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January 1, 1999
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.
Palffy signs back-end loaded deal with Islanders
Facing the prospect of another season going down the tubes, the New York Islanders agreed to terms with restricted free agent right winger Ziggy Palffy on a five-year, $24.83-million deal. The contract makes Palffy just the 122nd-highest NHL player this season, but gives hirr the security he sought. Palffy, 26, who scored 136 goals over the previous three seasons, missed the Islanders first 32 games. He was to rejoin them Dec. 22. His contract calls for him to earn a prorated $3 million ($1.83 million) this season, $5 million in each of the next two years and $6 million in 2000-01 and 2001-02. The team has the option to extend the deal by a year for $7 million and will pay Palffy a $1-million signing bonus, plus interest, at the end of the…
BROPHY
If the Philadelphia Flyers don’t win the Stanley Cup this season, Bob Clarke should resign as GM. Stay on as president of the organization, by all means, but turn the responsibility of the on-ice product to somebody else. Because given a seemingly unlimited budget, based on his $10-million, one-year rental of Chris Gratton and the fact Clarke still has a reserved parking spot at the First Union Center, his Flyers are no closer to being a champion than they were two years ago when they were swept by the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup final. At this point, they aren’t even that close and would be lumped in with second tier Cup candidates behind the true contenders: the Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars. May…
O’Sullivan mounts defense in fight for blueline future
When training camp neared a close and defenseman Chris O’Sullivan was sent back to the American League’s Saint John Flames, the brain trust with parent Calgary had new instructions for him. They figured the 6-foot-2, 210-pound O’Sullivan, an offensive-minded player who is a skater and not a banger, would be better suited for left wing. “They told me I didn’t play the style Brian (Sutter, the Calgary coach) likes up top, that it wasn’t the physical game Brian likes,” O’Sullivan said. But after two games on the wing for Saint John, O’Sullivan realized a position switch might not be a good idea. A second-round pick of the Flames in 1992, 30th overall, he wasn’t comfortable as a forward and wasn’t happy with his play. 4 So the 24-year-old Sullivan, a third-year pro, met with…
Stability on Duck pond one key for team’s play
Five months into his new job, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim’s president-GM Pierre Gauthier has taken a team that finished out of the playoffs last season and reworked it into the 1998-99 version he’s optimistic will make the playoffs. The Ducks opened 12-11-6, their best record ever after 29 games. But what Gauthier thinks the team needs most is not a new offensive-minded defenseman, or some other player changes, but just the opposite-stability. “To me, the stability of the team and the process of building it overrides almost totally any changes you want to make to this team,” Gauthier said. ’We need to grow as a team and there’s a place for individuals to grow as well.” Last season the Ducks were in a constant state of turmoil, with players worried about being traded and…
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