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February 5, 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.
De Vries stands, delivers on Avs’ denleted blueline
Greg de Vries didn’t go to the NHL All-Star Game in Tampa, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t shine for the Colorado Avalanche in the first half of the season. The Sunridge, Ont. native, traded to the Avs by the Nashville Predators for a third round pick early in the season when Colorado was desperate for healthy defensemen. has already exceeded what was expected of him. Instead of being a stopgap measure before the regulars came back from injury, de Vries has earned a regular shift. “It’s been fun so far,” de Vries said. “When I first got here, there were so many injuries and I got to play quite a bit. Now, I’m settling into more of what I guess is my role, which is a bit less ice time, but…
Speedy Medican gives Panthers much-needed blueline mobility
Anyone who can tell a skate from a plate knows how important Pavel Bure could be to the Florida Panthers. But only those who watch the Panthers or knew their defensemen understood immediately just how important swift blueliner Bret Hedican was in the big trade with the Vancouver Canucks. Along with the 28-year-old Hedican and Bure, the Panthers Jan. 17 acquired defense prospect Brad Ference and a third round draft pick for defenseman Ed Jovanovski, center Dave Gagner, goalie Kevin Weekes, left winger Mike Brown and a first round draft pick. (See pg. 8 for more on trade). Lack of speed on defense made the Panthers especially vulnerable to the simplistic, but effective dump-and-chase strategy. As you saw the forechecker close on Gord Murphy, Terry Carkner, Rhett Warrener or Paul Laus, it was…
Slumbering Nolan finally awakens, scores sevens goals in 11 games
After enduring a prolonged scoring slump that lasted nearly a season and a half, San Jose Sharks’ right winger Owen Nolan showed signs of emerging as the calendar flipped from 1998 to 1999. A five-time 30-goal scorer who bagged a career-high 42 for the Quebec Nordiques in 1991-92, Nolan produced just three goals in his first 32 games this season. On the heels of his sub-par 14-goal output of 1997-98, even Nolan was wondering where his offensive touch had gone. Nolan broke out after scoring a fluke goal in a 4-3 overtime victory Jan. 2 over the New York Islanders. His dump-in from near the blueline somehow found its way past Islanders’ goaltender Marcel Cousineau, producing just the kind of break Nolan needed. Nolan scored six more goals during the next 10 games…
Zubov, Sydor pair of aces on Dallas ‘D’
Three years ago, few would have ever thought of pairing Darryl Sydor and Sergei Zubov. A reputation for defensive deficiencies had most-especially the goal-stingy Stars-believing that both players needed a safety net. But assistant coach Rick Wilson thought otherwise. After one season of pairing Zubov with Craig Ludwig and Sydor with Grant Ledyard, Derian Hatcher or Richard Matvichuk, Wilson took a leap of faith and put together his two most offensively skilled defensemen. Two seasons later, Sydor and Zubov are one of the few defensive pairs in the NHL that can boast back-to-back All-Star Game appearances. “It wasn’t something that we were afraid to do, but it wasn’t an idea that jumped right out at us, either,” Wilson said.’We sat down with both players before we did it and set out the plan that…
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