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November 3, 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.
Will injured LeClair consider new deal?
What was John LeClair reading on his flight to Los Angeles to undergo back surgery in mid-October? Newspaper? Magazine? Ormaybe the contract — believed to be $35 million over four years — the Flyers offered him in training camp. LeClair, working on a one-year, $7-million contract via arbitration, and agent Lewis Gross turned down that offer and said they didn’t want to negotiate once the season began. But with LeClair sidelined for at least six weeks and the prospect of long-term security suddenly looking a lot better, perhaps the moratorium will come to an end. “I think that John hurt his back playing for us,” said GM Bob Clarke.”So we certainly wouldn’t pull anything off the table or not try to sign him. I don’t know if John will accept it, but I certainly…
Long Live the KING
It’s fitting that Patrick Roy has evolved into a torch-carrier for NHL goaltenders because nobody knows more about burning flames than the Colorado Avalanche superstar. From the time he lit the fuse as a rookie with the Montreal Canadiens in 1985-86 to his record-setting 448th regular season win Oct. 17, Roy’s NHL career has been a blaze of glory defined by an insatiable desire to win. Anyone doubting Roy’s inner drive need only speak with his dad, because in this case, father knows best. “What is amazing about him is his constant motivation to win that he has kept through all the years,” Michel Roy said. “He has always wanted to win. I think it’s more fun for him to win than to play the game.” Added Roy’s younger sister, Alexandra:”He always plays to win.…
Ruff ride in store for stupid penalties
Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik was suspended four games after hitting Montreal’s Andrei Markov with a high stick, but the Sabres seemed more disturbed with Zhitnik than the punishment. The call came in the closing minutes and the Habs scored the winner with 56 seconds remaining. “It was a stupid penalty,” Zhitnik said.”There’s nothing I can say I wasn’t thinking.” The remorse wasn’t satisfactory for coach Lindy Ruff, who said he would start benching players who lacked discipline. Winger Vaclav Varada took a bad penalty early against Montreal. The Sabres were the NHL’s fifth-most penalized team through five games and they ranked 26th in penalty-killing at 75.8 per cent. “Nobody’s going to get any rope,” Ruff said.”Somebody has to start sitting. You sit them for a period…until they get the message.” ANALYSIS Goalie Dominik Hasek didn’t…
Bulls go to Wellwood for offensive charge
Kyle Wellwood is out to prove the skeptics wrong. The 5-foot-9,190-pound Belleville Bulls’ center, in his second year, was leading the Ontario League with seven goals and 25 points after nine games. “His size will hurt him, no doubt about that, but smaller European players get drafted, so I’m sure he will, too,” said one NHL scout of the 17-year-old Wellwood, who is eligible for the 2001 NHL draft. Jim Hulton, who took over the coaching reins from Lou Crawford, said Wellwood has gained 25 pounds in the past year. “From Day 1 he has taken his game to a new level,” said Hulton of Wellwood, who last season had 14 goals and 51 points.”We lost a lot of offense and we had to recover that. Kyle stepped up to the plate.” Wellwood is centering…
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