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Pens pump it up Pittsburgh welcomes Mario back with more muscle
Mario Lemieux might have come back, in part, because he thought the NHL might be a kinder and gentler place with its crackdown on obstruction and slashing. But he is making sure the Pittsburgh Penguins are plenty rugged. In a plethora of weekend moves, Pittsburgh acquired nearly 500 pounds of muscle in 6-foot-8, 255-pound Steve McKenna from Minnesota and 6-5, 235-pound Krzysztof Oliwa from Columbus. It also repatriated veteran winger Kevin Stevens from Philadelphia and recalled tough forward Billy Tibbetts from the minors. The trades set the stage for more deals, perhaps one involving Penguins pest Matthew Barnaby. In making those trades and also dumping defenseman Jiri Slegr to Atlanta, and Roman Simicek to Minnesota in the McKenna deal, Pittsburgh tacitly put coach Ivan Hlinka on notice by reducing the number of his dressing-room allies.
Young Ducks look toughBeneath the muck of poor crowds, key injuries and spotty play from their stars, Anaheim has two buried gems. The more visible is Petr Tenkrat. The rookie winger has the shot and speed that can cushion the blow if the Mighty Ducks decide to dump the $8 million salary of slumping sniper Teemu Selanne. But the player with all-star potential is Vitali Vishnevski. The second-year defenseman has a pronounced wild streak, but is the most physical of the young NHL blueliners. Already his combativeness makes him difficult to play against. If his development continues, Vishnevski could be the nastiest defenseman since Vladimir Konstantinov during Detroit's 1996-97 Stanley Cup season.
Money mattersThe best motivation is the possibility of a new, long-term contract, if the spectacular unrestricted free-agent class of 2000-2001 is a guide. With free agency looming, several players are having spectacular, if not necessarily career years. Los Angeles defenseman Rob Blake, who will command close to $10 million a season, has been a force on both ends while several forwards, including Colorado's Joe Sakic, Atlanta's Donald Audette and New Jersey's Alexander Mogilny have been point machines during their salary drives. Audette has been particularly remarkable. The small right winger, who never has had more than 31 goals or 59 points in a season, already has 22 goals and 53 points. Sports Illustrated senior writer Michael Farber covers the NHL beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.
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