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December 12, 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.
Plus / Minus
THIS IS EASY San Jose Sharks rookie center Joe Pavelski of Stevens Point, Wis., made his mark by scoring goals in three of his first four NHL games. DON’T GET USED TO IT Denis Savard wins his first game as Chicago’s head coach, but at 2-1 it was hardly the wide-open, high-scoring style he says he wants to see. CHILLIN’ WITH CHELLY Detroit’s wily veteran Chris Chelios, 44, passes Phil Housley for most NHL games played by a U.S.-born player, at 1,496 and counting. STICKING IT TO ‘EM Yes, he got belted in the head a few times first, but Team OHL’s Chris Stewart’s spear to the midsection of a Russian opponent was just plain nasty. SOPHOMORE JINX Toronto’s Alexander Steen delighted the Leafs with 18 goals as a rookie last season, but managed just one in his first…
Carolina finds gem in Sarnia’s Reed
TOP 2006 PICK Jamie McBain, 18, D, Wisconsin (WCHA), 63rd overall. Carolina’s pick of McBain addressed a franchise-wide need for defensive depth. He’s an average size for an NHL defenseman, at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, and a smooth skater who handles the puck well and understands his defensive responsibilities. The only freshman on Wisconsin’s blueline, McBain has outperformed his older teammates so far and is one of the top-scoring D-men in the WCHA. KEY PROSPECT Harrison Reed, 18, RW, Sarnia (OHL), 93rd overall, 2006. The Canes took a third round flyer on Reed, thinking he might have been a good player on a bad team. He proceeded to dazzle them in training camp, outperforming all but four veterans on the team’s fitness tests and holding his own in his NHL pre-season…
Swift Vishnevskiy has Zubov upside
TOP 2006 PICK Ivan Vishnevskiy, 18, D, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL), 27th. Considered the best skater in the 2006 draft, Vishnevskiy could be called an ‘offenseman’. The Stars will work on his defensive responsibilities whenever he advances to the minors, but they’re happy to see him as a point-a-game scorer and power play quarterback in major junior this season. His upside is as the next Sergei Zubov. KEY PROSPECT Joel Lundqvist, 24, C, Iowa (AHL), 68th overall, 2000. The twin brother of Rangers’ goalie Henrik Lundqvist, Joel has taken a slower path to the NHL. But he appears ready to take the next step. A skilled two-way center, he or Marty Sertich (a free agent signing in 2006) could play behind Mike Modano next season. Lundqvist helped Frolunda win the Swedish Elite League…
IN A WORLD OF HIS OWN
Before each home game, Chris Pronger leaves his suburban digs and jumps into his Mercedes for the 40-minute ride to the Honda Center in Anaheim, but not before he picks up some very precious cargo. Aside from getting himself ($6.25 million this season) to the rink on time, along the way he picks up Ducks goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere ($4 million), winger Rob Niedermayer ($2 million) and, most importantly, defenseman and captain Scott Niedermayer ($6.75 million). Having three passengers allows Pronger to use the express lanes on the labyrinth of expressways and Interstates that lead to the rink, which goes a long way toward negotiating the oppressive traffic congestion in the area. “I’m an excellent driver,” says Pronger, sounding a little like Dustin Hoff man in Rain Man. He’d better be. What’s that rule…
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