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June 10, 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.
CALGARY
DRAFT OUTLOOK With the 17th overall pick, the Flames won’t find that high-end scorer they need. Still, don’t be surprised to see them go for skill over the “safe” pick. GM Darryl Sutter has alluded to the need for drafting scorers instead of steady players. In the first few years of his tenure, the Flames went for gritty wingers or big defensemen, but a switch in philosophy showed a year ago when they took Mikael Backlund in the first round and later puck-moving defenseman John Negrin. That means this year, the team could opt for a player such as Mattias Tedenby if the talented left winger falls to them or even Mikhail Stefa-novich – the center from Belarus who played for Quebec (QMJHL) – or possibly Windsor (OHL) center Greg Nemisz.…
SHOOT!…WIDE!
IF IT SEEMS AS THOUGH a lot of point men have been missing the net in the playoffs this year, it’s because they are – but this season, they’re doing it on purpose. With shot-blocking having evolved into an art form, the trend of banking shots off one side of the end boards so they ricochet out in front of the net has become a popular one. “There are definitely defensemen who do it on purpose,” said Philadelphia Flyers star Daniel Briere, who saw (and benefited) from the practise in Round 1 against Washington. “Now we all know how good players are at blocking shots, so this is a good way of getting around that.” Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury laughed when he was asked about the phenomenon. “It’s a pretty smart move for…
I GOT VOTED OFF THE ISLAND
AFTER 20 YEARS in public relations with the New York Islanders, I resigned in April. Truth be told, I was forced to retire with an upper-body injury. Despite my break from the game, the stress over the lack of buzz in New York and the rest of the U.S. for the NHL playoffs remains. In 2029, a student will have the bright idea to research all the coverage of the historic final when Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin faced the legendary Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup final. The frustration at the scarcity of clippings from national American newspapers will leave him sobbing uncontrollably in a corner of the library. I mean, c’mon. How much longer does hockey have to pay for the lockout? Or is that just a lame excuse…
OLD AND NEW UNITE IN RUSSIAN REVIVAL
QUEBEC CITY – There they stood on the blueline, arm in arm, belting out the Russian national anthem with gold medals around their necks. One of them, the product of the old Soviet totalitarian system, a retired Colonel in the Red Army whose battle experience never went beyond a hockey rink, except when it extended to those who would attempt to suppress him. The other, a product of the new Russia, a wildly talented and wildly wealthy young man who is never caught dead in public wearing anything other than the latest designs by Dolce&Gabbana. Vladislav Tretiak and Alex Ovechkin do, however, cut something of a dashing figure. And perhaps after Russia’s 5-4 overtime win against Canada in the World Championship final, we’d better get used to it. Russian hockey has returned with…
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