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April 1, 2008
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.
TRIP TO FLORIDA NEEDS TO END
REMEMBER COUSIN OLIVER, the tyke whose corniness helped drive the final stake through The Brady Bunch? Or Buck/Lucky, the talking dog character from Married With Children? How ‘bout Luke, the vagrant boy taken in by Kirk Cameron & Co. on Growing Pains? All of them, at one point in time, seemed like a wise idea to somebody. And, after years of sober reflection, they all can be confirmed as some of the worst entertainment concepts in recorded history. I feel the same way these days about the Florida Panthers. From their expansion miseries in 1993-94 through this, yet another lost season, the Panthers have for the most part been one giant blob of beige in the NHL’s tapestry, a tanned, redheaded stepchild the locals are too blasé to beat. And, with all apologies to…
ANAHEIM
GUYS TO WATCH Two players who weren’t around for last year’s championship will be among Anaheim’s key players this season. Winger Todd Bertuzzi, a high-priced free agent acquisition last summer, and center Doug Weight, who arrived in a December trade with St. Louis, will be counted on to provide much-needed secondary scoring. With leading goal-scorer Corey Perry gone until at least the post-season with a partially severed right quadriceps tendon, that need is amplified. Bertuzzi enjoyed a strong middle portion of the season after missing 14 games because of a concussion, but tailed off in early February. Weight, who missed eight games with a shoulder injury in February, was still struggling to get comfortable and confident.…
TEACHING ONDREJ TO BE MORE GIANT
AFTER EVERY GAME, the Chicago Wolves coaches grade their players and the report card doesn’t always mirror the scoreboard. In December, goalie Ondrej Pavelec’s goals-against average wasn’t pretty (3.43), nor was his save percentage (.887). In January, the numbers improved (3.39, .902) but still didn’t look great. Ah, but numbers can sometimes lie. “I was giving him a good rating night after night,” said goalie coach Wendell Young. “They’d still be getting four or five by him and I’d be giving him a good rating. That was a statement about the way our team was playing.” The Wolves are now playing a much more sound all-around game, which is how they vaulted to the top of the West Division. And Young’s grading of Pavelec now makes perfect sense. Between Feb. 2 and March 9, Pavelec…
CALGARY
GUYS TO WATCH The Flames will be hard-pressed to keep Daymond Langkow and Kristian Huselius. In fact, it may be impossible to retain either of the pending UFAs. Much of the Flames’ success will depend on the duo, who regularly make up two-thirds of the top line with captain Jarome Iginla. Should the crafty Huselius and the steady Langkow get hot, it bodes well for the team. But should they struggle, as was the case for Huselius in the playoffs last year, their opportunities become limited. Veteran right winger Owen Nolan was brought in to provide leadership as well as some second-line scoring come crunch time. He has been very solid from February on. This is his best chance to win the Stanley Cup.…
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