NHL: Player News and Rumors (Thread finished)

NHL missing a few familiar faces
Canadian Press
9/25/2006 3:36:28 PM

(CP) - There was no question of Luc Robitaille coming back for a 20th NHL season.

The former scoring sensation for the Los Angeles Kings says it was time to move on.

"I knew it was the right time and personally, I have no regrets," Robitaille said recently from his home in Los Angeles. "There was not a day when I didn't do my best to be ready for a game.

"For sure, I'll miss the camaraderie. It's like being in a special club. We get to play a game we all played when we were 10. I'll miss that. But I have no regrets."

Robitaille and Detroit Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman are the most prominent among the players who won't be back on the ice for the 2006-07 campaign.

Also retired are Keith Primeau and Eric Desjardins of the Philadelphia Flyers, tough guy Tie Domi of the Toronto Maple Leafs, winger Brian Savage of the Phoenix Coyotes and defenceman Eric Weinrich, who ended last season with the Vancouver Canucks.

Goaltender Garth Snow retired as a player to sign on as general manager of the New York Islanders, while defenceman Bob Boughner left the Colorado Avalanche to concentrate on his ownership of the junior Windsor Spitfires with former teammate Warren Rychel.

And journeyman Brad Bombardir has gone from playing defence to being director of community relations with the Minnesota Wild.

Others, like Brian Leetch, Jason Allison and Yanic Perreault, are unrestricted free agents hoping to avoid retirement by signing with an NHL club.

Robitaille and Yzerman will each have his jersey retired this season.

Robitaille's No. 20 will be raised by the Kings on Jan. 20 before a game against the Phoenix Coyotes while Yzerman's No. 19 goes up Jan. 2 before a match against the Anaheim Ducks.

Brett Hull, who retired a week into the 2005-06 season, will have his No. 16 retired on Dec. 5 by the St. Louis Blues.

The Red Wings announced Monday that Yzerman would work in the front office as a vice-president. The Ottawa native scored 692 goals in 1,514 games over 22 seasons and won three Stanley Cups with Detroit.

"He was one of the most special people I ever played with," said Robitaille, who spent two seasons as Yzerman's teammate, winning a Cup in 2002, before returning to the Kings.

"I think it was time for him, too. His knees were bad. But he had such a great ending. He was playing well. He had such a great career."

While Yzerman was drafted fourth overall by Detroit in 1983, Robitaille's name wasn't called by the Kings until the 171st pick in 1984.

The Montreal native went on to set an NHL goal-scoring record for left wingers with 557. He passed former centre Marcel Dionne for the Kings' all-time goals record last season, when he had only 15 in 65 games.

It was not a bad career for a player who some scouts said couldn't skate well enough for the NHL.

"I just remember thinking `My name is on a list and now it's up to me to win a job,"' Robitaille recalled. "It was a challenge.

"I tell kids now that the difference is that if you're a first pick, they'll look at you two or three times, but if you're a late pick, they'll only look once and you'd better be ready when they do."

Robitaille expects to stay in the Kings organization in some capacity, although no deal has yet been reached with the club.

"I want to learn the business side of the game," he said, before adding with a laugh "they always said they didn't make money, I want to see that now."

Both Robitaille and Yzerman may have piled up even more points if not for the lockout that wiped out the 2004-05 season, but Robitaille said the year off gave him a preview of what retirement would be like and helped him make his decision.

It was not so gentle for Primeau, who reported for camp but failed to receive medical clearance to play due to the lingering effects of concussions. The 15-year veteran with Detroit, Hartford and Philadelphia announced his retirement Sept. 14.

Domi, let go by Toronto, retired after 16 seasons with the third-highest penalty minutes total of all time - 3,515. He also scored 104 goals.

Boughner, who was on the NHL Players Association executive committee until his retirement, has no regrets after his 10-year career with Buffalo, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Calgary, Carolina and Colorado.

"I'm having a ball," he told the Denver Post about his new occupation as a team owner.

Weinrich retired after 18 NHL seasons and is now assistant coach with Portland in the AHL.

Savage played 12 seasons and Desjardins played 17 in the NHL, winning a Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1993.

Checking forward Tom Fitzgerald, who played for seven teams in 17 seasons, mostly recently with Boston, also hung up the blades.
 

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Canes Cole excited to get going
Associated Press
9/25/2006 3:53:25 PM

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - After a summer of celebrating with the Stanley Cup, the Carolina Hurricanes trudged back to training camp to play their way into shape for a title defence.

All except Erik Cole, who arrived at a near-sprint.

"The toughest thing was making sure I didn't squeal the tires on the way out of the driveway," he said.

The three weeks of drills and practices that make up training camp hardly rank among the perks of being a professional athlete. But no one can blame the winger for being so eager to get started on the new season. Not after he lost three months last season to a broken neck, and not after recovering in time to help the Hurricanes close out the Edmonton Oilers by playing the final two games in the Stanley Cup final.

"I think I'm a little bit more anxious this year, certainly more anxious than probably any of the other guys in the room," Cole said. "Obviously it was a short summer for a lot of guys, but I had quite a long spring, so the summer didn't seem all that short for me. I'm anxious to get back at it."

Cole's comeback in Game 6 of the Cup finals gave the Hurricanes a badly needed spark against the physical Oilers, but it came with the risk he could be hurt again on any hit along the boards. Now, it seems the fleet Cole almost never was gone.

"Looks like Erik Cole before he got injured," veteran defenceman Glen Wesley said. "Mentally, it's good for him to be fresh and know he's 100 per cent and excited to get started."

That's what coach Peter Laviolette is hoping for. Cole was having a memorable season - from his individual success on the U.S. Olympic team to the team's unexpected rise in the NHL standings - when he scored twice against Pittsburgh on March 4 to push his goal total to a career-high 30.

But by the time the game was over, Cole was being treated at a Pittsburgh hospital after being driven headfirst into the boards from behind by the Penguins' Brooks Orpik, who was later suspended for three games. The team later said he suffered a compression fracture in a neck vertebra.

Cole spent weeks wearing a thick white brace, taking it off only to shower and shave. He endured sleepless nights, staring blankly at late-night TV shows while trying to get comfortable enough to nod off. But as he pushed himself through physical therapy and skating with his teammates, he kept hoping to return - even as team doctor Doug Martini said two weeks before the final that Cole wasn't ready to play a contact sport.

But then he got the OK to come back for Game 6, and went on to help the Hurricanes beat the Oilers 3-1 in Game 7 for the franchise's first Stanley Cup.

"I think everybody was ... just a little concerned," defenceman Mike Commodore. "I had the chance to reflect on it this summer. It truly was amazing. I don't know if I could do that."

Cole, who has said his risk of reinjury is no different now from during the playoffs, spent the summer working to rehabilitate and strengthen the neck for the upcoming season. He said he would probably have another CT scan before the Hurricanes open the regular season against Buffalo on Oct. 4.

"I don't think anything was really in the back of my mind (about the injury) at the end of last season, either," Cole said. "I know what the risks are and what situations will put me in a vulnerable position, so I'll just try my best to be aware of them and stay away from them and play hard."

The Hurricanes clearly expect him to return and play without hesitation. They signed Cole to a US$12-million, three-year contract in July, keeping him as one of the team's young core players, along with rising star Eric Staal, winger Justin Williams and goaltender Cam Ward - the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as most valuable player of the post-season.

"Maybe when my time playing is done, I'll reflect on everything and think about different situations and the things I went through," Cole said. "But it's not something I try to dwell on. You just try to enjoy every moment that you're in and make the best of it and move on from there."
 

Rangers' Jagr cleared to practice
Associated Press
9/25/2006 11:26:23 PM

NEW YORK (AP) - Rangers forward Jaromir Jagr has been cleared to practice for the first time since undergoing surgery on his dislocated left shoulder nearly five months ago.

"We got a very good report from the doctor," said smiling New York coach Tom Renney after the Rangers lost 5-2 to the New York Islanders in a pre-season game Monday night. "He is ready for a full practice and everything that is involved with that."

When pressed on whether that included contact drills, Renney repeated that the star forward can participate in all forms of practice.

When Jagr might be able to play in a game will be determined by Renney and the rest of the coaching staff. Jagr will need to build up his endurance and practice time before taking the next step.

"He is cleared to practise, and then it is up to me," Renney said of Jagr, who set team records last season with 54 goals and 123 points. "He's got to practise."

At the start of training camp, Renney indicated it was doubtful that Jagr would play in any exhibition games before the Oct. 5 season opener against Washington. But Monday, Renney said he hopes to get last season's MVP runner-up into the lineup before then.

"I'd like to," he said. "We'll train here the next few days and we'll see where that takes us."

New York is scheduled to face Boston at home Wednesday, play at the Islanders on Friday, and visit Boston on Saturday to close out its pre-season.

Jagr has been on the shelf since being injured in New York's playoff-opening loss to New Jersey last season. He missed one game and then returned for Game 3, but was largely ineffective after finishing second in the NHL in goals and points.

Less than one minute into the final game of New Jersey's sweep, Jagr was felled by a check from Devils defenceman Brad Lukowich and was knocked out for good.

The 34-year-old right winger had surgery nine days later on May 8. He was expected to be ready to go at the start of training camp on Sept. 15, but the Rangers took a cautious approach and kept him out of team scrimmages and games.
 

A bit more on Ruutu, plus Sakic injured

From Sportsnet.ca!

Hockey Hearsay
September 25, 2006

Hawks' Ruutu out four weeks
The Hawks will once again be forced to start the season without Tuomu Ruutu.

On Saturday, the young forward had a collision with Blue Jackets defenceman Rostislav Klesla that has left Ruutu with a sprained left knee. The Hawks believe that the Klesla's hit was dirty and have asked the NHL's chief disciplinarian Colin Campbell to review the play.

"Obviously, I'm not happy with it," Hawks general manager Dale Tallon told The Chicago Tribune. "It's frustrating for Ruuty. He was having a real good game. He has had nothing but tough luck and doesn't need something like that.

Ruutu was bothered by a back injury during training camp last year and also suffered an ankle injury as well. He was healthy for 15 games last season.

Sakic injures hip, not deemed serious
Avalanche captain Joe Sakic was forced to leave Saturday's pre-season tilt with Los Angeles in the first period but do not expect him to have a long stay on the sidelines.

A report in The Denver Post says that Sakic only suffered a minor hip flexor.

The Avs didn't say when the injury occured but it is believed that a first period check by Sean Avery along the boards on a slushy ice surface in Las Vegas where the game was held may have had something to do with it.
 

Bad news on injury to Leafs' Bell
Darren Dreger, TSN.ca
9/26/2006 9:41:01 AM

The news is not good on the injury Toronto Maple Leafs' defenceman Brendan Bell suffered Sunday night.

Sources tell TSN Bell was left with a laceration of his calf muscle in addition to a bone bruise. The combined injuries will immobilize Bell for 10-14 days and will likely keep him out of the lineup for a minimum of three weeks.

Bell was slashed in a "two-handed" fashion in an exhibition game on Sunday by Ottawa Senators star Dany Heatley.

Heatley was not penalized on the play, however NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell admits the incident is being reviewed.

Campbell rarely acknowledges on-ice indiscretions unless a suspension is pending. So, it appears Heatley may have dodged the NHL's wrath.

Bell represents the fifth Maple Leafs defenceman sidelined by injury in training camp.

Tomas Kaberle, Pavel Kubina, Staffan Kronwall and Carlo Colaiacovo are all nursing ailments that are all expected to be re-evaluated this week.
 

Blue Jackets' Klesla suspended for clip
Bob McKenzie, TSN.ca
9/26/2006 12:08:34 PM

Columbus defenceman Rostislav Klesla has been suspended two regular-season games for his "clip" of Chicago forward Tuomo Ruutu, which left the Finnish forward with a knee injury that will keep him out of the lineup for at least four weeks.

Klesla was assessed a five-minute clipping major on the play in a pre-season game last week.

Meanwhile, the NHL hockey operations department has reviewed Dany Heatley's slash of Toronto defenceman Brendan Bell, which left Bell with an injured foot that may cause him to miss a few weeks, but the league has opted not to suspend or fine the Ottawa Senators forward.
 

Leafs turning to young defencemen
Canadian Press
9/26/2006 2:07:54 PM

TORONTO (CP) - Ian White, Andy Wozniewski and Jay Harrison are ready to be part of the revamped blue-line brigade with which the Toronto Maple Leafs will open the new NHL season.

Bryan McCabe, Tomas Kaberle, Hal Gill and Pavel Kubina are the top four, and competition for the remaining spots thinned when Carlo Colaiacovo became ill and Staffan Kronwall and Brendan Bell went down with injuries during camp.

White, Wozniewski and Harrison got tastes of the big league last season while playing the majority of their games with the Toronto Marlies AHL farm club under new Leafs coach Paul Maurice, and they are the prime candidates to skate under the bright lights when the Leafs open the regular season at home against the Ottawa Senators next Wednesday.

White, 22, would be Toronto's smallest defenceman. The five-foot-10 native of Steinbach, Man., fit in nicely during 12 NHL appearances last season and has the agility and smarts to excel in the speed-oriented style now in vogue.

"In this day and age, you've got to be able to bring the puck out of your own end and make plays," White said after practice Tuesday. "The league has changed a lot.

"Even the big guys, they've got to be able to move the puck now. A lot of the clutching and grabbing is gone so a guy has to be able to make plays - that's the long and short of it."

Maurice loves what he's seeing from the offensive-minded defenceman.

"I think his game is better here than it is at the AHL level," Maurice says of White, who was a minor-hockey teammate of Leafs forward Alex Steen when they were youngsters in Manitoba. "If players can use those kinds of skills, it doesn't matter how big they are or how much they weigh."

Wozniewski, 26, played 13 games with the Leafs last season. He's a six-foot-five, 225-pound player who is amazingly swift for his size.

"We played him very close to 30 minutes a game in three (exhibition) games in three nights and he's as strong as an ox," says Maurice. "He's fit and can continue that pace.

"He doesn't move necessarily with the same ease that Kaberle or White do across the blue-line but very few men that big can move as well as he does. Woz moves well for a big man."

The big-league exposure the Illinois-born defenceman got last winter has been of great benefit to him in this camp.

"Mentally, that's huge," he said. "I got through the jitters last year. That's over with. I'm building on last season. Things are coming together."

Harrison, 23, who is from Oshawa, Ont., is six foot four and 211 pounds, and like Wozniewski is playing with more consistency and confidence. He appeared in eight NHL games last season, and he's worked hard to be quicker.

"When you fall behind half a step you're penalized for it more than ever and it's costly," he said. "You simply can't afford to be a liability.

"Systems of play in the NHL are at a lot higher pace than in the AHL. You've got to really step up to get into that upper echelon of talent."

Maurice has seen a steady improvement.

"As we've gone forward, he's been much stronger," he says of Harrison.

A photo taken in Moscow's Red Square five years ago shows Harrison with Brad Boyes all goofy smiles and with big Russian fur hats on their heads. Boyes, Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley, Mike Cammalleri, Nick Schultz, Barret Jackman, Steve McCarthy, Jay Bouwmeester, Steve Ott and Raffi Torres all eventually emerged from that winter's Canadian junior team with big-league jobs.

"I definitely would like to join the ranks of those guys who've made the jump," said Harrison. "It's something I've dreamt about and wanted and have been working towards.

"Hopefully, things will come together and I can make it a reality."

Toronto's defence has been viewed in recent seasons as a team weakness, but it should be a strength this season given the depth of talent that has been assembled.

Colaiacovo, Kronwall and Bell will be knocking on the door when they are healthy.

Colaiacovo, who hasn't skated since feeling woozy and leaving early on the first day of camp Sept. 15, has resumed off-ice workouts. The headaches are gone. He'll be back on the ice "in the next couple of days."

"I feel a lot better," he said Tuesday.

Specialists told him that his setback "isn't related to the (concussion) I suffered last year."

"I'm working hard to get myself back into shape," he said.

Kronvall is out at least three weeks with a sprained ankle, and Bell will be sidelined for up to three weeks with a bruised foot.
 

Sakic leads captains in seniority
Canadian Press
9/26/2006 2:22:07 PM

Joe Sakic begins the new season as the NHL's longest-serving captain.

The 37-year-old centre inherited the distinction when Steve Yzerman retired after 20 years in the role with the Detroit Red Wings.

Sakic was named captain of the Quebec Nordiques in 1992, and he has continued to lead the team since it moved to Denver and became the Colorado Avalanche in 1995.

Mats Sundin, captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs since 1997, has the second-longest tenure.

Montreal's Saku Koivu and Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson assumed the responsibility in 1999, Vancouver's Markus Naslund has had the distinction since 2000, Edmonton made Jason Smith captain in 2001 and Calgary gave the C to Jarome Iginla in 2003.

Others continuing on in the captain's role are Mike Modano in Dallas, Scott Niedermayer in Anaheim, Olli Jokinen in Florida, Shane Doan in Phoenix, Patrick Marleau in San Jose, Mattias Norstrom in Los Angeles, Scott Mellanby in Atlanta, Alexei Yashin of the Islanders, Dallas Drake in St. Louis, Adrian Aucoin in Chicago and Rod Brind'Amour of the Hurricanes.

"Rod is by far the best captain I've ever played with," says Carolina forward Eric Staal. "He's a guy that's going to say things at the right time.

"He lets you do what you need to do to get prepared but he's not going to let anything slide. He's the hardest-working player I've ever seen and you need that, especially from your captain. He's just a great guy all-around and we're so lucky to have him as our leader."

Nine of the 30 teams will have new or no captains.

Centre Peter Forsberg takes over in Philadelphia from the retired Keith Primeau and says he hopes to emulate Sakic, with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 1996 and in 2001. Forsberg plays a rambunctious style of hockey, but he's not a screamer.

"Joe wasn't real vocal either," says Forsberg. "He led by example.

"He was always the last one off the ice. He doesn't need to scream and yell. He's just a great captain, a great leader."

Adam Foote, a key cog on defence on those championship Avalanche rosters, is the new captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Luke Richardson was captain last year before being traded.

Defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom is expected to take over from Yzerman in Detroit, although the Red Wings are being coy.

"We're going to name a captain opening night," coach Mike Babcock said during training camp.

Star right-winger Jaromir Jagr is expected to be named captain of the New York Rangers, although no official confirmation has been forthcoming.

Tim Taylor is the new captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chris Clark takes over in Washington.

Nashville will name a new captain to replace Greg Johnson, who now is in Detroit, before the start of the season. Prime candidates are Paul Kariya, Kimmo Timonen and Steve Sullivan.

Boston hasn't had a captain since Joe Thornton was traded last Nov. 30, and the Bruins have yet to make an announcement for this season.

New Jersey went without a captain last season and nobody has been tabbed for the C thus far.

The Minnesota Wild select a different captain each month.

Pittsburgh has decided it won't have a captain.

"The biggest reason why is out of respect for what Mario Lemieux did for this franchise," explained head coach Michel Therrien. "We'll keep doing what we did after Mario retired last year."

Teen sensation Sidney Crosby will ascend to the post, but not quite yet.

Taylor, a third-line centre, is an excellent example of a team opting for a player with a strong work ethic rather than star status to wear the C.

Taylor got to know some of the most respected captains in recent league history as a teammate of Yzerman in Detroit, Ray Bourque in Boston and Mark Messier with the Rangers.

"You can't fly off the handle when things aren't going well," says Taylor. "At the same time, you have to keep an even keel even when things are going real well."

Previous captain Dave Andreychuk retired last winter.

Clark is another not-so-big-name with a C. He replaces Jeff Halpern, who left for Dallas via free agency. Olaf Kolzig would be the captain but the rules disallow goaltenders because the league doesn't want goalies skating from the crease to the penalty box to debate referees' calls.

The Capitals had considered 2006 rookie of the year Alexander Ovechkin but the Russian forward declined, saying he wants to improve his English before taking on such a responsibility.

"Leadership is not a sometime thing or a come and go thing," GM George McPhee explained in picking Clark. "It is an all-the-time thing.

"Chris Clark has all-the-time leadership qualities. He is a leader in the mould of one of our all-time favourites, Dale Hunter, who was a quiet man off the ice, a cantankerous, ultra-competitive player on the ice."
 

Burke clears waivers, heads to AHL
Canadian Press
9/26/2006 4:19:46 PM

MONTREAL (CP) - The Tampa Bay Lightning have revamped their goaltending and 39-year-old Sean Burke found himself the odd man out.

Burke cleared waivers Tuesday and was assigned to the AHL's Springfield Falcons as the 2004 Stanley Cup champions opted to go with two new goaltenders - Marc Denis and Johan Holmqvist.

Burke has agreed to play in the AHL rather than retire and will likely be the first goalie recalled if there is an injury.

"He wants to play," said general manager Jay Feaster said. "We talked to him when we traded for Denis and he wanted to play, and we talked to him again (when he went on waivers) on Sunday.

"He feels he can still contribute."

The Lightning hoped another team would claim Burke and his US$1.6 million salary.

Feaster said he would put Burke on re-entry waivers at a later date. If another team claims him, only half his remaining salary would count against the Lightning's salary cap.

Burke did not make the trip to Montreal for a pre-season game Tuesday night against the Canadiens. Instead, he was gathering personal effects at his home in Phoenix, Ariz.

"I'll go to Springfield and get some good practice in and see what happens around the league," Burke told the Tampa Tribune. "This game is always fun to me at every level.

"I'll go get on the ice and look at it as an opportunity to work with the younger guys."

Denis also didn't make the trip to Montreal due to a visa problem. The Bolts had Holmqvist on hand and called up goalie Karri Ramo from Springfield.

Tampa Bay was caught short in goal last season when Nikolai Khabibulin, who backstopped their Stanley Cup drive in 2003-04, signed as a free agent with Chicago.

John Grahame moved into the starting job while Burke was brought in as a backup. But Grahame was publicly criticized more than once by coach John Tortorella while going 29-22-1 with a so-so 3.06 goals-against average and .889 save percentage.

Burke was 14-10-4 with a 2.80 average and .895 save percentage.

Feaster traded 31-goal scorer Fredrik Modin and goaltender Fredrik Norrena to Columbus in the off-season for Denis, who was 21-25-1 with a 3.25 average and .900 save percentage last season.

The Lightning hope the six-year NHL veteran will excel behind a strong offensive team in Tampa.

Holmqvist returns to the NHL after two seasons with Brynas in the Swedish league. Holmqvist, a standout at the Olympics and the world championships this year, spent parts of two seasons with the New York Rangers in 2000-01 and 2001-02.

He hopes to compete with Denis for starts.

"We'll see what happens," he said. "I'm going to do what I can to play. It's up to the coaches."

Holmqvist said his international experiences earlier this year helped build his confidence.

"I feel more mature than the last time I was over here," he added.

The Lightning remain close to the $44-million cap limit despite losing Modin and free agent defencemen Darryl Sydor, now with Dallas, and Pavel Kubina, who signed with Toronto.

Feaster said it was key to keep the team's three stars - Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis - and fit other salaries around them.

The Lightning also must count $662,500 for retired veteran Dave Andreychuk against their cap.

Feaster said Kubina was willing to take less than the $5 million he will make in Toronto in order to stay in Tampa, but he was still too expensive "because Dan Boyle is only making $3.3 million and he's been our best defenceman the last couple of seasons.

Losing Sydor was a "pure salary dump," he added.

The Lightning hope newcomers Filip Kuba, Luke Richardson and Andy Delmore will fill the holes on defence.

"Kuba is going to play a lot of minutes for us," Feaster said of the former Minnesota Wild rearguard.
 

Who's going to feed Kovalchuk?
Canadian Press
9/26/2006 5:29:08 PM

Wanted: Able-bodied centre who can feed Atlanta Thrashers 50-goal man Ilya Kovalchuk.

The top applicants are Steve Rucchin and Niko Kapanen with Jim Slater and Glen Metropolit also in the mix.

When Marc Savard left Atlanta for Boston this summer, he brought with him the team-high 69 assists that spear-headed the Thrashers attack last season and complemented Kovalchuk so well.

Complicating matters is that Thrashers head coach Bob Hartley is also trying to determine who will play centre on another scoring line with winger Marian Hossa after the underachieving Patrick Stefan was shipped to Dallas.

"We obviously lost 100 points with Marc Savard and that's a lot of points," Hartley said Wednesday from Atlanta. "But in the NHL, to go out and get a 100-point guy will cost you $5 million to $6 million, and with Hossa and Kovalchuk, we're not in a position to get another $5-million guy. So the way that we look at this with the players that we got, we feel it can be a joint effort to replace Savvy's 100 points while being a more responsible defensive hockey club."

Still, hockey poolies everywhere are dying to know who will centre the top line.

"Honest to God, I'm not set yet there," Hartley said. "I have Kovalchuk on the left side on one line and Hossa on the right side on the other line. Can I get the perfect fit for both guys? That's what I'm hoping for right now.

"We're starting to have a good idea but my decision is not final yet," he later added. "We still have three exhibition games to play and some practices."

Rucchin, 35, had 13 goals and 23 assists last season in 72 games with the Rangers, his first year in New York after 10 seasons in Anaheim. His career-best came in 1996-97 when he put up 67 points, including 48 assists, in 79 games while feeding star winger Paul Kariya.

"Yes, and that's basically the reason we went to get him," Hartley said of Rucchin's past experience as a No. 1 centre. "He brings a good control game. He's a veteran, he knows the tricks of the trade at centre. He's a good skater that can jump in the play real well but also recognize danger as good as any centreman in this league. To be able to win faceoffs and play on both sides of the puck, that's something we were looking for. That's going to bring some balance to our lineup."

Kapanen, 28, came over in a trade from Dallas after putting up 14 goals and 21 assists in 81 games with the Stars last season. So far in camp and pre-season he's mostly skated between Hossa and veteran Slava Kozlov.

"He's got lots of spark, good speed and good jump," said Hartley. "He has a good nose around the net for loose pucks. He has a great understanding of the game. He's a great fit."

Slater, only 23, had 10 goals and 10 assists in 71 games last season, his rookie year in the NHL. He can play both wing and centre.

"What do I do with Jimmy Slater?," wonders Hartley. "He was one of our best players after the break last year. Where does he fit best? One thing we did which I think was good last year was that we got him to play all three forward positions. So we can move him around, he's my rover. He's a very valuable player for us."

Metropolit, 32, hasn't played an NHL game in three years but impressed last year while winning a scoring title in Switzerland, putting up 65 points (23-42) in 44 games with Lugano. He also played for Canada at the IIHF world championship in Latvia last spring.

"I played Metro at centre for the first few games and now I'm going to try him at wing (Wednesday versus Florida) to see where he can fit," said Hartley. "I want to make sure I explore all of my avenues.

"I think that Metro brings great abilities like shooting, skating and stick-handling, and under the new rules he's a guy that can be pretty productive for us."

The only thing set in stone is that Bobby Holik is the checking centre, where he best fits. The Thrashers aren't entertaining the thought of moving him up with either Kovalchuk or Hossa.

"We know what we're going to get from Bobby Holik," said Hartley.
 

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