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August 31, 2001
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
Brind’Amour says he’d be happy to finish career with Hurricanes
Center Rod Brind’Amour says he’s willing to forego his shot at free agency next July and sign a five-year extension that would keep him in Carolina through 2006. “I won’t hide the fact I would like to stay here for the rest of my career,” said Brind’Amour, 31. “I’d like to get something done and I lean toward (five years) instead of a lesser deal where I’d have to move around again. I have young kids who are going to be in school soon and I want to be settled. There’s no question I want to be here.” The Hurricanes will probably not go beyond the five-year, $25.5-million contract they gave defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh last summer. Brind’Amour, who will make $4.25 million this season, saw what other free agent centers got this…
Arbitrator rewards Fernandez for play
Manny Fernandez hit the jackpot. Now it’s up to him to be on the money as the Minnesota Wild’s No. 1 goaltender this season. Fernandez was the overwhelming winner in his arbitration case with the Wild and will make $1.45 million for the upcoming season and $1.6 million in the 2002-03 campaign. That makes him the highest-paid player on the second-year team. Publicly, GM Doug Rise-brough maintains the No. 1 goaltender’s job is wide open, but even he admits Fernandez’s hefty pay raise carries higher expectations. “I still think there is competition for the job and we’ll see how it all plays out,” Rise-brough said. Still, it’s hard to imagine the Wild will pay out more than $3 million over the next two years for a part-time goalie. Last season Fernandez played well, but…
Officials dispute may disrupt season
The NHL and the Officials’ Association are in negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement as the existing deal is set to expire Sept. 1. Talks have been strained because of several key issues and should the disputes not be resolved, there could be a work disruption to start the season. The league said it has a contingency plan to hire replacement officials in the even of a strike. Among contentious issues is the NHL’s reluctance to pay officials in the event players are locked out by owners in 2004-05, when the current CBA between the league and its players expires. The NHLOA is also concerned about 13 dismissals by the NHL the past two seasons. Seven officials found out in July they are gone, including 12-year veteran referees Lance Roberts and Richard Trottier. Roberts…
How long will it take Straka to recover from ‘vicious assassination’ in arbitration?
The NHL’s arbitration process managed to do what no NHL player could: It crushed Martin Straka’s spirit. Straka, who tied for fourth in the NHL in scoring last season with 95 points, was awarded a two-year contract that will pay him $3.5 million next season and $3.7 million in 2002-03. He made $2.2 million last season and was asking for a shade above $6 million annually. That he received significantly less than that - and way less than Boston’s Bill Guerin ($5.1 million), who had 10 fewer points - wasn’t what hurt Straka the most. It was the way in which the NHL presented the case against Straka on behalf of the Penguins. Straka, arguably the Penguins’ fiercest competitor, had his character questioned. “The lawyer hired by the NHL for the Penguins, Kent…
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