A player to watch: the Penguins' 21-year-old rookie Alexei
Morozov, a 6'1", 180-pound right wing with outstanding speed,
puck-possession skills and the ability to beat opponents
one-on-one off the rush. Once he bulks up, the rest of the
league better watch out. The development of Morozov may make it
easier for general manager Craig Patrick to hold his hard line
against unsigned restricted free-agent center Petr Nedved, who
sat out the entire season.... In Game 1 of the opening-round
Canadiens-Penguins series referee Rob Shick was accidentally hit
in the face with a stick during the first minute of play and
needed six stitches under his left eye. Shick, who has had
numerous concussions in his 12-year NHL career, finished the
match, but he shouldn't have. In fact, one Canadiens player said
Shick looked glassy-eyed all night.
Morozov hit the post in Game 1 on a penalty shot in OT.
(Keith Srakocic/AP)
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For the playoffs the league
has standby officials at each game in case of injury. The NHL
should establish a formal procedure for determining if an
injured official should continue, so that the outcome of games
and the health of players and other officials aren't jeopardized
because of impaired judgment.... Mathieu Dandenault, Tomas
Holmstrom and Kirk Maltby may not be well known, but those foot
soldiers are important to the Red Wings. Those forwards have
improved their skills considerably and move the puck efficiently
and creatively.... The free-agent derby begins on July 1, and
one of the top players available will be Pittsburgh center Ron
Francis. The Penguins would love to keep him, but other teams
know that Pittsburgh is struggling financially. A dark horse to
sign Francis could be St. Louis. Larry Pleau, the Blues' general
manager, coached Francis in Hartford, and Joel Quenneville, the
St. Louis coach, played with Francis there. Also, the Blues may
have money to burn because they have nine potential free agents,
including stars Brett Hull and Al MacInnis, who could sign
elsewhere.
Pierre McGuire coached the Hartford Whalers in 1993-94.
Issue date: May 4, 1998
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