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Yearbook 1999-00
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.
King Palffy must share golden scoring touch
As their 33rd NHL season begins, the Los Angeles Kings are preparing to leave the Great Western Forum and move into the glitzy, $375-million Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles in late October. They hope they can also leave behind the sour memories of last season, when they missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons and were one of the NHL's lowest-scoring teams. In addition to a new address, the Kings have a new coach in Andy Murray, who has experience as an NHL assistant, but hasn’t worked in the league since the 1994-95 season. But most importantly, recognizing the need to improve an offense that last year was among the NHL's worst-not to mention a need to fill seats in the new arena and give fans incentive to…
Goal of young team: score more respect
Once upon a time, the Chicago Blackhawks were a sure thing to make the playoffs. That's not the case anymore. Alas, the proud Blackhawks have become ordinary. The Hawks have missed the playoffs for two years in a row after participating in the NHL's post-season party for 28 straight springs, which was one year shy of Boston's record. "That record was cherished," said Hawks' owner Bill Wirtz. "It's not easy to be in the playoffs and set that record for so many years. But we have to start over." Returning to the playoffs is the Hawks' primary goal in 1999-2000, although coach Lorne Molleken expects much more out of a club that finished last season on such an upswing. The Hawks closed with an 8-1-2 rush last April, and were 13-6-4 under Molleken after…
Can Cup bridesmaids clear final hurdle?
Put aside the bitter memories of a goal that will forever be in dispute-at least in Buffalo and western New York–and the Buffalo Sabres had a very good season. Perhaps their best ever. They didn't capture the Stanley Cup, but they gave hope to small market clubs everywhere, taking the heavily favored Dallas Stars through a low-scoring but ultimately fascinating six games in the Stanley Cup final. The Sabres didn't win, but they won the hearts of hockey fans–and a lot of non-hockey fans-with their plucky play and never-say-die approach. In time, they will probably just take their place alongside the 1975 club that also got to the final only to lose in six games. The difference between the two teams is no one expected these Sabres to get as far as they…
Will Bure’s boost solve identity crisis?
For two years, the Panthers have been a combination of the 45-year-old buying himself a Porsche and the college graduate backpacking across Europe. They're like a head-on collision between The Big Chill and The Graduate. But if the Panthers don't find themselves this season, some people will be finding themselves out of a job. This is the year the transition from Expansion Era to Established Era must be completed. They have a superstar in Pavel Bure, pending the condition of his right knee. The franchise's second-ever captain, right winger Scott Mellanby, needs to fully mature in that role as twenty some things such as Radek Dvorak need to fully mature into the pivotal roles players like Mellanby once held. Two of those guys in their 20s, Rob Niedermayer and Viktor Kozlov, received serious…