’Canes counting on Coffey to provide power plav spark

The Carolina Hurricanes are saying ’Welcome Back Coffey’ even though his dream was his ticket out. A little more than two years after the franchise accommodated a Coffey trade request, it reacquired the 37-year-old defenseman from the Chicago Blackhawks for 31-year-old right winger Nelson Emerson. Of course, the circumstances have changed since Coffey was last in the fold? The Hurricanes, now playing respectable hockey in the South, were then the NHL’s version of the Sweathogs, getting no respect as the Hartford Whalers. And two years ago, the Whalers were counting on Coffey-the NHL’s all-time scoring leader on defense with 1,477 points-to help carry the club. Now, die ’Canes, crippled by injuries to their blueline, are looking for him to be more of a role player; in particular a power play specialist. Coffey has had…

NHL GAME SUMMARIES

Devils give Sheriff’s shot a shot as Russian passes on passing

He has always been known as ’Sheriff,’ but until this season Russian-born forward Vadim Sharifijanov refused to shoot. Finally, after three years in the minors, the New Jersey Devils convinced him to unleash his deceptively strong shot and the highly regarded rookie showed why he was considered a steal in the 1994 entry draft. Sharifijanov, 23, scored the Devils’ only goal in a 1-1 tie Dec. 19 against the Montreal Canadiens, registered the game-winning goal in a 7-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres Dec. 28 and contributed another goal in a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals Dec. 30. “A lot of goalies haven’t seen him,” said coach Robbie Ftorek. “He has that quick, heavy shot. The goal he scored (against the Canadiens) was the exact same shot he scored (in 1995)…

Days of ’dump Schoenfeld’ talk distant memory as wins pile up

A year ago at about this time, the whispers were making the rounds that Jim Schoenfeld might be on his way out as head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. The NHL coaching axe had dropped on a couple bench bosses already, and Schoenfeld, three months into his first season in the desert, was an easy target as the underachieving Coyotes stumbled early. He survived, of course. A large amount of injuries to key personnel had a lot to do with the struggles, too. But even though the Coyotes suffered a league-high 475 man-games lost to injury, Schoenfeld managed to guide the club to a respectable .500 record (35-35-12). Still, speculation abounded his job would be in jeopardy if the team struggled again early this season. “I don’t think he has to worry…