Power of Caring
  presented by CIGNA

Posted: Thu April 16, 1998

Sports Illustrated hockey writer Kostya Kennedy will answer your NHL questions through the Stanley Cup Finals. Click here to send a question.

How far do you think Dominik Hasek can carry the Buffalo Sabres in the playoffs?
—Eric Popielski, Buffalo

I fully expect the Sabres to win their first-round series—even if it's against the Flyers, which would be the toughest draw for them. They can't beat the Flyers in the second round, though (they'd be tired enough that Philly's size would wear them down).

The Sabres' best chance in the second round would be against Pittsburgh, and that could happen. But Hasek's supporting cast is not strong enough to get to the Finals—the team just doesn't have enough punch.

I'm from Peter Forsberg's hometown in Sweden and I like to follow him in the NHL. How do you think he and his team will do in the playoffs? And will Peter win any awards?
—Åsa, Örnsköldsvik, Sweden

Forsberg was probably the best all-around player in the league this year (so what else is new?). Of the 10 or so players with elite offensive ability, he and Sergei Fedorov are by far the best defenders.

Forsberg is unlikely to win any regular-season awards, though, partly because the Avalanche is so deep and also because it has been slightly disappointing. All Forsberg needs to add to his game is some leadership—the ability to carry his team through tough times. That could come over the next few seasons; Forsberg's still only 24.

I don't think the Avs can get past Detroit or Dallas in the West. (More below.)

Are the Avs still good enough? Can Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg carry the load?
—Frank Antilla, Manila, Philippines

This is probably the hardest team in the playoff pool to get a good read on. With Forsberg, Sakic and Sandis Ozolinsh the Avalanche has tremendous talent, plus the requisite playoff star in Claude Lemieux—who I expect to rise this postseason as he usually does. And don't forget about Patrick Roy, the most confident goalie in the Western Conference.

So on paper the Avs have the tools to make a Cup run. They are, however, certainly vulnerable defensively and seem to be searching for some enthusiasm that hasn't been there for much of the year. Maybe the Olympics did take a toll on this team (nine Avalanche players went to Nagano). I just can't see the Avs getting past either Detroit or Dallas—both deep and extremely gritty teams.

If you were to pick the final four teams who will fight for the Cup, who would they be?
—Matthew Durka, Caledonia, Ontario

Obviously this depends somewhat on how the final seedings shake out. But right now, here's my final four: Detroit, Dallas, New Jersey, Buffalo.

It looks like the Devils might be in trouble in the second round, because they could end up playing Dominik Hasek and the Sabres. Do you think this could be the worst possible scenario for the Devils?
—Chicky C., Bethlehem, Pa.

Yes, the Devils could wind up facing Buffalo in the second round. Of course, no one wants to have to play the Sabres—the mere thought of trying to score on Hasek is exhausting. But of all the teams in the Eastern Conference, I think the Devils are best-equipped to beat the Sabres and would win in five or six games. New Jersey's Martin Brodeur is the one goalie in the East who can rise to Hasek's level with the pressure on, and the Devils' big forwards would eliminate the Sabres' meager offense. I envision the Devils winning a couple of 2-0 games.

Do you think the St. Louis Blues will ever be able to win the Stanley Cup?
—Joe, Mobile, Ala.

Ever? Ever is a very, very long time, so yes, one of these years, why not?

But you know ... with Grant Fuhr in the nets and Brett Hull on the forward lines and Chris Pronger on defense, maybe ever will come sooner than we think.

Then again, nah.

How far do you think the Pittsburgh Penguins will get in this year's playoffs? Can the offense revive itself and will Tom Barrasso play consistently?
—Paul Staniland, Pittsburgh

I have a soft spot for the Pens because Jaromir Jagr is my favorite player in the league to watch, and Kevin Constantine is a helluva good coach.

We always doubt Barrasso, but he had already won a couple of Cups, and were he to shine in this year's playoffs it would continue a great comeback story.

Ultimately, though, I think the team is a good line, or at least a couple of players, short of making a serious run. It's too bad they couldn't sign holdout Petr Nedved this year—he could have enabled the Pens to put out two dangerous lines. As is, I think they could win one round if they draw the Canadiens or Bruins, and they'd have a shot against the Capitals. But that's it.

Who should the Red Wings fear more as a matchup in the first round: the young but inconsistent Oilers or the Sharks, with a hot goalie they may have heard of, Mike Vernon?
—Will Thompson, Fullerton, Calif.

Detroit has little to fear from either of those teams. But I gather the Wings are a little more wary of the Oilers because they have more talent. The Oilers' swift defensive corps and the fact that erratic-but-sometimes-phenomenal goalie Curtis Joseph is a few weeks away from free agency make Edmonton a dangerous draw. I think the Oilers could win a couple of games, while the Sharks would only win one at most.

I expect Detroit to win its first-round series in five or six games no matter who the Wings draw—including Phoenix, their other possible opponent.

Mike Milbury is in trouble on the Island. What do you foresee as personnel changes both on and off the ice for the Islanders? Maybe a big-name player via free agency?
—Andrew Stewart, Chatham, Ontario

The Isles desperateley need to establish an identity, so the first thing they'll do is re-sign Ziggy Palffy, Kenny Jonsson and Trevor Linden. If Milbury gets called to New York to take over Brian Burke's job as the league disciplinarian, he'll go. Otherwise, new owner Steven Gluckstern could well keep him on, even though the Isles have made no progress in his three-year tenure.

I don't expect Milbury to continue on as both GM and coach, though. Don't be shocked if Ted Nolan emerges as the next Isles coach. The club needs vitality and a winning attitude and Nolan, who is young and who last season won the Adams Trophy as coach of the year for the Sabres, would provide that. Nolan would love to go head-to-head against his old Buffalo nemesis, John Muckler, who is now coaching the Rangers.

On the ice, the Islanders need a goaltender because Tommy Salo hasn't been able to dominate games in the NHL the way he has on the wider ice of international play. I think they'll make a big effort to sign John Vanbiesbrouck, the Panthers' free-agent keeper. Then they'll package Salo in a deal for a scorer. That's going to be tough because there aren't many out there. Pavel Bure does want out of Vancouver, but I doubt the Islanders have enough to get him in a trade. They'll probably settle for signing or trading for a mid-level forward who can provide size and 20 goals—what they hoped Bryan Smolinski would do, but hasn't.

Send a question to Kostya Kennedy, and check back later to read his responses.