In The Crease

With Dallas defenseman Derian Hatcher suspended for seven games, including the first five of the playoffs, because of his brutal hit last week on Coyotes center Jeremy Roenick, expect Stars defensemen Sergei Zubov and Darryl Sydor to get targeted by the Oilers in their first-round series. Without Hatcher's physical presence Edmonton will try to bang those two finesse blueliners whenever possible, which, even if it doesn't hurt Dallas in the opening round, could have an effect on the Stars later in the playoffs....

Don't be surprised if two original Panthers are traded in the off-season. Forwards Scott Mellanby and Bill Lindsay have worn out their welcomes, the former for being outspoken behind closed doors in defense of his teammates and the latter for falling out of favor with management....

Andrei Zyuzin, me Sharks' 21-year-old defenseman, missed 12 games late this season because of personal problems. The reason he rejoined the team on April 14? His mother, Lidia, flew to San Jose from Ufa, Russia, and persuaded him to do so....

The cry you may have heard coming from Anaheim last week was Mighty Ducks general manager Pierre Gauthier lamenting the three-year, $30 million contract extension the Avalanche handed center Peter Forsberg. After the season Gauthier must resign star wing Paul Kariya, who becomes a restricted free agent. The agent for both players is Don Baizley....

With the retirement of Wayne Gretzky, the Rangers have a big hole at center, so don't be shocked if they call the Canucks about reacquiring Mark Messier. (He would waive the no-trade clause in his contact for the right price.) Both teams would benefit from such a trade. The rebuilding Canucks would dump Messier's $6 million salary in 1999-2000 and possibly get a younger player or a draft choice in return. The Rangers would not only fill their hole at center but also score a p.r. coup and perhaps satisfy star defenseman Brian Leetch, who becomes an unrestricted free agent in July and is still a close friend of Messier's. Before re-signing with New York, Leetch wants to know that the team will be competitive.