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February 4, 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.
Thrashers, Stefan not worried about rookie’s low production
In the same game, Atlanta Thrashers’ rookie center Patrik Stefan simultaneously flashed a glimpse of his dynamic future and the struggles of present day. Stefan, the first pick overall in the 1999 NHL entry draft, blew past two Boston Bruins’ defensemen in overtime of a 3-3 game at FleetCenter Jan. 17. But after breaking free for a potential game-winning goal. Stefan saw Boston goalie Byron Dafoe kick aside his shot. It continued a stretch in which Stefan had scored only one goal in 29 games. But neither Stefan, who had four goals and 20 points in 41 games, nor the Thrashers are overly concerned about the player’s future. Coach Curt Fraser was more pleased with the fact Stefan had become more aggressive defensively and significantly improved his faceoff success than he was displeased with…
Provinces helped kill NHL deal
Don’t tell Gary Bettman that federal government is slow to act. “In the last 48 hours, the wheels of government have turned very fast, they did a complete 180,” said the NHL commissioner of Industry Minister John Manley’s about-face on Canadian federal aid for NHL teams. For his part, Manley said the federal initiative “got the players off the bench,” which is to suggest that other levels of government that had either been ambivalent or asking for guidance finally reacted when the feds made a commitment. React, they did. Certainly, public and media reaction was swift and intensely negative. And while the average Canadian’s misgivings no doubt contributed to the federal reversal, it was the following reactions from key players that sealed the death of the deal. B.C. finance minister Paul Ramsey said, “Using…
Hodson can’t escape coach Ludzik’s bad books
Kevin Hodson has gone from Tampa Bay Lightning coach Steve Ludzik’s doghouse to the outhouse. Hodson, whose work ethic had already been questioned by Ludzik this season, was in line to get the chance to take over in goal after No. 1 goalie Dan Cloutier was suspended four games in mid-January for kicking New York Islanders’ forward Tim Connolly. Instead, Rich Parent, acquired from the St. Louis Blues the day Cloutier was suspended, started against the Florida Panthers Jan. 15 and lost 5-2. Two days later in Game 2 of Cloutier’s suspension, Parent started and lost again, this time 6-3 to the Washington Capitals. By starting Parent against Florida, Ludzik was apparently looking to shake up the struggling Lightning. Parent, after all, hadn’t played in the NHL in nearly a year. By starting…
Owner vows to explore option of Senators staying in Ottawa
Instead of packing up and leaving town, Ottawa Sen-ators’ owner Rod Bryden is trying to come up with a solution to stay put. After learning $3 million in funding he’d received from the Canadian government only 48 hours earlier had been pulled off the table, Bryden told a packed news conference in Ottawa he wasn’t ready to give up the fight. While he’s still prepared to sell the team to the American interests, Bryden is going to spend the next two weeks trying to find out if it’s feasible for him to continue operating the Senators at the 18,500-seat Corel Centre in Kanata. “I’m not going to be hasty in making my decision,” Bryden said. “Believe me when I say my No. 1 choice is to keep this team in Ottawa. It always…
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