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April 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.
Weird and whacky start to playoffs punctuates second season for Caps
If things are going according to script for the Washington Capitals, then this thriller must have been written by Alfred Hitchcock. The Caps, picked by 15 of 28 THN correspondents to make it to the Stanley Cup final, encountered a whole post-season’s worth of plot twists after just one game of their first round series with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The unexpected began before the first playoff goatee whisker had even sprouted. Because of a scheduling conflict at Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena and demands made by ABC, the Caps learned they would have to play the series under an odd 12-2-1-1 format, with Game 1 in Washington and Games 2 and 3 in Steeltown. The players took the news in stride, saying the format wouldn’t be an issue. Coach Ron Wilson went one better, saying…
EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK
Frightening appearances to the contrary, the NHL is becoming a kinder and gentler place. That circumstance represents the great untold story of 1999-2000, labeled the ‘Season from hell in the NHL,’ by The Hockey News. Some regarded that characterization as defamation. We viewed it as definition, given the extraordinary number of awful events that have beset the league this season. However, we also recognize and have consistently pointed out that today’s game is being played at what may be its most civilized level in decades. Certainly the stats-apart from Marty McSorley’s record 23-game suspension-say as much. Consider these key numbers: □ Denny Lambert’s league-leading 219 penalty minutes is the lowest such total since Bryan ‘Bugsy’ Watson’s 212 in 1971-72, some 29 seasons ago.□ Over the past three seasons, the number of players…
McLaren’s breakout season doused by nagging injuries
If you just check his numbers, it doesn’t look like Kyle McLaren fared too poorly in 1999-2000. He played 20 more games than the year before, scored two more goals than his career high and finished a reasonable minus-4 on a Boston Bruins’ team that gave up 37 more goals than it scored. The 22-year-old, fifth-year defenseman didn’t have the breakthrough season many predicted, though. “When things nag you, you can’t do it,” said McLaren, whose 19 points included a career-high eight goals. McLaren was one of many Bruins who played with injuries. Hampered by sprained thumbs that were sore all season, he eventually gave in to knee and wrist injuries that both required surgery at season’s end. He ended up playing 71 games—the most since a 74-game rookie year in 1995-96. “I wish I…
Olausson retires from NHL, but may yet play in Europe
Fourteen years after he arrived in the NHL, defenseman Fredrik Olausson of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim announced his retirement. Olausson officially called it quits April 10, one day after the Ducks completed a disappointing 34-36-12-3 season. Anaheim finished ninth in the Western Conference, four points short of the final playoff berth. In keeping with his soft-spoken nature, Olausson didn’t even inform all of his teammates of the decision. “Part of it is being away from home as much as we are,” Olausson said. “My children are growing up. They want to see me a little bit more and I want to see them more.” Olausson and his wife, Carina, have three daughters-Paulina, 10, Nicole, 8, and Amanda, 4. OlaUsson, 33, plans to spend next year in Europe, though not necessarily in his native Sweden.…
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