Wales Conference Seeks End to Oilers’ Dynasty

As the number of Stanley Cups mount for an expansion team from a western province, the need for the definition of an official dynasty becomes more pressing.

The eastern half of the NHL -- containing the teams that gave the league its dynastic ways -- would love to make the question irrelevant by preventing the Edmonton Oilers from winning their fifth Cup in six years. The Oilers’ failure to win four Cups in a row despite dominating the league is where purists technically dispute their acceptance as a dynasty.

The Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders -- who have given the NHL its uncontested dynasties -- have their spots in history to protect in addition to current interests. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins have their hopes.

All four of the only non-Edmonton Stanley Cup winners in 20 years are in the Wales Conference. Since the chain of dominance by Montreal (1968-69, 71, 73, 76-79), Boston (1970, 72), Philadelphia (1974-75) and the Islanders (1980-83), the Cup has returned from Edmonton only once; to -- where else? -- Montreal in 1986.

The Canadiens’ spot in hockey history couldn’t be more secure; indeed they are the most successful team in all of North American sports history with 23 championships. They have the most to protect from Edmonton’s designs on staking claim as the greatest team of all time -- and the most with which to threaten the 1988 Oilers.

The Oilers have proved they can handle the defensive style typical of eastern teams but the team defense of the Montreals and Washingtons is still the best way to beat Edmonton.

Montreal’s meal-ticket in recent years has been defense so sound and so pervasive through the team that the Canadiens’ goals-against has been the best in the NHL the past two years. The team was ninth in offense, however, and must find a true sniper to complement 50-goal scorer Stephane Richer.

The specialty teams last season told Montreal’s story as the penalty-killers finished third in the NHL and the power play 20th. Quiet in the off-season, the Canadiens have yet to solve the scoring punch problem. No. 1 1987 draft pick Andrew Cassels is out of the lineup with a sprained left knee but is expected to be ready for the start of the season Oct. 6 and is the only accomplished goal scorer among the rookies who could still make the team.

“There could be some surprises,” Montreal veteran center Guy Carbonneau said. “A player like Andrew Cassels could force management to make a place for him. (1984 No. 1 pick) Shane Corson could be placed on the wing or there could be a trade.

“We also have to prepare for the retirements of Bob Gainey and Larry Robinson,” Carbonneau said of the veteran stars who may only play one more season.”

Two other issues when considering the Canadiens’ Cup challenge, are Burns and the Bruins. Pat Burns, a police officer turned coach, was brought in to restore discipline to a team too prone to off-ice incidents and on-ice lapses. Remember Chris Chelios throwing a Bruin’s stick into the stands for a double-minor penalty in the decisive game of the division final? Burns has already made an impression as a players’ coach, joining the Canadiens on planes and in restaurants instead of sitting separately.

“I’m coming here as a coach, not a policeman,” Burns said. “I’m not saying my experience as a policeman (for 16 years) won’t come in handy. I like to be close to the players, but there has to be a fine line which everyone has to respect.”

The Canadiens’ main competition comes from the Bruins, who finally pried the Adams Division playoff berth from Montreal and ultimately were swept by Edmonton.

Boston, with former Bruin Terry O’Reilly coaching, has one of the most closely knit teams in the league, starting from behind the bench and extending through the role players. The Bruins rarely get away from the checking, grinding game which has been so successful for them over the years but they also added some scoring punch up front and on the blue line to go along with their tight style.

The Buffalo Sabres, the division’s up-and-comers, should fend off stagnant Hartford and Quebec’s combination of unproven talent and aging stars. The Sabres had two NHL-All Rookie selections last season, which didn’t even include the 1987 No. 1 overall choice, Pierre Turgeon, who came on strong in the playoffs.

The Whalers, with no 30-goal scorers last season, finished fourth in defense, but 20th in offense and made no significant acquisitions. The Nordiques gained goalie Bob Mason and 38-goal scorer Walt Poddubny but might be running out of time to capitalize on Michel Goulet and Peter Stastny in their prime.

Chances are, either Montreal or Boston will prove deep enough to defeat the champion of the Patrick Division, whose parity has increased and superiority decreased. The Islanders returned to the top last season and could be equally likely to repeat or finish out of the playoffs. Last year, only seven points separated the Adams titlist Islanders and the last-place Penguins.

With Mario Lemieux, the Wales’ answer to Wayne Gretzky, and Paul Coffey, the Penguins give the all-grind, no-glitter Patrick Division some flash. They’ll also be gone in a flash if they don’t get goaltending. If they do -- from import Wendell Young, who led the American Hockey League last season, or the youngsters they’ve been grooming -- look for them in first.

New coach Gene Ubriaco is gaining the acceptance from players that Pierre Creamer could not but must also deal with alienation among players as a star clique became evident. Ubriaco won’t have control over another potential problem -- contract negotiations with dissatisfied players, including 1987 NHL MVP Lemieux.

Lemieux -- who rarely opens his mouth -- recently told the media the organization better start taking care of its players.

In 40-goal scorer Dan Quinn and Coffey, the typical rushing defenseman, the Penguins have alternative scoring threats to support Lemieux.

Elsewhere in the division, second-line scoring punch is suspect. Defensively, the Capitals ranked second in the NHL last season and first in the league combined over the past five years. But they were also last in the division in goal production and only Mike Gartner averaged one point per game. The left wing position has been particularly weak, with all Washington’s left wings combining for just 48 goals in 1987-88.

If Washington is the Patrick’s answer to Montreal stylistically, the Capitals also are the NHL’s answer to the Boston Red Sox psychologically, with a history of heartbreaking and improbable losses.

The Flyers will be happier with former teammate Paul Holmgren coaching but it will be hard to match the over-achievement demanded by Mike Keenan, fired for his poor relationship with the team. It is questionable whether 50-goal scorer Tim Kerr will come back from shoulder surgery and last season’s layoff. Even with Kerr, the Flyers struggled for punch. Ron Hextall must return to his Rookie of the Year form of two years ago.

The Islanders have retained the work ethic, if not the talent, of their championship teams. Winger Mikko Makela scored on 25 percent of his shots last season, and Kelly Hrudey teams with Billy Smith as one of the league’s better goaltending tandems. But Mike Bossy, whose injured back has curtailed a brilliant career, and retired Denis Potvin, who owns all major scoring records for defenseman, are irreplaceable.

The Rangers’ biggest strength became a question over the summer when 1986 Vezina Trophy-winning goalie John Vanbiesbrouck severed the tendons in his glove wrist when he fell through a glass table. The revamped defense features James Patrick at the height of his career, U.S. Olympian Brian Leetch at the start of his and newly acquired Normand Rochefort. The steady Rochefort is underrated but came at the cost of 38-goal scorer Poddubny and it is doubtful a 37-year-old will make up that slack -- even if he is in the Hall of Fame. The Rangers have signed Guy Lafleur to a one-year contract.

“I feel I can play all 80 games -- no problem,” Lafleur said. “It would be nice to say I could score 20 goals but I don’t know. I’m not 26 years old anymore and I know that.”

Given that, the fact that Coach Michel Bergeron said, “there was no question he was our best player in camp,” does not bode well for the Rangers.

The Patrick story of last spring was the New Jersey Devils, who lasted until the seventh game of the semifinals. The team that barely made the playoffs, however, seems to realize that its post-season was about as much a guarantee for this year as being first in line to buy lottery tickets.

“We can’t afford to look at the 1988-89 season like doting parents. We can’t let the emotion of last year get in the way of better judgment,” Coach Jim Schoenfeld said.

The performance, however, has obstructed a clear view of the Patrick Division, which will present yet another challenge to any Adams power looking to remind Edmonton just who taught the league about dynasties.