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Expect to see more scoring this season

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Posted: Thursday September 30, 1999 10:15 AM

The NHL's pendulum will start to swing back to offense, however gently, in 1999-2000. The rule changes, including the scaling back of video replay and four-on-four play in the five-minute overtime, should boost scoring. But the primary increase will come from changing systems.

Consider the NHL's two best teams: The Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings are moving from their left-wing lock into a more aggressive two-man forecheck, a system designed to inject more enthusiasm in their play and take better advantage of their skill.

Meanwhile the Stars will attempt to blend in a puck-possession game with their dump-and-chase style. Dallas coach Ken Hitchcock told me he expects more teams to attack the neutral-zone trap with speed up the middle, successfully denying the defenders the angles that have made the trap the system of the 90s.

And finally, a couple of players and a coach who will make a difference in 1999-2000.

The most prominent is St. Louis goalie Roman Turek, the ex-Dallas Star who is ready for a starring role on a team that was undermined by its goaltending in the playoffs last spring.

Look for a breakout season from Stars winger Jamie Langenbrunner, who scored 10 playoff goals after getting just 12 during the regular season.

The new Los Angeles Kings coach, Andy Murray, one of the game's original thinkers who is best noted for his work with Canada's national program, brings the attention to detail that should right a foundering club.

Handing out some early awards

Why wait 'til Y2K? We have your winners.

If Florida's Pavel Bure is healthy, he wins the Maurice Richard Trophy for most goals this season. Jaromir Jagr of Pittsburgh again wins the Art Ross trophy for points. Look for St. Louis defenseman Chris Pronger to win his first Norris and Buffalo's Dominik Hasek to win the Vezina and the Hart Trophy.

St. Louis, San Jose, Los Angeles and Boston, assuming goalie Byron Dafoe comes back, will improve. The Stanley Cup? One more time, it will be the Stars.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Michael Farber covers the NHL and appears regularly on CNN/Sports Illustrated.

 

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