As if leading the Detroit Red Wings back-to-back Stanley Cups weren't enough to prove that he is one of the most skilled players in the league, Steve Yzerman moved up to 8th place on the all-time scoring list with an assist against the St. Louis Blues last Wednesday.
The assist brought his career total to 1,487 points, tying him with Paul Coffey. He is only seven points behind the retired Mario Lemieux, who holds the seventh place spot on the list with 1,494. Congratulations are in order for Stevie Y, one of the most under-recognized players in the league.
For the first time since 1980, there is NHL hockey in Atlanta. Nineteen years after the Atlanta Flames bolted for colder climes in Calgary, the expansion Atlanta Thrashers are taking the ice once again in Hotlanta. Owned by the omnipresent (some would say omnipotent) Ted Turner, the Thrashers sold out their second game at the brand spanking new Phillips Arena, which has a capacity of 18,545. That hotbed of sports now has a fourth pro team, satisfying the many displaced northerners who have settled in Atlanta. Braves ace Tom Glavine, himself an excellent hockey player in high school, will now have a team to follow. And this team may actually have a chance to compete. The Thrashers, led by captain Kelly Buchberger, first overall draft pick Patrik Stefan, and former Ottawa Senator goalie Damian Rhodes, will be helped by the weak competition in their Southeastern Division. Their record is 2-2-1 after five games.
The New Jersey Devils are happily surprised by the play of rookie Scott Gomez. Gomez, the first Hispanic player ever in the NHL, was selected 27th overall in the 1998 Entry Draft. A smallish center, he is the son of a Mexican-American father and Columbian mother, and hails from Anchorage, Alaska. No, he was not one of the Mystery boys of Hollywood fame, but does have four assists through five games.
Once again more evidence to prove hockey players are the toughest in pro sports: Red Wing Darren McCarty returned to play a period after his face was slashed by the blade of teammate Yuri Butsayev. The gash required forty stitches. Show me a pro athlete in another sport who would do that. I dare you.
Injury report: Norris Trophy winner Al MacInnis will be out for 4-6 weeks with a fractured left fibula. MacInnis, who possesses the hardest shot in the league, got a taste of his own medicine, as the injury was incurred while blocking a shot. The St. Louis Blues will need Chris Pronger to pick up the slack for the Blues' already depleted defense corps...Leaders: San Jose Shark Owen Nolan leads the league with 13 points (as of 10/15). He also shares the goal scoring lead with L.A. King Luc Robitaille with seven goals.