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October 23, 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.
Lecavalier, Cullen earn roster spots
One is a rookie. The other feels like one. And both made the opening night roster of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a fact that could not make 18-year-old Vincent Lecavalier or 34-year-old John Cullen happier. “Of all the days I’ve had in hockey, this is the best,” said Cullen, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in April of 1997, but overcame the odds to make it all the way back to the NHL. “It’s an unbelievable feeling.” Lecavalier’s story has yet to be written. The No. 1 overall selection in last June’s draft was named the Lightning’s second-fine center even before he signed a contract, then agreed Oct. 7 to a three-year deal potentially worth more than $15 million. The contract is, by far, the most ever offered to an NHL rookie: Should Lecavalier…
Will Kozlov make Panthers Viktors?
Viktor Kozlov is not a man of many words. He prefers to let his actions speak for him. Thus far in Kozlov’s NHL career, however, his actions have been equally soft spoken. Kozlov, 23, has been a star in waiting for four seasons, but the question must now be asked: Will this be his breakout year? “I sure hope so,” said the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Russian center. “The coach has given me a lot more ice time than I got in the past. I like it…1 like it a lot.” The Florida Panthers believe Kozlov’s time has arrived based on the last quarter of last season when he recorded 16 points in 19 games. “He will have a big role on a team that needs him to step up,” said Florida GM Bryan Murray. “You…
Bruins won’t Carey Jim
The pre-season numbers looked good-a .500 record (1-1-1), 1.94 goals-against average and .918 save percentage-but Jim Carey knew they didn’t matter. “I thought I had a good camp, but that’s irrelevant,” said the 1995-96 Vezina Trophy winner after going unclaimed in the Oct. 5 waiver draft and then being assigned to Providence of the American League. “I could have had three shutouts, five shutouts…it’s not going to make a difference at this point.” Carey and the Bruins hoped his solid pre-season stats might attract a taker. Boston is committed to a Byron Dafoe-Rob Tallas tandem for 1998-99 and wants second-year pro John Grahame to get most of the work in Providence. Carey, demoted last December to Providence (where he suffered a seasonending shoulder injury), is clearly not in the club’s plans, but…
Stamina key for Perreault
Yanic Perreault knew he wouldn’t be able to main-tain the remarkable scoring pace he set with the Los Angeles Kings early last season. With 14 goals in the team’s first 20 games-including the first two hat tricks of his NHL career-he was on a pace for more than 57 goals, a new and lofty neighborhood for someone whose best production had been 25 goals in the 1995-96 season. But while he didn’t expect to become a sniper overnight, he didn’t expect to stop scoring altogether. Yet, that’s what happened to the 27-year-old center. After collecting 16 goals in his first 29 games and 19 at the all-star break, Perreault finished with 28 goals, second to right winger Glen Murray’s 29. Perreault’s prolonged slump led coach Larry Robinson to hold Perreault out of…
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