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October 31, 2006
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.
Lil Jon a big fan
ASK FANS IN Atlanta if they ever see celebrities at Thrashers games, and they’ll likely give you an enthusiastic “Yeeeeaaaaah!” That’s because homegrown hip-hop icon Lil Jon has taken quite a shine to the local hockey team, and it’s not from the reflection of the bejewelled ‘pimp cup’ chalice he is famous for carrying around. “Hockey still has that aggression, like football and basketball,” said the dreadlocked, multi-platinum-selling artist. “It’s fast-paced, it’s quick and you can beat on the glass.” Best known for his high-energy songs and catchphrases “Yeeeeaaah!” and “Okaaaaay!”, Lil Jon’s history with Atlanta hockey goes back to the days when he used to cheer on the Flames as a youth and then go skating at The Omni, the team’s home rink. With the Thrashers now representing the ‘ATL,’ Lil Jon has…
Sharks chomping opponents early on
BIGGEST NEED For the Sharks? How about a bigger trophy case. Except for a third period meltdown on the road against the Oilers, San Jose showed no glaring weaknesses running off a franchise-best start of 5-1-0. It could be the team is too young and inexperienced on the back end with rookies Matt Carle and Marc-Edouard Vlasic and second-year men Josh Gorges and Christian Ehrhoff. But not so far. It could be the crease is too crowded with Evgeni Nabokov and Vesa Toskala both vying for the starting job, that coach Ron Wilson’s system of alternating starts is too frustrating. That hasn’t been the case yet, with Toskala winning his first three starts and Nabokov posting two shutouts. Finally, it could be the sophomore jinx will bite wingers Milan Michalek and Steve Bernier. But…
SNAPSHOTS
□ In our recent Pucks & Bucks issue, we listed Teemu Selanne’s cap designation at $6 million. His actual salary is only $3.75 million, but he has $2.25 million in possible performance bonuses. Even though he hasn’t earned them yet and may not this season, those bonuses count against the cap. Is this the year of the backup goalie? Already David Aebischer has crowded Cristobal Huet’s crease in Montreal; Ray Emery has taken over for Sens preseason favorite Martin Gerber and veteran Mike Dunham has pushed Rick DiPietro to the end of the bench on Long Island. □ Philadelphia coach Ken Hitchcock said all the right things about hockey being a team game while defending goalie Robert Esche after his team was drubbed 9-1 by the Sabres. But that doesn’t change…
Isles need to find points from point
BIGGEST NEED Rick DiPietro had a 4.54 goals-against average through three starts, so maybe what the Islanders need most is a mulligan on his 15-year contract. But since DiPietro won’t be leaving the Island any time soon, let’s address a more immediate issue. The Isles have to stay out of the penalty box (41 times shorthanded through six games) and figure out how to score when opposing players are toiling in the sin bin. New York opened the season 4-for-32 with the man advantage, a sorry figure that could be easily corrected from within. For instance, why was Miroslav Satan manning the point after burying 17 of his 35 goals on the power play last season, mostly while circling down low? With around $2 million in available cap space, first-year GM Garth Snow might…
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