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Yearbook 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.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE
QUEBEC NORDIQUES
The Quebec Nordiques finally have a fighting chance to be competitive. They’ll avoid a fifth consecutive last-place finish, thanks to the inclusion of the expansion Ottawa Senators in the Adams family. But even without the Senators, the Nordiques should contend for a playoff spot. With major re-tooling going on in Montreal, Boston and Hartford and with the Buffalo Sabres being, well, the Sabres, the Nordiques believe the division is wide open this year. Thanks to the continuing maturation of a young but talented nucleus and the immediate return on the trading of Eric Lindros, the Nordiques will be in the thick of any playoff race. 1991-92 record: 20-48-12, fifth in Adams, 21st overall, missed playoffs. Three pivotal factors: I. Receiving consistent goaltending. If Ron Hextall and one of Stephane Fiset or John Tanner can't supply…
HERE’S WHY LaFONTAINE RANKS NO. 2 IN THE NHL
Pat LaFontaine is No. 2 because he tries harder. There’s no doubt Pittsburgh Penguins’ center Mario Lemieux is the best player in the NHL. But there’s a very strong case to be made for LaFontaine’s stature as the second-best player in the game. Putting LaFontaine ahead Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull, Jeremy Roenick and several other viable candidates may sound out of line but there is ample evidence to support the claim. LaFontaine didn’t win the scoring crown this past season but with 93 points in 57 games, he averaged 1.63 points per game-third behind Lemieux (2.05) and Gretzky (1.64). He scored .81 goals per game, second only to St. Louis superscorer Hull, who had 70 goals in 73 games for a .96 average. LaFontaine was plus-10 in the regular season on a…
A ‘KOZ’ FOR EXCITEMENT
Everyone in the NHL is looking forward to the 1993 draft and it has nothing to do with the night life in Quebec City. Early projections on next year’s draft indicate it will be everything that this year’s lottery wasn’t. The 1993 collection of draft prospects is chock full of possible franchise players and boasts seveal potential superstars, including Victor Kozlov, a player who could become the first Russian ever drafted first overall. But don’t be completely surprised if the same NHL scouts who are singing the praises of next year’s crop now are moaning about its shortcomings next June. The reason is simple. Scouts will be the first to admit they are occasionally guilty of overstating the talent in young prospects, especially those who aren’t in their draft years. Or as one…