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October 1, 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.
Big budget aids restart
Even though the Dallas Stars are We far closer to the Gulf of Mexico, they inexplicably play in the Pacific Division. If the NHL can pretend that life with the Stars is a day at the beach, so can we. For five seasons, the Stars were a well-constructed, impressive sandcastle. Then one day, a very high tide–make that a tsunami–came in and washed the beach clean. The sand remains, and with it the chance to build just as big a castle with new hands. At the positions that matter most, the Stars are close to starting from scratch, the reason for both caution and optimism in camp. GM Doug Armstrong took over from Bob Gainey Jan. 25. Coach Dave Tippett came aboard in May. And starting goalie Marty Turco has played only 57 NHL…
Stiff competition for crown
The NHL likes to talk about parity and competitive balance, but since the lockout–shortened 1994-95 season, six of the seven Stanley Cup champions and all seven Presidents’ Trophy winners have come from the Western Conference. Last season, however, the conference’s balance of power was threatened. Sure, Detroit won its third Stanley Cup championship in six years, but Dallas fell out of the playoffs while interlopers from San Jose barged into the West’s upper echelons and up-and-comers from Vancouver and Phoenix made their presence felt. Heading into the 2002-03 campaign, there are questions about the old guard and the new wave. Are the deep, balanced Sharks ready to make the next move? Are the young, exciting Canucks and Oilers legitimate contenders? Or will the retooled Stars simply re-establish the triumvirate atop the conference with…
Panthers in bear market
This is a prospectus for fans wondering about investing resources into the Florida Panthers, a franchise of the National Hockey League, Inc. But this isn’t a prospectus as done by some 43-year-old Harvard Law-produced corporate attorney. As anyone who knows a buck from a puck can tell you, this is not the time for short-term speculation, but long-term planning. So it is with the Panthers. Long term, there’s a plan. Look short term, there’s more hoping than hope. Only some of that funky–funky like ‘ewww,’ not funky like ‘Flashlight’–Fortune 500 accounting could add up to the Panthers (also hereafter referred to as “the company”) being a playoff contender this season. Wait till next year. But this year? If buying stock is akin to gambling, well, what fool would bet the pass line on…
Key losses hurt Bruins
When Bill Guerin signed with Dallas in July, the questions began. Who was going to score goals? Who was going to make up for the leadership and toughness he brought? Then, the Bruins elected not to re-sign unrestricted free agent goalie Byron Dafoe, despite his 35 victories in the regular season. And just prior to training camp, defenseman Kyle McLaren demanded a trade, saying he wanted a change of scenery. So, three of the reasons the Bruins sat atop the Eastern Conference last year were no longer on the team. The front office reasoned that with Guerin and Dafoe the Bruins were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round, so why not try life without them? Neither Guerin nor Dafoe had a great series against Montreal, but most other Bruins didn’t, either.…