The Nhl

From 1982-83 through 1989-90 Trottier was one of the five highest-paid players in the NHL, but his relationship with the Islanders soured in '90 when they decided to defer some payments owed him over a 10-year period. Trottier then was involved in several ill-fated investments, and in '94 he declared bankruptcy because he couldn't repay bank loans of some $9.5 million.

The Islanders understandably are refusing to pay his ransom. It's sad that he has fallen into dire financial straits but sadder still that the history missing from the Nassau Coliseum rafters is something only money can buy.

Playoff Format
Change Is Not For the Better

Oilers general manager Glen Sather's lobbying the NHL to expand its playoff format from 16 to 20 teams is misguided. Sather reasons that the added berths might help financially disadvantaged Canadian teams by increasing their chances of picking up the additional revenue generated by home playoff dates. If the season had ended on Sunday, three of Canada's six teams—the Canadiens, the Canucks and the Flames or Oilers, who were tied for the last spot in the West—would have missed the postseason.

One of the best things about the league's expansion from 21 teams in 1990-91 to the 30 that will play in 2000-01 is that there are still only 16 playoff spots, making the races for them far more exciting now than when all but the five lousiest clubs advanced. Having solid teams like the Bruins and the Oilers in danger of missing the post-season legitimizes the 82-game regular season, which has enough difficulty generating interest.

Because Sather is so respected and because an expanded field would generate more money, the proposal will get consideration from the NHL owners. Forget it. Leave the playoffs as they are.