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Yearbook 1996-97
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.
HARTFORD WHALERS
Go ahead, try to be a Hartford Whalers’ fan. Plop down in a seat at the Civic Center, wave that “Burke is God” sign after each of the goaltender’s 46 saves and ponder the fate of the home team. They’re staying, but they’re going. Owner Peter Kantianos says he will abide by his lease and remain in Hartford for two more years, but he sure is hot about the circumstances. A season-ticket drive netted over 8,500 customers, which is pretty sound support for a team that needs a subscription to The Hockey News to get a taste of the playoffs. However, Karmanos and the state-which runs the arena-couldn’t agree on how to open the building’s revenue streams to the team. If the two sides remain at loggerheads, it’s root, root, root for…
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE TEAMS
The Montreal Canadiens couldn’t do it in 1994. Neither could the New York Rangers in ’95, nor the New Jersey Devils in ’96. In fact, 32 teams in NHL history were unable to turn the difficult feat. So what makes us believe the Colorado Avalanche will buck the recent trend and repeat as Stanley Cup champion? Simple, it only has one team in the Western Conference to beat to make it to the final again-the Detroit Red Wings, who are due to slip a bit- and once it returns, it has all the elements in place to be champion. The Avalanche has solid management, an outstanding young coach who is player friendly, one of the best one-two punches at center in the NHL with Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg and depth few organizations in…
BOSTON BRUINS
Funny thing about people who follow the Boston Bruins. They didn’t seem to mind their hockey club was neither Big nor Bad in the springs of 1990, ’91 or even ’92, because those teams all overachieved their way to at least as far as the semifinal. Times have changed. The 1995-96 Bruins exited the playoffs for the fourth straight spring without so much as a growl-this time in five first-round games- and both paying public and management have seen enough. So the ’96-97 Bruins, though not necessarily huge, will have a lot more snarl to them. Whether the off-season additions of Jeff Odgers and Trent McCleary will make Boston a significantly better club remains to be seen. The offense took a couple of big hits over the summer and right winger Cam…
DALLAS STARS
Bob Gainey looks at the Dallas Stars’ roster and knows just about every one of his players will improve over the 1995-96 season. “After last year,” said the Stars’ GM, “I don’t know how we can’t be better.” A team that set a franchise record with 97 points in 1993-94 endured its second straight sub-,500 season. But last year-from the trade of top prospect Jarome Iginla for Joe Nieuwendyk to Gainey handing the coaching reigns to Ken Hitchcock-the Stars bottomed out. “On paper, I liked last year’s team better than (the 1993-94 team),” Gainey said. “But teams are exactly that and getting the most out of the group is what’s important, not who the individuals are.” The Stars have attempted to at least make sure the right individuals are in place and have truly…
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