In The Crease

In March, Devils wing Claude Lemieux asked general manager Lou Lamoriello to add another skate-sharpening specialist to New Jersey's equipment staff because Lemieux, acquired four months earlier, wasn't happy with the way his blades were being cared for. Lamoriello responded by hiring Rob McLean, who serviced Lemieux's skates during the Avalanche's Cup-winning season of 1995-96. McLean has also begun sharpening the skates of wing Alexander Mogilny....

Speaking of Mogilny, he has spent a lot of time recently working out and talking hockey with Vladimir Bure, the former Olympic swimmer for the U.S.S.R. and the estranged father of stars Pavel and Valeri. The elder Bure is a trainer who travels with the Devils. When he's in New Jersey, Vladimir lives at the apartment of rookie Scott Gomez, who has also come under his influence....

Colorado center Joe Sakic (left), who will be a restricted free agent in July, wants to sign a long-term deal to remain with the Avalanche. Colorado would like to get that done, but money considerations may be a stumbling block The Avalanche also wants to retain unrestricted free-agent defenseman Raymond Bourque, whom it obtained in March. Both players are expected to command salaries in the $6 million to $8 million range....

If Mighty Ducks general manager Pierre Gauthier, who fired farm team coach Moe Mantha last month, continues his organizational shake-up ( Anaheim was a disappointing 34-36-12-3 and failed to qualify for the playoffs), it won't be surprising to see assistant coaches George Burnett and Newell Brown let go. If that happens, expect Burnett to become the coach of the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League and Brown to catch on with the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets....

Senators goalie Tom Barrasso has put off some of his Ottawa teammates with his attitude. Barrasso missed the final team meeting after the Senators were eliminated last week.