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November 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.
Sutter puts faith in Nolan by handing him captaincy
The legions of people who predicted fireworks between San Jose Sharks’ coach Darryl Sutter and right winger Owen Nolan apparently missed the boat. Upon taking the San Jose job before last season, Sutter knew of Nolan’s temperamental reputation. Sutter backed Nolan at every opportunity last year, then went one better Oct. 28 by naming Nolan the fifth captain in Sharks’ history. San Jose had gone without a captain since trading defenseman Todd Gill to the St. Louis Blues late last season. “It was an easy decision,” Sutter said. “You want a guy who brings emotion to the rink, a guy younger players look up to and is respected around the league. Owen is an emotional guy. When he leaves the rink, 99 per cent of the time he has been the leader…
Nedved back on sidelines after slashing K-Wing foe
Las Vegas Thunder center Petr Nedved was suspended one game by the International League as a result of a match penalty he took for slashing. Nedved, who was playing defense at the time because the Thunder was short of defensemen, was battling along with the boards with Michigan K-Wings’ Greg Leeb in the final 45 seconds of a 2-0 Las Vegas win Oct. 23. As Leeb skated away, Nedved swung his stick at Leeb, appearing to catch him on the right shoulder. Nedved then tried to fight Leeb, but was restrained by the linesmen. Leeb was not injured by the slash. Bob McCammon, the IHL’s vice-president/director of operations issued a one-game suspension and $160 fine. “When I first heard about it, I heard he swung at him like Mark McGuire,” McCammon said after watching…
Cornell senior Knopp dependable, versatile
Don’t be surprised if senior Kyle Knopp is caught driving the Zamboni at Cornell’s Lynah Rink sometime this season. It’s about the only thing left he hasn’t done for the Big Red. Since earning rookie-of-the-year honors in 1995-96, Knopp, a durable right winger from Delta, B.C., had the reputation of being one of the top scoring threats in the league. But last year, when Cornell was plagued by injuries, Knopp became even more valuable. “The only position he didn’t play was goalie,” said Cornell coach Mike Schafer. “We had to use him on defense and he played everywhere, with a lot of different people, and never said boo. He just kept plugging away.” Knopp, who is solidly built at 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds, was one of the few Cornell players to avoid injury last…
Brind’Amour an all-around rock
Rod Brind’Amour agreed to a three-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers this summer seconds before his arbitration hearing was to begin. The agreed deal was for a total of $11.25 million-$3.5 this season and next and $4.25 million in 2000-01. They’re not unreasonable figures for a 28-year-old center/left winger who has averaged just under a point a game for his career, including 36 goals and 74 points last season-third on the Flyers behind Eric Lindros and John LeClair. But anyone who has followed Brind’Amour’s career since he broke into the NHL in 1989-90 knows he has always been worth more than his numbers indicate. Brind’Amour had a league-high 2,177 shifts last season-120 more than another other player, according to agent Ron Perrick, and nearly 300 more than Mats Sundin, the next highest…
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