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.

May 25, 2001

The Hockey News May 25, 2001

<div class="byline">-Dan Wood</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-021266/7213973-1-eng-US/f0014-022.jpg" title="f0014-02" width="215" height="252"></div>The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim face a monumental task this summer to have any chance of contending for a Stanley Cup playoff berth next season.Even if goaltender Steve Shields, defenseman Niclas Havelid, left winger Mike Leclerc and center Steve Rucchin, each of whom finished the season on the injured list, are healthy for training camp, the Ducks need significant upgrades.Anaheim GM Pierre Gauthier would be wise to seek at least two forwards and two defensemen who can lend experience and grit to a team woefully short in both areas.<h2>Regular Season Grades B+</h2>B+&nbsp;Jean-Sebastien Giguere, G. Brightest development in dismal season.B&nbsp;Tony Hrkac, C. Fourth-liner wound up on top unit.B&nbsp;Mike Leclerc, LW. Strong first half dissolved with injuries.B- Dan Bylsma, LW. Team needs more such heart and soul.B- Paul Kariya, RW. Broken foot, non-support plagued star.B- Oleg Tverdovsky, D. Iron man was asked to do too much.B- Vitaly Vishnevski, D. Potential star needs a guiding hand.C+&nbsp;Niclas Havelid, D. Played too much before injury ended season.C+&nbsp;Marty McInnnis, RW. Streaky scorer earned three-year contract.C&nbsp;Marc Chouinard, C. Rookie fairly solid on fourth line.C&nbsp;Mike Crowley, D. Supplied offense late in year.C&nbsp;Jeff Friesen, LW. Needs to regain scoring touch.C&nbsp;Steve Rucchin, C. Injuries wrecked nearly entire season.C&nbsp;Pavel Trnka, D. Inconsistent play was his only constant.C-&nbsp;Matt Cullen, C. Tailed off badly after strong start.C-&nbsp;Antti-Jussi Niemi, D. Rookie appeared overmatched at times.C-&nbsp;Samuel Pahlsson, C. Sound defensively, but not on offense.C-&nbsp;Ruslan Salei, D. Injuries, inconsistency got in the way.C-&nbsp;Petr Tenkrat, RW. Splashy start, but little more.D+&nbsp;Jim Cummins, RW. Little contribution during second half.D+&nbsp;Pascal Trepanier, D. Showed flashes, but too many mistakes.D&nbsp;Jonas Ronnqvist, RW. Rookie was major disappointment.D-&nbsp;German Titov, LW. Free agent acquisition was complete bust.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-03871/7213966-1-eng-US/f0014-032.jpg" title="f0014-03" width="225" height="293"><figcaption class="caption-body">J-S Giguere</figcaption></div> &#9632;

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NHL TEAM REPORTS

Ducks look to add experience, grit

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0031-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-01905/7215551-1-eng-US/f0031-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">Goalie brethren Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur swap stories.</figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-01967/7215544-1-eng-US/f0032-012.jpg" title="f0032-01" width="3169" height="3582"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-01874/7215537-1-eng-US/f0033-012.jpg" title="f0033-01" width="3145" height="1625"></div> &#9632;

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HOCKEY’S BEST STATS

2001 NHL PLAYOFF STATISTICS

<div class="byline">By Rich Chere</div>It was hard to say what caught Scott Niedermayer more by surprise-an elbow to the jaw in the waning seconds of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal or the handshake from Toronto enforcer Tie Domi moments after New Jersey had eliminated the Maple Leafs from the playoffs.After an ugly incident which left Domi suspended and Niedermayer sidelined from the final three games of the series with a concussion, the two met in the hallway outside the dressing rooms at Continental Airlines Arena after Game 7.&ldquo;Right after the game he (Domi) came up to me and shook my hand and said a few words to me,&rdquo; Niedermayer said. &ldquo;Maybe I still have a bit of a problem about what happened, but I have to respect how he came up to me and wanted to shake my hand. He just asked how I was doing and again he said he wished it didn&rsquo;t happen.&rdquo;What happened was a momentary lapse in judgement that will leave a mark on Domi&rsquo;s career and the fear of future head injuries in Niedermayer&rsquo;s mind.The Leafs were putting the finishing touches on a 3-1 victory at the Air Canada Centre May 3. Domi&rsquo;s spirited play had been a significant reason why Toronto had tied the best-of-seven series at two games apiece that night, but the veteran winger soiled his performance with what Niedermayer later called the fulfillment of an angry threat.As Niedermayer circled back along the boards with less than 20 seconds remaining, Domi threw an elbow to the jaw which dropped the defenseman to the ice and left him unconscious. While Domi and a hushed arena watched, doctors put Niedermayer in a neck brace and wheeled him off the ice on a stretcher.Instead of going to a Toronto hospital, Niedermayer was checked by Devils&rsquo; team doctors, who determined it was safe for him to accompany the club back home that night.Before walking into the Devils&rsquo; dressing room, the dazed defenseman was handed a cell phone by GM Lou Lamoriello, who had called Niedermayer&rsquo;s wife, Lisa. She had been watching on television.&ldquo;It was the worst feeling in the world,&rdquo; Lisa Niedermayer said. &ldquo;He was down for so long. I never want to relive that again.&rdquo;After flying home with the team, Niedermayer spent the night in a New Jersey hospital for observation. He underwent neurological tests, which showed no serious damage beyond a concussion.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-011707/7213583-1-eng-US/f0007-012.jpg" title="f0007-01" width="441" height="558"><figcaption class="caption-body">Tie Domi</figcaption></div>By the time Niedermayer was released from St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, N.J., the next day, the NHL was in the process of suspending Domi for the rest of the playoffs. Although they wouldn&rsquo;t know the exact length of the suspension for a few more days, Domi would miss the final three games of the Devils series and the first eight games of next season. It&rsquo;ll cost him approximately $65,000 (U.S.) in lost salary. &ldquo;He crossed the line and he crossed it in no small way,&rdquo; said Colin Campbell, the league&rsquo;s director of hockey operations. &ldquo;He damaged the New Jersey player and possibly the New Jersey organization if Scott can&rsquo;t play.&ldquo;His explanation was that he and Scott have played against each other for quite a while and they had a couple of run-ins in the past. Tie did say he tried to contact Niedermayer and that he felt very badly that he was hurt. He was very remorseful.&rdquo;In a tearful news conference before Game 5, Domi said he was &ldquo;truly sorry for the incident.&ldquo;You wait a long time, you pay your dues in your career, you get your opportunities, then you get an opportunity to make a big contribution. And then the stupid reaction that I did cost me that possibility,&rdquo; Domi said. &ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t supposed to happen. I didn&rsquo;t mean it to happen. Unfortunately, he got a concussion.&ldquo;Obviously, it looked like a cheap shot, but I didn&rsquo;t mean to hurt him. I didn&rsquo;t think it was vicious.&rdquo;Niedermayer accompanied the Devils to Toronto for Game 6 and spoke for the first time that morning. He said he believed the attack was premeditated.&ldquo;In Game 2, after I made a hit on him, I got my stick up a little bit and he said a few things. He said he was going to take a suspension on me,&rdquo; Niedermayer said. &ldquo;To be honest, you hear a lot of things during the course of a game. Things like, &lsquo;I&rsquo;m going to get you.&rsquo; I kept one eye on him when I was on the ice during the course of the game.&ldquo;If you look at it very simply with what he said and what happened, it was (premeditated). But a lot of things happen during the course of a series. I guess I was a little disappointed I let it happen. I knew he was out to get me.&rdquo; &#9633;<div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-021138/7213576-1-eng-US/f0007-022.jpg" title="f0007-02" width="2920" height="780"><figcaption class="caption-body">Out cold&nbsp;Devils&rsquo; defenseman Scott Niedermayer said Maple Leafs&rsquo; enforcer Tie Domi had threatened him earlier in the series, prior to the Game 4 elbow that left Niedermayer unconscious.</figcaption></div> &#9632;

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FEATURES

Domi hit: Flat-out ugly

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-02670/7215137-1-eng-US/f0026-022.jpg" title="f0026-02" width="320" height="278"></div>Robbie Ftorek became the 24th coach in Boston Bruins&rsquo; history, joining his third NHL team. The May 9 appointment surprised observers, who expected assistant Peter Laviolette to get the post. Ftorek, who previously coached in Los Angeles and New Jersey and has a 153105-30 record, replaces Mike Keenan, who was fired in April. Keenan replaced Pat Burns eight games into 2000-01. &ldquo;What we&rsquo;ll hope for from the players will be pretty simple,&rdquo; said Ftorek, 49. &ldquo;We want them to be able to be the best players that they should be.&rdquo; Ftorek&rsquo;s contract is for two years with a team option for Year 3. He was a Boston high school scoring star at Needham in the late 1960s.&#9633; Ottawa coach Jacques Martin is being retained as coach of the Senators, the team confirmed May 8. Doubts were raised about Martin&rsquo;s future after the team&rsquo;s surprising first round playoff sweep to Toronto. Martin has two years remaining on his contract and is regarded as one of the top coaches in the game. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m happy to continue and proud of what we have been able to do so far,&rdquo; Martin said.&#9633; Toronto coach-GM Pat Quinn was fined $10,000 by the NHL for making physical contact with Toronto Sun photographer Stan Behal May 4. Behal was taking pictures of Leafs&rsquo; right winger Tie Domi when Quinn grabbed and shoved Behal at the entrance to an elevator. The incident was recorded by several cameramen.&#9633; Washington left winger Chris Simon underwent major reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder for the third time May 5, but is expected to be ready for training camp. Health problems reduced Simon from team MVP in 1999-2000 to a struggling fourth-liner last season&hellip;The Caps are working on a contract to sign unrestricted right winger Ulf Dahlen. Dahlen at 34 was a key element to the best checking line in the league with Steve Konowalchuk and Jeff Halpern.&#9633; Philadelphia winger Simon Gagne underwent surgery on his partially dislocated shoulder May 2. Doctors repaired damage in the labrum and said Gagne should have plenty of time to recover before the start of camp. He sustained the injury Feb. 24 and had to finish the season wearing a harness.&#9633; The &ldquo;bruised foot&rdquo; Carolina blueliner Marek Malik played with for the final month of the season was, as suspected, a broken bone. Malik remained in the lineup until suffering a concussion in Game 3 of the first round against the Devils.&#9633; Boston goalie Byron Dafoe underwent surgery on his right knee April 19. Originally, Dafoe thought there were floating pieces of cartilage in the joint. However, it turned out to be a different problem. He had a bone spur removed from behind his kneecap and that will likely improve his mobility next season. &ldquo;That will give me a good 12 degrees back,&rdquo; said Dafoe, who has had seven procedures on his right knee.&#9633; Kamil Piros, the little-known Czech prospect the Atlanta Thrashers acquired from Buffalo for Donald Audette, signed a modest, two-year, two-way deal that included a $360,000 signing bonus.&#9633; Montreal right winger Oleg Petrov signed a two-year contract with a club option for a third year. With 17 goals and 47 points in 81 games, the 30-year-old Russian established career highs for goals, assists and points. In reupping with Montreal, Petrov spurned a contract offer from Lugano in the Swiss League&hellip;With the Atlanta Thrashers in the market for a young starting goaltender, there&rsquo;s speculation the Canadiens might trade Jose Theodore to secure the first overall pick in this year&rsquo;s entry draft. Montreal has the seventh pick and, while GM Andre Savard has expressed interest in moving up in the draft, he has denied he&rsquo;s seeking to trade Theodore.&#9633; Florida goalie Roberto Luongo broke the index finger on his blocker hand early in a World Championship game against Switzerland. Luongo returned to Montreal, but said the injury shouldn&rsquo;t be a problem for training camp.-THN correspondents<h2>Coaching Countdown</h2>Boston&rsquo;s hiring of Robbie Ftorek and Chicago hooking up with Brian Sutter reduced to two the number of teams looking for coaches. Florida (Duane Sutter) may join the group once the Panthers are sold and Ron Low isn&rsquo;t secure with the Rangers. In Detroit, coach Scotty Bowman will ponder his future again. Prominent coaches looking for work are Mike Keenan and Pat Burns.In Anaheim, Alain Vigneault, Bryan Trottier and Dave Tippett are candidates. With the Islanders, Kevin Constantine, Bryan Murray and Ted Nolan are finalists. &#9632;

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IN THIS ISSUE

Bruins team No. 3 for coach Ftorek

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0002-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-011537/7213294-1-eng-US/f0002-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">Buffalo&rsquo;s Maxim Afinogenov beats Pittsburgh goalie Johan Hedberg on a nifty deke in Round 2 action.</figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-03963/7213287-1-eng-US/f0002-032.jpg" title="f0002-03" width="375" height="406"><figcaption class="caption-body">Chris Pronger (Canapress)</figcaption></div>I haven&rsquo;t seen him score a goal in practice since I&rsquo;ve been here-three months! He has got the worst wrist shot.Pittsburgh&rsquo;s Kevin Stevens on teammate-and Game 7 overtime hero-Darius Kasparaitis. Pg. 12.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-04730/7213280-1-eng-US/f0002-042.jpg" title="f0002-04" width="475" height="340"></div> &#9632;

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Take it to the Max

<div class="byline">Steve Dryden Editor-In-Chief</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-021285/7213325-1-eng-US/f0002-022.jpg" title="f0002-02" width="305" height="349"><figcaption class="caption-body">(Mark Buckner/BBS)</figcaption></div>Claude Loiselle reacted with mock horror&hellip;but the genuine horror was yet to come.Hockey&rsquo;s heart of darkness was laid bare May 3 not 90 minutes after a chance encounter with Loiselle, the NHL&rsquo;s hockey operations manager, during Game 4 of the New Jersey-Toronto series. It was pointed out to Loiselle the playoffs had been amazingly incident-free. Loiselle looked yours truly squarely in the eyes, indicated I was tempting the fates merely by mentioning this circumstance and left without saying a word.Tie Domi brought the whole thing crumbling down later that night when he elbow-smashed Scott Niedermayer to the head.The Domi-no effect was as follows: Niedermayer was knocked unconscious and out of the series; Toronto coach-GM Pat Quinn manhandled a newspaper photographer on the way to an NHL hearing on the matter; the league suspended Domi; Toronto won Game 5, but lost Game 6, in part because it didn&rsquo;t have Domi&rsquo;s services to catalyze a body-banging unit of Shayne Corson, Darcy Tucker and Domi; Niedermayer held his own news conference and said Domi threatened him with mayhem early in the series after a high-sticking incident; the Devils, thankfully, won the series; and the NHL belatedly fined Quinn $10,000.When Domi headhunted Niedermayer, the image of NHL fighter as noble warrior-which many propagate-was shattered for a second straight season. Domi did this year what Marty McSorley did last year-prove wrong those who would have you believe that policemen are necessary evils who are palatable because they don&rsquo;t stray from their own twisted code of conduct. That is, to fight is fine. But to do otherwise-for example, brandish a stick or an elbow with extreme prejudice-is something no self-respecting enforcer would do. The reality is players raised in a culture of hockey violence are offenses waiting to happen. They straddle the line of acceptable behavior and it doesn&rsquo;t take a behavioral scientist to figure out they&rsquo;re going to cross it from time to time. The NHL calls that &ldquo;part of the game.&rdquo;As for noble warriors, well, there are plenty of real ones left in the playoffs. Unfortunately the noblest of them all, the Swedish Viking, is gone. Peter Forsberg, the most physical of all NHL superstars, was derricked from the Colorado lineup May 10 after surgery to remove his spleen. In the space of eight days, two major incidents rocked the league. While the rest of the league was venting its spleen about the Domi incident, Forsberg lost his.Pity. &#9632;

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NHL playoffs feel full impact of unpleasant Domi-no effect

<div class="byline">By Mark Brender</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0003-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-011752/7213356-1-eng-US/f0003-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">Big Time Bargain&nbsp;New Jersey&rsquo;s Patrik Elias gets an A + for delivering at an elite level, but earning (by NHL standards) a peasant&rsquo;s wages.Stu Barnes Buffalo AUlf Dahlen Washington B+ (Jim McIsaac/BBS)</figcaption></div>Plumbers and plodders, point-producers and puck-stoppers, let&rsquo;s get ready to&hellip;tremble! Judgment Day for your efforts in 2000-01 has come.School is out for 26 of 30 NHL teams and the final grades are in. In this issue we give you the last word on 715 NHLers from Craig Adams (C-) to Andrei Zyuzin (D). Tough start, bumpier landing. The guys in between pull up the average.Full grades appear in team stories from pgs. 14 to 25.The regular season has been over for a while now, true, but we feel it&rsquo;s unwise to rush to snap decisions on these things. Most report cards stay between teacher and student and parent. Ours go all over the world. We take our responsibility seriously&hellip;unlike, apparently, some of the pupils who ought to bring a shiny apple during 1-on-l meetings with the teacher/coach this summer.So if you had any notion the regular season didn&rsquo;t matter, Ray Whitney (C) or Sean Hill (D) or Brothers Mironov-Boris (D) or Dmitri (D), take your pick-wait until the folks back home get wind of how you&rsquo;ve been earning your money.What&rsquo;s that, Valeri Kamensky (D-)? You don&rsquo;t remember the regular season? Trying to block it out? You figure since the NHL Official Guide and Record Book inadvertently listed you as retired this season, you could play like it? Here&rsquo;s a little refresher. The regular season was the seven months when the stock of Washington&rsquo;s Jeff Halpern (plus-13, A-) rose as fast as Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier&rsquo;s (minus-26, D+) tumbled. It&rsquo;s when Phoenix third line grinder Landon Wilson (18 goals, B+) outscored Toronto first line bust Steve &lsquo;Slumpy&rsquo; Thomas (eight goals, D).Finally, the regular season was when the only Ranger marginally more worthy of kudos than tough guy Sandy McCarthy (21 points, A-) was former Norris Trophy winner Brian Leetch (79 points, A).Like a compassionate parent, we care that players do the best with what they&rsquo;ve been given-hands of silk or stone-and truly earn the riches they receive.For the superstars who get paid accordingly, landing a spot on the &lsquo;A&rsquo; team is about living up to expectations. For the McCarthy-esque muckers, it&rsquo;s about surpassing them by leaps and bounds. So Leetch gets an A for doing what he&rsquo;s supposed to do, namely return to Norris form. McCarthy gets an A-for doing what he&rsquo;s supposed to do-namely, cutting up his knuckles to earn those 171 penalty minutes-and a whole lot more. He posted career highs in points (21) and goals (11) and was a plus player over a full season for the first time in his career.New Jersey&rsquo;s Patrik Elias gets an A+ only because we can&rsquo;t think of anything better to give him. With a salary of $650,000-less than half of the league average-and his third-place finish in the scoring race with 96 points, he&rsquo;s the best value for money this side of Evgeni Nabokov ($475,000, 32-21-7, A).Overall, 79 players received a grade in the A range. Just six received the highest designation of A+. (See pg. 14 for all &lsquo;A&rsquo; level players.)Some other notes on the NHL class in 2000-01:&#9633; Detroit leads the way with six A-range players. It is followed by Ottawa, New Jersey, Pittsburgh and St. Louis with five apiece.&#9633; News flash: If your top players don&rsquo;t play up to snuff and no one else picks up the slack, you probably won&rsquo;t make the playoffs. Anaheim, Calgary and Florida are cases in point. None had any players receiving &lsquo;A&rsquo; grades.&#9633; Two forward lines received straight &lsquo;As&rsquo; across the board.One of them was Pittsburgh&rsquo;s dynamic &ldquo;second&rdquo; trio of left winger Martin Straka, center Robert Lang and right winger Alexei Kovalev. All posted career years in points by a substantial margin and were rewarded with &lsquo;A&rsquo; grades as a result. Unfortunately for the cash-conscious Penguins, all of them are also up for contract renewal this summer.The other line was the Atlanta Thrashers&rsquo; surprisingly successful unit of left winger Andrew Brunette (A), center Ray Ferraro (A) and right winger Donald Audette (A-). The trio broke up when Audette was traded to Buffalo at the trade deadline, yet their performance together was enough to earn them all top end-of-season marks.&#9633; Players such as Montreal&rsquo;s Saku Koivu (A) were not punished for missing time due to injuries.Koivu missed nearly a third of the season with a knee injury that did nothing to halt his brittle-boned reputation. Yet for the 54 games he played, he was clearly Montreal&rsquo;s best player. &#9633;<h2>How Grades Are Determined</h2>Players are assigned grades by THN team correspondents according to the following system. Grades reflect a combination of regular season performance and salary expectations.Grade: A+ to A-1. Stars delivering on expectations.2. Very good players delivering beyond expectations.3. Good/Role players delivering well beyond expectations.Grade: B+ to B-1. Stars performing below expectations.2. Very good players delivering on expectations.3. Good/Role players delivering beyond expectations.Grade: C+ to C-1. Stars performing far below expectations.2. Very good players delivering below expectations.3. Good/Role players delivering on expectations.Grade: D+ to D-1. Stars performing outrageously below expectations.2. Very good players delivering far below expectations.3. Good/Role players delivering below expectations. &#9632;

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The ‘A’ team and beyond

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0004-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-011719/7213387-1-eng-US/f0004-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">Scott GomezJohan HedbergKeith TkachukChris Drury</figcaption></div>OK, OK, so in early April we told you it would be a New Jersey-Colorado final. How were we to know Peter Forsberg would need to have his spleen removed?Unfortunately for the Avs, the loss of Forsberg makes them the underdog in the Western Conference final against the recharged, healthy, well-rested St. Louis Blues.The Devils were not the invincible force in the playoffs they were down the stretch in the regular season, but seem to be able to pick their game up a notch when necessary. That means they&rsquo;ll get a shot to defend the Stanley Cup against the Blues, who haven&rsquo;t made a trip to the final since 1971.The defending champions have demonstrated a penchant for beating themselves with undisciplined play thus far and their depth is not as significant as it was last season.<h2>MVP CANDIDATES</h2>1. Bobby Holik The veteran eludes a history of poor playoff performances with solid two-way play.2. Scott Gomez With Jason Arnott struggling, sophomore steps up his play.3. Patrick Elias The Devils&rsquo; true game-breaker owns the ice in Game 7 against Toronto.REVELATION The Devils are deep enough on defense to survive the loss of Scott Niedermayer.UNDERACHIEVER Arnott early on, but swung toward Alexander Mogilny later.OVERACHIEVER Ken Sutton ably fills in for the injured Niedermayer.SECRET WEAPON Randy McKay scores timely goals and drives opposition nuts with his agitating style.2000-01 Record vs. Pittsburgh 1-2-0-1.KEY CONFERENCE FINAL MATCHUP Scott Stevens vs. Jaromir Jagr The Devils know it&rsquo;s Mario Jr. who makes things happen.DEVILS&rsquo; TEAM RATINGS (Scale: 1-5)SPEED 4 Generally good, but a few slow foot soldiers on defenseSKILL 4 Offensive finesse mostly restricted to Arnott and Gomez linesGRIT 4 Won&rsquo;t be outmuscledIs this the end of the fairytale Mario Lemieux comeback? The Devils present Lemieux with his biggest challenge yet.<h2>MVP CANDIDATES</h2>1. Mario Lemieux Does special things at special times and-surprise!-is paying attention to detail on defense.2. Johan Hedberg Stared down The Dominator, gives Pens a chance to win.3. Andrew Ference Ice-time leader on blue line tied for second in defense scoring.REVELATION Suddenly the Penguins have a fourth line (Milan Kraft, Josef Beranek, Rene Corbet)&hellip;and a coach.UNDERACHIEVER Jan Hrdina goes five straight games without a shot on goal.OVERACHIEVER Aleksey Morozov shows unparalleled spirit, determination.SECRET WEAPON The secret is out, but did you honestly believe the Pens would continue commitment to defense?2000-01 Record vs. New Jersey 3-1-1-0.KEY CONFERENCE FINAL MATCHUP Mario Lemieux/Jaromir Jagr vs. Bobby Holik/Scott Stevens The Pens&rsquo; superstars must be ready to get physical.PENGUINS&rsquo; TEAM RATINGS (Scale: 1-5)SPEED 4 Penguins can fly-quick ness spread throughout lineupSKILL 4 Lots up front, little on bluelineGRIT 3.5 Willingness to get dirty has improved in playoffsInjuries and massive lineup changes resulted in the Blues having a horrid second half, but they came together at exactly the right time and the long break prior to the start of the conference final was a bonus.<h2>MVP CANDIDATES</h2>1. Roman Turek Blues&rsquo; biggest question mark entering the playoffs owns Dallas, his former team, in Round 2.2. Chris Pronger Playing like Norris Trophy winner again.3. Keith Tkachuk Is a physical force even when not scoring.REVELATION First-year Sasha Khavanov gives Blues a solid No. 3 defender.UNDERACHIEVER Pavol Demitra unable to score despite playing with Tkachuk.OVERACHIEVER Dallas Drake provides muscle, goals.SECRET WEAPON Blues&rsquo; penalty kill allows just one goal on 39 chances.2000-01 Record vs. Colorado 1-2-1-0.KEY CONFERENCE FINAL MATCHUP Chris Pronger vs. Avalanche gunners The anticipated Pronger-Forsberg matchup won&rsquo;t take place, but Colorado has no shortage of scorers.BLUES&rsquo; TEAM RATINGS (Scale: 1-5)SPEED 4 Can skate with any of the remaining teamsSKILL 4 A lot of veteran savvy up frontGRIT 5 Got even meaner with additions of Tkachuk and Scott MellanbyWhat do the hockey gods have against Ray Bourque? This was the year the future Hall of Famer was supposed to finally win the Cup, but if that&rsquo;s to happen, the Avs must do it without playoff warrior Peter Forsberg.<h2>MVP CANDIDATES</h2>1. Peter Forsberg He was the team&rsquo;s best player through two rounds; too bad he&rsquo;s done for the year.2. Patrick Roy Only so-so in the first round, rises to the occasion vs. the Kings.3. Chris Drury Often goes unnoticed until most critical time of the game.REVELATION A team best-known for its offense is solid defensively in the playoffs.UNDERACHIEVER Ray Bourque a noshow offensively until Game 7 vs. Los Angeles.OVERACHIEVER Ville Nieminen scores and gets under opposition&rsquo;s skin.SECRET WEAPON Aggressive third- and fourth-liners aim to grind down Blues.2000-01 Record vs. St. Louis 2-2-0-0.KEY CONFERENCE FINAL MATCHUP Patrick Roy vs. Roman Turek Roy rarely steals games on his own anymore.AVALANCHE TEAM RATINGS (Scale: 1-5)SPEED 4 There are times the Avs should slow down a bit and shootSKILL 4 Mostly confined to top two linesGRIT 3 Took a big hit with the loss of Forsberg &#9632;

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SCOUTING REPORT

Count on Devils-Blues final

<div class="byline">-Denis Gibbons</div>Gordie Howe liked the kid so much he named one of his sons after him.Center Murray Oliver and &lsquo;Mr. Hockey&rsquo; played on the same line after Oliver joined the Detroit Red Wings for his first full NHL season in 1959-60.The Hamilton, Ont., native also starred with the Boston Bruins on the &lsquo;BOW&rsquo; line with Johnny Bucyk and Tommy Williams.Oliver was an excellent baseball player, too. The Cleveland Indians had him take infield practice with major leaguers Jim Hegan, Dick Williams, George Strickland and Joe Altobelli one summer and he later signed a pro contract and played briefly with Batavia, N.Y., of the Class D Pony League.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-011686/7213418-1-eng-US/f0005-012.jpg" title="f0005-01" width="245" height="288"><figcaption class="caption-body">Murray Oliver (THN Archives)</figcaption></div>The Ontario Hockey Association Jr. A&rsquo;s best player with the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1958, Oliver played 1,127 NHL games for Detroit, Boston, Toronto and Minnesota, scoring 274 goals and 728 points. He played in five All-Star Games and retired after the 1974-75 season. Later, he worked as an assistant coach under Glen Sonmor in Minnesota and was a scout for the North Stars when they picked Mike Modano in 1988. Now 63, he resides in the Twin Cities and scouts for the Toronto Maple Leafs. &#9632;

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DEPARTMENTS

Oliver impressed Mr. Hockey and baseball scouts

This is an open letter to the management of the Detroit Red Wings: Thanks for running the franchise into the ground.Oh, you had the second-best regular season in your storied history? That doesn&rsquo;t mean much when your team resembles an old age home and crumbles in the playoffs. The disintegration of the Wings began a few years ago, but regular season success clouded your judgement. You just continued to trade away your youth and throw piles of money at aging relics. With no prospects to speak of and a fossilized lineup, things are going to get pretty ugly in the near future.Matt Poehlman,&nbsp; Merlin, Ont.<h2>Penalty problems</h2>If the NHL is truly serious about cracking down on penalties, they should tell the referees to stop calling goaltender interference penalties when netminders, most notably Martin Brodeur and Dominik Hasek, take dives. Isn&rsquo;t that an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, anyway?What officials should start calling are all the high-sticking penalties that players are getting away with. Throughout the first two rounds of the post-season, there have been at least five high-sticking non-calls that have drawn blood. Aki Berg, Steve Thomas, Tie Domi, Steve Heinze and Jason Arnott have all been cut for stitches without there being a penalty called-and surely there have been many more.It would be a shame if another promising career is &ldquo;cut&rdquo; short before the league decides to do something.Derek Creppin,&nbsp; Ottawa<h2>Send Senator away</h2>Congratulations to Alexei Yashin for finally completing his NHL comeback-zero goals and one assist and Ottawa goes four and out in the first round of the playoffs. It&rsquo;s just like old times!The Senators should smarten up and trade this regular season wonder who has shown he can&rsquo;t do it in the post-season&hellip;while other teams still want him.Tom Midney,&nbsp; Bloomfield, Conn. &#9632;

Detroit desperate for youth

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0006-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-011878/7213497-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg"></div> &#9632;

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FANFARE

Tie Domi&rsquo;s suspension is nothing more than a slap on the wrist. What he did to the game and to Scott Niedermayer was every bit as damaging as what Marty McSorley did to Donald Brashear. And every bit as stupid.Bob Thompson,&nbsp; ChicagoThe NHL was too hard on Tie Domi. The elbow wasn&rsquo;t as bad as it looked. If Scott Niedermayer got up after the hit, nothing would have happened except for some hype. A suspension? OK, but not for the entire playoffs!Scott Burke,&nbsp; Thunder Bay, Ont.I&rsquo;ve been a fan for nearly 50 years, but the Tie Domi elbow makes me think I should find another sport that doesn&rsquo;t tolerate violence the way the NHL does.Murray Strickland,&nbsp; CalgaryTie Domi is recognized as a hard-nosed guy on the ice and a generous one off it. But his irresponsible elbow fully deserves the suspension handed down by Colin Campbell. Campbell didn&rsquo;t &ldquo;take away Domi&rsquo;s Stanley Cup dream,&rdquo; Domi did.Frank Baker,&nbsp; VancouverWhat Tie Domi did to Scott Niedermayer wasn&rsquo;t pretty, but it shouldn&rsquo;t be the defining moment of Domi&rsquo;s career. Like it or lump it, it&rsquo;s a true-blue part of hockey!Lisa Ruddy,&nbsp; Toronto<h2>READERS&rsquo; ONE-TIMERS</h2>This is your place for quick comments on current hockey events. Reader&rsquo;s One-Timers accepts opinions of 60 words or less, so please be concise. &#9632;

Domi’s ban: Too much or not enough?

I&rsquo;m tired of the lavish praise heaped upon Scott Stevens the past two years, including your story, &ldquo;The best hitter ever&rdquo; (THN, May 4).Being a headhunter doesn&rsquo;t make you the NHL&rsquo;s &ldquo;No. 1 checker of all-time.&rdquo; Stevens isn&rsquo;t even the top checker in the game today. That honor belongs to Mike Peca (when he plays) or Darius Kasparaitis. Stevens isn&rsquo;t much different from the vilified Bryan Marchment-each has made a career out of tweaking the NHL rulebook. And they both take to the ice with the intention of intimidating Opponents by causing injury.The only difference is Marchment targets knees while Stevens goes after the head. Stevens is a talented defenseman and a likely Hall of Famer, but we shouldn&rsquo;t glorify him for hurting people.John Kyranos,&nbsp; Phoenix<h2>Marchment from &lsquo;old school&rsquo;</h2>When will the debate over Bryan Marchment&rsquo;s style of play end? Probably never.Marchment has never ended someone&rsquo;s career with one of his hits. Put them out for a few games, yes. But never ended a career. Marchment plays with his heart and soul in every game. I enjoy watching his old-school style of hockey Many have praised this, as well as his beautiful-and usually, clean-open-ice hits. Having watched him perform several of these things of beauty, it&rsquo;s obvious that balance is the key and the reason behind the width of his legs entering a check. Keep up the good work, Bryan!Samantha Klinger,&nbsp; San Jose<h2>Brodeur not Canada&rsquo;s answer</h2>Martin Brodeur has made Wayne Gretzky&rsquo;s job concerning the Olympic team considerably easier.After watching his mediocre play in the first two rounds of the playoffs, it&rsquo;s apparent Brodeur doesn&rsquo;t belong with the best of the best. I&rsquo;ve always felt Brodeur has been the beneficiary of an awesome, disciplined defense.Other goalies, such as Curtis Joseph and Patrick Roy, would be much better choices for Canada&rsquo;s Olympic team.Kingsley Trousdale,&nbsp; North Bay, Ont.<h2>Got something to say?</h2>MAIL: U.S.A.: Letters, THN, PO. Box 904, Buffalo, N.Y, 14240-9947.Canada: Letters, THN, 25 Sheppard Ave. W, Suite 100, Toronto, Ont., M2N 6S7E-MAIL: <a href="mailto:mccaigs@transcontinental.ca">mccaigs@transcontinental.ca</a> or visit <a href="http://thehockeynews.com">thehockeynews.com.</a> Include name, hometown, province/state and phone number. Submissions will be edited. &#9632;

Devil aims to hurt, not hit

<div class="byline">By Mike Brophy Senior Writer</div>Impending free agents listen up, this is how you play when your contract is about to expire:Just go out, play all 82 league games, place second in league scoring and get yourself nominated for three major awards. That&rsquo;s what Joe Sakic did and you can bet the 31-year-old Colorado Avalanche center will cash in big-time this summer when he becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency July 1.Sakic, who finished second to Pittsburgh&rsquo;s Jaromir Jagr in scoring with 54 goals and 118 points, is nominated for the Hart Trophy as the NHL&rsquo;s most valuable player, the Selke Trophy as the outstanding defensive forward and the Lady Byng Trophy as the most gentlemanly player.It&rsquo;s Sakic&rsquo;s first nomination for the Hart and he&rsquo;s THN&rsquo;s choice to win it. The other two finalists are both from Pittsburgh-scoring leader Jaromir Jagr, who won it in 1999 and finished runner-up in 1995, and Mario Lemieux, who came out of a 3-1/2 year retirement after Christmas to score a whopping 35 goals and 76 points in 43 games. Lemieux is a three-time (1988,1993, 1996) Hart winner.Sakic&rsquo;s competition for the Selke Trophy includes Mike Modano of Dallas and John Madden of New Jersey. THN&rsquo;s choice for the award, Steve Konowalchuk of Washington, was not nommated by members of me Professional Hockey Writer&rsquo;s Association. Our nod now goes to Madden.While Sakic led the way in nominations, Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom should lead the way in wins. The slick Swede is nominated for a fourth time for the Norris Trophy as best defenseman and for the third time for the Lady Byng. He was runner-up the past three seasons for best defenseman, but has the inside track over veterans Ray Bourque of Colorado and Scott Stevens of New Jersey. If Lidstrom, who had 18 penalty minutes in 82 games, wins the Byng, he&rsquo;ll be the first defender to do so since Red Kelly in 1954.The race for the Calder Trophy as the NHL&rsquo;s top rookie is between Martin Havlat of Ottawa, Evgeni Nabokov of San Jose and Brad Richards of Tampa Bay. Richards led all rookies in scoring, but the THN nod goes to Nabokov, who calls himself John and was Johnny-on-the-spot for the goalie-starved Sharks.THN thinks Philadelphia&rsquo;s Roman Cechmanek should win the Vezina Trophy as top goalie over Martin Brodeur of New Jersey and Dominik Hasek of Buffalo.Nominees for the Jack Adams Trophy for coach of the year include Bill Barber, who saved a sinking Philadelphia Flyers&rsquo; ship, Scotty Bowman of the Detroit Red Wings and Jacques Martin of the Ottawa Senators. THN waits until after the playoffs are over before selecting the best bench boss.THN Pick<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-011771/7213649-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg" title="f0008-01" width="274" height="319"><figcaption class="caption-body">Joe Sakic</figcaption></div>Hart TrophyNHL NomineesJaromir Jagr PittsburghWon fifth scoring titleMario Lemieux PittsburghComeback of all comebacksMr. Everything for AvsTHN Pick<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-021348/7213642-1-eng-US/f0008-022.jpg" title="f0008-02" width="274" height="315"><figcaption class="caption-body">Evgeni Nabokov</figcaption></div>Calder TrophyNHL NomineesMartin Havlat OttawaThird in rookie scoringEvgeni Nabokov San Jose Gave Sharks credibilityBrad Richards Tampa BayLed all freshmen in pointsTHN Pick<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-03973/7213635-1-eng-US/f0008-032.jpg" title="f0008-03" width="273" height="315"><figcaption class="caption-body">John Madden</figcaption></div>Selke TrophyNHL NomineesJohn Madden New JerseyGreat checker can scoreMike Modano DallasDoes it all for DallasJoe Sakic ColoradoTied for plus-minus leadTHN Pick<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-04503/7213628-1-eng-US/f0008-042.jpg" title="f0008-04" width="274" height="320"><figcaption class="caption-body">Nicklas Lidstrom</figcaption></div>Norris TrophyNHL NomineesRay Bourque Colorado 15th nomination for vetNicklas Lidstrom DetroitFinally his year to winScott Stevens New JerseyKeen on stopping goalsTHN Pick<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-05361/7213621-1-eng-US/f0008-052.jpg" title="f0008-05" width="273" height="318"><figcaption class="caption-body">Roman Cechmanek</figcaption></div>Vezina TrophyNHL NomineesMartin Brodeur New Jersey Led all goalies in victoriesRoman Cechmanek Phi.Second in shutoutsDominik Hasek BuffaloRe-established himselfTHN Pick<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-06290/7213614-1-eng-US/f0008-062.jpg" title="f0008-06" width="272" height="316"><figcaption class="caption-body">Nickias Lidstrom</figcaption></div>Byng TrophyNHL NomineesNicklas Lidstrom DetroitRunner-up last two yearsAdam Oates WashingtonSixth time nominatedJoe Sakic&nbsp;Colorado Took 15 minor penalties &#9632;

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Sakic on deck for triple crown

<div class="byline">By Jim Benton</div>Ask any member of the Colorado Avalanche and the response is the same.The team is still focused on the Stanley Cup despite the loss for the remainder of the playoffs of superstar center Peter Forsberg, the team&rsquo;s leading scorer in the 2001 post-season.Forsberg underwent surgery to remove a ruptured spleen hours after the Avalanche defeated Los Angeles to win Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal.&ldquo;This is the kind of thing you sort of rally around,&rdquo; said veteran forward Dave Reid. &ldquo;Everybody knocks you down, says how you are not going to recover from this. This is another reason to suck it up. It would be awful nice to win the whole thing and Peter&rsquo;s still in the hospital in two weeks or three weeks to drag him along with the Cup in his handicapped state. That would be fun to do and see Peter&rsquo;s name on the Cup this year even though he had an injury like this.&rdquo;Forsberg appeared to be in the best of health after Colorado&rsquo;s 5-1 win over the Kings May 9. He went for a post-game meal at a Denver restaurant, where he started to complain of stomach pains. He called GM Pierre Lacroix and then trainer Pat Karns and was rushed to the hospital where it was determined he had a damaged spleen.Surgery was performed around 3:30 a.m., only 4-1/2 hours after the completion of the game.Nobody could determine when Forsberg was injured, partially because of the physical style of game he plays. His recovery will take a couple months and he should be able to play next season without any restrictions.After being assured Forsberg would be OK, the Avalanche players turned their thoughts back to the quest for the Stanley Cup.Ville Nieminen played on the line with Forsberg and Chris Drury, but wasn&rsquo;t worried about how the team will respond.&ldquo;It&rsquo;s like a hole in the road, we have to fill the hole,&rdquo; Nieminen said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a great challenge for us to see how we can fill the hole. It&rsquo;s tough to replace Peter. You can&rsquo;t replace him one by one. So we have to give more effort. Peter gave us 110 per cent so the three guys on the line have to chip in even more so we can be over 300 per cent.&rdquo;Forsberg led Colorado in scoring through two rounds with four goals and 14 points, but more than that, was the team&rsquo;s most aggressive forward in terms of bumping and banging. It is that combination of goals and grit that leads many to believe he is the best all-around player in the league.Goalie Patrick Roy, who will need to be especially stingy without Forsberg&rsquo;s offensive prowess, is positive.&ldquo;If you look at our team, we&rsquo;ve always found a way to fight through adversity and this is one of those times,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We have no control over it. You certainly don&rsquo;t replace a Peter Forsberg, but you can&rsquo;t just go out there and feel sorry for yourself and look for excuses. We&rsquo;re going to have to play hard. It&rsquo;ll be important for us to try and raise our game.&rdquo; &#9632;

Avs aim for success without superstar Forsberg

<h2>Best of the Hockey World</h2>FAIRY TALE CONTINUES Mario Lemieux tied for the scoring lead after two rounds, moves closer to dream of winning a third Stanley Cup.ROMAN RULES Blues&rsquo; goalie Roman Turek answers skeptics with near flawless performance in second round against his old team, the Dallas Stars.U.S., EH! The United States overcomes a 3-1 deficit to beat Canada 4-3 in overtime on Darby Hendrickson&rsquo;s second goal of the game at the World Championship.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-07218/7213711-1-eng-US/f0008-072.jpg" title="f0008-07" width="372" height="628"><figcaption class="caption-body">Darby Hendrickson</figcaption></div><h2>Worst of the Hockey World</h2>LEAF THUGS Toronto&rsquo;s Tie Domi suspended 11 games for elbow on Scott Niedermayer, coach-GM Pat Quinn fined $10,000 for roughing up photographer.SHOW A LITTLE RESPECT What&rsquo;s up with Canadians and Americans booing each other&rsquo;s national anthems? Stop it. Now.DERIAN&rsquo;S DOG DAYS Dallas Stars&rsquo; captain Derian Hatcher manages just one point, an assist, and is minus-7 in 10 playoff games.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-08177/7213704-1-eng-US/f0008-082.jpg" title="f0008-08" width="368" height="624"><figcaption class="caption-body">Pat Quinn</figcaption></div>For Mike Brophy&rsquo;s daily Cheers & Jeers visit <a href="http://thehockeynews.com">thehockeynews.com</a> &#9632;

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PLUS MINUS

<div class="byline">By Tom Wheatley</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0010-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-011743/7213756-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg"></div>So what&rsquo;s the fuss about Chris Pronger&rsquo;s ice time? The workload for the St. Louis Blues&rsquo; captain is pretty cut and dried. He plays against the other team&rsquo;s top lines. He kills penalties. He mans the power play He plays at the start and end of periods. Is that it?&ldquo;And everything in between,&rdquo; said Joel Quenneville.And, yes, the Blues&rsquo; coach was smiling when he said that.After all, his 6-foot-6 defenseman was only averaging 33:48 seconds per game through the first two playoff rounds. That was more than four minutes per game more than any other skater still in the playoffs through the conference final series.And the Blues had played only two overtime games, which unnaturally inflate ice times. Of course, Pronger&rsquo;s timesheet is more unnatural than most mortals.He played more than 51 of the nearly 90 minutes in a Game 3 victory over the Dallas Stars in Round 2.&ldquo;It was double overtime,&rdquo; Pronger said after the contest.&ldquo;Somebody had to play.&rdquo;And what about his even more impressive stint in a Game 2 victory at Dallas?He played 37:01 of the 60-minute game, including the first 3:38 of a four-minute penalty kill.&ldquo;When he came off with 22 seconds left, you wanted to see him stay out there and finish it off,&rdquo; said Blues&rsquo; GM Larry Pleau.Pronger&rsquo;s explanation for not going the distance: &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got to let the other guys play. I went to kindergarten. You&rsquo;ve got to learn how to share.&rdquo;Pronger made that endurance run without the aid of his usual penaltykilling partner, Al MacInnis, who was serving time for an accidental high stick.Needless to say, the Blues are dazzled by Pronger&rsquo;s stamina. Especially his ability to play all but the last 22 seconds of a 240-second penalty kill.&ldquo;Awesome,&rdquo; said left winger Keith Tkachuk. &ldquo;It was amazing, wasn&rsquo;t it? It just shows you what kind of guy he is. How many guys can play 3:38 without a break? That&rsquo;s why he&rsquo;s the best player in the National Hockey League. No question. The best.&rdquo;Center Pierre Turgeon suspected artificial respiration was in use: &ldquo;He has to have something under his sweater, an oxygen tank or fuel tank or something.&rdquo;&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a machine,&rdquo; said defenseman Todd Reirden, who roomed with Pronger&rsquo;s brother, Sean, at Bowling Green. &ldquo;And Dallas only got one shot on the whole thing.&rdquo;First-year defenseman Sasha Khavanov, a physical fitness poster boy, was paired with Pronger on the long kill. &ldquo;And I came off twice,&rdquo; Khavanov said.Scott Mellanby went to the film archives: &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve seen a clip of Bobby Orr where he supposedly did the whole two minutes of a penalty kill, keeping the puck all by himself. Whether that&rsquo;s lore or not, I don&rsquo;t know. But what Prongs did was unbelievable. You&rsquo;re talking about playing against the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup playoffs. There&rsquo;s no way to describe it.&rdquo;Mellanby laughed and added, &ldquo;If you can have a guy shake his head and put it in quotes, that&rsquo;s my reply.&rdquo;Quantity of ice time is one thing. Quality is quite another. And Pronger, whose play was overshadowed by the spectacular goaltending of Blues&rsquo; netminder Roman Turek through the first two rounds, was dominating at both ends of the rink.On defense, his plus-8 mark topped the NHL leaderboard, as he helped hold San Jose&rsquo;s Owen Nolan and Dallas&rsquo; Mike Modano and Brett Hull to one goal apiece.And he was among the playoffs&rsquo; most offensive defensemen with one goal and seven points in 10 games.That level of play is what you&rsquo;d expect from the reigning Hart Trophy and Norris Trophy winner, the first such daily double since Orr nearly 30 years ago.For all his swell play, the buzz around Pronger swarmed around his yeoman effort. You could build an Internet poll around the question: What is most amazing about No. 44&rsquo;s stamina?1. His performance level seldom dips.2. He never seems to labor.3. He rarely gets marooned on an eternal shift.4. He always looks fresh after a game.5. Six years ago, he was the second-worst conditioned Blues&rsquo; player.All of the above are true, with exclamation points all around.Former Blues&rsquo; coach Mike Keenan threw a fit about Pronger&rsquo;s lack of conditioning at training camp in 1995, yelling, &ldquo;Do you know who we traded for you?&rdquo;The answer, of course, was Brendan Shanahan, one of the most popular Blues of all-time.Exit Keenan 18 months later. Enter Quenneville, who substituted encouragement and technical tips for Keenan&rsquo;s ranting.Now Pronger is an extended-play clinic on how to play defense. Body position. Stick placement in the passing and shooting lanes. Energy conservation. Using his huge wingspan and wonderful hand-eye co-ordination to his best advantage.And, when discreetly necessary, applying a hack or a whack to discourage invaders.Those are all little tricks noticeable mainly to trained hockey watchers-and even then only with difficulty at times.&ldquo;He does it quietly,&rdquo; Pleau said. &ldquo;Prongs can play 37 minutes a game and you might not even notice him if we&rsquo;re ahead in the game. If we&rsquo;re up 2-1, he doesn&rsquo;t take that chance where all of a sudden, it&rsquo;s 2-2.&ldquo;He is very concerned and very conscientious with the defensive part of the game. He&rsquo;s not the type of defenseman who skates from one end to the other with the puck, like Paul Coffey or Ray Bourque when they were younger. But Prongs doesn&rsquo;t do it with his feet. He does it with the pass.&rdquo;That&rsquo;s one energy saver-puck movement over foot movement. Vision and puck smarts also factor in. And, of course, conditioning, which he adopted with a vengeance after some prodding from MacInnis.Pronger, meanwhile, attributed his marathon-man status to his forced vacation in 2001. &ldquo;I had 2-1/2 months off to stay well-rested,&rdquo; he said.He was out from Jan. 23 through March 31 with minor knee surgery and then a broken arm, with less than four periods of play between mishaps.&ldquo;Sitting up in the press box was miserable,&rdquo; Pronger said. &ldquo;I was itching to get back in there. But not having that grind all season does help.&rdquo;Blues&rsquo; assistant coach Jim Roberts, who played with Doug Harvey and has seen every great defenseman since, had this heads-up tip for opponents. Expect to see even more of Pronger, who is only 26 years old.&ldquo;He could probably play 40 minutes a game,&rdquo; said Roberts, who deploys the defensemen during games. &ldquo;I know one thing, he&rsquo;d want to play 40. I don&rsquo;t know if we&rsquo;ve even scratched the surface of what he can do.&rdquo;Alert the Blues&rsquo; stats crew: Please bring an hourglass. &#9633;<div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-011567/7213749-1-eng-US/f0011-012.jpg" title="f0011-01" width="2644" height="1432"><figcaption class="caption-body">Ice hog&nbsp;Chris Pronger isn&rsquo;t simply logging more ice time than anyone else in the playoffs, he&rsquo;s blowing away the rest of the field. The feat is that much more remarkable when you consider he was the Blues&rsquo; second-worst conditioned athlete six years ago.</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-021118/7213742-1-eng-US/f0011-022.jpg" title="f0011-02" width="3109" height="321"></div> &#9632;

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COVER STORY

Time MACHINE

Chris Pronger, the man with the golden lungs, surely must have set an NHL record with his 37:01 of ice time in Game 2 against Dallas, mustn&rsquo;t he? Well, we&rsquo;re not sure.The Hockey News asked the NHL if Pronger&rsquo;s marathon session was an all-time high for a 60-minute game. Sorry, came the response, the league doesn&rsquo;t keep such records. Strike one.So we approached the Elias Sports Bureau, the service the NHL uses to help with statistics. Again, nothing on file. Swing-and-a-miss, strike two.Finally, we asked the St. Louis Blues, who, with a degree of certainty, told us it was the highest such mark in the NHL this season. Hey, when you&rsquo;re in the hole 0-and-2, you&rsquo;ll take an infield single.The unofficial record of most time logged in a game, including overtime, is believed to be held by Dan McGillis, who played 61:05 of Philadelphia&rsquo;s 2-1 quintuple overtime win over Pittsburgh in the 2000 playoffs. The NHL started recording time-on-ice statistics in 1998-99. &#9632;

Has anyone gone longer than Pronger in regulation game?

<div class="byline">-Jim Benton</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-011698/7213811-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg" title="f0012-01" width="182" height="148"></div>Goaltenders were on the hot seat entering the Western Conference semifinal series between the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche. As it turned out, both sizzled. The Kings&rsquo; Felix Potvin and Avs&rsquo; Patrick Roy were outstanding in the series, won by the Avalanche with a 5-1 victory in Game 7. &ldquo;Either Felix or Patrick was going to be the MVP of the series, depending on who won Game 7,&rdquo; said Avs&rsquo; winger Dave Reid. Potvin shut out the Avalanche twice and held one of the league&rsquo;s most explosive teams without a goal for nearly nine periods (182:29).Roy, the all-time leader in playoff wins (129 as of May 11) and winningest goalie during the regular season with 484 victories, blanked the Kings twice and made several big saves in prevailing in Game 7.After ending its scoring drought against Potvin late in the first period of Game 7 in Denver, the Avalanche broke a 1-1 tie with four third period goals.&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no way we win this series without Patrick,&rdquo; said Avalanche winger Chris Drury, who collected the game-winning goal in the deciding game.Roy&rsquo;s reputation as a big-game goalie was questioned after a Game 1 loss to the Kings. But he answered his critics with solid performances the rest of the way.&ldquo;Of course, if there&rsquo;s some comments, especially a negative one, they always affect you a little bit and make you think,&rdquo; Roy said. &ldquo;Maybe there was a time in my career when I would not listen&hellip;when I would not give a darn about what people would say. I don&rsquo;t know if it&rsquo;s because it&rsquo;s close to the end or what, but you always look and say, &lsquo;Yeah, I didn&rsquo;t have a very good game.&rsquo; &ldquo;Still he doesn&rsquo;t doubt his ability to win another Stanley Cup.&ldquo;No, I do not,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Technically, I&rsquo;m still very sound. When you&rsquo;ve been in this game for 16 years, sometimes you feel like no matter how well you&rsquo;ll do, it will not be appreciated. You can&rsquo;t think that way&rdquo;Roy entered the Western Conference final against St. Louis with a 1.63 goals-against average and .928 save percentage in the 2001 playoffs. &#9632;

f0012-01

Vindication for Roy

<div class="byline">-Joe Starkey</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-03871/7213842-1-eng-US/f0012-032.jpg" title="f0012-03" width="178" height="176"></div>If it was Dominik Hasek&rsquo;s final game, he might forever be haunted by Kaspar the unfriendly ghost.Pittsburgh Penguins&rsquo; defenseman Darius Kasparaitis-who had one goal in his previous 55 playoff games-beat Hasek on a wrist shot from the inside edge of the left circle to end the Buffalo Sabres&rsquo; season.The goal occurred at 13:01 of overtime in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinal. It was the 27th Game 7 in NHL history to reach overtime.&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t believe I did that,&rdquo; Kasparaitis said.The 36-year-old Hasek was asked if he would retire. The Sabres have a $9-million option on his contract next season.&ldquo;It&rsquo;s very possible,&rdquo; Hasek said. &ldquo;I mean, right now, I&rsquo;m still thinking about the game. Give me two, three weeks and I&rsquo;ll make the decision.&rdquo;The Sabres were 78 seconds away from winning the series in Game 6 when Mario Lemieux beat Hasek to force overtime. They&rsquo;re calling that score &ldquo;The Immaculate Deflection&rdquo; in Pittsburgh. Penguin right winger Alexei Kovalev&rsquo;s shot hit Buffalo center Curtis Brown&rsquo;s skate and arced 20 feet into the air before settling at Lemieux&rsquo;s feet in the goal crease, where Lemieux banged it in on his second whack.That was one of four one-goal deficits the Penguins erased in the final two games.The teams were evenly matched, as evidenced by the fact the last three games of the series went to overtime.The Penguins rode the goaltending of first-year NHLer Johan Hedberg, who now has beaten Washington&rsquo;s Olaf Kolzig and Hasek in his first two playoff series.And the unlikely turn of events continued for Pittsburgh up until Kasparaitis&rsquo; overtime winner in Game 7.&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t seen him score a goal in practice since I&rsquo;ve been here-three months!&rdquo; said Penguins&rsquo; left winger Kevin Stevens. &ldquo;He has got the worst wrist shot. Him and &lsquo;Boogy&rsquo; (defenseman Bob Boughner), they go down as the two worst wrist shots in hockey.&rdquo; &#9632;

f0012-03

Unlikely roll for Pens

<div class="byline">-Rich Chere</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-021349/7213873-1-eng-US/f0012-022.jpg" title="f0012-02" width="178" height="182"></div>The disappointment will haunt the Toronto Maple Leafs for months.Rebuilt as a team that had the grit and experience to win in the playoffs, the Maple Leafs pushed the New Jersey Devils to the brink of elimination in the Eastern Conference semifinal, only to see the defending Stanley Cup champions win the sixth and seventh games to snatch the series. Toronto dropped a six-game, second round decision to the Devils last year.&ldquo;This is hard to stomach because we dropped the ball two years ago, we dropped the ball last year,&rdquo; said Leafs&rsquo; right winger Steve Thomas. &ldquo;Then, this year we had an opportunity to really make a name for ourselves. And we dropped the ball again.&rdquo;Ironically, the knockout elbow Toronto enforcer Tie Domi threw at defenseman Scott Niedermayer in the final seconds of Game 4 may have been the blow which ultimately awakened the Devils. But not before New Jersey was pushed to the edge while trying to get revenge for Niedermayer.&ldquo;We were pretty emotional going into Game 5. We probably let emotions get the best of us,&rdquo; said defenseman Ken Daneyko of the 3-2 loss at the Meadowlands.A Tomas Kaberle goal, coming with 29.4 seconds left in the third period just as Shayne Corson was pushed into the crease by Colin White, sent the Leafs home with a chance to win the series.But the Devils would not go away quietly. Goaltender Martin Brodeur saved his best effort for a 4-2 triumph in Game 6 and the Patrik Elias-Jason Arnott-Petr Sykora line showed its first signs of life as Arnott and Sykora both beat Toronto netminder Curtis Joseph.After falling behind on a Thomas power play goal in Game 7, the Devils blew the Leafs away by scoring four goals in the second period. Elias connected for two of the goals.&ldquo;Sometimes we play our best hockey under pressure; we played with a little fear,&rdquo; said captain Scott Stevens.And the Maple Leafs must live with a great deal of regret. &#9632;

f0012-02

Champs bounce back

<div class="byline">-Chuck Carlton</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-04509/7213904-1-eng-US/f0012-042.jpg" title="f0012-04" width="186" height="156"></div>A team with lowered expectations managed to raise the roof and end a 15-year drought.The St. Louis Blues&rsquo; work may be only half done after their four-game sweep of the Dallas Stars, but the fans at the Savvis Center still felt the need to celebrate their team&rsquo;s first trip to the conference final since 1986, when Jacques Demers was the NHL&rsquo;s hottest coach.Actually, the residents of St. Louis thought last season was their time, after a Presidents&rsquo; Trophy Then came the shocking first round elimination by San Jose.&ldquo;The fans have been waiting a long time,&rdquo; said defenseman Al MacInnis. &ldquo;Maybe last year, we didn&rsquo;t handle the expectations the way we should have been able to. Something you have to deal with is expectations and we&rsquo;re only halfway through what we want to accomplish. But it&rsquo;s great for the fans and it&rsquo;s great for the city.&rdquo;Goaltender Roman Turek, playing only after the Blues were unable to deal for a veteran goalie, had a .946 save percentage in the Dallas series and improved to 7-0-20 against his former teammates, including the regular season.&ldquo;Roman got sounder as this series went on,&rdquo; said Stars&rsquo; coach Ken Hitchcock.Trade deadline pickups Keith Tkachuk (Phoenix), Cory Stillman (Calgary) and Scott Mellanby (Florida) made the Blues deeper and stronger up front: Tkachuk had a goal and an assist in Game 4; Stillman decided Game 3 with the overtime winner; and Mellanby was a physical.presence throughout the series.In what passed for the ultimate compliment, the Stars said the Blues played their game and played it better, denying Dallas a shot at a third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup final.&ldquo;You hate it when you see a series like that,&rdquo; said Stars&rsquo; forward Kirk Muller, one of the &lsquo;Grumpy Old Men.&rsquo; &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been on the other side, too, when you win a series and you hear the other team go, &lsquo;Oh, we didn&rsquo;t get this done and that and the breaks and everything.&rsquo; And you&rsquo;re like, &lsquo;Yeah, but we won.&rsquo; &ldquo;<h2>Hornung dies</h2>Former NHL defenseman Larry Hornung died at his Regina home May 8 after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 55. Hornung played 48 games for St. Louis in the early 1970s and spent seven seasons in the World Hockey Association with Winnipeg, Edmonton and San Diego. He scouted part-time for the NHL&rsquo;s Jets and Phoenix Coyotes before being hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs on a full-time basis three years ago. Hornuhg is survived by wife Terry, daughter Leanna and son Brad, who was paralyzed in a 1987 accident while playing with the Regina Pats.<h2>Stinkin&rsquo; apology</h2>Colgate-Palmolive Co. issued an apology to the state of New Jersey and its eight million people a day after an ad campaign flopped. Colgate ran full-page ads in two Toronto newspapers that showed a map of New Jersey and a stick of Mennen deodorant. The text read: &ldquo;Unfortunately, there are some smells even we can&rsquo;t do anything about. Go Leafs Go.&rdquo; It linked the Leafs&rsquo; second round series with the Devils. Mennen deodorant is manufactured exclusively in Morristown, N.J. Colgate employs 2,000 in the state. Governor Donald DiFrancesco immediately asked for an apology.<h2>Carnegie Arena</h2>A Toronto-area arena was renamed Herbert H. Carnegie Centennial Centre in honor of the hockey-playing great. Toronto Parks and Recreation initiated the move to change the name of North York Centennial Arena. Carnegie was a highly skilled black forward in the Quebec Senior League in the 1940s and a victim of racism because of his color. Many feel he could have starred in the NHL if given the opportunity. &ldquo;It was my dream to play in the NHL,&rdquo; Carnegie said. There&rsquo;s also a move afoot to have Carnegie inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.<h2>Fogarty punished</h2>Former NHL defenseman Bryan Fogarty was reprimanded by a Brantford, Ont., judge for his conduct in a bizarre incident in 1999. Fogarty was arrested two years ago after he was found naked inside an area high school. Justice Ken Lenz gave the 31-year-old Fogarty, who pleaded guilty to one count of mischief, a conditional discharge, placed him on probation for one year and ordered him to donate $500 to an addiction service. Lenz said Fogarty should behave as a role model rather than &ldquo;squander&rdquo; the talents he &ldquo;had the good fortune of being blessed with.&rdquo; &#9632;

f0012-04

Long wait for Blues

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-011686/7213935-1-eng-US/f0014-012.jpg" title="f0014-01" width="215" height="204"></div>Detroit may have flunked out in the playoffs, but its top students passed with flying colors in the regular season. Six Red Wings received A-level marks based on their pre-playoff play, which is more than any other NHL team. Below are all 79 NHL players to receive A grades. Marks were selected by NHL team correspondents using guidelines that appear on pg. 3.<h2>GRADE &lsquo;A&rsquo; NHLers</h2>Anaheim NoneAtlanta (A) Andrew Brunette, Ray FerraroBoston (A) Bill Guerin; (A-) Jason Allison, Sergei Samsonov, Joe ThorntonBuffalo (A) Stu Bames; (A-) Donald Audette, Dominik Hasek, Rhett WarrenerCalgary NoneCarolina (A) Arturs Irbe; (A-) Rod Brind&rsquo; Amour; Jeff O&rsquo;Neill; David TanabeChicago (A-) Steve SullivanColorado (A+) Joe Sakic; (A) Patrick Roy; (A-) Peter ForsbergColumbus (A) Ron Tugnutt; (A-) Geoff SandersonDallas (A) Brett Hull, Mike Modano; (A-) Sergei ZubovDetroit (A) Martin Lapointe, Nicklas Lidstrom, Manny Legace, Steve Yzerman; (A-) Sergei Fedorov, Brendan ShanahanEdmonton (A) Jason Smith, Doug Weight; (A-) Ryan SmythFlorida NoneLos Angeles (A) Bryan Smolinski; (A-) Mathieu SchneiderMinnesota (A) Manny FernandezMontreal (A) Saku Koivu; (A-) Oleg Petrov, Brian SavageNashville (A) Scott Walker; (A-) Mike DunhamNew Jersey (A+) Patrik Elias, Alexander Mogilny; (A) Martin Brodeur; Scott Stevens; Petr SykoraIslanders NoneRangers (A) Brian Leetch; (A-) Sandy McCarthyOttawa (A) Patrick Lahme, Karel Rachunek, Alexei Yashin; (A-) Martin Havlat. Marian HossaPhiladelphia (A+) Roman Cechmanek; (A) Keith Primeau; (A-) Mark RecchiPhoenix (A) Sean Burke; (A-) Ossi VaananenPittsburgh (A+) Mario Lemieux; (A) Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Kovalev, Robert Lang, Martin StrakaSt. Louis (A+) Scott Young; (A) Al MacInnis, Chris Pronger, Pierre Turgeon; (A-) Alexander KhavanovSan Jose (A) Evgeni Nabokov; (A-) Mike Ricci, Scott ThorntonTampa Bay (A-) Brad RichardsToronto (A) Curtis Joseph, Gary RobertsVancouver (A) Markus Naslund; (A-) Bob Essensa, Ed JovanovskiWashington (A) Peter Bondra, Steve Konowalchuk; (A-) Jeff Halpern, Calle Johansson &#9632;

f0014-01

Making The Grade

<div class="byline">-Jeff Schultz</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-04591/7214011-1-eng-US/f0014-042.jpg" title="f0014-04" width="215" height="258"></div>Thrashers&rsquo; GM Don Waddell is expected to remodel a team that improved from 39 to 60 points in its second year. He has mandated that Atlanta at least be competing for a playoff spot late in the season.Waddell needs to sign five juniors from the 1999 draft or risk having them reenter the 2001 draft. Atlanta also has three unrestricted and 16 restricted free agents among those who played in the NHL this past season.The Thrashers must improve their goaltending. Should they make a major trade, Waddell has a big bargaining chip: the top pick in the draft.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>AAndrew Brunette, LW. One of team&rsquo;s strongest along boards.ARay Ferraro, C Durable and effective at 36.BFrantisek Kaberle, D. Team&rsquo;s best all-around D-man.BTomi Kallio, RW Top-six forward for several seasons.BJeff Odgers, RW. Took over leadership role.BChris Tamer. Very consistent defenseman this season.C+Jiri Slegr, D. Was a steal for third round pick.C+Yannick Tremblay, D. Improved. but injury-prone.CHnat Domenichelli, LW. Fifteen goals despite injuries.CShean Donovan, RW. Effective when he used speed, size.CSteve Guolla, C. Good skill, but sometimes one-dimensional.CMilan Hnilicka, G. Good No. 2, not ready to start yet.CLadislav Kohn, LW. At his best when physical.CGord Murphy, D. If healthy, can still play.CSteve Staios, D. Excessive minutes wore on himC-Andreas Karlsson, C. Failed to progress from first year.C-Patrik Stefan, C/LW. Better at wing, but still behind curve.C-Per Svartvadet, C/LW. Solid down the stretch.DAdam Burt, D. Injuries derailed defenseman&rsquo;s first year with team.DDavid Harlock, D. Injuries to other players likely saved his job.DDenny Lambert, LW. Big dropoff after strong 1999.DDamian Rhodes, G. Started strong, then disintegrated.D-Chris Joseph, D. Waiver pickup bombed out.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-05395/7214004-1-eng-US/f0014-052.jpg" title="f0014-05" width="232" height="298"><figcaption class="caption-body">Andrew Brunette</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0014-04

Goaltending at top of Atlanta want list

<div class="byline">Nancy Marrapese-Burrell</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-06312/7214049-1-eng-US/f0014-062.jpg" title="f0014-06" width="222" height="252"></div>After firing Pat Burns at the end of October, the Bruins hired Mike Keenan hoping he could lead them to the playoffs.They fell one point short and, although they were impressive down the stretch, too many losses to also-rans like Atlanta, Minnesota and Columbus came back to haunt them.Injuries to key personnel, notably No. 1 goalie Byron Dafoe and No. 2 projected netminder John Grahame, made the difference between getting to the playoffs comfortably and not getting there at all.With several key free agents on their docket, Boston stands to have a long, hot summer.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>ABill Guerin, RW. Brought lots of leadership and a scoring touch.A-Jason Allison, C. Continued to get better.A-Sergei Samsonov, LW. Thrived under Mike Keenan, slowed by injury.A-Joe Thornton, C. Had breakout season and still can improve.BP.J. Axelsson, LW. Surprisingly, Keenan didn&rsquo;t take to him.BByron Dafoe, G. Played well when not nursing injuries.BBrian Rolston, LW. Played two positions, did many things right.BDixon Ward, RW. Did well as team agitator.BEric Weinrich, D. Good addition at deadline.B-Peter Popovic, D. Had a decent season. Pretty reliable.CMikko Eloranta, LW. Not a Keenan favorite, but got job done<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-07252/7214042-1-eng-US/f0014-072.jpg" title="f0014-07" width="230" height="302"><figcaption class="caption-body">Joe Thornton</figcaption></div>CHal Gill, D. Consistency was a problem, but more good than bad.CMike Knuble, RW. Tough role playing different positions.CJarno Kultanen, D. Hindered by nasty virus after good start.CKyle McLaren, D. Slowed by knee woes, didn&rsquo;t pack wallop.CAndrei Nazarov, LW. Did his job as fighter, but sub-par overall.CPeter Skudra, G. Decent backup, but wasn&rsquo;t ready for full-time.CDon Sweeney, D. Suffered from being in Keenan doghouse.CDarren Van Impe, D. Shoulder injury limited him to 31 games.C-Jonathan Girard, D. Wasn&rsquo;t yet ready for jump to big leagues.DShawn Bates, C. Didn&rsquo;t make the most of his opportunities.DKen Belanger, LW. Needs a new team to play for.D-Andrei Kovalenko, RW. Struggled mightily much of the time. &#9632;

f0014-06

Bruins set to shop for key free agents

<div class="byline">-Bucky Gleason</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-08209/7214087-1-eng-US/f0014-082.jpg" title="f0014-08" width="222" height="256"></div>The Sabres didn&rsquo;t have a player among the NHL&rsquo;s top 60 scorers, unless you include late-season acquisitions Donald Audette and Steve Heinze.The team was built with four lines, which were expected to play at both ends of the rink, which is why Buffalo allowed the fewest goals in the league.The Sabres still finished with 46 wins, the most since they had 48 in 1983-84. Dominik Hasek led the NHL with 11 shutouts, but most were a result of the fortress built around him.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>AStu Barnes, C. Consistent all the way through.A-Donald Audette, RW. Had more success with Atlanta.A-Dominik Hasek, G. Not his best, but better than most.A-Rhett Warrener, D. Steady along blueline all season.B+ James Patrick, D. Veteran&rsquo;s smarts made him effective.B+ Miroslav Satan, LW. Slow start, but still a scorer.BDave Andreychuk, LW. You can always count on 20 goals.BMartin Biron, G. Waiting for chance to become No. 1.BJ.P. Dumont, RW. Too many slumps in second half.BDenis Hamel, LW. Knee injury ended good rookie season.BSteve Heinze, LW. Trailed off after great start in Buffalo.BDmitri Kalinin, D. Rookie mistakes appeared in second half.BJay McKee, D. Sound, tough along blueline.BErik Rasmussen, C. His best season in the NHL.B-Richard Smehlik, D. Season hobbled by injuries.C+ Chris Gratton, C. Skills emerged in tough role.C+ Rob Ray, RW. Four goals should warrant contract extension.C+ Alexei Zhitnik, D. Would be great with more consistencyCMaxim Afinogenov, RW. B at home, D on the road.CEric Boulton, LW. Still learning the ropes.CCurtis Brown, C. Great defensively, but only 10 goals hurt team.CVladimir Tsyplakov, LW. Had problems staying in lineup.CVaclav Varada. Great checker, but offense needs work.C-Jason Woolley, D. First 60 games were a disaster.DDoug Gilmour, LW. Disappointing year; is it his last?<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-09189/7214080-1-eng-US/f0014-092.jpg" title="f0014-09" width="228" height="296"><figcaption class="caption-body">Rhett Warrener</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0014-08

Four two-way lines helped Sabres win

<div class="byline">-Eric Duhatschek</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-011471/7214125-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg" title="f0016-01" width="222" height="239"></div>The Calgary Flames made their first piece of off-season news by announcing interim coach Greg Gilbert will be behind the bench again next season after all.Gilbert had hedged about his plans in the immediate aftermath of the Flames&rsquo; disappointing 2000-01 season, noting he was interested in discussing the organization&rsquo;s long-term philosophy before committing to the post on a more permanent basis.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>B+&nbsp;Fred Brathwaite, G. Steadiness usually gave team a chance to win.B+&nbsp;Jarome Iginla, RW. Slowly evolving into team&rsquo;s go-to-player.B&nbsp;Tommy Albelin, D. Positive, steady role model for younger D.B&nbsp;Dave Lowry, LW. Unexpected offense, leadership from veteran.B&nbsp;Marc Savard, C. Top playmaker tailed off in final quarter.C&nbsp;Chris Clark, RW. Two-way grinder was useful role player.C&nbsp;Craig Conroy, RW. Hustling, hard-worker set positive example.C&nbsp;Jeff Cowan, RW. Decent upside as a role player with touch around the net.C&nbsp;Denis Gauthier, D Scary bodychecker, but often on IR.C&nbsp;Toni Lydrnan, D. Showed NHL skill level in limited dutyC&nbsp;Derek Morris, D. Never found his stride after lengthy contract dispute.C&nbsp;Robyn Regehr, D Still too early in the learning curve to make an impact.C&nbsp;Jason Wiemer, C. Severe concussion reduced second-half effectiveness.C-&nbsp;Valeri Bure, RW. Up-and-down scorer, little help five-on-five.C-&nbsp;Phil Housley, D. Injuries contributed to production falloff.C-&nbsp;Ronald Petrovicky, LW Contributed as fourth-line pest.D&nbsp;Oleg Saprykin, LW. Mostly wasted year for 20-year-old prospect.D&nbsp;Jeff Shantz, C. Virtually no piialmiion from November on.D&nbsp;Ron Sutter, C. Accomplished little in quarter of season.D&nbsp;Clarke Wilm. C. Went backwards after previously showing scoring flashes.D - Igor Kravchuk, D. Mistake-and injury-prone rearguard contributed little.D - Mike Vernon, G. Developed bad habit of giving up goals on first shot.D&nbsp;Brad Werenfah D. Awful start followed by season-ending concussion.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-021136/7214118-1-eng-US/f0016-022.jpg" title="f0016-02" width="228" height="294"><figcaption class="caption-body">Jarome Iginla</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0016-01

Gilbert returning as Flames’ coach

<div class="byline">-Luke DeCock</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-03850/7214163-1-eng-US/f0016-032.jpg" title="f0016-03" width="219" height="221"></div>The Carolina Hurricanes brought in 12 new players this season.That kind of wholesale change won&rsquo;t happen again this summer.With Jeff O&rsquo;Neill becoming a top-notch player and strong performances from rookies Shane Willis, David Tanabe and Josef Vasicek, the Hurricanes feel they have laid the groundwork for the future. Prospects Erik Cole, Brad DeFauw, Jeff Heerema and Greg Koehler, all forwards, will get long looks at training camp.The Hurricanes are still in the market for a topline left winger, a physical defenseman, competition in goal and more muscle up front.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Arturs Irbe, G. Overworked and loved it.A-&nbsp;Rod Brind Amour, C. Best all-around player in second half.A-&nbsp;Jeff O&rsquo;Neill, RW. Matured into 41-goal force.A-&nbsp;David Tanabe, D. Swift 20-year-old star in the making.B+ Ron Francis, C. At 38, captain still an offensive dynamo.B+&nbsp;Martin Gelinas, LW. Most goals since 1996-97.B+&nbsp;Shane Willis, RW. Rookie with big shot made big splash.B&nbsp;Sami Kapanen, RW. Flourished when moved back to right wing.B&nbsp;Glen Wesley, D. Steady, effective, solid, unspectacular.B-&nbsp;Dave Karpa, D. Canes&rsquo; enforcer on blueline.B-&nbsp;Marek Malik, D. Broke through in sixth NHL season.B-&nbsp;Josef Vasicek, C. A surprise, big part of future plans.C+&nbsp;Jeff Daniels, LW Journeyman found a home.C&nbsp;Kevin Hatcher, D. Concentrating on defense as skills decline.C&nbsp;Niclas Wallin, D. Stepped right in from Swedish league.C&nbsp;Tommy Westlund, C. Found-niche killing penalties.C-&nbsp;Craig Adams, RW. Surprised with energy off bench.C-&nbsp;Bates Battaglia, LW. Still waiting for consistency from speedy winger.C-&nbsp;Rob DiMaio, RW. Regular role eluded him.C-&nbsp;Steve Halko, D. Quiet season as eighth D.C-&nbsp;Sandis Ozolinsh, D. Showed flashes, but never adjusted.C-&nbsp;Scott Pellerin, LW. Deadline acquisition had marginal impact.D+&nbsp;Darren Langdon, RW. Enforcer used sparingly.D&nbsp;Tyler Moss, G. Little work playing behind Irbe.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-04632/7214156-1-eng-US/f0016-042.jpg" title="f0016-04" width="227" height="293"><figcaption class="caption-body">Jeff O&rsquo;Neill</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0016-03

Hurricanes happy with foundation

<div class="byline">-Tim Sassone</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-05459/7214201-1-eng-US/f0016-052.jpg" title="f0016-05" width="218" height="235"></div>The Chicago Blackhawks are going back to the future.With the hiring of hardnosed Brian Sutter as coach, owner Bill Wirtz made it clear what kind of hockey he wants Hawk fans to see.&ldquo;I think I know what the fans want,&rdquo; Wirtz said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not saying anything derogatory about (Suhonen), but it was not what made our club successful over the years. I think it was obvious last year (the fans) didn&rsquo;t like the style of play. I agree with the fans.&rdquo;Sutter was the choice over Bryan Murray, Denis Savard and Terry Murray, all of whom received interviews.He was NHL coach of the year in 1991 with St. Louis.&ldquo;Brian Sutter&rsquo;s teams have a history and record of competing,&rdquo; said GM Mike Smith.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A-&nbsp;Steve Sullivan, RW. Most consistent from start to finish.B+&nbsp;Eric Daze, RW. Hawks&rsquo; best player in second half.B&nbsp;Tony Amonte, RW. Captaining sinking ship took a toll.B&nbsp;Jocelyn Thibault, G. Solid despite lack of support.B-&nbsp;Kyle Calder, LW. Gritty rookie has promising future.B-&nbsp;Chris Herperger, LW. Became solid role player.B-&nbsp;Michael Nylander, C. Disappeared down the stretch.B-&nbsp;Jaroslav Spacek, D. Hawks&rsquo; best all-around defenseman.B-&nbsp;Alex Zhamnov, C. Throat injury spoiled good season.C+&nbsp;Jamie Allison, D. Good when given the chance.C+&nbsp;Steve McCarthy, D. Developed despite lousy team.C+&nbsp;Steve Poapst, D. Career minor-leaguer surprisingly consistent.C+&nbsp;Bob Probert, LW. Played like he at least cared.C&nbsp;Steve Dubinsky, C. Tried to make things happen.C&nbsp;Chris McAlpine, D. Played utility role well.C&nbsp;Steve Passmore, G. Good attitude in bad dressing room.C&nbsp;Ryan VandenBussche, RW. Tough guy lost his edge.C-&nbsp;Alexander Karpovtsev, D. Disinterested when he wasn&rsquo;t hurt.C-&nbsp;Jean-Yves Leroux, LW. Not nearly physical enough.C-&nbsp;Stephane Quintal, D. Played soft and was inconsistent.D&nbsp;Boris Mironov, D. Huge disappointment at both ends.D&nbsp;Kevin Dean, D. Made too many mistakes.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-06386/7214194-1-eng-US/f0016-062.jpg" title="f0016-06" width="229" height="293"><figcaption class="caption-body">Steve Sullivan</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0016-05

Hawks hire Sutter to turn it around

<div class="byline">-Jim Benton</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-07354/7214239-1-eng-US/f0016-072.jpg" title="f0016-07" width="221" height="234"></div>Colorado set its sights on a lofty goal-the Presidents&rsquo; Trophy-and rewrote the franchise record book in achieving that objective.The Avalanche&rsquo;s 118 points was the highest total in club history and tied with the 1975-76 Flyers and 1981-82 Islanders for the 11th highest in league history.Colorado set franchise marks for most points in a season, most wins (52), most home victories (28), most points at home (63) and fewest goals allowed (192).En route to capturing its second Presidents&rsquo; Trophy in five years, goalie Patrick Roy became the league&rsquo;s all-time leader in wins (484) and Joe Sakic had one of his best seasons that put him in the hunt for the Hart Trophy.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A+&nbsp;Joe Sakic, C. MVP numbers offensively and defensivelyA&nbsp;Patrick Roy, G. His 40 wins are a career high.A-&nbsp;Peter Forsberg, C. Impact player even when he isn&rsquo;t scoring.B+&nbsp;Chris Drury, LW. Keeps getting better and better.B+&nbsp;Milan Hejduk, RW. Displayed a fine-tuned scoring touch.B&nbsp;Ray Bourque, D. Savvy play helped solidify defense.B&nbsp;Rob Blake, D. Adjustment after trade took a while.B&nbsp;Greg deVries, D. Turned into a reliable defender.B&nbsp;Jon Klemm, D. Consistent, steady and dependable.B&nbsp;Alex Tanguay, LW. Another lethal weapon for Avs.B-&nbsp;Adam Foote, D. Injuries sidelined him for 47 games.C+&nbsp;Dan Hinote, RW. Stood out with gritty play.C+&nbsp;Ville Nieminen, LW. Provided energy and goals.C+&nbsp;Shjon Podein, LW. Equaled bests for points, goals.C&nbsp;David Aebischer,&nbsp;G. Showed progress with good finish.C-&nbsp;Chris Dingman, LW. Limited action and production.C&nbsp;Eric Messier, LW. Defensive forward had five goals.C&nbsp;Scott Parker, RW. Enforcer did his job well.C&nbsp;Dave Reid, LW. Veteran checker helped younger players.C&nbsp;Martin Skoula, D. Battled sophomore jinx most of the season.C-&nbsp;Steven Reinprecht, C. Showed promise, but no production.C-&nbsp;Stephane Yelle, C. Slowed by injury after injury.C-&nbsp;Nolan Pratt, D. Didn&rsquo;t see much ice time when he dressed.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-08316/7214232-1-eng-US/f0016-082.jpg" title="f0016-08" width="228" height="293"><figcaption class="caption-body">Milan Hejduk</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0016-07

Avs attain goals with splendid year

<div class="byline">-Aaron Portzline</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-09282/7214277-1-eng-US/f0016-092.jpg" title="f0016-09" width="218" height="246"></div>The Blue Jackets head into the off-season with their sights set on getting a center for one of their top two lines.Columbus is pleased with the prospects of its top line: Left winger Geoff Sanderson, center Espen Knutsen and right winger Robert Kron. The second line, however, was in a constant state of shuffle this season because of injuries, inconsistencies and inabilities.&ldquo;They&rsquo;re not easy to find,&rdquo; said GM Doug MacLean of a No. 2 center. &ldquo;You make a list of 20 names and a lot of them are under contract and you have to trade for them-and we don&rsquo;t have the assets to do that. These are the type of guys that require a player and a pick to get.&rdquo;<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Ron Tugnutt, G. Won 22 games, an expansion record.A-&nbsp;Geoff Sanderson, LW. Revived career with 30 goals in 68 games.B+&nbsp;Espen Knutsen, C. Nobody anticipated 42 assists&hellip;not even Knutsen.B-&nbsp;Tyler Wright, C. Plays every shift like it&rsquo;s his last.B-&nbsp;Deron Quint, D. An emerging offensive defenseman.C+&nbsp;Lyle Odelein, D. Backbone of a solid group on blueline.C+&nbsp;Jamie Pushor, D. On this team, plus-7 is impressive.C+&nbsp;David Vyborny, RW. Showed flash, but needs consistency.C&nbsp;Serge Aubin, C. Bounced from line to line all season.C&nbsp;Kevin Dineen, RW. Great influence on and off ice.C&nbsp;Bruce Gardiner, RW. Textbook example of a defensive forward.C&nbsp;Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre, D. Settled in as season progressed.C&nbsp;Jamie Heward, D. Big slapper makes him power play threat.C&nbsp;Chris Nielsen, C. Shows promise for the future.C&nbsp;Mattias Timander, D. Reliable, but not remarkable.C&nbsp;Ray Whitney, C. If healthy, could be a steal.C&nbsp;Blake Sloan, RW. Grit and guts are his best attributes.C-&nbsp;Marc Denis, G. Had little support, only six wins.C-&nbsp;Mike Maneluk, RW. Hot streaks didn&rsquo;t last long enough.D+&nbsp;Petteri Nummelin, D. Struggled and probably won&rsquo;t be back.D&nbsp;Alexander Selivanov, RW Seemed to doze off at times.D&nbsp;Robert Kron, RW. Second-half surge almost saved season.D-&nbsp;Steve Maltais, LW. May have had last shot at the NHL.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-10258/7214270-1-eng-US/f0016-102.jpg" title="f0016-10" width="227" height="291"><figcaption class="caption-body">Ron Tugnutt</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0016-09

Getting top pivot goal in off-season

<div class="byline">-Chuck Carlton</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-011322/7214315-1-eng-US/f0017-012.jpg" title="f0017-01" width="243" height="222"></div>Nobody else had to define the impact of the Stars getting swept by the St. Louis Blues in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. Coach Ken Hitchcock took it upon himself to eulogize his team&rsquo;s season. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been going at this thing with this core group for four years. And we&rsquo;ve had a heckuva run. It ended today,&rdquo; Hitchcock said after a 4-1 loss in Game 4. &ldquo;What I mean by that is in our eyes, this core and this group took us a long, long ways. We have a championship (1999), &lsquo;another finals (2000). We&rsquo;ve played a lot of playoff hockey.&rdquo;Now, over the summer, Hitchcock, GM Bob Gainey and the rest of the Stars&rsquo; braintrust will take stock and decide on a course of action.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Brett Hull, RW. Notched 39 goals at age 36.A&nbsp;Mike Modano, C. Maybe the best two-way forward in hockey.A-&nbsp;Sergei Zubov, D. Reached 40 assists and was plus-22.B+&nbsp;Brad Lukowich, D. Led team in plus-minus (28).B+&nbsp;Brenden Morrow, LW. Had 20 goals in second season.B+&nbsp;Joe Nieuwendyk, C. Late-season groin pull prevented 30-goal season.B+&nbsp;Marty Turco, G. Posted sparkling numbers.B&nbsp;Ed Belfour, G. A roller-coaster season.B&nbsp;Derian Hatcher, D. Slow start, big finish for physical defenseman.B&nbsp;Jere Lehtinen, LW. Skated like Lehtinen of old in second half.B&nbsp;Grant Marshall, LW. Career high in points.B&nbsp;Richard Matvichuk, D. Solid alongside Zubov.B&nbsp;Darryl Sydor, D. Good offense, but troubled by giveaways.B-&nbsp;Mike Keane, LW. Managed 10 goals in checking role.B-&nbsp;Jamie Langenbrunner, RW. Production hindered by lower-abdominal surgery.C+&nbsp;Sami Helenius, D. Became top-six every day defenseman.C&nbsp;Benoit Hogue, C. Provided experience when injuries hit team.C&nbsp;Grant Ledyard, D. Was solid No. 6 as trade-deadline acquisition.C&nbsp;John MacLean, C. Showed he still had giddyup in his giddyup.C&nbsp;Kirk Muller, C. Helped solidify &lsquo;Grumpy Old Men&rsquo; checking line.C&nbsp;Shaun Van Allen, C. Capable, but barely used until January.C-&nbsp;Tyler Bouck, LW. Hit the wall midway through rookie season.C-&nbsp;Ted Donato, LW. Never quite found a role until late in season.D+&nbsp;Roman Lyashenko, C. Still waiting for him to fulfill potential.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-021009/7214308-1-eng-US/f0017-022.jpg" title="f0017-02" width="234" height="264"><figcaption class="caption-body">Marty Turco</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0017-01

Hitchcock has enjoyed thrilling ride, but will take stock following sweep

<div class="byline">-Nicholas J. Cotsonika</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-03724/7214353-1-eng-US/f0017-032.jpg" title="f0017-03" width="224" height="240"></div>For the second straight season, the Red Wings had the second-best record in the NHL and the second-most points in team history. They went 17-0-20 in their final 19 games in Detroit. But they lost in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 1994 and the fans are in an uproar.&ldquo;We&rsquo;re judged in the playoffs and I understand that,&rdquo; said GM Ken Holland. &ldquo;But it&rsquo;s hard to get 111 points. We have a good club.&rdquo;The Wings will make decisions on several older players and expect to be aggressive in the free-agent market.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Martin Lapointe, RW. Exploded with career-high 27 goals, 57 points.A&nbsp;Nicklas Lidstrom, D. Could win first Norris.A&nbsp;Manny Legace, G. In first full season, went 24-5-5.A&nbsp;Steve Yzerman, C. Averaged point a game after knee surgery.A-&nbsp;Sergei Fedorov, C. Led team with 32 goals, still a vital player.A-&nbsp;Brendan Shanahan, LW. Led team with 76 points.B+&nbsp;Chris Chelios, D. Limited to 24 games by injuries.B+&nbsp;Mathieu Dandenault, D. Blossomed in second half.B+&nbsp;Kris Draper, C. Checker tied for team lead at plus-17.B+&nbsp;Todd Gill, D. Started in minors, finished plus-17.B+&nbsp;Igor Larionov, C. At 40, made big difference after December trade.B+&nbsp;Kirk Maltby, LW. Checker was plus-16, had 12 goals.B&nbsp;Tomas Holmstrom, RW. Team-worst minus-12, great on power playB-&nbsp;Jiri Fischer, D. Roller-coaster season, but showed flashes.C+&nbsp;Slava Kozlov, LW. Streaky as usual, 20 goals too little for sniper.C+&nbsp;Pat Verbeek, RW. Still tough to play against when ornery.C&nbsp;Doug Brown, RW. Veteran did a little of everything.C&nbsp;Steve Duchesne, D. Poor first half, better second half.C&nbsp;Maxim Kuznetsov, D. Showed potential in limited role.C&nbsp;Chris Osgood, G. Horrible first half, decent second half.C&nbsp;Aaron Ward, D. Started strong, fell out of picture.C-&nbsp;Boyd Devereaux, LW. More was expected.C-&nbsp;Darren McCarty, RW. Lowest output over full season since rookie.C-&nbsp;Larry Murphy, D. Could be end of road in Detroit.D+&nbsp;Brent Gilchrist, LW. Checker had one goal, was minus-8.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-04531/7214346-1-eng-US/f0017-042.jpg" title="f0017-04" width="236" height="264"><figcaption class="caption-body">Boyd Devereaux</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0017-03

Wings could be aggressive this summer following post-season disappointment

<div class="byline">-Rob Tychkowski</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-011355/7214391-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg" title="f0018-01" width="216" height="242"></div>It wasn&rsquo;t the breakthrough season the Edmonton Oilers were hoping for, but they did take a step forward and are vowing to gain even more ground next year.And the confidence appears well-founded. Edmonton&rsquo;s nine-game winning streak and 93 points were both decade highs, they finished sixth in the rich and powerful Western Conference and took Dallas to the brink in the first round. And with blue chip kids like Eric Brewer, Mike Comrie, Shawn Horcoff and Jani Rita-the future is certainly bright.The big question now is what becomes of Doug Weight, a restricted free agent this summer and unrestricted next? Either he signs a multi-year contract or Edmonton trades him in what would be the most significant deal in the recent history of the franchise.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Jason Smith, D. Has developed into a physical, emotional leader.A&nbsp;Doug Weight, C. Turned in his best year as a pro leading the Oilers with 25 goals, 90 points.A-&nbsp;Ryan Smyth, LW. Hardest-working forward on the team now a consideration for Canada&rsquo;s 2002 Olympic team.B+&nbsp;Eric Brewer, D. Rising star exceeded expectations.B+&nbsp;Mike Grier, RW. Scored and played tough with bum * shoulder.B+&nbsp;Todd Marchant, C. Great hustle. Does everything well.B+&nbsp;Janne Niinimaa, D. Maturing into solid two-way player.B+&nbsp;Tommy Salo, G. An elite workhorse tied for third with eight shutouts.B&nbsp;Mike Comrie, C. Solid second line center showed grit after signing late.B&nbsp;Igor Ulanov, D. Very gritty and dependable.B-&nbsp;Anson Carter, RW. Quiet when he&rsquo;s not scoring.C+&nbsp;Scott Ferguson, D. Tough and solid under pressure in 20 games with Oilers.C+&nbsp;Rem Murray, C/LW. Fills any role. Good team guy.C+&nbsp;Tom Poti, D. Strong finish after very slow start.C&nbsp;Dan Cleary, RW. Talented with scoring potential, but streaky and inconsistent.C&nbsp;Shawn Horcoff, LW. Rookie has bright future.C&nbsp;Georges Laraque, RW. Good numbers, but doesn&rsquo;t understand his role.C&nbsp;Ethan Moreau, LW. Tough, versatile and dependable performer.C-&nbsp;Sean Brown, D. Tries hard, plays tough, but makes too many costly mistakes.C-&nbsp;Domenic Pittis, C. Couldn&rsquo;t keep a lineup spot, especially after Comrie arrived from junior.C-&nbsp;Dominic Roussel, G. Didn&rsquo;t inspire confidence in backup role.D&nbsp;Sergei Zholtok, C. Scored just five goals after netting 26 the year before with Montreal.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-021009/7214384-1-eng-US/f0018-022.jpg" title="f0018-02" width="228" height="293"><figcaption class="caption-body">Jason Smith</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0018-01

Oilers inch toward respectability, pleased with up-and-coming stars

<div class="byline">-David J. Neal</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-03705/7214429-1-eng-US/f0018-032.jpg" title="f0018-03" width="218" height="244"></div>First, the Florida Panthers didn&rsquo;t address needs for a physical forward (or two) and a defenseman (or two).They also didn&rsquo;t replace the character players they lost. Then, they chafed under Terry Murray&rsquo;s distant, matter-of-fact coaching style. Finally, the only flow they got going was in the injury department.By the turn of the year, the Panthers had all of six wins, Terry Murray had been fired along with brother, GM Bryan Murray, and a potential sale to George Gillett Jr. was falling apart. The team never recovered, finishing 27th overall. The imminent sale has the entire franchise still in flux.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>B+&nbsp;Marcus Nilson, LW. Improved speed, strength worked on top line.B&nbsp;Pavel Bure, RW. Second half glaringly contrasted weak first half.B&nbsp;Roberto Luongo, G. Struggled pre-coaching change, brilliant after.B-&nbsp;Len Barrie, C. Stand-up guy through bruised, bleeding ulcer.B-&nbsp;Rob Niedermayer, C. Worked hard at twoway role.B-&nbsp;Serge Payer, C. Energetic rookie should have played more early.B-&nbsp;Denis Shvidki, RW. Great improvement after too-great expectations.B-&nbsp;Lance Ward, D. Surprised with growth before injury.C+&nbsp;Kevyn Adams, C. Versatile forward had 11-game introduction with Panthers following March trade.C+&nbsp;Trevor Kidd, G. Play fell off as Luongo challenged.C&nbsp;Greg Adams, LW. Grinded some, scored when not injured.C&nbsp;Bret Hedican, D. Decisions still not up to skills.C&nbsp;Paul Laus, D. Leadership missed during 57-game injury.C&nbsp;Vaclav Prospal, C. Erratic play showed he&rsquo;s No. 3 center.C&nbsp;Robert Svehla, D. Workhorse had inept first half, solid later.C-&nbsp;Dan Boyle, D. Poor hockey sense, good puck skills.C-&nbsp;Viktor Kozlov, C. Injured or unhappy when not centering Bure.D+&nbsp;Mike Wilson, D. Didn&rsquo;t meet unfair pre-season expectations, injured.D&nbsp;John Jakopin, D. Hesitancy using good size often nullified same.D&nbsp;Ivan Novoseltsev, RW. Sulked, hurt, didn&rsquo;t learn from mistakes.D&nbsp;Lance Pitlick, D. Looked already traded while being shopped.D&nbsp;Joey Tetarenko, RW/D. NHL heart can&rsquo;t compensate AHL ability.D&nbsp;Peter Worrell, LW. Skating, wise use of toughness, stagnating.D-&nbsp;Anders Eriksson, D. Unwilling to pay price or attention.D-&nbsp;Olli Jokinen, C/LW. Lazy, one step behind play most nights.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-04448/7214422-1-eng-US/f0018-042.jpg" title="f0018-04" width="227" height="291"><figcaption class="caption-body">Roberto Luongo</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0018-03

It was bad year, start to finish for stumbling Florida Panthers

<div class="byline">-Matt McHale</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-05296/7214467-1-eng-US/f0018-052.jpg" title="f0018-05" width="218" height="248"></div>In early March, the Los Angeles Kings were 11th in the Western Conference. By mid-May, they were within one win of playing for the conference championship.There were two reasons for the stunning turnaround to the Kings&rsquo; 2000-01 season: the acquisition of goaltender Felix Potvin, who was run out of Vancouver, and the trade of captain Rob Blake, whose contract impasse created a season-long distraction for the club.Both moves came in late February. The defense settled down with Potvin in net for the final 23 games of the regular season (13-5-5-0) and all of the playoffs. The Kings finished with 92 points, marking the first time in franchise history they recorded back-to-back 90-point seasons.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Bryan Smolinski, LW. Most consistent player on team, elevated his game.A-&nbsp;Mathieu Schneider, D. Free agent signee did everything-and more-that was asked of him.B+&nbsp;Ian Laperriere, RW. Was team&rsquo;s de facto captain after Rob Blake left.B+&nbsp;Luc Robitaille, LW. Popular King scored 38 goals at 35 years of age.B&nbsp;Eric Belanger, C. Strong on faceoffs; overcame reputation as soft player.B&nbsp;Adam Deadmarsh, RW. Brought winning attitude to West Coast.B&nbsp;Jere Karalahti, D. Late-season surge carried into playoffs.B&nbsp;Jaroslav Modry, D. Flourished as an everyday player.B&nbsp;Mattias Norstrom, D. Better after partner Blake leftB&nbsp;Ziggy Palffy, RW. Better all-around performance, but still disappears every now and then.B&nbsp;Felix Potvin, G. Move from Vancouver to L.A. gave &lsquo;The Cat&rsquo; another life.B&nbsp;Scott Thomas, RW. Journeyman found a niche with Kings.B&nbsp;Lubomir Visnovsky, D. Rookie displayed great vision on ice.C+&nbsp;Stu Grimson, LW. Solid, but less effective in second half.C&nbsp;Kelly Buchberger, LW. Grit could not mask dwindling skills.C&nbsp;Nelson Emerson, RW. Didn&rsquo;t score as expected.C&nbsp;Stephane Fiset, G. Former starter&rsquo;s season wiped out by knee injury.C&nbsp;Aaron Miller, D. Showed character after injury to wrist improved.C&nbsp;Glen Murray, RW, Woke up in time for playoffs.C&nbsp;Jozef Stumpel, C. More production needed from top center.C&nbsp;Philippe Boucher, D. Developed into big shooter from the point.C-&nbsp;Jamie Storr, G. Blew chance for No. 1 job when Fiset went down.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-06235/7214460-1-eng-US/f0018-062.jpg" title="f0018-06" width="229" height="294"><figcaption class="caption-body">Mattias Norstrom</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0018-05

Potvin, rejuvenated defense corps foundation for surprising Kings

<div class="byline">-Tom Jones</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-011144/7214505-1-eng-US/f0020-012.jpg" title="f0020-01" width="234" height="229"></div>The Minnesota Wild sold every seat at the Xcel Energy Center for every game this season.Part of the reason might be that the NHL returned to Minnesota after a seven-year absence and fans were hungry But it didn&rsquo;t hurt any that the gritty expansion team played above all expectations.Late-season injuries and trades turned Minnesota into a more traditional expansion club, but they didn&rsquo;t erase earlier season highlights of an eightgame unbeaten streak, an eightgame home unbeaten streak and monumental victories against talent-laden opponents such as the Dallas Stars (twice), Detroit Red Wings (twice) and Pittsburgh Penguins.The Wild could take a step back next season, but only because it set the bar so high in its first go-around.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Manny Fernandez, G. Reason for team&rsquo;s surprising success.B&nbsp;Marian Gaborik, LW. Rookie led team in scoring.B&nbsp;Darby Hendrickson, C. Set career marks for goals, points.B&nbsp;Filip Kuba, D. Led NHL rookies in ice time.B&nbsp;Lubomir Sekeras, D. Top scoring defenseman on team.B&nbsp;Wes Walz, C. Seven shorthanded goals, tie for third in NHL.B-&nbsp;Brad Bombardir, D. Invaluable team leader.C+&nbsp;Jim Dowd, C. Second on team in assists.C&nbsp;Sylvain Blouin, LW. Provided toughness and energy.C&nbsp;Antti Laaksonen, LW. Played in every Wild game.C&nbsp;Jamie McLennan, G. Bad record due to lack of support.C&nbsp;Willie Mitchell, D. Showed promise after trade.C&nbsp;Stacy Roest, C. Played well after slow start.C&nbsp;Cam Stewart, LW. Played on solid checking line.C&nbsp;Andy Sutton, D. Most physical defenseman.C-&nbsp;Ladislav Benysek, D. Worst plus-minus among D-men.C-&nbsp;Aaron Gavey, C. Didn&rsquo;t score as hoped.C-&nbsp;Jeff Nielsen, RW. Worst plusminus on team.D+&nbsp;Matt Johnson, RW. Enforcer injured often.D+&nbsp;Pavel Patera, C. Played well, but didn&rsquo;t post numbers.D+&nbsp;Roman Simicek, RW. Provided little offense.D&nbsp;Sergei Krivokrasov, RW. Injuries and little scoring.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-02784/7214498-1-eng-US/f0020-022.jpg" title="f0020-02" width="229" height="294"><figcaption class="caption-body">Manny Fernandez</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0020-01

Wild hands itself tough act to follow

<div class="byline">-Herb Zurkowsky</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-03538/7214543-1-eng-US/f0020-032.jpg" title="f0020-03" width="220" height="226"></div>Colorado businessman George Gillett Jr. has acquired the financing to complete his purchase of the Can-adiens and the Molson Centre.Gillett accepted a secured loan for $140 million (Cdn.) from la Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, the investment arm of the Quebec government pension fund. He purchased 80.1 per cent of the Canadiens and 100 per cent of the Molson Centre on Jan. 31. Molson retains a minority share in the team and will contribute $160 million in sponsorship over 20 years.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Saku Koivu, C. Team&rsquo;s best offensive threat.A-&nbsp;Oleg Petrov, RW. Gained confidence, played consistentlyA-&nbsp;Brian Savage, LW. Scored most goals on team.B&nbsp;Stephane Robidas, D. Surprisingly consistent.B&nbsp;Jose Theodore, G. Played well down the stretch.B-&nbsp;Martin Rucinsky, LW. Showed flashes, but inconsistent.B-&nbsp;Richard Zednik, RW. Decent playmaker, but must score more.C+&nbsp;Patrice Brisebois, D. Good on offense, terrible on defense.C+&nbsp;Karl Dykhuis, D. Had best plus-minus among defensemen.C+&nbsp;Chad Kilger, C. Combined some offense with physical touch.C&nbsp;Francis Bouillon, D. Plays big for a small man.C&nbsp;Benoit Brunet, LW. Team&rsquo;s best penalty killer.C&nbsp;Craig Darby, C. Solid third-line defensive specialist.C&nbsp;Andrei Markov, D. Made rookie mistakes along blueline.C&nbsp;Gino Odjick, RW. Kept opposition honest with physical play.C&nbsp;Patrick Poulin, LW. Not flashy but came to work.C&nbsp;Craig Rivet, D. Team&rsquo;s most physical defenseman.C&nbsp;Patrick Traverse, D. Safe and steady along blueline.C-&nbsp;Arron Asham, RW. Most-feared fighter on the team.C-&nbsp;Jan Bulis, C. Failed to score following trade.C-&nbsp;Mathieu Garon, G. Requires more seasoning and experience.C-&nbsp;Sheldon Souray, D. Too slow and made mistakes.D&nbsp;Jim Campbell, RW. Must rediscover his scoring touch.D&nbsp;Jeff Hackett, G. Hand injury diminished his effectiveness.D&nbsp;Juha Lind, LW. Did little in limited playing time.D-&nbsp;Christian Laflamme,&nbsp;D. Defensive liability each time on ice.D-&nbsp;Jason Ward, RW. Plodding skater who can&rsquo;t score.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-04344/7214536-1-eng-US/f0020-042.jpg" title="f0020-04" width="234" height="298"><figcaption class="caption-body">Oleg Petrov</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0020-03

Financing arranged for sale of Habs

<div class="byline">-Jeff Legwold</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-05189/7214581-1-eng-US/f0020-052.jpg" title="f0020-05" width="242" height="221"></div>Predators&rsquo; officials say a projected $400,000 loss this season won&rsquo;t hinder the team&rsquo;s attempts to sign its high-profile restricted free agents, goalie Mike Dunham and right winger Scott Walker.Both had their best seasons as pros in 2000-01 and are looking at huge pay bumps. The contracts of left winger Marian Cisar and defenseman Cale Hulse also are up and they figure to be in line for big raises, too.GM David Poile said the team has budgeted for the players it needs.The Predators&rsquo; season-ending roster was among the league&rsquo;s bottom five in payroll, checking in at about $18.5 million.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Scott Walker, RW. Career high in points and all the toughness you need.A-&nbsp;Mike Dunham, G. Career high in wins (21) and became a front-line goalie.B+&nbsp;Greg Johnson, C. Offense suffered because of defensive responsibilities.B+&nbsp;Cliff Ronning, LW. Thirty-one power play points big deal on this team.B+&nbsp;Kimmo Timonen, D. A real find who led team in ice time.B+&nbsp;Tomas Vokoun, G. Always ready if Dunham couldn&rsquo;t go.B&nbsp;Cale Hulse, D. Steady and gave the team some needed bulk.B&nbsp;Patrie Kjellberg, LW. Reliable in defensive role.B-&nbsp;Scott Hartnell, RW. Eighteen-year-old rookie battled all year.B-&nbsp;Vitali Yachmenev, RW. Worked hard, but pace slowed as year wore on.C+&nbsp;Mark Eaton, D. Confidence is growing, so will ice time.C+&nbsp;Tom Fitzgerald, C. Necessary steadying influence on a young team.C+&nbsp;Bill Houlder, D. Much-needed voice of experience along blueline.C+&nbsp;David Legwand, C. Still too streaky.C&nbsp;Denis Arkhipov, C. Huge upside, but still adjusting to small rink.C&nbsp;Randy Robitaille, C. Has potential for so much more.C&nbsp;Karlis Skrastins, D. Makes the most of tough assignments.C&nbsp;Jeremy Stevenson, RW Rugged winger needs a longer look.C-&nbsp;Marian Cisar, RW. Too hard to find down the stretch.D&nbsp;Richard Lintner, D. Offensive flashes don&rsquo;t cover the rest.D+&nbsp;Rob Valicevic,&nbsp;C. Not in team&rsquo;s future plans.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-06148/7214574-1-eng-US/f0020-062.jpg" title="f0020-06" width="230" height="298"><figcaption class="caption-body">Scott Walker</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0020-05

Preds try to keep Dunham, Walker

<div class="byline">-Rich Chere</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-01907/7214619-1-eng-US/f0021-012.jpg" title="f0021-01" width="221" height="248"></div>Ken Sutton had his name engraved on the Stanley Cup after serving as New Jersey&rsquo;s seventh defenseman last year.But Sutton&rsquo;s finest moment as a Devil came when he stepped in for injured defenseman Scott Niedermayer and helped the team overcome Toronto in the Eastern Conference semifinal.&ldquo;It&rsquo;s the best feeling I&rsquo;ve had in hockey in a long time,&rdquo; Sutton said of helping to win Game 7. &ldquo;We won the Cup last year, but I didn&rsquo;t play It was important for me to prove I could play at this level.&rdquo;The Devils stayed alive in their quest to defend the Cup as Sutton, paired on defense with Colin White, played the steady style which make him so valuable to the organization.Sutton was not the only veteran who filled in admirably when the Devils needed it most. Center Bob Corkum was called upon to replace Sergei Brylin, who underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his right knee.&ldquo;I think we got great games from both,&rdquo; said coach Larry Robinson following Game 7 against Toronto.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A+&nbsp;Patrik Elias, LW. NHL&rsquo;s biggest bargain at $675,000.A+&nbsp;Alexander Mogilny, RW. Regained sniping form.A&nbsp;Martin Brodeur, G. Third 40-win season.A&nbsp;Scott Stevens, D. Deserves Norris consideration.A&nbsp;Petr Sykora, RW. Career highs of 35 goals, 46 assists.B+&nbsp;Sergei Brylin, LW Career season.B+&nbsp;John Madden, C. Two-way rising star.B+&nbsp;Scott Niedermayer, D. Holdout and injuries hurt.B+&nbsp;Brian Rafalski, D. Top scorer among defensemen.B+&nbsp;John Vanbiesbrouck, G. Didn&rsquo;t lose as a Devil.B&nbsp;Jason Arnott, C. Anchored No. 1 line.B&nbsp;Ken Daneyko, D. Steady as ever.B&nbsp;Scott Gomez, C. Avoided sophomore jinx.B&nbsp;Randy McKay, RW. Regained health and fire.B&nbsp;Sergei Nemchinov, C. Versatile, intelligent veteran.B&nbsp;Colin White, D. Plus-32 as a rookie.B-&nbsp;Turner Stevenson, RW. Captain Chaos made things happen.C&nbsp;Bob Corkum, C. Faceoff and defensive specialist.C&nbsp;Bobby Holik, C. Slipped on offense.C&nbsp;Jim McKenzie, LW. Character player with muscle.C&nbsp;Sean O&rsquo;Donnell, D. Late pickup added depth.C&nbsp;Jay Pandolfo, LW. Injuries took a toll.C&nbsp;Ken Sutton, D. Underappreciated veteran.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-02527/7214612-1-eng-US/f0021-022.jpg" title="f0021-02" width="231" height="296"><figcaption class="caption-body">Patrik Elias</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0021-01

Sutton, Corkum do commendable jobs as injury replacements for key Devils

<div class="byline">-Peter Botte</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-03308/7214657-1-eng-US/f0021-032.jpg" title="f0021-03" width="219" height="238"></div>Butch Goring lost his job as coach of the Islanders in March, mostly because the players he was given didn&rsquo;t approach the improvement expected after the young club finished the 19992000 season with promise.Injuries accounted for some of the Isles&rsquo; 52-point disaster-the team lost 363 man games. But the players must be held as accountable as either Goring or Mike Milbury, who heads into his sixth straight summer as GM with a lottery pick to show for the team&rsquo;s ongoing playoff drought.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>B+&nbsp;Dave Scatchard, C. Winner of club&rsquo;s &ldquo;Good Guy&rdquo; Award.B-&nbsp;Brad Isbister, LW. Too much time in trainer&rsquo;s room.B-&nbsp;Roman Hamrlik, D Didn&rsquo;t provide enough power play help.B-&nbsp;Branislav Mezei, D. First round pick (1999 has chance to be decent.C+&nbsp;Zdeno Chara, D. NHL hits leader because Isles rarely had puck.C&nbsp;Jason Blake, C/LW. Missed final month for personal reasons.D&nbsp;Aris Brimanis, D. Nothing thrilling, as advertised.C&nbsp;Mariusz Czerkawski, RW. Reached 30 goals again with garbage-time flurryC&nbsp;Claude Lapointe, LW. Minus-2 pretty impressive on this team.C&nbsp;Tim Connolly, C. Much criticism, but has 75 NHL points before 20th birthday.C&nbsp;Chris Terreri, G. Talk about making deal with Devil.C&nbsp;Eric Cairns, D. Jaromir Jagr&rsquo;s toughest opponent. No, seriously.C&nbsp;Rick DiPietro,&nbsp;G. Impossible spot for No. 1 overall pick.C-&nbsp;Garry Galley, D. Respected veteran likely retiring.C-&nbsp;Kenny Jonsson, D. Occasionally looked like a player again.C-&nbsp;Steve Martins, C. A minor leaguer on a good team.C-&nbsp;Bill Muckalt, RW. Just 11 goals in abbreviated campaign.C-&nbsp;Taylor Pyatt, LW. Looked his age (19) in second half.D&nbsp;Craig Berube, LW. Didn&rsquo;t add much to lineup.D&nbsp;Kevin Haller, D. December hernia, limited to 30 games.D&nbsp;Mark Lawrence, RW. At least not owed any more money.D&nbsp;Mats Lindgren, C. Knows most surgeons on first-name basis.D&nbsp;Steve Webb, RW. How&rsquo;s he still in league?D&nbsp;Mark Parrish, RW. Seventeen goals, minus-27. Not enough for Luongo.D-&nbsp;Oleg Kvasha, C. Other half of trade. Far worse.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-04223/7214650-1-eng-US/f0021-042.jpg" title="f0021-04" width="232" height="298"><figcaption class="caption-body">Dave Scatchard</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0021-03

Milbury left to sort out mess on Island where youngsters failed to come through

<div class="byline">-Rick Carpiniello</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-011035/7214695-1-eng-US/f0022-012.jpg" title="f0022-01" width="219" height="244"></div>It would be difficult to argue the Rangers made progress in 2000-01 when their record was worse than the year before and they missed the playoffs for a fourth straight season. But the new management team felt a few things improved. Coach Ron Low was able to kick-start the careers of several of young players.First-year GM-president Glen Sather said he was &ldquo;blindsided&rdquo; by Theo Fleury&rsquo;s problems with substance abuse, which cost the club its leading scorer.But Sather felt the internal bickering that existed last year disappeared.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Brian Leetch, D. Had a near Norris season.A-&nbsp;Sandy McCarthy, RW. Won team&rsquo;s Extra Effort award.B+&nbsp;Radek Dvorak, RW. Used speed to score 30 goals.B+&nbsp;Tomas Kloucek, D. Promising year wrecked by knee surgery.B&nbsp;Theo Fleury, RW. Substance revelation ended comeback year.B&nbsp;Rich Pilon, D. In best shape of his life.B&nbsp;Mike York, C. Role changed, so did numbers.B-&nbsp;Jan Hlavac, LW. When he shot he scored.B-&nbsp;Mark Messier, C. Big slump in middle of season.B-&nbsp;Petr Nedved, C. Started slowly, finished strongly.B-&nbsp;Peter Smrek, D. Lots of promise for rookie.B-&nbsp;Tim Taylor, C. Abdominal surgery ended year.C+&nbsp;Manny Malhotra, C. Finally got a chance to step forward.C+&nbsp;Dale Purin ton, D. Might turn into regular.C+&nbsp;Mike Richter, G. Second major knee surgery.C-&nbsp;Brad Brown, D: Was playing tough defense when hurt.C-&nbsp;Kim Johnsson, D. Needs to be more consistent.C-&nbsp;Guy Hebert, G. Played well in final weeks.C-&nbsp;Mike Mottau, D. Has some learning to do.C-&nbsp;Jeff Ulmer, RW. Filled some holes for a while.D+&nbsp;Sylvain Lefebvre, D. Coach Low wasn&rsquo;t happy with him.D&nbsp;Adam Graves, LW. Needs to score a lot more.D&nbsp;Michal Grosek, RW. Spent part of season in minors.D&nbsp;Kirk McLean, G. Won&rsquo;t be back with Rangers.D-&nbsp;Colin Forbes, LW. Big guy who didn&rsquo;t do much.D-&nbsp;Valeri Kamensky, LW. Total bust on Broadway.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-02725/7214688-1-eng-US/f0022-022.jpg" title="f0022-02" width="228" height="295"><figcaption class="caption-body">Sandy McCarthy</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0022-01

Ranger GM Sather sees positive signs

<div class="byline">-Bruce Garrioch</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-03516/7214733-1-eng-US/f0022-032.jpg" title="f0022-03" width="222" height="243"></div>The Ottawa Senators have some big decisions to make as they enter the off-season.For starters, there are four unrestricted free agents-blueliners Jason York and Curtis Leschyshyn and forwards Rob Zamuner and Mike Sillinger-who could test the market.Then there&rsquo;s center Alexei Yashin, who had a stellar regular season, but a bitterly disappointing playoff. The team may try to turn the page on the Yashin era by trading him this summer.The futures of team captain Daniel Alfredsson and left winger Magnus Arvedson, who hasn&rsquo;t been able to stay healthy, also have to be decided. Both can become restricted free agents July 1.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Patrick Lalime, G. Gave team chance to win every night.A&nbsp;Karel Rachunek, D. Pleasant surprise, was the team&rsquo;s top rookie.A&nbsp;Alexei Yashin, C. Wonderful regular season.A-&nbsp;Martin Havlat, RW. The kid has a bright future.A-&nbsp;Marian Hossa, RW. Best season of his young career.B+&nbsp;Shawn McEachern, LW. Nothing wrong with consistencyB+&nbsp;Wade Redden, D. Should be an interesting negotiation.B&nbsp;Daniel Alfredsson, RW. Solid on the ice and in the room.B-&nbsp;Curtis Leschyshyn, D. A dependable veteran who helped.B-&nbsp;Chris Phillips, D. Finally started to play up to potential.B-&nbsp;Rob Zamuner, LW. Proved to be a durable winger.B-&nbsp;Mike Fisher, C. A good sophomore, has to find a role.B-&nbsp;Radek Bonk, C. Could be club&rsquo;s No. 1 center next season.C+&nbsp;Andreas Dackell, RW. His role on the team slipped.C+&nbsp;Jani Hurme, G. Did a good job when given the opportunity.C+&nbsp;Eric Lacroix, RW. Will have to accept a paycut to stay.C+&nbsp;Ricard Persson, D. Has to stay healthy to be effective.C+&nbsp;Jamie Rivers, D. Was capable when called upon.C+&nbsp;Andre Roy, RW. Limited role because of limited skills.C+&nbsp;Sami Salo, D. Team needs his big shot in lineup.C+&nbsp;Todd White, C. Will get chance to make the team next year.C+&nbsp;Jason York, D. Needed a better year as potential UFA.C&nbsp;Mike Sillinger, C. The guy can win faceoffs.C-&nbsp;Magnus Arvedson, RW. Has to be better along the boards.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-04349/7214726-1-eng-US/f0022-042.jpg" title="f0022-04" width="230" height="295"><figcaption class="caption-body">Karel Rachunek</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0022-03

Senators facing summer of change

<div class="byline">-Wayne Fish</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-05265/7214771-1-eng-US/f0022-052.jpg" title="f0022-05" width="221" height="223"></div>Eric Lindros stayed at home, John LeClair spent most of the season on the injured list, an unheralded goalie (Roman Cechmanek) took over the No. 1 job and Bill Barber succeeded Craig Ramsay as coach.Through all these changes, the Flyers still managed to post a 100-point season.Priority No. 1 in the off-season: Get LeClair signed, even though it sounds like he will test unrestricted free agency<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A+&nbsp;Roman Cechmanek, G. Unknown quantity was team MVP, hands-down.A&nbsp;Keith Primeau, C. Proved he was a bona fide first line center.A-&nbsp;Mark Recchi, RW. Excelled after concussion recoveryB+&nbsp;Simon Gagne, LW. Strong first half, gained confidence.B+&nbsp;Dan McGillis, D. Two-way force, voted team&rsquo;s best &lsquo;D;&rsquo;B&nbsp;Luke Richardson, D. His best season as a Flyer.B&nbsp;Ruslan Fedotenko, LW. Surprisingly effective 22-year-old rookie.B-&nbsp;John LeClair, LW. Seven goals, $7 million.B-&nbsp;Rick Tocchet, RW. Contributed when healthy.B-&nbsp;Justin Williams, RW. Rookie started strong, slowed after hand injury.C+&nbsp;Daymond Langkow,&nbsp;C. Thirteen goals not enough for 20minute player.C+&nbsp;Chris Therien, D. Not best year, but still plus-22.C&nbsp;Eric Desjardins, D. Rotating mediocre partners partly to blame for minus-3.C&nbsp;Paul Ranheim, LW. Ten goals led fourth line.C&nbsp;Dean McAmmond, C. Still adjusting to new team.C&nbsp;P.J. Stock, RW. Utility sparkplug gave all he had.C&nbsp;Todd Fedoruk, LW. Rookie made strides as enforcer.C-&nbsp;Kent Mander-ville, C. Finally ended 122-game scoring drought.C-&nbsp;Jody Hull, RW. Only regular winger with minus mark.C-&nbsp;Peter White, C. Philadelphia heeds an upgrade at this third line spot.D+&nbsp;Andy Delmore, D. Second-year blueliner&rsquo;s downside defense outweighed upside offense.D&nbsp;Chris McAllister, D. Physical, but error-prone.D&nbsp;Brian Boucher, G. Slow start, didn&rsquo;t get a real second chance.D-&nbsp;Michal Sy kora, D. Showed few flashes of desired offense.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-06208/7214764-1-eng-US/f0022-062.jpg" title="f0022-06" width="233" height="297"><figcaption class="caption-body">Keith Primeau</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0022-05

Flyers’ top priority signing UFA LeClair

<div class="byline">-Bob McManaman</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-01926/7214809-1-eng-US/f0023-012.jpg" title="f0023-01" width="216" height="263"></div>Nothing really changed for the Phoenix Coyotes this season. The team failed to make the playoffs for the seventh time in its 22 years, broadening its image as an underachiever.Managing partner Wayne Gretzky and GM Cliff Fletcher, who brought in youth and depth by dealing away Keith Tkachuk and Nikolai Khabibulin, have vowed to re-tool even more.The Coyotes need to stock their farm system, which was the leanest it has been in years (Its C+ grade in THN&rsquo;s Future Watch ranked 20th in the NHL.) Gretzky said they will rebuild through the draft and likely part with a handful of veterans, perhaps even star center Jeremy Roenick.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Sean Burke, G. Team MVP cooled after Hart Trophy-like first half.A-&nbsp;Ossi Vaananen, D. Tough rookie eclipsed expectations.B+&nbsp;Shane Doan, RW. Set career highs across the board.B+&nbsp;Landon Wilson, RW. Rose above in make-or-break season.B&nbsp;Brad May, LW. Always set the tone. Most times, Coyotes followed.B&nbsp;Teppo Numminen, D. Mr. Reliable, but scoring dipped.B&nbsp;Jeremy Roenick, C. Should have done more in contract year.B&nbsp;Mike Sullivan, C. Irreplaceable versatility for a fourthliner.B-&nbsp;Keith Carney, D. At times, he was the best they had.B-&nbsp;Michal Handzus, C. Ailing when acquired, but showed major promise.C+&nbsp;Daniel Briere, C. Injected immediate offense after call-up, then sat.C+&nbsp;Robert Esche, G. Gained confidence as backup, held his own.C+&nbsp;Claude Lemieux, RW. Incomplete season marked by contract, injury.C&nbsp;Louie DeBrusk, RW. Rarely used, but always there.C&nbsp;Mike Johnson, RW. Added depth down stretch, but lacked gritC&nbsp;Trevor Letowski, C. Numbers down, but he&rsquo;ll rebound.C&nbsp;Paul Mara, D. Young and willing, but still a project.C&nbsp;Todd Simpson, D. Added physical presence sorely lacking.C-&nbsp;Joel Bouchard, D. Contributed when he was in lineup.C-&nbsp;Ladislav Nagy, LW. Offense is there, but rookie sat after trade.C-&nbsp;Radoslav Suchy, D. Phased out of rotation down the stretch.C-&nbsp;Juha Ylonen, C. Ran hot and cold. Durability issues.D&nbsp;Travis Green, C. Never seemed to get it going for some reason.D&nbsp;Joe Juneau, C. Not nearly enough puck for the buck.D&nbsp;Jyrki Lumme, D. Nice start, but then injuries ruined rest of 2000-01.D-&nbsp;Mika Alatalo, RW. Needs to rediscover passion for the game.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-02605/7214802-1-eng-US/f0023-022.jpg" title="f0023-02" width="230" height="293"><figcaption class="caption-body">Sean Burke</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0023-01

Coyotes aim to become younger through draft, dealing veterans

<div class="byline">-Joe Starkey</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-03427/7214847-1-eng-US/f0023-032.jpg" title="f0023-03" width="217" height="237"></div>During a conference call with league media the day before a second round series against Buffalo, Pittsburgh Penguins&rsquo; owner Mario Lemieux said Jaromir Jagr needed to &ldquo;play a little bit better for us to have a chance to go all the way&rdquo;The comment stung Jagr, who said it could be taken as a compliment or an insult. It seems he took it as both.&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think he should say that kind of stuff,&rdquo; Jagr said. &ldquo;He should tell me that (privately). It would make it easier, I think, for the team.&rdquo;Jagr assisted on Lemieux&rsquo;s winning goal in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal at Buffalo, but left with an injured shoulder and did not play again until Game 4. He admitted the timing of his injury made &ldquo;everything worse,&rdquo; and that a public spat with coach Ivan Hlinka before Game 2 &ldquo;didn&rsquo;t help, either.&rdquo;A five-time NHL scoring champion, Jagr starred in the Penguins&rsquo; 3-2 overtime win against the Sabres in the series-clinching seventh game May 10, assisting on all three goals.Jagr said that if this is going to be his last season in Pittsburgh, he wants to go out in style. &ldquo;Anybody can get traded,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But, on the other side, even if that happens, I want to leave like a champion.&rdquo;<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A+&nbsp;Mario Lemieux, C. Had 76 points in 43 games.A&nbsp;Jaromir Jagr, RW. Fourth straight scoring title.A&nbsp;Alexei Kovalev, RW. Smashed all personal bests.A&nbsp;Robert Lang, C. Finally found consistency.A&nbsp;Martin Straka, LW. Only three NHL players had more points.B+&nbsp;Bob Boughner, D. Career-best plus-18.B+&nbsp;Andrew Ference, D. Legit NHL player.B+&nbsp;Johan Hedberg, G. Starred in brief stint.B+&nbsp;Darius Kasparaitis, D. Played hard every night.B&nbsp;Jan Hrdina, C. Still didn&rsquo;t shoot enough.B&nbsp;Kevin Stevens, LW. Turned out to be a bargain.C+&nbsp;lan Moran, D. Career season hurt by injuries.C&nbsp;J-S Aubin, G. Had no spectacular games.C&nbsp;Marc Bergevin, D. Delivered steady veteran presence.C&nbsp;Rene Corbet, LW Provided punch when healthy.C&nbsp;Milan Kraft, C. Not afraid to stand in front.C&nbsp;Wayne Primeau, C. Stepped into third-line role.C&nbsp;Garth Snow, G. Groin injury derailed season.C&nbsp;Billy Tibbetts, LW. Amazingly, he proved he belongs.C-&nbsp;Josef Beranek, LW. Provided decent depth.C-&nbsp;Hans Jonsson, D. Tailed off in second season.C-&nbsp;Dan LaCouture, RW. Hardly played after trade.,C-&nbsp;Janne Laukkanen, D. Injuries got him again.D&nbsp;Frantisek Kucera, D. Not what Pens expected.D&nbsp;Steve McKenna, LW. Provided intimidation factor.D&nbsp;Aleksey Morozov, RW. Finished with a flurry.D&nbsp;Krzysztof Oliwa, LW Never got much of a chance.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-04302/7214840-1-eng-US/f0023-042.jpg" title="f0023-04" width="229" height="292"><figcaption class="caption-body">Robert Lang</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0023-03

Jagr finally displays playoff form in series’ clincher against Buffalo

<div class="byline">-Dave Luecking</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-05231/7214885-1-eng-US/f0023-052.jpg" title="f0023-05" width="219" height="239"></div>The St. Louis Blues&rsquo; 2000-01 season had two distinct natures.In the first half, they lost only five of the first 35 games for one of the best starts in NHL history. In the second, they were in disarray as injuries hit their front-line players, they fell out of contention for first overall and finished second to Detroit in the Central Division.The most costly injuries were to Pavol Demitra and defensive stalwarts Chris Pronger and Al MacInnis. Demitra missed 38 of 43 games at one point with eye and hamstring injuries. Pronger sat out 15 games recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery and 15 more recovering from surgery for a broken left arm. MacInnis missed 23 games with a serious eye injury.Pierre Turgeon, Jochen Hecht, Tyson Nash, Jeff Finley, goalie Brent Johnson and Michal Handzus, since traded to Phoenix, also were felled by injuries.At the trade deadline, GM Larry Pleau acquired Keith Tkachuk for Handzus, Ladislav Nagy, Jeff Taffe and a No. 1 pick and obtained Cory Stillman from Calgary for Craig Conroy. Earlier he had picked up Scott Mellanby from Florida and Alexei Gusarov from the Rangers for prospects.The moves gave the Blues life. With the injuries healed, they were ready for a long playoff run.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A+&nbsp;Scott Young, RW. Career-high 40 goals.A&nbsp;Al MacInnis, D. 54 points in 59 games.A&nbsp;Chris Pronger, D. 47 points in 51 games.A&nbsp;Pierre Turgeon, C. Point-per-game pivot.A-&nbsp;Alexander Khavanov, D. Russian rookie third in ice time.B+&nbsp;Pavol Demitra, RW. 20 goals, team-high plus-27.B+&nbsp;Dallas Drake, LW. Grit made room on Turgeon&rsquo;s line.B+&nbsp;Brent Johnson, G. Slowed after strong start.B+&nbsp;Bryce Salvador, D. Rookie played with MacInnis.B+&nbsp;Cory Stillman, LW. Acquired for offensive spark.B+&nbsp;Keith Tkachuk, LW. Power forward added at deadline.B&nbsp;Jochen Hecht, C. Career-high 19 goals, 44 points.B&nbsp;Scott Mellanby, RW. Added grit, experience at deadline.B&nbsp;Tyson Nash, LW. Career-high eight goals, 15 points.B-&nbsp;Dan Corso, C. Rookie brought energy and enthusiasm.B-&nbsp;Jamal Mayers, RW. Speedy winger with jam.B-&nbsp;Roman Turek, G. Struggled in second half,C+&nbsp;Jeff Finley, D. Solid, steady veteran.C&nbsp;Mike Eastwood, C. Face-off, defensive specialist.C&nbsp;Reed Low, RW. Rookie fought all comers.C&nbsp;Reid Simpson, LW. Solid role player.D+&nbsp;Marty Reasoner, C. Demoted three times.D&nbsp;Todd Reirden, D. Never got untracked.D-&nbsp;Lubos Bartecko, LW. Injuries derailed season.D-&nbsp;Alexei Gusarov, D. Carried by his partner, Pronger.D-&nbsp;Sean Hill, D. Injury-plagued season.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-06186/7214878-1-eng-US/f0023-062.jpg" title="f0023-06" width="233" height="292"><figcaption class="caption-body">Scott Young</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0023-05

Blues survive second-half slump, start serious run at Stanley Cup

<div class="byline">-Ross McKeon</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-011003/7214923-1-eng-US/f0024-012.jpg" title="f0024-01" width="222" height="251"></div>The San Jose Sharks enjoyed their first winning season in 10 years and improved in points a fifth straight campaign. Forty wins and 95 points were both franchise highs.San Jose had the fourth lowest goals-against total in the league and acquired super sniper Teemu Selanne before the trade deadline. But injuries and suspensions hurt them down the stretch.The Sharks must decide if their first round loss to St. Louis was a result of injuries or a sign there is a lot of work to be done before the team becomes a bonafide contender.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Evgeni Nabokov, G. No better bargain in hockey.A-&nbsp;Mike Ricci, C. Simply, heart and soul of the team.A-&nbsp;Scott Thornton, LW. Perfect fit, exceeded offensive expectations.B+&nbsp;Vincent Damphousse,&nbsp;C. Injury interrupted true all-star campaign.B+&nbsp;Mike Rathje, D. Met challenge despite being underrated.B&nbsp;Tony Granato, RW. Didn&rsquo;t take one shift off in 61 games.B&nbsp;Miikka Kiprusoff, G. Next in line of strong goalie prospects.B&nbsp;Patrick Marleau, C. Took another step with career-highs in goals, points.B&nbsp;Stephane Matteau, LW. Good on any line he played.B&nbsp;Gary Suter, D. Leader in blueline scoring and in room.B-&nbsp;Scott Hannan, D. Most improved Shark, according to coach.B-&nbsp;Owen Nolan, RW Suspension, second-half scoring struggles hurt.B-&nbsp;Marcus Ragnarsson, D. Late-season injury led to inconsistency.B-&nbsp;Marco Sturm, C/LW. Put defense ahead of offense.B-&nbsp;Niklas Sundstrom, RW. Only Shark to play every game.C+&nbsp;Todd Harvey, RW/C. Reoccurring concussions hurt him.C Teemu Selanne, RW. Offset slow start with 13 points in 12 games.C-&nbsp;Shawn Heins, D. Good energy, but limited to just 38 games.C-&nbsp;Bryan Marchment, D. Offense up, physical presence inconsistent.C-&nbsp;Jeff Norton, D. Late-season pickup so-so in third tour of dutyC-&nbsp;Mark Smith, C. Lack of speed, size hurt in fourth-line role.C-&nbsp;Brad Stuart, D. Offense disappeared in sophomore season.D+&nbsp;Matt Bradley, RW. Lost job on fourth line by mid-season.D+&nbsp;Alexander Korolyuk, RW. Fell woefully short of potential.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-02683/7214916-1-eng-US/f0024-022.jpg" title="f0024-02" width="233" height="299"><figcaption class="caption-body">Scott Thornton</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0024-01

Sharks had highs in wins and points

<div class="byline">-Damian Cristodero</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-03451/7214961-1-eng-US/f0024-032.jpg" title="f0024-03" width="222" height="251"></div>The Tampa Bay Lightning&rsquo;s season did not go according to plan.Coach Steve Ludzik was fired Jan. 6, but the team continued to struggle. Captain Vincent Lecavalier endured a hyperextended elbow, broken nose and broken foot.Tampa Bay lost 52 games-47 in regulation time and five in overtime to make it the first team ever to lose at least 50 games in four straight seasons.But there is hope. Nikolai Khabibulin flashed some of the form that made him a top-five goaltender not long ago. Coach John Tortorella and assistant Craig Ramsay also seem to have the players buying into their system.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A-&nbsp;Brad Richards, C. NHL&rsquo;s highest-scoring rookie.B+&nbsp;Jassen Cullimore, D. Led in hits (186); second in blocked shots (114).B+&nbsp;Fredrik Modin, LW. 32 goals; consistent scoring the next aim.B+&nbsp;Stan Neckar, D. A solid minus-1 in 16 games.B+&nbsp;Martin St. Louis, RW. 18 goals was 15 more than previous high.B-&nbsp;Kevin Weekes, G. Sparkling at times, inconsistent at others.C&nbsp;Matthew Barnaby, C. A leader, but giveaways, conditioning were problems.C&nbsp;Ben Clymer, RW. Learning switch from defense to forward.C&nbsp;Stan Drulia, LW. Good on the penalty-kill.C&nbsp;John Emmons, C. Good third or fourth-line player.C&nbsp;Wade Flaherty, G. Accepted limited backup role.C&nbsp;Brian Holzinger, C. Lacked consistency.C&nbsp;Ryan Johnson, C. Couldn&rsquo;t finish, but was physical.C&nbsp;Kristian Kudroc, D. Huge potential, but made rookie mistakes.C-&nbsp;Adrian Aucoin, D. Scored once for TB, struggled defensively.C-&nbsp;Gordie Dwyer, LW. Gave an honest effort.C-&nbsp;Nils Ekman, LW. Played hard; took bad penalties.C-&nbsp;Pavel Kubina, D. Led in blocked shots (131), but inconsistent.C-&nbsp;Cory Sarich, D. Minus-26 close to league worst.C-&nbsp;Petr Svoboda, D. Improving before lost to concussion.D+&nbsp;Vincent Lecavalier, C. Only nine goals in last 42 games.D&nbsp;Alexander Kharitonov, LW. Showed energy, but lacked gritD&nbsp;Todd Warriner, LW. 10 goals; team&rsquo;s biggest disappointment.D&nbsp;Andrei Zyuzin, D. Erratic on defense, tentative on offense.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-04292/7214954-1-eng-US/f0024-042.jpg" title="f0024-04" width="232" height="296"><figcaption class="caption-body">Martin St. Louis</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0024-03

Experienced goalie positive for T-Bay

<div class="byline">-Ken Campbell</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-05195/7214999-1-eng-US/f0024-052.jpg" title="f0024-05" width="221" height="258"></div>The Toronto Maple Leafs insisted all along they were a team built for the playoffs.With their stunning four-game sweep of the Ottawa Senators in the opening round of the playoffs followed by an impressive seven-game tilt with the defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils, that was certainly the case.But one thing was certain, they weren&rsquo;t constructed for a successful run during the regular season.Picked by many to challenge for top spot in the Eastern Conference, the Leafs stumbled badly in the second half and needed until Game No. 81 to secure a playoff spot.Not one player had what could be considered a career year and it was downright catastrophic for several others.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Curtis Joseph, G. Leafs don&rsquo;t make playoffs without him.A&nbsp;Gary Roberts, LW. Arguably the team&rsquo;s most valuable player.B+&nbsp;Bryan McCabe, D. Rounding into a solid and dependable force.B+&nbsp;Yanic Perreault, C. Top faceoff man contributed 52 points.B&nbsp;Tie Domi, RW. Posted a career-high in goals.B&nbsp;Tomas Kaberle, D. Needs to work on defensive positioning.B-&nbsp;Mats Sundin, C. Less than a point a game not good enough.B-&nbsp;Dmitry Yushkevich, D. Had to take on way too much responsibility.C+&nbsp;Aki Berg, D. Exceeded expectations in a big wayC+&nbsp;Dave Manson, D. Gave minutes and didn&rsquo;t hurt the cause.C&nbsp;Sergei Berezin, LW. Where has all the scoring gone?C&nbsp;Shayne Corson, C. Added character, but took too many penalties.C&nbsp;Cory Cross, D. Injured a lot, didn&rsquo;t use size enough.C&nbsp;Danny Markov, D. For a while, looked like development stalled.C&nbsp;Darcy Tucker, LW Spent too much time retaliating and yapping at refs.C&nbsp;Garry Valk, RW. Failed to make much of an impact.C-&nbsp;Nik Antropov, C, Should have spent the season in the minors.C-&nbsp;Jonas Hoglund, LW. Got his points, but as soft as they come.C-&nbsp;Igor Korolev, C. Coped with multiple personal tragedies.D+&nbsp;Wade Belak, D. Part-time player in Calgary and Toronto.D&nbsp;Steve Thomas, RW. Just eight goals in full-time, first-line duty.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-06160/7214992-1-eng-US/f0024-062.jpg" title="f0024-06" width="233" height="296"><figcaption class="caption-body">Gary Roberts</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0024-05

Toronto’s regular season below par

<div class="byline">-Elliott Pap</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-01899/7215037-1-eng-US/f0025-012.jpg" title="f0025-01" width="220" height="239"></div>Dan Cloutier was relaxing at his Tampa abode two weeks into his offseason when the phone rang. On the other end of the line was Lanny McDonald, GM of Canada&rsquo;s entry at the World Championship.McDonald was wondering if Cloutier would be willing to join Team Canada in Germany as a third goalie. Cloutier&rsquo;s presence was required after Roberto Luongo broke a finger.&ldquo;They needed help and I&rsquo;m ready to do anything when it comes to helping our country in a hockey situation,&rdquo; said Cloutier, 25, who was born in Mont-Laurier, Que., and then moved to Sudbury at age seven.Cloutier will be looking to take something positive from his world tour following a mediocre season with Tampa and Vancouver, for which he earned a C grade.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Markus Naslund, LW. &lsquo;Mr. Everything&rsquo; for the Canucks.A-&nbsp;Bob Essensa, G. Expected to get 20 starts, almost got 20 wins.A-&nbsp;Ed Jovanovski, D. Took quantum leap, became blueliner kingpin.B&nbsp;Andrew Cassels, C. Playmaker delivered the goods, hurt by injuries.B&nbsp;Scott Lachance, D. Unheralded free agent played in top four.B&nbsp;Brendan Morrison, C. Added penalty killing, faceoffs to offensive role.B&nbsp;Daniel Sedin, LW Despite inconsistency, still scored 20 goals.B-&nbsp;Murray Baron, D. Great shot-blocker, tough as nails.B-&nbsp;Todd Bertuzzi, RW. Stuck on 25 goals and his minus-18 was disappointing.B-&nbsp;Trent Klatt, RW. Showed true grit, emerged as leader.C+&nbsp;Donald Brashear, LW. Didn&rsquo;t play as tough.C+&nbsp;Matt Cooke, RW. Effort there, but lost scoring touch in second half.C+&nbsp;Henrik Sedin, C. Weak on faceoffs, only 20 assists.C+&nbsp;Brent Sopel, D. Made Adrian Aucoin expendable.C&nbsp;Dan Cloutier, G. Won only four games in 16 appearances after trade.C&nbsp;Harold Druken, C. Showed nice offensive touch, then stalled in second half.C&nbsp;Mattias Ohlund, D. Played big minutes&hellip;and finished with big minus (minus-16).C&nbsp;Jason Strudwick, D. Stayed out of trouble in limited ice time.C-&nbsp;Drake Berehowsky, D. Not much of a factor in one month with team.C-&nbsp;Peter Schaefer, LW Failed to take next step.D&nbsp;Denis Pederson, C/RW. Hand injuries ruined season, never found spot.D-&nbsp;Mike Stapleton, C/RW. Did little since December trade, sat out a lot.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-02579/7215030-1-eng-US/f0025-022.jpg" title="f0025-02" width="230" height="265"><figcaption class="caption-body">Trent Klatt</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0025-01

Cloutier happy to join ‘other’ Canucks following up-and-down regular season

<div class="byline">-Dave Fay</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-03372/7215075-1-eng-US/f0025-032.jpg" title="f0025-03" width="223" height="255"></div>Ted Leonsis, the Washington Capitals&rsquo; owner, gave the club a grade of B-for the season. He may have been generous.Washington&rsquo;s season mirrored last year. The club started horribly, was excellent in the middle, mediocre at the end and unsuccessful in the playoffs. Nearly half of the team&rsquo;s 27 losses came in the first month or the last three weeks; it finished with 96 points, six fewer than last season. The Caps faced the same team in post-season as last year and, while the performance was better, the result was the same-Pittsburgh advanced, the Caps mowed grass.<h2>Regular Season Grades</h2>A&nbsp;Peter Bondra, LW. Most complete NHL season yet.A&nbsp;Steve Konowalchuk, LW. Career season for defensive gem.A-&nbsp;Jeff Halpern, C. Beat sophomore jinx.A-&nbsp;Calle Johansson, D. On the ice when it matters.B+&nbsp;Ulf Dahlen, RW. The master of cycling.B+&nbsp;Olie Kolzig, G. Lacked edge late in season.B&nbsp;Craig Billington, G. Won key games.B&nbsp;Sergei Gonchar, D. Excelled on the power play, as usual.B&nbsp;Adam Oates, C. Key contributions through most of season.B&nbsp;Brendan Witt, D. Has he discovered offense, too?B-&nbsp;Sylvain Cote, D. Made huge recovery from horrible start.B-&nbsp;Trevor Linden, C. Provided a needed physical presence.B-&nbsp;Andrei Nikolishin, C. Good shot-when he uses it.B-&nbsp;Joe Sacco, RW. Steady, reliable, rock-solid checker.C+&nbsp;Trent Whitfield, C. Great at shutting down opponents.C+&nbsp;Bob Zettler, D. Nothing flashy, just steady defense.C&nbsp;Brantt Myhres, RW. Role limited, did what was asked.C&nbsp;Dainius Zubrus, RW Caps hope to tap potential.C-&nbsp;Dmitri Khristich, RW. Early spark faded in a hurry.C-&nbsp;Joe Reekie, D. Lack of mobility hurting.D+&nbsp;Ken Klee, D. Ice time, performance both down.DJames Black, LW. Leg injury reduced his speed.D&nbsp;Jason Marshall, D. Played only five games for Caps.D&nbsp;Glen Metropolis C. Needs to work on defense.D&nbsp;Dmitri Mironov, D. Missed 46 games with back surgery.D&nbsp;Chris Simon, LW. Little results from big contract.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-04232/7215068-1-eng-US/f0025-042.jpg" title="f0025-04" width="232" height="266"><figcaption class="caption-body">Ken Klee</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0025-03

History repeats itself for Washington; year ends with another disappointment

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-01996/7215106-1-eng-US/f0026-012.jpg" title="f0026-01" width="322" height="282"></div>Dallas Stars&rsquo; owner Tom Hicks indicated he was willing to spend money in the off-season to restore his team to prominence. &ldquo;We have half-a-dozen guys that we have our eyes on,&rdquo; said Hicks of the unrestricted free agent market. &ldquo;We&rsquo;d like to get two or three of them.&rdquo; Hicks, you might remember, gave shortstop Alex Rodriguez a 10-year, $252-million deal to play for the Texas Rangers&hellip;Dallas winger Brett Hull broke his playoff silence after Game 4 against St. Louis, saying he wanted to remain with the Stars. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a no-brainer,&rdquo; Hull said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to play anywhere else. They gave me a chance here to shed an erroneous image as a player.&rdquo; The Stars almost certainly won&rsquo;t exercise a $7.5-million option on Hull for next season, but he&rsquo;s willing to return for less. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not an idiot,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to price myself out of coming back.&rdquo;&#9633; Brian Sutter signed a three-year contract to coach Chicago May 3. He also agreed to keep assistants Denis Savard and Al MacAdam&hellip;With owner Bill Wirtz agreeing to a &ldquo;substantial&rdquo; payroll hike from $32 million, the Hawks hope to sign at least three unrestricted free agents and will zero in on Detroit winger Martin Lapointe, two defensemen and possibly Phoenix center Jeremy Roenick.&#9633; In the aftermath of the decision to retain Greg Gilbert as coach, much of Calgary&rsquo;s focus shifted to the long-term future of right winger Valeri Bure, who has made it clear he doesn&rsquo;t want to return. As a restricted free agent, Bure possesses limited leverage. However, there is a sense the organization will accommodate him, provided they do not have to trade him at fire-sale prices&hellip;Gilbert&rsquo;s next step is to hire an assistant coach. Brian Skrudland took the job on an interim basis after Don Hay was fired in March, but it&rsquo;s believed he will return to his front-office position.&#9633; More than a month after dismissing Guy Charron as coach, Anaheim GM Pierre Gauthier was no closer to naming a replacement. Candidates include former Montreal coach Alain Vigneault, assistant coaches Bryan Trottier of Colorado and Dave Tippett of Los Angeles and perhaps Mike Babcock, coach of the Ducks&rsquo; top minor league affiliate in Cincinnati.&#9633; Detroit won&rsquo;t pick up the $2-million club option for next season on center Igor Larionov&rsquo;s contract, but a team official said the Wings would consider offering him a chance to return at a lower pay&hellip;Vancouver captain Markus Naslund, who broke his right leg in two places March 16, was able to walk without the aid of crutches after six-and-a-half weeks. He hopes to be able to resume all normal activities by mid-July&#9633; Phoenix center Jeremy Roenick hasn&rsquo;t ruled out re-signing with the Coyotes instead of testing the unrestricted free agent market, but says, &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t do that if they&rsquo;re not talking to us.&rdquo;&hellip;Phoenix defenseman Keith Carney and his wife, Amy, are expecting triplets this summer.&#9633; Edmonton right winger Ryan Smyth was named captain of Canada&rsquo;s entry at the World Championship after former captain Michael Peca was lost to injury&hellip;Edmonton right winger Mike Grier had surgery on his right shoulder to correct a chronic dislocation problem. It popped out eight times last season&hellip;The Oilers are well on their way to reaching the 13,000 season tickets required to qualify for the NHL&rsquo;s small market subsidy&#9633; Nashville goalie prospect Brian Finley may need surgery to correct a herniated groin muscle that bothered him much of the past season&hellip;Predators&rsquo; winger Ville Peltonen made it clear he will return to Europe to play next season.&#9633; The San Jose Sharks are negotiating with Michigan junior defenseman Jeff Jillson, who secured agent (and one-time Shark) Brian Lawton. Jillson, 20, was San Jose&rsquo;s first pick (14th overall) in 1999.&#9633; Columbus signed goalie Karl Goehring, a two-time all-American at North Dakota, to a free agent contract. He helped the Fighting Sioux win the national title in 2000 and place second this year.-THN correspondents &#9632;

f0026-01

Dallas Stars plan shopping spree

<div class="byline">By Kevin Oklobzija</div>As the season was winding down and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins pulled out of a two-month nose dive to salvage second place in the Mid-Atlantic Division, the Jan. 15 trade of all-star defenseman John Slaney still angered fans.The Penguins had gone from division front runner to finishing one point from fourth place and the loss of their captain and offensive catalyst was a big reason.But now, with the American League conference finals nearing an end, there&rsquo;s a new cry at First Union Arena: John who?Thanks in large part to Chris Kelleher&rsquo;s out-of-nowhere offensive outburst, the Penguins have survived the loss of Slaney and two other defensemen and had a 2-0 lead over the Hershey Bears in the Calder Cup Western Conference final.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-01944/7215168-1-eng-US/f0027-012.jpg" title="f0027-01" width="275" height="340"><figcaption class="caption-body">Chris Kelleher</figcaption></div>Kelleher scored just six goals and 19 points in 66 games, but was the AHL&rsquo;s second-leading playoff scorer with four goals and 17 points in 14 games.&ldquo;He has been fantastic,&rdquo; said coach Glenn Patrick. &ldquo;He has shown great offensive skills.&rdquo;Kelleher isn&rsquo;t sure where they came from. In 178 AHL games over three seasons, the 26-year-old defenseman out of Boston University had seven goals and 36 points.&ldquo;I really can&rsquo;t explain it, I&rsquo;m just happy to be contributing,&rdquo; Kelleher said.One reason he&rsquo;s scoring more is, well, he has to. Wilkes-Barre lost three important defensemen when the parent Pittsburgh Penguins traded Slaney to Philadelphia for Kevin Stevens and defenseman Sven Butenschon to Edmonton for winger Dan LaCouture and recalled Andrew Ference.&ldquo;For us to be successful, we had to have guys step up and play a bigger role and a lot of guys have done that,&rdquo; Kelleher said. &#9632;

f0027-01

Kelleher provides spark for Penguins

<div class="byline">By Kevin Oklobzija</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-02601/7215206-1-eng-US/f0027-022.jpg" title="f0027-02" width="346" height="350"></div>Aaron Downey will never be confused with Mark Messier, on the ice or as a predictor of fate.The Norfolk Admirals&rsquo; gritty, hard-nosed captain issued a verbal guarantee after a Game 2 loss to the Hershey Bears that his club wouldn&rsquo;t lose another game in the Calder Cup Western Conference semifinal.He was wrong. The resilient Bears promptly won the next three games and advanced to the conference final for the second year in a row.&ldquo;I said what I said and I believed in my team,&rdquo; Downey said. &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got to believe in yourself to go to the Calder Cup final and that team (the Bears) believes in themselves.&rdquo;Hershey (34-39-4-3) battled until the final weekend of the season just to earn a playoff berth in the Southern Division. The Bears qualified because the fourth-place team in the South, Louisville, had a worse record.But once they made it, they proved they belonged. Hershey swept Kentucky 3-0 and ousted Norfolk 4-1 before dropping the first two games against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in overtime.THE REAL BROCHU During the season, Martin Brochu was only a shadow of the goalie that won the AHL MVP award last season with the Portland Pirates.But with his play in goal for Saint John in the playoffs, he could end up winning the Jack Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP.Brochu posted shutouts to start each series as the Flames won eight of nine games. They headed to Providence with a 2-0 lead in the East final.Brochu played every minute of the post-season for the Flames and had a 1.57 goals-against average and .941 save percentage. He had a 2.60 GAA and .899 save percentage during the regular season.ICECATS DECLAWED The Worcester IceCats won the AHL regular season title with a 48-20-93 record and 108 points, but were bounced out of the playoffs in a Game 7 overtime heartbreaker.Worcester lost Games 1 and 2 against Providence in the East semifinal, won the next three, then lost Games 6 and 7. The finale ended at 12:09 of overtime when Jeremy Brown scored.&ldquo;It was an eerie, empty feeling,&rdquo; said Cats&rsquo; coach Don Granato.<div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-03399/7215199-1-eng-US/f0027-032.jpg" title="f0027-03" width="1333" height="1775"><figcaption class="caption-body">Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defenseman Josef Melichar has been a tower of power on a resilient Penguins&rsquo; blueline in the playoffs. (Rob Skeoch/BBS)</figcaption></div><h2>CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS</h2>AHL FIRST ROUND(Best-of-5 series)WESTERN CONFERENCEPhiladelphia 3 Rochester 1Wilkes-Barre 3 Syracuse 2Hershey 3 Kentucky 0Norfolk 3 Cincinnati 1EASTERN CONFERENCEQuebec 3 St. John&rsquo;s 1Worcester 3 Lowell 2Providence 3 Hartford 2Saint John 3 Portland 0AHL SECOND ROUND(Best-of-7 series)WESTERN CONFERENCEHershey 4 Norfolk 1Wilkes-Barre 4 Philadelphia 2EASTERN CONFERENCEProvidence 4 Worcester 3Saint John 4 Quebec 1AHL THIRD ROUND(Best-of-7 series)WESTERN CONFERENCEWilkes-Barre 3 Hershey 0EASTERN CONFERENCESaint John 3 Providence 0THE HOCKEY NEWS TOP 31. Sergei Varlamov scored his 10th and 11th goals as Saint John beat Providence 52 in Game 3 of the East final.2. Wilkes-Barre defenseman Michal Rozsival scored 5:02 into overtime as the Penguins took a 3-0 series lead with a 54 win over Hershey.3. With three straight overtime victories over Hershey, the Penguins had played five consecutive OT games. &#9632;

f0027-02

Hibernation ends for surging Bears

<div class="byline">By Rob Mueller</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-04272/7215237-1-eng-US/f0027-042.jpg" title="f0027-04" width="304" height="310"></div>NOTEBOOKDuring the first seven games of the East Coast League playoffs, goalie Jody Lehman&rsquo;s job was to open and close the gate during line changes.Now the 25-year-old South Carolina Stingray is trying to slam the door on the Louisiana IceGators in the Southern Conference final and lead his club to the championship series.After all-star goalie Kirk Daubenspeck led South Carolina to an easy first round series win over Arkansas, the Stingrays fell behind 2-1 in their best-of-five conference semifinal against the Mobile Mysticks.Enter Lehman, who stopped 64 of the 67 shots he faced in the final two games to lead the Stingrays to the conference final. Lehman&rsquo;s hot hand propelled the Stingrays to a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven series with Louisiana, as he stopped 59 of 60 shots in the first two games.&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve had confidence in Jody Lehman from the beginning of the season,&rdquo; said South Carolina coach Rick Adduono.&ldquo;We put him in (against Mobile) because we knew he could get the job done. We felt the same way in Game 5. We know what Jody&rsquo;s capable of doing.&rdquo;The South Carolina-Louisiana winner will face the winner of the Northern Conference final between the Trenton Titans and Peoria Rivermen.SURPRISE DEPARTURE Two-time ECHL coach of the year Bob Ferguson stunned the Florida Everblades when he resigned May 4, less than three weeks after the team was bounced from the first round of the playoffs for the second straight year.&ldquo;There are other options available to me at this time that I could not pursue if I was under contract with the Everblades,&rdquo; said Ferguson in a statement released by the club. &ldquo;I would like to thank the Everblades&rsquo; fans for their tremendous support and wish the organization continued success.&rdquo;Under Ferguson, the Everblades won more regular season games the past three seasons than any other club (136). In 1999-2000, the team won a record 53 games.MISSING LYNX Paul Gamsby resigned May 3 after three-plus years as GM of the Augusta Lynx.Team sources said he&rsquo;s close to taking a similar post with the Richmond Renegades. The Lynx named assistant GM Mike Pierson as Gamsby&rsquo;s successor May 7. &#9632;

f0027-04

Opportunity knocks for gatekeeper goalie

<div class="byline">By Tim Campbell</div>The International League won&rsquo;t acknowledge the tell-tale signs, but it&rsquo;s clear there&rsquo;s a going out of business sale going on.The American League&rsquo;s board of governors voted unanimously May 10 to start an expansion process that will see six IHL teams join the AHL for 2001-02. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, those teams are the Milwaukee Admirals, Chicago Wolves, Grand Rapids Griffins, Utah Grizzlies, Houston Aeros and Manitoba Moose.When that happens, the 56-year-old IHL will cease operations. Of the remaining teams in the 11-city IHL, the Cleveland Lumberjacks, Cincinnati Cyclones, Kansas City Blades and Detroit Vipers will disband, while the Orlando Solar Bears could join the East Coast League.Officials in both leagues are muzzled by a gag order until the end of the playoffs.At a June 4 board meeting, when playoffs in both leagues are complete, each of the six healthy IHL teams will present their applications for admission to the AHL. A separate vote will be taken on each club, but it&rsquo;s thought to be only a rubber stamp since the six teams were part of the clandestine talks that have been going on much of this season.Talks for a deal quite obviously accelerated when the gag order went into effect after each league&rsquo;s All-Star Game in January. That was around the same time NHL commissioner Gary Bettman convened a meeting in his office that included AHL president Dave Andrews, IHL president Doug Moss and other influential executives from all three leagues.Bettman is also believed to have exited the deal-making shortly after, but not before much arm-twisting and making quite clear his desire for one unified triple-A level of minor league hockey tightly affiliated with the NHL.The 20-team AHL is losing the Louisville Panthers, which suspended operations in April, but gaining the expansion Manchester (N.H.) Monarchs and Bridgeport (Conn.) Sound Tigers. With the six incoming IHL teams, a 27-team AHL would serve as the lone development system to the 30-team NHL.It will be called the AHL.&ldquo;There will be no rebranding of the American League,&rdquo; Andrews said. &ldquo;We didn&rsquo;t work 65 years to change our name.&rdquo;The AHL operated with 20 affiliated teams this season. The IHL had eight full NHL affiliates.The six IHL teams expected to move to the AHL are believed to be the most viable of IHL franchises.It is reported each team will pay $2.5 million to join the AHL, $1 million of which will go to the IHL to buy out the five dissolving franchises. The other $1.5 would be an expansion fee and is half the current rate.One strange twist to the story appears to be the omission of Cleveland, a city in which the AHL has always expressed interest. The Lumberjacks, however, endured tremendous financial difficulty this season and nearly disolved at midseason when new owner Hank Kassigkeit threatened to fold the franchise. It was taken over and operated by the IHL for the remainder of the season.Clearly, Cleveland isn&rsquo;t among the healthy IHL franchises and one theory has it the IHL franchise will simply cease to exist and Cleveland and glitzy Gund Arena will be available as the prime site for the transfer of one of the floundering AHL franchises.Remaining issues to be worked out will be division alignments and individual affiliation links. Manitoba, Chicago and Houston do not have full affiliation agreements with NHL teams.The Moose are almost certainly going to be the new affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks next season. It&rsquo;s believed the Minnesota Wild are exiting Cleveland and interested in Houston, while Atlanta could move its affiliation from Orlando to Chicago. &#9632;

IHL’s future: absorption to AHL

<div class="byline">By Tim Campbell</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-01984/7215299-1-eng-US/f0028-012.jpg" title="f0028-01" width="448" height="308"></div>Goalies continue to dominate the list of winners of the James Gatschene Memorial Trophy, presented to the International League&rsquo;s most valuable player.Orlando Solar Bears&rsquo; netminder Norm Maracle won this year&rsquo;s award, voted on by league coaches, giving goalies the last five MVP trophies.Maracle led the IHL with eight shutouts and had 33 wins with a save percentage of .935 in 51 games. He also posted a personal 14-game unbeaten streak (13-0-1), interrupted by a 13-game recall by the NHL&rsquo;s Atlanta Thrashers.MOOSE ON THE LOOSE Three of the four first round playoff series went as expected, with Grand Rapids and Orlando advancing in the East and Chicago in the West.It was the Manitoba Moose, however, that created the biggest first round stir when they became only the fifth team in league history to win a best-of-seven series after being down three games to one.Behind the superb goaltending of Ken Wregget, the Moose won Game 5 at home in double overtime, then took Game 6, also in double overtime, and Game 7, both in Houston.The series featured three straight overtime games, as Houston won Game 4 on a goal by Sandy Moger, before the Moose&rsquo;s Jimmy Roy and Steve Brule became overtime heroes in the next two contests.DOTTING THE &lsquo;I&rsquo; The Minnesota Wild hasn&rsquo;t formalized the divorce, but with an uncertain Lumberjacks&rsquo; ownership picture, the NHL team appeared poised to terminate its affiliation with Cleveland, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported. The IHL was operating the Cleveland franchise, which nearly folded at mid-season&hellip;Manitoba&rsquo;s Brett Hauer was named the IHL&rsquo;s top defenseman for the second year in a row, winning the Governors&rsquo; Trophy&hellip;Another Moose blueliner, captain Brian Chapman, was named the league&rsquo;s Iron Man Award winner, coming out on top in a vote by IHL players who had played all 82 regular season games&hellip;If the Grand Rapids-Orlando Eastern Conference final goes to a seventh game, it is scheduled for May 20, eight days after Game 6. The delay is unavoidable, because of a nine-day booking for an opera in Grand Rapids&rsquo; Van Andel Arena.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-02657/7215292-1-eng-US/f0028-022.jpg" title="f0028-02" width="914" height="1315"><figcaption class="caption-body">Ville Peltonen led. Milwaukee in scoring, but has decided to spend 2001-02 playing in Europe. (Ross Dettman)</figcaption></div><h2>TURNER CUP PLAYOFFS</h2>IHL FIRST ROUND (Best-of-7 series) WESTERN CONFERENCE Chicago 4 Milwaukee 1 Manitoba 4 Houston 3 EASTERN CONFERENCE Orlando 4 Cincinnati 1 Grand Rapids 4 Cleveland 0IHL SECOND ROUNDWESTERN CONFERENCE Manitoba 2 Chicago 1EASTERN CONFERENCE Orlando 3 Grand Rapids 2THE HOCKEY NEWS TOP 31. Manitoba is fifth team in IHL history to rally from 3-1 series deficit to oust Houston in seven games.2. Orlando outlasts Grand Rapids after more than 50 minutes of overtime in Game 1. Hugo Boisvert ended IHL&rsquo;s second-longest game ever.3. Chicago goalie Rich Shulmistra, who couldn&rsquo;t find a job before Christmas, was 3-1 with 1.51 GAA.<h2>UNITED LEAGUE</h2>Quad City center Jason Ulmer capped the greatest rookie season in United League history by earning playoff MVP honors, after helping the Mallards win their third Colonial Cup in five years. Ulmer, the regular season rookie of the year and best defensive forward, had eight goals and 21 points in 12 playoff games. The Mallards won the Cup with a 6-1 victory over the host Asheville Smoke. Quad City set a UHL playoff record with an .833 winning percentage, thanks to a 10-2 record. Chad Power had a hat trick in the final game.-Brendan Savage<h2>WESTERN PRO LEAGUE</h2>The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs captured their league-record third straight President&rsquo;s Cup May 5 with a 4-0 shutout of the Lubbock Cotton Kings. Mudbugs&rsquo; winger Jason Campbell was named MVP with nine playoff goals, including two in the Game 5 clincher. Bossier-Shreveport goalie Ken Carroll posted two shutouts in five games in the best-of-seven series&hellip;Lubbock for-ward Kyle Reeves received an indefinite suspension and missed Game 5 for trying to start an altercation with an off ice official after Game 4.-David Henry<h2>WEST COAST LEAGUE</h2>San Diego Gulls&rsquo; captain B. J. MacPherson is recovering in a San Diego after dislocating his neck in a May 4 accident against the Idaho Steelheads. MacPherson, 27, spent a week in a Boise hospital and was in critical condition after crashing into the knee of Idaho&rsquo;s Adam Borzecki. He underwent surgery to have two damaged vertebra fused together, plates put in both the front and back of his neck, and a herniated disc removed. MacPherson has shown leg mobility and some movement in his chest muscles and arms.-Don Ruiz<h2>CENTRAL LEAGUE</h2>The Oklahoma City Blazers downed the Columbus Cottonmouths 4-1 to win the 2001 Ray Miron Cup. The Blazers limited Columbus to an average of one goal and 20 shots per game. Rod Branch, the Blazers&rsquo; goalie, was named playoff MVP with a 10.-2 record and 1.62 goals-against average. League all-stars Joe Burton, Hardy Sauter and Marty Standish paced the team&rsquo;s offense. It&rsquo;s coach Doug Sauter&rsquo;s second title with Oklahoma and the second straight year the Cottonmouths, led by Michael Martens, finished as runners-up.-Bob Stratton &#9632;

f0028-01

Maracle named MVP

<div class="byline">By Jim Cressman</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-01871/7215337-1-eng-US/f0029-012.jpg" title="f0029-01" width="398" height="212"></div>It will go down as &lsquo;Bloody Tuesday&rsquo; in Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds&rsquo; history.GM Dave Mayville, coach Paul Theriault, assistant coaches Steve Harrison. Bill Hughes and Lynn McKinnon and trainer Gord Hysen all were fired May 1. Theriault&rsquo;s departure-in the middle of a four-year, $100,000-a-season contract-was termed a resignation, but those close to the situation said he was forced out by the new ownership.New Jersey Devils&rsquo; goalie John Vanbiesbrouck and Sault Ste. Marie businessmen Sam Biascucci and Lou Lukenda bought the Ontario League team March 31. Former NHL player and coach and exGreyhound Craig Hartsburg was named coach-GM three days later. A month before his hiring, Hartsburg and Sault Ste. Marie businessman Vic Fremlin were unsuccessful in their bid to buy the Greyhounds.&ldquo;The soap opera is over,&rdquo; Hartsburg said. &ldquo;We want to make this the best junior hockey organization in Canada.&rdquo;The 41-year-old Hartsburg, who was fired by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks Dec. 14, signed a five-year deal and has the option to buy shares in the team. He&rsquo;ll reportedly earn $150,000 a season.Mayville was with the Greyhounds for 12 years, the last eight as GM. The Hounds missed the playoffs this season with a 23-38-4-3 record and are deep in debt.Theriault, a native of the Soo who became unpopular with fans there, said &ldquo;coming home was a mistake.&rdquo; &ldquo;This was not fun,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve said before, this town tends to eat its own.&rdquo;BOYES THE BEST Erie Otters&rsquo; center Brad Boyes was named winner of the Red Tillson Memorial Trophy as the OHL&rsquo;s most outstanding player, in balloting conducted among the media. The Toronto Maple Leafs&rsquo; first round draft pick (24th overall) in 2000 led the Otters with 45 goals and 90 points in 59 games.CHERRY PICKING Don Cherry got his man.&ldquo;This guy is going to be something,&rdquo; said the Mississauga IceDogs&rsquo; owner after selecting center Patrick O&rsquo;Sullivan with the first pick in the OHL draft May 5.The 16-year-old from Sterling Heights, Mich., played with the U.S. under-17 team in the North American League, where he had 22 goals and 57 points in 56 games.CHANGE OF HEART The IceDogs likely will be involved in the Canadian Hockey League&rsquo;s European draft, June 27-28, after boycotting it for three years. Don Cherry, who didn&rsquo;t want youths from Europe taking jobs away from North Americans, said he made the decision to participate after his team endured a horrible 16-175-11-4 record in its first three seasons.COACH DISMISSED The Kitchener Rangers fired coach Jeff Snyder May 3 after missing the playoffs. Snyder was promoted from assistant coach during the 1999-2000 season. &ldquo;We need someone who has NHL experience or success at the American League level,&rdquo; said GM Jamie McDonald.<h2>ONTARIO LEAGUE PLAYOFFS</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-02561/7215330-1-eng-US/f0029-022.jpg" title="f0029-02" width="976" height="488"></div> &#9632;

f0029-01

Hounds’ new ownership puts Hartsburg in charge after front-office purge

<div class="byline">By Willy Palov</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-03366/7215375-1-eng-US/f0029-032.jpg" title="f0029-03" width="392" height="291"></div>Returning to the top of the Quebec League&rsquo;s heap didn&rsquo;t take long for the Val-d&rsquo;Or Foreurs and Acadie-Bathurst Titan.A year ago, the Foreurs were dead-last with a 19-46-7 record, while the Titan were only slightly better at 2044-8. But following a steady stream of trades, the two teams met in the league final, where Val-d&rsquo;Or swept Bathurst in four games.Val-d&rsquo;Or had acquired eight new players and Acadie-Bathurst 12- and almost all emerged as key contributors for their new teams. That&rsquo;s especially true in Val-d&rsquo;Or, where defenseman Chris Lyness had an excellent 100-point season, center Jerome Bergeron struck for 33 goals and goaltender Simon Lajeunesse was 16-3-1 after coming over from the Titan.The Foreurs will represent the QMJHL at the Memorial Cup in Regina May 17-27.CAPTAIN LEADS WAY Speedy center Brandon Reid has had a huge impact in Val-d&rsquo;Or. He was named team captain before he even played a game for the Foreurs and went on to finish fifth in the league in regular season scoring with 45 goals and 126 points in just 57 games. And he had 13 goals and 42 points in 21 playoff games.After spending three years with the Halifax Mooseheads, Reid is enjoying the pressure of being a go-to guy in what is likely his final year of junior hockey.&ldquo;I love getting all kinds of ice time, I love being on the power play and I love killing penalties,&rdquo; Reid said. &ldquo;It has been great in the playoffs because that&rsquo;s when the real players show up and so far, everybody on our team has been there.&rdquo;MORE THAN MARIO And as well as Brandon Reid was playing, Val-d&rsquo;Or holdover Simon Gamache was right there with him-and then some. The talented left winger won the league scoring title with 184 points in 72 games, then set a QMJHL record with 57 points, including 22 goals, in 17 playoff games. Gamache beat the mark set by Mario Lemieux, who had 52 points.TITAN TURNAROUND The Titan made the league final after a trying 29-39-4 season. The turning point came in mid-October when they fired coach Roger Dejoie and replaced him with Real Paiement.The team was floundering with just four wins in 20 games and Paiement&rsquo;s mandate was to develop some chemistry between the six returning players and the many newcomers. Helping the veteran coach&rsquo;s cause was the presence of five Titan players who had played for him in 1999-2000 with the Moncton Wildcats.Mirko Murovic, Alexandre Vigneault, Carl McLean, Simon Laliberte and Jonathan Ferland all knew Paiement, who was the GM that traded them from Moncton to Bathurst in the form of future considerations. The late-season additions of 101-point center Yann Joseph, big defenseman Miroslav Durak and power play QB Antoine Bergeron were the finishing touches.<h2>QUEBEC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-04252/7215368-1-eng-US/f0029-042.jpg" title="f0029-04" width="952" height="476"></div> &#9632;

f0029-03

Revamped rosters lead Bathurst to league final and Val-d’Or to victory

<div class="byline">By Rob Vanstone</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-05215/7215413-1-eng-US/f0029-052.jpg" title="f0029-05" width="392" height="267"></div>Shane Bendera&rsquo;s shutouts are beginning to sound like a broken record.The Red Deer Rebels&rsquo; goaltender boasted a Western League standard for shutouts in a single playoff season-four-with one round remaining.&ldquo;At first, I didn&rsquo;t even know that I&rsquo;d broken a record,&rdquo; said Bendera, in advance of the WHL final against the Portland Winter Hawks. &ldquo;When I found out, it was a big thrill for me.&rdquo;Bendera was tough to beat during the Eastern Conference playoffs, posting a 1.65 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. His fourth shutout helped Red Deer defeat the Swift Current Broncos 4-0 April 29 in the sixth and final game of the conference championship.Scott Myers of the 1999-2000 Prince George Cougars and Ed Humphreys of the 1972-73 Saskatoon Blades shared the previous post-season mark with three shutouts apiece.During the regular season, Bendera helped the Rebels set Canadian Hockey League single-season records for fewest goals against (168 over a 72-game schedule) and most shutouts (11). He entered the league final with nine shutouts this season, counting the playoffs. As a rookie last season, he didn&rsquo;t record any despite playing in 69 of Red Deer&rsquo;s 72 games.The Columbus Blue Jackets chose Bendera in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2000 NHL draft.BLUE-CHIP CHIPCHURA The Prince Albert Raiders selected playmaking center Kyle Chipchura with the first overall pick at the May 3 bantam draft in Calgary.The 6-foot-2,170-pound Chipchura, 15, played midget AAA in Spruce Grove, Alta., this season, scoring 27 goals and 86 points in 39 games. Chipchura is not eligible to play in the WHL on a full-time basis until the 2002-03 season.The Saskatoon Blades grabbed center Joe Barnes, from Winnipeg, with the second pick. Selecting third, the expansion Vancouver franchise made Edmonton-born defenseman Mark Fistric its first-ever draft pick.Fistric&rsquo;s father, Boris, who played for the New Westminster Bruins and Brandon Wheat Kings, is fifth on the WHL&rsquo;s all-time penalty minute list (1,137).WINNER HAWKS Portland&rsquo;s fortunes have changed, along with its mindset. After winning a total of 39 games over the previous two years, the 2000-01 Winter Hawks posted 37 victories and finished second in the Western Conference during the regular season.The Winter Hawks had 82 points-43 more than in 1999-2000- and enjoyed the best single-season turnaround in their 25-year history in the Rose City.&ldquo;When we step on the ice, we believe we can win now,&rdquo; said Portland assistant coach Troy Mick. &ldquo;Before, it was, &lsquo;How are we going to lose?&rsquo; &ldquo;<h2>WESTERN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-06177/7215406-1-eng-US/f0029-062.jpg" title="f0029-06" width="947" height="486"></div> &#9632;

f0029-05

Red Deer zeros in on title as goaltender Bendera sets shutout record

<div class="byline">By Alan Adams</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-01984/7215451-1-eng-US/f0030-012.jpg" title="f0030-01" width="774" height="1360"><figcaption class="caption-body">Jiri Dopita is big, skilled and has spunk.</figcaption></div>HANNOVER, Germany-The person regarded as the best player outside the NHL had just been served a mouthful of NHL talent at the World Hockey Championship. Then somebody asked whether he&rsquo;d like that to be part of his regular diet.Jiri Dopita of the Czech Republic paused before he replied.&ldquo;Maybe,&rdquo; he said through an interpreter after the Czech Republic beat Canada 4-2 in the preliminary round.He should be called &lsquo;Maybe&rsquo; Dopita.The Florida Panthers own his NHL rights, but are the third club (after Boston and the Islanders) to try to lure him to the NHL.Now 32, Dopita may finally be leaning towards the NHL. His team, HC Slovnaft Vsetin, is bankrupt. It also helps Dopita (pronounced DOH-pee-tuh) is friends with Panthers&rsquo; assistant coach Slava Lener.&ldquo;I had a five-minute conversation with a coach (Lener),&rdquo; said the skilled center about the possibility of joining Florida for 2001-02. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to have a longer talk after the worlds.&rdquo;Dopita has told friends he has convinced his wife to put her legal career on hold so he can move her and their 10-year-old son to North America, where he can have a couple of big pay-days before his career ends.He has been a key player during the Czech Republic&rsquo;s rise to world domination. He played for the gold medal-winning Czech national team at the 1998 Nagano Olympics and has appeared in six World Championships since 1994, missing only the 1999 event because of injury.And it is that depth of experience in high-pressure competition that earned Dopita the distinction of best player outside the NHL. The feeling is Dopita is the only player who can step in and pose the least risk. Injury-prone Eric Lindros is in contract limbo, Sweden&rsquo;s Mikael Renberg may return to Phoenix next season, Czech Robert Reichel wants to play for Montreal and Swede Kristian Huselius may also sign a deal with the Panthers.&ldquo;Dopita can play right away,&rdquo; said an NHL scout who has seen the 6-foot-3,230-pounder a couple dozen times. &ldquo;He has played at every level and has been very good. But he changes his mind.&rdquo;Dopita is worth watching. He has a nose for the net and tracks his linemates well. He is a strong skater and plays with an edge. He had 27 goals and 71 points in 60 games with Vsetin, including playoffs.Dopita and the Czechs have been the talk of the tournament; Dopita for whether or not he&rsquo;ll make the move and the Czechs for giving opponents a clinic on how the game is played on international ice. The tournament wrapped up May 13.&ldquo;(The Czechs) play well and have a lot of confidence and are tough to play against,&rdquo; said Wayne Gretzky, executive director of Canada&rsquo;s Olympic team.The Panthers have followed Dopita&rsquo;s every move and assistant GM Chuck Fletcher is proceeding cautiously.&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve spoken to his agent the past two years, but were not able to convince him. We&rsquo;ll try again,&rdquo; Fletcher said.Huselius, 22, was the MVP of the Swedish Elite League and led in all six point categories: goals (32), assists (35), points (67), winning goals (9), power play goals (9) and shorthanded goals (5).&ldquo;Dopita is older and more experienced, much bigger and a player able to play defensively,&rdquo; Fletcher said. &ldquo;Huselius is more of a game-breaking talent. He is certainly as good as anybody in Europe offensively, but Dopita brings a more complete game and seasoned package.&rdquo;Rest of the Bests&nbsp;since spawning the &lsquo;Best outside the NHL&rsquo; label in 1994, The Hockey News has identified gems on their way to NHL fame.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-02654/7215444-1-eng-US/f0030-022.jpg" title="f0030-02" width="692" height="408"></div> &#9632;

f0030-01

Dopita best player outside NHL

<div class="byline">By Alan Adams</div>HANNOVER, Germany-It was fitting that a hot sun was shining the morning after one of the great upsets of 2001 because nobody was predicting gloom and doom for Canadian hockey following a head-scratching quarterfinal loss to the United States at the World Championship in Germany.While people were still talking about a 4-3 U.S. victory on a goal 32 seconds into overtime by Minnesota Wild forward Darby Hendrickson that eliminated Canada, the focus quickly switched to what message the defeat sends to Canadian hockey officials as they prepare for the 2002 Winter Games.Canada entered a young, skilled team which people considered as a possible preview of the 2006 Olympic roster. The Americans, on the other hand, were underdogs by a longshot. They had two players from the college ranks and only a handful of NHL players of note.But it was the Canadians who took the early-morning flights home the day before the semifinals began.Canadians and Americans, however, are of the same mind about what the game represented: the victory was more of a step forward for American hockey than a step back for their northerly neighbors.&ldquo;It is nothing,&rdquo; said Walt Kyle, the affable assistant coach for Team USA. &ldquo;They do not like losing at the Worlds, but it is not a setback. It is big for us, it is important for us and it is rewarding to beat Canada, but a medal is more important. The loss will help them in the Olympics. It will let Wayne Gretzky understand that anyone can beat you on any given night.&rdquo;Added veteran Boston Bruins&rsquo; defenseman Eric Weinrich: &ldquo;We are not going to go home saying we dominated the game. It was like us losing (3-0) to Austria (earlier in the tournament). It is a one-game thing and anybody can win.&rdquo;Canada had a two-goal lead evaporate twice against the States and the inability to nurse those leads bothered Wayne Gretzky, the executive director of Canada&rsquo;s Olympic and World Championship teams.&ldquo;When we lost (4-2) to the Czechs, the Czechs were a better team and that was definitely a loss because they were a better team,&rdquo; Gretzky said. &ldquo;(The loss to the Americans) was tougher because our talent level was probably as high or higher than theirs.&rdquo;But a setback?&ldquo;No absolutely not,&rdquo; Gretzky said. &ldquo;It was a huge disappointment because we started the tournament so strong and what happens is you come over to this thing and everybody says you are middle of the pack sort of a team. And then the team comes together and the projection of the team becomes higher and higher. So when you lose, it is devastating.&rdquo;It was the first win by the United States over Canada at the world tournament since a 4-3 preliminary round victory at the 1985 tournament in the Czech Republic. The last time the Americans defeated Canada in international competition was in 1996 in the final of the World Cup of Hockey. &#9632;

Step forward for U.S.

<div class="byline">By Sam McCaig</div>If Wayne Gretzky truly is the greatest hockey player this universe has ever seen, the background to his official retirement portrait is a perfect fit.In The Great Farewell, Gretzky, considered the brightest star to ever shine in the NHL, is placed in the night sky as it would have appeared above New York City just moments before he left the ice for the final time as an NHLer.Canadian artist Ken Danby and Gretzky were in Toronto May 3 to unveil the portrait, which depicts a smiling Gretzky waving to an unseen crowd at Madison Square Garden on April 18,1999. But above the rink boards, where one might expect to see the faces of bittersweet fans, instead is the sky precisely as it looked at 6:12:45 p.m., about 15 seconds before No. 99 went from Ranger to retired.&ldquo;There are things in life that you always remember&hellip;your first goal, your first Stanley Cup,&rdquo; said Gretzky as he viewed Danby&rsquo;s work. &ldquo;I will never forget leaving the ice for the last time (and) the emotion of the moment.&rdquo;Danby, renowned for his sports paintings, said he was moved to tears as he watched Gretzky skate his final laps two years ago. &ldquo;I respond to emotional experiences,&rdquo; Danby said. &ldquo;The image of Wayne skating around the ice was still haunting me 2-1/2 weeks later, so I decided to pursue the subject.&rdquo;Danby contacted Gretzky-&ldquo;I sent him a note; you&rsquo;ll never get a hold of him by phone&rdquo;-and The Great One embraced the idea. &ldquo;I was thrilled to be part of the painting,&rdquo; Gretzky said. &ldquo;The blue sky background reminds me of playing outdoors when I was a kid.&rdquo;The portrait, which has a price tag of $218,500 (Cdn.) and is also being sold as limited edition prints, &ldquo;creates an image of Wayne communicating with his fans.&rdquo;&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want an image of him playing; too much action,&rdquo; Danby said. &ldquo;I wanted something that would be dignified and define the finality: This is it, the end of a great career.&rdquo;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-03450/7215506-1-eng-US/f0030-032.jpg" title="f0030-03" width="978" height="819"><figcaption class="caption-body">Wayne Gretzky and Keft Danby with &ldquo;The Great Farewell.&rdquo;</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0030-03

‘Great’ portrait unveiled

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0033-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-02591/7215582-1-eng-US/f0033-022.jpg"></div> &#9632;

f0033-02

NHL GOALTENDING STATISTICS

<h2>NOTE</h2>Unofficial game summaries provided by National Hockey League; (shots on goal/plus-minus); SA-shots against; GA-goals against; ENG-empty net goals; Dec-decision, charges to goaltenders of record when winning goal is scored.<h2>FRIDAY, APR. 27</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-03443/7215767-1-eng-US/f0033-032.jpg" title="f0033-03" width="516" height="878"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-04344/7215760-1-eng-US/f0033-042.jpg" title="f0033-04" width="506" height="214"></div><h2>SATURDAY, APR. 28</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-05285/7215753-1-eng-US/f0033-052.jpg" title="f0033-05" width="514" height="994"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-06248/7215746-1-eng-US/f0033-062.jpg" title="f0033-06" width="506" height="1269"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-07224/7215739-1-eng-US/f0033-072.jpg" title="f0033-07" width="516" height="1261"></div><h2>SUNDAY, APR. 29</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-08185/7215732-1-eng-US/f0033-082.jpg" title="f0033-08" width="518" height="1185"></div><h2>MONDAY, APR. 30</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-09159/7215725-1-eng-US/f0033-092.jpg" title="f0033-09" width="522" height="1189"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-01984/7215718-1-eng-US/f0034-012.jpg" title="f0034-01" width="503" height="1068"></div><h2>TUESDAY, MAY 1</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-02674/7215711-1-eng-US/f0034-022.jpg" title="f0034-02" width="509" height="2114"></div><h2>WEDNESDAY, MAY 2</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-03528/7215704-1-eng-US/f0034-032.jpg" title="f0034-03" width="506" height="191"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-04410/7215697-1-eng-US/f0034-042.jpg" title="f0034-04" width="501" height="1848"></div><h2>THURSDAY, MAY 3</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-05330/7215690-1-eng-US/f0034-052.jpg" title="f0034-05" width="503" height="1596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-06294/7215683-1-eng-US/f0034-062.jpg" title="f0034-06" width="503" height="486"></div><h2>FRIDAY, MAY 4</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-07269/7215676-1-eng-US/f0034-072.jpg" title="f0034-07" width="508" height="943"></div><h2>SATURDAY, MAY 5</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-08245/7215669-1-eng-US/f0034-082.jpg" title="f0034-08" width="502" height="1935"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-09216/7215662-1-eng-US/f0034-092.jpg" title="f0034-09" width="506" height="306"></div><h2>SUNDAY, MAY 6</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-10204/7215655-1-eng-US/f0034-102.jpg" title="f0034-10" width="503" height="1114"></div><h2>MONDAY, MAY 7</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-11191/7215648-1-eng-US/f0034-112.jpg" title="f0034-11" width="501" height="1091"></div><h2>TUESDAY, MAY 8</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-12184/7215641-1-eng-US/f0034-122.jpg" title="f0034-12" width="507" height="788"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-13163/7215634-1-eng-US/f0034-132.jpg" title="f0034-13" width="501" height="269"></div><h2>WEDNESDAY, MAY 9</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-14154/7215627-1-eng-US/f0034-142.jpg" title="f0034-14" width="505" height="2022"></div><h2>THURSDAY, MAY 10</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-15144/7215620-1-eng-US/f0034-152.jpg" title="f0034-15" width="503" height="1082"></div><h2>NHL TRANSACTIONS</h2>Transactions include NHL personnel moves from April 28May 11. Injuries are filed by THN correspondents. Teams not listed below had no transactions to report. For conference finalists, they include target return date or time frame. Playoff teams&rsquo; depth charts are on pg. 4.<h2>ATLANTA</h2>TRANSACTIONS April 30 Kamil Piros. C. signed contract<h2>BOSTON</h2>TRANSACTIONS April 28 Ken Belanger, LW, suspended indefinitely by team for leaving Providence (AHL). May 9 Robbie Ftorek named head coach.<h2>CALGARY</h2>TRANSACTIONS May 1 Greg Gilbert, promoted from interim head coach to head coach.<h2>CHICAGO</h2>TRANSACTIONS May 3 Brian Sutter named head coach.<h2>COLORADO</h2>INJURIES Peter Forsberg, C, recovering from surgery for ruptured spleen, out for season.<h2>COLUMBUS</h2>TRANSACTIONS May 7 Karl Goehring, G, and Duvie Westcott, D, signed contracts.<h2>DETROIT</h2>TRANSACTIONS April 20 Aren Miller. G. recalled from Toledo (ECHL).<h2>MINNESOTA</h2>TRANSACTIONS May 2 Erik Reitz, D, signed multi-year contract.<h2>MONTREAL</h2>TRANSACTIONS May 4 Oleg Petrov. RW, signed two-year contract.<h2>NASHVILLE</h2>TRANSACTIONS May 2 Bryan Lundbohm, RW. signed contract.<h2>NEW JERSEY</h2>INJURIES Scott Niedermayer D. head injury, day-to-day. Sergei Brylin. C, bruised knee, day-to-day.<h2>PITTSBURGH</h2>TRANSACTIONS May 4 Milan Kraft, C, recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).<h2>ST. LOUIS</h2>TRANSACTIONS May 6 Sebastien Bordeleau. C. Vladimir Chebaturkin, D, Justin Papineau, C, Jame Pollock, D, Pascal Rheaume, C, Dwayne Roloson, G. Mark Rycroft, RW, Mike Van Ryn, D, and Matt Walker, D, recalled from Worcester (AHL) May 8 Greg Davis, LW, and Jeff Panzer, C, signed contracts.INJURIES Tyson Nash. LW, right knee surgery, indefinite<h2>SAN JOSE</h2>TRANSACTIONS May 8 Greg Mischler, F, signed contract<h2>TAMPA BAY</h2>TRANSACTIONS May 7 Jassen Cullimore, D, signed multi-year contract.<h2>TORONTO</h2>TRANSACTIONS May 4 Tie Domi, RW, suspended by league for remainder of playoffs for elbowing New Jersey&rsquo;s Scott Niedermayer in head in May 3 playoff game. May 10 Pat Quinn, coach, fined $10,000 by league for making contact with Toronto Sun photographer May 4.<h2>WASHINGTON</h2>TRANSACTIONS May 3 Martin Hlinka, LW, signed one-year contract.<h2>THE WEEKS THAT WERE</h2>A weekly compendium of significant events and developments (April 28-May 11).April 28 Goalie Patrick Roy and the Colorado Avalanche shut put the Los Angeles Kings 2-0 to tie their Western Conference semifinal 1-1.The Pittsburgh Penguins defeat the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 in Buffalo to take a 2-0 lead in their series.The Toronto Maple Leafs rally from a 5-2 third period deficit to force overtime, but New Jersey ties their series 1-1 on a goal by Randy McKay in the extra session.April 29 The St. Louis Blues edge the Dallas Stars 2-1 in Dallas to take a 2-0 lead in their seriesApril 30 The Sabres rally from a 1-0 second period deficit to defeat Pittsburgh 4-1 and cut the Penguins&rsquo; lead in their series to 2-1.In his first visit back to Los Angeles, Rob Blake scores the first goal of the game as Colorado goes on to win 4-3 and take a 2-1 lead in their series.May 1 Cory Stillman&rsquo;s overtime goal gives St. Louis a 3-2 victory over Dallas and a 3-0 lead in their series.Brian Rafalski scores in overtime for to give New Jersey a 3-2 win over Toronto and a 2-1 series lead.May 2 Stu Barnes scores two goals assist to lead Buffalo to a 5-2 win over Pittsburgh to tie their series 2-2.Goaltender Patrick Roy and Colorado shut out Los Angeles 3-0 to take a 3-1 lead in their series.May 3 The St. Louis defeats Dallas 4-1 to sweep their series in four straight games.The Toronto Maple Leafs defeat New Jersey 3-1 to tie their series 2-2May 4 Los Angeles defeats Colorado 1-0 to extend their series to a sixth game.Toronto right winger Tie Domi is suspended by the league for the rest of the NHL playoffs for elbowing New Jersey defenseman Scott Niedermayer in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal the night before.May 5 Stu Barnes scores the winning goal in overtime as Buffalo edges Pittsburgh 3-2 to take a 3-2 lead in their series.A goal by defenseman Tomas Kaberle with only 30 seconds left on the clock gives Toronto a 3-2 win over New Jersey and a 3-2 lead in their series. The Devils have to play without the injured Scott Niedermayer.May 6 Felix Potvin shuts out Colorado 1-0 for the second straight game, this time on a goal by Glen Murray in the second overtime period, and the Kings tie their series with the Avalanche 3-3.May 7 The line of Jason Arnott, Patrik Elias and Petr Sykora snaps out of a slump with two goals as New Jersey defeats Toronto 4-2 to tie their series 3-3 and force a seventh game.May 8 Martin Straka connects in overtime as Pittsburgh nips Buffalo 3-2 to force a seventh game.May 9 New Jersey and Colorado win by 5-1 scores over Toronto and Los Angeles to win their series in seven games and advance to the conference finals.May 10 Darius Kasparaitis scores the winning goal in overtime as Pittsburgh nips Buffalo 3-2 to win their series in seven games.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-16141/7215613-1-eng-US/f0034-162.jpg" title="f0034-16" width="509" height="3496"></div> &#9632;

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May 25, 2001

Ducks look to add experience, grit

2001 NHL PLAYOFF STATISTICS

Domi hit: Flat-out ugly

Bruins team No. 3 for coach Ftorek