NHL: The latest in the world of hockey

By Lee Manchur Sports Central Columnist

The world of hockey has been so busy lately that, instead of focusing on a single topic, I will highlight the sports' top newsmakers in this article.

Playoff Race Heating Up

There is just under one and a half months left in the NHL's 2000-2001 regular season, and I can safely say that we've seen it all.

The Colorado Avalanche, my pick to win the Stanley Cup in my pre-season picks, is playing with a dismal .250 winning percentage in the month of February so far. Toronto, who was expected to be seeded high come the post season, sits seventh and are just eight points ahead of ninth-placed Carolina in the Eastern Conference standings. The Minnesota Wild, whose preseason headline in a popular hockey magazine was, "Worst Team Ever?", is playing very well and sits a respectable twenty-second overall in the league. With two superstars in Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne (though both have taken turns out of the line-up with injuries), the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim are not so "mighty" after all, sitting dead last in the Western Conference.

Here are the playoff match-ups if they were to be held today:

Eastern Conference: Ottawa (1) vs. Boston (8); Philadelphia (2) vs. Toronto (7); Washington (3) vs. Buffalo (6); New Jersey (4) vs. Pittsburgh (5)

Western Conference: St. Louis (1) vs. Edmonton (8); Colorado (2) vs. Phoenix (7); San Jose (3) vs. Vancouver (6); Detroit (4) vs. Dallas (5)

* Based on statistics on 02/19/01.

New Dog In Town

Wayne Gretzky is the newest Coyote, along with Steve Ellman, as the newest owners of the Phoenix Coyotes. They purchased the franchise for $125 million, and Gretzky, who now also holds the position as Vice President of Hockey Operations for the team, decided to make some immediate changes. Just a day after buying the team, General Manager Bobby Smith was fired from his position and replaced him with former Maple Leafs General Manager Cliff Fletcher. Part of the reason why Smith was fired was his relationship with legal hold-out goaltender Nikolia Khabibulin. Smith refused to give into Khabibulin's demands, and, with a new General Manager, there is a better chance the team can sign the former all-star goaltender.

Although current all-star goalie for the Coyotes, Sean Burke, has played above all expectations this season, Khabibulin's youth is much needed in goal, as Burke's years in the league are limited.

Nolan Suspension Upheld

Although the Sharks appealed an eleven-game suspension on their superstar forward, Owen Nolan, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHL Head Office have stood by their word, and Nolan will sit out the next two weeks, after already sitting out the All-Star Game and week following it.

The ruling was caused by Nolan's retaliation hit on the Dallas Stars' Grant Marshall, and Nolan will be able to return to the Sharks line-up on March 1 at Ottawa.

The suspension comes at a crucial time for the Sharks, who are just a win ahead of the same Dallas Stars for first place in the Pacific Division. Finishing first in a division guaranties you home ice advantage throughout the first round of the playoffs.

Article courtesy of Sports Central