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January 28, 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.
Ducks desperately hoping power play will take off
The power play continues to be an albatross around the Mighty Ducks’ necks. The NHL’s most productive man-advantage unit last season has been one of the league’s worst this year. Through their first 43 games, Anaheim had just 17 power play goals. Only the New York Islanders, with 16, had fewer. “If you don’t have a good power play or at least an average power play, you’re not going to win many games,” said Ducks’ captain Paul Kariya. After averaging a power play goal a game last season-83 in 82 games–the drop-off has been dramatic for the Ducks’ offense. Anaheim has devoted practices to the power play and has tried to revive it with personnel adjustments. First-year defenseman Niclas Havelid has seen time at the point-with Kariya-on the top unit and forwards Jim McKenzie…
Griffins mount challenge with Picard back in lineup
Michel Picard’s talents were rarely employed in Edmonton, but no such waste will take place with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Picard, the 30-year-old center, was signed by the NHL’s Oilers as a free agent in early December at a time when the club’s offense was struggling. Picard dressed for only two games in five weeks and was finally returned to the Griffins. Grand Rapids is challenging the Cleveland Lumberjacks for first place in the International League’s Eastern Conference. “I’m disappointed I had to come back down, but I wasn’t playing much, so I’m kind of happy,” said Picard, whose welcome-back party included two goals in a 3-1 win in Chicago Jan. 7. “I just want to play and I was happy to see some of my buddies here.” And they were happy to…
Rookie Gomez gets special invite
The message came from New Jersey Devils’ GM Lou Lamoriello. He wanted rookie forward Scott Gomez to step into his office before putting on his uniform for practice. Gomez, exactly three weeks past his 20th birthday, was nervous. “I thought I was in trouble,” Gomez recalled, “and then Lou told me. It was shocking.” It came as a shock to almost no one else on the team. Gomez, along with defenseman Scott Stevens and goalie Martin Brodeur, was named to the North American team for the NHL All-Star Game in Toronto Feb. 6. “It’s really not going to hit me until summer,” Gomez said. “I’m still in shock. I think someone is playing a prank. I never thought about the all-star team.” Already celebrated as the first Latin player in the NHL. Gomez became the…
FROM THE WASHINGTON CAPITALS LOCKER ROOM: PowerBar
Every team seems to have one guy who has had his bell rung and winds up on injured reserve with a concussion. Trainers are always administering to players who’ve hit their head on the no-give plexiglass or after somebody has elbowed them in the jaw. When they race out, they’re never too sure what they’re going to find. This isn’t anything like treating a sprained knee or a bum shoulder or a terrible gash. Head injuries are the most difficult thing a trainer sees. “If a guy gets a concussion we like to check his memory, of course (like what’s the score, and who are they playing?), but also his cognitive powers,” said Washington trainer Greg Smith. “Like his ability to remember things in sequence. Like I’ll pick five words at random,…
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