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July 29, 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.
UNDER the RADAR
WELL, SILLY SEASON HAS COME AND GONE for the most part. Now we are left scratching our heads trying to figure out the rationale behind some of the big contracts handed out and why we missed an entire year of hockey in 2004-05. Most of the big names got scooped up early, although Mats Sundin was still mulling a $20-million offer for two years to play in Vancouver – among other overtures – as of press time. While it’s hard to miss those deals involving astronomical amounts of dollars, there were some significant signings that may have gone under the radar. Here are three: TY CONKLIN DETROIT If there is one thing the Detroit Red Wings proved last season, it is having a competent backup goalie is mandatory. When Dominik Hasek faltered in the…
SNAPSHOTS
KYLE WELLWOOD IS STARTING to make Lady Byng hog Pavel Datsyuk look like a goon. Wellwood, who’s been plagued by injury the last two seasons, hasn’t taken a penalty since April 11, 2006. That’s a span of 111 games. So Vancouver fans, you’re either getting the most gentlemanly player in the game or the least intense. IMAGINE BEING OFFERED $20 million for two years’ worth of work and being in a position to say, “I dunno; let me get back to you.” Boy, life must be pretty good for Mats Sundin. OREN KOULES AND LEN BARRIE have demonstrated they’re going to be the kind of owners who get very involved in the direction of their team. Evidence of that can be seen in the way they aggressively recruited free agent forwards. The…
LOFTY LEGACY FOR JAGR
WITH JAROMIR JAGR joining Avangard Omsk of the Continental Hockey League, the NHL said goodbye to one of the most dominant offensive players the league has ever seen. In fact, only Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux have been more productive over the past two decades than Jagr. And given what Gretzky and Lemieux have done, you can make a case for Jagr being in the top five among offensive players in the game’s history. Remember, Jagr’s most dominant years were during the NHL’s Dead Puck Era. When Jagr was in his prime, he was putting up remarkable numbers considering the fact the league was descending into a black hole for offensive creativity. Jagr is indisputably a first-ballot Hall of Famer (That will be when he retires from hockey entirely, not just the NHL.…
QUESTIONS ABOUND AMIDST THE CHAOS
“Does Bryan McCabe really want to remain with a team, the Leafs, that doesn’t want him? THE SO-CALLED OFF-SEASON is supposed to be a time of year when NHL teams come up with answers for next season. But having watched the madness that is the summer free agency season, all I am left with are questions. Such as: If Mats Sundin was slightly better than a point-per-game player with the Columbus Blue Jackets the past few years, would new Vancouver GM Mike Gillis have made the outrageous offer of $20 million for the next two seasons? If Toronto GM Cliff Fletcher is willing to pay $14 million for a Finger, how much would he have paid for a Foote? Does Marian Hossa know the NHL has not had a repeat champion since the Red Wings…
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