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January 18, 2002
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.
Phantom stopper wants Little break
His tenure with the Philadelphia Flyers’ organization extends longer than any player on the roster, yet Neil Little still has never played one minute of an NHL game. If it doesn’t happen this season, well, it probably never will. Little has been the American League’s leading goalie virtually all season. His 1.66 goals-against average was a half-goal better than anyone else’s. He also had the AHL’s best save percentage (.941) for the league-leading Philadelphia Phantoms. But when Brian Boucher hurt his knee and Little was promoted, he watched eight games from the bench while Roman Cechmanek played. That brings to well over 40 the number of games where Little has been in a Flyers’ uniform and on the bench, but never stepped onto the ice after warmups. “It’s almost freakish that the games are…
Rathje’s mantra: ‘No goals against’
Dean Lombardi was making his way around the Savvis Center in St. Louis back in early November when he happened upon Blues’ power forward Keith Tkachuk. “Did you guys sign Mike Rathje yet?” Tkachuk asked the San Jose Sharks’ GM. “No, not yet,” Lombardi said. “Good,” responded Tkachuk, “I hate playing against that big #$%*&@#,” Those words were music to Lombardi’s ears, even if he was locked in a contract dispute with the 6-foot-5, 235-pound defenseman at the time they were spoken. When it comes to the AllStar Game or Norris Trophy, Rathje hasn’t received much respect from voters. But ask any NHL forward whom they think is the league’s toughest defender and Rathje is right near the top of the list. If Rathje is not the NHL’s most underrated defenseman, he’s damn close. “He’s…
First half disappointing for struggling Capitals
The Washington Capitals finished the first half of the season with a dismal 16-18-7 record when so much was expected of the team. “The frustration is understandable,” said Caps’ right winger Jaromir Jagr, “Expectations were very high on this team, (but) the team doesn’t play very well, I don’t play very well. But there’s always hope. We’re in kind of a tough spot, but it’s not over until it’s over.” Injuries to key players have hurt, but it’s more than that. The Caps are the third oldest team in the league (30.0 years, behind Dallas and Detroit) and they’re slow. The defense is being burned by swifter skaters, who are forcing the Caps to back off defensively, creating bigger gaps that nobody can fill. UNSUNG HERO Frantisek Kucera, D. The Caps wanted to…
Goodenow gets pay hike
The contract talks which have been most significant in the NHL this season are wrapping up, with Bob Goodenow getting a six-year, $15-million (U.S.) deal to continue as executive director of the NHL Players’ Association. Goodenow will be paid approximately $2.5 million per season, an increase of about $1,000,000 from his previous deal which expired Dec. 31, sources say. There were reports Goodenow was to be paid $3.5 million, but NHLPA president Trevor Linden dismissed them as inaccurate. “The $3.5-million figure is high, a lot high,” Linden told The Globe and Mail. Goodenow has been in negotiations with the NHLPA’s executive since February and according to people familiar with the talks, the negotiations were very orderly and not contentious. This is the fifth contract he has signed to be the NHLPA’s main man…
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