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(Site last updated 3/2/04)

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SIN BIN:   Some Refs   (1/11/04)

Interference:   Too many penalties for too little reason too often.

   RECENT FEATURES

   Flying High (11/16/03)

   Avs Goaltending (10/24/03)

   The Way to Cleveland (10/18/03)

TALKING ABOUT A REVOLUTION:  (2/13/04)

   The rules are going to change.  A major overhaul.  That's the line for the general public.  As a fan I read the rule changes and conclude: I got an oil change when I need to have the transmission replaced.  Less space behind goal and more space in the neutral zone, great.  Smaller goalie equipment, great.  Tag up offsides, great. 

   Then there's the goalie can not handle the puck behind the net rule.  This one reveals the inadequacy of the proposed rule changes.  There is no reason to put this rule in except to encourage dump and chase type of play.  Dump and chase type of play is exactly what the fans are tired of.  I don't care how many goals are scored.  Who wants to pay to watch guys on skates play fetch.  We want to watch them skate.

hotels Aalborg   The real solution is to enlarge the rinks; but obviously this is impractical.  So the NHL should then ask itself:  Is there a reason why college hockey has become more popular while the NHL has become less popular.  What rules are used in college hockey?  No two line pass rule.  No touch up icing.  No fights period.  What's left is skating; which is what the true fan wants to see.

RANKING THE RUMORS:     (last revised 3/2/04)

Gonchar from WSH to ??:  Sergei Gonchar appears to be the top prize at the moment.  He has been rumored as going to virtually every top team.  Common wisdom focuses on teams needing help on defense.  This view may be incorrect.  WSH will likely be looking for immediate help in return.  Don't rule out the possibility of Gonchar going to OTT for a defenceman such as Rachunek who can provide immediate help and still has upside.  (3/2/04)

Kovalev from NYR for ??:   This is the hot rumor at the moment besides the obvious (e.g. Zhamnov).  I don't see it.  Not because it does not make sense; but because it is in effect an admission of defeat.  Perhaps the Rangers should ask themselves why Messier remains such a positive influence notwithstanding his advanced years.  One of the conclusion might be that the Rangers need to make changes at the center position.  Holik is paid too much for what he does and, once accepting his excess compensation, is someone the Rangers can use to advantage.  Lindros has been streaky at best.  And Nedved ... this would be my choice for the Ranger most likely to leave.  (2/17/04)

Brewer from EDM to ???:   This rumor has been around for a month.  So long it has virtually died out.  With Edmonton about to disappear from the playoff hunt I would suspect that interest in Brewer would rise.  A lot of teams could use his skills, and being comparatively young a trading partner can psychologically part with a young prospect(s) in exchange. (2/17/04)

Ricci from SJ to ???:  Ricci has stepped up his play of late.  With the Sharks getting superior results at the moment it would seem that perhaps he is safe.  Nonetheless the Sharks have some depth at center and might be inclined to swap Ricci in order to fill a perceived need. (2/17/04) 

CAPSULE COMMENTS:    Alicante accommodation(last revised 1/07/04)

   If someone had told me that the San Jose Sharks would be leading their division, solidly, playing two, and sometimes three, rookie defencemen I would have considered them nuts.  Someone must be doing something right.  Perhaps the Sharks, and the performance of the Wild from last season, teaches a lesson.  Two first rate goaltenders that play regularly offers distinct advantages to one.  A good deal of the ups and downs of various teams the past month or so can be directly attributed to goaltending.  Some of the impact of goaltending may depend upon overuse of the number one guy.  The Sharks have been playing two very solid, and very fresh goalies ... and the team as a whole has responded favorably.

hoteles alojamiento Bauska   The coaching change in Columbus is unlikely to significantly improve their fortunes.  CBJ invested comparably large dollars in Marchant, Sydor, and to a lesser extent Letowski.  They invested considerable effort in bringing Zherdev over.  These moves have had minimal positive impact.  Some of the problems in CBJ may be attributable to overuse of Denis (see above).  Nonetheless, CBJ lacks the offensive firepower of say ATL; and they lack the defensive consistency of say MIN.  CBJ will start to make significant strides when they obtain a more imposing force on the bueline.

Policy:   The content represents the opinion of this site.  It is inevitable that some readers will interpret some comments as being negative.  Anyone who has achieved any kind of relationship with the NHL has achieved something special.  Whether they are a player, coach, administrator, referee or otherwise, these persons have already excelled.  Anything that might be viewed as negative is such only from the standpoint of comparing one outstanding individual to another outstanding individual.  Many thanks to all those who make this game the most exciting sport in the world.