Score One For the Offense - hockey

Hockey Digest, March, 2001 by Barry Wilner

Thanks to rule changes, European influence, and yet more expansion, the NHL is now a scorer's paradise

MAYBE IT'S THE NEW RULES that are providing a bit more on-ice freedom for the sharpshooters and magical passers of the NHL. Or perhaps it's the addition of two more expansion teams, further diluting the league's talent base. It could be the increase in power play's. Or maybe it's a change in coaching philosophy, given the influx of European talent into the league. Whatever the reason, scoring is up in professional hockey. And that's a good thing for fans--even if it isn't for beleaguered goaltenders.

"It might not be what coaches want, but there are a lot of people who enjoy high-scoring games," says New York Rangers general manager Glen Sather. "They see a 7-4 score and they get excited."

Once the playoffs roll around, however, don't expect such flee-for-all scoring. But until then, enjoy it. Relish the free reign enjoyed by the Pittsburgh Penguins' Jaromir Jagr, Anaheim Mighty Ducks' Paul Kariya, and Colorado Avalanche's Joe Sakic thanks to the crackdown on obstruction fouls, slashing, and stick-checking that have impeded--or even injured--those superbly creative skaters in the past.

Without those nagging hurts--or, in some cases, significant injuries--Jagr, Kariya, and Sakic are able to play at the peak of their considerable talent.

Sakic, for example, performed spectacularly after teammate Peter Forsberg was forced to sit with a damaged muscle. Thai injury came on the heels of Chris Drury's knee problems, making Sakic even more of a target for the Avalanche's enemy checkers.

Even without his talented teammates, Sakic has prospered. "Joe has taken it on himself to be especially involved in creating scoring chances," says Avalanche coach Bob Hartley. "With our injuries, he knew as a leader and an established scorer on this team what he had to do."

Adds Avalanche defenseman Ray Bourque, who knows something about leadership and creativity: "Joe has played some of the best hockey of his career, and he's skating as well as ever. There's some extra room on the ice and he's been able to take advantage of that. It's paid off for us and for him."

Several players with offensive flair have had resurgences this season, led by Theo Fleury and Brian Leetch of the Rangers and Sergei Fedorov of the Detroit Red Wings. Others, such as the Boston Bruins' Jason Allison, have overcome major injuries. And some simply have emerged as new scoring threats--most notably the Ottawa Senators' Marian Hossa and Radek Bonk, and Colorado's Alex Tanguay.

Then there are veterans such as the Vancouver Canucks' Markus Naslund, St. Louis Blues" Scott Young, and Bill Guerin, who went from the Edmonton Oilers to the Bruins in a November trade. All have been dynamic point-producers this season from the moment the first puck was dropped.

It doesn't hurt that Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild joined the league. Or that the second-year Atlanta Thrashers are still taking baby steps. Plus, the Calgary Flames have looked like an expansion team some nights--as have the Montreal Canadiens. The entire Southeast Division has been so abysmal at times that anything from a 0-0 snooze lest to a 7-5 shootout is possible, but in years past, only the scoreless deadlocks were likely.

While theories abound on why the sport's offense has taken flight, poor goaltending is not one of the reasons. Never has there been such a strong collection of NHL netminders. Even the expansion teams don't have problems in the crease. Columbus' Ron Tugnutt and Minnesota's combination of Manny Fernandez and Jamie McLellan have been outstanding working largely behind a bunch of journeymen.

A road trip through the Eastern Conference could have a team facing Martin Brodeur, Dominik Hasek, Olaf Kolzig, Mike Richter, or Curtis Joseph. A swing out West may mean playing against Patrick Roy, Ed Belfour, Roman Turek, or Tommy Salo. And that doesn't include emerging goalies such as the San Jose Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov and the Nashville Predators duo of Mike Dunham and Tomas Vokoun.

So why the surge in scoring? Perhaps Fleury best exemplifies the trend. Last season he struggled as he adjusted to the tighter checking in the East. His shot was off, he was not getting into prime shooting position as easily, and--most disturbing--he was simply missing the net from places on the ice that he normally would bury his shot.

This season Fleury is more comfortable in New York. The Rangers are usually playing with four lines, so he isn't burdened with inordinate ice time. He has been dangerous killing penalties, and his shooting touch has returned. "It helps my game if there are more opportunities, if the ice opens up," Fleury says. "I think the new rules have helped a bit, because those restraining [fouls] are being called. The guys who can't keep up aren't able to slow down the faster guys by using their sticks, because the referees will make those calls.

"But mostly I think it's because I have dangerous players on this team with me. When you play with Mark Messier and Brian Leetch you're going to get more chances [to score]."