In the Crease
Posted: Tuesday November 17, 1998 06:28 PM
By Pierre McGuire 
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Guerin is more devilish as an Oiler. Brian BahrAllsport |
Oilers forward Bill Guerin , who led
the NHL with 12 goals at week's end, is the perfect example of a talented
player who excels when the restraints of a rigid system are taken off. The
28-year-old Guerin, who was acquired last season from the Devils, never
scored more than 29 goals in any of his five full seasons with New Jersey,
which played a defensive style throughout his tenure.... Edmonton general
manager Glen Sather , who stole Guerin from the Devils, made
another outstanding deal on June 16 when he pried the rights to gifted
forward Josef Beranek from the Penguins for journeymen Bobby
Dollas and Tony Hrkac . Sather then persuaded the 29-year-old
Beranek to leave the Czech Republic, where he'd played in 1997-98, and
return to the NHL. With center Doug Weight sidelined for 10 weeks
with a right knee injury, Beranek had been outstanding, scoring six
goals.... Two general managers you shouldn't invite to the same party:
Bobby Smith of the Coyotes and Pierre Lacroix of the
Avalanche. When Smith excused himself from a conference call among G.M.'s,
Lacroix made disparaging remarks about him and some of the contracts he had
negotiated. When Smith found out, he fired off a letter to Lacroix
questioning his integrity and then sent copies to other G.M.'s.... Flyers
general manager Bob Clarke must be scratching his head about the
lack of production from his three supposed young stars, forwards
Alexandre Daigle , Chris Gratton and Dainius Zubrus ,
who had combined for only two goals at week's end. Daigle, 23, needs to
start concentrating on hockey and stop complaining about his ice time;
Gratton, 23, must be moved back to his natural position, center; and
Zubrus, 20, should be given more ice time with skilled players and be
allowed to get creative with the puck.
Issue date: November 23, 1998
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