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October 22, 1999

October 22, 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.

NHL TEAMS

Face-to-face talk seals deal; McCarty signs for three years

His hair may be a bleached I “blond, his game may be rusty and his conditioning is a concern. But Darren McCarty was back with the Detroit Red Wings and his teammates took notice. “He always has something to say, whether it’s right or wrong…it’s usually wrong, but he still says it,” joked Kris Draper. “He’s a leader on the ice, but he brings a lot to the dressing room, too.” McCarty’s absence ended Oct. 7 when he signed a three-year contract worth $5.4 million. He’ll earn $1.65 million this season, $1.8 million in 2000-01 and $1.95 million in 2001-02. The contract also calls for substantial incentive bonuses. “It’s a great feeling and a great relief,” McCarty said. “It’s something anybody in my situation waits for and hopes for. It’s nice to be back in…

NHL TEAMS

Playing time for Flyer defensemen hinges on coach Neilson’s rating

Play the popular, but unhappy veterm or give the talented rookie valuable playing time? That’s the quandary Philadelphia Flyers’ coach Roger Neilson faced as the regular season got underway: Either go with proven ability on defense in 30-year-old Luke Richardson or experiment with 22-year-old freshman Mark Eaton. Neilson tried a little of both in the first two games with mixed results. The Flyers were shut out in both games (the first time in their 33-year history they were blanked twice out of the starting gate) and it was hard to gauge either defenseman’s impact. On opening night, Eaton became the first Philadelphia-area native (Wilmington, Del.) ever to play for the Flyers, mainly because Eric Desjardins was still recovering from losing eight teeth in the final pre-season game Sept. 28. Eaton held his own in…

COLUMNS

Warm welcome back for NHL in Atlanta

Atlanta, at long last, is Toronto South. A bustling and booming sports town, the Georgia belle lacked only one diamond in its diadem-an NHL team. Enter the Thrashers. Open Phillips Arena-all 18,545 gorgeous seats of it. Hockey days are here again and even Gary Bettman is smiling. “It’s terrific,” beamed the commissioner during his visit to the Thrashers’ opener against the New Jersey Devils Oct. 2. “This will be a very strong franchise.” Backed by Ted Turner’s TNT billions and comfy in a state-of-the-art arena that’s sold out tc the gills, the Thrashers figure to do just about everything right except win. “That will come,” said Curt Fraser, the steely-eyed rookie coach, who appears to be one part Roger Neilson and one part Mike Keenan. “I’m aiming for a playoff berth. That’s our goal…

IN THIS ISSUE

Modano opens fire on violence in NHL game

Mike Modano has taken his game to a whole new level. Teammate Joe Nieuwendyk was awarded the 1999 Conn Smythe Trophy (and goalie Eddie Belfour should have earned the honor), but Modano was the best skater. He played through a painful wrist injury and controlled the final series offensively and defensively, as the Dallas Stars won their first Stanley Cup. Modano earned assists on the last five Stars' goals, Scored over three games, to guide Dallas past the stubborn Buffalo Sabres. Not since Guy Lafleur assisted on the final seven goals of the Montreal Canadiens' 1977 Stanley Cup win has the league seen anything like that. Yet less than one week into the new NHL season, and only one goal into his latest bid for 50, Modano established himself as a superstar, perhaps,…