A caged Panther

Expect Keenan to bare his teeth early, often

Like nature, Mike Keenan abhors a vacuum. If history is a guide, the new Florida coach will insinuate himself into all Panthers' personnel decisions, creating tension between himself and interim general manager Chuck Fletcher.

By hiring Keenan before finding a permanent GM, Bernie Kosar's ownership group has given itself three options: ultimately handing the job to Keenan, finding a GM who will rubberstamp Keenan's moves or hiring an independent GM, an option that will end as badly as it did in Vancouver when Brian Burke was brought in, clashed with Keenan and ultimately fired him. In the short term, however, look for Keenan to motivate a dormant club and to close the schism between star Pavel Bure and his teammates.

Vince can go

In three years Tampa Bay Lightning center Vincent Lecavalier has gone from Michael Jordan to almost gone. The relationship between the No. 1 overall draft pick in 1998, hailed as hockey's Jordan by a former Lightning owner, and the club has deteriorated to the point that GM Rick Dudley is entertaining offers for him.

Montreal had pursued Lecavalier in the past but doesn't have the inventory to swing a blockbuster for the stillborn star. Three teams that do have the assets are St. Louis, Ottawa and New Jersey. The Devils are an intriguing fit considering their potential long-term problems at center. Bobby Holik, insulted by the arbitration process last summer, has said he will not resign in New Jersey, and No. 1 center Jason Allison had the "A" removed from his sweater last week by coach Larry Robinson.

Gainey still seamless in transition

Bob Gainey always has set his own agenda. When he quit playing in 1989, Gainey went to France to learn to coach away from the spotlight. When he decided he was no longer an effective coach, he fired himself and brought in his overweight minor league coach, Ken Hitchcock, now among the best in the game. Last year he repatriated Les Jackson, the Atlanta assistant GM, to smooth the transition in Dallas when Gainey decided to go. Last summer Gainey made that decision and announced it this week.

He will remain as a Dallas consultant next season but will be free to follow his heart thereafter. The architect of a top NHL franchise will choose what's best because Gainey always has.

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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