Search for your favorite player or team
© The Hockey News. All rights reserved. Any and all material on this website cannot be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission from Roustan Media Ltd. For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
March 16, 2001
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.
Oates still vital after all these years
For Washington center Adam Oates, it’s a love-hate relationship. The system employed by the Capitals in the opponent’s end is one that allows the 38-year-old pivot to play lots with less wear and tear to his body than would a more aggressive forechecking scheme. The Cans’ centers are encouraged to hang high in the offensive zone, almost in a defensive posture. That the team is leading the Southeast Division and had lost just once in February (9-1-1-0) suggests the system works. However, it makes it hard for the team’s centers to score. Oates, Jeff Halpern, Andrei Nikolishin and Trent Whitfield combined for 35 goals through 64 games; that’s one less than Colorado center Joe Sakic had all by himself. While Oates said he would love to score more often - and who wouldn’t?…
Islanders won’t conduct usual fire sale this year
Even the presence of deep-pocketed owners Charles Wang and Sanjay Kumar couldn’t prevent the New York Islanders from failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for an NHL-high seventh straight season. But for the first time in several years, the Isles won’t be forced to dump salaries for fiscal reasons. The good news is that GM Mike Milbury, to whom Wang has already committed to for next season, is working on trades to end that post-season drought. STRETCH DRIVE ISSUES 1. Coach’s task. Coach Butch Goring’s job security probably depends on keeping his players interested the rest of the season. 2. Signing strategy. Wang has instructed Milbury to try to sign the team’s pending restricted free agents (Brad Isbister, Mariusz Czerkawski, Zdeno Chara, Kenny Jonsson, Mark Parrish and others) by June 1…
Goals coming fast and furious for quick-learning sniper
When Milan Hejduk came to North America from the Czech Republic three years ago, he had a plan - not just to make the Colorado Avalanche, but also to integrate himself into a new culture as quickly as possible. So each day after practice, while his teammates headed out for a bite to eat, Hejduk would remain at the rink to study English with a tutor. While Jaromir Jagr learned to speak English by watching Married… With Children, Hejduk took a more traditional route. In the same room he learned coach Bob Hartley’s system, Hejduk learned to better understand a new language. “Milan wanted to understand what was going on around him,” Hartley said. “I think that speaks volumes about the type of quality individual he is.” On the ice, Hejduk let his…
PLUS MINUS
Best of the Hockey World THE CAT’S MEOW Felix Potvin is bombed 5-0 in his Los Angeles Kings’ debut, but posts a 3-0-1 record in his next four starts WHAT A MONTH The streaking Detroit Red Wings go undefeated in the month of February (8-0-2-0) to challenge for the Western Conference title. ONE-MAN SHOW Boston’s Joe Thornton singlehandedly beats the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring all three goals in a 3-1 Bruins’ victory. Worst of the Hockey World SENATOR SITS Ottawa’s Andre Roy is suspended two games for trying to get at Vancouver’s Donald Brashear in the corridor after being ejected. TWO FOR RUMBLE St. Louis defenseman Darren Rumble is suspended two games for kneeing Mark Smith of the San Jose Sharks. ROAD KILL The Boston Bruins, fighting for a playoff spot, hurt their chances by dropping five…
Made possible with the support of
