It was about this time a year ago that the pre-Olympic hype was reaching a crescendo as teams were preparing to announce their rosters. Just about everybody was yapping about what a great deal it would be for the NHL to be in Salt Lake City and wouldn't it just be great for the game if the Americans met the Canadians in the final? It couldn't get much better than that, could it?
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| Mike Modano and Chris Drury played in the Olympics. Now what? |
The Olympic stage was supposed to be springboard for the sport to take off in the the United States.
Hate to say we told you so, but take a look around the NHL's landscape these days. Are things much better?
First of all, realize that the commish, Gary Bettman, talked the owners into extending the CBA another two years to get a shot at the Olympics.
Now, given the widely circulated premise that most teams are losing money, wouldn't you think the owners of those teams would like to address the collective bargaining agreement before its new expiration date of Sept. 15, 2004?
Beyond that -- postponing an inevitable lockout -- where is the great benefit from the Olympic games? The hurry-up face off rule has been used in lower professional leagues and junior hockey. We needed the Olympics to figure out that was a good idea?
The more wide open game? Has anybody taken note of the diminishing attendance in places such as Boston and Chicago, and the quiet buildings from Philadelphia to Florida? The Flyers had one fight in the month of November, you think that is going to sell tickets?
And oh, by the way, all of that interest that was supposed to be stirred up by the Olympics resulted in a net drop in the number of games being provided nationally on TV in the United States.
The NHL should do itself a favor and realize its product is better than any other hockey product around the world, and when it comes time for the 2006 Games, let Boston University go in its place.
Everybody would be better off -- and BU might even accept the invitation, as long as the Games weren't during the Beanpot or conflicted with a game against Boston College.
Short shifts
Want a star player? Word around the league is that the Washington Capitals are more than willing to talk about either Jaromir Jagr or Peter Bondra. Of course, the price tag that comes with Jagr is akin to a no-trade clause. The Caps are in search of another defenseman, but who isn't?
Before the Flyers made the deal that sent Dan McGillis to San Jose for Marcus Ragnarsson, they checked with Washington about Brendan Witt. The Caps would have needed two defensemen in return. Word also around that the Flyers inquired about Olaf Kolzig and got a quick "no" as a response. Could the Flyers finally be getting the message that no matter what the stats say, Roman Cechmanek isn't a goalie the guys in the locker room are going to go to war for night after night?
If not before the holidays, shortly thereafter, watch for the Colorado Avalanche to finally pull the trigger on the deal with Boston to acquire absent defenseman Kyle McLaren and relatively high-priced forward Martin Lapointe. The Avalanche need some sneer up front, and losing Alex Tanguay and defenseman Martin Skoula wouldn't hurt so badly. However, if the NHL is truly to become a more wide-open league, Skoula might be an effective free-skating defenseman for a very long time. His speed can help break any trap.
The threat of Boris Mironov demanding a trade isn't exactly a league-stopping news item, but with the overall lack of quality defenseman Chicago should be able to trade the unhappy camper. Mironov is holding out in response to a cut in ice time, and GM Mike Smith is trying to accommodate him with a trade. Although he makes $3.3 million, this is the last season of his contract, a point which could facilitate a deal.
Meanwhile, Theo Fleury returned with a flourish to the Chicago lineup. While all the headlines focused on the two goals upon his return, they overlooked his continued yapping at the officials.
Two New York state teams are going to be the subject of scouting scrutiny by teams attempting to alter their rosters through trades. The Buffalo Sabres are obviously wobbling, and the loss of Pavel Bure from the Rangers lineup is also likely to eliminate them from a playoff spot again this spring.
The biggest targets in Buffalo are defenseman Alex Zhitnik and goalie Martin Biron. Meanwhile, the Rangers are likely to be the most popular team at the trade deadline, with the names Brian Leetch and perhaps Mike Richter coming up most in conversations.
The long-term injuries to Pavel Bure and John LeClair won't exactly hurt their teams in the wallet. The players are covered by insurance policies that usually pick up 80 per cent of the salary after they miss 40 games. Thus, the Rangers could save about $3 million on Bure. It's small change when you consider the overall cost, but in this day and age you might be rooting for a guy to stay out a little longer.
For all of those who did not believe that Bryan Berard could play with his damaged vision, check him out in a Bruins uniform. The Bruins should pay the Rangers a training fee for allowing Berard the time -- and mistakes -- to learn how to play within his new field of vision.
Al Morganti covers the NHL for ESPN.
