UKRAINIAN PRO HOCKEY UPDATE (05/18/97)

UKRAINIAN PRO HOCKEY UPDATE

by Ihor Stelmach

1996-1997 NHL wrap-up

Some firsts and lasting impressions from the 1996-1997 NHL regular season:

Martin Brodeur leads the NHL in goals-against average and earns 10 shutouts, but isn't expected to make the first all-star team. Ukrainian Terry Sawchuk was the last goalie to accomplish that double and not earn a berth on the first all-star team. Dominik Hasek stands in Brodeur's way; Harry Lumley upstaged the great Sawchuk in 1954-1955.
Boston is last for the first time since 1966-1967, ending a record 30-year playoff streak.
Colorado finishes first over all, outlasting Dallas and New Jersey.
Ottawa makes the playoffs for the first time after four seasons of futility and 58 years of cold storage. The last time Ottawa made the NHL playoffs was 1929-1930.
Average goals per game dips below 6.00 (5.8) for the first time since 1969-1970, the last time Gordie Howe made the all-star team. Howe wanted to make a comeback this season, but mercifully it was aborted.
There were no 60-goal scorers for the first time since 1979-1980, but Jaromir Jagr was on pace for 65 before being injured.
All Canadian teams finish with sub-.500 records, a first since the "Original Six" era. Edmonton is last in overtime; Vancouver is last in performance vs. payroll; Ottawa is last over all (oops, force of habit); Montreal is last in penalty killing; Calgary is last down the stretch; and Toronto is last to realize capricious cuts to payroll results in chaos.
The NHL is the first league to use video review and then screws it up with goal crease applications. It won't be the last time the league messes up a good idea.
Mario Lemieux officially finishes first in scoring with 122 points in 76 games (including two assists in a farewell performance in Boston, where he launched his career in 1984). Bruins' defenseman Dean Malkoc unofficially finishes last in NHL scoring with zero points in 33 games, the highest number of games in which a skater didn't record a single point.
Goalies combine for 127 shutouts. Never in the modern era have so many made so few mistakes.

Now, our annual regular season NHL recap, highlighting key team performers and all Ukrainian performances.

Starting in the Eastern Conference, the league's biggest surprise over all was the Northeast Division champion Buffalo Sabres. They did it with phenomenal goaltending (Dominik Hasek fourth in goals against, 2.27, and first in save percentage, 93.0), a gritty defense (Alexei Zhitnik, 80-7-28-35-95) and tough aggressive play (the NHL's second most penalized team).

Pittsburgh's Penguins were led by the triumvirate of the league's leading scorer (the retiring Super Mario Lemieux 76-50-72-122-65), the league's next great superstar (Jaromir Jagr 63-47-48-95-40 and on pace for 65 goals in 82 games) and the venerable veteran (Ron Francis 81-27-63-90-20). Eddie Olczyk (79-25-30-55-51) proved to be a still-valuable scoring asset after his arrival from L.A. in a late-season trade.

The Ottawa Senators leapfrogged over perennial playoff teams like Montreal and Boston, making it into the post-season for the first time since re-entering the league. Alexei Yashin and Daniel Alfredsson led this young and improved squad. Oh, Canada! Les Canadiens did not make the playoffs and Mario Tremblay subsequently resigned as coach, citing tremendous media and public pressure.

Those Whalers did not make the post-season, as usual, and decided to load up the moving vans, leaving Hartford for greener ($$$) pastures in North Carolina. Curtis Leschyshyn (77-4-18-22-38) and Alexander Godynyuk (55-1-6-7-41) were both more than capable defensive defensemen.

The Boston Bruins did not make the playoffs and immediately fired coach Steve Kasper, who had less talent to work with than any expansion team in the '90's. Captain Ray Bourque often skated and defended alone (50 points in 62 games). Total youth movement here with two of the top amateur draft picks coming up.

The New Jersey Devils returned to their recent winning ways by claiming the Atlantic Division title. Goaltender Martin Brodeur led the league in goals against (1.88) and was second in save percentage (92.7). The acquisition of two-way Doug Gilmour gave the Devils a tremendous push toward their third-best in the league, 104 points. Dave Andreychuk (82-27-34-61-48) tied for third in plus/minus with a strong +38. Kenny Daneyko (77-2-7-9-70) protected Brodeur by clearing the crease and getting the puck out of the zone.

Right behind those pesky Devils were the Philadelphia Flyers, led by winger John LeClair (82-50-47-97-58), the league's top plus/minus guy with a +44, and fourth best scorer. Captain Eric Lindros enjoyed a good campaign, which was injury-riddled as usual. Dale Hawerchuk (51-12-22-34-32) was a solid second-line contributor when not out with injuries.

The no-name Florida Panthers continued to be a thorn in everyone's side by playing clever, trapping and defensive hockey. Goalie John Vanbiesbrouck put up amazing numbers: a goals against of 2.29 and a 91.9 save percentage, both fifth best. David Nemirovsky (39-7-7-14-32) won a regular job heading on into the playoffs.

The New York Rangers had an up-and-down regular season full of inconsistencies. Wayne "The Great" Gretzky (82-25-72-97-28) exceeded all expectations during a remarkable season, tying for fourth in scoring and first in assists. Norris Trophy favorite Brian Leetch led all defensemen in scoring (82-20-58-78-40), and Mark Mes-sier was Mark Messier, most of the time.

Washington, Tampa Bay and the young Islanders did not qualify for the playoffs.

Despite a blockbuster trade for three crafty veterans (forwards Adam Oates and Rick Tocchet plus goaler Bill Ranford), the Capitals' let's-win-now strategy backfired. Peter Bondra (77-46-31-77-72) carried the offensive load and was great. Steve Konowalchuk (78-17-25-42-67) was okay. Underachieving Andrei Nikolishin (71-9-19-28-32) was not. Maybe it's coach Jim Schoenfeld's system.

Lightning did not strike in any way, shape or form, as Tampa's hockey program took a few steps backward. Expect changes.

GM Mike Milbury probably should have accomplished a bit more with his rebuilding on Long Island. Ziggy Palffy notched 48 goals and 90 points. Defenseman Bryan Berard may win the Calder Trophy as top NHL rookie after an 82-8-40-48-86 inaugural season. On the right track.

Glancing over at the Western Conference's Central Division, we find surprise team number two in the league this season: the Dallas Stars. No hockey pundit anywhere could have predicted or expected 104 points (second over all) from this relocated franchise. They did it with a total team effort, buying into coach Ken Hitchcock's strategies. Two Stars shined brightly: center Mike Modano had a breakthrough year with a +43 as a great two-way performer, and veteran Andy Moog in the nets (second in goals against with a 2.15 and a 91.3 percent saved). Richard Matvichuk (57-5-7-12-87) was quite reliable on the blueline when not dogged by injuries. He returned for the playoffs.

The always strong Detroit Red Wings did not hit the 100-point plateau despite the offensive exploits of forward Brendan Shanahan (81-47-41-88-131) and defenseman Niklas Lidstrom (79-15-42-57-30, third among defenders), and the fine plus/minus totals of +38 of Vladimir Konstantinov. (He's Russian, folks.) Sergei Fedorov (he's Russian, too) slumped. Joey Kocur (34-2-1-3-70) skated a regular shift right into the playoffs.

Coyotes fans saw the Phoenix rise in the southwest! All-Ukrainian Keith Tkachuk (81-52-34-86-228) led the league in goals with 52. He was 10th in penalty minutes (228). Young rearguard Oleg Tverdovsky (82-10-45-55-30) blossomed into a future Norris Trophy candidate despite a long goal-less draught most of the second half. Darcy Wakaluk (16-782-2.99-8-3-1-lSHO-89.9) actually had won the starting goaltender's job prior to going down with a season-ending knee sprain.

St. Louis hockey fans stopped singing the Blues when GM-coach-tsar Mike Keenan was given the axe. New coach Joel Quenneville righted this ship and sniper Brett Hull and goalie Grant Fuhr provided the leadership. Alex Vasilevski (3-0-0-0-2), a candidate for the big time next season, saw limited action with the parent club. Chicago barely eeked into the post-season. Goaltender Jeff Hackett surprised with Vezina Trophy-like stats: 2.16 GA (3rd) and a 92.7 save percentage. Tough guy Bob Probert was second in penalty minutes (326). Dave Chyzowski (8-0-0-0-6) got a brief cup of coffee with the Hawks.

Cliff Fletcher has totally lost control of the operation in Toronto. The lowly Leafs have talented veterans and promising youngsters, witness Mats Sundin (82-41-53-94-59, seventh over all) and rookie Sergei Berezin (73-26-16-41-2, fifth among all rookies). Mark Kolesar (7-0-0-0-0) showed more last season.

In the Pacific Division, the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche retained their ranking as the top club and the team to beat in the playoff race. Super-stars and all-stars gallore! Start with captain Joe Sakic (65-22-52-74-34), throw in phenom-in-the-waiting Peter Forsberg (65-28-58-86-73), second-top defenseman in scoring Sandis Ozolinsh (80-23-45-68-88) and close it out with the ever-valuable Patrick Roy (2.32 GA, 92.3 percent) in the nets. (To name just four.) Former top draft pick Wade Belak (5-0-0-0-11) will be in training camp hoping for an NHL job in the fall.

Disney's Ducks rose a few notches in the league's pecking order, finishing with the fourth-most points in the conference. Linemates Teemu Selanne (78-51-58-109-34, second in scoring and goals) and Paul Kariya (69-44-55-99-6, third in scoring) literally carried this team on their backs. Guy Hebert was strong in goal. Brian Bellows (69-16-15-31-220) proved a willing contributor, especially on the power play.

Edmonton barely snuck into the post-season with their 81 points. GM Glen Sather has molded an inexpensive, talented young squad of hopefuls. This team could be a future Stanley Cup contender.

Vancouver, Calgary, Los Angeles and San Jose round out the Pacific.

The Canucks came close despite major off-years turned in by their Russian tandem of Pavel Bure and Alexander Mogilny. Old-man river Dave Babych (78-5-22-27-38) fully expects to be back on the blueline for yet another campaign. Yevgeny Namestnikov (2-0-0-0-4) will probably get his last chance at the big time in 1997. Pugilist Gino Odjick led the NHL in penalty minutes with 371. Big deal!

The Flames died out in Calgary as the Saddledome faithful had little to cheer about in 1996-1997. Rookie Jarome Iginla led all rookie scorers (82-21-29-50-37). Todd Hlushko (58-7-11-18-49) enjoyed a very good first season with the parent club.

Dimitri Khristich (75-19-37-56-38) led the Los Angeles Kings in scoring. His 56 points led his team in scoring! Enough said about the Kings?

Apparently the 25 other NHL teams knew the way to (or is it through) San Jose, which went from a playoff team two years running to the second worst team in the league. Pity poor Kelly Hrudey (48-2631-3.19-16-24-5-88.9) backing up a no-scoring offense and the third most porous defense (278 goals allowed).

Coming up: a recap of the 1996-1997 regular season in the minor leagues.

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