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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.
Dollar dip devastating
Much of what it is wrong with NHL finances these days falls in the category of self-inflicted wounds. When NHL owners signed the last collective bargaining agreement, it had the mechanism in place to curb the salary spiral—a rookie salary cap, plus a system of restricted free agency that binds a player to his team until 30. The fact that it couldn’t use the CBA effectively suggests that when the league did its due diligence on new owners, it should have investigated the size of their egos instead of just the size of their wallets. Then maybe you wouldn’t have $28 million windfalls for Sergei Fedorov and $17-million free agent offers for Joe Sakic, all of which raised the salary bar for the rest the players. There is one financial headache, however,…
More gems on horizon?
Hockey season is long enough without a pre-training camp training camp, isn’t it? Not for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Not when they turned up two keepers in just such a camp last season. The Penguins began training camp for rookies and free agents Sept. 5. Veterans report Sept. 12. Last season, the Penguins discovered goalie Peter Skudra and rediscovered right winger Rob Brown in the week before veterans reported. Both were valuable contributors to a 98-point team. “If we can find another gem like that by having this camp a week early, it’ll definitely be worth our while,” said coach Kevin Constantine. About 40 players were expected. Besides the rookies, there were a handful of career minor leaguers and some players with NHL experience. The best known among them is left winger Gilbert Dionne, who…
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…
Stars reward Hitchcock for success
Ken Hitchcock has always stressed living his coaching life day to day. Not anymore. On Sept. 3, Hitchcock signed a three-year contract extension that, combined with the year remaining on his contract, will keep him drawing a paycheck from the team through 2001-02. The man who has coached the two winningest seasons in franchise history now has as much stability as any coach in the NHL. “This means a lot to me,” Hitchcock said. “It means that they believe in me as a coach and as a person.” The Stars have good reason. After struggling in his first season (1995-96) in Dallas, Hitchcock’s teams have amassed more points (213) than any team in the NHL the past two seasons. “Ken has been successful everywhere he has gone,” said GM Bob Gainey, “and what he…
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