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Yearbook 2007-08
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.
Quick six guarantees
Another NHL season is almost upon us. And with it comes a few virtual certainties fans can expect to go down. Let’s examine six of them: 1. The Buffalo Sabres will not repeat as Presidents’ Trophy winners. Don’t get us wrong – Buffalo will qualify for the post-season and may even win a playoff game or two. But like the Oilers last year, their days of dominance are done – call it the ‘Jaroslav Spacek Curse’ – and unless they acquire some veteran grit on the blueline, the Sabres will be post-season history in a hurry. 2. Paul Kariya, Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg will have absolutely nothing of consequence to say to the media. Just hazarding a guess, but here’s betting that three of the league’s blandest stars will do their…
THE MANY FACES OF DARCY TUCKER
As Tucker prepared to enter his 12th NHL campaign, his on-and off-ice evolution – from an undersized, overlooked Alberta kid to a mature leader upon whom the Leafs will lean heavily in the hopes of returning to the post-season – was all but complete. But that evolution isn’t complete, and likely never will be, because there’s always been one constant in Tucker’s career, regardless of the jersey he’s worn. Darcy Tucker has always had something to prove. Even in the summer of 2007, at age 32 and with a contract extension that will keep him in blue and white until 2011, the father of three and husband of Shannon is convinced he can improve. “The last couple years was just the tip of the iceberg for me,” said Tucker, who set career-highs in…
mind-bog-gling
It was seen as a characteristically rebellious move by a guy who has long played on the edge of the NHL rulebook and is never far away from major controversy. But the truth, as Chelios tells it, was he was emotionally overwhelmed. When the finality of the season ending sunk in, all the feelings Chelios had managed to compartmentalize for months bubbled to the surface and he was afraid he was going to fall apart. “I’m not going to lie and I’ll use an example,” Chelios said. “When Michael Jordan’s father passed away and the Chicago Bulls won the championship (in 1996), he had an emotional breakdown at the end of the game where he just basically collapsed and was crying. “I’m not bulletproof and I don’t claim to be the toughest guy…
Flyers return from ruin?
TEAM GRADE C They suffered the greatest one-year dropoff in NHL history. Now the Flyers would like to reverse that dubious distinction with a record comeback. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for the Flyers last season. A starting goaltender (Antero Niittymaki) got hurt, a head coach (Ken Hitchcock) couldn’t keep his job and a star player (Peter Forsberg) maneuvered his way to the exit door. By the time it was over, the Flyers had experienced by far the worst of their 40 seasons. The one bright spot was the decision to retain Paul Holmgren as GM. Holmgren showed creativity (getting maximum value in Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent and a first round draft pick) in the Forsberg trade, plus an aggressive streak – parlaying that aforementioned pick into the bargaining rights for defenseman Kimmo…
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