Good News From Board but Hardly Concussive

There was little news emerging from last week’s Board of Governors meeting, which was pretty good news at that.

That the league is trying to learn why concussions are so common is encouraging, although long overdue. The NHL can’t afford to lose players the caliber of Pat LaFontaine, who may never play again because of repeated concussions, and Brett Lindros, who retired last season for the same reason.

Commissioner Gary Bettman said that only 80% of players wear helmets certified to protect them against most blows to the head, and the NHL must press for 100% compliance. Once there’s a comprehensive analysis of helmet designs and the amount of protection each model affords, there’s no excuse for wearing inadequate helmets. Why not protect your head--ostensibly your most valuable asset--as securely as possible?

Bettman also said the NHL will hire a consultant to study ice quality, which has become a contentious issue. Poor ice has been blamed for a league-wide flurry of pulled abdominal muscles, as well as groin and knee injuries. There’s no reason it can’t be improved.

The best news, however, was that expansion wasn’t voted upon and won’t happen before 1998-99.

The NHL is moving slowly before admitting new teams, a pace that must irk owners who are itching to pocket their share of the next entrants’ admission fees.

But Bettman apparently realizes the league can’t afford to dilute an already thin product. Waiting until 1998-99 will give the talent pool five years to regenerate between expansions, not as long a wait as there should be, but longer than it appeared it might be until caution prevailed.

In part because of rapid and ill-planned growth, the NHL has fragmented into three classes: an elite, led by Colorado, Florida and Detroit; a large middle class, and a small group of bottom-feeders.

Some observers call the evenness parity, but that ignores the lack of talent for 26 teams to consistently play top-quality games. The result is a season dulled by drudge matches, clutch-and-grab festivals that are the only way the unskilled majority can keep up with the skilled minority.

No team stocked with the 18th-best players from Tampa Bay or Ottawa could compete with Colorado or Detroit next season. But with a few years to develop their prospects, teams’ talent levels will rise, giving expansion teams the pick of a better litter.

GOOD NEWS, PART II

Relief is in sight for players who have complained that hooking and holding have been rampant since the league told referees before this season not to make “marginal” calls.

In yet another shocking display of wisdom, Jim Gregory, the NHL’s vice president of hockey operations, said referees were told a few weeks ago to be more vigilant on obstruction penalties. Gregory said he hopes the number of penalties will fall between the excessive number whistled early last season, when the NHL began a crackdown on obstruction fouls, and the end of the season, when referees had relaxed and let many infractions go.

“We hear what the players are saying, and we have to be alert to the fact that clutching and grabbing are going on,” Gregory said. “We told [referees], ‘You can’t let obstruction go. You’ve got to stay diligent and alert on obstruction the way you were in the middle of last season.’ All our supervisors are watching and we’re asking teams to send in tapes of calls that they think are missed.

“We’re trying everything we can. Referees are watching tapes and trying to see what they should and shouldn’t call. We think it’s working.”

Moving to middle ground would be fine, as long as the league sticks with it for a while.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

John Paddock got a hint that his days as general manager of the Phoenix Coyotes were numbered when owner Richard Burke’s son, Taylor, was installed as the club’s assistant general manager this season.

“Nothing ever surprises you in this business,” Paddock told the Winnipeg Sun. “[He and Coyote Executive Vice President Bobby Smith] had a great relationship, but the situation was unworkable. There were two people for one job. I guess something had to give. Now I can play golf. Maybe I can lower my handicap all the way from 18 to 15.”

Paddock resisted pressure from Papa Burke to fire Coach Don Hay, believing that the rookie coach deserved a longer chance. That didn’t sit well with Papa, who had Smith act as the hatchet man. Smith claimed the decision was his, citing a need to consolidate operations.

With that burning issue settled, Smith might now turn his attention to the Coyotes’ woeful goaltending and scoring problems.

COFFEY WILL KEEP FLYERS FLYING

So Paul Coffey got his wish and was traded to a city where the hockey atmosphere will be more intense than he found in Hartford. Don’t tell him Philadelphia is the city where fans once booed Santa Claus, whom Coffey’s critics might say makes only a few more giveaways than he does.

Coffey, who went to Hartford reluctantly after the Red Wings traded him to the Whalers, decided he didn’t want to deal with the Hartford club’s uncertain future. His unhappiness became disruptive, leading teammate Kevin Dineen to publicly urge management to act quickly.

The Whalers and Flyers had talked often, so it didn’t take long to agree on Coffey and a 1997 third-round draft pick for Kevin Haller and first- and third-round picks in 1997.

The immediate edge goes to the Flyers, who get the power-play quarterback they needed and have the depth to compensate for his defensive deficiencies. The Whalers, beset by injuries, get a steady defenseman and a first-round pick in what scouts say is an exceptional draft.

“Haller will do a lot for the Whalers. He’ll do as much [as] or more than Coffey did,” Whaler General Manager Jim Rutherford said.

Coffey arrived at a perfect time, with the Flyers on a 7-0-1 streak thanks to Eric Lindros’ return and its ripple effect.

Dale Hawerchuk could go back to the second line, where he is clicking with Rod Brind’Amour--moved from center to left wing--and Trent Klatt. Joel Otto, Shjon Podein and Pat Falloon make up a solid third line.

SLAP SHOTS

There are only a few shopping days left for general managers before a roster freeze begins at midnight local time Thursday. It runs through midnight local time Dec. 27 and applies to waivers, trades and any other player assignments. However, clubs can recall players. . . . Doug Gilmour, who wants a long-term deal from Toronto for $4 million a year, may be traded instead. General Manager Cliff Fletcher told him not to worry about a trade for now, but didn’t say Gilmour will be a Maple Leaf after the March 20 trading deadline.

Pittsburgh Penguin center Mario Lemieux claims he’s “50-50” about playing in the All-Star game if he’s added to the East team. But when a reporter mentioned a shortage of accommodations in San Jose, Lemieux said, “You can have my room.” . . . Goalie Grant Fuhr’s new two-year deal with the Blues is worth $2 million a year.

Vancouver right wing Pavel Bure has struggled to regain his form after knee surgery. His two goals against St. Louis on Sunday ended a three-week drought and gave him 11 in 29 games. He’s playing with Alexander Mogilny and Esa Tikkanen. . . . The Buffalo Sabres began talks with Coach Ted Nolan on a three-year extension of his contract, which expires after this season. Nolan has worked miracles with a rugged, under-talented team.

Chicago General Manager Bob Pulford admits he should have re-signed free agent center Bernie Nicholls, who went to San Jose. “Probably right now he’d look pretty good,” Pulford said. “We still haven’t found the [second-line] center that we knew we needed.” They also need left wing Eric Daze to find his scoring touch. Last season’s top rookie goal scorer has only nine points and was benched the last few games. . . . The Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning are looking for equity partners to help shoulder huge financial losses.

Scotty Bowman’s Christmas present to each Red Wing was a cookbook whose sale benefits a charity. It’s tough to picture Darren McCarty baking cookies. . . . Red Wing forward Brendan Shanahan suggested that widening rinks might help avoid injuries. And make owners give up high-priced seats? Nice idea, but no chance.

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Managing to Stay

No coaches have been fired this season, but the Phoenix Coyotes’ John Paddock last week became the first casualty among general managers.

GMs still have better job security in the NHL than coaches, whose senior member, Terry Crisp of Tampa Bay, is in his fifth season.

Here’s a list of the senior general managers in the league:

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GM Team Appointed Harry Sinden Boston Oct. 5, 1972 Glen Sather Edmonton June 15, 1979 David Poile Washington Aug. 30, 1982 Pat Quinn Vancouver May 1, 1987 Lou Lamoriello New Jersey Sept. 10, 1987 Neil Smith NY Rangers July 17, 1989 Craig Patrick Pittsburgh Dec. 5, 1989 Phil Esposito Tampa Bay Dec. 6, 1990 Cliff Fletcher Toronto July 1, 1991 Bob Gainey Dallas June 8, 1992

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