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September 7, 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.
Rebuilt Flames face uphill battle
From the team that finished 11th in the Western Conference, the Flames subtracted their second-leading scorer, Valeri Bure; their penalty-minute leader, Jason Wiemer; and their nominal No. 1 goaltender, Fred Brathwaite. Even if they developed a new look at center (Craig Conroy, Rob Niedermayer), added speed (Dean McAmmond) and toughness (Bob Boughner), and brought in a goalie (Roman Turek) who won a NHL secondbest 42 games two years previously, the changes don’t suggest a major surge up the standings. Accordingly, coach Greg Gilbert will rely heavily on an intangible, improved dressing room chemistry, for any gains they make this year. PRE-SEASON OPENER Sept. 15 vs. Minnesota in Calgary. ROOKIES TO WATCH Jukka Hentunen, a 26-year-old rookie from Finland, will compete for a spot on one the top three lines. Steve Begin, the most valuable…
Panthers focusing on better defense
You can’t say the Florida Panthers aren’t leaner, financially and in personnel, and meaner than they were last season. Can you say they’ll actually be better? Good question. The Panthers want to be better defensively while playing with more enthusiasm. They didn’t improve their defense beyond not resigning Anders Eriksson and Mike Wilson. But should goalie Roberto Luongo continue to progress and Valeri and Pavel Bure lead a productive top two lines, Florida could see its optimism rewarded. PRE-SEASON OPENER Sept, 15 at Dallas. ROOKIES TO WATCH All eyes will be on 1997 draft pick (47th overall) Kristian Huselius, a left winger from Sweden. Huselius’ myriad offensive skills must become compatible with the slimmer NHL rinks. Left winger Niklas Hagman, a 1999 draft pick (70th overall), could work himself into a third or…
Small markets, small dreams
On the day Eric Lindros began life with the Rangers, he talked about all the things that were important to him - getting back on the ice again, having fun, making a contribution to a winning team. Listening to him speak, it made one wonder: If his decision was really just about hockey, then he wouldn’t be standing there next to former Oilers’ GM Glen Sather, wearing a Rangers’ sweater, smiling for the cameras. Instead, his coming-out party would have happened a week earlier and it would have been in Edmonton, not Manhattan. Just about everybody who plays in Edmonton says there is no place like it in the NHL. It is a players’ team, with a tight dressing room, in a supportive city, with the league’s best ice, where two of…
PLUS MINUS
Best of the Hockey World A GOOD CALL The NHL and its officials agree in principle to a four-year contract, effectively eliminating the possibility of a work stoppage. START SPREADING THE NEWS The Eric Lindros trade saga mercifully ends with ‘The Big E’ going to New York in a four-player swap. SOVIET REUNION Legendary Russian defenseman Slava Fetisov is a popular choice as coach-GM of his country’s entry at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Worst of the Hockey World WOE CANADA The Canadian conundrum comes into focus as Edmonton, Ottawa and Calgary trade star attractions, while Montreal fails in bid for Brett Hull. AGE OLD CONCERN Doug Gilmour, Larry Murphy and Pat Verbeek are among the respected veterans who are jobless with training camp just around the corner. JUNIOR STANDOFF Canadian officials and Stephen Weiss dig in their…
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