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March 16, 2004
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.
Arrival of two-way center Sillinger allows Cajanek to go on offensive
While they combed the bins for bargains, the Blues did swing a pre-deadline deal that officially ended the Brent Johnson era in St. Louis. It was hardly the move to invigorate a playoff run, but it addressed two goals: moving Johnson elsewhere and moving Petr Cajanek up. The Blues acquired Mike Sillinger from Phoenix for the 27-year-old goaltender who had been marooned in Worcester of the American League for the past two months. “We thought (Brent) was going to come in and be our No. 1 and he lost that,” said Blues coach Mike Kitchen. “And he couldn’t find his confidence.” Johnson is two seasons removed from 34 wins and three consecutive shutouts in a post-season series against Chicago. Still, inconsistency and the team’s lack of faith in him cost him his role…
Acquisition of Nedved reward for hard work
The annual Edmonton Oilers yard sale has been cancelled. The sellers just became buyers. A franchise that normally unloads contracts in March made a radical departure for this year’s stretch drive, acquiring Petr Nedved and goalie Jussi Markkanen from the Rangers March 3 for center Dwight Hehninen and goalie Stephen Valiquette, both minor league prospects. Now that the club has clawed back into the playoff race, GM Kevin Lowe rewarded them by adding rather than the usual small-market subtraction. “It’s a message to our players and our fans,” said Lowe of the deal. “Petr is a good guy and a good player and the price was well within our abilities.” And a welcome one. The Oilers, minus injured forwards Brad Isbister, Mike York and Marty Reasoner, needed reinforcements desperately. Nedved, with eight 20-goal seasons…
Kovalchuk wakes up after costly slumber
It wasn’t the first time in his career that Ilya Kovlachuk was sat out, but it was the first when he was leading the league in goals. The Thrashers left winger overslept and missed the team bus for their morning skate in New Jersey Feb. 27, causing him to arrive late to Continental Airlines Arena and miss a team meeting. “That’s part of being accountable,” said coach Bob Hartley. “(Kovalchuk) is a great kid, but he has to learn. Discipline is a big part of being successful. Any of the other players would have had to do the same thing.” Said Kovalchuk: “It was my fault. It was team rules. I can’t do anything (about it). I was late. It was his decision, but it’s the same rules for everyone. I agree with…
Lindros’s hockey future not un for nublic debate
The Hockey News: FROM THE EDITORS Free speech is a little like striking a match: sometimes it illuminates and sometimes it burns. Take the Eric Lindros concussion saga. When news broke the New York Rangers center was cleared to begin rehabilitation following his eighth reported concussion, a few “experts” emerged and suggested No. 88 should retire. Michael Kaplen, president of the Brain Injury Association of New York, went as far to brand Lindros a bad example for kids in a story that appeared in the Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper. “When guys go back to play (after concussions) in what I believe is reckless conduct, they’re sending the message to parents and children that this is not a big deal,” Kaplen said. “But it is. It can have very big lifetime consequences.” Curiously, the…
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