UKRAINIAN PRO HOCKEY UPDATE (11/06/05)

UKRAINIAN PRO HOCKEY UPDATE

by Ihor Stelmach

In a post-lockout spree, have-not teams suddenly became haves: Pittsburgh lured several all-stars to play with prodigy Sidney Crosby, Chicago got a cup-winning goalie. Indeed, such transactions were being repeated in the unlikeliest outposts until the 2004-2005 lost season altered the economics of the league forever.

Small-market teams like the Edmonton Oilers suddenly became buyers, dealing for marquee defenseman Chris Pronger and signing him to a deal worth some $30 million. The most coveted free agent, Norris Trophy defenseman Scott Niedermayer, chose the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, a non-playoff team which had trouble drawing fans. The Penguins inked All-Stars Sergei Gonchar, Ziggy Palffy, Mark Recchi and John LeClair. The Blackhawks nabbed Nikolai Khabibulin. Paul Kariya went to Nashville, Adam Foote to Columbus and Bobby Holik to Atlanta.

The 310-day lockout resulted in owners grabbing a bigger chunk of what was a $2.1 billion business after claiming losses of $224 million in 2003-2004. Players are now limited to 54 percent of league revenues after previously netting 75 percent of the take. Teams are now on a more equal footing with a salary cap of $39 million.

The result: 10 days before the 2005-2006 season faced off, one in four players had changed uniforms.

But the league wasn't done. In rebounding itself, the NHL decided to create a new, offense-minded game of professional hockey. The league revamped its rules in an attempt to revive flow. The most dramatic change is the reinterpretation of the rule book: the league has promised to prohibit obstruction by penalizing any player who even slightly impedes an opponent who is not carrying the puck.

If players adapt to the new style of play (exhibition play was a big success), casual fans will be able to differentiate between first-line and third-line players. The star system will return, exemplifying the unique talents of Mario Lemieux, Ilya Kovalchuk and our own Nikolai Zherdev. Someone will probably score 60 goals again.

The battered league can only improve from the on-ice facelift. There is hardly a team that can't turn logic inside out in this cost-certainty era and view itself as just a few puck bounces away from the 2006 Stanley Cup. Sidney Crosby transforming the Penguins into the new darlings of the NHL? New Phoenix Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky challenging for a playoff spot?

The autumn air is ripe not only with the smell of sweaty hockey equipment, but also with the sweet smell of possibility.

* * *

Below is the first part of a mini-preview of the 2005-2006 NHL season. Teams are listed from best to worst.

OTTAWA SENATORS

Key ingredients: Newly acquired Dany Heatley teams with high-scoring forwards Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson to go with deepest, most skilled defense corps in league.

Recipe for success: No apparent weaknesses, except for 40-year-old Dominik Hasek in goal. Team needs to exhibit lots of grit to attain long-awaited playoff glory.

Ukrainian flavor: Future center Grant Potulny down on the farm.

CALGARY FLAMES

Key ingredients: Captain Jarome Iginla is one of league's true superstars; veterans Tony Amonte and Daymond Langkow add depth to forward lines. Roman Hamrlik joins an already deep defense.

Recipe for success: Big skilled defense must move and keep puck out of their zone. Mikka Kiprusoff is sharp underrated goalie who, with defensive and offensive support from an excellent cast could dance with the Stanley Cup.

Ukrainian flavor: Zenith Komarniski (D/RW) adds insurance in minors, while Matt Pelech (D) was club's top draft choice, 26th over all.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Key ingredients: All-World Peter Forsberg was big free agent signing. Together with Simon Gagne and youngsters Jeff Carter and Mike Richards this makes for two strong scoring lines. Free agents Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje bolster retooled defense.

Recipe for success: To merge young graduating talent from AHL's Calder Cup champion Phantoms with holdovers from 2004 squad and new arrivals, creating made over Flyers team popularly mentioned as potential cup finalist.

Ukrainian flavor: 2003 draftee Ryan Potulny (C) several years away from being a major player.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Key ingredients: Returned all key members of 2003-2004 Stanley Cup championship squad (Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis) except for one (goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin). Ex-Bolt Vinnie Prospal returns to Tampa Bay.

Recipe for success: Vulnerable defense needs to stay injury-free and not rely so much on one or two guys. John Grahame must demonstrate he's ready to be a No. 1 netminder.

Ukrainian flavor: Significantly stood out in Lightning's Cup win. Dave Andreychuk re-signed for two more years, with 2005-2006 his 22nd season in the NHL. He and finals hero Ruslan Fedotenko took less money to stay put. Blueliner Darryl Sydor rounds out Tampa's top two defense pairings.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Key ingredients: League's top scoring forward line of Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison and Todd Bertuzzi. Mobile defensemen Mattias Ohlund and Ed Jovanoski love to disrupt opponents.

Recipe for success: Dan Cloutier must prove he's a cup-caliber goalie. Top power forward Bertuzzi must live down his infamous hit and live up to his established reputation as a top scorer.

Ukrainian flavor: None.

DETROIT RED WINGS

Key ingredients: Still a solid, all-round organization from top to bottom. Forwards Brendan Shanahan, Robert Lang and Pavel Datsyuk should benefit from the new scorer-friendly rules. Henrik Zetterberg must rev up the attack.

Recipe for success: New coach Mike Babcock must inspire his veterans and infuse them with energy from his intense nature. Chris Osgood and Manny Legace co-star in net behind a solid defense.

Ukrainian flavor: None.

SAN JOSE SHARKS

Key Ingredients: With a young team, G.M. Doug Wilson saw no reason to overhaul his roster. Captain Patrick Marleau, Marco Sturm and Nickolas Dimitrakos are top forward line. Kyle McLaren and Brad Stuart lead the blueline. Goalie Evgeni Nabokov could win a Vezina Trophy.

Recipe for success: Coach Ron Wilson makes this one of the NHL's best-prepared teams. If they continue to show their skill and manage to add more young depth (think Milan Michalek), they'll be hungry enough to go far in the playoffs.

Ukrainian Flavor: none.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Key ingredients: Goaltender Martin Brodeur remains without peer despite being reined in by new rules. Alexander Mogilny returns to score points with Patrick Elias and Scott Gomez. The loss of Scott Stevens (retired) and Norris Trophy winner Scott Niedermayer (to Anaheim) take a bit away from the Devils' vaunted defense.

Recipe for success: The Devils never beat themselves. G.M. Lou Lamoriello brought in snarling Dan McGillis and smooth Richard Matvichuk to a defense still rich in skill and know-how. Rookie Zach Parise must show some breakthrough as a needed offensive force.

Ukrainian flavor: Matvichuk signed with New Jersey as a free agent prior to lockout season. University of North Dakota center Travis Zajac selected in first round, 20th overall of 2004 entry draft. Looks to be solid defensive player, rated club's No. 2 future prospect.

MONTREAL CANADIANS

Key ingredients: Goaltender Jose Theodore could make upward to 70 starts. Alexei Kovalev, Richard Zednik and Michael Ryder up front, with Sheldon Souray and newcomer Mathieu Dandenault on the blueline.

Recipe for success: Theodore will have to return to his Hart Trophy (league MVP) form of 2001-2002 if Montreal is to challenge to go far in the playoffs. Core of team has stayed and grown together over last several years.

Ukrainian flavor: None.

BOSTON BRUINS

Key ingredients: A revitalized captain Joe Thornton; young goalie Andrew Raycroft to prove his inaugural campaign was no fluke; newcomers Alexei Zhamnov, Dave Scatchard and Brad Isbister to mesh with Glen Murray, Sergei Samsonov and Patrice Bergeron.

Recipe for success: Longtime New Yorker Brian Leetch's savvy and touch rub off in Beantown; might take some time for team to mesh, but this fast and physical team should be in gear by second half.

Ukrainian flavor: None.

FLORIDA PANTHERS

Key ingredients: Mix of old (new guys Gary Roberts, Joe Nieuwendyk, Martin Gelinas and Sean Hill) and young (Nathan Horton, Rostislav Olesz, Jay Bouwmeester and Mike Van Ryn) with the league's next outstanding netminder in Roberto Luongo.

Recipe for success: Buy into new coach Jacques Martin's needed structure. Revamped team counts on Roberts and Nieuwendyk to get it on the road to the playoffs.

Ukrainian flavor: 1999's No. 1 draftee Denis Shvidki about out of chances to make the big show, while blueliner Dmitri Tolkunov still playing in Russian League.

EDMONTON OILERS

Key ingredients: Chris Pronger could be the superhero Edmonton has longed for since its Gretzky-Messier cup years. Michael Peca adds leadership and two-way skill, joining Ryan Smith, Radek Dvorak and Raffi Torres.

Recipe for success: Unproven goalie Ty Conklin must start season strong or club will go on search for consistent netminder. Pronger takes lots of pressure, allowing Oiler forwards to run some routes and hopefully put puck in net.

Ukrainian flavor: Left winger Kyle Brodziak nearly made club in training camp; starts season in AHL. Journeyman Rick Mrozik skates with Brodziak on farm. Goalie Devan Dubnyk was top choice, 14th overall in 2004 draft.

COLORADO AVALANCHE

Key ingredients: One of league's top scoring lines still intact (Alex Tanguay, Joe Sakic, Milan Hejduk). Loss of Peter Forsberg and defender Adam Foote to new salary cap constraints brought in vets Pierre Turgeon and Patrice Brisebois.

Recipe for success: New coach Joel Quenneville must stabilize things and they'll have to win a lot of tight games to contend with past high achievements. Goaltender David Aebischer and defenseman Rob Blake could be real keys to making playoffs.

Ukrainian flavor: Steve Konowalchuk starts season as second-line left wing with Turgeon and young Marek Svatos. 2002 draftee Johnny Boychuk impressed with work ethic and leadership last season in Hershey (AHL). He's Colorado's fourth-best rated future prospect.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Key ingredients: Famous Mighty Duck Paul Kariya signed up for musical ride with hope of pushing this gritty roster to next level. Forwards Steve Sullivan, David Legwand and Scott Walker should benefit from Kariya's presence.

Recipe for success: With his mind clear at last from severe OCD, goaltender Tomas Vokoun is set to lead his promising team to new heights. Team blessed with terrific speed. Marek Zidlicky could become a top-scoring defenseman.

Ukrainian flavor: Tough guy Darcy Hordichuk brought in as Preds' new enforcer; Jordin Tootoo received much credit for infusing club with attitude; Darren Haydar notched 24 goals with Milwaukee (AHL) and continues to bide his time in the minors.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Key ingredients: 40-year-old Ed Belfour, bad back and all, still No. 1 in net; Mats Sundin starts new season on injury list; free agent signees Jeff O'Neill, Eric Lindros and Jason Allison are all native Torontonians on the wane from severe injuries.

Recipe for success: Nine players older than 30 with a new, fast free-flowing game will make some slow going on the road to success. Belfour needs to stand on his head and skaters need to quickly adapt to the new 2005-2006 NHL.

Ukrainian flavor: Somewhat prominent here with 21-year-old second-year pro Matt Stajan and 25-year-old Alexei Ponikarovsky, two younger lads offering hope and potential for Leaf's present and future.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Key ingredients: Landed top free agent prize in goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, instantly making worst franchise in Western Conference a playoff contender. Veterans Matthew Barnaby, Martin Lapointe and Adrian Aucoin lend tons of badly needed leadership on ice and in dressing room.

Recipe for success: Build on credibility derived from new acquisitions. Pray their influence positively rubs off on gems with potential like Tuomo Ruutu, Tyler Arnason, Rene Bourque and Brent Seabrook.

Ukrainian flavor: Anton Babchuk, first round pick in 2002, needs to use his size (6'5, 205) and become harder to play against. He returns to Norfolk in AHL.

Next week: A look at the remaining NHL teams.

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