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Contract concerns Niedermayer, Arnott giving New Jersey devil of a time
Updated: Monday November 06, 2000 3:47 PM
New Jersey holdouts Scott Niedermayer and Jason Arnott are each at least $500,000 a year away from signing new contracts, impasses that have begun to send ripples of concern through the organization despite the Stanley Cup champions solid start. Arnott's absence has forced coach Larry Robinson to use Bobby Holik as a No. 1 center, a role he can fill in a pinch but one that puts a premium on his offense and not his rugged, nasty side. And although the Devils' power play has been among the NHL leaders, most members of the organization think Niedermayer, the swift-skating defenseman, is a more critical loss in the long term. In the past, Devils president Lou Lamoriello has moved malcontents such as Bill Guerin but look for him to keep Niedermayer no matter how long or acrimonious the dispute becomes.
High-octane offense carrying KingsThe Los Angeles Kings have survived an opening stretch of 12 road games in their first 16, hanging behind high-flying Phoenix in the Pacific Division, the NHL's most competitive.With No. 1 goalie Stephane Fiset out for another three weeks, the Kings have been doing it with a high-powered offense. Coach Andy Murray has used five-man units. The most intriguing pairs veteran defensemen Mathieu Schneider and slick Slovakian rookie Lubomir Visnovsky with Ziggy Palffy and Jozef Stumpel's line. Visnovsky, always looking to jump into the play, is among the leaders in plus-minus, a statistic not indicative of defensive prowess but the fact his unit always seems to control the puck. Schneider, another offensive-minded defenseman, has had to restrain himself because of the rookie's wild style.
A couple unusual suitors for CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens, one of the NHL's heritage franchises, have lost five straight amid a plethora of sorry goaltending and defensive mistakes, but help might be on the way in the form of hometown products.A consortium that includes television network TVA, Rene Angelil (better known as Celine Dion's husband), and the Cirque de Soleil reportedly is pondering bidding for the Canadiens and their home, the unloved Molson Centre, which have been on the market for months. Hmmm. Cirque de Soleil and the Canadiens, who are last in the Northeast Division and have won just one playoff round since 1993. Insert your own "send in the clowns joke" here. Sports Ilustrated senior writer Michael Farber covers the NHL beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com
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