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September 2, 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.
MONTREAL
SUMMER GRADE B– Incomplete. That pretty much sums up the Canadiens’ off-season. Montreal, which surprisingly finished first in the Eastern Conference last season, was seeking a big, offense-minded second-line center and made a pitch for free agent Mats Sundin, who was still unsigned by anyone in mid-August. The Habs have improved up front with the addition of ex-Flames left winger Alex Tanguay through a trade and former Penguins enforcer Georges Laraque through free agency. Tanguay slumped to 18 goals last year, but did score more than 20 in each of the previous four seasons. The 6-foot-3, 243-pound Laraque will keep opponents honest while alleviating some of the physical pressure from defenseman Mike Komisarek. SCHED GLANCE The Bell Centre won’t see Sidney Crosby and Pittsburgh until Feb. 3 – and then again…
CROSSWORD
Answers available in the next issue and at THN.com/xword ACROSS 1 Imposing blueliner Zdeno ___ 8 The N in NHL 9 Teams that miss the playoffs are said to ‘get out the golf ___ early’ 10 Brad ___ is now with Dallas, pictured 11 A player not under contract is a free ___ 14 Rick ___ had a stint as coach in Pittsburgh 15 The Red Wings play in ‘___ City’ 20 There’s AHL hockey in Wilkes-___ 21 Hanging up one’s skates 22 One who shows you to your seat 23 They were swept in the opening playoff round this year 24 The Koivu brothers are ___, and so is Sami Salo DOWN 2 He’s GM in Philly 3 Larry ___ was one of a number of Habs to take the Smythe Trophy 4 The Flames’ ___ Moss 5 Number retired by the Bruins (it was Cam Neely’s) 6…
ST. LOUIS
SUMMER GRADE C While missing the playoffs for three straight seasons might suggest otherwise, the Blues felt they had only one glaring hole this off-season – goaltending depth. To address that, they acquired ex-Nashville starter Chris Mason, who will replace Hannu Toivonen as Manny Legace’s backup. Mason was 18-22-6 with a 2.90 goals-against average and .898 save percentage last season. Meanwhile, the Blues traded Jamal Mayers to Toronto and allowed Ryan Johnson to sign with Vancouver. They were the top two players on a penalty-killing unit that ranked seventh in the league last season. SCHED GLANCE The Blues play eight of their first 10 games at home. The team started 10-3-0 at Scottrade Center last year and finished 20-15-6. Their longest road trip is five games (which happens twice), down from…
NY ISLANDERS
SUMMER GRADE C– There have been very few A’s earned in the past two decades by the Islanders, a franchise that perpetually spends more vacation time attending summer school than Bart Simpson. GM Garth Snow’s mission statement this summer was to get younger and try to build from within. That approach may also be an admission that top free agents avoid Long Island like the plague, although the Isles did ink point man Mark Streit for five years and brought in veteran pivot Doug Weight for one season. The Isles hope these two can boost their putrid power play. In mid-August, Snow replaced fired coach Ted Nolan with Scott Gordon, a fellow ex-goalie with solid bench credentials in the AHL. SCHED GLANCE Few are predicting the Isles to make the playoffs…
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