In The Crease

Hockey legends Scotty Bowman and Bobby Orr feel the NHL should
eliminate the red line, a move that would open up the game.
(International and college games are played without a red line.)
Bowman and Orr think long passes would be akin to the bomb in
football and bring a new level of excitement. In the past, the
NHL has rejected making such a change.... Lightning G.M. Jay
Feaster may regret last June's trade in which he dealt the 2002
No. 4 draft pick to the Flyers for wing Ruslan Fedotenko. With
the choice, Philadelphia selected Finnish defenseman Joni
Pitkanen, who dominated at the recently completed world junior
championships. Fedotenko, playing on Tampa's second line, had
nine goals through Sunday, but scouts are comparing the 6'3"
Pitkanen to a young Chris Pronger.... Don't be surprised to see
the Blackhawks sign free-agent goalie Tom Barrasso to serve as
Jocelyn Thibault's backup. At week's end Thibault had played in
36 of Chicago's 40 games.