LCS Hockey - More Stuff

More Stuff
by Michael Dell, Editor-in-Chief

MORE GRIEF FOR COLORADO
As if starting the season 1-5-1 wasn't bad enough, the Colorado Avalanche have a contract problem with one of the game's elite defensemen. And, no, I don't mean Sandis Ozolinsh.

Adam Foote, who is in the final year of a contract that pays him a paltry $1,087,500, recently came out and said that it's highly unlikely he will return to Colorado next season. With the average NHL salary being $1.2 million, Foote is one of the best bargains in show business. He may not produce the points, but he's the kind of nasty, physical defenseman every team covets. Colorado can't afford to lose him.

The reason that Foote is so sour on the Avalanche isn't that he doesn't want to honor the final year of his deal, it's just that he feels the club should at least be working on a new contract extension with him. And when GM Pierre Lacroix did approach Foote about hammering out a new pact, the numbers proposed were less than favorable to the eight-year veteran. No word on the exact amount of Lacroix's offer, but Foote could easily command $3 million on the open market. Anything less, especially coming from his own boss, could be construed as an insult.

Lacroix is under some major heat in Colorado, what with the terrible start and his failure to get Ozolinsh signed and all. Losing Foote would just further diminish his public image... if that's possible.

Mark Messier

Mark Messier
by Meredith Martini

600 AIN'T NO JOKE
Mark Messier recorded his 600th career goal the other night in a 5-0 pounding of the Panthers. Only nine other players in the history of the planet have bagged 600 goals in the NHL. Of course, Wayne Gretzky leads the way with 886 career goals. The Great One's mark is a bit out of Messier's reach. But, barring injury or a horrendous slump, good ol' number 11 should finish the season in fifth place on the all-time goal-scoring list, passing the likes of Jari Kurri (601), Dino Ciccarelli (602), Bobby Hull (610), and Mario Lemieux (613).

Messier should be a lock to move up the list because of his linemates this season in Vancouver. While Pavel Bure pouts, Messier is skating with Alexander Mogilny and Todd Bertuzzi on his wings. This is really a perfect line. It's got speed in Mogilny, veteran smarts in Messier, and toughness in Bertuzzi. And all three know how to finish. Now if they could just parlay Bure into a second-line center, another talented winger, a proven goaltender, and some magic beans, the Canucks could be a contender.

SYDOR SCORIN' LIKE A CHIMP
Dallas defenseman Darryl Sydor is currently tied for the league lead in scoring with four goals and 11 points. That deserves a wow...

At 26, Sydor has quietly become one of the game's best all-around defensemen. He's posted back-to-back 40-point seasons and appears well on his way to a third. Sydor often gets overlooked in Dallas since he's not as flashy as Sergei Zubov or as punishing as Derian Hatcher, but he's an integral part of the best team in hockey. Sydor's a tremendous skater that moves the puck with confidence. Combine those attributes with his bullet shot, and Sydor makes a damn fine point man on the power play. The quick start will bring a whole lot more attention his way, so get used to hearing his name.

And do you think the Los Angeles Kings are kicking themselves? Both Sydor and Alexei Zhitnik started out in the Los Angeles organization before the Royalty traded them away. Imagine a blue line featuring Sydor, Zhitnik, and Rob Blake... that could have been great, that could have been fun.

DARCY TUCKER MANIA
Darcy Tucker is a bad man. The newest LCS Hockey cult hero has started the season in style. In Tampa's first eight games, Tucker has notched three goals and three assists, racked up 23 minutes in penalties, and rubbed out a pair of Los Angeles goaltenders. Aw, that's good stuff. Tucker is great. All hail Tucker.

GARAGE LEAGUE
Despite all the rule changes, scoring is once again down. In 1997-98, the average game contained about 5.2 goals. That average has dropped to 4.7 so far in 1998-99. It's a garage league.

That's why this past Saturday, October 24, seemed like a gift from the gods. That special night featured two nine-goal contests and two more 10-goal games. What have we done to deserve such riches? But never fear, the league quickly came to its senses. By Tuesday night things were back to normal, with three of the four games scheduled having final scores of 2-1, 1- 0, and 0-0. Yippee.

CORRECTIONS
Hey, I just realized that Joel Otto retired. I'm always the last to know. Joel, my phone rings dude. My phone rings. Anyway, a couple issues back in the Season Preview I was talkin' like he was still playing. So just forget all that. And while we're on the subject, I also want to retract what I said about Stan Mikita being in store for a big season. Apparently he no longer plays for Chicago. And Mike Bossy? Retired. C'mon, people, work with me here...