Pacific Division Preview
The Pacific Division, home to teams that operate in the most non-hockey environments possible. Hockey isn’t often associated with blistering heat, cacti, palm trees or soothing ocean breezes. And most of us don’t think of typical hockey fans scheduling regular Botox treatments, sipping martinis in the lower bowl, and sealing deals in the arena’s cigar lounge while watching the game on HDTV instead of their ice-side seats. But, hey, there must be something to it. Even the Great Gretzky has stepped out of the northern chill and parked his laurels in the middle of the desert.
The fans of the Pacific are less likely to own the die-hard, stick to it fervor of the fans that populate the other divisions. Hockey is still trying to gain a grasp in this football-fevered region. Team owners are still trying to pull people away from the balmy breezes of the outdoor stadiums, and put them inside a cool, if not downright cold arena.
The Pacific Division is centered smack-dab in the middle of a self-indulgent environment where the sweet smell of money wafts through the air. Winning is everything, and losing is boring. These people want to be entertained. They must be lured with lots of yummy extras besides just the hockey game they’re paying to watch. They often think good players are expensive players. Among the general crowd the higher a man’s salary, the bigger star he must be, and the better player. The loyalty that comes from years of knowing and loving a game has yet to surface down here. There just hasn’t been time.
The “please me, and please me now” sentiments expressed by the populace have a heavy effect on how Pacific Division teams are assembled. Over the last decade, the Northeastern U.S., Canada, Russia and Europe have been plucked up and picked through to assure that the finest players are tempted to play west of the Mississippi. If the fans aren’t as rowdy and knowledgeable as they are up north, hell, at least you can play golf year-round. Look around Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix or San José…you’re likely nowadays to see tall, pale Swedes and Finns stand blinking in the sun. Husky, get-to-it Canadians are learning to deal with a more languid pace, and long-suffering Russians now only have to stand in line at a cafeteria. The best of the best have been raided.
The Pacific has armed itself to the teeth this season. In fact, it’s loaded for bear.
Recently criticized for its policy of non-aggression and polite play, Dallas has stuffed its pantry with the likes of Bill Guerin, Scott Young and Aaron Downey. Owner Tom Hicks hopes his huge payout and new coach, Dave Tippett, will pay off in Cuppage or at least conference championship, but much rests on the relatively untested shoulders of new number one goalie, Marty Turco, who is finally replacing unsteady-Eddie Belfour. Despite the influx of fresh blood, the team still looks to lean heavily on their biggest draw, Mike Modano. Fortunately, he looks geared up to have a fine season. He can’t do it all, though. Much personnel change and a hideous time in 2001-2002 are mighty challenges to overcome. Just fer grins, let’s watch to see how long it takes perennial whiner Jason Arnott to ask for a trade out of Big D. The young players to watch for… Manny Malhotra, Steve Gainey and Jon Sim.
On to The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim… (I swear this team’s fortunes rest upon a name change). This year the Ducks will have a tasty lineup and a new coach in Mike Babcock. Paul Kariya will be joined by Adam Oates, Petr Sykora and Fredrick Olaussen. They’ll be enjoying the company of Mike Commodore on defense. Look for fine goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere to bust out this season (he’s one of my faves) with a little prodding from backup goalie Jean-Francois Damphousse, who’ll be breathing heavily down Giguere’s neck. It is getting better Ducks fans. Adding to the treats this year are Ruslan Salei, German Titov, Steve Rucchin and Mike Leclerc. New coach years are rarely hugely winning ones, but at least the Ducks promise to be more fun to watch than previous years.
It must be hard to share a name with a Basketball franchise, but the Los Angeles Kings seem to be good at hanging in during adverse conditions. And they’ll have to hang in this season, as well. In the ebb and flow of things, the Kings seem to be on the down swing. The only way to go is up, but it may take another season or two. They’re a youngish bunch of guys. Born in the 1970’s, Adam Deadmarsh, Ziggy Palffy, and Jason Allison should all be in the full-flower of their physical and mental prowess.
So why with these great names on its roster do the Kings’ fortunes this season seem to fall flat? It’s the cohesion factor. Things just don’t appear as if they’ll gel quite yet. Even the recent fanfare surrounding a contract for Chris McAlpine seemed a little sad and hollow. Yay! The Kings have hired a guy who’s been all around the NHL and is 39! Aw. Not this year.
I believe the Yotes’ day is coming. It’s right around the corner. Maybe it’s in 2003. The Phoenix Coyotes have the talent, the youth, the veteran presence, and they have the Great One. I am of course, speaking of Tony Amonte. This club has its share of giants in Nazarov, Mara, Vaananen, and Focht. And a big goalie in Sean Burke. Wow. Pretty intimidating. And not bad for such a weird place in which to have a hockey team. This desert team is positioned to win.
Besides, if they don’t get the Cup this season, Wayne Gretzky will look down his long, long nose, stamp his feet and complain loudly to all and sundry until they do.
San José. The hockey team of everyone’s favorite front bridgework-deprived goon. And with that statement, you can choose from Ricci, Nolan or Marchment. Perhaps the Sharks have more guys you love to hate on the roster, but it’s hatred tinged with big dollops of respect. This is perhaps the least courteous and most thuggishly entertaining team in the Pacific Division.
The Sharks have developed a team character, and they’re a force that can create stomach-twisting situations if your guys are playing against them. Stars homer that I am, the Sharks are my pick to travel farthest this year in the cup-quest. By the time this article is posted, goalie Evgeni Nabokov should have his contract tidied up, the money will have been posited in the proper accounts, and play can resume.
Playoff picks from the Pacific? The Sharks, most definitely. The Coyotes, barring disaster, yes.
Oh, and it looks as if Tom Hicks has overspent on his new roster, and is looking to dump the Stars now. So let’s say that barring a miracle (say God Almighty buying them) the Stars are out of the running.
And so, there’s the word from the balmy, breezy rink known as the Pacific Division. My forehead’s numb from the Botox, and my martini’s chilled to perfection. Let the games begin.
