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.

September 10, 1999

The Hockey News September 10, 1999

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0037-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-01823/7431151-1-eng-US/f0037-012.jpg"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-01851/7431144-1-eng-US/f0039-012.jpg" title="f0039-01" width="3413" height="4100"></div> &#9632;

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DEPARTMENTS

NHL TRAINING CAMP ROSTERS

<div class="image-hero"><img title="C0002-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/c0002-0148/7431196-1-eng-US/c0002-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">Milos Holan has beaten cancer and now he&acute;s battling for a job on Atlanta&acute;s blueline. Pg. 15.</figcaption></div><h2>Female goalie stars at camp</h2>1. Move over, guys Goalie Charlene Labonte shines in camp with Bathurst Titan of Quebec League.2. Open Ice opens eyes Summit breaks ground as Canada's best hockey minds come together for good of game.3.Milos Holan Leukemia survivor pursues NHL dream with expansion Atlanta Thrashers.4.Long Island sale Could new ownership finally put end to suffering of Islanders' faithfill?5.It's about time The East Coast League attempts to reduce the time it takes to play games.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/c0002-0255/7431189-1-eng-US/c0002-022.jpg" title="C0002-02" width="337" height="482"><figcaption class="caption-body">Dmitri Khristich</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/c0002-0347/7431182-1-eng-US/c0002-032.jpg" title="C0002-03" width="333" height="477"><figcaption class="caption-body">Alexei Yashin</figcaption></div><h2>Probert in fight for pay check</h2>1. Blackhawk blackmail? Chicago threatens Bob Probert with demotion to ECHL if he doesn't tear up contract.2. What's up? Teams complain about lack of scoring, yet nobody makes offer to 29-goal man Dmitri Khristich.3. It's Bill Guerin's turn What would off-season be like for Oilers without a star embroiled in a contract dispute?4. Potential no-shows There are more restricted free agents than ever who may skip training camp.5. Alexei Yashin Could contract dispute and bungled donation to National Arts Centre indicate star is getting bad advice? &#9632;

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IN THIS ISSUE

PLUS MINUS

<div class="byline">By John Packett</div>Quick evenings have never been the norm in the East Coast League, but as it prepares to enter its 12th season, don't be surprised if games become shorter.During the summer, the ECHL's rules committee voted to recommend automatic icing, touch-up delayed off sides and shorter stoppages between face offs. In addition, the league would only allow the starters for each team to warm up immediately before the beginning of periods.&ldquo;What are we going to do to continue to make our game more exciting?&rdquo; said Larry Kish, chairman of the rules committee. &ldquo;We want to work at speeding up our play.&rdquo;The committee also recommended the elimination of one playoff spot in the 16-team Southern Conference, allowing 10 teams into the post season instead of 11 as was the case last year. The Northern Conference will continue to have eight playoff berths.Kish, the new GM of the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks, said he expects the board of govemors to approve the recommendations at the fall meetings in September.MISSISSIPPI MAN: It's never easy taking over the reins of a team that won the league title, but that's the task facing Marc Potvin. He was hired Aug. 18 to lead the Mississippi Sea Wolves in 1999-2000.Potvin, 32, replaces Bruce Boudreau, who guided Mississippi to the Kelly Cup title last season and then signed on to coach the American League's Lowell Lock Monsters.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-03423/7430982-1-eng-US/f0027-032.jpg" title="f0027-03" width="404" height="422"></div>&ldquo;I want to thank Bruce for the standards he set,&rdquo; said Potvin, second-cousin of Hall of Fame defenseman Denis Potvin. &ldquo;They're big shoes to fill, but I take it as a challenge.&rdquo;Potvin spent last season as an assistant with the AHL's Adirondack Red Wings. He retired from a nine-year career after 1997-98, having played parts of six seasons in the NHL.ALL-STAR DATE: The 2000 ECHL All-Star Game is Jan. 19 at the BLLO Center in Greenville, S.C.For the second year, the game will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis by ESPN2.It will be televised Jan. 20 at 2:30 p.m. The broadcast will be available to more than 65 million homes throughout the U.S., including all 32 of the ECHL's present and future markets.The eighth annual game will feature the Northern Conference all-stars against their counterparts from the Southern Conference.COAST LINES: The expansion Greensboro franchise will be known as the Generals, which was the nickname given to the original Greens boro team 40 years ago in the old Eastern League&hellip;Jackson's entry in the ECHL will be called the Bandits. The Chesapeake (Md.) Ice breakers moved to Mississippi's capital in June after two seasons of losing money at the Show Place Arena in suburban Washington, D.C. GM Brad Ewing said the nickname was chosen from 2,000 entries in a name-the-team contest&hellip;The New Orleans Brass named Dan Belisle to the GM post, succeeding Larry Kish, who was the club's GM for the first two years. Belisle served as assistant coach-GM the past two seasons. &#9632;

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LEAGUES

Rules committee aims to cut fat off marathon games

<div class="byline">By Mike Gibb Staff Writer</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0009-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-011718/7429747-1-eng-US/f0009-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">A fourth-place finish by Wayne Gretzky and Canada at the 1998 Olympics caused national dismay. (Bruce Bennet/BBS)</figcaption></div>Canada has the best environment for producing the most skilled hockey players in the world.But the country with the world's richest hockey tradition isn't growing talented hockey players at a rate comparable to smaller hockey countries such as Sweden, Finland and Czech Republic.&ldquo;We have the richest resources and the most diversity,&rdquo; said Atlanta Thrashers' assistant George Kingston. &ldquo;Our players are expected to play 60 minutes, to have heart, character and passion.&rdquo;Expectations for skill level are lower, according to delegates and expert panelists at the Open Ice Summit in Toronto Aug. 25-27.The most frequently heard reason for the skill shortfall is that Canadians practice less than their European counterparts, putting emphasis on competition over preparation.A stark example: One team's parents printed up T-shirts last year when their children played their 200th game&hellip;of the season.&ldquo;We put so much emphasis on kids staying back if they're on defense, or staying on the wing if they're a winger,&rdquo; said honorary Summit chairman Wayne Gretzky. &ldquo;Maybe we can change the system so kids are a little more creative.&rdquo;The presentation, &ldquo;How skills develop,&rdquo; at the Summit was subtitled, &ldquo;So, where is the next Wayne Gretzky going to come from?&rdquo;&ldquo;I don't know that the system is set up to develop another Wayne Gretzky,&rdquo; said former NHLer Steve Larmer, who spent last season coaching a team of nine-year-olds in Peterborough, Ont.&ldquo;There's nothing worse than going to a peewee practice and seeing a coach teach the trap,&rdquo; said Plymouth Whalers' coach-GM Peter DeBoer.Canada holds a distinct advantage over most hockey countries in terms of resources.Consider these numbers presented by former national team coach Dave King.He said Canada has 3,200 arenas compared to 270 in Sweden, 170 in Finland and 97 in Czech Republic.Canada also has a huge edge in participants with 500,000 registered players below the oldtimers' level compared to 63,000 in Sweden, 60,000 in Finland and 50,000 in Czech.Yet, Canada is losing ground fast-even as the 1990s have been Canada's best decade for international hockey results.The men's national junior team has won gold seven times, the women's national team has yet to come home from the World Championship with anything but gold and the men's national team won its first two gold medals (1994, 1997) since 1961.Troublesome, though, was a fourth place finish at the Nagano Olympics and eighth-place finish at the 1998 World Junior championship.That, plus a decline in Canadian representation in the NHL and a disproportionately low number of top scorers has people worried.&ldquo;There's no doubt that improvements are needed,&rdquo; said former men's national team and Calgary Flames' coach Dave King.&ldquo;No one is saying we aren't doing a good job. Can we do a better job?&ldquo;Absolutely.&rdquo; &#9632;

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Not all doom and gloom, but room for improvement

<div class="byline">By Steve Dryden Editor-In-Chief</div>If one significant element of the Canadian hockey program is improved because of momentum generated by the Open Ice Summit, then it will have been worthwhile.The intentions were good, but the execution left something to be desired. Long before the 100 delegates and 30 opinion-leaders gathered Aug. 25-27 in Toronto, the groundwork should have been better laid for an industrious three days of real thinking, real talking and real problem-solving.As it happened, there was considerable discussion, but no evidence of a thread or an agenda bringing together the disparate issues that trouble Canadian hockey.That didn't stand in the was of useful dialogue, but the summit was not all that it could be.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/c0002-0430/7431227-1-eng-US/c0002-042.jpg" title="C0002-04" width="352" height="444"></div>There was serious debate, but not in a systematic fashion. The 'f-word,' for instance, was barely mentioned. The presence of fighting in the Canadian game has undoubtedly contributed to its decline on the world stage and it was ignored. That it's not a significant part of the minor hockey culture is no excuse for not dealing with an issue that continues to burden the junior-aged game and beyond.Many fascinating viewpoints were heard on a wide array of subjects, perhaps none more to the point-because it put in context Canada's biggest problem-than Dave King's lecture comparing the host country's development patterns to those in Sweden, Finland and Czech Republic.The most important observations:1. Canada doesn't make the most of available arena time, primarily during the day.2. A huge volunteer coaching force needs guidance from professional/master coaches.3. The prevalence of body checking in North America hampers skill development.4. It's easier to &ldquo;hot house&rdquo; elite players in countries with smaller geographical and talent bases.5. Skills are developed more in practices than games, yet practice-to-game ratios in Canada can be as lopsided as 1-3 vs. the opposite, 3-1, in Europe.6. Too many Canadians are into &ldquo;survival coaching,&rdquo; believing that to safeguard their positions, emphasis has to be placed on winning rather than skill development.&ldquo;The one thing we know,&rdquo; concluded international sage George Kingston, &ldquo;is that the opportunity to develop skill is limitless. Passion has a limit, physical play has a limit, heart, character have Emits. But skill is limitless. We can do a much better job of not cheating our younger players who really want to make a career of hockey by giving them that skill base.&rdquo; &#9632;

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Canadian skill level suffers by comparison

<div class="byline">By Tim Buckley</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0003-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-011803/7429441-1-eng-US/f0003-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">The Lightning have high hopes this season for 1998 No. 1 pick Vincent Lecavalier (S.Audette/BBS)</figcaption></div>There has been so much change in Tampa Bay-from ownership right dowp to the decor in the dressing rooms-the franchise is barely recognizable.New owner. New GM. New coach. New players. New scouts. New attitude.But is it the same old organization? It is. Then again, it isn't.Confused? Understandable.Those still uncertain should refer to the team's jersey. See, it is the Tampa Bay Lightning. Really, it is.It's fortunate the team's logo will stay the same for 1999-2000, because without that bolt across the sweater, it might be easy to forget this is the same franchise that spent the past two seasons firmly entrenched in the NHL basement.That is the legacy the new regime must overcome. It won't be easy. New GM Rick Dudley knows it, which is why he has gone to such lengths to alter the club so drastically.&ldquo;You win 17 and 19 games, respectively, in two straight years, and unless real changes are made, nobody's going to believe things can be different,&rdquo; said Dudley, who spent the off-season overhauling the roster with a series of trades that began when Tampa Bay dealt away the No. 1 pick in the 1999 draft.&ldquo;And I'm not necessarily talking about people in the office. I'm talking about the team. If you've been beaten up, you need a fresh feeling and some new faces.&rdquo;From top to bottom, this organization has them.Remember bombastic owner Art Williams, the former Georgia high school football coach who didn't know a puck from a duck?Well, the real-life rags-to-riches story scratched his ownership itch in less than a year, a seemingly shorter time than it took him to introduce 1998 No. 1 overall pick Vincent Lecavalier as &ldquo;the Michael Jordan of hockey.&rdquo;In the off-season, the man with the slow Southern drawl promptly sold the Lightning to Michigan businessman William Davidson and his Palace Sports & Entertainment group, the same bunch that turned the International League's Detroit Vipers into one of minor league hockey's top success stories.Before he left, though, Williams prompted the procession of heads rolling out of Tampa Bay by introducing both GM Phil Esposito and his brother, assistant GM Tony Esposito, to the chopping block. Other heads followed after Davidson took control, including those belonging to coach-GM Jacques Demers and head scout Don Murdoch.Enter Dudley and new head coach Steve Ludzik.It's a reunion of the coach-GM combo that worked so well together in Detroit, where the Vipers won the Turner Cup in 1996-97 and returned to the final again in 1998.The two think they can have similar success in Tampa Bay. In fact, the day he was hired, Ludzik predicted the Lightning could return to the playoffs as soon as this season.&ldquo;It's realistic,&rdquo; Dudley said, &ldquo;but a couple of things have to happen: We have to have some young people play very well and we have to have people in place play very well.&rdquo;Convincing the players they can play well is key to the process.&ldquo;The difference in talent levels in the National Hockey League is not as much as people think,&rdquo; Dudley said. &ldquo;A lot of it is mental.&rdquo;With that in mind, Dudley has assembled a coaching staff that believes in the power of positive thinking.&ldquo;Other than (assistant) John Cullen, our entire staff has changed,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You bring in people who are used to winning. Steve Ludzik is used to winning. He expects to win. (New assistant) John Torchetti is used to winning. He expects to win. You go down the list and you have a group of people, including myself, who expect to win.&rdquo;Winning, though, can only be realized through on-ice success. Maybe that's why the 20 who dress for Tampa Bay this year will be radically different than in seasons past.&ldquo;Every day I'd look at the board,&rdquo; Dudley said, &ldquo;and I'd feel very uncomfortable with what I saw projected.&rdquo;No wonder.Marginal forwards were penciled in on the top two lines and defensemen who should be playing as Nos. 5 or 6 were listed in the top four. So changes were made.Thirteen players on Tampa Bay's 20-man opening night roster from a season ago are no longer in the organization. Mikael Renberg, Wendel Clark, Benoit Hogue, Mikael Andersson, Sandy McCarthy and Karl Dykhuis were all disposed of before Dudley arrived and former captain Rob Zamuner was sent to Ottawa as part of the compensation for prying Dudley from his contract with the Senators.Among Dudley's dozen or so off-season additions are goalie Dan Cloutier, who will battle Daren Puppa for the No. 1 job and Andrei Zyuzin, who will figure prominently on what Dudley says is now &ldquo;a bona fide NHL defense.&rdquo;The Lightning were able to add Cloutier (from the New York Rangers) and Zyuzin (from the San Jose Sharks) only because Dudley parted with the 1999 entry draft's No. 1 pick, a decision that wasn't that hard to make.&ldquo;You can't do things unless you have assets,&rdquo; Dudley said. &ldquo;We only had one we could afford to give away and that was that first pick.&rdquo;Add to the mix defenseman Bill Houlder and left winger Shawn Burr, two recent additions who played previously for the Lightning when it last made the playoffs in 1995-96-the franchise's only post-season appearance-and it becomes apparent the new management is doing anything and everything it can to turn the team around.If it happens, credit will be given where credit is due. If not', Dudley knows who is at fault and who is not.&ldquo;I don't think you can blame the logo,&rdquo; he said.Which is why it is the one thing about the Lightning no one intends to change&hellip;yet.<h2>Nuts and Bolts of Lightning changes</h2>Time will tell if the Tampa Bay Lightning are improved, but there's no questioning the team's new look. Below are key personnel from opening night last season and the men who now hold those iobs. Plavers listed are those at the top of the depth chart for their positions.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-021445/7429434-1-eng-US/f0003-022.jpg" title="f0003-02" width="278" height="469"><figcaption class="caption-body">Wendel Clark</figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-04524/7429427-1-eng-US/f0003-042.jpg" title="f0003-04" width="1185" height="676"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-03940/7429420-1-eng-US/f0003-032.jpg" title="f0003-03" width="276" height="467"><figcaption class="caption-body">Alexandre Daigle</figcaption></div> &#9632;

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Tampa: Team Turnover

<div class="byline">-Marc Berman</div>The New York Islanders may go through an ownership change for the fourth time in 2 1/2 years.Gary Lewi, a spokesman for coowners Steven Gluckstem and Howard Milstein, confirmed a Aug. 25 New York Post report that a Long Island-based group spearheaded by Bob Gutkowski has signed a letter of intent to buy the team.The purchase price is between $180 and $184 million. The chief financial backer is Charles Koppel-man, a former owner of EMI Records North America and now chairman of CAK Universal Credit Corp.Before the two sides go to contract, Gutkowski, the former president of Madison Square Garden which owns the Rangers, and Koppel man will need to be convinced by county officials that a framework on a new arena deal is in place. The two sides hope to announce signed contracts before the season opener Oct. 3, but some insiders are skeptical it will get that far. A letter of intent is non-binding. &#9632;

Letter of intent signed to buy Islanders

<div class="byline">Compiled by THN staff</div>Five players with fresh Stanley Cup rings are still on the open market as free agent season turns into the preseason.Dallas Star forwards Pat Verbeek, Benoit Hogue, Dave Reid and Brent Severyn and defenseman Craig Ludwig remained unsigned unrestricted free agents in the week prior to training camp.While most of the big-name unrestricted free agents had signed con-tracts-the New York Rangers took care of six UFAs on their own-dozens of proven NHLers were available to the highest bidder.The most prominent forwards include Joe Juneau, Joe Murphy, Ray Sheppard, Bob Bassen, Tom Chorske, Kevin Dineen, Ed Olczyk, Warren Rychel, Hogue, Reid, Severyn, Verbeek, Russ Courtnail, Jason Dawe, Craig Janney, Brent Fedyk, Esa Tikkanen, Bill Berg, Craig Berube, Bob Corkum, Tyler Wright, Blair Atcheynum, Peter Zezel and Brian Bellows.Defensemen include Ulf Samuels-son, Mark Tinordi, Grant Ledyard, Ludwig, Jamie Macoun, Marty McSorley, Dave Babych, John Slaney, Rob Zettler, Steve Duchesne, Gerald Diduck, Michel Petit, Bob Dollas, David Wilkie and Dana Murzyn. Goalies include Pay Jablonski, Rick Tabaracci and Wade Flaherty.Also an unrestricted free agent is Dmitri Khristich, after the Boston Bruins walked away from an arbitrator's August decision to award him $2.8 million this season. Khristich was seeking $3.5 million and the Bruins were offering $1.95 million.The Bruins maintain the right to match any offer that is 80 per cent or less than what was awarded Khristich. &#9632;

Unrestricted Stars still available

<div class="byline">Compiled by THN staff</div>Edmonton Oilers' vice-president of hockey operations Doug Rise brough is expected to be announced the first GM of the Minnesota Wild.The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Aug. 26 that Rise brough will make it official at a press conference in the first week of September.The expansion Wild, along with the Columbus Blue Jackets, join the NHL in 2000-01. The Wild will play in the Northwest Division with the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche. Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks.The Blue Jackets, who will play in the Central Division with the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues, have had Doug MacLean at the GM helm for the past year.Rise brough, 45, previously was GM of Calgary for more than four seasons. He was named Flames' coach in 1990-91, then coach-GM in 1991-92, relinquished coaching duties to Guy Charron late in 1991-92, then was fired during the 1995-96 season.The Guelph, Ont., native played 13 seasons in the NHL as a checking center with the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary. He won four Stanley Cups with Montreal.Rise brough spent the past three sea sons overseeing the hockey operations of the Oilers.COACHES' UNION: NHL coaches moved one step closer toward getting the association they've been trying to form for nearly two decades after being given permission to use the NHL logo.&ldquo;The way it was portrayed to us was, it's for marketing purposes,&rdquo; said NHL vice-president, media relations Frank Brown. &ldquo;They can use the logo for the purpose of closing deals and videos, things like that.&rdquo;Previously, the NHL has been reluctant to comment on the potential of coaches forming an association. Though, in 1997, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman did say: &ldquo;&hellip;if it's something they're determined to do, I would wait to hear from them and then determine an appropriate response.&rdquo;Now the NHL is on board with the coaches, who are united in their attempt to form an association. NHL coaches gathered in Boston the day after the June 26 entry draft and gathered again in Montreal on Aug. 21.The main focus of the association, at least in its infancy, would be to organize a pension without funding from the league and a medical plan. The association plans to do this through marketing opportunities such as appearances and endorsements.<h2>PUCK BRIEFS</h2>Robin Burns, president of Kensington Sports Management Inc., said salaries never came up during the meeting.&ldquo;There are still some minor issues to be ironed out, but the NHL fully understands what coaches are trying to do,&rdquo; said Bums, who is working with the coaches in an effort to form an association. &ldquo;The NHL wants to work with the coaches and the coaches want to work with the NHL. Our objective is not to fight with the NHL and be adversaries; we want to work with the league for the betterment of the game.&rdquo;No date has been set for the next meeting of coaches.FOCUS ON LECLAIRE: Pascal Leclaire isn't eligible until the 2001 NHL entry draft, but he already has scouts buzzing.The Halifax Moose heads' goalie (QMJHL) made a head-turning international debut by leading Canada's under-18 team to a gold medal Aug. 22 at the Four Nations tournament in Havlichuv, Czech Republic.Leclaire, 16, stopped 23 shots as Canada beat Slovakia 5-2 in the final. Canada, the United States and Czech Republic all finished with a 2-1-0 record, but Canada was first on goal differential. The U.S. won the silver medal and the Czechs the bronze. Slovakia was fourth at 0-3.&ldquo;(Leclaire) had a great tournament,&rdquo; said Canada's assistant coach Kevin Dickie. &ldquo;Every team from the NHL was represented here by more than one of their people and this will hold him in good stead.&rdquo;Jarrett Stoll from Yorkton, Sask., was named Canadian player of the game twice, while Kris Newbury of the Belleville Bulls was MVP once.Canada's only loss was to the U.S. Joe Schuman of Bloomington, Minn., scored both goals in a 2-1 win. Eric Werner from Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich., led the Americans with three goals during the tournament.SOLO HOST: The International Ice Hockey Federation announced St Petersburg, Russia, will be the only host city for the 2000 World Championship.Yaroslavl was originally scheduled to be the second venue for the April 28-May 14 event, but construction delays will bump back the completion of the Sport Palace.NEW LEAGUE: The new Southern Elite Hockey League announced plans to operate six teams this season and nine or 10 in 2000-01.The league is a Jr. A program with four teams in Florida, one in Alabama and one in Georgia. Its objective is to be a feeder system to the pro leagues. &#9632;

Risebrough poised for Wild GM post

Toronto Maple Leafs' president Ken Dryden gave the keynote address at Open Ice-Canada's Hockey Summit (see pg. 11 for excerpt.)The Hockey News is making a deposit each issue to our Millennium Time Capsule to mark the final year of the millennium. This week THN deposits Ken Dryden's opening address.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-011732/7429568-1-eng-US/f0005-012.jpg" title="f0005-01" width="784" height="2552"></div>Jan. 8 Russian Gold MedalWorld Junior ChampionshipJan. 15 Tear DropDoug Wicken heiser's deathJan. 22 Panthers' Jan. 20 Game SheetPavel Bure's Florida debutJan. 29 All-Star TruckWayne Gretzky all-star MVPFeb. 5 Hall of Fame StickShawn Heins' 106 m-p-h shotFeb. 12 BluelineLarry Murphy, Ray Bourque GPFeb. 19 Eight Stanley Cup BannersLeafs won eight Garden titlesFeb. 26 Unproven ResumeRookie coach Dirk Graham firedMarch 5 Small TalkCalgary explains Theo Fleury dealMarch 12 Roberto LuongoTop Future Watch prospectMarch 19 America's Scoring KingPhil Housley passes Joe MullenMarch 26 Ken Holland's Phone BillDetroit's deadline dealsApril 2 Gretzky's 1.072 PucksWayne Gretzky sets goal standardApril 9 Ottawa's 24-point Season100-point year puts '92-93 to restApril 16 NHL Record BookWayne Gretzky calls it a careerApril 23 Rocket PowerTeemu Selanne goal championMay 7 Carolina Sweater No. 3 In memory of Steve ChiassonJune 4 Czech ChampionshipGold medal at worldsJune 19 Star DustDallas Stars win Stanley CupJuly 2 Atlanta Thrashers' Jersey 46 new players in two daysJuly 23 Neil Smith's CheckbookRanger GM signs free agentsAug. 20 Harry Sinden's ShoesBruin GM walks away from dealAug. 27 Ken Dryden's Address Speech sets tone for summit &#9632;

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Millennium TIME CAPSULE

Most people say penny-pinching Boston Bruins' GM Harry Sinden did the right thing by walking away from Dmitri Khristich and his $2.8-million arbitration award, making Khristich an unrestricted free agent.However, in today's NHL, someone will pay Khristich $3 million and Boston will have nothing to show for him. The Bruins should have signed Khristich and then traded him to another club. At least then they would get something instead of ending up empty-handed.Tom Grainger, Sooke, B.C.<h2>Bully for Boston</h2>Hats off to the Boston Bruins for walking away from Dmitri Khristich and his $2.8-million award.It's about time teams became financially responsible. Hopefully, this will send a wake-up call to other clubs and begin the correction in NHL salaries that is long overdue.Players must realize they are not worth the millions they are demanding. Stephane Quintal (signed by the New York Rangers) for $2.85 million a year? Give me a break!As a small aside, kudos to the Ottawa Senators for taking a hard line with Alexei Yashin. I would like to see him sit out for the season.Patrick Jackson, Calgary<h2>Rangers within rules</h2>In response to the letter &ldquo;Boo York Rangers&rdquo; (THN, Sept. 3), please stop this incessant Ranger bashing.New York has done nothing but play within the framework of the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement. You should be applauding the Rangers. For many teams, the only sellouts they get are when New York comes to town.Instead of berating the Rangers, you might turn your attention to the Islanders' ownership, who have turned a once-prbud franchise into a junior team, or the Boston Bruins, whose ownership has no intention of winning.Chris Masucci, Milford, N.H.<h2>Isles are worse</h2>I'm so sick of everybody crying about the Rangers' ownership ruining hockey by trying to buy another Stanley Cup. At least they're trying.I'd be more worried about the New York Islanders ruining hockey. They I had one of the youngest and most taliented teams in the league and what do i, they do?Trade their best players.They put the Gorton's Fisherman on their uniforms. Come on.Anthony Santarsiero, Beachwood, N.J.<h2>Generation gap</h2>Terry Sawchuk the best goalie ever (THN, Sept. 3)? Put Dominik Hasek in a six-team league and I'm sure he'd have more than four Stanley Cups.David Boje, Buffalo<h2>Goalies on fire</h2>In the story &ldquo;Passing the Torch&rdquo; (THN 1999-2000 Yearbook), Steve Dryden states: &ldquo;Whether Jagr or Forsberg or Lindros or Kariya will truly take the hand off remains to be seen.&rdquo;Isn't it possible a goalie will be the next torch-carrier? The game is now dominated by goal tenders. Scoring is as low as it has ever been, shutouts are a dime a dozen.Perhaps a goalie (Dominik Hasek?) is doing for the game today what Bobby Orr did for it 30 years ago.Tom Ross, Rochester, N. Y.<h2>From mouths of babes</h2>Remember when you first fell in love with hockey? Your first NHL game? The feel of your first jersey?I recently overheard my 11-year-old son giving his friend grief for saying his favorite team was the Edmonton Oilers. My son supported his argument by saying: &ldquo;They will never win a Cup with only a $20- to $30-million payroll. Why would you like them?&rdquo;It floored me. I wanted to rush in and scold him for that kind of thinking, but how could I?Free agency and a lack of salary limitations are ruining all professional sports, but hockey is not strong enough to withstand the side effects. It's just a matter of time.Mike Carson, Livingston, III.<h2>Attack deserved</h2>Why did you give Matt Johnson a 'Minus' (THN, Sept. 3)?Doesn't anyone remember why New York Ranger Jeff Beukeboom got punched? He had been taking liberties with the Kings' top scorers (including slew-footing Glen Murray) and Johnson sent the message that Beukeboom's behavior was unacceptable.In THN's series on fighting (THN, March 5-19), there was a prevailing opinion that enforcers are necessary to provide exactly this kind of protection for skill players. I also read articles on slew-footing and how respect between NHLers has deteriorated to the point where reckless play occurs without regard for an opponent's safety.It's unfortunate Johnson's actions ended Beukeboom's career, but he got what he deserved. Beukeboom ended his own career by playing without regard for his fellow players' safety.Dean Bushik, Anaheim<h2>No Hart and no heart</h2>Alexei Yashin has no heart.He puts a gun to Ottawa's head, saying he won't play unless his greedy demands are answered. Then he makes up mumbo jumbo as to why he won't play: &ldquo;What happens when my contract expires? I want to know what's going to happen then. I want to have all of my concentration on the game.&rdquo;Geez Alexei, give us a break.You could at least tell us the real reason you're holding out: You're greedy. You need lots of money to play hockey and nothing will get in your way-not even a small-market franchise that is strapped for cash and has enough problems with unsigned free agents and ongoing financial wranglings with the government.Mark Brownlee, Ottawa<h2>Other guys good, too</h2>It boggles my mind that THN can describe the Pittsburgh Penguins as a one-man team and pick them to finish out of the playoffs next season (THN 1999-2000 Yearbook).Pittsburgh had two players who averaged more than a point per game and five 20-goal scorers last season. Certainly not all the success enjoyed by Robert Lang, Alexei Kovalev, German Titov and Martin Straka can be attributed to Jaromir Jagr.Jagr played with Kip Miller and Jan Hrdina, allowing coach Kevin Constantine to put together a strong second line of Straka, Kovalev and Titov. This trio did very well without Jaromir's help and deserve the respect their statistics indicate.Remember, the Penguins were just a point behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for fourth place in the Eastern Conference with about 20 games to go before injuries caused every one of their top four defensemen to miss games. At the same time, Tom Barrasso was sidelined and the crease was left to rookies Petr Skudra and Jean-Sebastien Aubin.With regard to next season, it should be noted all of the above mentioned players will likely return along with a healthy Darius Kasparaitis. This team is improving, not declining.Jeff Roumm, Indiana, Pa.Fax us your comments at (416) 340-1641 or write to Letters, THN, 777 Bay St, Suite 2700, Box 148, Toronto, Ont, MSG 2N8 in Canada. In the U.S., write to letters, THN, P.O. Box 904, Buffalo, N.Y., 14240-9947. E-mail us at mccaigs@trans-continental.ca Include hometown as well as home and business phone numbers. THN reserves the right to edit submissions. &#9632;

Boston: Sign Khristich, then trade him away

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0006-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-011931/7429623-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg"></div> &#9632;

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ELSTON

<div class="byline">By Mike Brophy</div>If Mike Keenan is serious about get-ting back behind an NHL bench, he'dbetter consider fudging his resume.He's overqualified.For starters, Keenan has already guided a team to the Stanley Cup, the New York Rangers in1994. Strike one. He's the fifth winningest coach in NHL history with 506 victories. Strike two. And he's No. 6 in games coached (995).Strike three, yer out.And stay out.You wanna be a coach in the NHL these days? NHL experience is not only not required, it's frowned upon.&ldquo;Just look at all the hires,&rdquo; said Keenan from his summer home in the Muskokas, two hours north of Toronto. &ldquo;It's all new guys. None of the guys who lost their jobs last year got new jobs.&rdquo;That would include Keenan, dumped by the Vancouver Canucks, Dirk Graham of the Chicago Blackhawks, Ron Low of the Edmonton Oilers, Larry Robinson of the Los AngelesKings, Bill Stewart of the New YorkIslanders, Jim Schoenfeld of the Phoenix Coyotes and Jacques Demers of the Tampa Bay Lightning.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-011756/7429661-1-eng-US/f0007-012.jpg" title="f0007-01" width="388" height="512"></div>Their replacements, in order, are: Marc Crawford, the only incoming coach with a Cup to his credit and significant NHL experience; Lome M&ouml;lleken(first NHL head coaching job); Kevin Lowe(first-ever coaching job);Andy Murray (first NHL head coaching job),Butch Goring (last head coaching job in NHL in1987); Bobby Francis(first NHL head coaching job) and Steve Ludzik (first NHL head coaching job).What Keenan doesn't say, but it's clear when you look at the salaries incoming coaches are being paid, is teams have targeted coaching as one area to cut costs. Murray, Goring, Francis, Ludzik and M&ouml;lleken all come in at the standard entry level of $400,000 (U.S.). Lowe will earn$475,000 (U.S.). Since The Hockey News started publishing coaches' salaries three years ago, they have risen 54 per cent from an average of $386,000 in 1996-97 to $593,000 last year.Pat Quinn is the league's highest-paid coach, earning an average $1.1 million over four years on a deal he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to last season. Crawford is paid around $1 million, same as Scotty Bowman of the Detroit Red Wings.If it's true teams are trying to trim their budgets by drawing the line on the coaches' salaries, then the fact Keenan would command a hefty salary hurts him.Keenan is aware the hiring of NHL coaches comes in unpredictable waves. One minute it's fashionable to hire ex-players; the next it's successful junior coaches; then it's coaches with big league experience; or coaches who have amassed impressive minor league credentials. The latter seems to be the flavor of the month.And though he has an impressive track record, Keenan doesn't think he'll be back behind the bench in the near future. Instead, he signed to be an analyst with Sports net in Canada.It's true Keenan can be difficult to work with because he's very demanding. And, because he has been a GM, there could be the fear he wouldn't be satisfied without the dual title of coach-GM.Keenan doesn't see him-self as a risky hire. Atleast no more than the next guy.&ldquo;Aren't we all risky hires?&rdquo; he wondered. &ldquo;All I can do is support my intention to coach with my record. There are people who have ha-da lot of success who do things in a non-traditional way. People are frightened by that.&ldquo;I think I proved with the Canucks I could work with younger players. We only had a handful of experienced players, Mark (Messier) and Peter Zezel among them, yet I thought we were making progress.&rdquo;Unfortunately for Keenan, the day Brian Burke was hired as GM of the Canucks, 'Iron Mike' might as well Mike Keenan have started packing his bags. Everyone knew it was just a matter of time until Burke, a strong-willed individual in his own right, got rid of Keenan. With the Canucks sitting at 15-24-6, Burke did the inevitable and axed Keenan.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-021167/7429654-1-eng-US/f0007-022.jpg" title="f0007-02" width="397" height="512"><figcaption class="caption-body">Mike Keenan</figcaption></div>His successor, Crawford, wasn't able to make an immediate impact and the Canucks were 8-23-6 under his direction.While Keenan waits for a call, he is consoled by the fact Bowman, the winningest coach in NHL history (1,096 victories), once went four years between jobs.&ldquo;I'm still flabbergasted when I think that he sat out that long,&rdquo; Keenan said. &ldquo;Scotty comes back and wins (three) more Cups. What does that say about the value of experience?&ldquo;I'd like to get back into the game; I hope the game calls me back. I definitely have a passion for the game. But it looks like management and ownership are not placing a premium on NHL coaching experience now.&rdquo; &#9632;

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COLUMNS

Cost-cutting hurts Keenan

<div class="byline">By Mike Gibb Staff Writer</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0008-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-011823/7429692-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">The Summit attracted some of hockey's heaviest hitters: CHA president Bob Nicholson, far left, TorontoMaple Leafs' president Ken Dryden, CHL president Dave Branch and Hockey Hall of Fame president Bill Hay. (Canapress)</figcaption></div><blockquote class="pullQuote">&ldquo;The real issue here is that change has always happened by evolution Now we want the change to happen immediately.&rdquo; -Erie Otters' GM Sherry Bassin, contemplating a short time frame for change in Canadian hockey</blockquote><blockquote class="pullQuote">&ldquo;The opportunity to develop skill is limitless Passion and physical play have limits&hellip;We can do better and not cheat players by giving them that skill base.&rdquo; -Atlanta Thrashers' assistant coach George Kingston, articulating Canadian hockey's biggest shortcoming</blockquote><blockquote class="pullQuote">&ldquo;We've only set the stage.The Summit will be evaluated in the days and months ahead with its impact in the rinks around the country.&rdquo; -CHA president Bob Nicholson, spelling out how the three-day Open Ice Summit will ultimately be judged</blockquote>If a common thread emerged from the Open Ice Summit, it is that the status quo isn't good enough.The first of its kind, the Summit, held in Toronto Aug. 25-27, attracted some of the best hockey minds in the country to conceive a list of recommendations designed to help the game of hockey in Canada.&ldquo;We're not trying to re-invent the wheel,&rdquo; said former national team coach Dave King, who is now the Montreal Canadiens' chief European scout. &ldquo;We're just looking for small minor improvements to help make the game better.&rdquo;After two days of discussions, presentations and questions, the final answer came back in the form of 11recommendations.&ldquo;I'm trying to hold back just how happy I am,&rdquo; said Canadian Hockey Association president Bob Nicholson. &ldquo;Because I know we've only set the stage.&ldquo;If these recommendations make it into the rinks around the country, then we'll have done something special.&rdquo;Much was made about the problems facing today's hockey players, whether they be male or female, minor, amateur, junior or profession-al. But then, that's what the conference was for.Each of the four discussion sessions included contributions from an expert panel, as well as a question and answer period with selected dele-gates-minor hockey director sand representatives from junior and university league sand the CHA.But each of the discussions came back to a few fundamental ideas: young players are playing more than practising, which holds back skill development; that over the past two decades, Canadian hockey has undergone aphilosophical change, emphasizing size over skill; and today's coaches are not prepared enough to bead equate teachers.The first two recommendations-creation of a master/mentor coach pro-gram and limiting the number of games played to the number of practices-are the most pivotal according to Ken Dry-den.&ldquo;If we can make headway on the first two, the rest will easily fall inline,&rdquo; said Dryden, the Toronto Maple Leafs' president and Open Ice advisory board member. &ldquo;If we don't get the first two, the next 50 recommendations won't matter.&rdquo;The recommendations will not come without a price.Nicholson said he will try to solicit funds from four main groups-the NHL, NHLPA, the federal government and schools. The latter were included because two of the recommendations incorporate school systems.&ldquo;The CHA will not be able to do this alone,&rdquo; Nicholson said. &ldquo;Addition-al money is a key component to implement these changes. It's very important that we try to put a financial'ether.&rdquo; ough reaching consensus promises to be a challenge in the fractious world of minor hockey, Nicholson expressed optimism the Open Ice Summit recommendations will get a fair hearing.&ldquo;I feel confident we can get some activity at the grass roots level,&rdquo; Nicholson said. &ldquo;Grass roots people have to start talking. That's never happened before.&rdquo;It is too early to determine whether or not this was a success or an exercise in public relations. But one of the prime moving forces behind the Summit was satisfied with the results.&ldquo;This was very worthwhile,&rdquo; Dryden said. &ldquo;Whether it was a success or not will be seen. But the only way to create success is to do something worthwhile.&rdquo; &#9632;

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FEATURES

Change is imperative

Eleven recommendations emerged from the three-day Canadian Open Ice Summit, organized to examine the state of Canadian hockey1. Create a system of mentor/master coach for every minor hockey association-one for every 20 teams. Move towards a mentor/master coach being a paid professional.2.The practice-to-game ratio should be such that the number of games does not exceed the number of practices. The ratio is as low as 1-to-3 in Canada.3.The date of age determination should be examined. The cut-off date is currently Dec. 31, but some thought has been given to rotating it throughout the calendar year. The objective is for players to not always be the youngest or oldest in a given division.4.Raise awareness of the importance of skill development and establish a system to measure and celebrate skills.5.Expand implementation and marketing of the initiation program, including the use of the public school system. The initiation program is designed to introduce children to hockey, with an emphasis on fun and skin development.6.As part of the on-going rewrite of the coaching program, include a &ldquo;software skills&rdquo; module and a mentor program. &ldquo;Software skills&rdquo; are the mental skills that help players make the best decision at the best time.7.Examine the raising of draft ages. Currently, draft ages are 18 for the NHL, 14 for the Western League, 15 for the Ontario League and 16 for the Quebec League.8.Initiate a public awareness campaign on the positive values of hockey and having respect for participants, rules and the game itself.9.All stakeholders in Canadian hockey should be educated on Open Ice recommendations.10.Promote co-operative efforts between school boards, local hockey associations and sponsors to better utilize ice times and move towards development of sport schools. Arenas in Canada sit unused most weekdays until 4 p.m.11.Expand communication between all partners in hockey with respect to program developments. &#9632;

Open Ice Summit Sum-Up: 11 Recommendations

<div class="byline">By Mike Gibb Stall Writer</div>Regardless of who accepts fault or who agrees to shoulder the responsibility for change, the ultimate implementation tool for any change in hockey will be the volunteer coach standing behind the bench.That's the opinion of Ken Hitchcock, coach of the Stanley Cup-winning Dallas Stars.He said coaches will ultimately be accountable for overseeing whatever changes come to pass.&ldquo;You can have all the recommendations you want and they'll be good,&rdquo; Hitchcock said after sitting on an Open Ice panel discussing teaching and coaching in hockey. &ldquo;But you've got to make the people in the firing line accountable. Coaches have to be accountable. We're part of the program.&ldquo;There's no point pulling out recommendations, putting them in place and not have us make sure we're going to handle it. Otherwise, it doesn't work.&rdquo;The amount of information shared during the three-day event had Hitchcock enthused and intrigued, but he remained skeptical any changes would be brought about.&ldquo;I think we're all around it,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The challenge is to nail it. You can leave here with too much information. And that leads to confusion.&ldquo;We have been given a real opportunity to make some real concrete plans and move ahead with them.&rdquo;.Hitchcock was critical of coaches, saying, &ldquo;In most cases, (the coach is) the problem, not the parents or anyone else. Nothing infuriates a parent more than being in the dark.&rdquo;As a midget hockey coach in Alberta during the mid-1970s, Hitchcock said he ultimately had to find a manager to deal with parents because he was so lousy at it.&ldquo;The mind-set of a coach is very narrow: Building a team and winning games,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But while winning is important, what fuels our fire is seeing a player make the most of themselves. Whether it's going from midget to junior or junior to the NHL or watching an NHL player become the best player he can.&rdquo;Presenter Dave King, who compared Canada's development system to those in Sweden, Finland and Czech Republic, said too many bench bosses are &ldquo;survival coaches"-people worried more about having a job next year than developing players.Hitchcock recalled a story about his days as a midget coach when, in conversation with a rival coach, learned the reason the coach scheduled so many games and so few practices was because he was afraid to try and run a whole practice by himself.&ldquo;I'm a hockey coach,&rdquo; Hitchcock said. &ldquo;I'm not a politician, not an administrator.&ldquo;I think when the day is done, who is most important after the players is us. If you're going to improve the development of athletes, you've got to get it by us first. Or else it won't fly. We're arrogant because we have to be. But we need help.&rdquo;The key coaching recommendation to emerge from the Summit was to create a system of paid 'Master' coaches in each minor association as an aide to volunteer coaches.Their role would be to provide continuity from year to year and ensure emphasis is put on developing players.&ldquo;I think in the end of the line, a lot of the development will fall on the coaches,&rdquo; Hitchcock said. &ldquo;We're the teachers. We're the people that have to facilitate this.&rdquo;<h2>What's next for recommendations?</h2>The easy part is over.One hundred delegates to the Open Ice Summit digested four presentations and a myriad of opinions and boiled down the essence of them to 11 recommendations.Now comes the hard part, as far as Canadian Hockey Association president Bob Nicholson is concerned.The CHA has taken on the responsibility of implementing each of those that gains approval from its board of governors.-The board was scheduled to meet Aug. 28 to discuss all 11 recommendations and determine what course of action, if any, should be followed with each of them.If a recommendation requires a rule change, then it will be steered through the regulation committee. One such recommendation would be the changing of the age determination date.Currently, the cut-off date for all divisions (novice, atom, etc.) is Dec. 31, which provides an advantage to those born in the early months.Delegates at the summit looked at a rotating cut-off date that would allow each player to be among the youngest or oldest players in his or her division at least once in their careers.Nicholson said the board will attempt to implement any recommendation that doesn't need to be regulated into a current program, or look at creating a new program if necessary. &#9632;

Hitchcock puts onus on coaches

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0011-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-011613/7429802-1-eng-US/f0011-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">Theoren Fleury, right, is representative of a diminishing Canadian resource: the highly skilled hockey player. (Bruce Bennett/BBS)</figcaption></div>Toronto Maple Leafs' president Ken Dryden delivered the keynote speech at the Open Ice Summit in Toronto Aug. 25. He spoke with passion about the roots of hockey and Canada's place in it. The following is an edited excerpt:One hundred years ago it may be there were people just like us, who on the verge of a new century, were wondering just what the hockey future would be like. Hockey was Canadian then, almost entirely.They played outdoors with few exceptions and always on natural ice. So only some parts of the country were able to play, and then only if the weather wasn't too good, or too bad-cold was good, too cold wasn't-and then only for a few months a year. Little could be organized and scheduled.Almost no one watched-for who wanted to stand around in the cold? The players kept warm by moving-seven players on a side, a rover included, everyone was on the ice at the same time. There were no substitutions. The rink was small. There were no Zambonis-the snow on the ice got deeper and heavier as the game went on. Each of the game's two periods was 30 minutes long. Skate blades were long, flat, and-strapped onto boots-wobbly. Turning was tough, so the game moved forward and back in straight lines. The sticks were short, like field hockey sticks, thick and unbendable. Shots were wristed and slow. A good thing, because goalies wore almost no equipment-leg pads like a wicketkeeper had and gloves that kept out the cold, not the pain. Masks? For what? And if goalies were dumb enough to fall on the ice to make a save, they were penalized.But besides the equipment, the lack of substitutions, the outdoomess of the game and the weather, what shaped hockey the most in 1899 was one rule: No forward passing was allowed. A puck could only be advanced by the puck-carrier. A pass could only go to a teammate who was behind you. Just like rugby. So stickhandling was the main offensive weapon.That was the game of 1899. So as those hockey officials get together, what would they have imagined for the 20th century ahead? Arenas that would be covered? Sure. They already had a few of those. But with 20,000 people inside them, with music and mascots, Zambonis and videoboards when the automobile and radio had not even been invented? No way. A game where forward passing was permitted? Never! Some things you can tinker with; some are sacred.It took 30 years for the unthinkable to happen. And it only happened because coaches learned and adapted, defenses stacked up and nobody could score. By that time, the NHL had been created, fans were now paying money to watch games. By 1930, hockey was becoming a Canadian passion.The following years-the introduction of the red line; great stars like (Howie) Morenz and (Eddie) Shore; Depression and war-time hockey; the league finally shrinking to six teams-the &ldquo;Original Six&rdquo; we call them now, which were original only if you were bom after 1942.In the 1950s, minor hockey took off. In 1930, fewer than 14,000 kids played. In 1957, almost 100,000. More parents now had to get involved-coaching, transporting, paying, watching. The catch-phrase of the day was, &ldquo;Take your boy to the rink, don't send him.&rdquo; And at the time, almost all the best male athletes chose hockey. The NHL's players were all Canadian bom and bred.But the style of the game hadn't changed much since the 1930s. Shifts were still long, offenses still moved up the ice in straight lines. Defenses, wing on wing, moved back the same way. Goalies stayed on their feet because that was the best way to stop pucks, it was said.The 1960s began well-the slap shot, the banana blade, a game of power and speed and Bobby Orr. TV was beginning to transform sports. It brought into homes what only a few cities had of their own and created an appetite in others. Until 1967, the NHL was a cozy, regional league. Civic pride, new money, personal ambition and the fear of rival leagues drove sports to expand-the airplane allowed it to happen.Six old teams, now six new. The NHL's quality of play since the war getting better and better, suddenly hit a snag&hellip;And by the end of the 1960s, the Soviets had buried the amateur world. Only the NHL was left.On the home front, there wasn't much talk about the style of play or player development. We were the best. So it must be that we did things the best way.1972. It was the most important hockey year of the century. In 1972, the World Hockey Association began. The &ldquo;Age of Money,&rdquo; Part I, had begun.But more than that, 1972 was &ldquo;The Summit Series.&rdquo; It was our chance to show the world that we were the best. The series began as a celebration in the making. Instead, it lurched to dis aster, then rebirth, finally to celebration-with 34 seconds to spare. And though we had won, we would never feel the same about ourselves again. Now, we may still be the best, but maybe there was another way, too.There was such anger in the country. At our fat, overpaid, arrogant pros. At the NHL for making them that way; at our own national selves, getting caught from behind, the destiny of being Canadian. In 1972, we lost our confidence. A barrage of studies and reports followed-a barrage that has never stopped.If 1972 was the most important hockey year of the century, 1929, the year of the forward pass, and 1979 were next. The WHA died in 1979, four of its teams joining the NHL. Now there were six Canadian teams, a year later seven, when Atlanta moved to Calgary-now one-third of the league was in Canada, just as it had been in the glory years.In New York, the Challenge Cup took the place of the All-Star Game&mdash;the NHL all-stars, including any Europeans or Americans, against the Soviet all-stars-in a two-out-of-three series. The NHL won the first game, the Soviets the second, and the Soviets the third-6-0! It was a mid-season competition, so no excuses for poor conditioning; there was no ambush from overconfidence as there was in 1972; the games were in North America on an NHL-sized rink-we were left with no place to hide.But 1979 was a watershed year for a third reason-in October, Wayne Gretzky entered the NHL. With his Edmonton Oiler teammates, he would open up the game. For Gretzky, the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history, was really first of all, best of all, a playmaker. But passing required a per son to pass and somebody to pass to-and Gretzky pushed his teammates to skate, think ahead, create, and find open ice, in order to earn one of his on-the-tape passes. Playing this way, they had to become better players-and they did.Gretzky has been one of the great influences of hockey's last 20 years. The other two great influences on Canadian hockey these last two decades have been money and Europeans in the NHL.In 1999, hockey is no longer just a Canadian game.What is the message here?Canadians remain the clear majority in the league, but their percentage is falling. Moreover, beyond numbers, what roles do Canadian players per form on their teams? What skills do they bring with them from their years in minor hockey? Do they play more often on the first line, or the third? On the power play? Do they kill penal ties? How important are they to then-teams? And is this changing? If so, how? If so, why? If so, what can we do?What is the future?It has been a remarkable journey. We are nowhere near where we could have imagined ourselves being 100 years ago. Yet undisputable, our game today is far better to play and watch and follow in almost every way. One hundred years from now, another group just like this will look back on a century of change and at the unimaginably different game of 1999. What will be the &ldquo;forward pass&rdquo; of our future? That one fundamental unthinkable change that changes every-thing-will it be four skaters instead of five? Or three? Man-to-man defenses? Bigger nets? And will Canada still be the world's No. 1 hockey country? &#9632;

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Remarkable Journey

<div class="byline">By Mike Brophy Senior Writer</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0012-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-011744/7429875-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">Eric Lindros is fit and ready to go after a col lapsed lung ended his season last April. (Bruce Bennett Studios)</figcaption></div>After all that went down last season, you would think Eric Lindros would want the summer to last just a little bit longer.Maybe a few extra days of fishing before embarking upon another year of who knows what. A Stanley Cup? A Hart Trophy? More injury and heartache?You would be wrong, though. Dead wrong.In spite of a roller-coaster season that ended for Lindros April 1 when he sustained a collapsed lung, the Philadelphia Flyers' captain is healthy, happy and eager to get rolling.&ldquo;Every year, your dressing room changes and last season we made a lot of moves, some early in the year, some midway through the year and then some more late in the year,&rdquo; Lindros said. &ldquo;But you know what? At the end, we had a really good dressing room. I like this team.&rdquo;Perhaps another reason why Lindros is champing at the bit is, for the first time in a long while, the pressure is not squarely on his shoulders to lead the Flyers to the promised land. Flyers' GM-president Bobby Clarke issued a challenge to Lindros prior to last sea son, saying if No. 88 was going to be paid like the best player in the game, then he better per form accordingly.Though he may have resented the implication he had not been doing so, Lindros responded with a strong season and finished sixth in Hart Trophy voting. He led the Flyers in scoring with 40 goals and 93 points in 71 games, seventh-best in the league.Now much of the attention is focused on the way the team is being run. The endless search for a bona fide No. 1 goalie, the failed Chris Gratton experiment, the acquisition and subsequent trade of Alexandre Daigle, among others, have some wondering if Clarke has a master plan or is simply flying by the seat of his pants.As Lindros, 26, matures, he has learned to concern himself with the events he can control. Make no mistake, 'The Big E' is as intense as ever. But he chooses not to focus on things that drove him to distraction in his pressure-filled youth.Lindros is just one man, just one hockey player. He understands that. So three years ago when Mario Lemieux whispered into his ear, &ldquo;It's your time now,&rdquo; after playing his final NHL game, Lindros took the comment with a grain of salt. Lemieux passed the torch to Lin dros, just as Wayne Gretzky did to Jaromir Jagr last season. Which begs the questions: How many torches are out there and who'll pass one to Peter Forsberg and Paul Kariya, two of the game's best and most exciting players?&ldquo;Like I keep telling you, I haven't seen the thing,&rdquo; said Lindros in reference to the elusive torch.These days, Lindros views things rather simply.&ldquo;I focus on the things I can control,&rdquo; Lindros said. &ldquo;I know one thing: I'm sick and tired of talking about injuries.&rdquo;But what would an Eric Lindros story be without mentioning his health?Lindros said he has w been 100 per-cent healthy ' since early in the summer. And there's no reason to think because he has had one collapsed lung, he would suddenly become susceptible to 1 another.A collapsed lung usually occurs through trauma. Al-I though Lindros isn't certain how it happened to him in the game against the Nashville Predators, he's reasonably certain it was the result of a hit.He was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night and his season, along with the Flyers' playoff hopes, came to a crashing halt. The Flyers-who had experienced a heady unbeaten streak (15 games) and a demoralizing losing skid (12 games) in 1998-99-were eliminated in the first round of the post-season by the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games.Asked if he was satisfied with his play last season, Lindros gets a little touchy.&ldquo;I think satisfied is a crumby word to use,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I have expectations of myself. To judge me from the outside isn't the best point of view. As for last year, I think I played some pretty good hockey; some pretty consistent hockey.&rdquo;And that's exactly how his coach, Roger Neilson, feels. Neilson knows the value of being on the same page as his team's super star. In an effort to ensure he and Lindros were of the same mind, Neilson arranged a meeting prior to last season. The two have since formed something of a mutual admiration society.&ldquo;I really like Roger,&rdquo; Lindros said. &ldquo;He's down-to-earth and honest. He talks to you face-to-face.&rdquo;Neilson added: &ldquo;Eric has been extremely co-operative. It's the kind of relationship, as a coach, you like to have with your captain. He's a real team guy. He's the hardest worker in practice and if he goes a couple of games when he doesn't think he's playing well, he'll come to the coaching staff and ask for our input. He'll ask if we notice him doing anything differently.&rdquo;There is no reason to doubt the Flyers will once again be in the thick of things this season. Up front, they have two of the league's top for wards-Lindros and left winger John LeClair-as well as some of the best second line talent money can buy in players such as Mark Rec chi, Rod Brind'Amour and Keith Jones.The defense is a little thin, though Eric Desjardins is coming off a solid campaign in which he finished fifth in Norris Trophy voting and was selected to the second all-star team. Goaltending remains something of a question with youngster Brian Boucher the leading contender to back up veteran John Vanbiesbrouck.Unquestionably, the Flyers' at-tack-and Stanley Cup aspirations-will center around Lindros, LeClair and their right winger.' &ldquo;Eric can control a game,&rdquo; said Dallas Stars' center Mike Modano.&ldquo;He can take it by the handle and control it by the way he plays. I think it took a while for him to develop his own personality; everybody had all these comparisons of who he should play like. I think he's a lot more settled on being the player he wants to be.&rdquo;Modano continued: &ldquo;I'm sure there's a bit of desperation on his part. Philly can be a tough place to play. The media can really get on your case there, but Eric seems to be able to answer the bell.&rdquo;For his part, Lindros, who is on a one-year, $8.5-million contract, said he is as determined as ever to bring a championship to the City of Brotherly Love.&ldquo;I was traded here to win,&rdquo; Lindros said. &ldquo;I'd hate to think I was traded here just so they could build a new arena. I want to succeed here.&rdquo;<h2>Lindros: Sixth-fastest to 600 points</h2>The last point Eric Lindros scored before going down with a collapsed lung last season was the 600th of his career. Coming in game No. 429, it made Lindros the sixth-fastest NHL player to reach that plateau. Wayne Gretzky set the standard, averaging 2.2 points per game through his first 274 games. Here are the swift six. listed in order of fames it took them to reach 600 Points.274<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-021385/7429868-1-eng-US/f0012-022.jpg" title="f0012-02" width="294" height="365"><figcaption class="caption-body">Wayne Gretzky</figcaption></div>323<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-03895/7429861-1-eng-US/f0012-032.jpg" title="f0012-03" width="293" height="366"><figcaption class="caption-body">MarioLemieux</figcaption></div>394<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-04523/7429854-1-eng-US/f0012-042.jpg" title="f0012-04" width="292" height="368"><figcaption class="caption-body">PeterStastny</figcaption></div>400<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-05373/7429847-1-eng-US/f0012-052.jpg" title="f0012-05" width="295" height="365"><figcaption class="caption-body">Mike Bossy</figcaption></div>419<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-06302/7429840-1-eng-US/f0012-062.jpg" title="f0012-06" width="293" height="368"><figcaption class="caption-body">JariKurri</figcaption></div>429<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-07259/7429833-1-eng-US/f0012-072.jpg" title="f0012-07" width="291" height="366"><figcaption class="caption-body">EricLindros</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0012-01

Lindros Primed

<div class="byline">By Mike Gibb Staff Writer</div>At 5-foot-9, it's easy to sell Brian Rafalski short.But after an outstanding 1998 99 season-in which he tied a 19-year-old scoring record-Rafalski has suddenly grown in the eyes of NHL scouts.The 25-year-old defenseman, who spent last season with IFK Helsinki in the Finnish Elite League, impressed us, too: Rafalski is the The Hockey News' choice as the best player in the world outside the NHL.&ldquo;He has been a good player for ever,&rdquo; said New Jersey Devils' director of player personnel David Conte, who thought enough of Rafalski to recently sign the blue liner to a two-year contract. &ldquo;People like me have just failed to acknowledge it.&rdquo;Last season was Rafalski's fourth in Europe after graduating from the University of Wisconsin as an all-American. The smooth skating rearguard scored 19 goals and 53 points in 53 games to match former NHLer Pekka Rautakallio's 1979-80 Finnish League mark for most points by a defenseman.&ldquo;Playing in Europe has helped me find my game,&rdquo; Rafalski said. &ldquo;I had to improve my offensive skills and it gave me a chance to grow into my game.&rdquo;Rafalski edged out a lengthy list of finalists for the honor. Oleg Petrov, who played for Ambri Piotta (Switzerland) and is now back with the Montreal Canadiens; Ulf Dahlen, who skated with HV71 (Sweden) and is at training camp with the Washington Capitals; and IFK Helsinki's Jan Caloun also merited consideration. Sparta Praha (Czech Republic) teammates David Vybomy and Jan Hlavac get honor able mentions, too. But scouts kept coming back to Rafalski.&ldquo;As soon as you see him, you can't take your eyes off him,&rdquo; said one European scout. &ldquo;He's very skilled, he carries the puck well and controls the power play.&rdquo;Rafalski breaks a lot of ground with this title. He is the first non-European, first undrafted player and first defenseman to capture the honor. He joins some pretty select company: Past winners are Peter Forsberg, Saku Koivu, Robert Reichel and Michael Nylander.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-011736/7429906-1-eng-US/f0014-012.jpg" title="f0014-01" width="816" height="1347"><figcaption class="caption-body">Little Devil? Defender Brian Rafalski hopes so. (Bruce Jessop/IHA)</figcaption></div>Rafalski was bom in Allen Park, Mich., and starred for the Wiscon sin Badgers from 1991-92 through 1994-95. Should he make the Devils, he brings a finesse game that complements the physical style of New Jersey's blueliners.&ldquo;I'm hoping to get a good opportunity,&rdquo; Rafalski said, adding there was some interest from NHL teams last year, before he tied the record. &ldquo;Anywhere they can play me would be great.&rdquo;As an offensive defenseman, Rafalski relies heavily upon his feet to get him out of trouble and is aware his mobility is his best asset.&ldquo;Skating bails me out if I make a mistake,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I can get back before anything bad happens.&rdquo;This was Rafalski's second sea son with Helsinki. In 1995-96, his first season in Scandinavia, he played for Brynas (Swe.) and then moved to Hameenlinna (Fin.) for a year. He caught on with Brynas after impressing the team's coach and GM during an exhibition game while at Wisconsin.Despite his talent, there is not a spot reserved for Rafalski on the Devils' blueline. New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello has said he wants to give prospects a chance to crack the 1999-2000 roster, but defense is one area where New Jersey is deep. Meaning, if Rafalski wants to crack the lineup, he will have to beat out a current NHL defenseman.Rafalski turns 26 Sept. 28. Had he been bom 13 days earlier, he wouldn't have been eligible for the Calder Trophy as the top rookie.&ldquo;His dominance was self-evident (last season),&rdquo; Conte said. &ldquo;The door is open for him now. But he still has fish to fry. This will not be an easy challenge.&rdquo;Even though his ship may have come in, Rafalski didn't spend the summer sitting on the dock.&ldquo;I have to work on everything,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;This has motivated me to go out and work hard every day.&rdquo; &#9632;

f0014-01

Rafalski could be big find

<div class="byline">By Jay Greenberg</div>If it wasn't hard to keep a good man down, Milos Holan would be pushing up posies, not barbells. Three years later, the weights have come to feel even lighter than was his red blood cell count, which is what can count you out when you have ' leukemia, no matter how hard you fight.&ldquo;At the hospital, I would kid him about not looking so good and he would say I didn't have much to talk about,&rdquo; said Rich Winter, Holan'sagent. &ldquo;Then he'd tell me, 'At least I'm still here. I lost another friend yesterday.' &ldquo;Holan, 28, says his attempt to return to the NHL is both a tribute to buddies who lost and reaffirmation why he went for the win. &ldquo;I hope it tells everybody who has leukemia to be mentally strong,&rdquo; he said on the phone from his native Czech Republic.If the Zamboni isn't yet operational when the expansion Atlanta Thrashers open up Phillips Arena, it might not be missed. Should Holan make the team, his eyes may be spraying more water than Yannick Tremblay in the comers.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-011596/7429944-1-eng-US/f0015-012.jpg" title="f0015-01" width="387" height="511"></div>On the roster of any expansion team, you find guys just happy to be there, but, next to Holan's, their appreciation can only be as deep as the Thrasher defense. Twelve months after the Mighty Ducksof Anaheim showed the door to a guy who had refused to answer when'The Grim Reaper' rang the bell, opportunity knocks. Not since a shot rang out and Bambi's' mom didn't come home has Disney looked so heartless, denying Holan a single shift in one measly exhibition game.&ldquo;I did what everybody else did in training camp, felt very good,&rdquo; Holan said. &ldquo;I didn't have strength in my legs like before, but I was ready. I didn't understand.&rdquo;By this time, however, he has developed a firm grasp on what a waste it is to try to figure out the incomprehensible. After pneumonia, infections, gall bladder removal and a required eight months of isolation following a bone marrow transplant, you either lose the persecution complex or simply aren't around to enjoy your daughter and hold your unborn son. You just move on, which Holan did after the Ducks let him go, back to his hometown team, TJ Vitkovice.&ldquo;I was talking to Winter about another player when he asked, 'Would you ever consider this guy on a tryout basis?'&rdquo; said Thrashers' GM Don Waddell. &ldquo;I talked to people overseas who said (Holan) played well at the end of last season.&ldquo;Gordie Murphy and Darryl Shan non are 1-2 on our (defense) depth chart. Three through eight, you can throw into a hat. Holan has offensive skills and we're not a high skill-level team. It's a low-risk move for us.&rdquo;Holan's disability insurers have so far let ride the $1 million he has to repay should his career resume, but the defenseman assumes unless he earns an NHL contract that can satisfy the obligation, he may have to turn in his skates for a coach's whistle back home. Winter suggests that's not necessarily true, but Holan says it's a moot point regardless.&ldquo;This is my last chance and I am going to make the team and play again so I won't need any more chances,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I want to play in the NHL again, but it won't change my life. After I had leukemia, everything is just a bonus.&rdquo;In July, at the City of Hope Cancer Center in Los Angeles where Holan was treated, he had the opportunity to personally thank his marrow donor, RobertStransky Jr. of Jessup, Md. That match was harder to find than prognosticators predicting the Thrashers will make the playoffs, another reason why Holan wants to be a living, skating, sign board for the donor registry that has maintained so many lives, yet could save so many more.So, if you're asking why the NHL needs another team, the obvious answer is so Milos Holan can play on it, only three years and counting every blessed day since a routine training camp blood test put him on his knees.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-021119/7429937-1-eng-US/f0015-022.jpg" title="f0015-02" width="388" height="511"><figcaption class="caption-body">Milos Holan</figcaption></div>&ldquo;(Holan's wife) Irena got pregnant just before,&rdquo; Winter said. &ldquo;That couldn't have happened during chemo.A few months later, Milos is lying in bed, weighing 140 pounds. Irena is holding his hand and he looks me in the eye and says, 'If I can just hold my son in my arms and take one lap around a rink someday, I'll be happy.' &ldquo;Milos Jr. is now three. Dad has reason to believe he will make it to93 whether he ever plays another game in the NHL or not. So there's no pressure in this last chance, except in Holan's throat as he tries to get the words over the lump.&ldquo;He wants to bring his son to that first practice,&rdquo; Winter said. &ldquo;For Milos to be playing opening night would be the greatest achievement in the world. But he already feels there isn't a luckier guy in it.&rdquo; &#9632;

f0015-01

'Lucky' Holán tries comeback

<div class="byline">By Cammy Clark</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-011524/7429975-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg" title="f0016-01" width="174" height="173"></div>Mighty Ducks of Anaheim coach Craig Hartsburg has heard the scuttlebutt and read the news-paper reports that the Walt Disney Co. is considering selling both his hockey team and their Major League Baseball team, the Anaheim Angels.&ldquo;It's nothing to do with what I do, &ldquo;Hartsburg said. &ldquo;As far as I know, it's just rumors. I'm paid to do my job and that's coach.&rdquo;Hartsburg's goal last season, his first with the Ducks, was to give the team stability and direction after a disappointing season in which Atlanta missed the playoffs.He accomplished that goal as Anaheim returned to the playoffs and created a base upon which they can build.This season, Hartsburg has new goals for his team.&ldquo;We're going to challenge our team to take the next step,&rdquo; Hartsburg said. &ldquo;We need to start to win some games because of our character. We have to develop that and take a lot more pride in winning gritty, character games.Traveling and beating teams like New Jersey and Dallas.&rdquo;Hartsburg will have more tools to work with, especially with the addition of offensive defensemen Oleg Tverdovsky and 26-year-old Niklas Havelid, who has spent his entire professional career in the Swedish Elite League.&ldquo;We can change our style of play a little bit,&rdquo; Hartsburg said. &ldquo;We'U bemore mobile. We'll have speed from top to bottom.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: Left winger Paul Kariya is excited about the NHL's new 4-on-4 overtime format. He thinks it will be interesting for teams and fans alike and show case individual skill&hellip;Coach Craig Hartsburg's call for his team to show more character, whether it's Game 1 of the regular season or Game 80, is especially meaningful considering the Mighty Ducks open the regular season against the defending Stanley Cup champion Stars in Dallas and then meet them again six days later in Ana-heim&hellip;This season marks the Ducks' six thin the NHL, but they have only opened their season at home once-during the irinaugural year. This season, eight of Anaheim's first 10 games are on the road, before playing 18 of their next 24 at home. &#9632;

f0016-01

NHL TEAMS

Hartsburg sets new goals and ignores sale rumors

<div class="byline">By Jeff Schultz</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-03884/7430006-1-eng-US/f0016-032.jpg" title="f0016-03" width="348" height="461"><figcaption class="caption-body">Kelly Buchberger</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-021177/7430013-1-eng-US/f0016-022.jpg" title="f0016-02" width="173" height="170"></div>As the Atlanta Thrashers neared their first training camp, they had decided on the worth of one key roster member and were still debating the value of another.GM Don Waddell made a statement on how important he considers right winger Kelly Buch berger by signing the veteran to a three-year extension worth $2.85million. Buchberger, whowas selected from Ed-monton during the expansion draft, was due to make $523,250 this season, the final year of his contract.But Waddell, not wanting to let Buchberger become an unrestricted free agent after the season, guaranteed the 32-year-old $800,000 this year and base salaries of $975,000 in 2000-01 and $1,075 million in 2001-02. Buchberger, a candidate to be the team captain, also has some team-related incentives.&ldquo;We're going to build around this guy so we want to keep him around,&rdquo; Waddell said. &ldquo;We think he'll be a leader for us, on and off the ice.&rdquo;Meanwhile, the guy the Thrashers really want to build their future around, No. 1 draft pick Patrik Stefan, remained unsigned less than two weeks before camp. Waddell has been negotiating with Steve Kotlowitz, who is partners with agent Rich Winter. Both sides pub-licly express optimism a deal will be reached. The hang up centers on the rookie's three-year bonus structure. Kotlowitz figures to try to top the deal of Tampa Bay Lightning'sVincent Lecavalier, whose three-year deal includes record incentives totaling $8 million.Kodowitz admits rookies collecting the bonuses have been &ldquo;the exception, not the rule&rdquo; in the past two years, but added: &ldquo;It's a matter of having confidence in your players.The fact that Lecavalier and (Joe) Thornton didn't do well doesn't mean that Patrik Stefan won't.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: The Thrashers had only two players still unsigned-Patrik Stefan and goalie Scott Langkow. GM Don Waddell has been having conversations with Langkow's agent, Michael Barnett, about a two-way contract&hellip;The signing of free agent Scott Fankhauser potentially gave the team six goalies for camp (including draft pick Rob Zepp). If Langkow signs, he will battle Corey Schwab for the No. 3 job behind Damian Rhodes and Norm Maracle&hellip; Peter Horachek, who assisted Thrashers' coach Curt Fraser for the last four years with the Orlando Solar Bears (IHL), was named his replacement on Atlanta's top farm team&hellip;Orlando officials claim they had applications from 14 former NHL coaches, including Mike Keenan and Ted Nolan. &#9632;

f0016-03

Buchberger inks extension as No. 1 Stefan nears deal

<div class="byline">By Mike Loftus</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-05476/7430044-1-eng-US/f0016-052.jpg" title="f0016-05" width="351" height="475"><figcaption class="caption-body">Rob Tallas</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-04662/7430051-1-eng-US/f0016-042.jpg" title="f0016-04" width="171" height="170"></div>Rob Tallas found himself in an exciting, yet awkward position as he prepared for his fifth training camp with the Boston Bruins.For the first time, Tallas wasn't headed to camp with an NHL job that was his to lose, but with the possibility of opening the season as Boston's No. 1 goalie.&ldquo;It's kind of a weird feeling,&rdquo; said Tallas, 26,who has carved a four-year pro career out of a tryout invitation to Boston's camp in 1994. &ldquo;In some ways it's the most relaxed I've been heading into camp, because there's not really anybody for me to beat out.&rdquo;The potential for Tallas starting the season as the primary goalie existed because contract negotiations between the Bruins and Vezina Trophy finalist Byron Dafoe were creeping along. A holdout seemed possible.&ldquo;All I can do is focus on being ready,&rdquo; Tallas said. &ldquo;If I end up having to play a lot at the start, whether it's for a short time or a long time, I have to make the most of that opportunity, for my teammates and myself.&rdquo;Tallas has had only one previous experience as Boston's de facto No. 1 netminder, but it came at a bad time: He appeared in a career-high 28 games in support of oft-injured Bill Ranford in 1996-97, but had the misfortune of playing for the NHL's worst team.Things are different now. Tallas (7-7-3,2.61 GAA last year) has played just31 games in two seasons since Dafoe arrived from Los Angelesin a 1997 trade. The Bruins, meanwhile, have become one of the NHL's stingiest teams in two years under coach Pat Bums.&ldquo;Our whole strategy, the way we play every night, really allows a goalie to be at his best,&rdquo; Tallas said.&ldquo;Any goalie would be excited to have a chance to play regularly behind a team like that.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: Goalie Byron Dafoe wasn't the only Bruin regular without a deal as the start of camp neared. The B's also hadn't come to terms with checking-line left winger P-J Axelsson and towering defense man Hal Gill&hellip;The Bruins weren't making much progress with defenseman Nick Boynton, either. The two-time first-round draft pick has exhausted his junior eligibility and may play this season for Providence (AHL). With veterans Dave Ellett and Grant laxlyard gone, Boynton is seen as someone who can compete for some time in Boston this year&hellip;Most of the locally based Bruins took part in a two-week camp at Boston University. Several more expected to skate together informally at a rink north of Boston until reporting to camp. &#9632;

f0016-05

New role may be in store for Bruins' backup goalie

<div class="byline">By Jim Kelley</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-06400/7430082-1-eng-US/f0016-062.jpg" title="f0016-06" width="170" height="168"></div>Martin Biron, the heir apparent to Dominik Hasek in the Buffalo Sabres' crease, has suddenly found himself on an accelerated schedule.With Hasek's retirement in the offing for 2000-01, Biron, The Hockey News' Minor Pro Prospect of the year in 1998-99, could be thrust into the spotlight sooner than expected. But will it happen this season?&ldquo;I want to play in the NHL,&rdquo; Biron said. &ldquo;I know it's not going to be my decision, but my goal is to play in the NHL this year.&rdquo;Biron, 22, has shown flashes of NHL form in brief call ups (1-2-1, 2.14 goals-against average, .917 save percentage last season), but there are concerns whether Buffalo is the best place for him to be playing this season.The main issue is ice time. Hasek still figures to get the vast majority of starts this season. There's also the matter of Dwayne Roloson, who per formed well in a backup role last season.GM Darcy Regier has been non-committal about Biron's future, but indicated it's important the goalie gets plenty of playing time.That hasn't deterred Biron, who knows the road to Rochester (American League) goes two ways.&ldquo;I spent two years in the AHL and if I have to go back I'll enjoy it and do everything I can (down there), but this year I'm shooting for the NHL,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It's my goal.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: The Sabres believe goalie Dominik Hasek will be ready to begin the season after undergoing a &ldquo;minor&rdquo; back operation to relieve discom fort caused by a small hernia, but nobody is making any guarantees. The surgery was performed in August in Germany&hellip; Right winger Dane Jackson is back in the organization. The captain of the 1996 Rochester team that won the Calder Cup, Jackson left the franchise to sign with the Islanders' organization. After spending most of his time on the farm with Lowell (American League), the free agent forward opted to sign with Rochester where he has a home and a strong relationship with the club, fans and coach Brian McCutcheon. &#9632;

f0016-06

Goalie of future Biron wants NHL job this year

<div class="byline">By Eric Duhatschek</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-021049/7430113-1-eng-US/f0017-022.jpg" title="f0017-02" width="599" height="1071"><figcaption class="caption-body">Tom Watt</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-011367/7430120-1-eng-US/f0017-012.jpg" title="f0017-01" width="166" height="169"></div>He is a link to their one and-only Stanley Cup championship in 1989 and after almost a 10-year absence, he is back in the organization.Tom Watt, 64, who last coached the Ontario League's Sudbury Wolves in the 1997-98 season, has been appointed as the Flames' development coach.Watt's mandate is to work with Calgary's top prospects and his primary focus will be with their minor-league affiliate, the American League's Saint John Flamesr&ldquo;The Flames' organization has com mitted itself to developing their own people,&rdquo; Watt said. &ldquo;My job is to go on the ice every day in Saint John or in Calgary and work under their coaches, and in particular, pay attention to younger players and help in trying to accelerate their development, so they're ready to play a little quicker.&rdquo;Previously, Jamie Hislop-now a member of Brian Sutter's staff-held a similar position with the Flames.Watt has had a long and successful coaching career. He led the University of Toronto to nine Canadian university championships. He has been the head coach of three NHL teams-the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets-along with Canada's Olympic team. Watt won the Jack Adams award as the NHL's coach of the year while at the helm in Winnipeg in 1982 and last coached in the NHL with Toronto in 1992. He was with the Leafs' organization until 1996.Considering the Flames do not have a forward over the age of 30 within the organization, Watt-who was out of hockey last season-will receive lots of opportunities to assist prospects along the development path.&ldquo;I like being back in the NHL,&rdquo; Watt said. &ldquo;I'm happy about that. I like going on the ice every day and I like working with young players.&ldquo;The downside is, I also like fighting it out for two points and yelling at referees, so I'm not doing that, but&hellip;I'm quite pleased with this.&rdquo;Watt will be in Calgary for the rookie camp. He will also take on a scouting role-seeing college and junior players that have already been drafted and monitoring their development.&ldquo;It puts a little pressure on myself, but it puts pressure on them, too,&rdquo; Watt said. &ldquo;How good are they? Are they capable of developing? 1 don't have a team. I'm not on the bench. I will be upstairs when I'm in Calgary and Saint John.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: Defenseman Denis Gauthier signed a three-year. $1.8-million contract. After spending the better part of two seasons apprenticing with the Flames' farm team in Saint John, Gauthier played 55 games with Calgary last season, recording three goals and seven points&hellip;There is a chance the Flames will offer free agent goaltender Ron Hextali a contract, but it is more likely they will take a long look at two of their younger netminders-J.S. Giguere and Tyler Moss-in the exhibition season before determining if they need to bolster the position. &#9632;

f0017-02

Watt returns to Flames' organization as development coach and scout

<div class="byline">By Todd Graft</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-011405/7430151-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg" title="f0018-01" width="170" height="169"></div>Carolina Hurricanes' captain Keith Primeau will not report to training catnp without a new contract. And his teammates back his decision.&ldquo;Nobody on the team is going to point a finger at Keith and say, 'You're wrong,'&rdquo; said left winger Gary Roberts. &ldquo;He's very well-liked on this team. Obviously he feels this is the time for him to make some big money.&rdquo;Primeau, 27, will remain at his summer home in the Toronto area while the rest of his family will return to Raleigh in order for his 11-year-old son, Corey, to attend school.Primeau rebuffed the Hurricanes' first three contract proposals. According to his agent, Don Reynolds, the numbers ranged from $4 to $4.5 million per sea son. Primeau, however, is reportedly seeking a deal that falls in the range of the contract given Ron Francis last sum mer. Francis signed a five-year, $22.5 million deal with the Hurricanes. Primeau, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound center, made $2 million last season en route to 30 goals and 62 points in 78 games.Said Francis: &ldquo;If I were to give Keith advice-and I haven't talked with him-I would say sit down with the people who matter most to you and analyze everything from city to organization to role on the team to ice time to money to schools for your kids. Analyze everything that pertains to your career, your family and your lifestyle and do what is best for yourself and your family.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: Unrestricted free agent Kevin Dineen, who has played 12 of his 15 seasons with the Carolina franchise, will not be in camp without a contract. The Hurri canes offered the right winger a one-year deal at less than the $800,000 he made in 1998-99. The 35-year-old, who ranks second in goals and assists with the franchise, needs eight games to become the 137th NHL player to play 1,000 games&hellip; Defense man David Tanabe, the Hurricanes' top pick (16th overall) in the June entry draft, has relinquished his final three years of college eligibility to begin his pro career. Tanabe, who turned 19 July 19, netted 10 goals and 22 points in 33 games during his fresh man year at Wisconsin. He was one of the best skaters available in the 1999 draft. &#9632;

f0018-01

No contract, no show for big captain Primeau

<div class="byline">By Tim Sassone</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-03741/7430182-1-eng-US/f0018-032.jpg" title="f0018-03" width="355" height="474"><figcaption class="caption-body">Bob Probert</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-021052/7430189-1-eng-US/f0018-022.jpg" title="f0018-02" width="168" height="168"></div>This appears to be one fight Bob Probert is not going to win.Chicago Blackhawks' GM Bob Murray has asked the 35-year-old enforcer toeither take a pay cut to remain with the club in a diminished role or spend the final two seasons of his contract playing in the minor leagues.Murray has been trying since last March to move the left winger, who has two years remaining on his contract for a total of $3.5 million. Murray unsuccessfully put Probert on waivers last March, then spent all summer offering him around the league. The Hawks are trying to repair the mistake made when they gave Probert a three-year contract extension at the end of the 1997-98 season even though it was clear his skills had deteriorated.The Chicago Sun-Times reported Murray sent Probert a &ldquo;terse&rdquo; letter shortly before training camp demanding he either agree to tear up his current contract or face certain consequences.&ldquo;I really don't want to comment on it because I don't want to be cutting (Probert) down in the paper,&rdquo; Murray said. &ldquo;But I did give a couple options because his role has decreased.&rdquo;The first option Murray reportedly gave was for Probert to accept a one-year contract for $ 1 million with a team option for another season at $1 million. The second option was to sign a new three-year deal for $400,000 a season. Probert's third option was to keep his present deal, but he may have to earn the money playing in the minors.TheSun-Times reported Murray threatened Probert in his letter, saying he would be &ldquo;riding buses in the East Coast League&rdquo; if he held the Hawks to the current contract.Probert, who had seven goals, 21 points and 206 penalty minutes in 78 games last season, couldn't be reached for comment.NOTEBOOK: In addition to messy situations with left winger Bob Probert and defensemen Dave Manson and Doug Zmolek, GM Bob Murray was having trouble signing three key restricted free agents: goalie Jocelyn Thibault and defensemen Boris Mironov and Anders Eriksson. With Thibault looking like the most difficult signing, Murray may have started shopping for a veteran goalie in preparation for a lengthy holdout&hellip;Tony Amonte won't hold out in an attempt to renegotiate his contract, which still has three years left. Amonte, set to make $2.9 million this year, will be at camp and hopes to be named captain by coach Lome M&ouml;lleken&hellip;The Hawks acquired goalie prospect Michel Larocque from San Jose for a fifth round draft pick in 2000. &#9632;

f0018-03

Probert has tough choice: Millions or the Windy City

<div class="byline">By Adrian Dater</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-04477/7430220-1-eng-US/f0018-042.jpg" title="f0018-04" width="169" height="167"></div>Aaron Miller gained a reputation for speaking his mind during the Colorado Avalanche's playoff series victory over the Detroit Red Wings last spring.When the Avs got down two games to none, Miller blasted his team over its poor effort and was credited for helping wake his club up after it won the next four games.It came as no surprise, then, when Miller voiced his displeasure in the off-season, this time over his contract.A rugged defenseman. Miller was awarded a two-year, $1.725-million deal by an NHL arbitrator Aug. 11, his 28th birthday.He didn't consider it much of a present.&ldquo;To be honest, I'm not too crazy about it,&rdquo; Miller said. &ldquo;I think I'm still underpaid.&rdquo;Miller, who was plus-&sect; in 19 play-off games for Colorado, was looking for a salary closer to the NHL average of $1.3 million a season. The Avalanche submitted a figure believed to be closer to the $750,000 a year range. In the end, the arbitrator met the parties close to the middle.The Avalanche called the decision a &ldquo;fair compromise&rdquo; and said Miller, who made $450,000 last year, figures highly in its plans for next season and beyond. Even though the former University of Vermont player is unhappy with the decision, he says it will be behind him when Avalanche training camp begins Sept. 5 in Colorado Springs.&ldquo;I have to be happy with it now,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;There's nothing more I can do. I did what I thought was right and would do it again if I had the chance.&ldquo;I can't worry about money any more. It's almost time for hockey again. I guess I just have to go out and show them I'm underpaid.&rdquo;Miller's signing leaves the Av alanche with no unsigned regulars heading into camp-a rarity since the team moved to Denver in 1995.NOTEBOOK: One of the suitors who bid on the Avalanche in a private auction last month, Princess Thara Saud, was exposed in The Denver Post as a fraud. Saud, who claimed to be a Saudi Arabian princess with a PhD, tried to assume the professional accomplishments on her resume actually belonging to a prominent Canadian professor and activist, Terisa Turner of the University of Guelph&hellip; Many Avalanche players were spectators at the annual Sprint International PGA tournament Aug. 19-22 in Castle Rock, Colo. The Avs have a particularly rabid group of golfers: Joe Sakic, Patrick Roy. Claude Lemieux and Peter Forsberg all can be found on the links on a typical day off. &#9632;

f0018-04

Miller plans to show he's underpaid

<div class="byline">By Mike Heika</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-06245/7430251-1-eng-US/f0018-062.jpg" title="f0018-06" width="363" height="481"><figcaption class="caption-body">Craig Ludwig</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-05313/7430258-1-eng-US/f0018-052.jpg" title="f0018-05" width="169" height="169"></div>Craig Ludwig is expected to decide before the start of the season whether he will retire and join the Dallas Stars in a scouting capacity or continue his career with another team.Ludwig, 38, has an offer on the table from GM Bob Gainey to end his playing career and stay within the organization as a scout. He also has a couple of offers from other teams to continue playing. The defenseman already has been told by the Stars he will not be offered a contract to play this season. However, Ludwig said his family has decided to stay in Texas no matter what. His wife has opened a children's clothing store and his children already are attending school.&ldquo;I'm tom right now because I'd have to leave the family if I want to keep playing,&rdquo; Ludwig said. &ldquo;My twins (Trevor and Tyler) are starting high school and there comes a time when you're just tired of missing out on all of the important things in their lives. I mean, I think I might have seen five youth hockey games in the past five years.&rdquo;The 17-year veteran said, at first, he thought moving to another team would just be a part of the business.&ldquo;But then it hits you that you've been with this one team and you've helped build what they have and it's like going to another team is be traying the Stars,&rdquo; said Ludwig, who spent the past eight years with the organization after playing eight sea-sons with the Montreal Canadiens and one sea-son with the New York Islanders.Ludwig said he has drawn a lot of support from former Stars' goalie Andy Moog, who retired last season, leaving a $2 million contract on the table with the Canadiens.Moog's family stayed in Texas while he played in Montreal, but he quit after one season.NOTEBOOK: The Stars have made a contract offer to Richard Matvichuk through his agent. Art Breeze, to open negotiations in hopes of signing the restricted free agent defenseman before training camp. Breeze said the ball still &ldquo;is in the Stars' court.&rdquo; Sources said the offer is somewhere in the $1.5-million range, while Matvichuk is seeking $2.4 million. &ldquo;The Stars have told Richard that ice time is the key figure in evaluating defensemen and we're asking them to stick by that.&rdquo; Breeze said. Matvichuk averaged 22 minutes per game, behind only Derian Hatcher and Sergei Zubov among the team's defense men. Hatcher is scheduled to make $3.8 million this season and Zubov $2.4 million. Darryl Sydor will also make $2.4 million. &#9632;

f0018-06

Ludwig torn between offer to scout or play elsewhere

<div class="byline">By Chuck Carlton</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-07208/7430289-1-eng-US/f0018-072.jpg" title="f0018-07" width="169" height="167"></div>A year ago, the signing of, Uwe Krupp was viewed as a coup.The 6-foot-6 defenseman was supposed to fill the void in the Detroit Red Wings' lineup and he was inked to a four-year, $16.4-million deal.Now, it appears the two are headed towards an acrimonious divorce. The point of contention is the release of Krupp's medical records.For now, the Red Wings say their request for medical records is a good faith attempt to help Krupp recover.&ldquo;We want to do everything we can to get Uwe healthy and on the ice,&rdquo; GM Ken Holland said. &ldquo;If we can show up at camp and have Uwe on the ice, it's Christmas come four months early. What we've done during the course of summer is ask Uwe and (agent) Roly (Thompson) for any medical files and any information on Uwe's health so we can find more knowledge.&rdquo;While Krupp and Thompson say they are willing to provide specific information about Krupp's back before he signed, they viewed the Red Wings' request as too encompassing.The difference in opinion led the team to suspend Krupp without pay Aug. 3. Krupp has 90 days to file a grievance through the NHLPA, which is covered by arbitration under the Col lective Bargaining Agreement.Krupp was limited to 22 games last season. He briefly tried a comeback in March, but. abruptly ended workouts after a few days, citing back spasms.NOTEBOOK: Right winger Darren McCarty remains the only unsigned Red Wing heading into training camp Sept. 4. The two sides reportedly remain far apart on a new contract, although the Red Wings have faxed offers ranging from one to four years to McCarty's agent Pat Morris. &ldquo;We've agreed to disagree,&rdquo; GM Ken Holland said. McCarty, a restricted free agent, had 14 goals and 40 points with 108 penalty minutes in 69 games last season&hellip;Holland has talked several times in August with Rick Curran, the agent for left winger Brendan Shanahan, about a possible contract extension. The two will continue talks later in the season. Shanahan can become an unrestricted free agent after next season. &#9632;

f0018-07

Krupp's pain in the back is also in his wallet now

<div class="byline">By Mario Annicchiarico</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-02955/7430320-1-eng-US/f0019-022.jpg" title="f0019-02" width="609" height="1093"><figcaption class="caption-body">Bill Guerin</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-011299/7430327-1-eng-US/f0019-012.jpg" title="f0019-01" width="169" height="168"></div>Edmonton Oilers' GM Glen Sather has been known to play a little hardball when it comes to contractual obligations and there's little doubt he's pitching high and tight in negotiations with power forward Bill Guerin.The restricted free agent is looking to hit a home run on a new deal, supposedly asking for Keith Primeau-type numbers in the $4-million (U.S.) range.So far, the two sides continue to stand at the plate, fouling everything off.&ldquo;I totally anticipate coming back,&rdquo; said Guerin, just prior to venturing to Edmonton for a conditioning camp in late August. &ldquo;Eventually, 1 think we'll come to an agreement.&rdquo;But judging by his past, the 28-year-old won't back down from his and agent Bob Murray's demands. Guerin did it before in New Jersey when he and GM Lou Lamoriello battled over his last contract. It was such a tough negotiation Guerin failed to report to training camp and then asked to be traded.He hopes it doesn't come down to that again, but doesn't discount it.&ldquo;The earlier we get this done the better, but look at the last contract,&rdquo; Guerin said. &ldquo;These things take time.&rdquo;And he has already tossed out the warning training camp will not be part of his plans unless a deal is done.&ldquo;If history tells us anything, it's a good chance that I won't be there,&rdquo; stressed Guerin, who made $1.5 million (U.S.) last season. He led the team in scoring with 30 goals and 64 points in 80 games in 1998-99.Sather isn't the type to be bullied, though, and he does have a tight bud get to work with.&ldquo;Billy and his agent were difficult when they tried to sign with Lamoriel lo a couple of years ago,&rdquo; Sather said. &ldquo;But he doesn't have the stats.&ldquo;He had a great first half of the year, then his stats declined from the 50th game on. If you look at what the arbitrator gave to Dmitri Khristich inBoston&hellip;he had a lot better stats than Bill and he gave him $2.8 million (U.S.) and they (the Bruins) walked away from it.&rdquo;Sather obviously hopes to sign Guerin for around $2.5 million, while Murray was targeting at least $3 million.&ldquo;There was no real progress, but as long as the lines of communication were open (it's a good sign),&rdquo; Guerin said. &ldquo;I have a more positive outlook on this one. I anticipate coming back unless Glen decides to trade me. But I don't think he will.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: The Oilers signed center Chad Kilger to a two-year deal worth $1.8 million (U.S.) Aug. 18, the day after right winger Pat Falloon was awarded a one-year, $550,000 (U.S.) settlement in arbitration&hellip; The club also came to terms with Colorado College center Brian Swanson. He was twice named an All-American and Hobey Baker Award finalist&hellip;Edmonton plays nine of their first 13 games at the Sky reach Centre, including one of two contests slated for Oct. 1, the NHL's opening night. It's against the New York Rangers and will feature a pregame ceremony honoring Wayne Gretzky. &#9632;

f0019-02

Guerin looking to hit home run; Sather wants to keep ball in the park

<div class="byline">By David J. Neal</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-011192/7430358-1-eng-US/f0020-012.jpg" title="f0020-01" width="170" height="169"></div>The stands at Pompano Beach's Gold Coast Ice Arena were packed with about 200 fans who thought it was nice Sergei Berezin was on the ice, a bonus to get close-ups of Alexei Yashin working out, but really wanted to see how much thrust 'The Russian Rocket' had in his reconstructed boosters.&ldquo;I feel pretty good,&rdquo; Bure said after his seventh workout with about 20 of his countrymen. &ldquo;It's hard to say right now because we're playing summer hockey. Maybe we're skating fast, but there's no contact.&ldquo;It's too early to say a percentage. I'm not even five months out of surgery. Usually, it takes six to nine months to get where I am.&rdquo;Of course, it's hard to gauge the flamboyant Florida Panther anyway. However, his skating style-short explosions at initial acceleration, then swift gliding as if on rails at full speed-looks fast and solid. Even at 70 per cent, there's the impression he's flying.Mary Ann Towne, the therapist running Bure's rehabilitation from the March reconstructive surgery on his right knee ligament, agreed Bure was ahead of schedule. In fact, after examining him Aug. 16, Towne told Bure he should get on the ice as soon as possible.&ldquo;It'll take a few weeks to get his legs back,&rdquo; Towne said.&ldquo;The next two to four weeks, the biggest issue is his confidence. The knee is stable.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: The camp of Russian players was organized by agent Mark Gandler, who usually holds the camp in New Jersey. Pavel Bure was a late invite. &ldquo;We figured, 'Pavel is in Florida and Pavel needs to skate,'&rdquo; Gandler said. &ldquo;Whom would he rather skate with?&rdquo; Former New Jersey Devils' defenseman and Russian national team star Alexei Kasatonov ran the practices&hellip;Also at the camp was Gandler client and Panthers' 1999 first round pick Denis Shvidki Gandler said no contract talks would commence until the end of the first week of training camp, when it would be clearer if Shvidki has a chance to stick with the Panthers this season. Otherwise, Shvidki will go back to the Barrie Colts of the Ontario League. &#9632;

f0020-01

Rocket goes through test in camp dress rehearsal

<div class="byline">By Sacha Terrill</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-03578/7430389-1-eng-US/f0020-032.jpg" title="f0020-03" width="357" height="476"><figcaption class="caption-body">Dave Taylor</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-02828/7430396-1-eng-US/f0020-022.jpg" title="f0020-02" width="171" height="171"></div>It was three days before Christmas, 1996, when Jere Karalahti, 21, tried to pass through customs at Helsinki Airport with heroin in his suitcase.After he was randomly pulled aside, it didn't take long for a customs agent to discover the heroin and Karalahti, a prominent player with IFK Helsinki, was arrested.&ldquo;I was humiliated,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I didn't know how to explain my problem.&ldquo;It was a little bit of relief when I was arrested. I knew I could get help.&rdquo;In Finland, possession of drugs typically results in a jail sentence, the length of time determined by the amount of drugs in possession and the offender's record.Karalahti's lawyer, IFK Helsinki and the Finnish Ice Hockey Federation lobbied on his behalf and instead of serving time, he was required to spend three months in drug rehab. He was suspended from the Finnish Elite League for the remainder of the season.&ldquo;At first 1 just thought, 'I'm missing hockey, I can't do this.'&rdquo; said Karalahti, drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1993. &ldquo;When I started going to meetings and got with the program, I knew it was best thing for me.&rdquo;After completing rehab, Karalahti was allowed to re-join IFK Helsinki under the condition he would submit to random drug tests. Since his arrest, he has remained drug-free.Kings' GM Dave Taylor and Karalahti agreed to a one-year contract worth$700,000 this summer.Taylor said Karalahti has a very good chance of making the team this season. The Kings have just five returning defensemen and there is no guarantee Aki Berg will re-sign.&ldquo;He told me he had been working hard and that he was ready to play in the NHL,&rdquo; Taylor said. &ldquo;He deserves the opportunity.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: Coach Andy Murray joined the team's efforts in encouraging defenseman Aki Berg to return to the Kings. Murray met with Berg for more than two hours at a hotel in Turku, Finland, to let the 22-year-old defenseman know what his role would be with the Kings this sea son and stress he needs to return to the NHL to develop his skills. After spending parts of three seasons with Los Angeles, Berg played in Finland last year because of a contract stalemate&hellip;During his trip to Europe, Murray also visited right winger Ziggy Palffy. center Jozef Stumpel. defenseman Jere Karalahti and right winger Marko Tuomainen, taking steps in each case to explain the player's role on this year's team. &#9632;

f0020-03

Karalahti overcomes drugs to turn into Kings' prospect

<div class="byline">By Herb Zurkowsky</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-04377/7430427-1-eng-US/f0020-042.jpg" title="f0020-04" width="168" height="168"></div>The Montreal Canadiens are headed for a messy divorce with yet another of their first round draft choices.Left winger Terry Ryan, Montreal's first pick (eighth overall) in 1995, has requested a trade and has vowed not to report to training camp.The bruising 6-foot-l, 202-pounder is tired of languishing in the minors after spending most of the last two seasons playing in Montreal's farm system.&ldquo;I don't even know why they drafted me in the first place, because my style doesn't fit with their style,&rdquo; said the 22-year-old Newfoundland native.The Canadiens, according to Ryan, want him to be one of the 12 players they'll assign to their new farm team in Quebec City. But Ryan has balked. Instead, he has advised his agent, Mike Barnett, to find him a spot with an International League team. Ryan even suggested he's considering quit ting the game and returning to school.Ryan's resolve follows the trade last season that sent defenseman Brad Brown to Chicago in the multi-player deal that saw goaltenders Jeff Hackett and Jocelyn Thibault switch teams.Brown was selected 18th overall by Montreal in 1994, but like Ryan, appeared to reach a dead-end with the Canadiens. Brown became a blueline regular with the Blackhawks.&ldquo;I look at guys like Brown, Darcy Tucker, Jim Campbell and Craig Conroy and 1 wonder if I could be playing somewhere else,&rdquo; said Ryan, referring to former Montreal draft picks who have blossomed following trades. &ldquo;I'd like the opportunity. I reached the point where I'd go into the dressing room and I'd feel sick.&rdquo;Ryan started each of the last three seasons in Montreal, only to be sent down. As a rookie in 1996, he was plagued by a concussion, while the last two seasons it was his skating and lack of work ethic. He scored 16 goals and 43 points in 55 games, along with 189 penalty minutes, with Fredericton of the American League last season.NOTEBOOK: GM Rejean Houle is preparing for some serious negotiations with Don Meehan, the agent for goal tender Jose Theodore. The Canadiens gave Theodore a qualifying offer, which includes a 10 per-cent raise on his $550,000 (U.S.) salary. But the team wants Theodore to accept a two-way deal that calls for less money in the minors. He had a one-way contract last season, meaning this would be a step backward. The fact the two sides are haggling over the two-way clause indicates the Canadiens are concerned about Theodore remaining in the big leagues. He had a 4-12-0 record, one shutout, 3.29 goals-against average and .877 save percentage in 18 games with Montreal last season. &#9632;

f0020-04

Another top pick wants out

<div class="byline">By Jett Legwold</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-06165/7430458-1-eng-US/f0020-062.jpg" title="f0020-06" width="357" height="469"><figcaption class="caption-body">Sergei Krivokrasov</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-05212/7430465-1-eng-US/f0020-052.jpg" title="f0020-05" width="169" height="170"></div>As a result of the franchise's first significant off-ice difficulty and in compliance with the NHL's domestic violence pol-icy, Nashville Predators' right winger Sergei Krivokrasov has met with team and league officials to determine a course of action.Assault charges that were filed against Krivokrasov by his wife, Natalia, were dismissed in a Michigan court Aug. but he will still seek counseling.Natalia Krivokrasov had originally filed the charges following an Aug. 8 incident at the couple's off-season home in New Buffalo, Mich.According to a police report, Natalia Krivokrasov alleged her husband kicked and slapped her, pulled out a handful of her hair and shoved her down three steps.In a statement to The Tennessean, Krivokrasov's agent, Mike Gillis, said: &ldquo;Voluntarily and at the suggestion of the court, Sergei is going to receive counseling. He and his wife regret the events and are actively working at reconciling their differences.&rdquo;A trial had been scheduled for Aug. but the charges were dismissed at a pre-trial conference.GM David Poile said the team didn't plan any disciplinary action against Krivokrasov, who recently signed a one-year, $850,000 deal.Had he been convicted, he would have faced up to 93 days in jail.The incident is the first real trouble spot for the Predators. Owner Craig Leipold has spoken on several occasions of his belief the players' behavior on and off the ice was &ldquo;a reflection of me, personally.&rdquo;Poile said he expects Krivokrasov, who had 25 goals-tops on the team-and 48 points in 70 games last season, to be in Nashville for the start of training camp Sept. 5.NOTEBOOK: Like many cases, left winger Denny Lambert's arbitration hearing wasn't a friendly affair. He was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers for center Randy Robitaille just days later. &ldquo;There is a lot of water under the bridge,&rdquo; GM David Poile said&hellip;In Robitaille, the Predators get a pivot who scored 28 goals and 102 points with the Providence Bruins (AHL) last sea son&hellip;The Predators are still working to sign a group of restricted free agents, including goalie Mike Dunham and left winger Patrick Cote. Dunham, who made $800,000 last season and Cote, who made $375,000, will likely be difficult deals to complete&hellip; Sebastien Bordeleau. who sustained a cracked vertebra in his neck last April, is looking at a mid-October return. &#9632;

f0020-06

Krivokrasov will get help after incident with wife

<div class="byline">By Rich Chere</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-07142/7430496-1-eng-US/f0020-072.jpg" title="f0020-07" width="169" height="168"></div>In an effort to end four years of underachieving, the New Jersey Devils did an about-face when they assembled their training camp roster.Instead of a veteran club sprinkled with kids, they will undertake a youth movement designed to inject life into an already-talented team.Center Scott Gomez, who stunned the Devils' coaching staff last year by performing so well in his first training camp, will be the key player among several rookies with a shot at making the NHL roster.&ldquo;We're expecting big things from him,&rdquo; GM Lou Lamoriello said. &ldquo;No question he's going to be a better player this year than he was last year, but he won't be rushed.&rdquo;Gomez was the Devils' second pick (27th overall) in the 1998 entry draft.The Devils didn't re-sign veterans Bobby Carpenter and Dave Andrey chuk, so there are openings up front.Gomez, 19, who scored 30 goals and 108 points in 58 games for the Tri-City Americans of the Western League last season, is a candidate to claim one spotSerious about his conditioning, Gomez came to New Jersey eight weeks before camp opened and lived in a hotel near the club's South Mountain Arena facility.Left wingers Jiri Bicek and Pierre Dagenais and defensemen Colin White and Josh DeWolf, who all played in Albany of the American League last season, are also expected to contend.NOTEBOOK: Forwards Patrik Elias, Jason Arnott and Brendan Morrison, all restricted free agents, had not yet agreed to new deals&hellip;While defenseman Mike VanRyn (University of Michigan) and right winger Brian Gionta (Boston College) were expected to return to college, goalie Ari Ahonen, 18, informed the team he might not even be in camp. Ahonen, the Devils' No. 1 pick in the 1999 draft (27th overall), was about to become the starting goalie with JyP HT Jyvaskyla in the Finnish Elite League&hellip;With 992 games wearing a Devils' jersey, defenseman Ken Daneyko ranks 19th all-time among NHL players who spent their careers with one club. Alex Delvecchio was first with 1,549 games as a Detroit Red Wing. &#9632;

f0020-07

Devils buck team trend, look for youth at camp

<div class="byline">By Marc Berman</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-01952/7430527-1-eng-US/f0021-012.jpg" title="f0021-01" width="171" height="169"></div>A roller coaster summer for New York Islanders' right winger Mark Lawrence concluded when he signed a two-year, $1.6-million deal to stay on Long Island.Whether that comes to haunt the Isles' nicest surprise of 1998-99 remains to be seen. &ldquo;There has been an ebb and flow of emotions,&rdquo; Lawrence's agent Pat Morris said after the Aug. 16 deal.The bizarre negotiations began May 5 when Isles' GM Mike Milbury gave Moms permission to negotiate with other clubs. At the time. Lawrence, 27, was an unrestricted free agent.Working under New York's tight fisted owner ship, who have drawn up the league's lowest pay roll, Milbury knew he couldn't afford to match the bids for Lawrence on the open market. The 6-foot-4 winger-suddenly a beast in front of the net after years of being accused of lacking fitness and desire-had a breakout season, scoring 14 goals and 30 points in 60 games.Morns attracted one offer from Tampa Bay that averaged $1.1 million over three seasons, but was never able to close the deal.Then, in late May, Islander contract guru Mike Santos petitioned the NHL, arguing Lawrence was a restricted free agent. A section of the CBA states games played in 1994-95 must be pro-rated due to the lockout.The NHL agreed and ruled Lawrence a restricted free agent. Morris appealed and the NHLPA filed a grievance that still stands. The NHLPA con tends players who sign a contract after the lockout do not have to abide by the pro-ration laws.Because Morris knew a hearing would not be held until the middle of training camp, he kept negotiating. Things turned bitter in early August when Milbury, in response to a counter-offer, lowered his offer to less than $700,000 per season.Instead of blowing off the Isles and waiting for the hearing, Morris soldiered on.&ldquo;This was a good move because he has a chance to be the first line right winger and play for Butch Goring,&rdquo; Morris said. Lawrence played for Goring in 1997-98 in Utah (IHL), scoring 36 goals.NOTEBOOK: Right winger Michael Rupp, the ninth overall pick in 1998, suffered a setback when he didn't make the U.S. junior squad that will play in the World Junior Championship in December. Meanwhile, Brett Henning, the Isles' ninth round selection last June and son of assistant coach Lome Henning, made Team USA, as did Isles' third round choice Brian Collins. New York is not giving up on Rupp because they knew he was a project when they drafted him and believe power forward skills take more time to develop. However, GM Mike Milbury will have to sign him by next June and there's no way they are considering giving him close to the cap ($975,000)&hellip;Russian defense man Vladimir Chebaturkin, a restricted free agent, signed a one-year deal in mid-August and has an excel lent shot at making the team. Chebaturkin, 23, the Islanders' third round pick in 1993, was plus-6 in eight games with New York last season and has been known to play a nasty game. &#9632;

f0021-01

Lawrence fiasco finally finished as winger signs two-year contract

<div class="byline">By Rick Carplniello</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-02566/7430558-1-eng-US/f0021-022.jpg" title="f0021-02" width="171" height="170"></div>A lot has happened to Kirk McLean since June of 1994. He has bounced around from Vancouver to Carolina to Florida and now to New York, the site of some of his most famous moments.McLean became the Rangers' backup goalie in July when he signed a two-year, free agent contract worth about $1,925 million.It was against the Rangers in the 1994 Stanley Cup final, while playing for the Vancouver Canucks, that McLean made his reputation to New York hockey fans. He stole Game 1 at Madison Square Garden when he made 17 mostly remark able saves in overtime.McLean's tenure in Vancouver lasted three more seasons before he began bouncing around.And when the Rangers dealt Dan Cloutier to Tampa Bay in the draft-day blockbuster trade, they needed a goalie to back up Mike Richter, who, of course, was at the other end of the ice during that 1994 series.&ldquo;It is kind of ironic,&rdquo; said McLean, 33, when he signed. &ldquo;I hope it's also a good thing for New York. They've got two guys who were battling for the Stanley Cup five years ago. Now we're on the same team and we bring experience to the club.&rdquo;Richter said it wouldn't be odd having McLean on the same team, but did say he was looking forward to talking about that series.McLean remembers the details very well, especially how the Canucks came back from a 3-1 deficit to force a Game 7. McLean kept the Canucks in that game at the Garden, too, before finally succumbing by a 3-2 score.&ldquo;You always wonder what it would have been like,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The what-ifs come up. But it was such an experience and such a ride.&rdquo;Since then, the ride has been bumpy. The Canucks traded McLean to Carolina with Martin Gelinas for Geoff Sanderson, Cicco Ciccone and Sean Burke in 1997-98. Carolina then dealt him later that season to Florida for Ray Sheppard. Ironically, McLean wound up as Burke's backup with the Panthers last season.NOTEBOOK: As expected, the Rangers signed defenseman Mathieu Schneider to a one-year contract worth $2.75 million, the same amount he made last sea son. The one-year deal will take Schneider to unrestricted free agency next summer. He scored 10 goals and 34 points in 75 games last season&hellip;The Rangers figure to begin training camp healthy. First line center Petr Nedved is healed from a ribcage injury that shut down his season last April, gritty right winger Todd Harvey has recovered from a hand/thumb injury that ended his season in February and newly signed checking center Tim Taylor reports no problem from an ankle injury he had last season in Boston&hellip;It's possible the Rangers will be without restricted free agent right winger Mike Knuble and defenseman Rumun Ndur. among others, when camp begins Sept. 4 in Burlington, Vt. There has been no movement on the qualifying offers New York made to their restricted free agents prior to the July 1 deadline. &#9632;

f0021-02

McLean joins Richter on Broadway as '94 Stanley Cup goalies reunite

<div class="byline">By Lisa Burke</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-011072/7430589-1-eng-US/f0022-012.jpg" title="f0022-01" width="171" height="169"></div>Two brief sentences may have dashed any hope Ottawa Senators' fans had of seeing Alexei Yashin in the lineup.Mark Gandler, Yashin's agent, made his client's position crystal clear in an Aug. 24 letter to the Senators.&ldquo;We understand your position,&rdquo; it read. &ldquo;Regretfully, I must notify you that Alexei will not be available this season.&rdquo;The Senators released the letter, along with' two others they wrote to Gandler, which expressed their stance on the issue-to not renegotiate the final year of Yashin's contract nor trade him.Yashin is demanding Ottawa tear up the final year of his five-year con-tract-which is scheduled to pay him $3.6 million (U.S.) this season-and pay him on the same level as the league's marquee players.Gandler claims the reason the Senators won't discuss a new contract is because they can't. He believes the team is using the situation to prove to the government they can't afford their star player without tax benefits.The Senators remain steadfast.&ldquo;The message from my letters is consistent,&rdquo; said Senators' GM Mar shall Johnston. &ldquo;Alexei has a contract with the Senators for one more year, which includes training camp and preseason play. We expect Alexei to fully honor that contract. We will not change the contract nor will we trade Alexei.&rdquo;Yashin, who is in Florida training with a group of fellow Russians, said: &ldquo;I can sit (out) for two years if I had to.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: The Ottawa Senators named Andre Savard as an assistant to coach Jacques Martin. The 46-year-old leaves his position as the Senators' head scout. Savard played 12 seasons in the NHL with Boston, Buffalo and Quebec, in which he scored 211 goals and 482 points in 790 games. He and Martin worked as assistant coaches with the Nordiques for the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons and Savard served as Martin's assistant when he was first hired in Ottawa in January, 1996&hellip;The Senators signed Finnish goaltender Jani Hurrne. 24, to a multi-year contract&hellip;Ottawa will hold a prospect camp from Aug. 30 to Sept. 4 with a round-robin tournament in Hull, Que., featuring players from Florida, Montreal and Tampa Bay. &#9632;

f0022-01

Yashin's days as a Senatorappear to be behind him

<div class="byline">By Wayne Fish</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-03545/7430620-1-eng-US/f0022-032.jpg" title="f0022-03" width="362" height="476"><figcaption class="caption-body">Mark Eaton</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-02757/7430627-1-eng-US/f0022-022.jpg" title="f0022-02" width="170" height="169"></div>He might be the first to put the 'Philadelphia' in the Philadelphia Flyers.Mark Eaton, a native of nearby Wilmington, Del., could become the first area player ever to compete for the Flyers when their season opens Oct. 2.Only a handful of Philadelphians have been in the NHL, most not ably the New York Rangers' goalie Mike Richter.The 22-year-old defenseman is vying for a spot on a roster that appears to have at least one opening on the blueline.Eaton, 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, is coming off an impressive season with the Philadelphia Phantoms of the American League. He had nine goals and 36 points in 74 games during the regular season and helped carry the Phantoms to the Western Conference final.The Flyers were considering Eaton for a job on the team even before the death of 22-year-old Dmitri Tertyshny in a boating accident July 23.Eaton says he just has to go about his business and not dwell on what happened in the summer.&ldquo;It was a tough situation, something I've never had to deal with before,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I think it's always going to be in the back of our heads.&rdquo;Eaton is a quick skater with excellent puck handling and passing skills. The Flyers decided not to re-sign veteran Steve Duchesne, so if Eaton makes the team, there's a chance he could fill some of those duties as a playmaker, particularly on the power play.&ldquo;1 just have to be in the best shape I can and play my style of hockey,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I have to let them make the decisions and not worry about where I'm going to end up.&rdquo;GM-president Bobby Clarke said Eaton will get as much action as possible. There are other options (Andy Delmore and Jeff Lank of the Phantoms) if Eaton doesn't make it.NOTEBOOK: John LeClair, who aggravated a back injury during the off-sea son, returned from an examination with Dr. Robert Watkins and said the prognosis was good&hellip;Simon Gagne, the Flyers' top pick in 1998, signed a contract Aug. 20 and planned to attend rookie camp the first week of September&hellip;The Flyers will play an exhibition game Sept. 21 against their AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, with all proceeds going to Dmitri Tertyshny's wife and unborn child&hellip;Last season ended with Luke Richardson asking for a trade. But GM-president Bobby Clarke said a truce has been called and Richardson could be back&hellip; Forwards Daymond Langkow and Valeri Zelepukin remain the only unsigned players. &#9632;

f0022-03

Native son could be firstto put on Flyers' uniform

<div class="byline">By Bob McManaman</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-04374/7430658-1-eng-US/f0022-042.jpg" title="f0022-04" width="170" height="168"></div>Barring a change of J events, it appears the Phoenix Coyotes will open training camp once again without one of their top dogs in the den.It's apparent a storm is about to hit hard regarding goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. A restricted free agent. Khabibulin and his agent had not yet responded to contract offers by the club and the Coyotes were bracing themselves for a potentially long stale mate with the 26-year-old Russian.&ldquo;Will Khabibulin be a holdout? I don't know,&rdquo; said GM Bobby Smith. &ldquo;If he doesn't have a contract, he won't be in training camp. That's something we have to prepare for. I have been fully prepared to make Nik one of the top-paid goalies in the league-for a Group II.&rdquo;That's where it gets a little sticky. Because Khabibulin isn't unrestricted, Smith doesn't feel the need to pay him on the same scale as today's older, more established, top-flight netminders.Neither Khabibulin nor his New York-based agent, Jay Grossman, will publicly say what amount they are seeking. But after earning $1.25 million last season-a year in which he put up top-five numbers in every goalie statistic-Khabibulin might ask for an annual salary worth as much as $4 million.Smith is thought to be offering a deal in the neighborhood of $2.5 million. He has made three separate offers already at two, three and four years, but with veterans so close to reporting to camp, Grossman still hadn't re sponded or filed a counter offer.&ldquo;Obviously, we expect him to (respond) pretty soon so we can get this guy signed,&rdquo; Smith said.&ldquo;I think we've made legitimate offers and I expect Nik to get signed&hellip;! don't think it's a big deal yet. We'll just wait. I'm not worried about it.&rdquo;Mikhail Shtalenkov is the only other goalie with NHL experience on the roster.NOTEBOOK: GM Bobby Smith intimated there has been little progress thus far in his efforts to attempt to trade unsigned center Robert Reichel to another club. &ldquo;We're done with Robert Reichel,&rdquo; Smith said. &ldquo;We'll see what's out there (in a trade), but we've got other issues to address right now."&hellip;The Coyotes apparently have decided to use left winger Louie DeBrusk as their only real enforcer and may also give newly signed free agent Francois Leroux a slight shot at making the team&hellip;Besides Nikolai Khabibulin and Reichel, both right winger Shane Doan and defenseman Stan Neckar remain unsigned, but Smith expected both to be locked up with deals prior to the start of training camp. &#9632;

f0022-04

Bulin Wall' may stand on side lines

<div class="byline">By Joe Starkey</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-06222/7430689-1-eng-US/f0022-062.jpg" title="f0022-06" width="363" height="479"><figcaption class="caption-body">Mario Lemieux</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-05282/7430696-1-eng-US/f0022-052.jpg" title="f0022-05" width="170" height="168"></div>When Mario Lemieux's plan to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins was approved in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in June, few thought it would take more than two months before he took control. But the bankruptcy process accelerates for no man.&ldquo;It seems like we do everything three times, &ldquo;said exasperated U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Ber-nard J. Markovitz.Thankfully for Pitts-burgh, Lemieux's $95-million takeover was finally set to become official. All that was required was for the NHL's Board of Governors to approve the sale and that was expected to occur Sept. 1.That it took him so long to secure the team did not significantly hamper the Penguins' business operations. GM Craig Patrick was given a budget by Lemieux (a little more than $30 million for next season) and promptly signed six of the team's 10 restricted free agents. A seventh, Matthew Barnaby, received a one-year, $1-million award in arbitration.Defenseman Darius Kasparaitis and forwards Jan Hrdina and Kip Miller were still awaiting contracts.Meanwhile, the team's season-ticket base stood at the equivalent of 7,600 full packages with an expected September boom once Lemieux gains control. The Penguins are on pace to farsurpass last season's total of 8,300 sea-son-ticket packages.&ldquo;The reality is, there has been a lull here in ticket sales as we wrap up the bankruptcy, &ldquo;said Penguins' vice-president of communications Tom McMillan. 'We haven't been able to launch our marketing push. But even with the delay, we're way a-head of last year. We anticipate a lot of excitement with jmieux the combination of Mario closing and a marketing campaign the likes of which we haven't been able to assemble the past few years.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: Mark Gandler, agent for restricted free agent defenseman Darius Kasparaitis, was not pleased with the Penguins' initial offer to his client. &ldquo;I'm just unhappy with the way it has started,"Gandler said. He did not reveal the financial details. Kasparaitis, who is coming off reconstructive knee surgery, made $1.1million last season. Gandler said Kasparaitis is physically at 90 per cent and would be 100 per cent by the season opener Oct. 1 at Dallas&hellip;Steve Bartlett, agent for unrestricted free agent defenseman Ulf Samuelsson, said his client is interested in returning to Pittsburgh if the financial details can be worked out. Samuelsson, chosen in the expansion draft by Atlanta, made $2 million last season. &#9632;

f0022-06

Team turns attention to iceas ownership mess settled

<div class="byline">By Dave Luecking</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-07189/7430727-1-eng-US/f0022-072.jpg" title="f0022-07" width="171" height="167"></div>With camp just around the comer, St. Louis Blues' GM Larry Pleau finished his last order of summer business by completing his first order of summer business.The Blues signed goalie Roman Turek, acquired from the Dallas Stars for a third round draft pick in late June, to a three-year deal Aug. 26. Sources said the pact is worth $5.2 million if the Blues pick up the club option in Year 3. The contract guarantees Turek $3 million in the first two years-$1.4 million this season and $1.6 million next season. His option year salary would be $2.2 million.&ldquo;This organization has been looking for somebody to jump in and be a No. 1 goalie,&rdquo; Pleau said. &ldquo;We can't depend on Grant to take us for the next 10 years. One of (our) goals has been to get some goaltenders who can jump into the position now and in the future.&rdquo;In his 55 games with the Stars over the last three seasons, Turek was 30-14-4 with a 2.14 goals-against average. Last season, he was 13-3-3 in 26 appearances with a 2.08 GAA and a .915 save per centage, sharing the Jennings Trophy with Eddie Belfour for the lowest team goals-against average in the league.He enjoyed the experience as Belfour's backup on the Stanley Cup champion Stars, but was ready to move on.&ldquo;If I stayed in Dallas, it'd be the same as the last two years&hellip;wait for my chance, play 20 to 25 games,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;1 want to play more games.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: Center Jim Campbell met with Blues' GM Larry Pleau Aug. 24 and apologized for his arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol. Missouri police arrested Campbell, 26, after he ran a flashing red light. His blood-alcohol con tent registered 0.15. which is above the legal limit of 0.10&hellip;To toughen up. the Blues signed minor-league enforcer Sylvain Blouin as a free agent. He played 67 games in Fredericton (AHL) last season and five in Montreal&hellip;As players trickle into town, they've been congregating at the U.S. Ice Sports Complex for informal pre camp workouts. The workouts have become a tradition in St. Louis, where current Blues are joined by alumni, children of alumni and assorted friends and relatives. &#9632;

f0022-07

Pleau's workload lighter after inking Fuhr's heir

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-01969/7430758-1-eng-US/f0023-012.jpg" title="f0023-01" width="170" height="170"></div>The San Jose Sharks set up an interesting battle for a roster spot when they traded defense men Bill Houlder and Andrei Zyuzin to the Tampa Bay Lightning as part of the Niklas Sundstrom deal.Even if veteran Gary Suter is able to return to action after missing virtually all of last season because of a tom right triceps, the Sharks would like to see one of the young players from their deep defensive talent pool step up.&ldquo;It would make sense to open up a job for one young defenseman,&rdquo; said GM Dean Lombardi. &ldquo;I'm curious to see which one grabs that job.&rdquo;The top six jobs appear to belong to Bryan Marchment, Suter, Magnus Ragnarsson, Mike Rathje, Bob Rouse and Jeff Norton. The Sharks will carry a seventh and possible eighth man.The candidates are Scott Hannan, Brad Stuart, Shawn Heins and Andy Sutton. Hannan was a first round draft pick in 1997, Stuart was third overall in 1998 and Heins and Sutton each saw playing time with the Sharks last season after joining the team as free agents. Hannan might be the front-runner.'Technically, he is so sound,&rdquo; Lombardi said of Hannan. &ldquo;He sees the play. He's very smart defensively.&rdquo;The Sharks have great long-range plans for Stuart. Heins, whose slap shot has been clocked at over 100 m-p-h, could provide offense-he had 22 goals last season with Kansas City (International League). Sutton is regarded as a solid stay-at-home defenseman.NOTEBOOK: The Sharks are hopeful veteran defenseman Gary Suter, whose right triceps was tom in his first game with the Sharks last season, will be 100 per cent when he reports for training camp Sept. 5. &ldquo;All indications are he is solid,&rdquo; said GM Dean Lombardi. &ldquo;Until he gets out there, that's a big issue."&hellip;The Sharks traded goaltending prospect Michel Larocque. 22, to Chicago Aug. 22 for a fifth rotind pick in the 2000 NHL entry draft. La rocque, 23, has played the past four seasons at Boston University, where he compiled a 57-26-9 record. Last season, Larocque was 14-17-3 with a 3.39 GAA and was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to U.S. college hockey's most outstanding player. &#9632;

f0023-01

Youngsters set to battle for open spot on blueline

<div class="byline">By Tim Buckley</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-03450/7430789-1-eng-US/f0023-032.jpg" title="f0023-03" width="345" height="473"><figcaption class="caption-body">Daren Puppa</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-02643/7430796-1-eng-US/f0023-022.jpg" title="f0023-02" width="168" height="166"></div>No one is betting the farm Daren Puppa will return to the form of days gone by.There is, however, plenty of optimism in Tampa Bay these days Puppa canhelp save a franchise facing long odds and lots of growing pains as it starts fresh under new ownership and management.(See pg. 3 for more.)&ldquo;If Daren Puppa is healthy,&rdquo; GM Rick Dud-ley told the St. Petersburg Times, &ldquo;that's a huge benefit for the Lightning.&rdquo;Puppa has not played more than 50 games in any one season since he went 29-16-9 with a 2.46 goals-against average in 1995-96, the only season Tampa Bay has made the playoffs.The Kirkland Lake, Ont., native was third in Vezina Trophy voting that sea son, then watched his career plunge due to an array of injuries. He has undergone surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back and has been plagued by both back spasms and groin pulls.This off-season, Puppa visited Arnie Kander, strength and conditioning coach for the NBA's Detroit Pistons. Kander determined what Puppa thought was an ongoing groin problem is really pain stemming from the hip capsule, which secretes fluid that lubricates the joint.&ldquo;It feels like a piano is off my back,&rdquo; Puppa said of Kander's diagnosis and treatment. &ldquo;Mentally, it helped a lot (to know the real source of the pain). I'm feeling real good. Hopefully, it's all gone. I'm working hard, ready to rock and roll.&rdquo;Still, no one is banking on the health of 34-year-old Puppa, who is entering the third and final year of a contract worth $7 million.Puppa will fight with recently acquired Dan Cloutier, 23, for the starting job in training camp. Puppa understands, and welcomes, the challenge.&ldquo;I miss hockey,&rdquo; Puppa said. &ldquo;The last three years has been pretty sucky.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: The Lightning signed restricted free agent left winger Colin Forbes Aug. 18 to a three-year contract&hellip; With several new hires, the Lightning will have a 17-member scouring staff this sea son, the biggest in franchise history&hellip;The Lightning announced a 60-game TV schedule, the most in franchise history&hellip; Former Lightning GM Phil Esposito has been hired as a color commentator for the Boston Bruins' television broadcasts. He will share duties with former teammate, Hall of Fame goaltender Gerry Cheevers&hellip;Esposito is also part of a group, Tri-State Sports LCC, that has bought the East Coast League's Huntington Blizzard. The ownership group also includes ex-Tampa Bay governor David Lefevre. &#9632;

f0023-03

Upbeat Puppa feels good, looks to regain No. 1 job

<div class="byline">By Ken Campbell</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-04318/7430827-1-eng-US/f0023-042.jpg" title="f0023-04" width="168" height="167"></div>Too many middlemen are bad for any economy and the Toronto Maple Leafs are no exception.The same team that was desperate for centers last season enters this one with a glut of pivots that will undoubtedly see some people move to the wing and others move out of town.When the Leafs take to the ice for training camp Sept. 5 in Barrie, Ont., they'll do so with seven capable centers, not including Igor Korolev, whom coach-GM Pat Quinn often referred to as his most dependable forward last season. Korolev, who broke his leg in the first game of the playoffs, will not skate with the team until Sept. 14 at the earliest.Mats Sundin and Alyn McCauley, if healthy, are locks. The Leafs recently signed Kevyn Adams to a one-year deal and see him as a possible fourth line center with the defensive acumen they lacked last season. That means Todd Warriner and Steve Sullivan will almost certainly move to left wing. That leaves Yanic Perreault (who could be traded), Adam Mair and Jason Bonsignore in the mix, with the rookie Mair almost certainly moving to the wing as well if he can make the team.&ldquo;We've clearly got a numbers' problem (at center) to deal with, but last year we had people who weren't natural centermen so they'll revert back to their natural positions,&rdquo; Quinn said. &ldquo;We're going into it with an open mind.&rdquo;McCauley was on the verge of a breakthrough campaign last year when a knee injury followed by a con cussion conspired to not only ruin his season, but place his young career in jeopardy.The 22-year-old sophomore didn't return after sustaining a concussion March 3 and while he has made good progress over the summer and his medical reports are positive, there's no guarantee he'll be able to take the constant physical pounding.NOTEBOOK: The Leafs signed goalie Jimmy Waite, who split last sea son between Phoenix of the NHL and Utah of the International League, to a two-year contract. He'll likely play in St. John's of the American League this sea son&hellip;Toronto also signed left winger Darrin Shannon and goalie Jason Muzzatti to try out contracts&hellip;Defenseman Dimitri Yushkevich, a restricted free agent said he wants to come to camp even if he doesn't have a contract. Last season, the Leafs did not allow their unsigned free agents to participate in camp, but coach-GM Pat Quinn said in late August he was undecided on the issue. Defenseman Bryan Berard will almost certainly not show up without a contract. &#9632;

f0023-04

Centers will get plenty of attention

<div class="byline">By Elliott Pap</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-011045/7430858-1-eng-US/f0024-012.jpg" title="f0024-01" width="171" height="172"></div>Although Vancouver Canuck owner John McCaw is looking for partners-or someone willing to purchase his entire sports empire-it will be business as usual for the hockey team.&ldquo;I don't have any cause for concern,&rdquo; said Canuck GM Brian Burke. &ldquo;Mr. McCaw has been looking for strategic partners for some time.&rdquo;The reclusive McCaw, a Seattle-based tycoon, owns 87 per cent of the Canucks and 100 per cent of the National Basketball Association's Grizzlies. He also owns 100 per cent of General Motors Place, the downtown facility in which both teams play.McCaw invested in the Canucks in 1994 as a partner with Arthur Griffiths. He bought out Griffiths in 1997 just as the hockey team was descending to the depths of the Western Conference.With a high payroll, sinking attendance and a weak Canadian dollar, the Canucks have been bleeding gobs of red ink. They are considered the weakest financial link in McCaw's Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment company. Various reports have the hockey team losing more than $60 million (Cdn.) during the last three seasons. The team has missed the playoffs all three seasons.&ldquo;John has been looking for a minority partner for over a year,&rdquo; said Orca Bay official Kevin Gass. &ldquo;It has reached the point where a minority partner is not necessary and he's prepared to sell both teams and the arena. He simply has now taken the position that he would be prepared to sell 100 per cent interest.&rdquo;Stan McCammon, Orca Bay's vice-chairman, explained the plan is not to break up Orca Bay and McCaw would really prefer a minority partner to help him absorb the losses. However, he admitted McCaw would consider selling everything if he received an offer he couldn't refuse.These developments haven't stopped Burke from having an active off-season. He signed a number of free agents, including NHL veterans Andrew Cassels and Doug Bodger, as well as the highly touted Sedin twins from Sweden.NOTEBOOK: Andy Moog signed a three-year contract to become the Canucks' goaltending consultant. He will work 10 days each month for the team&hellip;Center Harry York avoided salary arbitration by signing a one-year deal for $440,000 (U.S.)&hellip;Defenseman Chris O'Sullivan also signed a one-year contract which will see him make $400,000 (U.S.) if he sticks with the big club and $75,000 (U.S.) in the minors&hellip;Right winger Martin Gendron will make $500,000 (U.S.) in the NHL and $125,000 (U.S.) if he is sent down&hellip;The Canucks may have trouble signing a trio of restricted free agents. Markus Naslund. Adrian Aucoin and Ed Jovanovski are all seeking significant raises. Right winger Naslund (36 goals and 66 points in 80 games) and defenseman Aucoin (23 goals and 34 points in 82 games) are both coming off career years while Jovanovski, a mobile and tough blueliner, is attempting to capitalize on the fact he was the key player in the Pavel Bure deal with Florida last January. &#9632;

f0024-01

Business as usual for Canucks despite ownership questions

<div class="byline">By Dava Fay</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-02720/7430889-1-eng-US/f0024-022.jpg" title="f0024-02" width="170" height="169"></div>If you want to play with the big boys, even in training camp, you're going to have to earn that right and show you belong.That appears to be the new philosophy for the Washington Capitals, who plan to separate the core of the NHL roster from those trying to climb through the ropes as camp opens Sept. 7. The Caps will have more than 70 prospects at the Piney Orchard Ice Arena training site, their largest pre-season roster in at least a decade.Coach Ron Wilson plans to have four teams-two made up of players who have a legitimate shot at the NHL team and two made up of players who have not progressed that far.There will be little on-ice interaction between the two groupings. They will scrimmage separately with some movement as an individual either earns a shot at playing with Adam Oates or shows he is not yet ready for that opportunity.&ldquo;You have to earn your way, that's the message we're trying to get across,&rdquo; said assistant coach Tim Anny. &ldquo;You just don't come into the organization and suddenly find yourself playing on Adam Oates' right wing. There's a developmental phase, a learning phase. You'll be battling for your position right from the start. Nothing will be given to you. We're trying to say to play here will take work, will mean you have to do things right and the combination of those two things will give you a chance to play for the Caps.".Clearly, last season's dismal performance-missing the playoffs one season after playing in the Stanley Cup final-figured in the new training camp plans. There were a club-record number of man games lost to injury (511), but nearly every player on the team also displayed remarkable let downs from previous individual standards.&ldquo;We want the players, all of them, to focus on what it takes to play in the NHL,&rdquo; Army said. &ldquo;From that we want to start preparing the team much earlier for the season and do it properly. We want to spend more time with the core, getting them ready because before you can blink, the sea son is here.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: The team's pre-training camp skating began Aug. 16. a week later than some players had hoped for, a clear illustration of how long summer can be when your club misses the playoffs. One of those participating is left winger Steve Konowalchuk. who saw his chances for a quick start evaporate last season when he sustained a sprained ankle days before camp opened&hellip;The club re-signed goalie Martin Brochu to a one-year, two-way deal. Depending on how the pecking order shakes out, he might be the No. 1 recall from Portland (AHL) should there be an injury to No. 1 Olie Kolzig or backup Craig Billington&hellip;Washington traded 5-foot-10 center Benoit Gratton. 182 pounds of grit and determination, to Calgary for defenseman Steve Shirreffs. The Capitals want to get bigger and Shirreffs fits the mold at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. The only fault Washington had with Gratton was his lack of size, the one thing the pesky Dale Hunter act-alike couldn't do anything about. &#9632;

f0024-02

Team hopes two-tiered approach a Capital idea at packed camp

<div class="byline">By Kevin Oklobzija</div>As director of pro scouting for the New York Rangers the past two years, John Paddock enjoyed evaluating talent in the minor leagues and on the rosters of other NHL teams.As the GM of the Winnipeg Jets from 1993 94 through 1996-97, Paddock was intrigued by the challenge of trying to build a winner.But he found neither role as fulfilling as coaching, which is something Paddock loves to do. That's why he's back behind the bench in the American League, ready to guide the Hart ford Wolf Pack into their third season.Paddock, 45, replaces E.J. McGuire, who chose not to seek another contract after two seasons as the New York Rangers' development coach.&ldquo;I like coaching better than anything else in the game and I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to do it again,&rdquo; Paddock said. &ldquo;As far as managing at the NHL level, so much of what you do, you ' don't see the results for several years. But in coaching, the decisions you make every day affect what happens.&rdquo;Paddock didn't make many wrong decisions when he coached in the AHL in the past. During seven seasons in Maine, Hershey and Bingham ton, his teams won three Calder Cups, reached the final one other time and played in the semi-final another time. His 1987-88 Hershey Bears are the only team to sweep their way through three rounds to win the Calder Cup, going 12-0.In 10 seasons as a coach, he had just two losing years. The Maine Mariners were 33-36-11 in 1983-84, but won the Calder Cup and Winnipeg went 24-51-9 in 1993-94, Paddock's last full season behind the bench.His overall AHL record is 296-220-44 (.568 winning percentage) and his Calder Cup playoff mark is 51-34.He'll be expected to continue his winning ways in Hartford. The Wolf Pack was 38-37-5 last season after going 43-25-12 in their first AHL season and the Rangers want to put a successful product in a building-the Hartford Civic Center-their parent company manages.&ldquo;I know Neil (Smith, the Rangers' GM) and Don (Maloney, the assistant GM) and I share the same philosophy as far as winning and developing,&rdquo; Paddock said. &ldquo;You hope every year to develop a player or two that moves up or brings you something in a trade.&rdquo;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-01986/7430920-1-eng-US/f0027-012.jpg" title="f0027-01" width="456" height="454"></div>BIG BIRD A COACH: Greg Smyth, one of three players to amass 2,000 penalty minutes in the AHL, will be Al MacAdam's player/assistant coach with the St. John's Maple Leafs.Smyth, whose 14 suspensions are an AHL record, had seven assists and 159 penalty minutes in 40 games last season. He has 2,045 penalty minutes in 375 career AHL games.A first round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1984, Smyth has also played 229 NHL games in his 13-year career on defense.While he has been known to lose it on the ice, Smyth is glad to play humanitarian off it. He has established The Bird's Nest at St. John's Memorial Stadium, where underprivileged [children will be treated to the i game and receive food and memorabilia, all on Smyth's tab.DEFENSIVE OVERHAUL: The Providence Bruins went from worst to first in consecutive seasons in part because of a revamped blueline corps. But they're facing major changes on defense for the upcoming season. All-star Terry Virtue signed with the New York Rangers and will anchor the Hartford defense, Steve Bancroft jumped to the Carolina Hurricanes' organization and captain Dennis Vaske, 32, hasn't decided if he wants to play again.One replacement has been found. Keith McCambridge, who scored three goals and 10 points and had 256 penalty minutes for Long Beach of the International League, joined the Bruins' organization as a free agent.AHL TIDBITS: The Hershey Bears signed defenseman/left winger Jason Bowen. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Bowen had three goals, six points and 178 penalty minutes in 58 games for the Hamilton Bulldogs last season&hellip;The Rangers re-signed Hartford goalie J.F. Labbe, a first team all-star and the Calder Cup MVP in 1996 97 with Hershey. Labbe was 28-26-3 last season for the Wolf Pack&hellip;Barry Smith was named Stan Smyl's assistant coach with the Syracuse Crunch. He was an assistant with Baton Rouge of the East Coast League the past two seasons. &#9632;

f0027-01

Paddock gives up GM seat for position behind bench

<div class="byline">By Tim Campbell</div>After being swamped with interest from the outside, the Orlando Solar Bears hired from the inside when it came time to replace coach Curt Fraser.Peter Horachek, 39, signed a two-year deal with the Solar Bears Aug. 23, moving up from his assistant coach's position under the volatile Fraser, who became the coach of the NHL's expansion Atlanta Thrashers.&ldquo;Peter has distinguished himself from a strong list of candidates,&rdquo; said Solar Bears' GM John Weisbrod. &ldquo;I'm certain he's the man to lead our team into this new era.&rdquo;Weisbrod had been inundated with applications for the job. Orlando will be Atlanta's main minor-league affiliate this season. He whittled his original list of 64 applications to a short-list of five, believed to include Houston Aeros' assistant Dave Barr, a former Solar Bears' player, Michigan assistant JimPlayfair, Baton Rouge (East Coast League) coach Bob McGill and University of Calgary coach Tim Bothwell.There was also a rumor that 14 coaches with NHL experience, including Ted Nolan and Mike Keenan, threw their hats into the ring.Horachek was hired by the Solar Bears in 1995 as an assistant coach. In the two seasons prior to that, he led the Flint Generals of the Colonial League (now the United League).The Solar Bears, who lost to Houston in the seventh game of the Turner Cup final last spring, also named Jim Hughes and retired center Hubie McDonough as Horachek's assistants.ZEBRA SIGHTING: The IHL has shored up its officiating department with the addition of veteran NHL supervisor Sam Sisco, who becomes the assistant to the vice-president of hockey operations.Sisco, who served as an IHL referee for 20 years, will help the league evaluate and educate its officials. The league took on its own officiating staff last season, a move that drew mixed reviews at best.&ldquo;It's still a work in progress, but Sam will be invaluable to the IHL,&rdquo; said league president and CEO Doug Moss. &ldquo;He's really going to help us with our evaluation and our search for some new people.&rdquo;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-02634/7430951-1-eng-US/f0027-022.jpg" title="f0027-02" width="728" height="298"></div>OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE: The Long Beach Ice Dogs, perennial powers in the Western Conference, have lost two key players for the 1999-2000 season.Former top defenseman and all-star Dan Lambert has flown the coop to Germany, where he will play for the Cologne Sharks. Lambert, 29, was the IHL's top rearguard in98. The Ice Dogs have also lost forward Patrick Augusta to Germany. Augusta has signed with the Schwenniger Wild Wings.As well, the Manitoba Moose lost a pair of players to German teams: Left winger Ralph Intranuovo and defenseman Kent Fearns.NEW ASSISTANT: Long Beach left winger K Darryl Williams, a Mt. ' Pearl, Nfld., native, has retired to become an assistant coach under John Van Boxmeer. Williams will reilace Mark Hardy, who has joined the NHL's Los Angeles Kings as an assistantLong Beach has also signed wingers Rob Pearson and Claude Boivin to fill holes. Pear son spent time with the Cleveland Lumbetjacks and Orlando last season, while Boivin played in Italy.The Dogs also inked goalie Steve Vezina, who tested positive for three banned substances, including the steroid Nandrolone, at the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg and caused Canada to be stripped of its gold medal in roller hockey.NOTEBOOK: Tag-team signings in Utah raised some eyebrows in late August. The Griz zlies, who missed the playoffs last season, inked rough-and-tumble forwards Mick Vukota and Shawn Penn. Vukota was with the Grizz in 1998-99, but sustained a serious shoulder injury which cost him most of the second half&hellip;In Winnipeg, the Manitoba Moose signed right winger Mike Prokopec. The former Detroit Vipers' winger is slotted to play alongside all-star center Bill Bowler in place of Scott Thomas, signed by the Los Angeles Kings in the off-season&hellip;The Chicago Wolves have agreed to a partial affiliation arrangement with the New York Islanders. &#9632;

f0027-02

Solar Bears hire from within as Horachek replaces Fraser

<div class="byline">By Jim Cressman</div>Based on the 4-on-4 experiment conducted in the American League last season, the Ontario League expects more overtime decisions this season.The OHL and the rest of the Canadian Hockey League have adopted the 4-on-4 overtime setup which will also be used in the NHL.Each team will receive one point at the end of regulation time, with an additional point being awarded to the overtime winner. Teams will be reduced to four skaters, plus a goalie, for the five-minute overtime.The AHL, at the NHL's request, used the 4-on-4 for its final 204 games. A winner was determined in 61 per cent of the games that required the extra period, whereas under the old 5-on-5, only 33 per cent of overtime games were decided.Last season in the OHL, a winner was decided in 42 per cent of overtime games.&ldquo;It's going to be interesting to see the offense that's created,&rdquo; said Ted Baker, the OHL's director of hockey operations.The AHL study backs up Baker. In 5-on-5 overtime, there were .93 shots per minute. In 4-on-4, there were 1.37 shots per minute. The average length of overtime was also reduced by 47 seconds.London Knights' coach Gary Agnew said strategy may also change.&ldquo;You might see a team go with four forwards, or three forwards and a defenseman. Or, if you're playing a team you're battling in the standings, you might go with four defensemen to make sure they don't get that extra point,&rdquo; Agnew said.&ldquo;We used to practice 4-on-4 and 3-on-3 before the coincidental minor penalties came in. It's always good to try different things. It's going to liven up the overtimes. We all wanted to do something to excite the overtimes without going to a shootout. At least it's still team play that's involved in determining the win and the loss.&rdquo;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-011023/7431013-1-eng-US/f0028-012.jpg" title="f0028-01" width="750" height="252"></div>Ottawa 67's coach Brian Kilrea said the 4-on-4 &ldquo;is going to open up the game more, but what it's also going to do is (anger) one guy on a line.&ldquo;One guy off your top line isn't going out,&rdquo; said Kilrea, who said he'll go with two forwards and two defensemen in overtime.&ldquo;I think mixing it up with three forwards and one defenseman is dangerous. I'd rather see if the other team will make a mistake, rather than us making the mistake.&rdquo;NET GAIN: The three I major junior leagues have moved the nets out an additional three feet from the end boards while shortening the neutral zone. The nets are now 13 feet out while the distance between the goal line and blueline remains at 60 feet.Brian Kilrea didn't want to see the neutral zone reduced.&ldquo;I still like that center zone because that's where you can utilize a lot of your speed,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Now the forwards will have to hold up a little more because the center line will come up faster.&rdquo;The OHL has seven under-sized ice surfaces and Gary Agnew said a smaller neutral zone is going to affect breakout patterns, especially in the shorter rinks.STAYING PUT: The London Knights extended the contract of coach-GM Gary Agnew two more years through 2001-2002.A two-time OHL coach of the year with the Knights, Agnew was entering the final year of a three-year deal after leaving the Kingston Frontenacs to rejoin London.Agnew was fired by the Knights when new owners took over in 1994. After being the worst team in the Canadian Hockey League two years running, the same owners brought back Agnew for 1998-99. Last season, London went to the OHL final, losing in seven games to Belleville.This summer, Agnew was a candidate for the coaching job with the expansion Louisville Panthers of the American League. The job went to former Knight Joe Paterson. &#9632;

f0028-01

New OT format to generate variety of strategies

<div class="byline">By Gordie Sutherland</div>Charlene Labonte is doing more than just helping the Bathurst Titan marketing department.As the first female goalie ever drafted to the Quebec League, Labonte's presence in training camp has produced plenty of publicity, but she hasn't looked out of place on the ice, either.Six goalies reported to Bathurst's camp and, as of Aug. 27, Labonte was among the final three. The 16-year-old pioneer had yet to allow a goal after two pre-season games in which she played 50 minutes and faced 24 shots.At only 5-foot-8 and 142 pounds, she com pen sates for her lack of size with quickness and refined style.&ldquo;Every time she has gone in the net, she has done very well,&rdquo; said Bathurst coach Roger Dejoie. &ldquo;I'm surprised with her. She has j shown us good technique and a good attitude. She has quick hands and quick feet.&rdquo;Labonte has been playing goal for the past eight sea sons and played midget AA &ldquo;last year with a boys' team in the Montreal area.Leo-Guy Morrissette, Bathurst's colorful owner and GM, picked Labonte in the 11th round of last June's draft.The jump to major junior presented Labonte with a challenge, but the Boisbriand, Que., native has answered it.&ldquo;It's a lot stronger and the guys can pretty: well place the puck where they want and I'll adapt to that,&rdquo; she said.Labonte's competition comes from returning goalie Philippe Ozga and 1998 draft pick, Frederic Cloutier, who played eight games with Bathurst last season.If Labonte sticks with the Titan, she would ' join Manon Rheaume as the only female i goalies to play major junior. Rheaume was: never drafted, but played one game for the: Trois-Rivi&egrave;res Draveurs in 1990-91.&ldquo;I always tell the players that in hockey and i in life you never know what's going to happen,&rdquo; said Dej&oacute;teot Labonte scnances or making me team. &ldquo;She's in camp right now and she's at least equal to the other (goalies).&rdquo;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-02690/7431044-1-eng-US/f0028-022.jpg" title="f0028-02" width="560" height="508"></div>POWER PLAY ACE: The Rimouski Ocean ic have found a power play quarterback.The Oceanic acquired overager Michel Periard Aug. 22 and, in return, gave the Shawinigan Cataractes a second round midget draft pick in 2000. Periard had 14 goals and 54 points in 64 games last season and should be among the league's top five scoring defensemen this year.&ldquo;We have good, young defensemen, but they need time to take their place in the league,&rdquo; said Doris Labonte, Rimouski's coach-GM. &ldquo;(Periard) will help us, especially with our offense.&rdquo;The Periard deal highlighted a flurry of activity leading up to the Aug. 23 deadline for trading students.The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles dealt 20-year-old winger Yannick Car pentier to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens for a fifth round pick next FWWJune. Carpentier was one of two Cape Breton players to reach 30 goals, collecting 65 points in 67 games last season.The Quebec Remparts got a backup goalie, picking up Yann Collin, 18, from Chicoutimi for a fourth round pick in 2000.The Drummondville Voltigeurs moved 19-year-old goalie Jonathan Pelletier to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies for a fourth round pick next June and gave up 18-year-old wingers Philippe Gelinas and Yannick Noiseux for Shawinigan defenseman Simon Poirier, 20, as well as fourth and sixth round picks in 2000.NOTEBOOK: The Philadelphia Flyers signed speedy Remparts' center Simon Gagne Aug. 19 to a three-year contract. Gagne, 19, was the Flyers' first round pick in 1998 and scored 50 goals and 120 points in 61 games last season. Because of his age, Gagne would have to return to junior, rather than the American League, if he doesn't make the Flyers&hellip; In an Aug. 19 trade, the Bathurst Titan acquired 20-year-old defenseman Frederic Girard from the expansion Montreal Rocket for a sixth round midget pick. &#9632;

f0028-02

Female goalie Labonte making impact in camp

<div class="byline">By Bob Vanstone</div>NHLers Scott and Rob Niedermayer are part of a group which has purchased a 49 per-cent share of their hometown Western League team, the Kootenay Ice.Ed Chynoweth, who owns 51 per cent of the franchise, remains the governor.&ldquo;I felt if the opportunity presented itself to sell part of the club to local investors, I'd con-sider it,&rdquo; said Chynoweth, who announced the deal Aug. 19. &ldquo;When you're in a smaller com-munity, local ownership is very important.&rdquo;The transaction was spearheaded by Jim Sty-pula, who, along with fellow Cranbrook businessman Eric Wiltzen and the Niedermayer brothers, rounded out the group.Scott Niedermayer, a graduate of the Kamloops Blazers, plays defense for the New Jersey Devils. Rob Niedermayer, a Medicine Hat Tigers' alumnus, is a center with the Florida Panthers. Both were bom in, Cranbrook, home of the Ice.&ldquo;It made sense to me,&rdquo; Chynoweth 1 said of the Niedermayers' involvement.&ldquo;I felt it was almost a no-brainer.&rdquo;Terms of the deal were not disclosed.Chynoweth left his post as WHL president after being granted an expansion franchise-the Edmonton Ice-in 1995. The team began play in 1996-97. After two years in Edmonton, Chynoweth moved it to Cranbrook in 1998.&ldquo;(Stypula) was probably the person who was most responsible for getting me to move here,&rdquo; Chynoweth said. &ldquo;He really wanted to get a WHL team for Cranbrook because they were building a new rec center.&ldquo;At that time, I didn't think I was going anywhere. Our conversation was two-fold. If we were available, great. If not, would I help him get into the WHL? That's where it started.&rdquo;PROBLEMS SOLVED: Calgary Flames' 1999 first-rounder Oleg Saprykin has cleared some diplomatic hurdles and is poised to rejoin the Seattle Thunderbirds.Saprykin, 18, had to resolve visa problems in his native Russia. His agent, Brian Lawton, also made it known his client might have to serve a military commitment during 1999-2000.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-03493/7431075-1-eng-US/f0028-032.jpg" title="f0028-03" width="406" height="420"></div>&ldquo;We've got his travel arrangements and he got his visa,&rdquo; said Thunderbirds' GM 0. &ldquo;You never relax until the players hit the dirt, but it looks like this has been sorted out.&rdquo;Saprykin had 93 points, including 47 goals, in 66 games last season. He was the league's second-highest-scoring rookie behind Pavel Brendl of the Calgary Hitmen (73 goals, 134 points). The Flames, who own the Hitmen, selected Saprykin 11th overall at the June 26 draft in Boston.&ldquo;The only other snag could be the Flames,&rdquo; said Farwell, alluding to the possibility of Saprykin making an ascent to the NHL.&ldquo;In junior, you never know until k. the guy comes back. I think he's F going to play here this year. I don't see anything else that could pop up, L but we'U have to wait until the end L of the Flames' camp.&rdquo;| TOP OF THE LINE: Linesman Troy Sartison has been promoted to the NHL after spending 11 seasons in the WHL.The Regina-based Sartison, 30, will not be required to serve a minor-league apprenticeship.&ldquo;This has been a possibility for a few years,&rdquo; Sartison said. &ldquo;Now that it has actually happened, it's amazing.&rdquo;Sartison isn't a stranger to a few NHLers. He was a linesman at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.&ldquo;I got to do one of Wayne Gretzky's games in the Olympics,&rdquo; Sartison said. &ldquo;At least I can say I skated with Gretzky. It would have been nice to see him in an NHL game. Then I really would have kicked him out of a faceoff.&rdquo;NOTEBOOK: The Moose Jaw Warriors have named Marv Merkel a full-time assistant coach. Merkel had spent the previous four sea sons assisting in a volunteer capacity&hellip;The WHL's All-Star Game is Jan. 19 at the new Skyreach Place in Kelowna, B.C&hellip;The 1999 2000 regular season runs Sept. 24 to March 26. &#9632;

f0028-03

Brothers Nieder mayer buy a chunk of the Ice

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0033-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-01906/7431113-1-eng-US/f0033-012.jpg"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-01925/7431106-1-eng-US/f0036-012.jpg" title="f0036-01" width="3383" height="4004"></div> &#9632;

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September 10, 1999

NHL TRAINING CAMP ROSTERS

PLUS MINUS

Rules committee aims to cut fat off marathon games

Not all doom and gloom, but room for improvement