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April 4, 2003
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.
SCOUTING REPORT
POSITION Right winger AGE 21 SIZE 6-3, 187 HOMETOWN Hava, Slovakia LAST AMATEUR CLUB Lethbridge (WHL) 2002-03 Grand Rapids Griffins NHL AFFILIATION Detroit Red Wings NOTEWORTHY Drafted 38th overall in 2000… Played three years in Slovakia’s Dukla Trencin program before spending two years in the Western League, scoring 56 goals and 126 points in 109 games. BOTTOM LINE Kopecky is a creative forward with excellent sense and will play in traffic. He has gotten better as the season progressed, but needs work on his skating.…
Flames trade debacle forces McAmmond out
Dean McAmmond’s elation over returning to Calgary has become disappointment. McAmmond was re-acquired by the Flames from Colorado on trade deadline day and expected to be reunited with Jarome Iginla and Craig Conroy. That plan was derailed by the collective bargaining agreement. As a result, the left winger, who set career numbers with Calgary last season, is ineligible for the remainder of the year. He’ll receive the balance of his $1.4 million (U.S.) salary. “1 don’t think it’s justice at all. That I’m in Calgary is the only thing I’m happy about,” he said. Players dealt within four weeks prior to the pre-season waiver draft can’t be traded back to their original team in the ensuing season. McAmmond was traded to Colorado with Derek Morris and Jeff Shantz for Chris Drury and Stephane Yelle three…
Two-man ref system gets tweak
AHL EAST NOTEBOOK The NHL is again using the American League to try to improve its own product, this time by tinkering with the two-referee system. While the AHL usually only uses one ref-it’s cost-prohibitive to use two-the NHL began experimenting in select AHL games with a new wrinkle to the two-man system. One referee is responsible for following the puck-meaning it’s like the old days, where he skates end to end—while the second referee will concentrate on the action away from the puck and behind the play. The belief is there could be much more consistency to how games are officiated. The ref following the puck will, in theory, be able to enforce the same infractions and give the same leeway to defenders at both ends of the ice. The trailing referee will…
Avs’ top lines are fine; third line needs tweaking
The Avalanche’s opening lines are as good as the smoothest of pickup artists in a crowded bar. Peter Forsberg, Milan Hejduk, Joe Sakic and Alex Tanguay help form quite an imposing top two trios, but when it comes to getting offense from the third and fourth lines, the Avs are severely lacking. Entering the final three weeks of the season, the Avs featured a third line of Serge Aubin, Riku Hahl and Dan Hinote. In a combined 136 games, those three players had combined for only 18 points-by far the worst points-per-game average of any third line in the NHL to that point. The third line’s makeup has changed over the season, but even if you add the numbers of depth forwards Eric Messier, Scott Parker, Mike Keane, Jeff Shantz and Brian Willsie,…
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