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Yearbook 2003-04
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.
ROOKIES ON RISE
Jiri Hudler, C, 19, Detroit He'll be broken in slowly by the Wings, but his offensive instincts are top-notch. Lukas Krajicek, D, 20, Florida A terrific skater, Krajicek almost made the team each of the past two years. Igor Radulov, LW, 21, Chicago Five goals in seven NHL games at the end of last season set expectations sky-high. Phil Sauve, G, 23, Colorado If David Aebischer falters, understudy Sauve will be given his fair shot at the job. Peter Sejna, LW, 24, St. Louis Hobey Baker Award winner scored final goal on Patrick Roy in NHL debut last season. Eero Somervuori, RW, 24, Tampa Bay The pick of pool guru Murray Towns end to be top rookie with 50 points. Jeff Taffe, C, 22, Phoenix Thought he could crack the lineup in 2002-03. A year later, he’s close to making it. Fedor Tyutin, D,…
Sutter plan simple: Score more goals
A decade ago, they were one of the NHL’s model franchises. They were a consistent winner, year in, year out, and a Stanley Cup champion once, in 1989. But more recently, most of the distinctions earned by the Calgary Flames fall into the dubious category. After the Tampa Bay Lightning made the playoffs last spring, the Flames took over the longest active non-playoff streak in the NHL - seven years. Every time it looks as if Calgary is moving forward, something else goes wrong. One year, the problem is goaltending, the next, it’s a lack of consistent scoring. Mostly though, the organization lacks stability. The Flames cleaned out the hockey department again between December and May last season and now the man with the plan is Darryl Sutter, a freshman GM, but…
Gainey’s dilemma: Where to start?
The Montreal Canadiens have one thing working in their favor as they head into a new season. The expectations are low. That might mean the possibilities are high. A year ago at this time, the Canadiens were coming off their first playoff appearance in four seasons. Not only that, but they upset Boston in the opening round and came mighty close in Round 2 to eliminating Carolina, the eventual Stanley Cup finalist, before succumbing in six games. But just as the Hurricanes proved one-year wonder, so, too, did the Canadiens. Instead of taking the next - step finishing higher in the standings and advancing further into the playoffs - Montreal failed miserably to capitalize on its momentum. to being and The Canadiens’ record of 30-35-8-9 left them 10th overall in the Eastern Conference, six…
With hurts healed, wins should follow
The Los Angeles Kings were a year ahead of the league trend toward fiscal responsibility last year. While it surely saved them in the pocket book, it may have cost them on the ice. Injuries, which included a rash of concussions, crippled the roster and deprived the club of some of its top offensive players. While any club would have suffered with so many key players out of the lineup, it’s arguable the lack of depth left to pick up the pieces was what led to the Kings’ first non-playoff season in four years. Now they’ll learn if their commitment to the young players who got so much unexpected ice time last season is paying off. But first things first: Los Angeles expects to get back cornerstones Jason Allison and Adam Deadmarsh, who…
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