EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE

CALGARY FLAMES

After years of following a strong regular season with a do-nothing playoff, the Calgary Flames modified their script last spring. They followed a mediocre regular season with a do-nothing playoff. If you’re keeping score at home, that means the Flames are oh-for-the-’90s in post-season play and every season, they manage to slip just a little further down the NHL ladder. It didn’t help that star left winger Gary Roberts retired in early summer because of the ongoing problems with his surgically repaired neck, leaving the Flames with only one player-right winger Theo Fleury-from their 1988-89 Stanley Cup championship team. Roberts’ retirement, while anticipated, delivered a severe body blow to an organization that has seen its talent pool diminish with each passing year. When Roberts returned to the lineup last season, the Rames ings. By…

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…

YZE ON PRIZE

It was just a groin pull, the type of injury a player can usually grit his teeth and endure. But for Steve Yzerman, it was also the latest frustrating chapter in the book of misfortune that has defined his career. The Detroit Red Wings’ captain leaves Game 1 of the 1996 Western Conference final against the Colorado Avalanche 13 minutes into the second period April 17, misses Game 2 and plays Games 4 through 6, but is not the same effective player many considered the best two-way forward in the NHL last season. Another bolt of lightning struck from the little black cloud that hovers over Yzerman’s head. This was supposed to be the year the Red Wings finally lived up to their vast potential. The was supposed to be the year when Yzerman,…