career that ended, painfully and tearfully and far too early, on Sept. 5, 1996, but talk of a full comeback is definitely premature. Meanwhile, Hockey for Everybody, a how-to book on the game co-written by Neely, will hit bookstores in September. A portion of proceeds will go to the Cam Neely Foundation, a charitable body where Neely serves as president. Neely, who had just turned 33, was forced to quit two years ago by a chronic hip injury that stemmed from knee problems he fought for nearly five years. He knew he probably faced hip replacement surgery at some point and as unattractive as…
Leetch set to rebound
Funny how things work out sometimes. The New York Rangers found themselves in a number of tight games last season en route to a disappointing 25-39-18 record and 21st overall finish. The closer the game, the more they relied on superstar defenseman Brian Leetch to try to help them win. The more they lost, the more Leetch tried to take matters into his own hands. The more Leetch pressed, the more he left himself exposed for failure. And the more he failed, the worse his plus-minus got. End result? The Rangers missed the playoffs and Leetch concluded the campaign at minus-36, by far the worst of his career and fourth worst in the league. “We were lumped into a large group of teams that could have done something depending on how things went for…
Simpson set to start over
The lost year of Todd Simpson began with a knee injury in training camp that required minor surgery and cost him 10 games off the start of the season. Just as he was starting to feel good, the Calgary Flames’ captain popped his shoulder out in a fight with Georges Laraque of the Edmonton Oilers and played with pain for the duration. His season ended a month premature after Simpson suffered a concussion during practice in a collision with teammate Cory Stillman. Apart from being named team captain, it was a thoroughly forgettable season-for Simpson and for the Flames. The good news: Things could hardly get worse. “I played six or seven years and never missed one game because of injury,” Simpson said. “So I guess I was due for that. Hopefully, now…
No-trade promise obstacle in difficult Lindros talks
Security, not money, became the key issue as the Eric Lindros contract negotiations approached the Philadelphia Flyers’ Sept. 11 deadline. Lindros made it clear Sept. 3 he would accept the Flyers’ five-year offer-estimated at about $45 million-if team chairman Ed Snider could assure him he will not be traded. However, the NHL does not allow no-trade clauses in contracts for players under 31. Lindros is 25. That being the case, it would appear Lindros would have to settle for a handshake and a promise from Snider. But commenting later that same day, Snider made no guarantees. Lindros, who was the subject of trade rumors involving at least two teams this past summer, says he wants to remain with the Flyers. Philadelphia management set a deadline date of Sept. 11 for the deal to…
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