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September 2, 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.
EYE ON EUROPE
• Richard Kral, Czech Rep. His 22 goals and 67 points in 45 games for Trinec was five points more than teammate Jan Marek. • Tomas Kucharcik, Finland. His 28 goals and 55 points in 52 games for HPK was tied with Jan Caloun (22 goals) of Blues. • Mark Beaufait, Germany. His 22 goals and 54 points in 50 games for Berlin was two more than teammate Kelly Fairchild. • Tomas Vlasak, Russia. His 19 goals and 46 points in 48 games for Omsk was tied with teammate Pavel Patera (14 goals). • Peter Korinek, Slovakia. His 23 goals and 57 points in 54 games for Zvolen was two more than Kosice’s Miroslav Skovira. • Mikael Kartberg, Sweden. His 16 goals and 46 points in 49 games for Leksands was one more than MoOo’s…
Preds enter new era with Timonen contract
The fact the Predators avoided arbitration with defenseman Kimmo Timonen was nothing new. In five years the team only has had two players go through the process. The details of the pact, agreed upon hours before the hearing, were a dramatic departure, though. Not only did the average annual salary of $2,125 million make it the largest deal ever given to a Preds player other than a goalie, at four years it was also the longest the team has ever offered. “A lot of the tough decisions we’ve made the first few years of the franchise…were decisions that weren’t always popular,” said GM David Poile. “This is a significant turn in the philosophy of the franchise.” Two things separated Timonen from others in management’s mind: at 28, he’s poised for the prime of…
Cash-strapped Slues need youth to help out
Unable to afford a quick infusion of optimism through additions to the roster, the penny-pinching Blues must instead turn to coach Joel Quenneville and quite possibly kids to invigorate the team this season. Other than knowing Chris Osgood will be their starter in net, the Blues enter camp with the same core of players - with a few tweaks - for the third consecutive September. A disappointment thus far and especially in the playoffs last season against Vancouver, the Blues were all but issued an ultimatum by management: This is the team, learn to win with it. So it falls to Quenneville to channel the team’s unfulfilled promise into performance. As well, Peter Sejna, Igor Valeev, Sergei Varlamov, Mike Danton and possibly John Pohl will be looked to for a jolt of…
Young Coyotes adopt aggressive approach
They don’t have a true superstar in the lineup - not yet, anyway - but the Coyotes are younger, quicker and bigger with more depth than ever before. “Without giving up the focus on being sound, defensively, (coach) Bobby (Francis) will be looking to utilize that speed more often and being aggressive on the puck, especially after faceoffs,” said GM Mike Barnett. “And we certainly think we will improve our faceoff statistics this year.” The Coyotes ranked near the bottom of the NHL, but in March, acquired two of the league’s top-rated faceoff men in Jan Hrdina and Chris Gratton, then added another draw specialist in Mike Sillinger. Along with Daymond Langkow, who led the league in draws taken, Phoenix should be able to go on the attack more frequently and cut…
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