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In The Crease
While fans are fixated on the big-name players who may be moved
before the March 23 trade deadline--Canadiens forward Mark
Recchi and Rangers defenseman Ulf Samuelsson (5, below) for
instance--some general managers are more interested in adding
complementary players. Five skaters who are being scouted
heavily are forwards Greg Johnson and Scott Walker of the
Predators, Matthew Barnaby of the Sabres, and Martin Gelinas of
the Hurricanes, and defenseman Igor Ulanov of the Canadiens....
Don't be so quick to condemn Flames general manager Al Coates
for getting only checking forward Rene Corbet, project
defenseman Wade Belak and future considerations from the
Avalanche for star wing and unrestricted free-agent-to-be Theo
Fleury. Last year the Blues allowed unrestricted-free-agent
forward Brett Hull and defenseman Steve Duchesne to sign with
another team while the Oilers did the same with goalie Curtis
Joseph. Consequently, St. Louis and Edmonton lost significant
contributors without getting anything in return, and both clubs
have slipped in the standings....
Andy Lundbohm, a 6'3" 225-pound forward, may be the best NHL
prospect ever from the U.S. Military Academy. He's a smart
two-way player who is expected to strut his stuff at the annual
all-star games between the best Canadian seniors and the top U.S
seniors on April 9th and 10th. Lundbohm is hoping that he can
get an exemption from his five-year military service commitment
similar to those that the Air Force gave Chad Hennings (Dallas
Cowboys) and the Navy gave David Robinson (San Antonio Spurs) so
he can pursue a pro career sooner rather than later.
COLOR PHOTO: LOU CAPOZZOLA
