Search for your favorite player or team
© The Hockey News. All rights reserved. Any and all material on this website cannot be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission from Roustan Media Ltd. For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
January 21, 2000
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.
Coach Trotz out four lines helping Predators shift to winning streak
When the Nashville Predators got a little restless, they decided to get a lit-tie younger. Before an eight-game unbeaten streak (5-3-0-0)-the longest in the short franchise history-there was the matter of a seven-game winless streak (0-4-3-3). And needing something to shake things up, the Predators elected to move a little youth into the lineup. So coach Barry Trotz began putting more faith in four rookie-defensemen Richard Lintner and Karlis Skrastins and centers David Legwand and Randy Robitaille. “And because of the young guys, we have been a little more of a four-fine team,” Trotz said. “They’ve played responsibly and given us some good energy at a time when we needed it.” “The hardest thing for the younger player is to be consistent, at the top of your game every night,” said left winger Ville…
Lots more out there like unsung Essensa
While some teams are throwing ridiculous amounts of money at “star” players past their primes or not performing up to par, it’s refreshing to see the Phoenix Coyotes have not given in to goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. Of course, they have Bob Essensa, the NHL’s most underrated goalie, to thank for that. His fantastic play has kept Phoenix near the top of the Western Conference and has also allowed Coyotes’ management to ignore Khabibulin and his crazy demands. I’ve been a fan of Essensa since his days in Winnipeg, where he consistently finished among league leaders in save percentage and shutouts despite a porous defense in front of him. But here’s the bottom line: There are more Essensas out there for teams that take the time to look for them and refuse to bow…
Pens, Preds make plans in Japan
The NHL is off to Japan for a third time next season when the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators play a two-game series in Tokyo. The Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks opened the 1998-99 NHL season in Tokyo and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Vancouver Canucks started the Game ONe program in Japan in 1997-98. The Penguins and Predators will play on back-to-back nights Oct. 7-8 before returning to North America.…
Prospal apologizes to Sens’ fans, ‘but not that man from Montreal’
Vaclav Prospal got a slap on the wrists, but he won’t be forced to pay any greater price for calling Montreal Canadiens defenseman Patrice Brisebois a “f—ing frog.” Instead of getting punishment from NHL headquarters in New Yotk, the Ottawa Senators’ center will be forced to attend a private session with NHL-appointed diversity trainer Zack Minor in the near future. The league deemed Prospal’s apology to French Canadians for his remark to Brisebois during a game Dec. 27 as sufficient and decided not to hand out any fine or suspension. Prospal, 23, hardly sounded remorseful “I do admit I said those things,” said Prospal. “I said those things in the heat of the game… in a battle On the ice. I would say that I do apologize to French Canadian people that might be…
Made possible with the support of
