In the Box with John Kreiser

In the Box with John Kreiser
Maybe Next Year...
By John Kreiser, Featured Columnist

While 16 teams pursue their dreams of postseason glory, the other 10 are off to the golf course, the beach, or, for a select few, a little more activity at the NHL's consolation tournament, the World Championships. But the off-season won't look the same to everyone; some clubs are licking their wounds while others can hardly wait for the coming of training camp in the fall.
And so, with apologies to Frank Sinatra, "Here's To The Losers:"
BOSTON BRUINS owner Jeremy Jacobs recently prattled on about how money, in the form of a big payroll, can't guarantee success. He's right--but the emphasis by Jacobs and his hired gun, GM Harry Sinden, on keeping the payroll down has finally ended the Bruins' record 29-year playoff streak. Nor, after a 30-point dropoff from 1995-96, is there much hope of starting a new one next season. Aside from designated legend Ray Bourque, there's little to get excited about on the current Bruins, who at least have the inside track in the Joe Thornton Derby. (It's OK, Harry, he's subject to the rookie cap). At least the salary dumping from trades like the Adam Oates/Rick Tocchet deal should help Jacobs keep the bottom line healthy--that seems to be his biggest concern, anyway.
The warning signs are up for the SAN JOSE SHARKS. The sprinkling of empty seats over the final few weeks is the first indication that the natives who've packed the Shark Tank want wins, not just neat jerseys. The Sharks can never seem to decide whether they want to build with youth or rebuild with veterans. They tried the old guys this season, and while the results were better than a year ago, the playoff miracles of a few seasons ago now seem like distant memories. A recent survey of NHL talent evaluators by the San Jose Mercury News showed that a dozen of the Sharks' 25 regulars wouldn't have that status on a playoff team--and that figure may be too low, given that the Sharks finished last in the league in scoring.
Speaking of distant memories ... remember when Wayne Gretzky led the LOS ANGELES KINGS to the finals? Celebrities at the Forum, "Hockeywood" signs, and all the rest. Hard to believe that was four years ago; it seems like 40 ... and the Kings haven't made the playoffs since then. L.A. has some young talent in goal and the makings of a decent defense, but putting the puck in the net is a mystery to this crew. GM Sam McMaster says the team is on the right track, but the train looks like it left the offense back at the station. The Kings have a bad team in an old building; the hockey interest that Gretzky nurtured in Southern California is still alive and well -- in Anaheim.
The TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS won their opener and their season finale. It was the 80 games in the middle that ruined their season. The Leafs dumped a lot of salary last summer and a lot more during the season by dealing veterans like Doug Gilmour and Kirk Muller, while picking up some younger (and cheaper) talent that they hope will turn things around. Realistically, though, they're still too small up front and too slow on the blue line. Owner Steve Stavro will have to shell out some free-agent bucks (he'll have the money if, as expected, ticket prices go up again) if he wants to improve this team, because GM Cliff Fletcher dealt away both this year's No. 1 (Islanders) and No. 2 (Flyers) picks. If the Islanders win the lottery and get Thornton, an Ontario product, Fletcher may never hear the end of it.
Rumors of the death of NHL hockey on Long Island may have been premature. Not only were the NEW YORK ISLANDERS one of the league's most improved teams, they actually appear to have a bright future ahead. Rookie defenseman Bryan Berard is a Calder Trophy frontrunner, Ziggy Palffy (48 goals) is an emerging star and a young defense corps and goaltending tandem bodes well for the future. More important, though: The Islanders have a real owner (John Spano) who will put money into the team--and hopefully continue to rebuild a fan base that had shriveled into near-nothingness. The Isles have the Nos. 4 and 5 slots in the lottery, which gives them a shot at a couple of top prospects or offers GM Mike Milbury (whose best move was replacing himself as coach with Rick Bowness) the chance to make a trade for the big-time (and big-sized) forward they need. Given normal progression, this team should make the playoffs next season.
Like the Islanders, the CALGARY FLAMES are young, have a Calder Trophy contender (Jarome Iginla) and feel that better days are ahead. The difference is that the Flames are likely to lose one of their best forwards (free agent Dave Gagner) from a team that worked hard but outscored only San Jose and lack a new owner who wants to make a splash. The Flames haven't won a playoff series since capturing the Stanley Cup in 1989. Don't look for that streak to end any time soon.
GM Phil Esposito says the fact that the TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING missed the playoffs was "one of the biggest disappointments of my life." Realistically, though, the Bolts did well to get close. Goalie Daren Puppa, the reason they made the playoffs last season, missed most of the year with injuries and top scorer Brian Bradley was out for virtually the entire second half with a wrist injury. The best news was that Chris Gratton is maturing (30 goals) and Dino Ciccarelli (35 goals) is aging gracefully; the bad news is that coach Terry Crisp may have worn out his relationship with a lot of the Lightning's younger players. What Esposito really needs is a star--say a Phil Esposito-type scorer--who can give this faceless team an identity.
GM David Poile says the WASHINGTON CAPITALS have a blend of established stars and prospects that's potentially one of the best in the NHL. What they may not have when training camp reconvenes is Poile, who could become the fall guy for the injuries and lethargy that ended the Caps' 14-year playoff run. The big trade for Adam Oates, Rick Tocchet and Bill Ranford may yet be a good move, but it did nothing to perk up an injury-decimated team that was supposed to be a dangerous first-round playoff opponent--only to miss the playoffs altogether.
Maybe now that they've missed the playoffs, the VANCOUVER CANUCKS will finally put their 1994 trip to Game 7 of the finals behind them. Those Canucks redeemed a mediocre season with a big playoff run, a scenario the club seemingly has been trying to recreate ever since. New coach Tom Renney found out that the NHL is not Team Canada, where he could be a father figure to his players; he says he'll be tougher next season. What would help Renney more is if GM Pat Quinn would get a real No. 1 center, some defensemen who can move the puck, better health for Pavel Bure and an attitude adjustment for Alexander Mogilny.
The first task for the FORMERLY HARTFORD WHALERS is to find a new place to play. Owner Peter Karmanos is shopping for a new home after saying goodbye to the mall; where the Whale will actually wind up is anyone's guess. Considering that the Whalers haven't made the playoffs in five seasons, they received tremendous fan support. But given their small building, small market and small vision, it's no surprise they're leaving. What Columbus or Minneapolis or St. Paul or wherever is getting is a team with a decent goaltender (Sean Burke), a middling defense, a few good forwards and, hopefully, no more excuses for not making the playoffs. What the Whalers are leaving behind are a lot of blue-and-green broken hearts.