Believe it or not, we are now down to a scant week and a half remaining until the 2001-02 hockey season starts, so the final two positional reports will come in quick sucession. I did make an omission on my previous center report. Robert Reichel has signed with Toronto (along w Mikael Renberg) and is listed at 2670.

On another front, of all the images/tributes etc. in the world of sports honoring the victims and heroes of the events of 9/11, was there anything more impromptu and genunine as the fans and players in the Rangers/Flyers pre-season tilt (in Philly) who demanded to watch President Bush's speech on the big screen rather than play the third period. Then afterward the players, and we're talking two teams that don't like each other, line up and shake hands - as they would after a playoff series, while the fans give a standing ovation!!! I'll say it again, sports may be "trivial" but is also capable of bonding, galvanizing, and bringing people together.

The other blockbuster news that shook the hockey world in the past week concerns Peter Forsberg's decision to take a sabbatical from the game for the time being. When we last visited Forsberg following Game 7 of last years Conference Semifinals, he was experiencing some pain which turned out to be a ruptured spleen, finishing his season. Because of that, and other injuries accumulated over the past couple of seasons, Forsberg has decided to take a break from the game. Some believe he will sit the entire season. I'm not buying it. This is going to be a long season with the Olympics still scheduled among other things. Look for Forsberg to take it easy until about Feb. 1, then return just in time for the Olympics, the stretch run, and the playoffs. In the meantime, slightly lower your expectations for teammates such as Rob Blake, Milan Hejduk, and Alex Tanguay.

Now for the best values this year among wingers...

GUYS I LIKE

• Keith Tkachuk (STL - 4490) - If you liked Tkachuk in Phoenix, you will be licking your chops about him now. His +/- will make a huge improvement, along with a point a game, some power play tallies, and 150 PIM's. Health is an annual question with him, but still worth the risk.



• Owen Nolan (SJ - 3700) - You wouldn't mind someone who's potentially paired up with Vinny Damphousse and Teemu Selanne would you??? Well that's what Owen has to work with this year. His salary is a little low as he missed some time in the past year with injuries and a suspension. If he can get 80+ points and some PIM's without facing any league discipline action Nolan will be worth your while.



• Mark Recchi (PHI - 3870) - Not a big scorer, but an assist machine playing for one of the league's best teams. Small but very durable, Recchi has averaged 1.11 pts per game over the past two season, while also posting a +20 and +15. A bonifide contender to be among the scoring leaders.



• Ziggy Palffy (LA - 3930) - Started last year on fire before cooling off a litte. Still wound up averaging 1.22 pts a contest while compiling a +20 for the so-so Kings. As always, highly recommeded.



• Marian Hossa (OTT - 3500) - Was a mild disappointment in second half as he and linemate Radek Bonk cooled off considerably. Still, Hossa is only 22 and is part of an awesome line combination with Bonk and Arvedson when all three are healthy.



• Peter Bondra (WSH - 3680) - Is one of the games more inconsistant players but you can't complain about a line pairing with Jaromir Jagr. If paired with JJ, could easily pot more than a point a game. When on, goals come in bunches.



• Jan Hlavac (PHI - 2680) - Comes to Philly as part of the Eric Lindros trade. Scored a career high 64 points in 79 games with NYR last year. Just a slight scoring improvement along with a expected +/- improvement will make him a bargain.



• Theo Fleury (NYR - 4340) - Eric Lindros as a sidekick will help this guy, as if he needs it. When on expect 1.2 points and 2 PIM's a game. Lets hope substance abuse rehab doesn't mellow him out too much.



• Jeff Friesen (ANH - 3000) - My lone recommended Ducks player. Is still only 25 so his breakout year is due. Being on a line with Paul Kariya shouldn't hurt.



• Milan Hejduk (COL - 4170) - Point a game to go along with a +32 for one of the games true rising stars. Missing Forsberg just means he'll have to settle for Joe Sakic for a linemate. That isn't too bad.



• Alex Tanguay (COL - 4150) - Only 22 but last years stats were equal to Hejduk. 82 games, 77 points +35. Hate to see what he can get when matured.



• Simon Gagne (PHI - 3340) - He will also turn 22 this year. Not quite at the point a game level yet - but is coming off 59 pts in 69 games with a +24, even better days are to come.



• Mikael Renberg (TOR - 1620) - An 80 pt scorer w/the Legion of Doom once upon a time, before really tailing off. Signed with the Leafs following a European stint. If he can just get 50+ points with a + rating he might be worth it.



• Zdeno Ciger (NYR - 1500) - The other unlisted option. Wanted out of Edmonton so bad that he ended up toiling for 6 years in Europe. Even if stuck on the third line is candidate for 50+ pointers for the high-scoring Rangers.

THE SECOND TIER

• Jaromir Jagr (WSH - 6160) - Hockey's leading scorer by a country mile the past few years, scoring at a point and a half per game clip during that period. My concern is that he won't have nearly the offensive support with the Capitals. Still will make a great situational play against the Tampa Bay's and Atlanta's of the world.



• Pavel Bure (FL - 5320) - Best pure goal scorer in the game. would feel better about him if he can approach his '99-'00 +25 rating.



• Valeri Bure (FL - 2600) - Was a minus machine (-21) with CGY last year, but did pot 75 points the year before that. Current plans call for Valeri not be on the same line as his brother. I do not expect that to last.



• Shane Doan (PHX - 2750) - 70 pts potential with some PIM's but no Tkackuk or Roenick has to hurt.



• Ville Nieminen (COL - 1060) - Wisdom had him getting some points just by accident if he landed on the second line, but without Forsberg that has to be rethought.



• Justin Williams (PHI - 1400) - 20 year old is a good one to keep an eye on, did manage 25 points last year. If he can get on the Simon Gagne development curve he would be worth the low salary.



• Pavel Brendl (PHI - 1500) - Unlisted player came over in the Lindros deal. Great scoring potential when he finally sticks with the big show.

This does not cover everyone. There is of course the New Jersey representatives such as Patrik Elias (4920) and Petr Sykora (4590). The only reason I do not strongly recommend them at the moment (besides price) is that NJ is not slated for a lot of games in the first month or so of the season.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws