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Separated from the flock Rift between Jagr, Hlinka has been apparent all season
Updated: Wednesday May 16, 2001 5:55 PM
It's no secret that Jaromir Jagr and Pittsburgh coach Ivan Hlinka have butted heads throughout the season. It started in October when Jagr balked at playing the left-wing lock, a system that stresses defense. Then the pair had an animated conversation before Game 2 of the Buffalo series, the first of two playoff games Jagr would miss with an injured shoulder. Jagr, who is concerned the Penguins will trade him after the season, walked into yet another controversy late in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final. With 90 seconds remaining, trailing by two goals, Pittsburgh pulled its goalie and Hlinka signaled for Jagr to take the ice. Jagr waved him off. This time, though, Jagr deserves some slack for his latest gesture on the bench. There were extenuating circumstances: Devils center Bobby Holik had checked him heavily into the boards less than a minute before and Jagr was still a little dazed. When the Penguins' right wing did recover, he returned to the ice with 45 seconds left.
Turek's technique is lackingAlthough his sometimes balky confidence might be better, St. Louis goalie Roman Turek is going to have to polish his technique if the Blues are going to come back after falling behind 2-0 to Colorado in the Western Conference final.
Turek has had trouble squaring himself to the shot, a failing the Avalanche exploited in both games. Joe Sakic, who has hockey's best wrist shot, scored on a penalty shot in Game 1 when he drifted to the right and Turek never followed, and Raymond Bourque and Shjon Podein beat Turek in Game 2 when Turek cheated a little bit and didn't face the shooter.
Primeau choiceKeith Primeau's surgically-repaired knee is still sore but he should be fine for training camp, making the Philadelphia center a logical pick for Canada's Olympic team next year. Primeau, who has played well internationally, could be centering his regular Flyers linemates, Simon Gagne and Mark Recchi, in Salt Lake City, especially if the NHL Players Association doesn't allow teams a four-day training camp in August. With a scheduled NHL Olympic break that gives only one day's preparation before the first game, Canada would be well-served by selecting players who have worked together. 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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