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September 17, 1999
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
Healthy Weight returns after injury-prone year
For Doug Weight, the 1998-99 NHL season was a kick in the teeth. After being embroiled in a contract squabble that left him sitting out training camp-thus missing all nine preseason games-and the first four regular season contests, Weight suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee Oct. 28. The rehabilitation was a slow and tedious process and he ended up missing 34 games. Then in Edmonton’s last game of the season during the first round playoff series against the Dallas Stars, Weight caught teammate Ryan Smyth’s skate flush on the side of his face, cutting him for nearly three-dozen stitches and leaving him dazed with a concussion. “It feels great,” the 28-year-old center said of the knee after his first stint at a conditioning camp in Edmonton. “It was my first…
Summer finally over for Sutter
It was a long summer for Calgary Flames’ coach Brian Sutter. “Too long,” Sutter said. “When you play so hard at the end of the year like we did, it made the summer even longer when you don’t make the playoffs. “ In missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year, the second with Sutter at the helm, the Hames stayed in contention until the final week last season before the Edmonton Oilers nipped them out for eighth place in the Western Conference standings. So for the first time since 1989, they will start a season without star Theo Fleury in the line-up. Life after Fleury will give a handful of emerging players-Jarome Iginla, Cory Stillman and Valeri Bure-a chance to step out of the shadows on a more permanent basis. The aforementioned trio…
Mair looks to settle down after multi-team season
After playing for a total of four teams last season, Adam Mair would like to get that number down to a more manageable size in 1999-2000. One would be nice and Mair knows exactly which one he wants it to be. “I’m definitely here to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs,” said the 20-year-old rookie. “I’m not even thinking of going anywhere else at this point.” Mair is the Leafs’ prospect that is most ready to make the jump to the NHL. He has several qualities the Leafs lack in that he plays with grit and shows a willingness to battle along the boards. The Leafs ultimately envision Mair as a third line center, but he will likely play one of the wings this season, He played right wing last year with the Owen Sound…
Dunham primed for long negotiation after little action on contract front
The Nashville Predators opened training camp Sept. 5, but barring an unexpected negotiating breakthrough, goaltender Mike Dunham will not be on the ice anytime soon. “We’re apples, they’re oranges right now,” said Preds’ GM David Poile. “We’re not even close.” Besides Dunham, center Sebastien Bordeleau, left winger Patrick Cote and defenseman Drake Berehowsky are the team’s most high-profile unsigned restricted free agents. Bordeleau is still recovering from back surgery, so signing him soon is not imperative and deals for Cote and Berehowsky were well into the negotiating process. Dunham is another matter. Agent Bob Murray is looking for a significant raise for the 27-year-old. Dunham was the first player Nashville selected in the 1998 expansion draft and finished 16-23-3 with a 3.08 goals-against average and .908 save percentage last season. “It would be hard…
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