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September 6, 2005
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.
Torres and Hemsky expected to step up
There’s no denying the impact newly acquired veterans Chris Pronger and Mike Peca will have on the Edmonton Oilers this season, but with 23-year-old Raffi Torres and 22-year-old Ales Hemsky occupying two of the top six spots at forward, the team’s fortunes will rest just as heavily on youth. Torres, who led the Oilers in goals two seasons ago with 20, but looked lost in the American League during last year’s lockout, recently signed a two-year contract and is being counted on as the second line left winger behind Ryan Smyth. Despite a lukewarm season two years ago, the job of first line right winger will be Hemsky’s to lose. The 13th pick overall in 2001 had a breakout year in Pardubice (Cze.) during the lockout, scoring 31 points in 47 games…
Murphy picks security over risk reward
In seven pro years, Curtis Murphy played just one NHL game, yet he was greatly impacted by the new collective bargaining agreement. The new CBA basically means Murphy, the Eddie Shore Plaque winner as best American League defenseman in 2002-03 and ’03-04, will never skate in the NHL again. Not if he wants to keep making very good money in the AHL. Players on two-way contracts who make more than $75,000 in the AHL must be exposed to waivers before they can be called up. If they are claimed, their original club must still pay half the NHL salary. Thus, depth players and borderline NHLers who play for $100,000 to $150,000 in the AHL need to make a decision: take a big pay cut – they’re getting dinged for much more than 24…
Dallas hopes Skoula hits Star potential
Associate coach Rick Wilson has done some masterful work with defensemen in his 14 years with the Stars. He helped develop Derian Hatcher and Richard Matvichuk into one of the most physical pairings in the league. He used a velvety-soft touch to coax Sergei Zubov into the Stars’ controlled style of play. And he rebuilt the confidence of a mentally shaken Darryl Sydor. That said, Wilson could have his biggest challenge ever in trying to rebuild the game of free agent signee Martin Skoula. The 17th pick in the 1998 draft, Skoula has all the tools. He is 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, a solid skater and a good passer. He has 404 games of NHL regular season experience and 68 games of playoff experience and he’s only 25. That said, the…
Star swap makes sense
DANY HEATLEY Age: 24 Position: RW Career stats: 190 GP, 80-101-181, 132 PIM New contract: 3 years, $13.5 million; $3.5 million in ‘05-06 MARIAN HOSSA Age: 26 Position: RW Career stats: 467 GP, 188-202-390, 243 PIM New contract: 3 years, $18 million; $5 million in ‘05-06 As much as Ottawa GM John Muckler might be pleased about dealing for Dany Heatley in this swap of superstar forwards, in a non-cap world he doesn’t do the deal at all. In a non-cap world, Muckler spends owner Eugene Melnyk’s money to sign Hossa and cornerstone defensemen Wade Redden and Zdeno Chara, both of whom can become unrestricted free agents next summer, instead of opening up cap space by taking his chances on Heatley, a player with far more baggage (and yes, far more talent) than your average 24-year-old. In the here and…
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