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Yearbook 2001-02
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.
Blue Jackets hoping to build on Year 1
As the Columbus Blue Jackets put the wraps on their successful first season last spring, the word “foundation” made its way into more and more dressing room discussions. Everyone from GM president Doug MacLean to the a coaching staff to the players and beyond realized the Blue Jackets had accumulated more talent, more wins and more fans than they had a right to expect as an expansion team. The challenge before them now is obvious: Build on it. The Blue Jackets will try to continue their growth at a steady and responsible rate. There will be seven or eight new faces this year, including defenseman and Calder Trophy candidate Rostislav Klesla. MacLean went shopping on the free agent market and got Mike Sillinger, a player Columbus hopes can add depth down the middle. Defensively,…
End of Hasek era no cause for alarm
Dominik Hasek is gone. Michael Peca is gone. Doug Gilmour is gone. Dave Andreychuk, Donald Audette and Steve Heinze? Gone, gone and gone. The Buffalo Sabres insist they are retooling their lineup rather than rebuilding it after trading away one of their best all-time players in Hasek and their captain in Peca. While Hasek was seen as “the franchise” for much of his nine-year stay in Buffalo, the Sabres are deep 1 in candidates to replace him, led by Martin Biron, and have a good spread of talent throughout their roster. They got left winger Slava Kozlov from Detroit in the Hasek deal-along with a 2002 first round pick-and forwards Tim Connolly and Taylor Pyatt from the New York Islanders in the Peca trade to bolster their skill level up front. The Sabres…
Unsatisfied Blues change colors again
For an elite team built on character and camaraderie, the St. Louis Blues continue to overhaul as though they’re an NHL bottom-feeder. Only eight regulars remain from the Presidents’ Trophy champions of two years ago. Despite waves of key injuries, the Blues ran up 103 points last year and reached, the Western Conference final for the just second time in 30 years. Then they jettisoned five regulars, including starting goalie Roman Turek, No. center Pierre Turgeon and ton youne forwards Jochen top young lorwarus uocnen Hecht and Marty Reasoner. Doug Weight, a play-making center who was an inspiration in Edmonton, replaces Turgeon on the top line. “We’re a better team now than we year,” said Chris Pronger. were last defenseman Chris Pronger. By failing to land Dominik Hasek, the Blues resume their Stanley Cup quest with…
Hawks select Sutter to clean up mess
It’s hard to be optimistic about a dramatic turnaround forthe Chicago Blackhawks in 2001-02. Chicago has a new coach (again) in Brian Sutter and management hopes his fiery approach on and off the ice will get the immediate attention of the underachievers that dot the team’s roster. Sutter is the anti-Alpo Suhonen, who was fired after one season because the Hawks reflected too much his mild-mannered personality. Unfortunately for Sutter, many of the same players who dogged it under Suhonen have been allowed to return for a chance to miss the playoffs for a fifth year in a row. “Brian Sutter is going to hold people accountable,” said Hawks’ captain Tony Amonte. “Guys got too much freedom last year. He has got a pretty good reputation behind him, he’s toughand he has been…
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