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December 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.
Slow start prompts shakeup in Dallas
The trades, no matter how surprising or newsworthy, won’t solve their problems, the Dallas Stars acknowledge. “We can’t turn around and say we fixed the problems and it was these guys,” said forward Kirk Muller after the Stars rid themselves of two of their biggest acquisitions this past summer just 22 games into the season. The Stars traded right winger Donald Audette and center Shaun Van Allen to the Montreal Canadiens for left wingers Martin Rucinsky and Benoit Brunet Nov. 22. They also shipped disappointing defenseman Jyrki Lumme to Toronto for ex-Star Dave Manson. Audette, 32, was signed to a four-year, $12-million contract July 2, a decision that brought a close to the Brett Hull era in Dallas. Coming off a career-high 34 goals, Audette never adjusted to coach Ken Hitchcock’s demanding system.…
Kings need No. 1 goaltender Potvin to regain heroic form of last season
If the are to make a move in the season’s second quarter, Felix Potvin will have to snap out of his slump. The club’s disappointing start can be traced to many sources, but none bigger than Potvin, last year’s playoff hero whose poor play forced coach Andy Murray to sit him. Murray still says Potvin, whose save percentage dropped to.884, is the Kings’ No. 1 goalie. But in six games this season, Potvin allowed back-to-back goals in less than a minute. The Kings lost them all. “Goaltenders have ups and downs in every season,” Potvin said after Murray sat him. “But we couldn’t let this go on. Some nights I have felt fine, others not so good. I will work my way out of this.” What makes the falloff so alarming is the memory…
Journeyman Kurtz unknown no longer
When the season began, the Vancouver Canucks had one vacancy on their defense for a left-shot rookie with blond hair. Almost everyone figured that rookie would be 1998 first-round pick Bryan Allen. No one figured it would be someone named Justin Kurtz. A 24-year-old journeyman without an NHL game to his credit, Kurtz came to the Canucks’ training camp ticketed to play for the minor league Manitoba Moose. He was under contract to only them, and not to the Canucks. But his impressive camp led to an NHL contract and when the Canucks stumbled from the gate, Kurtz was recalled Oct. 23. A month later, he was a regular on the Canucks’ blueline with six points in his first 15 games and a plus-2 figure. Kurtz credited his coach in Manitoba the last…
Upcoming In The Hockey World
Here’s what to look for in the coming weeks Wed., Dec. 19 Holiday roster freeze takes effect through Dec. 27 Fri., Dec. 21 Jaromir Jagr makes first visit to Pittsburgh since trade to Caps Sat., Dec. 22 Six seeded nations must submit Olympic rosters to IIHF Tues., Dec. 25 World Junior Championship begins in Czech Republic Fri., Dec. 28 Philadelphia’s Jeremy Roenick back in Phoenix to face Coyotes Fri., Jan. 4 World Junior Championship ends Thurs., Jan. 10 Jason Allison and Kings in Boston to battle Bruins Sat., Jan. 12 The (head) game of the year-Eric Lindros visits Philadelphia Sun., Feb. 2 Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center hosts 52nd All-Star Game For the latest news, visit thehockeynews.com Next Issue December 14, 2001 We look at Yanic Perreault and other free agent success stories. In his own words: St. Louis’ Chris Pronger speaks his mind. Can Finland…
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