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February 2, 2009
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.
Adding without subtracting
SOMETIMES YOU CAN get something for nothing – as long as you define lots of money but no players as ‘nothing.’ While swap talk heats up around the NHL in anticipation of the March 4 trade deadline, some teams will soon – if they haven’t already – add players without sacrificing any bodies from their roster or farm system. The Vancouver Canucks were raising eyebrows league-wide early on as their better-than-expected offense helped the team compete with the NHL’s best. However, believing his team still required more pop, GM Mike Gillis finally talked Mats Sundin into heading west and helping Vancouver’s offense – ranked 10th in the NHL at the halfway point – create more goals. Despite all the hype surrounding Sundin, the Canucks were probably more excited to welcome back all-world goalie…
Resilient behind bench
Don Lever has been coaching in the NHL or AHL for 22 years, 14 as an NHL assistant. That’s more than two decades teaching, guiding and leading. And more than two decades without an NHL GM hiring him as a head coach. Four times during a 12-year tenure in Buffalo, Lever was passed over for other coaches. St. Louis did the same in 2003-04, hiring assistant Mike Kitchen instead. That’s one reason Lever joined the Montreal Canadiens organization in 2005-06 as coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs. He wanted another chance to show what he could do. And in 2007, the Bulldogs won the Calder Cup. Since then, there have been 17 coaching changes in the NHL and not once was Lever, 56, given an interview. But he keeps sending prospects to Montreal in NHLready form;…
MID-SEASON ALL-STARS
NHL First All-Star Team Goalie Tim Thomas, Bos Defense Dan Boyle, SJ Nicklas Lidstrom, Det Left Winger Alex Ovechkin, Wsh Center Evgeni Malkin, Pit Right Winger Jarome Iginla, Cgy NHL Second All-Star Team Goalie Niklas Backstrom, Min Defense Shea Weber, Nsh Zdeno Chara, Bos Left Winger Zach Parise, NJ Center Marc Savard, Bos Right Winger Phil Kessel, Bos NHL All-Rookie Team Goalie Steve Mason, Clb Defense Drew Doughty, LA Alex Goligoski, Pit Forward Kris Versteeg, Chi Forward Blake Wheeler, Bos Forward Patrik Berglund, StL…
‘Pepe’ back as a Shark
CLAUDE LEMIEUX EARNED more than $22 million over the course of his NHL career, so we’re going to go out on a limb and assume that pulling down the NHL minimum isn’t going to make or break his financial portfolio. Whether or not he wins a Stanley Cup or even plays in the NHL this season isn’t about to make or break his legacy either. But one of the greatest clutch playoff performers of his generation is back after sitting out of the game for four full years. If Lemieux were simply looking for NHL work, he could have maybe tried a team that was a little less stacked with talent. But for the 43-year-old, it’s all part of the challenge. He and fellow fossil Chris Chelios could compare washboard stomachs and…
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