UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, September 29, 1995
3B
ANALYSIS
Hockey's East will finish on top again
By Robert Sinclair
Kansan sportswriter
The same things are going through the minds of sports fans everywhere: How can it be hockey season already? Didn't last season just end? Aren't the players on strike? Isn't the weather too warm?
The 1955-96 NHL season is almost here, and Minnesota still doesn't have a team. Here is how the season will shape up.
Rising in the Eastern Conference is the talk of the NHL, the return of Pittsburgh's superstar Mario Lemieux. After taking a year to recover from Hodgkin's disease and rest his alling back, Lemieux should make an impact.
However, the Penguins lost six of their top nine scorers and top three defensemen because of trades. Nevertheless, Lemieux and forwards Jaromir Jagr and Ron Francis will help the Penguins contend for the Northeast Division title.
The defending division champion, Quebec, moved to Colorado and, consequently, the Pacific Division. This will open the door for Boston, which will be opening the doors to its new Fleet Center. The Bruins possess one of the best defensive tandems in All-Stars Ray Bourque and Al Iafrate, pending his recovery
from surgery on both knees. With the addition of former Penguins Kevin Stevens, Joe Mullen and Shawn McEachern, the Bruins could continue their unprecedented 28-year playoff streak.
Otherwise Montreal, Hartford and Buffalo will contend for third place and, most likely, a playoff spot.
The last two Stanley Cup winners have come from the Atlantic Division and could again this year.
In addition to the New York Rangers (1993-04 champions) and New Jersey (1994-95 champions), up-and-coming Philadelphia is also a contender. The Flyers are returning their "Legion of Doom" line, which consists of Eric Lindros (league MVP), John LeClaire and Mikael Renberg. This line, however, was responsible for more than half of the team's offense and will need support. Another variable is the volatile goaltender Ron Hextall.
Although it would be hard to overlook the defending Stanley Cup Champions, New Jersey did have its share of offseason troubles. In addition to the nagging question of whether the team will move to Nashville, goalie Martin Brodeur (16-4 with 1.67 goals against average during playoffs) is still unsigned. But this team has the
depth and experience that it needs.
Even though the New York Rangers fell short of their bid for back-to-back titles last year, any team with Mark Messier is still a contender. The Rangers displayed their desire for another title by acquiring Luc Robitaille, Ray Ferraro, Ulf Samuelsson and Bruce Driver. Perhaps the player who personifies the team's let-down last year is goalie Mike Richter. During the Rangers' run for the cup in 1994, Richter won 23 games. Last season he won only 14.
The only genuine interest in the lower half of this division will be the new uniforms of Washington and the New York Islanders. Although Washington goaltimer Jim Carey was third in the league last year, he lacks a supporting cast. Florida, the lowest scoring team in the league, is talking about trading veteran goalie John Vanbiesbrouck. Tampa Bay is still building a team, and the Islanders were the second-worst team in the NHL last year.
Because the last four champions have come from the east, there isn't much to say about the Western Conference. Colorado (formerly Quebec), Vancouver or San Jose should win the Pacific Division.
The Western Conference champion will come from the Central
Division. Detroit returns most of its team, including All-Stars Steve Yzerman, Sergel Federov, Dino Ciccarelli and Paul Coffey. But the Red Wings return with the disappointment of their 4-0 loss to the Devils in the finals and the pressure of a 40-year Stanley Cup drought.
Love him or hate him, St. Louis coach Mike Keenan knows how to build a winner. In the off season, he signed three players for more than $2 million and two for more than $1 million. The team still has superstar Brett Hull, but the goaltender position is unsettled between Grant Fuhr and Jon Casey.
Dallas is led by 50-goal scorer Mike Modano, who missed the end of last year because of ruptured tendons, and Dave Gagner, who led the team in every offensive category. Goalie Andy Moog was second in save percentage last year, but he is almost 35 years old.
After losing each game of the conference championship by only one goal, Chicago is hungry for another shot at the cup. The Blackhawks return superstars Jeremy Roenick, Chris Chelios and veteran goaltender Ed Belfour.
The last note of interest in this division is the persistent rumor concerning *Winnipipe*'s move to Minnesota. Keep your fingers crossed.
INTRAMURAL FLOOR HOCKEY
DIVISIONS OFFERED
- Men
- Women
- Open
MANAGER'S MEETING
Entry Fee $45
MANAGER SHEETTING
Sunday, Oct 1
@7:00PM in
115 Robinson
Play begins Monday, Oct. 9
For more information contact Recreation Services 208 Robinson 864-3546
VISIT OUR SALON FOR A NEW LOOK!
MAGE
Expires Oct. 13, 1995 *UDK*
($10 purchase minimum, excludes sale items)
Beauty Warehouse Hours: M-F 9-8, Sat 9-6, Sun Noon-6 520 West 23rd • 841-5885
Vests and Sweaters starting at $19
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Downtown 820-822 Mass
Lawrence
841-0100
BEDS • DESKS CHEST OF DRAWERS unclaimed freight & damaged merchandise
"NO COUPON SPECIALS" EVERYDAY
Final Day! Yearbook Portraits
Friday:
9 a.m. - noon & 1-6 p.m.
- Rotunda of Strong Hall
- Free with KUID
- Students entered in a raffle for prizes
- 1996 Yearbooks available for purchase
- All students welcome
TWO-FERS PRIMETIME PARTY "10"
2-PIZZA 3-PIZZA 10-PIZZA
2-TOPPINGS 1-TOPPING 1-TOPPING
2-COKES 4-COKES 1-COKE
$9.00 $11.50 $30.00 $3.50
All dorm residents may report to: GSP
Date : September 30, 1995 (Saturday).
Time : 8:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Place : Kansas Room, Union 6th floor
Margaret's 2-00
Admission : Members $ 2.00
Non-members $4.00
DELIVERY HOURS
Sun-Thurs 11am-2am Fri-Sat 11am-3am
"give us a break"
Lunch • Dinner • Late Night
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Dance Party
---
Tickets are available at SUA
Refreshment will be served.
For more information call 1-800-265-7900
1409
Ladies 1/2 Price
STUDENT
SENATE
Sponsored by HKMSA and Student Senate.
It's Game Time Every Sunday!!
Watch the CHIEFS or one of the other NFL Games.
Enjoy great food!
All You Can Eat Chili Bar $300! Chili Dogs $100!
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Plus all of our delicious menu items.
WATCH THE ACTION HERE!
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Catch Box Service and Cull Days during CHIEFS broadcast only
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This Test Could Save Your Life
The Menninger Clinic presents a free public Depression Education Forum featuring:
A presentation and video on depression
A question answer period with mental health professionals
A voluntary, self-administered questionnaire, and
An opportunity to meet privately with a Menninger mental health professional (This screening is designed to be informational and will provide free professional guidance, but is not a substitute for an evaluation.)
Depression Screening Day
October 4 7-9 pm Seeley Conference Center 5800 SW Sixth Avenue
Topeka, Kansas
For more information, please call 273-7500 or 800-351-9058, extension 6100.