More Articles since Network54 went down -- Islander Mania

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Date Posted: 07:59:43 02/09/03 Sun
Author: Lisa
Author Host/IP: ool-18b8f7c4.dyn.optonline.net / 24.184.247.196
Subject: More Articles since Network54 went down

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/hockey/panthers/sfl-russo09feb09,0,7103570.column

Strange bedfellows

A few weeks ago, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman spoke at the International Sports Summit in New York.

In his speech, Bettman boasted that the league had just signed sponsorship deals with Sun Mircosystems and the Microsoft Corp.

"That is the equivalent of having Darcy Tucker and Michael Peca at the same dinner party," Bettman said.

When he realized that the reference had gone over everyone's head, Bettman said, "That's a joke, but you have to be a hockey fan to understand it."

Tucker, of course, took out Peca's knees with a dirty hit in last year's Toronto-Islanders playoff series.

Behind the mask

Colin Campbell, the NHL's director of hockey operations, said the league is talking about putting restrictions on goalie masks because goalies, like the Islanders' Garth Snow, who wears pads up to his waist, seem to be finding every loophole when it comes to equipment.

"One GM said, `What if somebody comes out with a goalie mask with wings?'" Campbell said. "You laugh, but 10 years ago, what would you say if you saw a picture of Garth Snow? Goalies go down now and stop shots with their heads. We don't want them to all of a sudden have masks that flare out."

Michael Russo's NHL column appears Sundays. He can be reached at mrusso@sun-sentinel.com.

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/040/sports/Overtime_Keep_working_at_it+.shtml

A few names being bandied about:

Alexei Kovalev - The Penguins winger, among the game's best one-on-one players, will turn 30 before trade day, and Pittsburgh couldn't get him to sign last summer for five years, $30 million. He'll finish this season elsewhere. The Penguins don't want draft picks. They want young roster players, and no doubt want the club that acquires Kovalev to pay those players for a year or two (in lieu of cash exchanging hands at the time of trade). A deal like that will mean the acquiring club first will have to get Kovalev's name on a long-term deal, worth upward of the $9 million a year pocketed last summer by Bill Guerin(Dallas) and Bobby Holik(NY Rangers).

Ziggy Palffy - Amid a flurry of costly injuries, the Kings imploded, and Palffy won't see his $7.25 million option picked up for next season. A speedy, dynamic scorer in his heyday (Islanders and Kings), he'll be 31 in May. It's in LA's financial interests now to move him sooner rather than later, and that could mean he is more a rent-a-player (Isles redux?) than another club's long-term fix. Over the summer, given the lingering CBA mess, he might get only a fat one-year offer.

Chris Drury - The former Boston University star, swapped from Colorado to Calgary at the start of the season, hasn't been the same player. No surprise, given weakness of surrounding lineup. He's young enough (27 in August) to induce someone to offer not one, but two top prospects. For the Bruins, that would mean an initial offer that included, for starters, the recently acquired Jeff Jillson. Drury working the No. 2 pivot behind Joe Thornton would be a thing of beauty.

Nikolai Khabibulin - Remember, the 'Bulin was brought to Tampa by Rick Dudley, ousted from the GM's office just a year ago. Khabibulin has been very inconsistent, triggering the move a few weeks ago to get John Grahame from the Bruins. At $3.8 million this season, and $4.4 million next year, there are many reasons for the Bolts to shovel Khabibulin - including his link to Dudley. He just turned 30. He could be the franchise netminder the Flyers have sought for a very long time.

Mathieu Schneider - On the books in LA for a slight raise to $3.75 million next year. That's only about half of Palffy's wage, but enough to make the 33-year-old former Mount St. Charles star near-certain trade bait. Never much of a defensive presence, but he can help a power play, and special teams are always critical in the postseason. Old enough, costly enough, and one-dimensional enough to make him all but a lock to rejoin the Rangers, even if they are 12 or more points removed from the No. 8 seed in the East.

Glen Wesley - The former Bruin blue liner, turning 35 at the start of next season, is at the end of a long-term deal paying him $2.5 million this season. He will be an unrestricted free agent over the summer. What sweet symmetry if he were able to join the Avalanche, a la Bourque, for a playoff run that resulted in a Cup. Never the high-end offensive performer that the Bruins, Whalers, or 'Canes dreamed of, but still valuable in a No. 4-5-6 ''D'' role. Oh, and the trade should now read: Wesley to Hartford Aug. 26, 1994 for Sergei Samsonov, Johnathan Aitken , Jeff Hackett , and Jillson.

Miroslav Satan - Bankrupt Buffalo has little reason to keep him around at a price tag of $3.5 million. Only 28 years old, he is headed to Group 2 free agency over the summer. However, his value to the Sabres might be to entice a potential bidder to buy the club and move it to another city. Tough dilemma for a Sabres fan: root for the guy to be traded now, in hopes that the club will remain in Buffalo, for lack of bidders.

Owen Nolan - Rumors have persisted all season that the Sharks want to move the underperforming winger, who will turn 31 Wednesday. His deal calls for $6.5 million next year. Hard to believe he isn't already wearing a Broadway Blueshirt.

http://www2.bostonherald.com/sport/bruins/nhlnts02092003.htm

The league reportedly could start fining players for diving, which some believe has reached epidemic proportions.

``I think just about everybody in the game at one point or another has taken a little bit of a swan dive,'' said Islanders GM and former Bruin Mike Milbury. ``It's natural if you want to try to help your team. But now, with the (crackdown on obstruction), it's made it easier to dive. A little tug on your hip can turn into a half-gainer. That shouldn't work and it's something we have to get out of the game.''

NHL Power Poll
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/penguinslive/s_117397.html

13. New York Islanders - Still holding the last mark in the East but two losses after break keep position tenuous.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/5137800.htm

That shoulder check that Islanders Kenny Jonsson took this week from Roenick resulted in the defenseman sustaining yet another concussion [it did?]. Roenick has thrown some mean checks this year. Ask Mike Modano...

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/hockey/5142387.htm

Season-ticket holder irate

An Islanders season-ticket holder was so upset after the team's recent 5-0 loss to the archrival New York Rangers, he bought a full-page ad in Newsday. The ad cost Larry Weinberger $28,000, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Weinberger's message: "We, your loyal fans, showed up! We braved freezing weather and came out looking for a great game. We came out to support you. Where was the energy, the excitement, the electricity, the intensity? Come on now. ... We deserve a better effort."

The Rangers' game notwithstanding, the Islanders have played much better since center Michael Peca returned from a knee injury. Heading into Friday's game at Washington, the Islanders were 19-11-4-2 with Peca in the lineup. Because Peca's first action was a 27-second shift in a loss to St. Louis, the record improves to 19-10-4-2 with Peca playing regular minutes.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Is Valentine's Day any benefit to males?

Friday, men across the globe will groan and moan about cards they are encouraged to buy, flowers they are recommended to purchase and lavish evening plans they are expected to make. Yes, Valentine's Day is coming.

NHL players thus will make last-minute plans to buy their special someones special somethings ... or anything they can think of. Although Cupid's arrow might have struck them years ago, for the vast majority of NHL players, Valentine's Day has about as much meaning as Arbor Day.

Red Wings defenseman Jason Woolley: I don't get too caught up in it. But I'm not sure it benefits guys too much. From a male perspective, I could give a damn. I'm not sure what the ladies are expecting. ... When I was in elementary school, I thought it was cool when I would get cards because I thought all the girls liked me. Then, you get older and you realize it's all a big scam.

Sharks defenseman Dan McGillis: I don't know if I can say what I want to say. It does serve a purpose if you get the right gifts. I've been married for a year, and I don't have to go nuts on Valentine's Day. She usually gets flowers and a card, and that's all she wants. She gets me on the other days.

Senators wing Chris Neil: I don't think so. It's a scam for flowers and chocolates. It's not a big deal, but it's there. I've never messed up a Valentine's Day. I always get them something. Like flowers -- you can't go wrong with flowers. Only if you leave them on the doorstep and they turn black.

Stars goalie Ron Tugnutt: I would say it's way more important to females. But who's kidding who? It's always nice to get something from someone, especially if you don't know who it's from. Like if you get something from a teammate who thinks you're cute or something.

Blues wing Tyson Nash: What's the best way to say this? I think it's good if there is some attention at the end of the day. You have to give attention to receive attention.

RANKING THE TEAMS
Eastern Conference

Team Record Pts. Comment
1. Devils 33-13-3-4, 73 Adding offense to NHL's stingiest defense
2. Senators 33-14-7-1 74 Let's get this straight: Bankrupt owner might buy the team?
3. Flyers 28-14-9-2 67 Staggered into the All-Star break, going 0-3-0-1
4. Maple Leafs 29-20-4-1 63 The Eagle got shutout No. 6 Wednesday
5. Capitals 26-20-7-3 62 Can't shake the Lightning in the Southeast
6. Bruins 27-19-5-2 61 Five-game point streak ended just before All-Star break
7. Islanders 24-22-5-2 55 Through Thursday, 19-11-4-2 since Michael Peca's return
8. Lightning 22-20-7-5 56 5-6-2-1 in January, but beat Dallas, Ottawa and Philly
9. Canadiens 21-22-7-5 54 Remember, lurking Habs were No. 8 seed last year
10. Thrashers 19-27-3-4 45 All-Star MVP Dany Heatley-led team is 7-2-1-0 in last 10
11. Penguins 21-24-4-5 51 Mario Lemieux is back, but he's fighting instead of scoring
12. Rangers 21-27-7-2 51 Here's GM Glen Sather to save the day! Uh, no.
13. Sabres 15-26-7-4 41 Financing fell through for Mark Hamister; team moving?
14. Panthers 16-20-10-8 50 At least Florida fans saw exciting All-Star Game
15. Hurricanes 17-27-6-5 45 In complete free-fall, traded Sami Kapanen to Flyers

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