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October 8, 1993
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.
THE BRAND NEW EQUALITY
Like most myths, the European legend is grounded in fact. The first overseas NHL invaders were below average in toughness but above in ability. Players such as Inge Ham-marstrom, Boije Salming and Lars Sj oberg were imported from Europe primarily for their skill. The image was cultivated because NHL teams were filling a need that couldn’t be met at home. Even if the intimidating forward or stay-at-home defenseman existed in Europe, why bring him over when there was already a great supply in North America? Because of the high cost of importing European players, they were expected to make an immediate impact. And so a stereotype was bom. It has been perpetuated by such offensive whiz kids as Teemu Selanne and Alexander Mogilny, the NHL’s leading goal scorers in 1992-93, but the likes of Frantisek…
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Lots of ‘ifs’ and ‘maybes’ here Most Washington Capital fans won’t be surprised if the team’s 20th season isn’t radically different than the past 10 or so. That means a solid-perhaps even spectacular-regular season and a disappointing spring. It’s entirely possible the Capitals could win the Stanley Cup. In ways, they’ve been on the fringe the past two seasons. If the Capitals could have found one more breath and one more victory in 1992, they would have denied the Pittsburgh Penguins a second straight Cup. If, if, if, if… The Capitals’ string of 11 straight playoff appearances is the fifth-longest in the league, but that has not meant playoff success. In seven of the 11 years, the Capitals were eliminated by teams that finished below them in the standings. Last season’s opening round loss…
Detroit ready to make Cup run
The Detroit Red Wings led the NHL in mosts last season: most goals, most money, most fans and most disappointing. Their loss in the first round of the 1993 playoffs represented the spring’s biggest collapse, surpassing even the Pittsburgh Penguins’ setback one round later. Detroit stands poised for a more substantial run at the Stanley Cup this season. “We’re right there,” says Red Wings’ assistant general manager Doug MacLean. “The whole thing hinges on one name-Mario Lemieux.” Is there any reason to believe the Red Wings will be better this seasdn? They still don’t have a first-rate stopper; Tim Cheveldae is not all-flop, but he’s also not all-stop. They still don’t have a leader who has proven he will deliver in the clutch; Steve Yzerman was soundly outplayed by Doug Gilmour last year. They still don’t have…
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Trying to repeat Dream season To assess the Toronto Maple Leafs’ chances this season, it’s imperative to answer one important question: Was last season a fluke? If so, it would make sense to project the Leafs would join the long line of teams who have made major improvement in one sea-son-32 points to 99 last year-only to slide back to mediocrity the next. So which was it? Fluke or fact? Well, given the club’s level of talent, it goes without saying some good luck factored into a strong regular season and surprising playoff. But when you examine the club’s recent history, it’s clear the watershed moment was Jan. 2, 1992, when Doug Gilmour and four others were acquired from the Calgary Flames. The Leafs ended that season as one of the better NHL clubs…
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