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.

February 10, 2004

The Hockey News February 10, 2004

<div class="image-hero"><img title="C0004-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/c0004-01259/8201536-1-eng-US/c0004-012.jpg"></div><p><a href="http://www.hockeymonkey.com">www.hockeymonkey.com</a><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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Adverstisement

<div class="byline">By Larry Humber</div><p>Answers in next issue and @ <i><a href="http://THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM">thehockeynews.com</a></i></p><h2><b>ACROSS</b></h2><p><b>1</b> The NHL's first commissioner, pictured</p><p><b>4</b> Swerves</p><p><b>7</b> Former Chicago Blackhawk Boldirev</p><p><b>8</b> Sitting a player out</p><p><b>10</b> The &ldquo;sin bin&rdquo;</p><p>12 The Isles' _ Asham</p><p>13 Heroes</p><p>14 He's captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs</p><p>18 An ECHL division</p><p>19 Tie</p><p>20 He was the Calder Trophy winner in 1986</p><p>21 Used one's arm joint illegally</p><h2><b>DOWN</b></h2><p>1 Overweight individual</p><p>2 They look after players' lesser injuries</p><p>3 Cam &mdash; had some big years in Boston</p><p>4 Triumphant</p><p>5 First name of the 1995 Hart Trophy winner</p><p>6 Referees use them to indicate infractions</p><p><b>9</b> He's coach and GM in</p><p>New York</p><p><b>11</b> He and 1 Across will be seeing a lot of each other in the months ahead</p><p><b>12</b> Bobby Hull had more goals than _over his career</p><p><b>15</b> Hall of Famer Savard</p><p><b>16</b> Celebrated</p><p><b>17</b> Ducks defenseman _Sauer</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-04421/8201346-1-eng-US/f0037-042.jpg" title="f0037-04" width="565" height="544"></div><h2><b>LAST WEEK'S CROSSWORD SOLUTION</b></h2><h3><b>ACROSS</b></h3><p>1. PLANTE, 4. HERBIE, 9. AMATEUR, 10. STOOP, 11. SHERO, 12. DASHERS, 13. JARI, 15. CARL. 18. MESSIER, 21. AUREL, 23. AISLE, 24. CALGARY, 25. HUSTLE, 26. CENTER. DOWN 1. PLASSE, 2. AMAZE, 3. TIE DOMI, 5. EASES, 6. BRODEUR, 7. EXPOSE, 8. FRED, 14. ASSISTS, 15. CHARLIE, 16. IMLACH, 17. PLAYER, 19. IDEAL, 20. RICK, 22. REACT.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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DEPARTMENTS

The Hockey News CROSSWORD

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IN THIS ISSUE

GOALTENDING STATISTICS

<div class="byline">BY ROB MUELLER</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>B</span></b>asking in the glory of a successful All-Star Game hosted by Peoria, ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna painted a rosy picture for the league during a media teleconference.</p><p>McKenna touched on most of the issues addressed at the league&rsquo;s board of governors meetings, from the visor rule to updates on potential new markets to the future of several existing franchises said to be in trouble.</p><p>According to McKenna, the Victoria (B.C.) Salmon Kings, set to start next season, have sold more than 2,500 season tickets and have sold out all luxury suites. &ldquo;The arena (construction) is on schedule, if not a little bit ahead of schedule.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-07171/8200742-1-eng-US/f0024-072.jpg" title="f0024-07" width="303" height="291"><figcaption class="caption-body">NOTEBOOK <span class="photo-credit">(JIM MCISAAC/BBS)</span></figcaption></div><p>McKenna said representatives from three potential new markets - Burlington, Vt., Ontario, Calif., and Reno, Nev. gave updates on their status for 2005-06. The owners of the Ontario franchise, the dormant West Coast League team in Tacoma, will relocate it to Bloomington, k Ill. McKenna said all 31 existing ECHL teams are planning for 2004-05, but there could be some movement this off-season. Atlantic City has been rumoured to be headed for New Orleans, while struggling franchises in Cincinnati and Roanoke are on thin ice.</p><p>On visors, league officials said no serious eye injuries have been reported, but McKenna admits some teams are concerned about the increase in stickwork. McKenna also said attendance is up 5.1 per cent league-wide over last season, reversing a five-year trend of declining attendance.</p><p><b>STAR POWER</b> More than 7,200 fans attended the All-Star Game, won 7-6 by the Eastern Conference thanks to four goals in the third period. Peoria winger Randy Rowe scored two goals, including the winner, and was named MVP.</p><p>The Reading (Pa.) Royals will host next year.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Louisiana&rsquo;s Alex Materukhin scored three goals in 3:22 in the third period in a 5-1 win over Florida Jan. 25&hellip;Toledo removed the &ldquo;interim&rdquo; from coach Nick Vitucci&rsquo;s title Jan. 26. He replaced Steve Harrison Dec. 20.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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Growth still in ECHL’s long-term plans

<div class="byline">EDITOR&#x2019;S NOTEBOOK&nbsp;Jason Kay Editor</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-021577/8198741-1-eng-US/f0004-022.jpg" title="f0004-02" width="398" height="709"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-011876/8198748-1-eng-US/f0004-012.jpg" title="f0004-01" width="113" height="119"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p><b>F</b>our years ago, Dwayne Roloson considered becoming Mr. Mom. Now, for at least one special weekend, he&rsquo;ll be Minnesota&rsquo;s Mr. Hockey.</p><p>The Wild&rsquo;s nice-guy goalie has quietly. assumed the role of All-Star Game host, a position that not long ago was reserved for Marian Gaborik. But a Gaborik demise and Roloson rise have conspired to make the netminder with an undersized ego and stats a focal point.</p><p>&ldquo;Eventually it will sink in, but right now we&rsquo;re in the middle of a playoff drive,&rdquo; says Roloson, 34. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m focusing on that and trying not to worry about anything else.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-031280/8198734-1-eng-US/f0004-032.jpg" title="f0004-03" width="1444" height="1875"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(NEVIN REID/BBS)</span></figcaption></div><p>As worries go, it&rsquo;s a gentle concern, one that&rsquo;s galaxies removed trom tne crisis Roloson faced in 2000. Coming off a disappointing year in Buffalo - one in &rsquo; which he was dressing as a skater in practice by the end of the season because he&rsquo;d fallen so far on the depth chart &rsquo; - Roloson was claimed by Columbus in the expansion draft, then signed by St. Louis as a free agent. up Unfortunately for Roloson, it was do not pass Mo., go directly to Worcester. And he didn&rsquo;t have a &lsquo;Get Out of the AHL Free&rsquo; card.</p><p>He had reached the proverbial crossroads. &ldquo;Retirement was in the back of my mind,&rdquo; he admits. &ldquo;I thought, &lsquo;Maybe it&rsquo;s time to move on.&rsquo; wife (Melissa) said, &lsquo;We&rsquo;ve got a baby coming let&rsquo;s stick with hockey for now-We talked about it for a month or so and it was the last time we ever did.&rdquo;</p><p>Roloson, who majored in management information tems during his four years as a student-athlete at Lowell, said he considered staying home with their newborn while Melissa, a chemical engineer, re-entered the workforce.</p><p>But the Simcoe, Ont., native found his own chemistry in Worcester with Blues goalie coach Keith Allain, a man whom Roloson says was instrumental in turning his career around.</p><p>&ldquo;He was almost like a shoulder to cry on for a while,&rdquo; Roloson says. &ldquo;Anyone who takes a step back, it&rsquo;s a mental challenge. You think, &rsquo;What am I doing? Where am I going? Is my career over?&rsquo; All those things come into your mind. Keith was there to be positive at first. Once I had my head on straight, we started working really hard.&rdquo;</p><p>Roloson, a predominately butterfly goalie, said Allain helped fine-tune his game and mindset and the result was AHL goalie-of-the-year honors in 2001. Minnesota scooped him up as a free agent that summer and after two solid years sharing the crease with Manny Fernandez, he has nosed ahead as the club&rsquo;s No. 1 man. With a week to go before the all-star break, he was among the NHL leaders in save percentage (.932) and goals-against average (1.99).</p><p>His new goalie coach, Bob Mason, believes Roloson has established himself as an elite puckstopper.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;d say he&rsquo;s among the top five,&rdquo; Mason says. &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t be afraid to put him up with anybody in the league.&rdquo;</p><p>Mason marvels at Roloson&rsquo;s work ethic, saying he hates to get scored on in practice and pays careful attention to detail.</p><p>Roloson says his industrious nature is a gift from his father, a construction worker in Simcoe who regularly got up at 4 a.m. and worked until 8 p.m.</p><p>&ldquo;Seeing his dedication to his family, that drive helped me get to where I am,&rdquo; Roloson says. &ldquo;My dad did all that for my sister and 1.1 need to do that for my family.&rdquo;</p><p>We&rsquo;ll forgive him for taking a well-earned break on all-star weekend.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-041038/8198727-1-eng-US/f0004-042.jpg" title="f0004-04" width="558" height="298"></div><h2><b>CHOICES</b></h2><p><i>Dwayne Roloson says he considered retiring when he was sent to the AHL.</i></p><h2><b>CLASS OF &rsquo;88</b></h2><p>Undrafted Dwayne Roloson beat the odds by outlasting all goalies selected in 1988, his first year of eligibility.</p><p><b>22 DRAFTED</b> Number of goalies drafted in 1988</p><p><b>9 MADE IT</b> Number of 1988-drafted goalies who made it to NHL</p><p><b>0 ACTIVE</b> Number of 1988-drafted goalies still in NHL<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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Taking long road to stardom

<h2><i>Milestones, notable achievements and NHL debuts</i>.</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-05843/8198786-1-eng-US/f0004-052.jpg" title="f0004-05" width="395" height="629"><figcaption class="caption-body">PIERRE HEDIN</figcaption></div><h2><b>MILESTONES</b></h2><p><b>Jeff Hackett</b> &bull; <b>G, 35</b></p><p><i>Philadelphia, Jan. 13 at Buffalo Jan. 27 at Vancouver Boston, Jan. 15 at Buffalo</i> Achieves NHL Milestone Award for playing in 500th game.</p><h2><b>NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS</b></h2><p><b>Milan Hejduk</b> &bull; <b>RW, 27</b></p><p><i>Colorado, Jan. 19 at Tampa Bay</i> Became third player in NHL history to score on penalty shot in OT.</p><p><b>Dave Andreychuk</b> &bull; <b>LW, 40</b></p><p><i>Tampa Bay, Jan. 15 vs. Carolina</i> Became 25th player in NHL history to reach 1,300 points.</p><p><b>Chicago Blackhawk</b></p><p><i>Jan 27</i> at vancouver Set a franchise record with 18th straight loss on the road.</p><h2><b>NHL DEBUTS</b></h2><p><b>Pierre Hedin</b> &bull; <b>D, 25</b></p><p><i>Toronto, Jan. 13 vs. Calgary</i> Logged almost 20 minutes and picked up assist on game-winner.</p><p><b>Jame Pollock</b> &bull; <b>D, 24</b></p><p>St. Louis, Jan. 15 vs. Columbus Can switch from winger to defense; possesses big shot from point.</p><p><b>Carl Corazzini</b> &bull; <b>RW, 24</b></p><p>Boston, Jan. 15 at Buffalo Speedy Terriers&rsquo; grad blended well with Rolston, Axelsson on third line.</p><p><b>Zbynek Michalek</b> &bull; <b>D, 21</b></p><p>Minnesota, Jan. 16 vs. Pittsburgh Puck-carrying defenseman logged 15 nervous minutes, finished minus-1.</p><p><i>Minnesota, Jan. 16 vs. Pittsburgh</i> possesses big shot from point.</p><p><b>Chris Kunitz</b> &bull; <b>LW, 24</b></p><p>Anaheim, Jan. 17 at Vancouver Ferris State grad tied for team-high four shots in seven minutes of ice.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-06503/8198779-1-eng-US/f0004-062.jpg" title="f0004-06" width="390" height="619"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ZBYNEK MICHALEK</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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WORTH NOTING

<div class="byline">MARK BRENDER</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>K</span></b>eith Tkachuk served as proxy for thousands when he leaned over at the opening faceoff, crossed sticks, gave a respectful tap on the shins and welcomed Dany Heatley back to the NHL sanctuary.</p><p>After four months of baby steps on Heatley&rsquo;s road to recovery, this was by far the biggest.</p><p>It is a rough-and-tumble sport, with sticks wielded like swords and bodies flung about like socks in a dryer, yet for Heatley the ice has got to be the most peaceful place on earth. It may be the only place where he can at once feel Dan Snyder&rsquo;s presence and feel like he&rsquo;s moving on with his life.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s been a big part of me coming back,&rdquo; said Heatley of Snyder, his friend and teammate killed in the Sept. 29 car accident with Heatley behind the wheel. &ldquo;And being around the guys, it&rsquo;s helped me heal a lot. There&rsquo;s still a long way to go, but he&rsquo;s made it a lot easier on me and, now that I&rsquo;m back playing again, it&rsquo;s another step and it&rsquo;s going to be better.&rdquo;</p><p>The signs in the stands at Philips Arena in Heatley&rsquo;s first game back, a 1-1 tie Jan. 28 against St. Louis, carried similar sentiments of a return to normalcy. &ldquo;It may be cold,&rdquo; said one, &ldquo;but we&rsquo;ve got our Heater.&rdquo; They got him back far sooner than any-one believed possible. Barely a month ago, still recovering from reconstructive knee surgery in October, Heatley wasn&rsquo;t sure if he&rsquo;d play this season. Atlanta GM Don Waddell was convinced Heatley would, but not in his wildest dreams, he said, did he think it would be with 31 games left. (See<i>pg. 13 for more on Heatley.)</i></p><p>Based on his first game a strong 23 minutes in which he had several excellent scoring chances thwarted by Blues goalie Reinhard Divis before tiring in the third Heatley will give a big boost to Atlanta&rsquo;s playoff hopes. Coach Bob Hartley pointed out, correctly, no team will be able to pick up a player of Heatley&rsquo;s caliber at the trade deadline.</p><p>Things are less certain over the long term as the crash investigation drags into a fifth month, against the wishes of Snyder&rsquo;s family. Heatley faces criminal charges including vehicular homicide, but has yet to be indicted. District attorney spokesman Erik Friedly said investigators are in contact with officials at Ferrari, makers of the car Heatley was driving, to help with the investigation.</p><p>A statement released by the DA&rsquo;s office said Heatley&rsquo;s return to the ice &ldquo;in no way reflects on the seriousness of the charges against him or the likelihood ofany prosecution. We have nearly completed our thorough investigation of the complex matter at hand and hope to be able to announce a charging decision soon.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-021331/8198848-1-eng-US/f0005-022.jpg" title="f0005-02" width="966" height="1225"></div><h2><b>HAPPY HEATLY</b></h2><p><i>Dany Heatly was pleased with his performance in his jan. 28 return to NHL action.</i></p><h2><b>NHL TIES ON THE RISE</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-05334/8198841-1-eng-US/f0005-052.jpg" title="f0005-05" width="1243" height="1111"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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’We’ve got our Heater’

<p><i>Best Hockey World</i></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-03859/8198886-1-eng-US/f0005-032.jpg" title="f0005-03" width="345" height="556"><figcaption class="caption-body">ROBIN BOUCHARD</figcaption></div><p><b>STRAIGHT SHOOTER</b> Robin Bouchard of the <b>I</b> DHL&rsquo;s Muskegon Fury sets a professional hockey <b>I</b> record by scoring goals in 17 straight games.</p><p><b>WORKING OVERTIME</b> New Jersey&rsquo;s Patrik <b>I</b> Elias ties the NHL record for overtime goals in a season with his fourth Jan. 17.</p><p><b>SAFETY GUARD</b> Kelowna&rsquo;s Kelly Guard breaks a 36-year-old WHL record for most shutouts in a season by recording his 11th of the year.</p><p><i>Worst of the Hockey World</i></p><p><b>THE WASHINGTON STRANGLER</b> Capitals owner Ted Leonsis is suspended for a week and fined $100,000 for wringing a fan&rsquo;s throat.</p><p><b>BAD BOYS</b> Montreal&rsquo;s Pierre Dagenais is suspended two games for high-sticking; Detroit&rsquo;s Jiri Fischer one game for head butting.</p><p><b>NO SPEZZA?</b> Listen, we know not everyone can be selected, but how the heck does the NHL explain not sending Jason Spezza to the YoungStars Game?</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-04535/8198879-1-eng-US/f0005-042.jpg" title="f0005-04" width="350" height="548"><figcaption class="caption-body">TED LEONSIS</figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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PLUS MINUS

<p>&bull; Three months have passed since the defection of his star client and agent <b>Allan Walsh</b> is still biting his tongue. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t comment at this point in any way about <b>Marian Gaborik,&rsquo;&rsquo;</b> Walsh said. Walsh hasn&rsquo;t yet filed a fee grievance with the NHLPA over Gaborik&rsquo;s jumping ship to <b>Ron Salcer</b>, either. We do know this: at least Gaborik could score when he was with Walsh.</p><p>&bull; There were more hooks in a Jan. 26 game between Dallas and Detroit than you&rsquo;d find in a knitting class. In just one example, <b>Mike Modano</b> carried the puck <b>MARIAN</b> through the neutral zone, was tugged <b>GABORIK</b> back like a steer caught in a lasso&hellip;and ignored by referees <b>Rob Martel</b> and <b>Stephen Walkom</b>.</p><p>&bull; Turns out it isn&rsquo;t just Capitals players that choke. The owner does, too. As for <b>Ted Leonsis</b> inviting his forgiving victim to watch a game for free from the owner&rsquo;s box, hasn&rsquo;t the poor fan suffered enough?</p><p>Is there anything sadder than watching <b>Eric Lindros</b> wobble back to the bench with yet another concussion? Makes us long for what might have been.</p><p>&bull; The unheralded builder behind the first U.S. WJC gold is player-personnel director <b>Lew Mongelluzo</b>. Also an Ottawa Senators scout, Mongelluzo has been central in determining who makes Team USA for the past three years.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-07126/8198917-1-eng-US/f0005-072.jpg" title="f0005-07" width="397" height="631"><figcaption class="caption-body">MARIAN GABORIK</figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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SNAPSHOTS

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-012091/8198948-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg" title="f0006-01" width="252" height="140"></div><h2><b>The Hockey News</b></h2><p><b>FROM THE EDITORS</b></p><p>Seeing as the U.S. presidential election is set for Nov. 2, about a month after the traditional start to the hockey season, it&rsquo;s an open question which will come first, Americans at the polls or a new NHL collective bargaining agreement.</p><p>One school of thought says the financial pain of players and owners missing games will be the impetus to get a deal done, much as it was in 1994-95. Another camp believes if the season doesn&rsquo;t start on time, the owners will dig in their heels and hibernate for the winter. All we know for sure is that unlike Howard Dean, neither Gary Bettman nor Bob Goodenow will scream like a banshee should they falter in Iowa. Iowa doesn&rsquo;t know they exist.</p><blockquote class="pullQuote"><i>Neither Goodenow nor Bettman will scream like a banshee should they falter in Iowa</i>.</blockquote><p>Still, the election parallel comes to mind because the CBA has taken on the trappings of a campaign, with wall-to-wall media coverage months ahead of the final autumn showdown. All that&rsquo;s missing on the hockey front is the drama.</p><p>The Democratic primaries gave us Dean&rsquo;s rebel yell and John Kerry coming from behind and who knows what&rsquo;s next. In the NHL it&rsquo;s all Bettman and all Goodenow, all the time. It&rsquo;s easy for them to keep &ldquo;on mes sage&rdquo; because week after week, month after month, the message never changes.</p><p>But imagine if the CBA campaign itself worked more like an election: in the spring, candidates would vie for the leadership of the NHL and the NHLPA by hitting the 30 cities and expounding on their vision for the game and their constituents&rsquo; place within it. At the end of the season, both sides cast their vote for the candidate whose vision they like best, giving them a clear mandate to pursue in the CBA front through the summer.</p><p>Selling an upbeat vision of where the game can go is something neither side has been able or willing to do in the current debate, at least not publically for the benefit of freight-paying fans.</p><p>So who are the true constituents to whom Bettman and Goodenow are appealing? In Bettman&rsquo;s case it&rsquo;s clearly the small markets. Be they financially prudent or egregiously mismanaged, this is their takeback round, Bettman their greatest supporter.</p><p>It&rsquo;s tougher to tell with the union. The only obvious union trend outside of the CBA is to represent those most aggrieved, regardless of their number.</p><p>Case in point: one of the first cases to be heard in March by new independent arbitrator James Oldham will be the players&rsquo; grievance on goaltender equipment, specifically the NHL&rsquo;s decision to set a maximum goal pad length of 38 inches &mdash; a decision the overwhelming majority of NHLPA members (ie. skaters) surely support.</p><p>No goalie has been hurt because of it, yet the union is still claiming this is a safety issue. Visors, however, are not a safety issue; neither is it a safety issue when the NHLPA argues against a suspension for a player who has put one of his peers&rsquo; safety in question.</p><p>There is no small degree of hypocrisy here. Side by side with an election campaign, that makes them fit right in.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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In U.S.election and CBA, some parallels run deep

f0006-02

ELSTON

<h2>PUT WIDER RINKS IN NEW CBA</h2><p>After reading the &ldquo;Players Speak Out&rdquo; article on what NHLers feel must be changed in the game, I was intrigued. (THN, Jan. 27)</p><p>The Hockey News reported it would cost an average of $2.5 million per franchise to widen each NHL rink to 94 feet. If owners want a salary cap so badly, they should include widening the rink as part of the CBA. A cap will save them a lot of money, so coughing up the $2.5 million shouldn&rsquo;t be an issue.</p><p>Ethan Kurtz, Mahopac, N.Y.</p><h2>ARMSTRONG&rsquo;S ARTICLE AWESOME</h2><p>Derek Armstrong&rsquo;s &ldquo;A Privilege To Play Pro&rdquo; article was wonderful! (THN Jan. 27)</p><p>I&rsquo;m a big fan of Armstrong&rsquo;s from his days with the New York Rangers organization. As sorry as I was to see him move on, I wished him the best and have been thrilled to see his career blossom with the Los Angeles Kings.</p><p>Armstrong was a pleasure to watch, especially as a key piece of the 2000 Calder Cup championship team in Hartford.</p><p>Natalie McGrath, Woodbridge, N.J.</p><h2>SHORTEN NHL SEASON</h2><p>Mike Johnson has a point in advocating shortening the NHL season to 60 games in your &ldquo;Two Minutes In The Box&rdquo; feature. (THN, Jan. 20)</p><p>Unfortunately, the league&rsquo;s fan base doesn&rsquo;t justify the number of games currently played. Plus, a shortened season would move the playoff schedule to earlier in the year when ice conditions are better.</p><p>Nothing is worse than watching teams fight for the Stanley Cup on soft, slow ice in June.</p><p>Sue Swift, Fair Oaks, Calif.</p><h2>SATHER ERRING IN N.Y.</h2><p>When the Rangers do not make the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, the owners must hold coach - GM Glen Sather accountable.</p><p>Add Jaromir Jagr if you want, but when a payroll that is consistently in the NHL&rsquo;s top five can&rsquo;t consistently make the playoffs, the GM is doing something wrong.</p><p>Alison Henchey, Meredith, N.H.</p><h2>PRIMEAU NO ALL-STAR</h2><p>How on earth was Keith Primeau named to the 2004 All-Star Game?</p><p>The guy isn&rsquo;t even in the top five in his own team&rsquo;s scoring. His first two-point night came Jan. 22. But he gets honored while more deserving players such as Mark Recchi,</p><p>Glen Murray and Jason Spezza sit on the sidelines.</p><p>So what&rsquo;s the criteria? Size? Ability to play below one&rsquo;s potential?</p><p>Crystal Townshend, The Pas, Man</p><h2>IS NHL TORONTO-CENTRIC?</h2><p>I see that two injured Maple Leafs have the hockey world in an uproar over the use of visors.</p><p>Would all of Ontario be crying for changes if two players from another team were injured? Of course not.</p><p>Just another case of Torontonians believing the earth revolves around the Air Canada Centre.</p><p>Bill Gesner, Newark, Del.</p><h2>A PENALTY IS A PENALTY</h2><p>Of all the suggestions on making hockey exciting again, the simplest</p><p>is the best: call the game as it is written in the rulebook. A penalty is a penalty is a penalty.</p><p>Bob Petropoulos, Ringoes, N.J</p><h2>LETTER OF THE WEEK</h2><p>I&rsquo;m sick of the U.S. national media&rsquo;s ugly-child treatment of the NHL.</p><p>To wit: there are six proud franchises north of the American border (that we in</p><p>the U.S. never hear about from the &ldquo;regular&rdquo; media), so why are the Red Wings, Avalanche, Flyers, Devils and Rangers the perennial focus of televised NHL games? Why can&rsquo;t U.S. viewers see the Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Canucks, Flames, Oilers or Senators once in a while? Who knows, if American viewers saw the passion Canadian fans exhibit towards the game, some of it might rub off on them.</p><p>Maybe then hockey would not be pushed aside until the U.S. is playing in a prestigious game. Maybe then the American media will have a positive influence on the game, as opposed to the bandwagon-style approach it currently takes.</p><p>John Lowe, Medford, Ore</p><h2>Got something to say</h2><p>U.S.A.: Letters, The Hockey News, P.O. Box 904,Buffalo, N.Y.,14240-9947.</p><p>Canada: Letters, The Hockey News,25 Sheppard Ave.W.,Suite 100,Toronto, Ont.,M2N 6S7</p><p>E-mail: <a href="mailto:aproteau@thehockeynews.com">aproteau@thehockeynews.com</a> or visit <a href="http://www.thehockeynews.com">www.thehockeynews.com</a> Include name, hometown, province/stateand phone number.</p><p><i>Submissions will be edited.</i><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

<div class="byline">Jay Greenberg Columnist</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-011891/8199048-1-eng-US/f0007-012.jpg" title="f0007-01" width="248" height="138"></div><p><b>T</b>hey are all happy to get to the Rangers, Jaromir Jagr as much as any of them.</p><p>For four years, it hasn&rsquo;t taken much more than a Bruce Cassidy chalk talk, a dealer drawing to 21, a bodycheck by Alexandre Daigle, to wipe the smile off the face of one of the happier persons on the planet in addition to being its most talented hockey player. But now that Broadway has Jagr&rsquo;s set of teeth, in Times Square you need sunglasses.</p><p>&ldquo;The Rangers are one of the teams I liked to watch on television,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>Now, not only do you wonder what planet the five-time NHL-leading scorer has been on the past few years, but what channels they have there. The team he joined was six points out of a playoff spot the franchise hasn&rsquo;t gained in six seasons. As the discipline that had kept the Rangers competitive earlier this season ebbed, they were light years from contention, if only three hours from Atlantic Citv.</p><h2><b>LOVING NYC</b></h2><p>Thirtysomething players are dying to come to where the pay is good and the livin&rsquo; as easy as their team to play against. Why wouldn&rsquo;t they be? The past and current Ranger regimes have brought in Theo Fleury, Vai Kamensky, Eric Lindros, Bobby Holik, Alexei Kovalev, Pavel Bure, Anson Carter and Mark Messier. And now Glen Sather has taken his payroll over $80 million, with $40 million committed next season to seven players who had better be in shape if the owners get their way with something close a $31-million salary cap.</p><p>Despite the fact Washington is picking up $20 million of Jagr&rsquo;s remaining $44 million, even though the Rangers can dump even more of the obligation back on the Caps before the four-year deal expires, what could Sather possibly be thinking? Other than, of course, that a Jagr in the right mood still can get a step outside chronic failure, carry the dead weight of a loathed and self-loathing franchise to the net, and make the difference he never did in Washington despite averaging more than a point per game.</p><p>After joining the Ranger pity party in time for a 9-1 shellacking in Ottawa, Jagr cranked up a cranky Madison Square Garden crowd in his home debut, turning back the clock and on the hope with a goal and two assists in a win over Florida.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-021253/8199041-1-eng-US/f0007-022.jpg" title="f0007-02" width="402" height="667"></div><h2><b>KINDRED SOULS</b></h2><p>There was an almost instant chemistry with Eric Lindros, who, playing with Matthew Barnaby and Chris Simon, hadn&rsquo;t scored nearly as well as he has played. Then, two nights later it was gone. Lindros suffered another concussion and the usual suspects were again being rounded up, Jagr being one of them in an abysmal first two periods of a 2-1 loss to Washington. <i>(See pg. 17 for more on Lindros.)</i></p><p>The Rangers need a goalie better than Mike Dunham has been and another physical defenseman. More, they need a full-time coach to sit underachievers and chronic screw-ups and start considering Bobby Holik, who after the Ottawa debacle called the Rangers &ldquo;fundamentally, the worst team in the NHL,&rdquo; a leadership resource, not a loose cannon.</p><p>Jagr was at his best in Pittsburgh when he was a spectacular sideshow, not the whole show. Without Lindros, the winger will have to make his own line, like Kovalev hasn&rsquo;t done, leaving those two lost and kindred souls with an opportunity to either help each other or drag each other down.</p><p>Talk being a lot cheaper than this payroll, Jagr talks of the opportunity to regain a reputation lost. When asked about his setup of a gorgeous deke-and-shoot power play goal by Brian Leetch in the victory over Florida, Jagr laughed.</p><p>&ldquo;I told him I used to score goals like that,&rdquo; he said, almost like he, too, wonders whatever became of that guy. Jagr JB has another fresh start to find him, if that is his desire.</p><p>Salvation knocks. One more lost piece of designer baggage has been delivered to the Rangers&rsquo; doorstep and they are so weighed down by it, you wonder how the team charter ever gets off the ground. As Jagr checks into New York, that old saw about being either part of the problem or part of the solution seems particularly applicable.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-03775/8199034-1-eng-US/f0007-032.jpg" title="f0007-03" width="2264" height="3006"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JAROMIR JAGR</b> <span class="photo-credit">(JANA CHYTILOVA FREESTYLE OSHC)</span></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0007-01

Ranger wish: Jagr’s desire

<div class="byline">BY MIKE BROPHY Senior Writer</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0008-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-021477/8199086-1-eng-US/f0008-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(NASH:JAMIE SABAU)</span></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-011976/8199093-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg" title="f0008-01" width="177" height="143"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>N</span></b>obody suggested they would contend for the Stanley Cup the way their expansion cousins in Minnesota did last year. But when the Columbus Blue Jackets stocked up on veterans in the summer, bringing in goalie Fred Brathwaite, forwards Todd Marchant and Trevor Letowski and defenseman Darryl Sydor, they certainly didn&rsquo;t expect to be knee-deep in the Alexander Ovechkin draft sweepstakes at this point in the season.</p><p>On many counts it has been a frustrating year. Columbus was the last NHL team to win on the road, going 0-11-1-2 in its first 14 away games before beating Chicago 4-1 Dec. 26. The team&rsquo;s poor play led Doug MacLean to step down as coach, though he remains GM-president.</p><p>The news isn t all bad, however. For starters, 19-year-old Rick Nash was leading the NHL in goals with 31 in 50 games, four ahead of Vancouver sniper Markus Naslund. And there&rsquo;s also the exciting emergence of Nikolai Zherdev, who started the season playing with Central Red Army in Russia, but joined Columbus in December.</p><h2><b>PLENTY OF HOT PROSPECTS</b></h2><p>That&rsquo;s not all. MacLean has done an excellent job stockpiling young talent right from his first entry draft when he made defenseman Rostislav Klesla the No. 4 overall pick. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder has yet to find his NHL legs, but has taken huge strides this season and will play even more after Columbus traded Darryl Sydor to Tampa Bay Jan. 27. (In return for Sydor, Columbus picked up 6-foot-3,200-pound center Alexander Svitov, the third overall pick in 2001, who, like Klesla, has a massive upside.)</p><p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t forget about (goalie Pascal) Leclaire who has been playing amazing in the minors, (center Danny) Fritsche and (center) Joakim Lindstrom, who is playing in the Swedish Elite League,&rdquo; MacLean crowed. &ldquo;I expect them all to play (in Columbus) next year. And Manny Malhotra is only 23. He has eight goals (in 31 games) since joining us and he&rsquo;s only 23.&rdquo;</p><p>The sweethearts of the team, and rightly so, are Nash and Zherdev.</p><p>Together, they can be to the Blue Jackets what Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk are to the Atlanta Thrashers; what Markus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi are to the Vancouver Canucks; what Joe Thornton and Sergei Samsonov are to the Boston Bruins. And that, in a nutshell, is a couple of offensive dynamos capable of making the nightly highlights, well, nightly.</p><p>&ldquo;They haven&rsquo;t played too much together except on the power play and late in games when we need a goal,&rdquo; said veteran defenseman Luke Richardson, &ldquo;but I think as they get older and more experienced, they&rsquo;ll be scary. I think that&rsquo;s when you&rsquo;ll hear more about the Kovalchuk and Heatley comparison. Kovalchuk is a shooter like Rick and Heatley makes those great passes that I think Zherdev will be able to make. You used to see (Wayne) Gretzky and (Jari) Kurri do it because they played together and they had talent.</p><p>&ldquo;One game, Zherdev made three passes on the power play that should have resulted in goals, but he surprised the guy he passed to. They all missed &rsquo; the puck.&rdquo;</p><p>The Blue Jackets moved up in the 2002 entry draft to pick the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Nash first overall. He repaid them by scoring 17 goals and 39 points in 74 games last season and finishing third in voting for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. Nash quickly developed a reputation as a gunner who would go hard to the net and pay a price for goals, a reputation that he has enhanced this season. If you are looking for him on the ice, go directly to the blue paint. That&rsquo;s his home away from home.</p><p>Zherdev, meanwhile, was the No. 4 overall pick in last June&rsquo;s draft and had no intention of playing with the Blue Jackets this season. Yet here he is in all his splendor.</p><h2><b>ZHERDEV LEFT RUSSIA FOR NHL</b></h2><p>&ldquo;When I was drafted, I was not thinking about playing in Columbus right away,&rdquo; said Zherdev through an interpreter. &ldquo;1 was thinking I would play one more year in Russia and then play in the NHL after that. I felt it would be best for me to have one more year to prepare, to become more physical and develop with (Viktor) Tikhonov as my coach, to play in the World Junior Championship and maybe for the national team at the World Championship. That was the plan.&rdquo;</p><p>But, frustrated at his lack of playing time in Russia, Zherdev decided to make a change. Having already signed with Columbus last August, he grabbed his passport and hopped a plane for Toronto, then flew to Ottawa to file papers that would allow him to play hockey in the United States and Canada. The Blue Jackets had already paid the International Ice Hockey Federation the required transfer fees, so, despite the fact Zherdev&rsquo;s former team is kicking up a stink and wants him to return, the NHL has allowed him to remain with &ldquo;Columbus.</p><p>After scoring 12 goals and 24 points in 44 games for Red Army last season, the 6-foot-l, 176-pound right winger has had an impressive debut with the Jackets, scoring six goals and 13 points in 27 games.</p><p>&ldquo;I remember playing against him in the under-18 (tournament),&rdquo; Nash said. &ldquo;He was one of two great players on their team. I can&rsquo;t remember who the other guy was. (Zherdev) was unbelievable. The way he handled the puck and saw the ice was amazing.&rdquo;</p><p>Zherdev, who often turns to teammate Jaroslav Spacek, a Czech who speaks Russian, to help him communicate, has been very impressed with what he has seen in his new teenage pal. &ldquo;Rick is a great player for his age,&rdquo; Zherdev said. &ldquo;He has good size and uses his speed and he drives to the net very well. He has the ability to find openings on the ice that help him score goals with a very good shot.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>A LOT OF FUN TO WATCH&rsquo;</b></h2><p>Richardson has been very impressed by the way Nash handles himself both on and off the ice. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s nice to see a kid come along who is so respectful,&rdquo; Richardson said.</p><p>As for Zherdev, the big defenseman said the sky is the limit for the kid. &ldquo;Zherdev could become one of the most highly regarded offensive players in this league,&rdquo; Richardson said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s very natural and has the confidence to try things&hellip;a little too much around our own blueline at times, but he&rsquo;ll learn. He has really picked up his defensive game and work ethic in our own zone. He dives to block shots.&rdquo;</p><p>The Blue Jackets are near the bottom of the Western Conference standings and don&rsquo;t have a prayer at making the playoffs, but with Nash and Zherdev revving it up, MacLean is convinced success isn&rsquo;t too far off.</p><p>&ldquo;We signed veteran players and hoped things would be better this year, but we lost four defensemen for six weeks,&rdquo; MacLean said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s not making an excuse; it&rsquo;s reality. I think we can be successful with the direction we are going now. Obviously it might take a touch more time, but in the meantime, we&rsquo;re a lot of fun to watch.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>YOUTH BE SERVED</b></h2><p><i>Rick Nash is the only NHLer on pace to score 50-plus goals this year. If he&rsquo;s the league leader at the end of the season, he&rsquo;ll be the first teenager to lead the NHL in goals. Here arc the youngest NHL goal leaders:</i></p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-011820/8199079-1-eng-US/f0009-012.jpg" title="f0009-01" width="4441" height="4273"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0008-02

DYNAMIC DUO

<div class="byline">With Adam Proteau</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-021413/8199131-1-eng-US/f0010-022.jpg" title="f0010-02" width="395" height="675"><figcaption class="caption-body">Jim Craig</figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-011948/8199138-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg" title="f0010-01" width="115" height="113"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>ith the release of <i>Miracle</i>, I can sense a renewed excitement about the events surrounding our 1980 Olympic gold medal win, both from people who watched the games as they happened and from those who weren&rsquo;t around to see it. I think the latter group will see the film and get a sense of what it was really like in those days, and the former group will see it and have a great time reliving their memories.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>It has been nearly 25 years since I was playing on the ice in Lake Placid. As you get older, as you get married and have a family, you have different perspectives on the things that happened back then. You learn more about your country and how much it means to you, but as far as that famous game between the U.S. and the Soviets goes, nothing much has changed. It remains a wonderful experience that I think in some small way helped American hockey players get more of a chance to prove themselves. In a sense, we were like pioneers in helping build American hockey. It has been great to see the NHL grow and prosper in the U.S. in the days since our victory. The guys who played on that team like to think we played a role in that.</p><p>I&rsquo;ve seen the movie and thought it was awesome. Everyone involved in the film did their best to make the events seem real. To me, <i>Miracle</i> is at its essence a love &rsquo; story about a group of guys who had a dream. That dream was nurtured by our legendary coach Herb Brooks, who passionately followed his vision. That vision concerned a country that really needed a lift, but a country that had the determination to meet new challenges. It was a great story, one that made everybody happy back then. 1 think the movie will add that same kind of lift to the U.S. today.</p><p>Few people really knew Herb, but after the film comes out people will have a better feel for how passionate he was about the sport and how much he contributed to the game. Everyone who played under Herb realizes how-4 great a hockey mind he had. To me he was a mentor and a father figure, and I miss him. I think Kurt Russell should win an award for his portrayal of Herb. As someone who knew Herbie quite well, I thought he did an outstanding job.</p><p>I hope fans get a chance to see <i>Miracle</i>. It provides a nice legacy for USA hockey and for hockey in general, but also for all the players on the team. Just like the wonderful treatment &ldquo;&rsquo;Slafe, we&rsquo;ve received from the fans ever since 1980, <i>Miracle</i> is a gift, and one that any guy who played on that Olympic team appreciates dearly.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-04595/8199124-1-eng-US/f0010-042.jpg" title="f0010-04" width="850" height="2008"></div><p><b>JIM CRAIG PLAYED GOAL FOR THE 1980 U.S OLYMPIC TEAM</b>.</p><h2><b>MIRACLE MAN</b></h2><p><i>Actor Eddie Cahill portrays Jim Craig in the Miracle movie; Bill Ranford takes over during the action scenes</i>.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-02

FEATURES & COLUMNS

1980 Miracle movie gift to players as well

<div class="byline">BILL RANFORD </div><div class="byline">With Adam Proteau</div><p class="dropcap"><span>I</span> became involved with <i>Miracle</i> after a call from former NHLers Ryan Walter and Mike MacWilliam, who were technical consultants for the film. The idea of making a movie intrigued me; I thought it&rsquo;d be neat for my daughters Cassady and Tristan to see their dad on the silver screen. I hadn&rsquo;t strapped the pads on in months, but after meeting the director and the <b>Bill Ranford</b> people on set, I started the next day.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-03878/8199169-1-eng-US/f0010-032.jpg" title="f0010-03" width="394" height="673"></div><p>Right off the bat, I found outathe old moviemaking cliche &ldquo;hurry up and wait&rdquo; wasn&rsquo;t far off. One of the toughest parts of the experience was that you could sit around for seven or eight hours doing nothing, and then suddenly have to rush to get your scenes done. As a goalie, you&rsquo;d prefer to stay warm and keep stretching, but when it&rsquo;s your turn to shoot a scene everything moves so quickly, and there isn&rsquo;t time to get anything other than the filming done.</p><p>Don&rsquo;t let anyone kid you; making a movie is a lot of work, although I was luckier than most players on set. I came in for the last few weeks of filming, but most of the guys were there for seven or eight months. They had a training camp and two-a-day practices, so it was more intense for them.</p><p>Eddie Cahill really got into the role of Jim Craig, whose on-ice scenes were my responsibility. In my own way, I did, too; after I got on board for the <b>JpM</b> movie, I thought it would be good to watch the famous U.S.-Soviet Union game. I discovered Jim and 1 both played a standup style, though he played a more upright style than I did.</p><p>To add authenticity to the scenes, I tried duplicating some of Jim&rsquo;s signature moves. I&rsquo;d try to copy the way he played the puck with &rsquo;"W&rdquo; r his gr&rsquo;ove hand near the bottom of his stick to Al help him clear it out of the zone, or the way he&rsquo;d hold his glove high on the crossbar so & he could watch guys behind the net. They&rsquo;re little things that may not make <i>ik</i> the cut, but they helped me do my job.</p><p>There were times when the intensity during the filming was real. Here&rsquo;s the <i>k</i> weirdest thing: having played for &ldquo;& Canada on five different occasions, <i>X</i> putting on the USA sweater was just bizarre. But the excitement of getting MB down and playing the game was very much there. Hopefully that will be reflected in the bnal product.</p><p><b>-BILL RANFORD HAD A 15-YEAR NHL CAREER AND WON TWO STANLEY CUPS WITH EDMONTON</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-03

Portraying Jim Craig too exciting to pass up

<p class="dropcap"><span>I</span>n a Jan. 27 cover story, The Hockey News asked 90 NHL players for their views on the state of the game. Now it s your turn to weigh in. From the playoff format to your favorite players to possible rule changes, this is your chance to take a stand on all the big issues. Log on to <a href="http://THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM">thehockeynews.com</a> to fill out the survey online or fill out the form below and mail to: The Hockey News Reader Survey, 25 Sheppard Ave. W., Suite 100, Toronto, Ont., M2N 6S7.</p><p>All entries received by Feb. 25 will be eligible to win prizes. Results of the survey will be printed in our March 16 issue.</p><p><b>1. Which side do you support in the NHL/NHLPA labor showdown?</b></p><p><b>A.</b> Players</p><p><b>B.</b> Owners</p><p><b>C.</b> Neither</p><p><b>2. Does the NHL risk losing you as a fan if there&rsquo;s a prolonged work stoppage?</b></p><p><b>A.</b> Yes</p><p><b>B.</b> No</p><p><b>C.</b> Undecided</p><p><b>3. In your opinion, what&rsquo;s the No. 1 problem with the NHL game?</b></p><p><b>A.</b> Congested neutral zone</p><p><b>B.</b> Too low scoring</p><p><b>C.</b> High player salaries</p><p><b>D</b>. High ticket prices</p><p><b>E.</b> Too many teams</p><p><b>F.</b> Nothing, the game is fine</p><p><b>G.</b> Other (please specify)</p><p><b>4. How often do you feel you get fair value for your money when you attend an NHL game?</b></p><p><b>A.</b> Always</p><p><b>B.</b> Most of the time</p><p><b>C.</b> Half the time</p><p><b>D.</b> Infrequently</p><p><b>E</b> Never</p><p><b>5. Which of the following ideas would you be in favor of exploring to improve the NHL game (check as many as applicable)?</b></p><p><b>A.</b> Remove the center ice red line</p><p><b>B.</b> Move the nets back to 10 feet from the boards</p><p><b>C.</b> Adopt Bobby Smith&rsquo;s &ldquo;wider bluelines and red line&rdquo; concept</p><p><b>D.</b> Make goalie equipment even smaller</p><p><b>E.</b> Adopt a shootout</p><p><b>F.</b> Restrict goalie wandering</p><p><b>G.</b> Institute no-touch icing</p><p><b>H.</b> Bigger nets</p><p><b>I.</b> Contraction</p><p><b>J.</b> Wider playing surfaces</p><p><b>K.</b> Touch-up offsides</p><p><b>L.</b> Call the rules by the book</p><p><b>M.</b> Serve full two minutes for minors</p><p><b>N.</b> More 4-on-4 play</p><p><b>O.</b> More penalty shots</p><p><b>P.</b> Three points for a win, one for a tie</p><p><b>Q.</b> Ban the trap</p><p><b>R.</b> Unlimited stick curves</p><p><b>S.</b> Others (please specify)</p><p><b>6. Would you like the instigator rule dropped?</b></p><p><b>A.</b> Yes</p><p><b>B.</b> No</p><p><b>7. How do you feel about fighting in the NHL?</b></p><p>A Love it</p><p><b>B.</b> Like it</p><p><b>C.</b> Tolerate it</p><p><b>D.</b> Dislike it</p><p><b>E.</b> Hate it</p><p><b>8. Should the NHL make visors mandatory for players entering the league?</b></p><p><b>A.</b> Yes</p><p><b>B.</b> No</p><p><b>9. How would you rate the NHL&rsquo;s excitement level?</b></p><p><b>A.</b> Better than ever</p><p><b>B.</b> As good as ever</p><p><b>C.</b> Worse than it used to be</p><p><b>10. Do you prefer to attend games or watch them on TV?</b></p><p><b>A.</b> Attend</p><p><b>B.</b> TV</p><p><b>11. Is the NHL regular season:</b></p><p><b>A.</b> Too long</p><p><b>B.</b> Too short</p><p><b>C.</b> Just right</p><p><b>12. Would you be in favor of expanding the NHL playoff pool from 16 to 20 teams?</b></p><p><b>A.</b> Yes</p><p><b>B.</b> No</p><p><b>13. Is the standard for gaining entry to the Hockey Hall of Fame:</b></p><p><b>A.</b> Too hard</p><p><b>B.</b> Too easy</p><p><b>C.</b> Just right</p><p><b>14. Are you in favor of NHL player participation at the 2006 Olympics in Italy?</b></p><p><b>A.</b> Yes</p><p><b>B.</b> No</p><p><b>15. Who is the best player in the NHL today?</b></p><p><b>16. Who is the NHL&rsquo;s best overall defenseman?</b></p><p><b>17. Who is the NHL&rsquo;s best goaltender?</b></p><p><b>18. Who is the NHL&rsquo;s most exciting player?</b></p><p><b>19. Which is your favorite NHL team jersey?</b></p><p><b>20. Who are your favorite three players?</b></p><p><b>21. Who are your least-favorite three players?</b></p><p><b>22. Who is your favorite play-by-play man?</b></p><p><b>23. Who is your favorite analyst?</b></p><p><b>24. Which is your favorite NHL team?</b></p><p><b>25. Who will win the Stanley Cup this year?</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

THE HOCKEY NEWS READER SURVEY

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-011898/8199224-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg" title="f0012-01" width="163" height="221"></div><h2><b>SMITH FIGHTING BACK</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he lawyer representing former Chicago GM Mike Smith plans to cross-examine Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz and senior vice-president Bob Pulford when Smith&rsquo;s case is heard before NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Attorney Bruce Meckler also said he is lining up other GMs and current and past Chicago players to testify on Smith&rsquo;s behalf. The Hawks refused to pay Smith the $2 million remaining on his contract after firing him in late October, claiming the former GM was out to get coach Brian Sutter.</p><h2><b>OLDHAM NEW ARBITRATOR</b></h2><p>For the fourth time in six years the NHL and NHLPA have hired a new impartial arbitrator. Georgetown University law professor James Oldham replaces Joan Parker who was fired in September. It is the impartial arbitrator&rsquo;s job to settle disputes between the NHL and the union. Oldham, 63, is a graduate of Stanford Law School and has taught at Georgetown for 34 years. Both the NHL and the NHLPA have the right to fire the arbitrator at any time for any reason.</p><h2><b>VANCOUVER WILL HOST</b></h2><p>The Canadian Hockey Association has chosen Vancouver as host city for the 2006 World Junior Championship.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-01

HOCKEY WORLD IN BRIEF

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0012-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-021492/8199262-1-eng-US/f0012-022.jpg"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>Y</span></b>ou know the play. Heavy pressure by the opposition, your teammates need a breather and you&rsquo;ve only got a second to dump the puck You try to fire it off the glass down the ice, but it catches some air turbulence and goes over the glass.</p><p>If you were a goalie, you&rsquo;d get an automatic delay-of-game minor penalty. But should you, as a defenseman, also get a penalty for doing the same thing?</p><p>In a poll of 30 players, one from each NHL team, 21 (70 per cent) said no, the rules should remain the same - no penalty. Five players said yes, there should be a penalty, while four others said only if it&rsquo;s intentional.</p><p>&ldquo;No, they had that in the (AHL) and it was a mess,&rdquo; said Atlanta&rsquo;s Ben Simon. &ldquo;There were so many penalties.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;No, it&rsquo;s too tough to call,&rdquo; said Buffalo&rsquo;s Jay McKee. &ldquo;You can have your stick tipped or you&rsquo;re hit while shooting and what appears intentional was actually created by forces outside your control.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;Fine the way it is,&rdquo; said Carolina&rsquo;s Eric Staal. &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t happen enough to make a big deal.&rdquo; Tampa Bay&rsquo;s Nolan Pratt also says no, because &ldquo;I use it to my advantage sometimes.&rdquo; &ldquo;No way,&rdquo; said Colorado&rsquo;s Rob Blake. &ldquo;D-men handle the puck so much more that it would be unfair.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;If you want to put the skill back in the game,&rdquo; countered Nashville&rsquo;s Rem Murray, &ldquo;that might be a way to do that.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-04572/8199255-1-eng-US/f0012-042.jpg" title="f0012-04" width="1010" height="790"></div><p><b>- FOR COMPLETE PLAYER POLL RESULTS, VISIT <a href="http://THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM">THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM</a></b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-02

The Hockey News PLAYER POLL

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-03968/8199293-1-eng-US/f0012-032.jpg" title="f0012-03" width="642" height="594"></div><p><b>L</b>ike the two sides in a combative marriage that is quickly disintegrating, the NHL and NHL Players&rsquo; Association are at least talking.</p><p>Less than two weeks after NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow met for dinner and a game in New York, the NHL is saying it wants to meet again.</p><p>&ldquo;We have made the players&rsquo; association aware that we are ready to meet at any time,&rdquo; said Bill Daly, the NHL&rsquo;s chief Legal officer. &ldquo;The more dialogue, the more exchange of information, the better understanding one side has of the other&rsquo;s positions&hellip;the more that goes on, the better.&rdquo;</p><p>Daly said he hopes they can meet Feb. 8 at all-star weekend in Minnesota. The current CBA is set to expire at midnight Sept. 14 with cost-certainty the main issue.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-03

CBATRACKER

<div class="byline">DAN WOOD</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-021216/8199331-1-eng-US/f0013-022.jpg" title="f0013-02" width="282" height="381"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-011732/8199338-1-eng-US/f0013-012.jpg" title="f0013-01" width="135" height="145"></div><p><b>P</b>erhaps all Anaheim Mighty Ducks left winger Vinny Prospal needed was some time to get comfortable in his new surroundings.</p><p>After enduring a 17-game goalless drought, during which he had just four assists, Prospal produced six goals in a stretch of five games, including his first career hat trick as part of a four-point night Jan. 23 in a 6-2 victory over Minnesota.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>The Ducks weren&rsquo;t counting on Prospal to be a big goal-scorer, but certainly envisioned him as a key player when they handed him a five-year, $16.5-million free agent contract last summer. Prospal was coming off a career season in which he led Tampa Bay wit! 79 points, including 22 goals.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-03889/8199324-1-eng-US/f0013-032.jpg" title="f0013-03" width="346" height="742"></div><p>&ldquo;He came here, he made tons of passes and no one shot it in the net for him,&rdquo; said Anaheim coach Mike Babcock.</p><p>He started to press, started to read the press and started to get depressed. You&rsquo;re carrying the weight of the world on your back and every day all you read is how bad you are. Actually, you&rsquo;re a pretty good guy who tries pretty darn hard.&rdquo;</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b>The acquisition of Prospal and free agent center Sergei Fedorov has not translated into on-ice success. GM Bryan Murray is likely in the market for a big, physical forward or two who can create chaos in front of the opposition&rsquo;s net.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b>Anaheim tied a franchise record for goals in a period with five in the final 20 minutes of a 6-2 victory over visiting Minnesota Jan. 23. The Ducks also set a team record for fewest shots against, posting a 47-11 advantage over the Wild&hellip;For the first time in club history, Anaheim did not have a player selected to participate in the NHL All-Star Game&hellip;Rookie right winger <b>Jeffrey Lupul</b> landed a berth in the YoungStars Game.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-02

NHL TEAM REPORTS

Prospal lights it up after slow start

<div class="byline">- AARON PORTZLINE</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>D</span></b>any Heatley beat the odds. Just four months after his Sept. 29 car accident that resulted in teammate Dan Snyder&rsquo;s death as well as torn knee ligaments and a broken jaw for Heatley, the third-year right winger made his much-anticipated return to the ice Jan. 28 in a 1-1 draw with St. Louis.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-04736/8199376-1-eng-US/f0013-042.jpg" title="f0013-04" width="291" height="376"></div><p>Heatley played 22:55, third-most among the team&rsquo;s forwards, and had plenty of good scoring opportunities on the power play.</p><p>After the game, left winger Ilya Kovalchuk had some fun at his friend&rsquo;s expense.</p><p>&ldquo;Right now I think he has to work on his one-timers in practice,&rdquo; Kovalchuk said, as St. Louis goalie Reinhard Divis smothered two Heatley one-timers.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-05579/8199369-1-eng-US/f0013-052.jpg" title="f0013-05" width="343" height="736"></div><p>&ldquo;It was a special night for all of us,&rdquo; said linemate Slava Kozlov. &ldquo;I think we did a great job. We got the point and we should be happy for Dany. I think he looks great. I didn&rsquo;t see any difference from the Dany of last year.&rdquo;</p><p>Added Heatley: &ldquo;I felt pretty good overall. I was a little rusty here and there. My timing might have been off.&rdquo; <i>(See pg. 5 for more on Heatley.)</i></p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> Atlanta is mostly interested in players in the final year of their contract - or, at least, players without huge contracts with a lot of years left. GM Don Waddell has said he wants a right winger. One forward rumored to be available who could help the Thrashers is Chicago center Alexei Zhamnov. The Thrashers are not about to trade top prospects such as goalie Kari Lehtonen or defenseman Braydon Coburn, but they&rsquo;d trade others, as well as high picks.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> With an injury-depleted defense, <b>Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre</b>, acquired from Columbus for future considerations, was converted back from left wing to defense and averaged more than 25 minutes ice time in two games.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-04

Heatley’s early return inspires Thrashers

<div class="byline">- NANCY MARRAPESE-BURRELL</div><p><b>C</b>all it a Battle of the Titans&hellip; a battle in which Joe Thornton came out a little worse for wear.</p><p>The Bruins&rsquo; 6-foot-4,220-pound captain engaged in a fight with the Rangers&rsquo; 6-foot-4, 240-pound Eric Lindros and wound up with a fractured right cheekbone, which required surgery. Oh, and also a nasty black eye.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-06484/8199414-1-eng-US/f0013-062.jpg" title="f0013-06" width="264" height="370"></div><p>Thornton missed three games before returning Jan. 27 against the Islanders wearing a full cage. Thornton said he wasn&rsquo;t worried about his face so much initially, but was concerned about the vision in his right eye.</p><p>&ldquo;You see guys like Bryan Berard and things like that,&rdquo; said Thornton, referring to the injury that caused Berard to lose most of his sight in one eye during the 1999-2000 season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-07440/8199407-1-eng-US/f0013-072.jpg" title="f0013-07" width="344" height="743"></div><p>&ldquo;Fortunately, everything was underneath the eye. At the start, I had a little bit of double vision, but it calmed down after an hour or two.&rdquo;</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> Barring anything drastic happening to their top players, the Bruins could be done dealing. They shored up their blueline by acquiring Jiri Slegr from Vancouver for a conditional draft pick and added depth at center by claiming Craig MacDonald off waivers from Florida. The move cost them very little in salary and didn&rsquo;t cost them a roster player.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> It has been a tough time for defenseman <b>Jeff Jillson</b>. The acquisition of defenseman <b>Jiri Slegr</b> pushed him out of the lineup. In the games from Jan. 19-27, Jillson was scratched in four of five contests and the one he did play in - against the Rangers Jan. 20, he played forward, which he hadn&rsquo;t done with any regularity since his first year of high school. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve had some experience (playing forward) a little bit in the past,&rdquo; said Jillson, referring to his time in San Jose.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-06

Thornton concerned about eye, not cheek

<div class="byline">- JIM KELLEY</div><p><b>G</b>oaltending is still king in the NHL and the Buffalo Sabres are getting better at the position.</p><p>Martin Biron, who started the season as the presumed No. 1, has answered the challenge of Mika Noronen and has improved his play. Biron was positively brilliant in outdueling Jose Theodore en route to a 4-1 win Jan. 27 in HSBC arena. It was his third straight win and appears to have put him on a par with Noronen, who had also played well in the new year.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-08408/8199452-1-eng-US/f0013-082.jpg" title="f0013-08" width="287" height="373"></div><p>&ldquo;As much as we&rsquo;d like to rush the process, the best goaltenders are the experienced goaltenders and you can&rsquo;t rush that,&rdquo; said Sabres GM Darcy Regier. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve often thought it would be nice to have another league, one between the AHL and NHL where goal-tenders could take another step. It&rsquo;s the toughest position to learn and it takes a very long time to learn it, much more so than a forward or even a defenseman. We&rsquo;ve had to live with the growing.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-09376/8199445-1-eng-US/f0013-092.jpg" title="f0013-09" width="341" height="736"></div><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> Biron&rsquo;s name continues to circulate in rumors largely because he&rsquo;s the highest-paid of a trio that also includes the improving Ryan Miller in Rochester. Miller could be the bait for a bit more offensive firepower, which the Sabres will definitely need if they are to mount any kind of serious push for a playoff spot. One-way defenseman Andy Delmore could also be had.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Coach <b>Lindy Ruff</b> went to the tape and analyzed every goal the Sabres have scored and given up this season. As a result, the Sabres have changed their methods in the attack zone and on the power play, dumping the perimeter passing plays and creating more drive to the net. It&rsquo;s not easy with a smallish lineup, but it has been more effective for players such as forwards <b>Daniel Briere, Derek Roy and Ales Kotalik</b>.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-08

Biron holds hot hand; will he be traded?

<div class="byline">- ERIC DUHATSCHEK</div><p class="dropcap"><span>I</span>n the days leading up to his return to the Flames lineup, goaltender Roman Turek talked about a significant change in the way the team was playing during his absence and how they&rsquo;d vastly improved as a team defensively.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-11322/8199490-1-eng-US/f0013-112.jpg" title="f0013-11" width="289" height="376"></div><p>Indeed, a Flames team that finished 18th overall defensively last season had moved up to No. 4 and that came despite an up-and-down January which saw them slip two places from second. In December, their best defensive month of the season, Calgary went 15 games in a row in which they allowed two or fewer goals.</p><p>Since Turek came back, the Flames turned in a handful of exceptional defensive showings, none better than a 2-1 win over the Phoenix Coyotes Jan. 27, in which they surrendered only 12 shots.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-10353/8199483-1-eng-US/f0013-102.jpg" title="f0013-10" width="344" height="745"></div><p>Overall, though, the team was mostly doing what coach Darryl Sutter expected from them.</p><p>&ldquo;When you figure out this is a league about men who work their tails off for 60 minutes, you don&rsquo;t worry,&rdquo; Sutter said.</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b></p><p>In a perfect world, the Flames would move Turek at the trade deadline to get out from under i contract that will pay him $5 million next season and go with Miikka Kiprusoff and Jamie McLennan who, combined, make less than Turek.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b></p><p>The magical season of right winger <b>Shean Donovan</b> continued. Donovan, who&rsquo;d never scored more than 13 goals in an NHL season, counted his 16th in a 2-1 win over Phoenix Jan. 27. It came with under a minute to go in &lsquo;egulation and marked the second ime this season he&rsquo;d scored on a penalty shot, tying Colorado&rsquo;s <b>Milan ffejduk</b> for the lead in penalty shot conversions. Said Donovan: &ldquo;I just rushed in and my mind went jlank.&rdquo; The goal was Donovan&rsquo;s sixth game-winner of the season.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-11

Calgary’s hard work keeps puck out

<div class="byline">- LUKE DECOCK</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-021426/8199535-1-eng-US/f0014-022.jpg" title="f0014-02" width="286" height="311"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-011879/8199542-1-eng-US/f0014-012.jpg" title="f0014-01" width="113" height="116"></div><p><b>C</b>arolina Hurricanes goalie Kevin Weekes has been strong in net this season, but he has few wins thanks to the team&rsquo;s woeful offense.</p><p>Despite posting six shutouts, which ties the fran-chise record held by Arturs Irbe, Weekes had only 17 wins thanks to a Canes attack that had managed just 95 goals through 51 games, a 1.86 goals-per-game aver-age. Weekes had a .919 save percent-age and a 2.09 goals-against average in 43 appearances this season.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>Weekes&rsquo;s sixth shutout came on a 32-save performance over his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs Jan. 27, a blanking which pulled him within two of the cumulative team record for shutouts - eight in 1998-99.</p><p>&ldquo;Victories aren&rsquo;t easy to come by,&rdquo; said Weekes, referring to the win over Toronto, &ldquo;so to me that was probably more significant than the personal performance.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-04683/8199528-1-eng-US/f0014-042.jpg" title="f0014-04" width="1049" height="1304"><figcaption class="caption-body">KEVIN WEEKES</figcaption></div><p>Weekes will have plenty of chances to break Irbe&rsquo;s record, as backup Jamie Storr was 0-8-2 in 13 appearances and his play had not inspired confidence.</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> The salary dumping already had begun in Carolina with the January deal that sent bluelin-er Danny Markov to Philadelphia for right winger Justin Williams. The Canes&rsquo; cost-cutting was cut to a halt, though, when defenseman Aaron Ward was lost until late February. That delayed any more trades of defensemen, such as Ward or Bob Boughner.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-03988/8199521-1-eng-US/f0014-032.jpg" title="f0014-03" width="337" height="740"></div><p>Right winger Jeff O&rsquo;Neill remains the Canes&rsquo; most marketable com-modity. As his scoring touch shows signs of returning, though, his price will only increase.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> With the trade of defenseman Danny Markov and an injury to fellow blueliner Aaron Ward, Niclas Wallin emerged as Carolina&rsquo;s No. 4 defenseman. A healthy scratch for coach Peter Laviolette&rsquo;s first 11 games in charge, Wallin cracked the 20-minute mark in ice time in four consecutive games&hellip;The Canes have | scored six shorthanded goals this season, five since Laviolette took over Dec. 15&hellip;Right winger Jaroslav Svoboda was sent to Lowell (AHL) on a conditioning assignment Jan. 23. A key part of Carolina&rsquo;s 2002 playoff run, Svoboda had only three goals in 45 NHL games since and was scoreless in 17 games this season.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0014-02

Canes squandering Weekes’s strong play

<div class="byline">- TIM SASSONE</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>B</span></b>rian Sutter&rsquo;s future as Chicago&rsquo;s coach remains uncertain, with the Blackhawks not willing to make a commitment to him past this season.</p><p>&ldquo;Now is not the time to talk about that,&rdquo; said GM Bob Pulford. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll handle Sutter when the time comes. These kinds of things are done after the season, as far as I&rsquo;m con-cerned. I haven&rsquo;t even talked to Mr. Wirtz about this.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-05462/8199580-1-eng-US/f0014-052.jpg" title="f0014-05" width="287" height="374"></div><p>Owner Bill Wirtz will have the final say in regard to Sutter, whose three-year deal ends after this season.</p><p>The Hawks have one of the NHL&rsquo;s worst records, though in fairness to Sutter, the team has been ravaged by injuries to key players.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-06363/8199573-1-eng-US/f0014-062.jpg" title="f0014-06" width="343" height="755"></div><p>Sutter contin-ues to shy away from the issue.</p><p>&ldquo;I really haven&rsquo;t thought about it,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I worry about how our kids are (developing) every day and their mindset more than I do about myself.&rdquo;</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> Alex Zhamnov will almost certainly be moved. With Zhamnov set to become an unre-stricted free agent the Hawks made a feeble attempt to re-sign him, but the veteran center wouldn&rsquo;t agree to a pay cut from the $4.5 million he presently makes. &ldquo;I had talks with Alex and I had talks with his agent (Jay Grossman) and we were unable to come to a conclusion on a con-tract,&rdquo; Pulford said. &ldquo;Therefore we are going to try and move him.</p><p>&rdquo; Defensemen Alexander Karpovtsev and Steve Poapst, both set to become unrestricted free agents, also are available, although their questionable health might make them difficult to deal.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Chicago set a franchise record with its 17th consecutive road loss, falling 4-3 to Columbus Jan. 24, then saw it grow to 18 three nights later with a 3-2 loss in Vancouver&hellip; Rookie left winger Tuomo Ruutu was selected to play in the Young-Stars Game despite being minus-20 with six goals in 51 games.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0014-05

No contract extension no problem tor Sutter

<div class="byline">- ADRIAN DATER</div><p><b>P</b>etr Forsberg had points in 20 of the first 24 games he played this season, including five straight multi-point games.</p><p>But the NHL&rsquo;s message to the Colorado Avalanche center: not good enough.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-07283/8199618-1-eng-US/f0014-072.jpg" title="f0014-07" width="296" height="369"></div><p>Not good enough to make this year&rsquo;s Western Conference all-star team, at least. Injuries that kept him out for half the Avs&rsquo; games were the major reason, but Forsberg&rsquo;s 41 points in the 24 games he played still had him among the league&rsquo;s scoring leaders. His 1.7 points-per-game average easily topped the NHL.</p><p>Forsberg was one of four non-invited Avs players who deserved to go to St. Paul, Minn., for the annual league gala. Goalie David Aebischer, Milan Hejduk and Adam Foote all could make strong cases why they should&rsquo;ve been selected.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-08233/8199611-1-eng-US/f0014-082.jpg" title="f0014-08" width="344" height="745"></div><p>The fact Forsberg, the league&rsquo;s defending Hart Trophy winner, won&rsquo;t be going is something of a farce, but the rest probably will do him and his troublesome groin better anyway. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not a big deal to me, not going,&rdquo; Forsberg said. &ldquo;I was hurt a lot, so I&rsquo;ll use that time to take it easy.&rdquo;</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> Much of the specula-tion involving Colorado centers on getting a goalie, but not to replace Aebischer, whose numbers are all among the league leaders.</p><p>But backup Phil Sauve has struggled, leading many to believe GM Pierre Lacroix will look for a veteran with a little playoff experience to be there in case Aebischer gets hurt or stumbles badly.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Veteran right winger Teemu Selanne, suffering through the slowest goal-scoring pace of his career, was demoted to third line duty, with rookie Steve Moore taking his spot alongside center Joe Sakic and left winger Paul Kariya&hellip; Goalie Phil Sauve will play for the Western YoungStars team at the All-Star Game.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0014-07

All-Star Game snub fine by Forsberg

<div class="byline">AARON PORTZLINE</div><p><b>N</b>ow that season No. 4 can be written off as a flop, Columbus has begun looking to the future.</p><p>On Jan. 27, the Blue Jackets trad-ed veteran blueliner Darryl Sydor to Tampa Bay for cen-ter Alexander Svi-tov, the third overall pick in 2001.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-09204/8199656-1-eng-US/f0014-092.jpg" title="f0014-09" width="289" height="377"></div><p>In Svitov, the Jackets have the big, physical center they&rsquo;ve long craved.</p><p>&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t consider the trade: unless there was a top prospect; involved,&rdquo; said GM-president Doug; MacLean. &ldquo;It was hard to make that phone call (to Sydor), but we&rsquo;ve got; a kid who could be a special player; for the next 10 or 15 years.&rdquo;</p><p>Svitov carries some baggage, how ever. Lightningcoach John Tortorella blasted Svitov earlier this season, saying he had a &ldquo;total mis-understanding of what it means to compete in this league&rdquo; and that Svitov could go &ldquo;rot in the minors.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-10183/8199649-1-eng-US/f0014-102.jpg" title="f0014-10" width="341" height="749"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JIM MCISAAC/BBS)</span></figcaption></div><p>Svitov will get a long look on the Blue Jackets&rsquo; top line, between: Rick Nash and David Vyborny.</p><p>As for Sydor, he was a key off-season signing that was supposed to help; lead the team to its first-ever playoff; berth. But Jackets&rsquo; injuries pushed; Sydor&rsquo;s minutes way up and he tried; to do too much. It didn&rsquo;t work. Sydor = was minus-19 in 49 games.</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> Struggling left winger Geoff Sanderson, center Andrew; Cassels and blueliner Luke Richard-; son, as well as others, are all on the; trading block and will go if the price is right. Not only would the Jackets; like to unload the veterans&rsquo; contracts, all of which extend beyond; the CBA&rsquo;s expiration, but they are; looking to surround Nash, Nikolai; Zherdev, Rostislav Klesla and Svitov; with young, dynamic players and/or; load up with draft picks.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Left winger Rick Nash, 19, is the youngest player since 1986; (Wendel Clark) and only the third: teen since 1992 (Owen Nolan and; Jaromir Jagr) to be named an all star. (<i>See pg. 8 for more on Nash.)</i><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0014-09

Jackets look to future with Svltov acquisition

<div class="byline">- MIKE HEIKA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-021224/8199694-1-eng-US/f0015-022.jpg" title="f0015-02" width="290" height="339"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-011712/8199701-1-eng-US/f0015-012.jpg" title="f0015-01" width="113" height="119"></div><p>If the Dallas Stars are able to salvage the season, they will look back to a stretch of games in mid-January as the turning point.</p><p>In need of every point they could squeeze, the Stars made three key comebacks in the face of self-created adversity. First, they overcame two foolish penalties by Bill Guerin to beat St. Louis 3-2.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>Then, they fought back from one of the worst turnovers of Richard Matvichuk&rsquo;s career and earned a 2-2 tie with Detroit. Finally, they posted an incredible comeback from a 3-1 third period deficit to beat Ottawa 5-3.</p><p>&ldquo;That tells you the strides we&rsquo;ve taken,&rdquo; said winger Scott Young. &ldquo;This is a different team.&rdquo; In fact, the team is actually starting to show chemistry that many didn&rsquo;t think was there.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s starting to get there,&rdquo; said captain Mike Modano. &ldquo;You see it at crucial times in a game. If we&rsquo;re behind, we know we can come back. If we&rsquo;re ahead, we feel we can hold the lead. That&rsquo;s a big difference.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-03858/8199687-1-eng-US/f0015-032.jpg" title="f0015-03" width="347" height="770"></div><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> A 13-5-6-0 mid-season run has changed how management feels about the trade deadline. This team in November and December was shopping every player whose contract expired at the end of the season, but now it looks like it will hold onto the key players in hopes of making a playoff push. Dallas could actually even try to acquire a player (it needs a physical winger or a hard-hitting defenseman), but owner Tom Hicks said the team will not trade prospects or draft picks.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Since Dec. 12, the Stars were 7-0-0 in one-goal games. Before that they were 3-6-0-0.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0015-02

Star power shows revival in character comebacks

<div class="byline">NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he Detroit Red Wings might have a playoff before the playoffs - a competition to determine who will be their No. 1 goaltender, Dominik Hasek or Curtis Joseph.</p><p>Joseph has done well in the job for the past couple of months. But he has struggled lately and now Hasek is supposed to come back from a groin injury.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-04631/8199739-1-eng-US/f0015-042.jpg" title="f0015-04" width="295" height="365"></div><p>&ldquo;Once Dom gets healthy, you&rsquo;ve got a situation where he has to get into the net in practice,&rdquo; said coach Dave Lewis. &ldquo;And then from there we have to make decisions on who is going to play when and the one guy I guess we have to see is Dom.&rdquo;</p><p>Hasek, 8-3-2 with a 2.20 goals-against average, has played only 14 games since coming out of a one-season retirement. But getting him enough action to get ready for the playoffs could be tricky. If he doesn&rsquo;t play well, Lewis will have to decide if it&rsquo;s because of rust and whether to keep putting him in.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-05438/8199732-1-eng-US/f0015-052.jpg" title="f0015-05" width="340" height="768"></div><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> The Wings have paid more than half Joseph&rsquo;s salary and can&rsquo;t be sure about Hasek&rsquo;s health or performance, so it is unlikely Joseph will be moved. Detroit could be in the market for a skilled center, provided he doesn&rsquo;t have a huge contract and his team doesn&rsquo;t demand a premium price in return.</p><p><b>NOTEROOK</b> Rookie defenseman <b>Niklas Kronwall</b> was impressive after being recalled from the minors Dec. 9, so it was a big blow when he suffered a broken right leg Jan. 22 in Los Angeles. His skate got caught in the ice during warmup. &ldquo;Of course, I&rsquo;m kind of bitter,&rdquo; said Kronwall, who blamed &ldquo;tough luck,&rdquo; not bad ice. &ldquo;I try to see the little positive that&rsquo;s in it. I got a chance to play up here.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0015-04

Injured Hasek nears return, battle for crease heats up

<div class="byline">ROB TYCHKOWSKI</div><p>Just when it seemed like things couldn&rsquo;t get any worse for the slumping, 12th-place Oilers, they did.</p><p>One of the few brights spots in their season, center and team MVP Mike York, broke his left index finger Jan. 27 in Colorado. He needed surgery to repair the damage and isn&rsquo;t expected to return until early March.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-06350/8199777-1-eng-US/f0015-062.jpg" title="f0015-06" width="255" height="389"></div><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s our best player,&rdquo; said Ethan Moreau. &ldquo;And (his injury) leaves a big hole.&rdquo; York led the slumping Oilers in scoring and plus-minus at the time of the injury - which was caused by a freak accident when he was hit by a Karlis Skrastins clearing attempt.</p><p>&ldquo;Anyone who is looking at this as a reason for us to continue playing like we have been won&rsquo;t be in the lineup,&rdquo; said coach Craig MacTavish, whose club had one win in six games and was nine points out of a playoff spot when York went down.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-07293/8199770-1-eng-US/f0015-072.jpg" title="f0015-07" width="353" height="772"></div><p>&ldquo;As a team we have to rally around this injury.&rdquo;</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> There is very little hope for this season, so Edmonton&rsquo;s focus is shifting to the long term. Georges Laraque, Tommy Salo and Ryan Smyth are among the once-sacred cows now on the table. Salo and Smyth are the highest-paid Oilers and have been having off-years and thus are the leading candidates. Laraque is having an awful year, but is still a marketable commodity who has a reputation for strong post-season play.</p><p><b>N0TEBOOK</b> Right winger <b>Georges Laraque</b> won the hardest shot event in the Oilers&rsquo; skills competition with a blast of 101 m.p.h. He was the only player in the competition to use a wooden stick.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0015-06

York’s freak broken finger blow to fast-fading Oilers

<div class="byline">DAVID J. NEAL</div><p><b>F</b>or a few years, watching 6-foot-6 Florida Panthers defenseman Mathieu Biron was akin to watching a giant Bullwinkle parade balloon.</p><p>He was big, but not threatening, limbs moving slowly with an unhip doo-fusness.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-08257/8199815-1-eng-US/f0015-082.jpg" title="f0015-08" width="282" height="395"></div><p>Since October, Biron seems to have grown into his body, becoming more familiar with it and its potential. As Panthers defensemen got injured, Biron stepped up - into more ice time, into the rush, into people physically.</p><p>Biron says he has better focus, but doesn&rsquo;t feel he&rsquo;s giving more effort.</p><p>&ldquo;Last year, I was in the minors,&rdquo; Biron said, &ldquo;Right now, I&rsquo;m here. There&rsquo;s a big difference: in salary and everything, but, at the same time, you say, &rsquo;I don&rsquo;t feel I&rsquo;m working any harder than I was last year.&rsquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-09233/8199808-1-eng-US/f0015-092.jpg" title="f0015-09" width="357" height="780"></div><p>(Because) it doesn&rsquo;t matter if you&rsquo;re a fifth defense-man or in the stands, every time you&rsquo;re out there, you give your best shot.&rdquo;</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> They want a top two defenseman that can put some pain and fear into opponents. Problem is, the Panthers aren&rsquo;t the only ones shop-ping for this scarce com-modity. They can barter several young forwardsthat have yet to blossom fully, starting with; Kristian Huselius and Niklas Hagman.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Left winger <b>Kristian Huselius</b>was moved to center. Though a curious move for a player who is definitely more a finisher I than a setup man, Huselius had two goals in his first four games in the middle&hellip;The 5-2: loss to the Rangers Jan. 26 got the highest local television rating for a Panthers game since a 3-2 loss to New Jersey Jan. 26,2000.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0015-08

Big Biron makes strides as ice time is increased

<div class="byline">MATT MCHALE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-021308/8199853-1-eng-US/f0016-022.jpg" title="f0016-02" width="272" height="373"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-011676/8199860-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg" title="f0016-01" width="116" height="121"></div><p><b>A</b>fter a 14-game winless streak led to a two-game stint in the press box, Luc Robitaille led the Kings on a bit of a roll.</p><p>Robitaille ended an 11-game goal drought by scoring in four consecutive games (Jan. 22-28), a streak that included his 644th career goal, the most by a left winger in NHL history.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>&ldquo;He has responded,&rdquo; said Kings coach Andy Murray. &ldquo;He looks very fresh. One night he even led the team in hits.&rdquo;</p><p>Robitaille, 37, has extended his career by proving people wrong. When he went 12 games without a goal earlier this season there were concerns he could no longer keep up.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-03988/8199846-1-eng-US/f0016-032.jpg" title="f0016-03" width="347" height="748"></div><p>&ldquo;It is just good to be back contributing,&rdquo; said Robitaille, now in his 18 th NHL season. &ldquo;Goals are so important right now. Every game is critical.&rdquo;</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> The Kings thought they made their big move Nov. 30 when they acquired Martin Straka from Pittsburgh, but Straka went down in early January to a knee injury. The team doesn&rsquo;t want to add salary, but if they fall out of the playoff race they could deal defenseman Jaroslav Modry, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season&rsquo;s end. Coming off a career-high 13 goals last season, Modry won&rsquo;t reach that this year, but he is an offense-minded blueliner who can move the puck.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Coach Andy Murray admitted to reporters what people close to the club already knew: Center Jason Allison (whiplash) and left winger Adam Deadmarsh (concussion) will not return this season. Deadmarsh hasn&rsquo;t skated since Nov. 11 when he was hit by teammate Jozef Stumpel in practice, while Jan. 29 marked the one-year anniversary of Allison&rsquo;s last game&hellip;Rookie right winger Dustin Brown returned to the lineup Jan. 24 after missing seven weeks with a sprained right ankle.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0016-02

Robitaille hits stride after being benched

<div class="byline">BRIAN MURPHY</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>op-rated prospect Mikko Koivu, the only Wild first-round pick not playing in Minnesota, has deferred military service in his native Finland for two years, putting him on the fast track to compete for an NHL job this fall.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-04746/8199898-1-eng-US/f0016-042.jpg" title="f0016-04" width="312" height="341"></div><p>Koivu, the sixth overall pick in 2001, signed with the Wild in July, assuring management he would attend training camp in 2004 after com-pleting his six-month military duty this summer. But he decided to postpone his army obligation until 2006 so he could concentrate on playing his final professional season for hometown Turku.</p><p>&ldquo;If I did it this year, it would have started (in January) and it would be over 15 or 30 days before I go to Minnesota,&rdquo; said Koivu, 20. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s too close, so I pushed it.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-05543/8199891-1-eng-US/f0016-052.jpg" title="f0016-05" width="353" height="740"></div><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> With seven unrestricted free agents and 16 players without con-tracts for 2004-05, the Wild could look dramatically different next sea-son, if not by the March 9 trade deadline. Their juiciest bait remains goaltenders Dwayne Roloson, who is signed through 2006, and Manny Fernandez, who will be a restricted free agent. GM Doug Risebrough is listening to suitors more than courting them.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Workhorse defenseman Filip Kuba was selected as a Western Conference all-star reserve, which raised eyebrows considering his numbers - five goals and 19 points in 52 games - and performance did not rise to the level of several other blueliners who stayed home. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told his hockey operations department he wanted a Minnesota skater to be on the ice for the game at the Xcel Energy Center. With no worthy for-wards, the choice came down to Willie Mitchell and Kuba, whose selection was based on his collective play over the last three-plus seasons.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0016-04

Koivu puts off military for shot at big league

<div class="byline">HERB ZURKOWSKY</div><p><b>P</b>ierre Dagenais couldn&rsquo;t help but wonder about the inequity of it all.</p><p>The Canadiens right winger was suspended two games without pay by the NHL for a high-sticking incident Jan. 24 at Toronto.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-06448/8199936-1-eng-US/f0016-062.jpg" title="f0016-06" width="293" height="337"></div><p>Dagenais&rsquo; stick struck the face of Leafs defenseman Bryan Marchment in the third period. No penalty was assessed.</p><p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t even know I hit him until (GM) Bob Gainey called me,&rdquo; Dagenais said. &ldquo;It seems strange. I saw him coming and I reacted. I was just trying to protect myself. I wasn&rsquo;t trying to hit him. But that&rsquo;s hockey. Things happen.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-07393/8199929-1-eng-US/f0016-072.jpg" title="f0016-07" width="339" height="754"></div><p>Marchment skated in practise two days later and didn&rsquo;t miss any games.</p><p>Dagenais for-feited $5,555.56 (U.S.) in salary. He missed games Jan. 27, at Buffalo and Jan. 29 at Minnesota and was eligible to return Jan. 31 against Boston.</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> GM Bob Gainey has made no deals in his first season as Canadiens GM and that is unlikely to change heading to the March 9 trade deadline. Although the Canadiens require a center who shoots right - since all of theirs are lefthanded - their major require-ment remains a power forward who can score.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b>After much publicity, Canadiens president Pierre Boivin decided to cancel the team&rsquo;s outdoor practice, Jan. 25, due to frigid condi-tions. Instead, the Canadiens held an open indoor practice at the Bell Centre, offering spectators free hot dogs, chips and drinks. &ldquo;Weather is something we can&rsquo;t control,&rdquo; Boivin said. &ldquo;We didn&rsquo;t think it was fair for our players or our fans to hold the practice outdoors"&hellip;The Canadiens equalled a season-high three-game losing streak with defeats against the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres between Jan. 23-27. Montreal scored only two goals over the span.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0016-06

Dagenais’ suspension leaves him curious

<div class="byline">DAVID BOCLAIR</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>R</span></b>em Murray couldn&rsquo;t have imag-ined a worse time to be afflicted with something such as cervical dys-tonia. It has kept him sidelined since Jan. 6 and potentially could keep him out the remainder of the season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-08343/8199974-1-eng-US/f0016-082.jpg" title="f0016-08" width="296" height="326"></div><p>&ldquo;Offensively I wasn&rsquo;t having my best year, but I think I was playing the best hockey of my career,&rdquo; Murray said. &ldquo;There weren&rsquo;t too many games where I felt 1 couldn&rsquo;t contribute.&rdquo;</p><p>Initial estimates upon diagnosis of the neurological disorder, which causes involuntary muscle movement - in Murray&rsquo;s case, his chin moves to his left shoulder - were that the 31-year-old left winger would be out for two weeks. Instead, initial treatments yielded no results and he was downgraded to out indefinite-ly Jan. 21.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-09299/8199967-1-eng-US/f0016-092.jpg" title="f0016-09" width="346" height="744"></div><p>Team officials insist Murray&rsquo;s career is not in jeopardy.</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> Given their participation in the playoff chase, the Predators are not likely to move anyone. That was their approach last year when they only were on the fringe of the hunt. They will look for affordable options, particularly to help provide offense, without compromising the long-term. If salary is to be dumped, defenseman Jason York is the most likely candidate. He is tied for the team&rsquo;s highest salary, and prospect Andrew Hutchinson has made great strides in recent recalls.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> The inclusion of goal-tender Tomas Vokoun and defense-man Kimmo Timonen on the Western Conference all-star roster marked the first time the Predators had two players selected in the same year, the first time the franchise has had anyone selected under the East-West format and, in Vbkoun&rsquo;s case, the first time it had a goalie select-ed&hellip; In a Jan. 22 game at Calgary, center Greg Johnson became the first player ever to appear in 400 con-tests for the Predators.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0016-08

Neurological disorder puts Murray on shelf

<div class="byline">RICH CHERE</div><p><b>T</b>here was clearly something wrong with Grant Marshall.</p><p>He wasn&rsquo;t the same player who contributed to the Devils&rsquo; run to the Stanley Cup last spring. Marshall didn&rsquo;t score his first goal until Dec. 13 and failed to play with his usual phys-ical impact.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-10275/8200012-1-eng-US/f0016-102.jpg" title="f0016-10" width="262" height="375"></div><p>&ldquo;I think being hurt didn&rsquo;t help,&rdquo; said Marshall, who missed 11 games with a bad back and another two due to a sore groin. &ldquo;But I&rsquo;ve played long enough. I know when things aren&rsquo;t going well. Everyone needs a little direction at times and Pat (Burns) and the coaching staff have been great. They&rsquo;ve worked hard with me.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-11255/8200005-1-eng-US/f0016-112.jpg" title="f0016-11" width="337" height="746"></div><p>After scoring three goals in his first 33 games, Marshall was back on track with three in three games Jan. 23-27. AU came on the power play.</p><p>&ldquo;He gets in front of the net and causes a lit-tle havoc there,&rdquo; Burns said. &ldquo;He plays there and stays there.&rdquo;</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> Lou LamorieUo fuUy believed captain Scott Stevens would return from post-concussion syn-drome at full power, but the Devils GM wasn&rsquo;t likely to take a chance and was undoubtedly searching for a veteran defenseman. LamorieUo said the potential lockout next sea-son would not affect his trade deci-sions. Despite tensions with Pat Burns, Igor Larionov did not seem to be on the trade block. LamorieUo was more likely to deal center Mike Rupp or prospects such as backup goalie Scott Clemmensen.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> After playing just five games for the Devils Oct. 8-Jan. 17, defenseman Sean Brown was in the lineup for five straight and picked up his first point with an assist Jan. 27&hellip;GM Lou LamorieUo said he would allow injured defenseman Scott Stevens (post-concussion syn-drome) to make the decision about whether he would play in the All-Star Game Feb. 7, but admitted it was not likely.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0016-10

Marshall gets healthy, improves goal-scoring

<div class="byline">PETER BOTTE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-021166/8200050-1-eng-US/f0017-022.jpg" title="f0017-02" width="274" height="384"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-011497/8200057-1-eng-US/f0017-012.jpg" title="f0017-01" width="111" height="121"></div><p><b>I</b>t usually happens on a back rink, quietly and away from the rest of the team, with neither a stick nor pucks anywhere in sight.</p><p>The good part is Alexei Yashin&rsquo;s comeback from December wrist surgery is under-way.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>The star center is skating almost daily, even though he still isn&rsquo;t expect-ed back until mid-to-late March. Yashin is using his long-term injury to work on the speed and balance portions of his skating technique.</p><p>&ldquo;All I can do is follow the pro-gram and, hopefully, it will heal bet-ter&hellip;But it&rsquo;s disappointing and frus-trating because it takes a long time,&rdquo; Yashin said.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-03847/8200043-1-eng-US/f0017-032.jpg" title="f0017-03" width="345" height="741"></div><p>Yashin suf-fered two torn tendons and one torn nerve when Philadelphia&rsquo;s Michal Handzus accidentally skated over his right forearm Dec. 23. The Isles went 9-5-3-0 in their first 17 games with-out Yashin and were clinging to the eighth playoff position in the Eastern Conference.</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> The Isles should get winger Mark Parrish (ankle) back just before the March trading dead-line, with Yashin slated to return shortly thereafter. But they still lack a crease-clearing defenseman and GM Mike Milbury might use Parrish, Roman Hamrlik or Janne Niinimaa as bait to obtain one. All three are pending restricted free agents.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Captain Michael Peca joined the injured ranks in late January, missing three straight games through Jan. 28 with a strained chest muscle&hellip;Defenseman Adrian Aucoin deflected the praise after his well-deserved first All-Star Game nod, saying: &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to think it kind of reflects how the rest of the guys around me have played."&hellip; Aucoin will be joined in Minnesota by YoungStars participant and Calder Trophy candidate Trent Hunter, seeking to become the first Isles rookie to lead the team in goals and points since Billy Harris in 1972-73.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0017-02

Yashin’s comeback an arduous process

<div class="byline">LARRY BROOKS</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>O</span></b>ne of the most traumatic weeks in Rangers franchise history concluded with Eric Lindros&rsquo; career in jeopardy after the star center went down for the eight count.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-04622/8200095-1-eng-US/f0017-042.jpg" title="f0017-04" width="260" height="364"></div><p>In a Jan. 28 game against Washington, Lindros suffered the eighth documented concussion of his NHL career - his first since Dec. 28, 2001 - on a clean neutral zone hit from defenseman Jason Doig just as No. 88 looked down for the puck as it rolled while he carried down the left wing boards.</p><p>Lindros, who fought briefly with Doig after the next faceoff, took one more brief shift once released from the box. But he pulled himself from the game when, in the words of coach-GM Glen Sather, he, &ldquo;saw &rsquo; stars and white I flashes.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-05434/8200088-1-eng-US/f0017-052.jpg" title="f0017-05" width="347" height="743"></div><p>Though the immediate prognosis indicated the injury was not necessarily a severe | concussion, Lindros almost immediately began undergoing further tests.</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> Prior to Lindros&rsquo; injury, the Blueshirts were looking for a defenseman after injuries to Greg de Vries and Darius Kasparaitis. Given Mike Dunham&rsquo;s spotty play, the club was also looking for a goalie. But with Lindros out, coach-GM Glen Sather might seek a rental in the middle. One problem for the Rangers in all of their quests: unless willing to part with a blue-chip prospect, they have little to offer other than money.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> The injury to center Eric Lindros ended a week-long stretch during which the Rangers made the long-awaited deal for right winger Jaromir Jagr; then sustained a 9-1 loss in Ottawa Jan. 24, equaling the team&rsquo;s fourth-worst defeat in 50 years; and then, in an attempt to quell a fan rebellion that manifested itself with chants of &ldquo;Fire (coach-GM Glen) Sather,&rdquo; saw Garden CEO Jim Dolan announce Sather would remain in his dual role through at least the remainder of the season.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0017-04

Lindros out again with latest concussion

<div class="byline">BRUCE GARRIOCH</div><p><b>T</b>he longest-serving coach in the NHL is going to be around a little longer.</p><p>The Ottawa Senators announced in late-January the long-awaited contract extension for coach Jacques Martin has finally been completed. It&rsquo;s believed he received a two-year deal with an option for a third year.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-06335/8200133-1-eng-US/f0017-062.jpg" title="f0017-06" width="289" height="365"></div><p>The 51-year-old Martin, who recorded his 300th win behind the Ottawa bench Oct. 17, was pleased to get the deal done.</p><p>&ldquo;This is a credit to the organiza-tion and the people we&rsquo;ve got in this organization,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve had a lot of success here, but that&rsquo;s because we&rsquo;ve got good people.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-07270/8200126-1-eng-US/f0017-072.jpg" title="f0017-07" width="347" height="739"></div><p>Martin joined the Senators midway through 1995-96, replacing Dave Allison. While many were calling for Martin&rsquo;s head after a slow start this fall, the Senators turned things around in the second quarter and vaulted towards the top of standings in the Eastern Conference.</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> Washington Capitals winger Peter Bondra has been most prominent in the Ottawa rumor mill, but don&rsquo;t expect the Senators to stop there. Muckier wouldn&rsquo;t mind adding another gritty left winger to replace the injured Vaclav Varada - possibly Tyson Nash of Phoenix, Edmonton&rsquo;s Georges Laraque or Sean Avery in Los Angeles. The Senators would also like to add a depth defensemen, but Muckier doesn&rsquo;t want to lose any-body off the roster.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> With left winger Antoine Vermette recovered from his separated shoulder, left winger losh Langfeld was sent back to Binghamton despite scoring four goals in six games&hellip;Center Jason Spezza on not being selected for the YoungStars Game: &ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t believe it when I heard it. I guess I&rsquo;ll just have to try to get to play in the real game next year.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0017-06

Senator successes net Martin’s reward

<div class="byline">WAYNE FISH</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-021194/8200171-1-eng-US/f0018-022.jpg" title="f0018-02" width="295" height="347"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-011557/8200178-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg" title="f0018-01" width="115" height="121"></div><p><b>L</b>ong streaks of injury-free NHL play usually include two ingredients: good luck and good reflexes.</p><p>Tony Amonte had a little of both in avoiding what would have been a season-ending injury Jan. 25 in Washington. Still, he did not leave the game unscathed.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>The Flyers right winger, who ended a streak of 453 consecutive games from 1996 to 2003, managed to get his right skate free just as a tum-bling Radovan Somik was rolling on his leg courtesy of a Brendan Witt cross-check.</p><p>Amonte was bent over backward by the force of the hit. Yet his quick move helped limit the damage to just a Grade 1 medial col-lateral ligament sprain (two weeks), rather than anterior cruciate ligament problems.</p><p>Coach Ken Hitchcock called it a &ldquo;Joe Theismann-type hit.&rdquo; i Amonte was relieved.</p><p>&ldquo;Lucky?&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Oh yeah, the way that hit was, it could have been a lot worse.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-03865/8200164-1-eng-US/f0018-032.jpg" title="f0018-03" width="351" height="744"></div><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> With Jeff Hackett sidelined in late January by positional ver-tigo, speculation rose the Flyers were trying to land a veteran goalie to work alongside Robert Esche. It&rsquo;s no secret Esche would be thrilled if he were reunited with old Phoenix pal Sean Burke. But the Flyers&rsquo; tightwad track record at this posi-tion suggests they will proceed cautiously.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Center Keith Primeau, the Flyers&rsquo; best two-way player this year, said he was hon-ored to be picked to play in his second NHL All-Star Game. He&rsquo;s being mentioned as a Selke Trophy candidate. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been asked to play a different role,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and if that helps us win games, then there&rsquo;s some vindication there.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0018-02

Quick reflexes save Amonte from season-ending injury

<div class="byline">-BOB MCMANAMAN</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>B</span></b>rian Boucher&rsquo;s recent run into the NHL record books did more than just re-estab-lish his long-term security with the Coyotes. It also redefined his present-day importance to the point he now can be considered the team&rsquo;s No.l goalie.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-04578/8200216-1-eng-US/f0018-042.jpg" title="f0018-04" width="268" height="376"></div><p>Boucher wouldn&rsquo;t say it, but Sean Burke did.</p><p>&ldquo;In all honesty, I look at myself right now as just being the backup here,&rdquo; Burke said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not saying that in a nega-tive way&hellip;but when you only play three games in a month or whatever, you are the backup at the time. What I have to do right now is find a way to be a good backup.</p><p>Boucher set modern-day record with five straight shutouts and a 332:01 scoreless streak, leaving coach Bobby Francis little choice but to stick with the hot goalie.</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> With Boucher&rsquo;s re-emergence and two top-notch goalie prospects - David LeNeveu and Jean-Marc Pelletier - in Springfield of the AHL, Burke has become expendable. But Phoenix won&rsquo;t fritter him away for just anything.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-05389/8200209-1-eng-US/f0018-052.jpg" title="f0018-05" width="347" height="738"></div><p>The Coyotes&rsquo; chances of reaching the post-season and perhaps finally win-ning a first-round series are much better if they keep Boucher and Burke as a tandem. If a team wants Burke, it will have to dazzle Phoenix with a solid offer such as a top-four defenseman, which the Coyotes desperately need after losing David Tanabe to torn knee ligaments.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Left winger Tyson Nash returned from a four-game absence while recovering from sprained knee ligaments and made one of the biggest hits of his career by checking Calgary forward Krzysztof Oliwa over the boards and headfirst into the Flames&rsquo; bench.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0018-04

Boucher turns into bandit, steals Burke’s No. 1 billing

<div class="byline">- JOE STARKEY</div><p><b>P</b>ittsburgh&rsquo;s native son has exceeded even his GM&rsquo;s expectations in his rookie year.</p><p>Ryan Malone, the first Pittsburgh-born play-er to suit up for the Penguins, was fourth among rookie scorers through 51 games with 23 points. He and defenseman Brooks Orpik were the two Penguins named to the NHL&rsquo;s YoungStars Game.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-06304/8200254-1-eng-US/f0018-062.jpg" title="f0018-06" width="290" height="378"></div><p>Malone&rsquo;s 11 goals were more than such notable play-ers as Alexei Kovalev, Eric Lindros and Mike Modano. Not bad for a fourth round draft pick in 1999 whose picture isn&rsquo;t even in the Penguins&rsquo; media guide.</p><p>&ldquo;We had high hopes for him,&rdquo; GM Craig Patrick said, &ldquo;but I didn&rsquo;t anticipate he&rsquo;d be doing what he&rsquo;s doing this soon.&rdquo;</p><p>The 6-foot-4 Malone, who played at Saint Cloud State, is the son of ex-Penguins player and current head scout Greg Malone. Like his father, the son wears No. 12.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-07251/8200247-1-eng-US/f0018-072.jpg" title="f0018-07" width="343" height="739"></div><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> Right winger Aleksey Morozov is the highest-paid healthy player on the team ($1.5 million) and the Penguins are usually in favor of trades that save money. Is there a market for a player who hadn&rsquo;t scored in 31 games?</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was 0-4-0 after returning from the World Junior champi-onship, but played spectacularly in losses to Colorado and Tampa Bay&hellip;In consecutive games, defensemen Brooks Orpik and Josef Melichar scored the first goal of their NHL careers, Orpik in his 53rd game, Melichar in his 137th&hellip;A 6-2 loss Jan. 27 to Tampa was the Pens&rsquo; eighth straight home loss, a team record. In three games against Tampa the Pens were outshot 112-50 and outscored 18-3.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0018-06

Steel City boy Malone makes good right at home

<div class="byline">- DERRICK GOOLD</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he Blues spent January undoing all the success they had at the start of the season with the worst 20-game stretch in Joel Quenneville&rsquo;s seven years as coach.</p><p>In 20 games before playing Vancouver Jan. 29, the Blues were 5-10-5-0, taking 15 of 40 points. Rated by points, it is the worst points span since Quenneville was hired and shifted the Blues from challenging for the Central Division tide to clinging for a playoff spot.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-08186/8200292-1-eng-US/f0018-082.jpg" title="f0018-08" width="291" height="369"></div><p>&ldquo;This is not a hopeless situation,&rdquo; Quenneville said. &ldquo;(The players) can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We&rsquo;ve been effec-tive (before). We can find our way out of it.&rdquo;</p><p>The reasons for the free fall included injuries and a sagging power play that went 0-for-28 over four road games. But the Blues were trying to keep a positive oudook.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-09153/8200285-1-eng-US/f0018-092.jpg" title="f0018-09" width="345" height="731"></div><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s never a bad thing to be humbled sometimes,&rdquo; said center Ryan Johnson.</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> The Blues don&rsquo;t have players they are looking to eject from their lineup, but they know the type of player they need injected into it. Their shopping fist is simple: a top-four defenseman and a scoring winger. Before injuries decimated their defense, they had a stock-pile of youth to use in swaps, but now each youngster is too valuable to deal (i.e. Christian Backman) or only valued in-house. That limits what they have to offer.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> The Blues&rsquo; 1-1 tie in Adanta Jan. 28 moved rookie goalie Reinhard Divis to 5-0-1 in his first six NHL decisions, dating back to last season. He tied a franchise record by win-ning his first five decisions&hellip;The Blues placed defenseman Christian Laflamme on waivers Jan. 28.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0018-08

Brutal month of January ‘not a hopeless situation’

<div class="byline">- ROSS MCKEON</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-021078/8200330-1-eng-US/f0019-022.jpg" title="f0019-02" width="293" height="388"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-011428/8200337-1-eng-US/f0019-012.jpg" title="f0019-01" width="110" height="119"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>R</span></b>ookie right winger Milan Michalek was dispatched to the minors in late January, a change of venue coach Ron Wilson believed would be instructive for the 19-year-old.</p><p>Michalek was selected sixth overall by the San Jose Sharks in June and earned a spot on the opening-day roster with his poised play and flashes of offense.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>He scored at Edmonton during the opener Oct. 9, but sustained a torn ACL in Cal-gary two nights later, an injury that required surgery. Following a rehab that went better than expected, Michalek was assign-ed to Cleveland of the American League Jan. 22.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s going to suffer a bit of a letdown,&rdquo; Wilson said, &ldquo;because he&rsquo;s going to look at himself as an NHLer, but he&rsquo;s down at that level. He&rsquo;s going to find out there&rsquo;s a lot of really good hockey players in the world and he&rsquo;s going to have to stay focused.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-03746/8200323-1-eng-US/f0019-032.jpg" title="f0019-03" width="356" height="743"></div><p>&ldquo;Our guys know how good he is, how special he&rsquo;s going to be. But to get back he&rsquo;s got to play better than someone who is here.&rdquo;</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> GM <b>Doug Wilson</b> approaches his first trade deadline with the phi-losophy he won&rsquo;t wait until the last minute. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t really work off the trade deadline as a deadline,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m trying to be pro-active.&rdquo; Wilson isn&rsquo;t working with any budget constraints, but will only deal if he feels the team improves itself both immediately and long-term.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Right winger <b>Marco Sturm&rsquo;s</b> wife, <b>Astrid</b>, gave birth to a boy the couple named <b>Mason Joseph</b> Jan. 21&hellip;When left winger <b>Todd Harvey</b> picked up two assists against Minnesota Jan. 24 it marked his first multi-point game since scoring three points against Columbus on April 10, 2002.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-02

Sharks hope AHL demotion matures rookie Michalek

<div class="byline">- DAMIAN CRISTODERO</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he Lightning finally got the top-four defenseman it had been searching for the past two years when it traded for veteran Darryl Sydor. But it came at a price.</p><p>Tampa Bay sent center Alexander Svitov, the No. 3 overall pick in 2001, and a third round pick in 2004 to the Blue Jackets for Sydor and a fourth round pick.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-04571/8200375-1-eng-US/f0019-042.jpg" title="f0019-04" width="298" height="380"></div><p>Lightning GM Jay Feaster said Sydor&rsquo;s experience and ability to run the power play overrode any concerns about giving away a piece of the future.</p><p>&ldquo;For us it&rsquo;s about solidifying this franchise as a perennial playoff team,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>Sydor, who won a Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1998-99, was thrilled with the move. He strug-gled this year with injury-depleted Columbus, scoring two goals, 15 points and was minus-19 in 49 games. &ldquo;I feel like I&rsquo;m young again,&rdquo; said Sydor, 31. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a new chap-ter. The team is a con-tender. I&rsquo;m looking forward to helping any way I can.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-05421/8200368-1-eng-US/f0019-052.jpg" title="f0019-05" width="348" height="742"></div><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> Tampa Bay&rsquo;s next acquisition could be a power forward.</p><p>The team believes more beef up front will help overcome the lack of obstruction penalties being called. Feaster will dangle minor-leaguers, prospects and draft choices because he does not want to lose roster players who have developed terrific chemistry and a tight dressing room. A decision whether to trade goalie Nikolai Khabibulin will be made closer to the March 9 trade deadline.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Tampa Bay got a scare Jan. 26 when goalie <b>Nikolai Khabibulin</b> left practice early after being hit on the right arm with a slapshot. He was only bruised&hellip;Through 48 games, the Lightning had lost only 14 man-games to injury or illness.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-04

Sydor’s punch in playoffs makes Svitov deal worth It

<div class="byline">- KEN CAMPBELL</div><p><b>F</b>or a guy who&rsquo;s closer to 40 than he is to 30, Joe Nieuwendyk certainly hasn&rsquo;t been acting his age this season.</p><p>First of all, he&rsquo;s rooming with 20-year-old rookie Matt Stajan on the road. But his most important contribution has been centering a line with a couple of stalled 23-year-olds in Alexei Ponikarovsky and Nik Antropov. The three linemates combined for seven points in three games in mid-January.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-06311/8200413-1-eng-US/f0019-062.jpg" title="f0019-06" width="267" height="392"></div><p>Nieuwendyk, 37, has been particularly helpful with Ponikarovsky, a hulking left winger whose development slowed for three years in the Leafs organization. Perhaps he was ready to break out, but playing with Nieuwendyk seems to have injected Ponikarovsky with enthusiasm and confidence.</p><p>&ldquo;I think (Ponikarovsky) has great talent and when you have size and speed like him, it&rsquo;s crazy for him not to devel-op into being a force out there,&rdquo; Nieuwendyk said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s just realizing that now.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-07266/8200406-1-eng-US/f0019-072.jpg" title="f0019-07" width="353" height="756"></div><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> The Leafs will be in the buying mode as the trade deadline approaches. There was talk about acquiring defense-man Sergei Gonchar from Washington before he got hurt, but there are a num-ber of observers who think an offensive defenseman is the last thing the Leafs need. Speculation has also shifted to rugged Carolina blueliner Bob Boughner. Antropov&rsquo;s name continues to come up as bait in any sort of trade speculation.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Right winger and resident tough guy <b>Nathan Perrott</b> won both the fastest skater and hardest shot events at the Leafs skills com-petition Jan. 25. Perrott completed one lap of the ice surface in 13.998 seconds before unleashing a 100.3 mile-per-hour slapshot.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-06

Nieuwendyk works wonders with kids riding shotgun

<div class="byline">- ELLIOTT PAP</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span></b>hile many of their Western Conference rivals have been decimated by injuries to key personnel, the Vancouver Canucks man-aged to avoid such a fate until the 50-game mark.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-08232/8200451-1-eng-US/f0019-082.jpg" title="f0019-08" width="274" height="379"></div><p>That&rsquo;s when the injury bug bit elite defenseman Ed Jovanovski. The blueliner sprained his right shoulder crashing into the boards on a scoring attempt in a Jan. 25 game against Nashville. The Canucks did not reveal a time-frame for his return, but he is not expected back until early March, if that soon.</p><p>Until Jovanovski went down, the Canucks had lost just five man-games among their six core players - captain Markus Naslund for one games (groin); goalie Dan Cloutier for three (groin); and Jovanovski for one earlier (charley horse). Todd Bertuzzi, Mattias Ohlund and Brendan Morrison, who round out Vancouver&rsquo;s top six, had not missed any games.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-09194/8200444-1-eng-US/f0019-092.jpg" title="f0019-09" width="347" height="749"></div><p>Jovanovski seemed relieved that he emerged from the collision without further damage to his body. &ldquo;I was more con-cerned about being able to walk again,&rdquo; he said.</p><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> After dealing away Jiri Slegr and then losing Jovanovski, Canuck GM Brian Burke will be seeking a rental rearguard to restore the blueline depth.</p><p>Up front, Burke made a pitch for San Jose veteran center Vincent Damphousse last year and is expected to do something similar again. Other candidates are Chicago&rsquo;s Alexei Zhamnov, Carolina&rsquo;s Ron Francis and Rod Brind-Amour and Columbus&rsquo;s Andrew Cassels.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> With 669 points as a Canuck, for-ward <b>Trevor Linden</b> was closing in on <b>Stan</b> Smyl&rsquo;s franchise record of 673.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-08

Jovanovski thankful damage wasn’t worse

<div class="byline">- JASON LA CANFORA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-13108/8200559-1-eng-US/f0022-132.jpg" title="f0022-13" width="287" height="386"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-011207/8200566-1-eng-US/f0022-012.jpg" title="f0022-01" width="115" height="115"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>A</span></b>nson Carter was ready to leave the Rangers when his time came and for the second time in his career was part of a blockbuster trade involving a future Hall of Famer.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>The Capitals acquired Carter for Jaromir Jagr Jan. 23, bringing closure to a long-negotiated trade and giving Carter a welcome feeling of relief.</p><p>Carter struggled in New York under coach-GM Glen Sather and publicly clashed with him this season. The right winger&rsquo;s role was reduced and he was eager for a fresh start. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a new beginning for me,&rdquo; said Carter, who got his first taste of the NHL with the Caps in 1996-97, then was traded to Boston that March as part of the deal that made Adam Oates a Capital.</p><p>&ldquo;Though it&rsquo;s still the same season it is a new beginning and I&rsquo;m excited to see the guys here.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-1495/8200552-1-eng-US/f0022-142.jpg" title="f0022-14" width="350" height="759"></div><p><b>TRADE TALK</b> The Caps need help on the blue-line and will seek prospects in trades as they attempt to slash more salaries before the trade deadline. Olaf Kolzig, Sergei Gonchar, Robert Lang and Peter Bondra are all drawing interest; young, cheap players are being coveted in return.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Owner Ted Leonsis was suspended by the NHL for one week and the Capitals were fined $100,000 following an altercation between Leonsis and a fan, Jason Hammer. The incident - Hammer claimed Leonsis grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground after Leonsis was taunted - took place after a 4-1 loss to Philadelphia at MCI Center Jan. 25. Two days later Leonsis apologized to Hammer, a 20-year-old season-ticket holder, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the fan and the owner &ldquo;have amicably put this matter behind them", but stressed the harsh penalties were necessary. &ldquo;We hold all members of the NHL family to a higher standard,&rdquo; said Bettman in a statement. &ldquo;NHL personnel need to do everything possible to avoid a confrontation with fans.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-03665/8200545-1-eng-US/f0022-032.jpg" title="f0022-03" width="275" height="453"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Terry Sawchuk</b> 1949-70 Five teams 103 shutouts</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-04479/8200538-1-eng-US/f0022-042.jpg" title="f0022-04" width="290" height="448"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>G. Hainsworth</b> 1926-37 Mon, Tor 94 shutouts</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-05352/8200531-1-eng-US/f0022-052.jpg" title="f0022-05" width="286" height="444"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Glenn Hall</b> 1952-71 Det, Chi, StL 84 shutouts</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-06272/8200524-1-eng-US/f0022-062.jpg" title="f0022-06" width="278" height="441"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Jacques Plante</b>1952-73 Five teams 82 shutouts</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-07224/8200517-1-eng-US/f0022-072.jpg" title="f0022-07" width="276" height="446"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Tiny Thompson</b>1928-40 Bos, Det 81 shutouts</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-08181/8200510-1-eng-US/f0022-082.jpg" title="f0022-08" width="290" height="455"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Alex Connell</b>1924-37 Ott, Det, NYA, Mtl 81 shutouts</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-09162/8200503-1-eng-US/f0022-092.jpg" title="f0022-09" width="282" height="450"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Tony Esposito</b>1968-84 Mtl, Chi 76 shutouts</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-10146/8200496-1-eng-US/f0022-102.jpg" title="f0022-10" width="283" height="446"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Martin Brodeur</b>1991-present New Jersey 74 shutouts</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-11131/8200489-1-eng-US/f0022-112.jpg" title="f0022-11" width="279" height="445"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Lome Chabot</b>1926-37 Six teams 73 shutouts</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-12120/8200482-1-eng-US/f0022-122.jpg" title="f0022-12" width="276" height="439"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Harry Lumley</b>1943-60 Five teams 71 shutouts</figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0022-13

Carter comes back to where it all began

f0023-01

DEPTH CHARTS

<div class="byline">BY KEVIN OKLOBZIJA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-02823/8200628-1-eng-US/f0024-022.jpg" title="f0024-02" width="309" height="496"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JIRI HUDLER</b></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-011163/8200635-1-eng-US/f0024-012.jpg" title="f0024-01" width="138" height="146"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>D</span></b>anton Cole is no different than any other coach when it comes to video, but he&rsquo;s not always turning to the tape to critique his Grand Rapids Griffins or an upcoming opponent.</p><p>Sometimes Cole just wants to watch Jiri Hudler (pronounced HOOD-ler).</p><p>Hudler, a rookie right winger, has dazzled the American League with his puck skills and skating and Cole admits the youngster from the Czech Republic might just be one of the AHL&rsquo;s most talented players.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a pretty good package,&rdquo; Cole said. &ldquo;He sees the ice so well and makes some passes that makes the whole bench marvel. You have to watch the replays to see just what he saw.&rdquo;</p><p>The rich just get richer. The parent Detroit Red Wings have been among the NHL&rsquo;s elite for more than a decade, yet they continue to pluck potential stars far down the draft list. Hudler was selected 58th overall in 2002.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s been a pro for a while, he&rsquo;s played in the European leagues, the World Championship,&rdquo; Cole said, &ldquo;so he&rsquo;s not wide-eyed like some young guys. He&rsquo;s a fun player to have around.&rdquo;</p><p>And fun to watch. Hudler has been scoring at better than a point-a-game clip, with nine goals and 28 points in 25 AHL games. He also played 12 games with the Red Wings, scoring one goal and three points.</p><p>Detroit kept Hudler to start the season. But it became evident that at 5-foot-9 and 168 pounds, Hudler needed to improve defensively.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s not a big guy so defensively he needs to be in good position all the time,&rdquo; Cole said.</p><p>&ldquo;For the little guys, if a bigger and stronger guy gets a step on them, it&rsquo;s tough to recover.&rdquo;</p><p>Yet even Hudler&rsquo;s faults aren&rsquo;t glaring. &ldquo;He has the highest plus/minus on the team (plus-16), so I can&rsquo;t say he&rsquo;s awful at it,&rdquo; Cole said.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-02

Rookie Hudler showing flash and dash

<div class="byline">BY KEVIN OKLOBZIJA</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>R</span></b>obert Mulick knew very well that his ice time with the Cleveland Barons was not being determined by his offensive production. Were that the case, the stay-at-home defenseman would have been out of the American League long ago.</p><p>He wasn&rsquo;t even bothered that he held the AHL record for most games without scoring. But being a record-holder is one thing; putting the mark permanently out of reach is another.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-03578/8200673-1-eng-US/f0024-032.jpg" title="f0024-03" width="339" height="339"></div><p>So when Mulick finally scored his first pro goal in Game 240 of his five-year career, beating Houston goalie Frederic Cloutier Jan. 23, he admits there was joy as well as refief.</p><p>&ldquo;Obviously scoring is not part of my game,&rdquo; Mulick said, &ldquo;but in the back of my mind, I was always thinking about it, so it was good to get the monkey off my back.&rdquo;</p><p>Monkey? Try gorilla.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve hit posts, crossbars, 1 had an empty net (attempt) hit somebody&rsquo;s skate blade,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have the most powerful shot so I just throw grenades at the net and see what it hits.&rdquo; Teammates quickly retrieved the puck for posterity. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got an armed guard watching it,&rdquo; Mulick joked.</p><p><b>BACK IN FLIGHT</b> On a night when more than 10,000 fans showed up to acquire their own Johan Holmqvist bobblehead, the Houston Aeros goalie made sure he was worthy of the promotional giveaway.</p><p>Holmqvist stopped 29 shots as the Aeros beat Syracuse 4-1 Jan. 23, putting an end to a franchise-record 13-game winless streak (0-7-5-1). The game also marked the return of coach Todd McLellan, who missed five games because of pneumonia.</p><p>YOUNG TALENT Nineteen-year-old right winger Milan Michalek, the sixth overall nick in the 2003 draft, was assigned to Cleveland by parent San Jose.</p><p>Michalek started the season in San Jose and played two games before injuring his knee. When he came off injured reserve in January, his spot in the lineup was taken by Todd Harvey and the Sharks were winning, so the 19-year-old prospect was sent to the AHL.</p><p>Michalek&rsquo;s 21-year-old brother Zbynek is a second-year pro in the Minnesota organization.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Hamilton winger Marcel Hossa ended his 18-game goal drought by scoring in the Bulldogs&rsquo; 3-2 win over Cincinnati Jan. 24&hellip;Utah right winger Mathias Tarnqvist snapped the Grizzlies&rsquo; scoreless streak at 172:01 Jan. 23 - but Utah still lost to Chicago 2-1.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-04396/8200666-1-eng-US/f0024-042.jpg" title="f0024-04" width="1339" height="1981"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b><i>San Antonio right wingerDenis Shvidki is full steam ahead in his quest to return to the NHL. He had 31 points through 42 games</i>.</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0024-03

Extra, extra: Mulick goal ends streak

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-06209/8200704-1-eng-US/f0024-062.jpg" title="f0024-06" width="744" height="378"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-05268/8200711-1-eng-US/f0024-052.jpg" title="f0024-05" width="199" height="206"></div><p class="dropcap"><i><span>T</span>he International Ice Hockey Federation is the world&rsquo;s governing body for hockey. In each issue this season, we profile one of 63 national association members</i>.</p><p><b>POLAND</b></p><p><b>Member of IIHF since</b> 1926</p><p><b>Pop. of country</b> 38,625,478</p><p><b>Registered players</b> 2,072</p><p><b>No. of ice facilities</b> 20</p><p><b>Major league</b> (eight teams)</p><p>Premier League</p><p><b>2003 champ</b> Unia Osweicim</p><p><b>2003 top scorers</b></p><p>Artur Slusarczyk, Tychy</p><p>Adrian Parzyszek, Osweicim</p><p>Waldemar Klisiak, Osweicim</p><p><b>Association website/e-mail</b></p><p><a href="http://www.pzhl.org.pl">www.pzhl.org.pl</a></p><p><a href="mailto:pzhl@pzhl.org.pl">pzhl@pzhl.org.pl</a></p><p><b>Head office</b> Warsaw</p><p><b>2003 world ranking</b> No. 19<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-06

HOCKEY NATION AT A GLANCE

<div class="byline">BY DAVE SOTTILE</div><p><b>A</b> back-to-basics philosophy and a renewed confidence level have Kirby Law among the American League&rsquo;s elite scorers this season.</p><p>&ldquo;Throughout junior and my first three AHL seasons,&rdquo; said the Philadelphia Phantoms right winger, &ldquo;I worked extremely hard and was very tenacious. The last few years, I didn&rsquo;t have that. This year, I wanted to get back to that.&rdquo;</p><p>So far, so good. The 26-year-old native of McCreary, Man., led the Phantoms with 17 goals and 45 points through 46 games. He also ranked among the AHL&rsquo;s top-10 point-producers.</p><p>&ldquo;I got off to a good start and it&rsquo;s easy to play this game when you&rsquo;re working hard and having fim doing it,&rdquo; Law said.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-011044/8200773-1-eng-US/f0025-012.jpg" title="f0025-01" width="309" height="491"></div><p>The 6-foot-l, 190-pounder burst onto the AHL scene in 1999-2000, scoring 31 goals for the Louisville Panthers before a deadline-day deal sent him to Philadelphia. He scored 27 goals the following season for the Phantoms, but dipped to 18 in 2001-02.</p><p>Last year, Law bounced back with 22 goals and 41 points, but he thought something was still missing.</p><p>&ldquo;I was in shape in past years,&rdquo; Law said, &ldquo;but now the level has gone up that much higher. This year, I came into camp in my best shape ever and it makes a difference.&rdquo;</p><p>Phantoms center Peter White has his own theory on Law&rsquo;s turnaround.</p><p>&ldquo;I think a lot of it comes down to Kirby&rsquo;s confidence level,&rdquo; White said. &ldquo;He used to be a 20-goal scorer, but now when he gets the puck near the net, he has the attitude that he&rsquo;s going to score - no matter what - on every shot.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s always played hard and when you add a little confidence to your game, it makes a big difference.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0025-01

Law’s confident approach yields results

<div class="byline">BY DAVE SOTTILE</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he future of American League hockey in Norfolk, Va., is uncertain after owners Mark Garcea and Page Johnson put the Admirals up for sale in late January.</p><p>&ldquo;It is our sincere hope we can secure a local investor who will continue to operate the Admirals here in Hampton Roads,&rdquo; Johnson said.</p><p>Garcea and Johnson cited declining attendance, poor corporate support and the uncertainty of needed renovations at the city-owned Norfolk Scope arena as reasons.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-02710/8200811-1-eng-US/f0025-022.jpg" title="f0025-02" width="338" height="335"></div><p>According to the <i>Virginian-Pilot</i>, Norfolk mayor Paul D. Fraim said Garcea and Johnson told the city they&rsquo;re losing $750,000 a season. This is the team&rsquo;s fourth year in the league.</p><p>AHL president Dave Andrews expressed hope local ownership could be found, allowing the Ads to remain in the league next season. Norfolk&rsquo;s affiliation agreement with the Chicago Blackhawks expires at the end of this season.</p><p><b>BONVIE NOW A BEAR</b> Dennis Bonvie, the AHL&rsquo;s all-time leader in career penalty minutes, has a new home.</p><p>Ottawa traded Bonvie to Colorado Jan. 23 in exchange for center Charlie Stephens. Bonvie reported to Hershey and Stephens went to Binghamton.</p><p>Bonvie had been suspended by Ottawa after he failed to accompany his teammates back to Binghamton following a Dec. 20 road game. Instead, he returned to his Nova Scotia home a day early for Christmas break.</p><p>Bonvie had 3,171 penalty minutes through 588 AHL games.</p><p><b>MILESTONE MEN</b> Hershey right winger Steve Brule and Philadelphia blueliner John Slaney both reached personal career milestones.</p><p>With an assist Jan. 21, Brule became the 67th player in AHL history to reach 500 career points. Slaney, a two-time winner of the AHL&rsquo;s Eddie Shore Award as &ldquo;top defenseman, played in his 700th career game Jan. 25.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Bridgeport set a franchise attendance record Jan. 24 when 8,239 fans watched the Sound Tigers blank Albany 1-0 at the Arena at Harbor Yard. A day later, Lowell drew 7,116 fans to Paul Tsongas Arena, for its biggest crowd of the year, to see the Lock Monsters defeat Portland 3-2 in overtime&hellip;Manchester right winger Pavel Rosa moved past Derek Bekar into second place on the Monarchs&rsquo; all-time goal list with his 47th score. Only left winger Eric Healey (66) has scored more goals in a Manchester uniform.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-03483/8200804-1-eng-US/f0025-032.jpg" title="f0025-03" width="1342" height="1967"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>With 50 points in 46 games, Manchester&rsquo;s Pavel Rosa is on pace for his finestpro season since breaking in with Long Beach in 1998.</i></figcaption></div><h2><b>EYE ON EUROPE</b></h2><p><i>Future and former NHLers are performing in Europe this season. Here are four such players with NHL rights in parentheses:</i></p><p>&bull; Tomas Duba, 22, G (Pittsburgh). Selected 217th overall by the Pens in 2001, Duba is one of the top goalies in the Czech league with four shutouts and a .933 save percentage in 37 games with Znojmo.</p><p>&bull; Jussi Tarvainen, 27, RW (Edmonton). Tarvainen remains the property of the Oilers, who selected him 95th overall in 1994. He has 18 goals and 32 points in 39 games for Linkoping of the Swedish league.</p><p>&bull; Yegor Shastin, 21, LW (Calgary). Shastin, who was picked 124th overall in 2001, has four goals and nine points in 40 games with Novosibirsk of the Russian league.</p><p>&bull; Dave McLlwain, 36, LW/C (free agent). Played 501 games for six NHL different teams. In his fourth season with Cologne in the German league, he is the team&rsquo;s top scorer with 21 goals and 45 points in 39 games.</p><p><b>- PAVEL BARTA</b></p><h2><b>NOTEBOOK</b></h2><p>Right winger Robin Bouchard of the Muskegon Fury set a pro record by scoring in 17 straight games. He broke the mark of 16 set in 1921-22 by Harry &lsquo;Punch&rsquo; Broadbent of the NHL&rsquo;s Ottawa Senators and matched in 1992-93 by Darren Schwartz of the East Coast League&rsquo;s Wheeling Nailers. When the streak was stopped Jan. 22 in a 4-2 loss at Elmira, Bouchard was leading the United League with 34 goals and 64 points. During the streak, Bouchard had 17 goals and 34 points. Bouchard also recaptured the UHL record which he had held until Flint&rsquo;s Jim Duhart scored in 12 straight this season.</p><p><b>- BRENDAN SAVAGE</b></p><h2><b>NOTEBOOK</b></h2><p>Central League founder Ray Miron has been named as one of three recipients of the NHL&rsquo;s Lester Patrick Trophy. Miron, who has more than 50 years of experience in the hockey business in various capacities, founded the CHL in 1992 and served as president through 1997. The league, which now has 17 teams in eight states, honors its champion with the Ray Miron President&rsquo;s Cup Trophy. The Lester Patrick Trophy, named for the former New York Rangers coach and GM, is presented annually for outstanding service to hockey in the U.S.</p><p><b>- DAVID HENRY</b></p><h2><b>NOTEBOOK</b></h2><p>Cape Fear has some catching up to do to qualify for the playoffs, but the team is on its way to the South East League attendance title. A crowd of 7,982 - the largest to ever watch a game in Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, N.C. - witnessed the FireAntz&rsquo; 5-2 victory over Huntsville Jan. 18. The game pushed Cape Fear&rsquo;s season attendance average to nearly 3,000 per game - about 500 more than its closest pursuers. &ldquo;The crowd was just incredible,&rdquo; said Cape Fear coach Scott Rex. &ldquo;It was like a rock concert with a really good hockey game going on.&rdquo;</p><p><b>- NICK GATES</b></p><h2><b>NOTEBOOK</b></h2><p>The Lakeland Loggerheads entered the WHA2 all-star break amid rumors of the team&rsquo;s possible demise before season&rsquo;s end. The Loggerheads are 5-21-4 and draw an average announced crowd of 1,392. Team president-coach Rick Ladouceur said the fact the team didn&rsquo;t officially form until Aug. 12 hurt it, but not to the point of closing its doors. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see the league or this team going anywhere,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;All of the teams are trying to find their niche in the area. I know the business plan for next year is going to change a little bit and that should help.&rdquo;</p><p><b>- SCOTT ANDERA</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0025-02

Norfolk’s AHL future in jeopardy

<div class="byline">BY WILLY PALOV</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he Quebec Remparts don&rsquo;t look as if they&rsquo;ll shake their Memorial Cup hangover before the end of the season, but at least it will be cleared up by next year.</p><p>After loading up with veterans to help their chances as hosts of the Canadian Hockey League championship tournament last year, the Remparts knew this season would be tough. They got off to a 14-15-4-1 start, then trailed off considerably after Dec. 14, going 3-13-0-0 to give them a 17-28-4-1 record and a spot near the bottom of the standings. Only three teams in the Quebec League miss the playoffs and Quebec is in danger of being one of them.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-011176/8200849-1-eng-US/f0026-012.jpg" title="f0026-01" width="315" height="358"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>QUEBEC</b></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;We knew we&rsquo;d have a different type of team this year, but all of us showed up at camp ready to do as much work as it took,&rdquo; said center Josh Hennessy. &ldquo;We knew the season would be a work in progress and every guy here has the right attitude.&rdquo;</p><p>The good news is the Remparts will be much improved by the start of 2004-05. GM and part-owner Patrick Roy has stuck to his guns; he has assembled an impressive group of young players who&rsquo;ll be seasoned enough next year to make the Remparts an elite QMJHL team.</p><p><b>KING CROSBY</b> Rimouski center Sidney Crosby is on pace to break the league&rsquo;s record for points by a 16-year-old.</p><p>Crosby had a QMJHL-best 90 points through 40 games - including 41 goals - and had 19 games left to surpass Normand Dupont&rsquo;s record of 125 points, set in 1973-74. If Crosby maintains his pace of 2.25 points per game, he&rsquo;ll finish with 133 points. He also had an outside chance at Mike Bossy&rsquo;s record of 70 goals by a 16-year-old and Denis Savard&rsquo;s mark of 79 assists.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-02832/8200842-1-eng-US/f0026-022.jpg" title="f0026-02" width="345" height="913"></div><p>Crosby would&rsquo;ve been in much better shape to smash all three records if he hadn&rsquo;t missed 11 games to play with Team Canada in the World Junior Championship.</p><p><b>GOALIE MILESTONE</b> Acadie-Bathurst goalie Adam Russo joined select company when he appeared in his 200th career game; only three other QMJHL goalies have ever reached the milestone. Jacques Cloutier is the league&rsquo;s all-time leader with 222 games.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0026-01

DEPARTMENT

Patient Remparts sticking with youth

<div class="byline">BY JIM CRESSMAN</div><p><b>D</b>anny Fritsche said it hasn&rsquo;t been difficult getting his head back into junior hockey after a stint in the big leagues.</p><p>He proved that with two goals and an assist in leading the Western Conference to a 7-2 rout over the Eastern Conference in the Ontario League All-Star Classic Jan. 27 in Peterborough.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-03674/8200887-1-eng-US/f0026-032.jpg" title="f0026-03" width="379" height="264"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ONDARIO LESGUE</b></figcaption></div><p>Fritsche played 19 games with Columbus before being loaned to the gold medal-winning U.S. World Junior Championship team.</p><p>After returning from Finland, the 18-year-old, who was selected 46th overall in the 2003 draft, was returned to Sarnia.</p><p>Fritsche said he wasn&rsquo;t spoiled jetting to games, staying in luxurious hotels and eating at fancy restaurants while he was in the NHL.</p><p>&ldquo;Of course it&rsquo;s different, with the planes, flying everywhere and staying in first-class hotels,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You practise early and then you have the full day off. But I haven&rsquo;t truly adjusted to that style. I just got a taste of what it&rsquo;s like.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-04488/8200880-1-eng-US/f0026-042.jpg" title="f0026-04" width="339" height="909"></div><p>Fritsche has three goals and seven points in eight OHL games this season. He scored one goal in 19 NHL games.</p><p>&ldquo;I picked up so much just by being out there with (the Blue Jackets),&rdquo; Fritsche said."It&rsquo;s made every part of my game better. (But) I&rsquo;m still adapting to the NHL style.&rdquo;</p><p><b>WRATH OF GRAPES</b> London center Rob Schremp got a slap on the wrist from Don Cherry for his lacrosse-style shot during the Canadian Hockey League&rsquo;s Top Prospects Game in London.</p><p>The third period attempt during the Jan. 21 game sailed over the crossbar.</p><p>&ldquo;If it had been Sidney Crosby, he&rsquo;d have really got it,&rdquo; said Cherry, who scolded Cros-by on national TV for scoring on a lacrosse shot in a rout by Rimouski of the Quebec League. &ldquo;I suppose in a game like this, I still don&rsquo;t like it. I might have to say that on &lsquo;Coach&rsquo;s Corner&rsquo; - just kidding,&rdquo; said Cherry, embracing Schremp, whom Cherry selected first overall in 2002 when he owned the Mississauga IceDogs.</p><p>Schremp, playing for Team Orr against Team Cherry, had a goal and two assists in the game.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0026-03

Bright lights of NHL fail to blind Fritsche

<div class="byline">BY ROB VANSTONE</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he Swift Current Broncos have quite a one-two punch. Through 52 games, Broncos left winger Tyler Redenbach had 81 points, tops in the Western League. His linemate, center Jeremy Williams, had a league-high 40 goals.</p><p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;re good friends off the ice,&rdquo; said Broncos coach Randy Smith. &ldquo;They do good things on the ice. They&rsquo;ve proven they&rsquo;re lethal when they get the opportunity.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-05360/8200925-1-eng-US/f0026-052.jpg" title="f0026-05" width="356" height="362"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>WESTERN LESGUE</b></figcaption></div><p>Redenbach&rsquo;s pure passing ability is a complement to Williams&rsquo;s marksmanship.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s great,&rdquo; Williams said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I could do it without him&hellip;I like going out there knowing you have somebody who can thread the needle like that and get you those passes.&rdquo;</p><p>Both players were chosen in the 2003 NHL draft - Redenbach by the Phoenix Coyotes (77th overall) and Williams by the Toronto Maple Leafs (220th overall).</p><p><b>WHAT CUP?</b> The 2004 Memorial Cup is not a topic of conversation among the Kelowna Rockets - even though they will be the host team for the Canadian Hockey League&rsquo;s championship tournament.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-06292/8200918-1-eng-US/f0026-062.jpg" title="f0026-06" width="343" height="907"></div><p>&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t even talk about it,&rdquo; said Rockets coach Marc Habscheid. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s something that Bruce Hamilton (Kelowna&rsquo;s governor-GM) and the Memorial Cup committee deal with.</p><p>&ldquo;In Kelowna, the administrative office is on the other side of the building. I have no clue what&rsquo;s even planned for the Cup. I don&rsquo;t even talk to the players about it. It&rsquo;s business as usual. Our job is to develop players and win games.&rdquo;</p><p>Through 52 games, Kelowna - the defending WHL champion - had a league-best 36-12-4-0 record. The Memorial Cup runs May 15-23 at Kelowna&rsquo;s Skyreach Place.</p><p><b>TENDER MOMENTS</b> Kelowna goalie Kelly Guard tied long-standing WHL and Canadian Hockey League records by registering his 10th shutout of the season in a 6-0 win over visiting Portland in late January. Guard matched the feat of Chris Worthy, who had 10 shutouts for the 1967-68 Flin Flon Bombers.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0026-05

Swift Current tandem gives team firepower

<div class="byline">BY PHILIP COLVIN</div><p><b>B</b>owling Green junior Jordan Sigalet knows what it means to be a workhorse goalie.</p><p>He has made 40-plus saves in a game five times this year, 13 times in his career and leads the nation with 821 saves in 26 games (31.6 per game). Only four other Division I goalies have had to make more than 600 saves this season, led by Ferris State&rsquo;s Mike Brown (679).</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-011123/8200963-1-eng-US/f0027-012.jpg" title="f0027-01" width="357" height="297"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>CENTRAL COLLEGIATE</b></figcaption></div><p>And except for 8:43 of empty-net time, Sigalet has been between the posts the entire season for the Falcons. He&rsquo;s on pace to finish with over 1,00 saves and challenge the school record set by Tyler Masters in 200-01 (1,087). &ldquo;He finds so many pucks through traffic and doesn&rsquo;t allow a lot of great rebounds,&rdquo; said Falcons coach Scott Paluch.</p><p>The 22-year-old Sigalet broke the school record for saves in a game when he stopped 56 shots at Notre Dame Oct. 17. In a Jan. 17 game against Michigan State, the Falcons were outshot 42-19, including 23-2 in the third period.</p><p>&ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s pretty exciting,&rdquo; said Sigalet, who was selected 209th overall in 2001 by Boston. &ldquo;It gets the crowd and the guys into it.&rdquo;</p><p><b>SPOTLIGHT</b> Miami senior forward Derek Edwardson has been at the top of the CCHA scoring race all season, but you&rsquo;d never know it from talking to him. The quiet RedHawks captain is third in the nation in overall scoring, with 22 goals and 36 points in 26 games, and fifth in points per game (1.38). To promote him as a Hobey Baker hopeful, the RedHawks have launched a website: <a href="http://derekedwardson.com">derekedwardson.com</a>.</p><p><b>NHL PROSPECT WATCH</b> Northern Michigan forward Darin Olver hasn&rsquo;t played like a typical freshman this season. Ranked 63rd among collegiate players in the Central Scouting Service&rsquo;s mid-term rankings for the 2004 NHL draft, Olver uses his speed to get in the clear, gets involved physically and finishes around the net. He is the school&rsquo;s top scorer, with 23 points in 24 games.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-02754/8200956-1-eng-US/f0027-022.jpg" title="f0027-02" width="646" height="1028"></div><p>NOTEBOOK Bowling Green&rsquo;s 1984 NCAA national championship team was set to be honored as part of a 20th anniversary celebration Feb. 12-14. The Falcons defeated Minnesota-Duluth 5-4 in whal still stands as the longest NCAA championship game (97:11 minutes), ended on Gino Cavallini&rsquo;s goal at 7:11 o the fourth overtime.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0027-01

Falcons’ Sigalet on pace to set saves record

<div class="byline">BY LARRY MAHONEY</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>B</span></b>oston University trainer Larry Venis admitted he was a tad jumpy during a midJanuary game against Maine. Considering what he had been through, who could blame him?</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-03534/8200994-1-eng-US/f0027-032.jpg" title="f0027-03" width="342" height="309"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>HOCKEY EAST</b></figcaption></div><p>The 8-4 loss to the Black Bears Jan. 23 was Venis&rsquo;s first game back on the bench after having been hit in the temple by a puck during a game at Merrimack College Nov. 14.</p><p>Venis, whose eyes turned black and blue and began to close, decided to finish the game. Feeling worse the next day, the 41-year-old went to the Boston Medical Center and underwent surgery to remove a blood clot near his brain.</p><p>Venis said the strangest part of the accident was he saw the puck coming. He raised his arm to block the puck, but dropped it slightly at the last second.</p><p>Venis, who spent a over a week in hospital, has made a full recovery and said he&rsquo;s glad to be on the job again.</p><p>&ldquo;I was trying to get my timing back,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;just like anybody else coming back from injury. I was trying to watch the flow of the game and everything. But it was pretty good.&rdquo; SPOTLIGHT Boston College didn&rsquo;t miss a beat after losing Ben Eaves, last year&rsquo;s Hockey East co-player of the year, to a fractured kneecap in early January. The Eagles reeled off four wins despite losing Eaves until late February.</p><p>&ldquo;One of our focuses all year has been to play better as a team,&rdquo; said Eagles assistant Ron Rolston. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been relying on that and on our team defense a lot more. We&rsquo;ve put the onus on our players to step up and do a little better.&rdquo;</p><p>The play of junior goalie Matti Kaltiainen has been pivotal in the Eagles&rsquo; success.</p><p><b>NHL PROSPECT WATCH</b> Maine left winger Mike Hamilton, selected 175th overall by Atlanta in 2003, has overcome early season struggles to become a productive regular. He has added grittiness to his game, which has helped him solidify his lineup spot. He had two goals and five points through 15 games and was plus-7.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Do good things come in fives? They do for Maine&rsquo;s Colin Shields and New Hampshire&rsquo;s Steve Saviano, both senior forwards. They each had five-point nights against Boston University and Merrimack, respectively, Jan. 23.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0027-03

Eagles trainer happy to return after accident

<div class="byline">BY TOM BOOGIE</div><p><b>M</b>ike Schafer&rsquo;s insurance policy is paying off some big dividends.</p><p>During last year&rsquo;s recruiting period, the Cornell coach went after another goalie, even though he had sophomore David LeNeveu, one of the best goalies in the nation, firmly entrenched in net.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-04374/8201032-1-eng-US/f0027-042.jpg" title="f0027-04" width="352" height="295"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>EASTERN COLLEGE</b></figcaption></div><p>Fast forward to the summer of 2003, when LeNeveu decided to sign a pro contract with Phoenix. All Schafer had to do was make a phone call to David McKee and his problem was solved. McKee had passed on another year with Texas of the North American League to go to Cornell.</p><p>Through 19 games, McKee was the only goalie who had been on the ice for the Big Red (8-5-6). He had a 1.90 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and four shutouts.</p><p>&ldquo;The reason we (recruited another goalie) was we understood something could happen with LeNeveu,&rdquo; Schafer said. &ldquo;David McKee had been through the process and had been accepted, but he deferred. We knew he wasn&rsquo;t going to play ahead of LeNeveu, so he was going back to junior for another year.&rdquo;</p><p>McKee wasn&rsquo;t just handed the starting job. Rather, he inherited it when sophomore Todd Marr, who was LeNeveu&rsquo;s backup last year, suffered a pulled groin in training camp.</p><p><b>SPOTLIGHT</b> If the league gave out a mostimproved player award, Colgate sophomore left winger Jon Smyth would be a prime candidate. After scoring just three points in 25 games last year, Smyth had 16 goals and 26 points through 23 games this season. Smyth, who was the first player in the conference to get 16 goals, is an aggressive power forward playing on the Raiders&rsquo; second line.</p><p><b>NHL PROSPECT WATCH:</b> When Harvard senior winger Tyler Kolarik goes out on the power play, he must feel like he has handcuffs on.</p><p>Kolarik, selected 150th overall by Columbus in 200, was one of the Crimson&rsquo;s top power play producers last year, scoring six goals with the man advantage. But through the first 19 games this season, he had yet to score a power play goal.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-05247/8201025-1-eng-US/f0027-052.jpg" title="f0027-05" width="644" height="1036"></div><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Yale might want to re-evaluate scheduling exhibition games in the middle of the season. The Bulldogs and the U.S. under-18 national team combined for 192 minutes in penalties Jan. 24 in a 5-4 Yale loss.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0027-04

Smart recruiting gives Big Red big boost in net

<div class="byline">BY ANDY BAGGOT</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span></b>hen five schools in the 10-member WCHA qualified for the inaugural 16team NCAA tournament last year, it was an unprecedented show of depth and strength.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-06174/8201063-1-eng-US/f0027-062.jpg" title="f0027-06" width="353" height="259"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>WESTERN COLLEGIATE</b></figcaption></div><p>It will be interesting to see the reaction should more make it this time.</p><p>Entering late January, the top 16 of the PairWise rankings compiled by U.S.College Hockey Online.</p><p>Though unofficial, the rankings closely mimic the model utilized by the NCAA selection committee.</p><p>As expected, perennial power North Dakota (first), two-time defending NCAA champion Minnesota (tied for sixth) and reigning WCHA titlist Colorado College (15th) are in the top 16. So is Minnesota-Duluth (fifth), St. Cloud State (tied for sixth) and Denver (ninth). The big surprises are resurgent Wisconsin (12th) and Alaska-Anchorage (13th), which won just one game last season.</p><p>The true measure of strength for the WCHA is its cumulative record in non-league games (47-18-9, .723).</p><p>&ldquo;The toughest games on our schedule are in our conference,&rdquo; said Denver coach George Gwozdecky to the Duluth <i>News Tribune</i>.</p><p><b>SPOTLIGHT</b> Misery and irony apparently love company where Minnesota brothers Grant and Ryan Potulny are concerned. Ryan, a freshman winger, is out for the year after sustaining tom knee ligaments Nov. 7. Grant, a senior winger and captain of the Gophers, suffered a shoulder injury Jan. 24 and is out for the year. The Potulnys are from Grand Forks, N.D. Both were injured in games against North Dakota.</p><p><b>PROSPECT WATCH</b> Wisconsin sophomore right winger Ryan MacMurchy, selected 284th overall by St. Louis in 2002, led the school in goals (12) after 28 games, but was bogged down by a mid-season goalless drought. The problem, according to Badgers coach Mike Eaves, is MacMurchy isn&rsquo;t convinced less is more. &ldquo;He wants to score,&rdquo; Eaves said. &ldquo;When he doesn&rsquo;t do that, he feels like he&rsquo;s letting himself down (and) letting his teammates down. It hurts him. He cares.&rdquo;</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> North Dakota coach Dean Blais got his 250th career win when the Sioux beat Minnesota 4-2 Jan. 23.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0027-06

Mid-season list reflects strength of WCHA clubs

f0028-01

2003-04 NHL STATISTICS

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February 10, 2004

The Hockey News CROSSWORD

GOALTENDING STATISTICS

Growth still in ECHL’s long-term plans