Conference stkhlm::hockey

    Well, the Pens and Patrick Lalime's streak came to an end as they lost
    in OT to the Av's last night.  But it was Billington - not Roy - who
    got the win.  I only saw the highlights but it looked like a great
    game.  Anyone see it?
    
    Warren

    Warren,
    	I had a feeling that last night would be the night. Sure, Forsberg
    and Sakic didn't play but the Avs do have more depth than the Pens,
    who I assume were missing Lemieux, Jagr(ankle) and ???(another star
    player).
    
    Good thing Billington got the win; Roy would've gotten all the press
    had he won.
    
    
    Andy

    Jagr played.  The Pens were robbed on a goal that went to video.  It
    was ruled that one of their players was in the crease.  The blade of
    his skate was barely touching the semi-circle and he in no way was a 
    factor on the play.  Roy started the game but had to leave due to an
    injury to his thumb.
    
    Bernie.

    There was apparently a similar disallowed goal in the Boston-Ottawa
    goal the other night.  I didn't see the replay, but apparently Sinden
    lost his temper completely, pounded on the door of the video goal
    judge's booth, and said later he would be trying to see that the
    official loses his job over the incident.  It seems to me that there
    needs to be a little more discretion in applying this rule.  The
    referees ignore 90% of the serious rules infractions that happen on the
    ice; why are they cracking down so heavily on the "player in the
    crease" rule?
    
    -Stepjhen

    > It seems to me that there
    > needs to be a little more discretion in applying this rule.  The
    > referees ignore 90% of the serious rules infractions that happen on the
    > ice; why are they cracking down so heavily on the "player in the
    > crease" rule?
    
    I agree completely. I saw a game earlier this year when a player was
    pushed in the crease and stayed there after the defensman skated away.
    (he had more than ample time to leave the crease). Then deflected a shot 
    for a goal. The goal, after video replay was allowed. 
    
    In the very same game, a player had a skate on the semi-circle line, on
    the oppisite side the puck came from, had no beraing on the goal
    whatsoever and, after video replay, the goal was disallowed.
    
    Dave

    > Well, the Pens and Patrick Lalime's streak came to an end as they lost
    > in OT to the Av's last night.
    
    You kown Warren, I hate to burst your bubble but, I seem to recall quite a 
    few rookie goalies coming and tearing up the league at the start. In fact,
    I believe Ken Wregget was one with the Leafs and Jim Carey was another.
    
    Now that's not to say that Lalime isn't a good goalie, but pros adjust.
    I'm sure the league will find his weaknesses and exploit them just in
    time for the playoffs :-)))
    
    It's the same in baseball. A rookie pitcher comes up and tears up the
    league until the 2nd time around. Then he gets dusted.
    
    Dave

    Dave,
    
    	You're right. Think of Steve Penney(Mtl), Blaine Lacher(Bos),
    and even to some extent Ron Hextall(Vezina in rookie year but 2nd in
    rookie voting to Robitaille).
    
    Andy

    
    >>There was apparently a similar disallowed goal in the Boston-Ottawa
    >>goal the other night.
    
    I couldn't believe that the goal was disallowed.  But the third Bruin
    goal did not go to review and there definately was a Bruin in the crease.
    Also, on the front page of yesterday's Ottawa Sun they had a picture of a
    goal by Alfredsson that never counted.  This happened in the first
    period and my daughter clearly remembered the play (I didn't) and had
    commented to her boyfriend that the puck was in. The picture showed the 
    puck clearly over the goal line.  Finally, on the goal that was disallowed,
    an interference penalty should have been called 5 seconds before hand.
    
    What a mess officiating is in! 

    Well - the Pens and Patrick Lalime (note to ESPN - it's evidently 
    pronounce La-Limb) finally lost two last week.   First the Av's game
    and then the Rangers Game.  The Rangers game was actually quite
    enjoyable for the first 30 mintues.  Pens were up 2-0 and 3-1 and
    I actually said to myself - "where's Gretzky?"  He was totally
    invisible for the first half.  Then he rattles off like 3 assists in a
    row and the Rangers stoned the Pens.  Actually, the Pens came out very
    strong and Richter (and another toenail in the crease call) kept the
    Pens from blowing the Rangers out early.
    
    But, fortunately, the Pens next played in Montreal where they won their
    first game since god knows when.  (I'd mention this in the Montreal
    topic but it has evidently been write-locked :-) )
    
    Pens play at Buffalo tonight in a good test.  It'd be nice if the Pens
    concentrated on Defense again like they did around Christmas.
    
    Pens did trade Sandstrom to the Wings for Greg Johnson.  Since
    Sandstrom is unrestricted at the end-of-the-year and seems to not
    do much in the playoffs, it seems like a good deal.  (And you can't
    question Craig Patrick.)  I don't know anything about Johnson, though.
    I hope he's a grinder.  It would have been nice to have Bob Errey back...
    
    See ya,
    Warren

    Pens lose at Buffalo last night 3-1.  Is Buffalo this years New Jersey
    or Florida?  Hustle and Hasek.
    
    Warren

    Pens win again last night as Mario's scores #600.
    
    Here's the list:
    
    	Gretzky - 853 x
    	Howe    - 801
    	Dionne  - 731
        Esposito- 717
    	Gartner - 685 x
        Hull    - 610
    	Lemieux - 600 x
    
    It took Mario 719 games to get 600.  Wayne did it in 718.  Everyone
    else was over 1000...
    
    Mario's taking the night off for tonight's game in Montreal, however.
    Maybe the Pens can concentrate on Defense again...
    
    Warren

    >    It took Mario 719 games to get 600.  Wayne did it in 718.  Everyone
    >    else was over 1000...
    
    What an interesting stat. Too bad we won't be able to compare Wayne and
    Mario at 700 goals.
    
    Dave

    Ho hum - another win by the Pens in Montreal. :-)
    
    They have now won 2 games in the last 10 days (and 2 games in the last
    9 years) there.
    
    Not much D by the Pens - even w/o Mario, but Stuuuuu Barnes' line 
    picked up the slack.
    
    Another good game by Patrick Lalime who is now 18-2-2.
    Ken Wreggett is supposed to be back soon - that'll be interesting.
    
    Warren

    >> Pens close to 2 points behind phading phillies
    
    Flyers are playing the Habs tonight. Looks like the 'phading phillies'
    will be shining again tonight. ;*)
    
    Andy

    Pens host the Wings on Fox tomorrow - or so the Post says - I'm sure
    they'll slip in a Rangers game at the last moment.  Another test for
    the Pens - they better start beating these top teams sometime.  They
    are 0-7 combined against COL, DET, NYR, PHL, or FLA this year.
    
    Next weekend is a home-and-home with Philly - can't wait.
    
    Warren

Warren,

	you ever see the ESPN Jagr commercial?
	the one where the show a UN like conference
	with dignitaries talking and sharing ideas on
	communication. Jaromir bangs his stick 3X and says

	"when I bang my stick like this pass me the puck"


Toby

    Yeah, it's pretty good.  Jags definitely has a movie-star future... :-)
    
    Actually there seem to be a bunch of good, funny commercials these days
    with hockey players in them.  The out-of-work/cab driver/telephone
    operator goalie complaining about Mats Sundin or Jeremy Roenike are
    pretty good, too.
    
    Warren

    There are three major advertising campaigns involving hockey players
    all very funny.
    
    The one with all of the goalies is a Nike campaign although Nike is
    never mentioned, we just see the now famous checkmark at the end.
    
    Lays Chips has a campaign with Mark Messier, also very funny.  A fan
    says to Messier "I bet you that you can't eat just one" to which
    Messier responds "and if I loose?" and the fan responds "then I get an
    hour of your time".  Next scene, Messier walks into the dressing room
    of the fan's oldtimer team called the Pilons.  And it goes on from
    there.   
    
    Finally, the NHL has its "Coolest Game on Earth" campaign featuring
    Keith Tazckuk, Adam Oates, Vanbiesbrouck (sp?), Messier and Gretzky 
    among others.  My favorite is the Oates commercial.
    
    Bernie. 

    >> My favorite is the Oates commercial.
    
    	Have you seen the Tkachuk one? Hilarious.
    
    I like the Nike one that has a Blackhawks goalie working at a BK or
    MacDonald's (is he Darren Pang?). Classics.
    
    Andy

	good dig on Png they other nite during the Pens/Habs game

	Patrick Lalime already has more career wins than Pang !

	I think it was Barry Melrose


	Toby

    Pens played another entertaining Saturday afternoon game only to lose
    in OT.  This time to the Wings.  Good things these games don't count
    until April...
    
    And a Good thing Wreggett's coming back - Lalime needs a little rest.
    And the injury bug is starting to hit the Pens hard.  
    
    Looks like a 6-team race in the East, with star-laden PIT, NYR, PHL
    being joined by hard-working NJ, FLA, BUF.  The rest of the pack will
    be fighting for 7 & 8.
    
    Only 60 days (28 games) or so until the playoffs start...

    Pens did two things last night that they rarely do:
    
    - beat an over .500 team (Florida)
    - came from behind to win
    
    I just wanted to enter this, because I know Andy's following the Pens
    record against good teams pretty closely.
    
    Joey Mullen's long march to #500 may soon end, as he scored #499 last
    night.
    
    Warren

    >>    - beat an over .500 team (Florida)
    >>    - came from behind to win
    
    
    	Yeah! But can they do both of these ON THE ROAD???? :*)
    
    Andy

    Well - the Pens have definitely re-entered SUCK mode.  And their next
    few games are against DET, NJ, NJ, BUF, and PHL.  We could really use
    a few games against the Caps or Montreal :-)
    
    Wake me when the playoffs start - of course I'm not very optimistic
    since the Pens have no game-plan.  I figure I'm a good 20-30 years
    younger than EJ, so I hope to outlast him - that's my only hope at
    this point.  Too bad Mario will be long gone as well.
    
    Sigh,
    Warren

Penguins fans find good reason to boo

By Gene Collier
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
-------------------------------------------------------------

That sound similar to BOOO-ing at the Penguins games, until now a hackneyed
vocal tribute to center Stu (STOOOO!) Barnes, has evolved into the real
deal, and it doesn't exactly require an auditory expert to make the
distinction.

The STOOO! sound is oddly melodic, something you could probably coax from a
yardful of earnest beagles. The BOOO-ing is of two unmistakable types.

There's a low, edgy hum of BOOOS that literally translates to "You mean I
paid up to $85 a ticket for this?"

And there's a louder, about-to-boil BOOO that literally translates to "Hey
Johnston; YOU SUCK!"

For an extended translation of the second type, you can check the Saturday
Sports Mailbag section in One of America's Great Newspapers' Great Sports
Section.

Every time it even appears as though the Penguins can be beaten with
regularity, the hockey afflicted immediately roll out the E.J. guillotine.

It is strictly a symbolic exercise, of course, because anyone familiar with
the franchise's management model knows that as long as Mario Lemieux
remains Active Legend and Chief Operating Officer, any heads that role will
not even resemble that of Grandpa Munster.

Tuesday, in a move that will surely rattle the organ-I-zation to its very
foundations, Penguins general manager Craig Patrick demoted Dave Roche and
Tyler Wright to Cleveland and called up left winger Jeff Christian.

Oh yeah, if there's anything that can pick the Penguins off the ice after a
1-6 pratfall, it's a bold exchange of Lumberjacks.

The possible acquisition of Boston Bruins critic and star center Adam
Oates, energetically rumored around the club's fabulous Frosty-plex
training center, would help the Pittsburgh branch of Aging Forwards R Us
almost as much.

Out on the ice, Johnston whistled the club through an unusually busy
practice. Some of the fellas were on all fours when E.J. finally got off
the throttle and delivered a lengthy talk on, among other things,
accountability.

"The players gotta be accountable to each other," Johnston said later. "You
can say as much as you want, but that's what it comes down to. Something
has seeped in since the All-Star break. Things we were doing automatically
prior to that, we're not doin.' "

Accountability is not the hot concept with this club that it is with others.

Accountability for winning, which in most places ultimately seeps to the
coach and general manager, has for all of this decade affixed itself to the
athletes on the sometimes rickety principle of wildly superior talent.

This team, the gospel goes, should be able to win regardless of who the
coach is.

Unfortunately, it's designed that way right down to its on-ice systems.

If we can go back to Stu Barnes just for a minute (that's STOOO, not BOOO),
you can note that Barnes was acquired with Jason Woolley from the Florida
Panthers during the last "coaching" crisis, and though neither will ever be
confused with Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr in terms of natural ability, both
are a lot less removed from the Stanley Cup final.

The 1995-96 Panthers, you'll recall, ejected the Philadelphia Flyers and
these Penguins from the playoffs last spring, and did it with an entirely
different design. "Florida, Philly, us, Buffalo, we're all different,"
Barnes was saying after practice. "Philly's more of a bruising team, where
Florida has to have everybody play hard every night to be successful, and
Buffalo's like that, too. Here, there is so much unbelievable talent up
front that there's a big difference.

"When you have the kind of great talent that can make a difference, you've
got to give Mario and Ronnie Francis and Yags (Jagr) and Petr Nedved the
freedom to take advantage of other team's mistakes. When you don't have
guys like that that you can count on, you've got to play the more
complicated systems."

The system around here is to let the stars be stars, act like stars, and
feel like stars, and to ride that karma along as many income streams as
possible. It infuriates the purists, but it is better at this late stage
than dropping the blade on E.J. and finding yourself star-crossed.

    re. -1 
    
    	Warren are you sure your pen name isn't Gene Collier? ;) Actually
    there's some hidden truths in that column. The last thing the Pens'
    owners want right now is a coach/star battle. And any incoming coach
    would probably start kicking some hinies into shape. A stronger coach
    would most likely conflict with Mario's ego.
    
    cheers,
    
    	fred
    

    > -< Hey Warren, Keenan's available... >-
    
    Fred, Thanks for the good laugh this morning, I needed that:-)))
    
    Dave
    

Actually, it was reported that Mario and Keenan got along very well
together back in the 1987 Canada Cup.

It was also reported that Wayne Gretzky and Keenan got along well in
1987, which shows you how much things can change in nine years.

Steve

    > Actually, it was reported that Mario and Keenan got along very well
    > together back in the 1987 Canada Cup.
    >
    > It was also reported that Wayne Gretzky and Keenan got along well in
    > 1987, which shows you how much things can change in nine years.
    
    I actually hit reply before I read the 2nd part. And that is very true.
    But Mario has a bigger ego than Wayne (IMO) and they wouldn't last long
    together.
    
    Dave
    

    > But Mario has a bigger ego than Wayne (IMO) ...
    
    Well, maybe, but that's like saying that Mt Everest is bigger than K2 ...
    
    Meanwhile, Pens lose to the Wings 4-1 w/o much of a fight.  Predictable.
    
    	(Boy, Shanahan has really calmed down and is playing well.)
    
    I figure the Pens need to win 5 of there last 21 games to make the
    playoffs so I'm not sweating yet.  But they sure suck now.
    
    Warren

March 3, 1997

Penguins fire Johnston

CANONSBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Eddie Johnston was fired as coach of the Pittsburgh
Penguins today following eight losses in nine games and a disappointing
season despite a wealth of talent.
 General manager Craig Patrick will take over the team, which is second to
Buffalo in the Northeast Division. Penguins assistant coaches Bryan Trottier
and Rick Kehoe coached at practice this morning.
 The team is 31-26-5 and sandwiched two slumps around the 14-0-2 start of
rookie goalie Patrick Lalime.
 The Penguins will likely make the playoffs but have strugged despite having
the NHL's two top scorers in Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, who will miss
one month with a groin pull. The Penguins also have the league's
12th-leading scorer in forward Ron Francis.
 The Penguins acquired Darius Kasparaitis from the Islanders to bolster
their defence but lost defencemen Chris Tamer and Neil Wilkinson for much of
the season to injuries.
 Pittsburgh lost 6-3 to New Jersey on Saturday and has lost four in a row.

    My heart just stopped - call an ambulance

    Upon getting in here and reading Stephen's note (.125), I noticed that
    there was also a ".126"; somehow I just knew who replied to the one I
    was reading. :*))))
    
    
    Andy

    How about Pat Burns?

    Well,  I got my heart started again - thanks for all your cards and letters.
    
    Wow - I feel like I just won an Oscar but I don't have my acceptance
    speech ready because it was totally unexpected.  I guess I should go
    back and look at Dave's notes after Keenan was axed on what to say...
    
    But this can only be good.  EJ was clueless and if it's Craig Patrick
    or whomever he brings in - it'll be good.   I've sent him my resume...
    
    I'll start my own rumour, though.  Last time Patrick brought in Scotty
    Bowman.  Maybe this time he should get the next best thing - Al Arbour
    - he's free right?  But, I think he'll stay with himself unless there's
    no progress in a couple of weeks.
    
    Warren

    Congatulations Warren, I've experienced the euphoria and it lasts a
    long time. My head is still in the clouds (although it's posible I was
    born like that).
    
    Funny though, so far all the names that have been mentioned have been
    ex-Blues coaches.
    
    Keenan gets my vote.
    
    Dave

    Red Berenson?
    Brian Sutter?
    One of the living Plager bros?
    
    
    Andy

    	Congrats Warren. Every morning I get up and check the paper to see
    if the B's have fired Kasper yet. I guess I just have to keep the same
    kind of faith that you've displayed all these months. 
    
    Barry
    

    > all these months
    
    Well I'd say Years - since Jun 22, 1993 - to be exact.
    
    Then there was his first stint in the 80's (but I didn't really have 
    anything to compare against since the Pens had always sucked back then).
    
    His record in 93-94, 94-95, 95-96 - three years of disappointing playoff
    losses.  Out-coached, Out-strategized each time.  Which came on the
    heels of 2 CUP's where Bob Johnson (and Scotty Bowman I guess) enforced
    a system that worked.
    
    So - now there's some hope for the playoffs.  Although I hope they
    don't have to play NJ - they seem to have their stuff together again.
    
    Warren

    The Pens are now 0-2 in the post EJ (for good I hope) Era - but things
    are looking better - considering they lost to the two top teams in the
    East right now (BUF & NJ) and w/o Jagr and Lemieux.
    
    The shots on goal against are down and there seems to be more effort.
    And in fact, they should've had at least a tie with Buffalo last night
    but Nedved had the old "toenail in the crease".
    
    So, look for the Pens to break their losing streak against the slumping
    Phils on Saturday and rebound and win the cup.
    
    Warren

    Warren,
    
    I thought you might be interested in what the St. Louis paper had to
    say about the Pens situation.
    
    "Patrick will hire someone who presumably will do more than stare 
    blankly at the ice."
    
    Is Jagr out for the season???
    
    Dave

    >    "Patrick will hire someone who presumably will do more than stare
    >    blankly at the ice."
    
    Now that's not fair - He'd occasionally stare up and down the bench, too.
    
    >    Is Jagr out for the season???
    
    I have no idea - reports are conflicting - you never know with these
    hockey injuries - these guys are so secretive about injuries.  He could
    use a rest, so I not worried for now.
    
    Warren

Will Patrick coach the team for the rest of the season, or does he want a
new coach in place for the playoffs?

FWIW, even back in his playing days with the Islanders, I had the hunch that
Bryan Trottier had what it takes to be a successful coach in the NHL.

Steve

    > Will Patrick coach the team for the rest of the season ...
    
    Sounds like it - he said he didn't want to "train" someone new!?!??
    
    But, Trottier wouldn't have to be trained.  I think if he was going to
    go with Trottier, he would have done it right away.  He has Rick Kehoe
    too, who seems to be a good assnt coach.
    
    I think Trottier would be good too - although he had to file bankruptcy
    a year or two ago, which makes you wonder about his management skills...
    
    Warren

    Pens broke their long losing streak with an OT win (first of the year)
    against that team from the East.
    
    Obviously this is the turnaround game of the season and they might as
    well start putting the Pens names on the cup right now.
    
    Warren

    Just checking in to see if Andy announced any trades that need to be
    verified yet :-)  Today is the trade deadline, afterall.
    
    Pens trade rumours all seem to center on Petr Nedved, who's rumored to
    be going to Vancouver (Trevor Lindon), San Jose (Owen Nolan), and
    Calgary (Dave Gagner).  All a bunch of pipe dreams, if you ask me.
    
    Doesn't look like anything's happened yet. Time for someone to make
    something up...
    
    Warren

    re -1:
    
    	Habs traded Shane Corson and Murray Baron to the Blues for Pierre
    Turgeon...:*))
    
    Ray.
    

    Pens have traded Richard Park for Roman Oxiuda (sp?).

    My version of a trade..
    
    	Caps trade Brendan (nit)Witt and Chris Simon to Chicago for Tony
    Amonte. 
    
    cheers,
    
    	fred

    Well, looks like the Pens got Eddie Olczyk from LA for Glen Murray.
    Seems pretty good, Eddie O always seemed to be a good goal scorer.
    
    Looks like Florida picked up Kirk Muller - for a prospect...
    
    Warren

    Slow day I guess...
    
    Pens have 10 games left.  3 tough ones (Tonight @NYR and two with Florida)
    And 7 ones against teams below 500.  So they should make the playoffs.
    But can they move up past the Rangers and Florida? - doubtful.
    That would leave them playing NJ or Philly in the first round.
    NJ would be tough (and boring), so... Bring on Lindros - That would be fun.
    For once the Pens would be the underdogs and the other team will be the
    underachievers.  :-)
    
    Did anyone hear anything about the rumor that Lindros missed a couple
    of games this year because he was too drunk or hungover to play?
    Someone told me that some Philly radio station started it and are
    now being sued.  Must not be true then, nevermind.
    
    Warren

    Hi Warren
    
    	I was in a hockey tourney this weekend, and one of my teammates was
    Chris Therien's (Flyers dman) uncle. He spent a few days in Philadelphia
    this winter, and met a lot of the players on the Flyers, including
    Lindros and Leclair. The rumor around the team is that Lindros would
    like to finish his career in NY w/ the Rangers, and that he's not too
    happy in Philadelphia, primarely because of the reporters (i.e.. your
    rumor, etc). Therien's name was mentionned at the trading deadline,
    and it seems he was just dying to be traded to the Leafs, where GM
    Fletcher had promissed his agent a multi-million $$ deal for him...
    
    Therien is 6'5", 237 lbs, and according to my friend, he's bigger than
    Lindros...
    
    Ray.
    

    re. -1
    
    	I wonder if Lindros really thinks the writers in NY are different 
    than the writers in Philly? He's had a hard time living up to
    expectations that were forced (IMHO) upon him in his trade. perhaps he
    just wants/needs a change of scenery. 
    
    cheers,
    
    	fred

    Speaking of Lindros.
    
    Did Rich Pilon (NYI) get suspended for the low (yet legal) hit on
    the Big E that kept him out of the Avs game? Apparently, they were
    looking into suspending Pilon for the Kasparitus-type hit.
    
    Andy

    I don't see how clipping someone is considered a
    legal hit no matter who you are!!
    
    
    
    Chris

    I also thought it was a legal hit on Lindros. I'd call it a hip check,
    as opposed to a clip. Also, Lindros wasn't hurt by the hit. He injured
    himself when the player's bench door opened while he was falling to the
    ice, and his leg got caught in the opening.
    
    I don't think Pilon deserved a penalty, and even less, a suspension...
    
    Ray.
    

    Oh my mistake, I didn't realize you can just clip 
    a guy as he is skating down the side without the
    puck.
    
    
    
    Chris

    I might of missed that detail, Chris. I didn't know Lindros didn't have
    the puck.
    
    Ray.
    

    Well he didn't!    :)
    
    
    Chris

    It was a classic low-bridge, however, as was mentioned Lindros didn't
    have the puck. Pilon should have gotten an interference call for it. As
    a smaller player myself, I'm a big proponent of going low, not at the
    knees, on the big guys. It's one of our few equalizers :)
    
    cheers,
    
    	fred

    Lindros was probably too drunk to get out the way :-)
    
    Warren
    
    P.S.  I know, it's not true.  Sue me.

    Big game in Montreal, tonight?
    
    Pens now "own" the Habs in Montreal, so I'm confident :-)
    
    
    Mario has not scored a point in his last 3 games.  
    
    Trivia Question:
    
    When was the last time Mario did not score a point in 3 straight games?
    
    Warren

    Answer to Trivia -
    
    Never!
    
    pete

    >>Answer to Trivia -
    >>Never!
    
    I'll second that.
    
    
    Andy

    Well, Mario got his pts/game average back in line with 5 points last
    night (2g, 3a) but the team was shellacked in Montreal 8-5.   Nice
    ovation by the Montreal Fans, however, for Mario.  I didn't think 
    Montreal fans had any class :-)
    
    Pens still suck - and since EJ isn't around any longer I guess
    I'll have to blame it on injuries.  Doesn't look like the Pens are
    ready for the playoffs at all...
    
    Since Jagr is out and Mario is in a funk, the goal scoring race is
    sure tight this year.  Here's the current standings:
    
    	Leclair	 48
    	Selanne  47
    	Lemieux  46
    	Shanahan 46
    	Tkachuk  46
    	Jagr	 45  in 57 games
    	Bondra	 43
    	Hull	 41
    
    Of course, Mario still seams to have a handle on the Points race:
    
    	Lemieux  110
    	Selanne   98
    	Leclair   93
    	Gretzky   90
    	Jagr      87
    	Kariya    87
    
    Warren

    Went to my first ever game in Le Centre Molson last nite, which
    coincided w/ Mario's farewell to the Montreal fans, and it was quite
    the treat!!! In a typical "win/win" situation, the Habs beat the Pens
    8-5, after scoring 4 goals on their first 5 shots on net.
    
    However, after the Habs took a 5-0 lead in the first, Mario Le
    Magnifique took over, getting 3 assists in all Pens goals in the
    second, and scoring both Pens goals in the 3rd...His first goal, scored
    w/ less than 2 minutes left in the game was followed by an immense
    standing ovation that only Hab greats such as Richard, beliveau and
    Lafleur ever got!!! Also, after being named the game's 1st star,
    Lemieux got another standing O, skated accross the ice to shake hands w/
    Habs President Corey. Mark Recchi and Shane Corson (games 2nd & 3rd
    stars) also shook Lemieux's hand. Lemieux then skated back waving to
    the fans...a moment of magic!!!
    
    Ray.
    

    Wow, great report, Ray.  Of course, these emotional moments may
    actually make it harder for Mario to renege on the retirement plans.
    
    I just saw the highlights which just showed Mario's points and - oh
    by the way - Montreal had 8 goals to win.  Could you tell if it was
    Lalime or the Pens Defense that was terrible?  (Unless of course it
    was just Montreal being too good)
    
    I see Darius K. welcomed Koivu back from his injury...
    
    Warren

    From my point of view Warre, I don't think Lalime should take all the
    blame for the Habs quick goals in the first. Their defense did look
    suspect, and out of place on a few goals...
    
    BTW, being a "romantic" type, nothing will ever replace a hockey game
    in the MTL Forum, but I have to say the Molson Center is pretty nice,
    and very big!! last nite, over 21,000 people were in attendance...
    
    Ray.
    

    RAY!!!
    
    What's so 'romantic' about a hockey game??????
    Don't count on going to any game (NHL or JR) w/ me from now on.
    
    
    Andy

    > What's so 'romantic' about a hockey game??????
    
    What are you nuts??? I take my wife on a date, they dim the lights
    before the players come onto the ice, a couple of ice cold frosty
    Budweisers, hot dogs and nachos for dinner, a bunch of millionaires on 
    ice skates carrying sticks??? 
    
    Andy Andy Andy, maybe you should marry this girlfriend of yours. Then
    you wouldn't ask such dumb questions :-))) 
    
    Dave

    Duh! Geez, Dave. I just didn't know. 
    I just thought 'romantic' was being polite before 'doing it'; like
    "You wanna do it?". :*)))
    
    
    Thanks again, Oh! WeISEr guy.
    
    
    Andy

    Pens catch the Rangers with 6 games to go.  And the Pens "should" win
    most of them - espically with Jagr and Company back.
    
    Starting to look good for the Playoffs?  Maybe...
    
    Warren

    Hi,
    
       can anyone confirm or deny a rumour I heard at our play-off final
    last Saturday.
    
    Penguins are looking into setting up a sort of farm team over here
    (UK) playing in our Superleague.The team would probably be based in
    London although somewhere in Ireland was also mentioned.
    
    
    Al

    Hi,
    
    I seem to recall some kind of European Farm team (more of a team that
    the Pens had an "interest" in) but I thought it was in Scandinavia or 
    something.  I haven't heard anything about a team in the UK - but I'll 
    include that question in my daily report to Craig Patrick and let you 
    know :-)
    
    Warren

Lemieux unhappy after talk with Burke

By Sam Ross Jr.
TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Mario Lemieux and the man whose policies have been given partial blame for
Lemieux's decision to retire, shared a room Tuesday. It was the Penguins
locker room, and fortunately, the two weren't alone.

NHL vice president Brian P. Burke was at the Civic Arena to hold a meeting
to discuss anything and everything on the players' minds. He holds these
meetings with each league team and has four to go. Judging from the look of
disdain on Lemieux's face as he left the meeting, and his brief comment
regarding its merit, Burke told the team largely what he'd told the media
beforehand. Basically, Burke likes the way the NHL game is officiated and
if Lemieux retiring early to escape what he perceives as rampant clutching
and grabbing is a consequence, so be it. "Obviously no one would like to
see officiating be a factor in Mario's decision," Burke said. "But . . . I
don't think a league can tailor a standard of officiating for one player."

Lemieux is not the only star player to complain publicly that the NHL
tolerates too much wrestling in the name of playing defense. The league
seemed interested in hearing what Lemieux had to say when he had an
off-season audience with Burke and commissioner Gary Bettman. Lemieux came
away unimpressed.

Last season, there has been a professed emphasis on eliminating obstruction
of players without the puck, and for awhile more penalties were called.
Eventually, the game returned to its previous state. This season, the
philosophy has changed to loosening the officiating by eliminating what
Burke calls "marginal" calls. "I think it's fair to say the marginal call
in hockey is a very dangerous thing in terms of how it affects the outcome
of a game," Burke said. "It leads to multiple calls. It leads to player
frustration. Basically we felt, after great study of this with some owners
involved, managers involved, some coaches involved and some officials
involved, that that was the biggest single problem in the game. That has
resulted in a dropoff in scoring, but it also has resulted, I think, in
when you watch an NHL game now, we're finding out who the best team is on a
given night, not who has the best power play."

Burke speaking Tuesday sounded remarkably like Flyers general manager Bobby
Clarke speaking just more than a year ago. "You can't right now, tell who's
the better team," Clarke said then. "You are just able to tell who had the
better power play and penalty kill because there are so many penalties
called. I mean poor (Karl) Dykhuis puts his stick out against Ron Francis
to keep him from going to the net, and it gets called. That's not a
penalty. The way the rules are now, it's great for Mario or Wayne Gretzky.
But it's not hockey. Not NHL hockey, anyway."

Clarke and others like him, including Boston GM Harry Sinden, have gotten
their way. Burke has bought their line of thought over that of Lemieux.
While the NHL avoids making marginal calls, even at the expense of scoring,
it will maintain its strict stance on players in the crease. The sometimes
controversial rule, which has become more noticeable this year because
video replay judges are being allowed to review the calls, makes no
distinction between a player in the crease having no impact on the play and
one interfering with the goalie.

The reason, said Burke, is that when there was room for interpretation,
players pushed the envelope. "We feel the players have adjusted very well
to this," Burke said. "Early in the year, we had guys crashing the net,
goalies getting knocked on their cans, goals being disallowed. Now, the
players seem much more conscious of that blue paint, and that's working
from our perspective."

The only refinement planned is to attempt to amend the rules to make the
video replay judge able to call down to the referee to correct an erroneous
call. Now, the referee must request that help. "We had a game this year
with the Rangers and Dallas," Burke said. "First period, Adam Graves has
one skate in crease. The referee goes upstairs. The goal is disallowed. It
was the proper call. Third period, Benoit Hogue has one skate in the
crease. The referee elected not to go upstairs and the goal stood and it
shouldn't have."

Burke said a goal is disallowed, on average, only once every 5.5 games.
"It's nowhere near as big an issue or an item as people think it is."
    

    >>Basically we felt, after great study of this with some owners
    >>involved, managers involved, some coaches involved and some officials
    >>involved, that that was the biggest single problem in the game.
    
    Too bad they didn't include the paying customer in this study.
    
    I have to agree with the "in the crease rule".  To me it's like the
    offside rule.  You're either offside or not and nobody seems to have
    a problem with this.  There is no argument of "well he might have
    been offside but he was way on the left wing and we came in from the
    right side to score so he had no impact on the play".  However, where the 
    intepretation is bad is that there has been "in the crease" calls made when 
    players entered the crease AFTER the puck went in the net.  And there
    is always the issue of players being pushed in the crease and somehow
    goals are disallowed.   
    
    I still hate the hooking and the clutch and grab. 
    
    Bernie.

    
    "I still hate the hooking and the clutch and grab."
    
    
    
    Bernie, a couple of things come to mind
    
          .....Practice what you preach!
          .....He who casts the first stone....
          ..... He who lives in glass houses.....
    
    
    pete ;-)

    re: -1
    
    what WHAT WWHHAATTT!!!

    Bernie "hasn't held a man in long time..."

    With 4 games left, the Pens, Rangers, and Panthers are in a little
    race for 4,5,6 in the East.  The Loser has to play Philly or NJ so
    there's alot at stake.  Right now, I see both the Pens and Rangers
    catching the Panthers (who are in quite a funk).   Which would
    set up a Marquee matchup which would be sure to be the ESPN "A" game
    every night.   Even thought the Rangers owned the Pens this year,
    I think the Pens can take them in the playoffs.
    
    Of course, the Pens still have to win these last four games:
    Boston, @TB, @FLA, @Boston.  Very doable.  If they win all four, they
    get 4th place.
    
    And - oh by the way - Mario made it official - this is it :-(
    
    Warren

    Pens host the Bruins tonight.  I hope the B's rest Jim Carey tonight
    for his sake.  Let's just say his record against the Pens is less than
    spectacular....
    
    Pens still have a shot at cathing Buffalo, if they win 4 and Buffalo loses
    it last three (B's, Sens, Caps).  Ummm - Nevermind. :-)
    
    But they still have a good shot at fourth.  Though I was surpised the 
    Rangers came back to beat Philly last night (w/o Messier).  I guess 
    Lindros is  going into playoff mode early. :-)  
    You're a class act, Eric baby.
    
    Warren

    I'd say your a class act Warren by no means :)
    
    
    Lemieux will likely get his 50th tonight and
    maybe even Jagr seeing as its only the Bruins.

    
    Chris

    
    Lindros is a pr!ck in the biggest way.  Cross check in the teeth at the
    buzzer makes him a majorly marked man thursday night.  Beukaboom
    Tikkanen and Churla are licking their lips....
    
    mmmm.....

    That's a good one mmmm..... :)
    
    Lindros was retaliating, did you expect him to
    just leave it alone??
    
    
    
    Chris

    
    
    No, I don't expect him to leave it alone but a crosscheck to the teeth
    is just askin' fer trouble.  I'd definitely pay extra to see Churla and
    Lindros square off!
    
    Game is on ESPN thursday - we'll see....
    
    
    -Mike

    It was Ulf Samuelson that Lindros retaliated against.
    I would think most NHL fans would like that show.
    Lindros should of took his head right off :)
    
    
    Chris

    I was wondering when Ulf would get dragged into this discussion...
    I guess some people do deserve to have their teeth knocked out at
    the final buzzer.  Good think for Lindros it wasn't Leetch back
    there, or we'd be talking suspension.   Poor Ulf :-)
    
    But, really, Lindros is still a man-child.  He can dish it out but
    he can't take it.  Not that this is a rare trait in the NHL :-)
    But I can see Lindros pulling a Dale Hunter at some point and getting
    so frustrated that he'll lose it and do something really sick.  And we
    see it doesn't take much to get him frustrated.
    
    Flyers would be better off if Lindros stayed in the bar for the 'offs :-)
    
    Warren (hoping Chris finds the humor in this - still hope the
            Flyers and Pens meet at some point.  Would be alot of fun!)

    I don't know if I would go as far as saying Lindros
    will eventually pull a Dale Hunter. I do agree that
    Lindros loses it at times... but when you have dozens
    of guys in the league trying to take the big guy out, 
    he is going to lose it by retaliating. Kind of like 
    Lemieux Warren. The only thing different is that Lindros
    takes care of things himself where as Mario takes it to 
    the refs. (whine, whine)
    I would like to see the Pens meet their rival Flyers also
    
    Chris  (also hoping Warren sees the humor:)
    

    	In most instances, a crosscheck to the teeth is reprehensible...
    except in the case of Ulf. This guy has dished out so many cheap shots
    over the years and for the most part gotten away with so much that all
    I can say is that he who lives by the sword dies by the sword. Please
    understand that I'm not one to enjoy another human beings suffering,
    and I don't even enjoy Ulf's suffering... I just don't feel badly about
    it.
    
    	As far as Lindros is concerned. When he came into the league I had
    no respect at all for him. He's proven himself to be real deal however,
    no matter how much growing up he seems to need to do. Don't forget his
    still relatively young age and the enormous amount of pressure he is
    under. I wonder how many of us could handle that kind of pressure and
    life under constant scrutiny at all times, no matter where we went. 
    I can understand him getting fed up with people constantly running at
    him. Face it, every time he's on the ice he's a target for every rookie
    that wants to make a name for himself. I respect the "frontier justice"
    mentality more than the "retire when the league doesn't give me my way"
    way of thinking. 
    
    	There was a game MANY years ago when Phil Esposito butt ended an
    opponent in the ribs so badly that the guy ended up not playing the
    rest of the game to go to the hospital. Seems as though the butt end
    went between two of the guys ribs and bruised? his lung or something to
    that effect. When asked about it in the newspaper the next day Espo
    answered "These guys are hanging all over me out there in the slot, I'm
    getting punched, speared, and slashed constantly. If the ref's don't
    want to call the penalties fine, people are going to start getting
    hurt. I'm sick of the abuse I'm taking." Of course I'm paraphrasing.
    This happend over 20 years ago, but still, you get the jist of what he
    was saying. Nowadays a player goes straight to the ref and whines. I
    guess I just like the old days and Lindros seems to play in that style.
    
    Barry
    

    > But, really, Lindros is still a man-child.  He can dish it out but
    > he can't take it. 
    
    I don't get the opportunity to see Lindos very much. I've had tickets
    to see him against the Blues 3 times and have only seen him play once
    live. However, I was impressed by how much he didn't retaliate and take
    bad penalties for his team. Maybe is was just that game but people were
    hammering him from all angles (and all elbows) and he took the abuse,
    fought it off and did his job. 
    
    Oh, BTW, the 1st time I saw him live he crosschecked a Blues player
    from behind and got a game misconduct less than a minute into the game.
    
    Dave

    I still hate Dino!
    
    The Pens can still get fourth by winning their final 2 (@FLA and @BOS).
    But the TB game, which they lost 4-3, should've been one a team on a
    roll should win.  Fortunately, nobody else seems to be on a roll.
    
    And the playoff race is still pretty tight.  All we know now is that
    Buffalo will be seeded #2 in the East and Detroit will be #3 in the
    West.  All the other spots are up for grabs with only 1 or 2 games left.
    
    Warren

Personally, I'd like to see the Pens face the Rangers.  Wayne and Mario
have never faced each other in the playoffs, and this is the last chance.

Steve

    Steve,
    
    Yes, the Pens and Rangers meeting is still very possible.
    It requires the Pens beating Florida tonight and getting a win or tie
    against Boston on Sunday Night.  While the Rangers must get a win or tie 
    against TB in their last game.  (Florida would lose all tiebreakers)
    
    And it would be a good series, I think.  It would help if Messier
    stayed injured, though :-)
    
    Warren

Thanks, Warren.  What's wrong with the Moose?

Steve

    Messier has a deep "charly horse" - I can't imagine him missing any
    playoffs games with that...
    
    Warren

    Pens vs. Flyers in Round 1 - Oh my - Careful what you wish for, eh?
    
    Pens (and Rangers) lost and Pens then went and lost to Boston.
    Meanwhile the Flyers couldn't beat MTL.
    (Rangers have to go to Florida)
    
    Well, I can't see the Pens winning in Philly and I can't see Philly winning
    in Pittsburgh.  So down to game 7 - anything can happen.
    
    Easily the most attractive game on TV (in the states at least) so, 
    I hope to get to watch all the games at least. 
    
    C'mon Pens - make those Flyer Fans greene with envy
    
    Warren

>   Messier has a deep "charly horse" - I can't imagine him missing any
>   playoffs games with that...

Thanks again, Warren.  That is presumably the injury suffered as a result
of a (perfectly legal) hip check into the boards by Slava Fetisov about
two weeks ago.  Curiously, somebody on another team (I don't remember who)
was injured almost identically the following night.

John Davidson has been saying the league should seriously consider banning
below-the-waist checks.  There have been a number of players injured
recently by knee-on-knee collisions (including the master of the knee
check, Darius Kasparaitis:  as ye sow, so shall ye reap), but players
are so much bigger these days, even the classic hip check has a high
potential to injure.

It makes sense to rest Messier.  Without him, the Rangers are toast.

Steve

The Philly series is the first series in which the Pens have been the away
team (underdog) since they won their last Stanley Cup.  So, watch out Philly!
(And we won't even mention the fact that EJ is gone - so maybe the Pens can
 actually react to change during the game!!!)


Pens Playoff Record in the 90's

96   Beat  Washington 4-2
     Beat  Rangers    4-1
     Lost  Florida    3-4 (7th game, tied in 3rd period)

95   Beat  Washington 4-3
     Lost  New Jersey 1-4 (who went on win the cup - Mario Did Not Play)

94   Lost  Washington 2-4 (Still shocked about it,Mario had Cancer,played anyway

93   Beat  New Jersey 4-1
     Lost  Islanders  3-4 (7th game in OT)

92   Beat  Washington 4-3
     Beat  Rangers    4-2
     Beat  Boston     4-0
     Beat  Chicago    4-0 Stanley Cup Champs

91   Beat  New Jersey 4-3
     Beat  Washington 4-1
     Beat  Boston     4-2
     Beat  Minnesota  4-2 Stanley Cup Champs

The ONLY other time the Pens and Flyers have met in the Playoffs 
was in the second round of 89 where the Flyers won 4-3.  (Mario
had 5 goals in one the games, however, those were the days...)

Warren

    As expected and planned, the Pens lose game 1 to the hated Flyers.
    (Can't let the Flyers know what's coming)
    
    Bright Spots:  Wreggett looked good
    		   Jagr looked healthy
    		   Garth Snow????
    		   Lindros got his best game out of his system
    		   Pens always lose game 1
    
    It would be nice if the Pens won game 2, but I don't see them winning
    in Philly until Game 5.
    
    Warren

    I heard that Jagr re-aggravated his groin injury and would likely miss
    the next game.  What's the news out of Pittsburgh?  
    
    pete

    I watched most of this game (and bits of Sens-Sabres, Habs-Devils)
    and I must say that I can't believe how much hooking and holding is
    done on Lemieux. UNBELIEVABLE!!! There should be a penalty on him on
    most every shifts he takes. 
    
    Andy

    > Jagr re-aggravated his groin injury ...
    
    Yeah - I just heard that too.  One of the Flyers hooked him at the end
    of the game.  But, you never know with hockey injuries.
    Noboby ever tells the truth.
    
    Warren

    Pens played better in Game 2 and will surely win tonight in Pittsburgh
    where the Flyers have won once in this Decade (give or take a few years).
    
    Pens need to win both games so there's NO possibility that Mario's
    career ends in Phucking Philadelpha.   If the Pens lose tonight, I say
    they should just cancel game 4 and honor Mario instead. (Evidently,
    Mario still has constant back pain and gets back massages in between 
    periods to help him get through the game.  Of course, if Mario LOVED
    THE GAME more, he wouldn't need that and would be coming back next year.)
    
    At least I'll be comforted by the fact that there is no way the Flyers
    would get past the Devils. (Not to mention the Panthers.)
    
    Warren

    Oh well....
    
    Flyers sure are a physical team.  Although you wouldn't think they
    would have to resort to slashing and hacking and holding as well.
    Boy, they are an easy team to hate.  Broad Street Bullies II.
    They are CONSTANTLY hitting and slashing.  It's hard to take.
    But, I guess this is what the NHL is these days... Sigh.  There's always
    the World Cup and maybe the Olympics will be fun to watch.
    
    No way Mario cost them the game with his little slash - Pens were
    already toast.  When No One Else on the team besides Mario and Jagr
    can generate any offense, forget it.
    
    Craig Patrick should stick to being a GM...
    
    Hopefully, next year, the Pens will be able to buy a decent 2nd and 3rd
    line with the $11 million they won't be paying Mario.  Maybe throw in
    a decent coach.
    
    Warren

    Pens let Mario play at least one more game by Beating the Flyers 4-1
    last night.  Am I the only one who had to reach for a hankie at the end?
    Would be a very sweet sendoff, if it is Mario's last homegame.
    
    Pens actually brought the whole team last night.  And they were nastier
    than usual - going after Snow and Leclair especially.  Lindros was
    NOWHERE.   It's funny that Snow can even complain about getting leveled
    after the stuff he pulls.  He's worse than Hextall.  But Mario beat him
    like a rented mule, as Mike Lange would say, and Flyer fans should be
    worried about their future - if not in this series, in the next for sure.
    
    And the Pens actually played defense and remembered to sit on a lead.
    
    Too little, too late?  Well, if Pens can somehow win Game 5 on Saturday...
    
    Warren

    Warren,
    
    	If there's one team (or player) that can come back from an 0-3
    deficit, it's the Pens...followed closely by the Habs, that is...:*))
    
    Ray.
    

    Warren,
    	
    	I'll tell you why the Pens won this game. HATCHER! 
    This guy is finally playing like he did in the World Cup; he's throwing
    his weight around on the big Flyer forwards AND they've got him
    screening Snow on the PP. 
    
    If that was Mario last game in Pittsburgh, he went out the right one.
    Scoring on a breakaway w/ that patented wrist shot up high. Gotta luv
    it.
    
    Andy

    
    Warren,
    
    		how about that shot Hicks gave Snow last nite?  pretty
    dirty if you ask me seeing how Snow never saw it coming. The 
    interference call was a joke the Pen Player (forget who) was in the
    crease!  I'm not making excuses for Snow but Koharski should have
    his pay docked for that one.
    
    Super-Mario's goal was a beauty.... he'll be missed  not the least by
    Jaromir. hope he's getting used to the rough stuff cause when Mario is
    gone next year he'll be getting ALOT of it.  Nedved's goal was a beauty
    too!
    
    Toby

    As feared, the Penguins as a team, did not show up for Game 5
    As feared, the Penguins are as deep as my daughters' wading pool
    As feared, Mario's career ends in Philly.
    As feared, the Philly fans were able to act human & give Mario a nice hand.
    As feared, the Mario era ends without another cup...
    
    Oh well.  I can't quite bring myself to congratulate Philly, though.
    Or Say something like "the better team won".  How about:
    "The team which bent the rules better won".  (Too bitter? Maybe.)
    
    See ya on the golf course in two weeks, Eric.
    
    Warren

    > Oh well. I can't quite bring myself to congratulate Philly, though
    > or I can't really say the better team won.
    
    
    O.k Warren, I will say it for you.
    
    THE BETTER TEAM WON.  YEHAW !!
    
    I t didn't take much effort for Philly to dispose of the
    one line team. They just didn't have what it takes.
    
    Chris
    

    Can't say Lindros impressed me in this series. Brind'Amour though
    is something else; he was the sparkplug. 
    
    Snow showed that if any team can sustain pressure on him, he's not
    a Ranford/Brodeur/Joseph/Roy goalie. Pitts didn't have the horses
    on D to compete w/ Philly's strong forechecking. 
    
    How'bout the press conference given by Lemieux after the game; he made
    sure the refs weren't left out. :*)
    
    Andy

    Good Points Andy.   If the Pens could've gotten, I don't know, 5 more
    shots on goal - they would've won I think - Snow wasn't anything special.
    Lack of chances and Brind'Amour's goals were the difference...
    
    Re: Mario and the refs..
    
    I happened to be watching part of the Bulls-Bullets game yesterday
    (I know, I know, NO basketball talk in this conference, sorry...)
    Jordan scored 55 pts, seemingly at will, and the Bulls won.
    
    So I was thinking, if this was the NHL, Michael Jordan would have a
    designated person constantly holding on to his jersey and a few others
    would come in to swat his arms and legs plus an occasional elbow to
    the face.  And he'd be forever bumped, whether he has the ball or not.
    And in the last quarter or OT, they would even allow him to be tackled.
    Instead, in the NBA, the rules actually favor the superstar to no end.  
    No Zone Defense, Traveling is OK, No Moving Pics, etc.  Wuss City.
    
    So the question is:  Is this better?  
    
    I guess not, since I find the NBA to be dull to no end and the NHL to be 
    the best spectator sport around.  But on the other hand, I wouldn't mind 
    the talented players to be given back an edge over the "work ethic" teams 
    that seem to do so well these days.
    
    I guess my outlook would be different if I followed a team without any
    talented players (like NJ,BUF,FLA or the Flyers :-) ), but right now I'm 
    bummed.
    
    Warren

    I was hoping that the whining would stop once
    Mario retired :)
    
    
    Chris

    I have yet to begin to whine :-)
    
    Warren Paul Jones

    Warren,
    
    	What's this I've been hearing about Jagr being SOLD to the Kings 
    for $16M. ???????
    
    
    Andy