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Yearbook 1997-98
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.
Lamp lighters
Boston Bruins' right winger Steve Heinze scored just one more goal, 17, in 1997-98 than he did the year before. But he did it in 30 games, which was 46 fewer than 1995-96. Prorated to 76 games, the number he played the year before, Heinze would have scored 43 goals-27 more-for the second biggest improvement to Ryan Smyth’s 37. Here are the top five improvements among NHL regulars from 1995-96 to 1996-97. Chris Gratton and Jeff Friesen tied for No. 5.…
J.R., Tkachuk still keys to GM Smith's shuffled deck
Bobby Smith said he wanted to put his stamp on the Phoenix Coyotes. After just one season as an NHL front office executive, it has turned out to be more like a branding iron. Smith aggressively retooled the franchise in its first season removed from Winnipeg, firing John Paddock and appointing himself GM, firing Don Hay after one season as coach and replacing him with Jim Schoenfeld and doing a lot of wheeling and dealing. It didn’t get the Coyotes any farther than the Jets ever got. Phoenix, playing to capacity crowds at America West Arena, finished fifth in the Western Conference with 83 points and lost once again in the first round of the playoffs-this time to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in seven games. “I know where we want to go…
Hope, youth springing eternal in Windy City
The Chicago Blackhawks aren’t engaged in a full-fledged youth movement, but they’re pretty dam close. Bob Murray, 42, takes over as GM for the staid Bob Pulford with an immediate goal to make the Blackhawks bigger, faster and younger. "We’ve got some good kids coming along and they’ve got to play,” Murray said. It’s possible as many as five rookies could be in the opening night lineup. They would join three young players the Blackhawks think have blue-chip potential in wingers Ethan Moreau and Eric Daze and center Jeff Shantz. Defensemen Christian Laflamme and Tuomas Gronman are being counted on to play among the top six blueliners, while the three rookie forwards who will be given every chance to make the club are center Dmitri Nabokov, right winger Dan Cleary and left winger Jean-Yves…
Major League Helpers
Wayne Gretzky is North America’s consummate playmaker-helping others score at the most dominant rate. Entering 1997-98, he had 72 per cent more assists than NHL all-time assist runner-up Paul Coffey. Comparable stats are National Basketball Association assists. National Football League touchdown passes and Major League Baseball runs batted in. Listed are all-time leaders, their totals and percent difference. Asterisks indicate active players.…