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Chat Reel: Pierre McGuire
Devils and Stars face off for the big prize
Posted: Thursday June 01, 2000 08:23 PM
CNNSI.com Host: Welcome to our special NHL Stanley Cup chat with Sports Illustrated's Pierre McGuire. Thanks for joining us, Pierre.
Pierre McGuire: My pleasure, good to be with you.
CNNSI.com Host: Lets get started with the questions.
From Guest: Between New Jersey and Dallas, who do you think has better defensemen and forwards? How will the series be won?
Pierre McGuire: As far as the defensive part of the game goes, the Devils have a tremendous amount of depth especially when you consider Vladimir Malahkov was a No. 1 defenseman in Montreal, but in New Jersey he's a No. 5 or 6. Dallas may have the more explosive scorers at center with Nieuwendyk and Modano, but the Devils have tremendous players offensively and defensively.
From Brian: What was your opinion on Ed Belfor claiming to be on medicine during Game One?
Pierre McGuire: You'd prefer that your players would keep their medical problems to themselves and just focus on the task at hand. If you're a Stars fan you have to hope that Belfour is feeling better... and that he'll be ready for Game 2 tonight.
From Guest: How does Ed Belfour rebound from his performance in game 1?
Pierre McGuire: Eddie's got to get his quickness back, especially when it comes to closing down the five-hole. One of Eddie's strengths as a goaltender is his athleticism. But if he doesn't have his quickness, his athleticism can't be a factor.
From Guest: What does Dallas have to stop the Sykora line?
Pierre McGuire: One of the things the Stars must do is try to get a checking matchup -- probably Carbonneau, Keane and Sloan. If you r team has the ability to win faceoffs on the road, it's must easier to get the matchups you want because you have to change on the fly. Having a structured game-plan, and concentrating on those three forwards for the Devils will help the Stars tremendously, because right now power on power isn't working.
From Phil: How do you guard your team (New Jersey) from overconfidence after such a convincing win?
Pierre McGuire: I watched Larry Robinson at the Devils' pre-game skate, and I was impressed with the focus and intensity of their practice. At the end of the practice, Robinson brought the team together at center ice and probably addressed the point that they can't be overconfident. But the biggest hurdle is intenternal peer pressure, guys who will... step forward and keep the team focused. Guys like Brodeur, Holik, Stevens -- they have experience and need to remind them it takes four games to win the Cup -- not one.
From Guest: Having seen Scott Stevens' elbow on Lindros, do you still think he is a Conn Smythe candidate? Is that the kind of play that the league wants to celebrate? Personally, I think it was a disgusting cheap shot.
Pierre McGuire: Unfortunately I don't agree with your opinion. It was a clean, legal hit that took place during the course of a Game 7. Intensity and ferocity are part of team sports, but it gets magnified ten-fold in a Game 7. Lindros shouldn't have been playing in the game, because he was rusty and hadn't practiced against top-level competition. That's why his head was down as he penetrated the offensive blue line, and then got racked up by Stevens. If the Devils win, Stevens deserves serious thoughts for the Conn Smythe. For the way he's contained Pavel Bure, Mats Sundin, John LeClair and now, potentially, Mike Modano and Brett Hull.
From Guest: The Flyers have said they want to sign Lindros. Do you think it’s just a PR move? Will he stay if Philly? Move? Or retire?
Pierre McGuire: This is going to be a very delicate time for both parties. It's high-stakes poker right now. Notice that the Flyers have said they want to sign Lindros as long as he's "healthy." They key word being healthy. July 1 is not that far away; that's the qualifying date Lindros has to be given a new offer. A lot can happen before that date. Stay tuned.
From Guest: What are your thoughts on the Rangers' hiring of Glen Sather? Do you think he is the right man to turn the franchise around?
Pierre McGuire: Glen brings instant credibility to the Rangers. I can assure you that a lot of overpaid players aren't resting too comfortably today. As much as players want to stay in New York because of the lifestyle options, many know they underachieved last season. And ... underachieving isn't something Sather takes lightly. Another way Sather will leave his fingerprints on the team is in the selection of his coach and how he sets up the scouting system.
From Ottawa: What is your position on Alexei Yashin? Do you see Ottawa improving despite this whole fiasco?
Pierre McGuire: I expect the Sens to improve because they'll move Yashin and get quality young players for him. You also have to remember that the Senators own some very good young players, who a lot of fans don't still know. Guys like Petr Schstlivy and Martin Havlat. Expect Ottawa to be a solid team again next season.
From Rob: How much is Yashin’s worth now compared to a year ago? Will someone pay him 8 million dollars?
Pierre McGuire: It'd be surprising to see Yashin gets an $8-10 million deal next year. Not impossible, but it would be very surprising.
From Guest: Pierre, what is the latest on the trade rumor front?
Pierre McGuire: At this point most people are very focused on preparing their lists for the expansion and entry drafts. Trade rumors won't start flying for another week or so. But Philly did make a minor move yesterday, adding Paul Ranheim from Carolina. He's a shrewd pickup, because he and Kent Manderville will form a dynamic penalty-killing duo.
From Guest: What is your favorite memory of Maurice Richard?
Pierre McGuire: My favorite memory was as a young man going into the basement of a friend's house and seeing a famous picture of Richard bleeding from a cut, shaking hands with Sugar Jim Henry right after the Canadiens defeated the Bruins in the finals. As a young man, it exemplified courage, greatness and what being a professional athlete was all about. In my present position with the Canadiens, I have been privileged to have met and spoken with the late Mr. Richard.
From Guest: Will the Leafs look for someone else to help carry the load of sundin's back next season?
Pierre McGuire: Yes. One player Toronto would love to add is Shayne Corson of the Canadiens. He's an Eastern Conferencde type player because of his grit. And ...he'd get Sundin more room to skate. If Corson's unavailable, expect the Leafs to get Sundin some help nonetheless.
From Guest: Does the fact that Brodeur is currently 5-0 in Stanley Cup Finals games put his name in a hat with past great golies?
Pierre McGuire: Not yet. But winning another Stanley Cup would certainly help him. But don't make any mistake about it: Brodeur is a solid NHL goalie.
From NevadaWOLFPACK: What is the condition of Madden for the remainder of the Finals?
Pierre McGuire: He'll be a little bit nicked up, but he'll be able to play. That's good news if you're a Devils fan, and bad news if you're a Stars fan.
From Guest: Since Brodeur and Belfour have one Stanley Cup each, which goalie can handle the most pressure during the Finals?
Pierre McGuire: They both can. Both are outstanding pressure goaltenders. There really is no advantage. The big thing now for Belfour is regrouping after a bad Game 1.
From Guest: Which rookie do you feel will outplay the other in the remainder of the series, Jon Sims or Scott Gomez?
Pierre McGuire: Sims may not even be in the lineup. Gomez will be a regular participant for the Devils. It would be more appropriate to talk about Brenden Morrow or Roman Lyashenko. But Gomez has shined so far.
From Guest: How do you see Ottawa's goaltending situation working out? Is Barrasso even in the picture?
Pierre McGuire: Probably not at this point, because of finances and the fact that Tommy wasn't able to get them past the first round.
From Guest: Do you believe that the Flyers will make big changes in the offseason, or will they take another shot at it with this team?
Pierre McGuire: Expect the Flyers to be proactive. Perhaps not making monstrous changes, but subtle tunings. They need to add... more depth on defense and some more foot speed up front.
CNNSI.com Host: That's all we have time for today. Thanks for chatting with us, Pierre.
Pierre McGuire: Thanks, I had a lot of fun. Take care everyone.
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