Eastern Nhl Conference

Sporting News, The, Oct 16, 2000 by Mike Keenan

WHO'S WHO

Our hero of frugal spending, Harry Sinden, has saved the day again. His super powers of negotiating paid off with last-minute signings of Joe Thornton and Sergei Samsonov, and with an earlier signing of Jason Allison (the three combined for 15 points in two games) have the Bruins winning, even romping through Philly's home opener.

WHO'S NOT

Doesn't it seem like Dominik Hasek's seasons keep getting shorter? His line after the first week of 2000-01:12 minutes played, four shots, no goals allowed, one knee injury suffered. He says it's nothing serious and he'll be back by the weekend. Nonetheless, don't buy those souvenir 2000-01 Retirement Tour T-shirts just yet.

CHALKDUST

Everybody complains about getting sandbagged by the schedule, but here's a Canadiens' memo on their first week: "Play in Devils home opener, watch raising of Stanley Cup banner; play in home opener of archrival Leafs, endure bagpipe music; sit through mega-hype of Messier's first game back on Broadway." Don't look for anything new on the ice from the Habs this week.

GAME OF THE WEEK

The Devils playing on Friday the 13th makes for an obvious pick. The defending Cup champs travel to Ottawa, where the Mounties aren't the only ones getting a salute these days. The fans in this friendly Canadian city have been giving Alexei Yashin some capital punishment of their own every time he hits the ice. They might forgive him if he finally delivers in the playoffs. Maybe.

STICKS & STONES

Revisionism: Monica Lewinsky was just an intern. Firestone knows its rubber. Survivor was a good TV show. Richard Nixon was misinformed. Pro wrestling is an honest living. Airline prices are set arbitrarily. Marty McSorley was swinging at Donald Brashear's shoulder. No-brainer, huh? Almost.

DROPPING THE GLOVES

"It's insidious how sometimes a business can drive down or ruin a person's reputation ... Ted Nolan has never had a chance in another situation."