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July 1, 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.
Kings’ brass disappointed O’Donnell gone to Minnesota
The Los Angeles Kings didn’t lose just a steady and rugged defenseman when Sean O’Donnell was claimed by Minnesota in the expansion draft. The Kings also lost a dressing room leader and a considerable amount of muscle. When Kings’ GM Dave Taylor decided to protect goalies Stephane Fiset and Jamie Storr, he could only protect three defensemen and he chose to shelter Rob Blake, Mattias Norstrom and Aki Berg. Taylor tried to make deals with Minnesota and Columbus to skip O’Donnell, but neither would oblige. O’Donnell had developed into a top-four defenseman in his six seasons with the Kings. He was paired with Garry Galley most of last season and had two goals and 14 points in 80 games. “We’re disappointed,” Taylor said. “We made a decision it was important to get through…
Paddock happy, but wants another NHL shot
There is no definite game plan for getting back to the NHL. No urgency to do it right away. But make no mistake about it: John Paddock intends to get back behind the bench of an NHL team one day. And when the 46-year-old coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack does sign with an NHL organization, he wants it to be the right situation. “It’s not like if I don’t get a job (with an NHL team) this summer I’ll be suicidal,” said Paddock, who coached the Wolf Pack to the American League’s Calder Cup championship this past season. “I’d be extremely disappointed if it didn’t happen again for me. But I’m not saying it has to happen right away.” Actually, Paddock’s name has been mentioned in connection with the vacant New York…
Bolts stir controversy pot with deal for goalie Weekes
Training camp is months away, but Tampa Bay already has a goaltending controversy. It has little to do with who will be No. 1 (Dan Cloutier or the newly acquired Kevin Weekes) and all to do with the trade that saw the New York Islanders send Weekes—and big defense prospect Kristian Kudroc—to the Lightning for Tampa Bay’s No. 5 overall draft pick. Though he can be spectacular, Weekes has failed to show the consistency needed of a starter. He has been with four NHL teams since 1997 and has been traded three times. The Lightning already has an inconsistent, though sometimes spectacular, goaltender in the 24-year-old Cloutier. But Lightning GM Rick Dudley and Florida Panthers’ goaltender coach Billy Smith, who worked with Weekes when he played for Florida, said Weekes is an elite goalie waiting…
Chairman of the boards
Chris Pronger wasn’t the least bit surprised when Pittsburgh Penguins’ right winger Jaromir Jagr was named winner of the Lester B. Pearson Award. “Are you kidding?” Pronger said. “Hell, I voted for him.” Jagr captured his second straight Pearson Award June 15, presented annually to the NHL’s outstanding player as voted by members of the NHL Players’ Association. Jagr’s most impressive feat in 1999-2000 was winning his third straight scoring title—and fourth of his career-despite playing just 63 games. The 28-year-old native of the Czech Republic was equally dangerous in the playoffs, scoring eight goals (four game-winners) and 16 points in 11 games, all while playing through a nagging groin injury. For the ninth time in the Pearson’s 30-year history—but the first since 1989—the winner of the Pearson did not claim the Hart Trophy…
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