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Yearbook 1991
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.
HOME OF THE CUP
It’s been three years since they last met in the playoffs for the Battle of Alberta, but that doesn’t mean the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames have ceased hostilities. Just the opposite, in fact. In recent years, the pattern has been that no matter where the NHL season started, it would end in Alberta. Over the last eight seasons, either Calgary or Edmonton qualified for the Stanley Cup final. Edmonton made it six times and won five. Calgary made it twice and won once. The two organizations have been trying to one-up each other ever since 1980 and that highly-energized competition pushed both teams to impressive heights. In 1989, after the Oilers won their third crown, the Flames responded with a 117-point season and a Stanley Cup to call their own. In 1990, after the Flames…
STARTING ALL OVER
The Minnesota North Stars have an owner from the Calgary Flames, a general manager from the Philadelphia Flyers and a coach from the Montreal Canadiens. Unfortunately for the fans, they didn’t get the players from those cities. Team instability—six coaches since November, 1984 and three owners since spring 1990-—outdid itself during the offseason. George and Gordon Gund, owners since the 1978 merger with Cleveland, sold the team and took general manager Jack Ferreira to the Bay Area of northern California to await expansion in 1991. Last year’s coach, Pierre Page, looked at the deal and bolted for a job as general manager of the Quebec Nordiques. New owners Howard Baldwin and Morris Belzberg, pledging stability, sold majority interest to newer owner Norman Green when they couldn’t secure financing for the deal. The 18…
A BANNER SEASON?
A year ago, some people figured the Pittsburgh Penguins’ greatest challenge was determining what to do with all the championship banners the club was about to earn. The team had gone through an arduous building process for most of the 1980s and appeared to be on the cusp of greatness. At the very least, the Penguins were widely expected to contend for their first-ever Patrick Division championship. But that was before center Mario Lemieux, who had won the previous two NHL scoring titles, was tormented by back trouble and had to miss 21 of Pittsburgh’s final 22 games. Before goalie Tom Barrasso missed most of February and March because of his daughter’s illness. Before some of the players revolted against then-coach Gene Ubriaco. Before the Penguins lost a playoff berth in overtime of…
BEST OF A BAD BUNCH
This time last year, almost everyone who knew anything about hockey was predicting the demise of the New York Rangers. As it turns out, reports of their demise were greatly exaggerated. Not only did the Rangers prove wrong most of the prognosticators who predicted they would miss the playoffs, they finished first in the Patrick Division and won their first regular-season division title since 1942. On the down side of history, the Rangers marked their 50th straight season without a Stanley Cup. General manager Neil Smith, who wasn’t hired until July 17, put together a credible front-office team, headed by coach Roger Neilson. Under Neilson, the Rangers had their annua] battle against injuries and finished 36-31-13, good enough for first place in the weakened Patrick but ninth overall. Smith then sacrificed some youth…
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