Section I: So You're in a Hockey Pool.

Being in a Hockey Pool is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it is a common and treatable condition that afflicts young and old alike during the fall, winter, and early spring months. Many individuals initially express fear and anxiety upon learning of their condition, but within a few weeks these feelings gradually subside and are replaced by optimism and an alcohol-induced "warm, fuzzy feeling". In other cases, feelings of mind-numbing euphoria, depression, and even deep-seated self-pity have been reported.

While being in a Hockey Pool is not easy, also remember it is a manageable condition. With a proper diet and exercise regime, many individuals in Hockey Pools have gone on to lead healthy, productive and rewarding lives!

Section II: Coping with Your Hockey Pool.

Do not think of your being in a Hockey Pool as a problem, but rather as a unique opportunity! And in order to make the most of your opportunity, there are 14 steps you can easily take to ensure success.

1. Find people living in the past - Get in a hockey pool with people who haven't paid attention to hockey since 1992. While they're drafting Zarley Zalapski and Kevin Stevens, you'll be scorin' Paul Kariya and Ziggy Palffy. Give it a try, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
2. Draft High - Just because you don't draft high, doesn't mean YOU don't have to be.
3. Draft best player available - Don't just take a high scoring forward in the first round because you feel some kind of nagging compulsion to do so. Make sure you take the best player. Once Kariya, Lindros and Jagr are gone, you might as well take a top goaltender like Brodeur or a premier defenseman like Leetch or Ozolinsh. You'll be glad you did.
4. Draft cutest player available - Hey ladies, we all know winning isn't worth a damn it if ya don't look good. So why not throw caution to the wind and draft that hunk-a-burnin-love between the pipes. Felix Potvin is soooooo dreamy. And that Mike Modano is Da' Bomb I hear.
5. Be well-rounded - All thru school, it was stressed time and time again that you should strive to become a "well-rounded" individual. Being well-rounded would garner the respect of your peers they said. Of course, no one bought into such gibberish. We all knew it meant being called a geek and being given 'super wedgies' in gym class. So now why I am telling you to be well-rounded? Well, I don't know. Just make sure you have enough starters in your lineup before taking backups. I mean don't go nutty and draft six defensemen in a row if you haven't picked any forwards yet is all i'm sayin'. Just remember, having an offense led by Michal Pivonka is not something to be proud of.
6. Think with your head, not your heart - Emotion has no part in the Hockey Pool. Don't let your thought process be compromised because you feel compelled to pick your favorite player. Alright. Bernie Nicholls is cool and all I'll admit. But SNAP OUT OF IT LAD! Consider the Hockey Pool a war. If you blindly go back to rescue a fallen comrade, you will more than likely be cut down in a hail of machine gun fire. Sure it's noble and all, but at that point you'll be of no use to anyone.
7. Hoard Goaltenders - Load up on starting goaltenders. When Grant Fuhr blows out a knee midway the season and someone needs a replacement, you'll have all the leverage when negotiating a trade.
8. Get Defensemen early - In today's NHL there are precious few defensemen who will put up the huge offensive numbers coveted in the Hockey Pool. Get at least 2-3 solid defensemen early in the draft so that you don't get stuck with Todd Gill and Darren Van Impe.
9. Second Year Players - Alot of guides will tell you avoid second year players because they may experience a "sophomore slump". But I say go for it. Sure second year players may be more prone to a let down, but often the upside is worth the risk. Passing up on Janne Niinimaa or Bryan Berard would just be silly.
10. Think for Yourself - Don't get caught up in patterns. If the five people before you draft forwards, look for a goalie or defenseman. Chances are you'll get a better player. There's no need to take the 12th best forward when the 6th best goalie is still available.
11. Screw your friends - You might like your friends a whole bunch, but in a Hockey Pool all bets are off. Does a stranded bud need a ride? Does an under-aged aquaintance need help scorin' some smokes and a six-pack for the weekend? If so, Lady Luck has definitely looked your way my friend. Now is the time to deal. With a little practice and some smooth talk, you too will be able to grab Wayne Gretzky for Slava Fetisov.
12. The Age factor - As players age, their skills decline and they become more injury prone. Hence, older stars like Tocchet, Clark, and Andreychuck have seen better days. Choosing such players offers little in upside potential. Gretzky, Messier, Coffey, Bourque, Gartner, etc. are still viable picks, but as with so many things in life moderation is the key.
13. Bend the truth - A little white lie never hurt anyone, so telling others that Peter Forsberg hacked off a finger while pruning his shrubs can only help to further your cause. Other good ploys are to exclaim "I heard that so and so is refusing to play until he gets a new contract" or "I heard Player X is being traded to San Jose". Being resourceful is no crime.
14. Live on the edge - Got a few picks left in the 17th round? Hell, why not take a chance on a youngster like Ottawa's Chris Phillips who might break thru. It will be a much more memorable experience than watching Bobby Dollas claw his way to get you twenty-some points.

Section III: Who Do I Turn to for Help?

The good news is that there is a large group of dedicated, talented professionals who will be more than happy to assist you in your time of need. Below is a partial listing of top ten performers in your area.

1. Jaromir Jagr, PIT - Most dominating player in the game. Had 36 goals in first 41 games last year before a groin injury slowed him down. Won Art Ross in 1994-95 and will do it again.
2. Eric Lindros, PHI - Lindros has a career average of 1.47 points per game but the problem is he misses a significant amount of time to injury. A healthy Lindros would rule the league.
3. Paul Kariya, ANA - Had an amazing second half with 32 goals and 60 points in 41 games. Times that by two and you have 64 goals and 120 points over a whole season. The only knocks on Kariya are his small size and the lack of talent on the Ducks. As of this writing he remains unsigned.
4. Martin Brodeur, NJD - Led league with 1.88 GAA and 10 shutouts. Scored a goal in the playoffs. Has all the stats a Hockey Pool addict could crave.
5. Patrick Roy, COL - One of the all-time greats. A can't miss pick.
6. Brian Leetch, NYR - Best offensive defenseman in the league today. A guaranteed 80 points from the blueline and not a defensive liability (+31).
7. Sandis Ozolinsh, COL - Led defensemen in goals (23) and was second in scoring with 68 points. Will continue to improve and should approach 75 points this season.
8. John LeClair, PHI - Back-to-back 50 goal campaigns. Has the size and scoring skill of Lindros but without the mean-streak. Played in all 82 games; led league with a +44. Easy 50+ goals, 100 points. Warning: May hold out for mad cash.
9. Joe Sakic, COL - Will look to deliver on his new contract. Combines pin-point passing, a deadly accurate slap shot, and the best wrist shot in the league. Had a few injuries last year, but will be back in 40 goal, 110 point form.
10. Dominik Hasek, BUF - The wacky goalie with an attitude. One of the best in the business, but after last season's playoffs his desire has been questioned. Last season's Hart and Vezina winner. It remains to be seen if Buffalo can continue to overachieve without coach Ted Nolan in command.

Section IV: Is There Anything I Should Watch Out For?

Yes. There are often many symptoms that will remain dormant for years before emerging to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting host. They should be watched carefully.

• Chris Gratton, PHI - Broke through with 30 goals, 62 points, and 200 PIM. Playing in Philly will only improve those numbers. Power forward in the making.
• Saku Koivu, MON - Was on his way to a great year last season, but a knee injury made him miss two months of the campaign. Ended up with 56 points in 50 games. An amazing skater, quick as the wind, and an offensive catalyst. This should be his year.
• Robert Reichel, NYI - A previous 40-goal man, he averaged 1.58 points per game when paired with Palffy in New York.
• Sergei Berezin, TOR - Had 25 goals in his first season with the Leafs. A natural goal-scorer who should be on a line with Sundin. Could score 40 goals someday.
• Alexei Kovalev, NYR - Has a new knee. A new contract. And a chance to play with Gretzky on the top line. Consistency is his only problem.
• Roman Hamrlik, TAM - If he played on a quality team he would be one of the top offensive blueliners in the league. Only had 40 points last year after an outstanding 65 in 1995-96. With talent thin on the Lightning, he will probably have to settle for a repeat of last year's performance. If he gets traded, watch out.
• Robert Svehla, FLO - An offensive D-man in Florida? You better believe it. Svehla had 45 points last year and 57 in '95-96. If the Panthers had some scorers up front, he'd be a perennial 60-point threat.
• Vaclav Prospal, PHI - Had 15 points in 18 regular season games and had an outstanding playoff performance before breaking his wrist. Should play the whole season and battle for the Calder trophy.
• Alexei Morozov, PIT - Said to be the best player in the world not currently in the NHL. Could be an impact player if the Pens ever decide to sign him.

Section V: Questions?

You can never be 100% sure, but knowing is half the battle. Yo Joe.

• Gary Roberts, CAR - Returning from a 1996 neck injury, he brings heart, grit and determination to a needy Carolina team. Has all the skills to net 40 goals if he can make it through 82 games.
• Pavel Bure, VAN - Bure may have eaten some of that tainted Hudson's ground beef because he's just acting crazy. One minute he wants traded, the next he says he wants to stay. The good news is Messier will beat some sense into him. If he can overcome numerous injuries that have limited him to 49 goals over the last three seasons, he could return to 50 goal form.
• Alexander Mogilny, VAN - Talent-a-plenty, but he's apparently living up life in Malibu and is in no hurry to return. And even if he does, will he put forth enough effort to score 50 goals again?
• Pat Verbeek, DAL - Verbeek has scored 40 goals four times in his career, so chances are he will rebound from last season's dismal 17. While production should be up, don't expect more than 30-33 goals.
• Jeff Brown, CAR - Spinal Fusion surgery sounds neat, but it won't do wonders for his game. If healthy, 45-55 points tops.
• Gary Suter, CHI - After 67 points in '95-96, his production fell to just 28 last year. A sign of things to come? A random off-year? He should be available in later rounds and could pay off big with a 45/55-point year.
• Pat LaFontaine, BUF - Has been cleared by his doctors to play but the Sabres people don't seem so convinced. Buffalo may not want to take the chance of letting him face further injury, so a trade is not out of the question. Could score 80-90 points or get knocked out for good in first game. Your call.
• Jeremy Roenick - Injuries have kept him from top form the last three years but he is still a warrior on the ice. Can throw body checks with the best of them. Playing with Tkachuk he will have every opportunity to play like the J.R. we grew to know and love.

Like the column? Be sure to read our Hockey Pool Help column weekly on the LCS Hockey Web Extra.

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