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October 19, 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.
Tocchet’s knee forces him to sit, may even cause veteran to retire
Rick Tocchet could hear the career clock ticking when his legs were healthy. But when his left knee failed to sufficiently recover from off-season surgery to allow him to play in the Flyers’ season opener, the alarm clock really went off. The 37-year-old Tocchet hoped to be ready to start his 18th NHL season. Three unimpressive pre-season games showed him the May 22 operation to repair torn cartilage took more out of him than he originally estimated. Tocchet huddled with the Flyers’ medical staff and the joint decision was to shut things down until early November and go from there. Nobody wants to bring Up the “R” word - retirement - yet, but Tocchet is a realist. Even he said he won’t be able to rehabilitate the knee back to a 100 per…
Habs’ brass happy with goaltenders
Montreal Canadiens’ management refused to get into a debate about who is the team’s No. 1 goaltender. Instead, they talked about how fortunate they are to have two first-string netminders in Jeff Hackett and Jose Theodore. “Jeff’s good enough to play 65 games and Jose’s good enough to play 65 games,” said coach Michel Therrien. “Obviously, we don’t play 130 games and have to make some decisions.” Hackett, the 33-year-old veteran, opened the season with a 6-4 victory at Ottawa, but Theodore, eight years his junior, was scheduled to play in the team’s home opener, against Toronto. For now, decisions will be made on a game-by-game basis, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Hackett eventually is traded. “The important thing is that we both go out there and do our best, and the guy…
Tkachuk must prove worth to Blues
Keith Tkachuk is “Ripped ‘n’ ready?” (THN, Sept. 14.) Please. His admittance to being out of shape last season was painfully obvious to fans in Phoenix. Be careful, St. Louis, Tkachuk is not what he seems. Jim Grundmeier, Phoenix With Alexei Yashin, Mike Peca and now goalie Chris Osgood, the Islanders went from pretender to contender. If they add a nasty defensemen with some skill, they might even have a shot at the Stanley Cup. Jay Boriotti, Raleigh, N.C. Just before the season began, hockey fans said good-bye to a great player, former Leaf Billy Harris. A classy guy and genuinely nice man, he’ll be missed. Danny Young, Toronto This season’s comeback player will be Stephane Richer. A year ago he was retired; now, he’s riding shotgun for Mario Lemieux. Heck, Richer might lead the NHL…
Tugnutt in control, but Denis waiting
There is no goalie controversy in Columbus. Repeat. There is not goalie controversy. Ron Tugnutt is the Blue Jackets’ No.l netminder, as it should be following the expansionrecord 22 wins he recorded last season and the 40-save performance he had in a season-opening 3-3 tie with the St. Louis Blues. The city has developed a love affair with Tugger, 33. He drew a handful of votes last November as a write-in candidate for U.S. President - not bad for a Canadian. But then there’s Marc Denis, 24 and, many believe, a future No. 1 goalie, who had a fabulous pre-season. Denis will get more playing time and a more reasonable schedule this season than he did last, when he went 6-20-4. “I don’t feel like my role is going to be different; I want to…
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