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Yearbook 2006-07
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.
Team Turnover nets Luongo
After the Vancouver Canucks flopped miserably last season, failing to make the playoffs despite high expectations, GM Dave Nonis vowed there would be changes. There were. A lot of them. Nonis fired coach Marc Crawford and either traded away or walked away from half of the team’s core, including swashbuckling defenseman Ed Jovanovski and talented but troubled winger Todd Bertuzzi. Nonis began his rebuilding phase by promoting Alain Vigneault from Vancouver’s AHL farm team in Manitoba to succeed Crawford. He followed that significant move with one of even greater impact, acquiring marquee goalie Roberto Luongo from the Florida Panthers in a five-player swap that sent Bertuzzi to the sunshine state. Nonis cemented the move by signing Luongo to a four-year, $27-million contract. Jovanovski, who became too expensive for Nonis once Luongo signed, was never offered…
Long journey back to the top
Two short years ago, Tampa Bay appeared positioned for a dynasty. But these days, locking up a playoff spot is a more pressing matter than planning parade routes. Tampa’s biggest off-season move addressed last year’s most prominent problem. Goalie Marc Denis was acquired from Columbus to take over the No. 1 reins that neither John Grahame nor Sean Burke could handle. If Denis plays like Nikolai Khabibulin did in the Stanley Cup season of 2004, the Lightning could be a major force again in the East. If he plays like Grahame did last season, the Lightning will do well to secure one of the top eight spots in the Eastern Conference. Then again, not all of last season’s problems can be blamed on goaltending. Despite boasting a slew of offensive stars in…
STATE of the GAME
From Day 1 of the new NHL, goals were up. Of course, so were referees’ arms and the blood pressure of coaches, players and fans as the whistles went on even more unstopped than players to the net. Granted, everybody had agreed the neutral zone needed to be opened up. But where was the thrill in all this finish if checks were no longer permitted to be finished? Would the NHL, so determined to light up goal lights and TV screens that it cast aside its own rules to stage shootouts to break regular season ties, summon the courage to put back the courage into the game? “The referees felt a lot of pressure,” said Colin Campbell, the NHL’s director of hockey operations, the ultimate enforcer of standards and fielder of complaints. “A…
Stanley Cup cure-all
Carolina Hurricanes teammates Mike Commodore and Cory Stillman, one season removed from being Stanley Cup opponents, lifted the silver mug together this time. For Commodore, a defenseman more notorious for his hair than his hockey, a Game 7 Cup win just one season after a Game 7 Cup loss (with Calgary in 2004) was surely most gratifying. For Stillman, too, there was redemption. Yes, he was part of Tampa Bay’s championship in ’04, but the NHL’s seventh-highest scorer that season was banished to the press box in Game 6 of the final, and wasn’t resigned. According to Stillman, the Bolts dumped him and the Canes were the only team to offer a two-year deal. So, to Carolina he goes. Commodore is next, arriving in Raleigh (in exchange for a third round…
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