June 1, 2003 -- ANAHEIM - They've had No. 77 in Phil Esposito, No. 88 in Eric Lindros, No. 99 in Wayne Gretzky. And now the scenario under which the Rangers will add No. 66 to the roll call is becoming ever more likely. Two clued-in sources yesterday told Slap Shots that Mario Lemieux is leaning toward disposing of his financial interests in the Penguins in order to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. If Lemieux, who recently told confidantes that he wants to play three more seasons - but none with the Penguins - is able to divest himself of his Pittsburgh ownership situation, we're told he would look immediately toward New York. The Rangers, we have been assured, would be very receptive to his gaze.
If Lemieux, who is most unlikely to receive the $10-12 million per he'd seek (and is entitled to in this NHL economy) anywhere else but New York - the Rangers would slide that into the budget without hesitation - does become free, this adds another layer of intrigue to the Lindros situation. If the Rangers do not buy out No. 88 before July 1, he'll be on the books for up to $9.3M next year, whereas a buyout on the base salary would cost $2.2M.
But the Rangers presumably would need to know of Lemieux's intentions early enough to reach a decision on Lindros. And even if Lemieux wants to come to New York, what would happen if he's unable to divest in a timely manner? Would the NHL prevent him from playing once that becomes his publicly stated desire?
This is not a done deal by any means. But the Rangers have their ears perked. And Mario Lemieux playing Broadway is more than an idle thought - much more.
Meanwhile, as the Rangers wait for the Finals to conclude in order to speak to Larry Robinson - who might enjoy coaching No. 66, no? - another coaching candidate may well become available. Slap Shots has learned that Panther ownership has not only approached Mike Keenan about a buyout of the remaining years of his contract, but that the front office has quietly (not quietly enough, obviously) begun a search for a successor.
Then again, Glen Sather might just enjoy coaching Lemieux, himself.
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The best goalie in the world knows it. Why won't the NHL admit it? Why won't the NHL do something about the mockery a number of its goaltenders are making of the rules?
"You have to be able to protect yourself and that's what our equipment is for," Martin Brodeur was saying here on Friday, "but you look at some goalies, the size of them in their net, and you can see they are taking advantage of the rules. This is something that has to be looked at.
"One thing we should consider is fitting equipment to each individual, coming up with standards that way depending on his size.
"It's ridiculous that a guy who weighs 175 pounds has a size 60 jersey that's cut loose and just hangs out there while someone who's 6-3, 220 has the same size that fits tight."
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The NHL is monitoring the World Health Organization's directives regarding the situation in Toronto with SARS and is considering moving its June 12 Awards ceremony out of that city, Slap Shots has learned. We're told that if a move becomes necessary, it likely would be to Ottawa.
Craig MacTavish is likely to sign a new deal within the next week to remain behind the Edmonton bench - even, as we first reported in April, though he isn't convinced he can win with the roster he's been given by his buddy Kevin Lowe.
And what's this about the Flames looking to strip Craig Conroy of the captaincy in order to award it to Chris Drury? It means GM Darryl Sutter will be moving Conroy - who has one year left on his deal before reaching Group III - over the summer.
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And then there's Kurt Sauer, the 22-year-old rookie defenseman taking a regular turn in the Cup Finals with Anaheim. It was just one year ago that the 6-3, 220-pound free agent out of Spokane signed with Anaheim rather than with the Rangers, partly because he had played for Mike Babcock in the WHL, partly because . . .
"I thought I'd have a lot better chance to stay and play in Anaheim," Sauer said this week. "The Rangers have big names on the backs of their sweaters all over the place, so I thought my rate of progress would be slower there."
Or, as GM Bryan Murray added: "Kurt's much too young for the Rangers. He wouldn't have played in New York for another four or five years."
Gruß Met
Alternative zu diesem Forum http://www.overtime-board.de/ NY METS W - 23 L - 28 4th NL East Roy leaves the National Hockey League as the greatest goaltender ever to play the game
(TSN.ca) - The rumours of Mario Lemieux playing for the New York Rangers should be taken seriously, although some significant hurdles remain to be overcome.
Sources have told TSN that Lemieux fully intends to play in the NHL next season and that he would prefer to do it with a team other than the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The big hitch, though, is that Lemieux's ownership stake in the Penguins could prevent that from happening. If Lemieux wants to play for a team other than Pittsburgh he must sell his interest in the Penguins.
At this time, there doesn't appear to be any prospective buyers for Lemieux's ownership stake and the league would have to approve any transaction, ensuring that Lemieux is indeed divesting himself of the club and not just putting his shares of the team in trust.
If, however, Lemieux can find a legitimate buyer, sources say he's interested in playing for only one of two NHL clubs -- the Rangers or the Philadelphia Flyers -- at market value, which would mean he would be getting a salary of at least $10 million a year, twice what he earned with the cash-strapped Penguins last season.
Sources say Lemieux is not interested in playing for the Montreal Canadiens.
In the event Lemieux isn't able to divest himself of the Penguins' ownership, it's not clear whether he would return next season on the Pittsburgh roster. But he has apparently suggested to his inner circle that he is prepared to play next season.
man man man...die wollen wohl auch alles haben,was rang und namen hat, nur den CUP den werden sie sich NIEEEEE KAUFEN KÖNNEN!!!!!! ____________________________________________ UUUUUUIIIIIIII -------------------------------------------- Forum am 07.08.2002 Bei den Frankfurt Lions soll es in der nächsten Saison der Deutschen Eishockeyliga (DEL) wieder aufwärts gehen. \"Wir wollen endlich wieder mal einen Playoff-Platz erobern und unter die besten acht Teams kommen\", sagte Clubeigner Gerd Schröder.
Naja, wenn Lemieux nächste Saison kommen sollte, dann können die Rangers die überraschungsmanschaft der Saison werden. Dann haben die eine Supertruppe, und die richtigen Jungs als Leader. Der Sturm mit Lemieux, Bure, Holik, Nedved, Kovalev, Carter, eventuell Lindros, plus gute Abwehspieler wie Leetch, Kaspa, Poti, Lefebre, Malakhov und im Tor Dunham, Richter (wenn er wieder gesund ist) und als Backup Blackburn. Damit müssten die mit den großen ohne Probleme mithalten können. Fehlt nur noch ein sauguter Coach ala Bowmann. Und fertig ist der neue Stanleycupsieger.
danke jan für den schönen abend!!! Ok, ok, ich weiß das ich gut bin ...
Und? Bis auf Kovalev und Lemieux hatten sie das Team ja auch schon diese Saison. Und ob Richter wieder fit wird ist fraglich, der Kopf muss wohl doch mehr schmerzen als erwartet...
Du weisst, das manchmal ein Spieler den entscheidenden Tick das Team nach vorne bringt. Und denke mal, die Rangers tauschen Lindros gegen Jagr ... Beide wollen die Spieler tauschen. Jagr ist bei den Caps dem Besitzer zu teuer, und Lindros hat nicht viel gebracht bei den Rangers. Und ein neuer Vertrag bei den Caps wäre nicht so hoch dotiert wie bei den Rangers.
danke jan für den schönen abend!!! Ok, ok, ich weiß das ich gut bin ...
Stanley Cup?? Die wären froh , kämen sie mal in die Po´s !!! Gruß Timo
Diese Lutscher , die keine Fans sind , sind Freunde von mir ... Und darauf bin ich Stolz
Klassenerhalt 2003 --- Ich bin Stolz auf dieses Team !!! DK 2003 ??? Aja , muss ja oder ??? Hannover 2002 Hannover 2003 und Berlin 2003 , da war ich überall dabei . Uganda Propagandacrew
Rest in peace, Charly. Dich kann niemand ersetzen !!!
TSN.CA: reports sources claim Mario Lemieux wants to return to action next season, but with a different team. That will be difficult, as Lemieux would have to find someone to buy his share of the Pittsburgh Penguins before he can play for another club. Apparently Lemieux would only be interested in playing for either the NY Rangers or Philadelphia Flyers, and has no interest in playing for the Montreal Canadiens. It's not known if Lemieux would return to play for the Pens if he cannot find a buyer for his share of the team.
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW: Joe Starkey reports it's possible but unlikely Mario Lemieux will be playing for another NHL club next season, citing the complicated business transactions required for Lemieux to sell his share of the team, as well as the potential backlash of the Penguins fan base. Meanwhile, New York Rangers GM Glen Sather was caught by surprise of reports Lemieux would like to play for his club next season. Sather said he's hasn't contacted Lemieux nor has the Pens owner and captain spoken to him or anyone in his organization.
Spector's Note: My thanks to Stephane Mondou. Mario, you got some 'splaining to dooooo....Until Lemieux speaks up about this, I'm not buying it. But if he does sell his share of the Penguins to play for the Rangers or Flyers, it'll be a huge blow to NHL hockey in Pittsburgh. Essentially, the Penguins will be right back where they were nearly twenty years ago before they drafted Lemieux...a bankrupt organization stocked with minor leaguers and kids playing to empty seats.
MINNESOTA WILD - WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALIST 2002/2003
Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
bin ich Glasgow R... R.. Ra... ja halt Fan von diesen komischen anderen Club? bin ich fan von nem Club der die Hälfte seines Etats aus der Rentenkasse des Staates Michigan bekommt? nee neee
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