Off-Season Wish List

Barclay Poole
Jun 26, 2001

The Stanley Cup may have just recently been awarded, but hockey is destined to live on through the coming months. The "big names" that are available via trade and the most potent unrestricted free agent market the league has ever seen are sure fire bets to keep the NHL in the headlines long after the ice has melted. Such a buyer's market could have huge implications on next season. The following are some of my personal wishes for the upcoming summer months.

Instigator Rule Is Dropped
The NHL would be a far better place if the "instigator rule" (penalizing a player an extra 2 minutes for initiating a fight along with a 10 minute misconduct) was dropped. But the league seems determined to keep the rule as is. It's intent? To comply with network television and curtail fisticuffs that may turn off fringe fans.

The NHL must decide which is worse - a fight that sends fans to their feet, produces an outlet for players to emit aggression, and provides a method for teams to change momentum or the slashing, cross-checking, and hitting from behind that injures players and disgusts fans. Unfortunately the league refuses to understand that fighting helps police the league and makes players accountable for their actions. As the number of fights lessens, the number of cheap shots and subsequent player injuries will increase.

According to Canada's TSN, the NHL's Board of Governors is considering changing the rule to a misconduct without the extra 2-minute minor therefore eliminating the power play aspect. The hope is that many cheap shots will either never happen or will be avenged and therefore decrease by season's end. The NHL's health and safety committee is expected to call for a change in the penalty when it submits its recommendations to league governors next month.

Free Agency Heads North of the Border
Hockey fans can expect a very exciting summer with several big name free agents available. That is unless those hockey fans live north of the border.

Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa and Montreal continue to fight the problem of an inferior Canadian dollar and huge tax bills, making the possibility of one of these clubs signing a big time player very slim. Maybe, just maybe, a major free agent will decide to head north of the border in an effort to help a Canadian team regain dominance. Patrick Roy or Pierre Turgeon returning to Montreal would be nice. Rob Blake heading home to Toronto would make sense. Maybe Joe Sakic signing with Vancouver? These may be long shots, but for once it would be nice to see a superstar being added to one of these teams, instead of subtracted.

Superstar Signs For Less Than Market Value
The possibility of a major free agent heading north of the border brings me to another wish. Such an event would probably require a player signing for "less than market value" because of the lower budgets of Canadian teams. It has happened in sports before. Mark McGwire signing for less to play in St. Louis or even Scott Stevens signing for less money to remain in New Jersey a few years ago. Fans sometimes wonder what the big deal would be for an athlete to take 6 or 7 million per season instead of 9 or 10. Maybe it is a bit too much to ask for an athlete to take a paycut. But eventually, somebody is going to have to take such a stance for the good of the game.

Free Agents Don't Take The Easy Way Out
Is it just me or do a lot of players take the easy way out by only wanting to play with an already successful organization? What happened to the competitive spirit and being a difference maker for a struggling franchise? This summer, I'd like to see a superstar take a shot with a lower echelon or fringe franchise. Maybe this is tough since the successful franchises are usually the ones who can afford the top-notch free agents. But this past weekend may have sparked some hope. Michael Peca, acquired by the last place Islanders, made it clear that he was excited about the opportunity to try and turn the struggling franchise around. He was happy to come to the Islanders and had nothing but good things to say about the team. Being part of the turnaround of a once proud dynasty appealed greatly to him. Somewhat refreshing, after hearing that Jeremy Roenick is only interested in the Stars, Kings, Wings or Flyers or even Eric Lindros demanding a trade to only Toronto, Detroit or St. Louis. Not exactly a group of basement dwellers.

Rise of Former Champions
Outside of free agency, I hope that 2 proud franchises rebound. First of all, the New York Islanders appear to be on the right track. Three deals on draft weekend netted them Adrian Aucoin, Alexei Yashin and Peca. Not a bad collection of talent. With owner Charles Wang finally giving Mike Milbury the financial support he needs, it will be interesting to see if this once thriving organization can come back to life.

The Montreal Canadians are in the same boat as the Islanders. Years of success made them one of the most historic franchises in sports. But recently their talent has slowly been siphoned away and the playoffs have become something that Canadians players and fans only watch on t.v. It's not a good thing when the league's greatest franchise suffers year after year. With new ownership on the seen, let's hope the coming summer months and next season bring respectability back to Montreal.

End of Player Holdouts
Seeing once proud franchises struggle back to life is one thing, but having healthy players sitting in the stands instead of playing is unacceptable. After holding out for a full season two years ago because of a contract dispute, Alexei Yashin came to his senses and filled a roster spot last year for Ottawa. Michael Peca sat out last year from Buffalo's lineup, once again due to financial concerns. But his recent trade to the Islanders will hopefully have him back in the league again next season. The one superstar (at least for now) that remains on the sidelines is Eric Lindros. Love him or hate him, the NHL needs him back in the league. He is one of the greatest combinations of size and talent the sport has ever seen. It is bad enough that these contract disputes continue sicken fans and draw negative publicity to the league. But when the disputes reach a point where valuable league talent isn't being showcased, everyone including the players, teams, fans and the league ends up a loser.

Who knows, these wishes may be far-fetched. But seeing even one come to life would be a success. This summer is going to be a very good one for certain players' wallets. Let's hope it's just as good for the fans and the good of the game as a whole.

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