A big change

Sporting News, The, Feb 20, 1995 by Larry Wigge

"But things around here are different with Mike in charge. His least favorite word is five. Just ask him about a player 5-feet-something and watch for the icy glare he gets on his face. He only deals in sixes."

The key to Hull's success has always been in finding openings and then getting his shot off in a split-second. He says it is becoming more difficult.

"Some nights there doesn't seem to be any room to move," he says. And it isn't a trend because the kids coming into the league each year are huge. I just thank God I don't have much longer because it looks like some day every player in the league is going to be 6-4, 230 pounds."

Six feet 4, 230 pounds? That describes Eric Lindros.

"Eric begins the next era of dominant forwards," Keenan says. "He's already three inches taller and 25 pounds heavier than Mark Messier. And with the nutritional values, growth and development we have today the players are sure to get bigger, stronger and faster."

Larry Wigge has covered hockey for The Sporting News since 1969.