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Wednesday, November 8, 2000
Yashin's back, but no goalies are
By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell
Special to ESPN.com
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The Alexei Yashin soap opera has finally come to a close, or at
least the latest chapter of it. Rather than arrive hat in hand, contrite
after obviously being proven wrong in his stance to defy the team's
insistence he honor the final year of his deal, Yashin showed up to his press
conference defiant and without apology.
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Wed., Sept. 27
The most interesting factor will be how Alexei Yashin responds mentally to playing in Ottawa again. If he comes back motivated to get Senators fans back on his side and show them what he means to a hockey team, things could really take off in Ottawa. Yashin is one of the top 10 hockey players in the world. He's the kind of player who makes his teammates better. The Senators had a nice run in the playoffs without him last year. Now, if they get him back, and he's really fired up about playing in Ottawa, it will make a very good team great. |
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He didn't say he was sorry to the fans or his teammates. In fact, Yashin admitted he
returned to the Senators only because he had no other choice. Nice guy.
Since he started skating, Yashin said he would give it everything he has. So
far, the fans have given Yashin everything they have – booing him every time
he touched the puck in his return to the Corel Centre.
The center's talent is undeniable. Too bad you can't say the same thing
about his judgment. Whether they elect to keep him all year or make a deal
for him remains to be seen. If Yashin plays uninspired and/or the club's
unproven goaltending stumbles out of the gate, it's more likely than not the
Senators will move their top center for netminding help.
After all, Yashin's contract is up for renewal at the end of the season, so the club won't be blamed for not wanting to go through this dog-and-pony show yet again.
Here's a guy who was a finalist for the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP two years ago.
After a year away from the NHL, he'll be looking to regain that same form.
There were plenty of people who thought the Senators were just fine
without Yashin's services last year. However, the truth of the matter is that
they were 10 points and six places worse than the year before. The biggest
question mark, other than if Yashin is done playing the role of petulant
child, is how the goaltending is going to be. The club talked briefly to
veteran Tom Barrasso about a return, but instead they'll be going with Patrick
Lalime. There is no longer a Damian Rhodes or Ron Tugnutt to hang their hats
on. But management believes (hopes?) Lalime can be at least as good as
Tugnutt. The Senators made a pitch to get Mike Dunham, but have now put their
eggs in the Lalime basket.
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Bottom Line on the Senators
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Strengths
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Weaknesses
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Scoring
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Goaltending
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Defense
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SEASON OUTLOOK: From a chemistry standpoint, there were a few players on the
club who wanted to take Yashin outside and beat some sense into him (Vaclav
Prospal among others). However, since he has arrived, there has been little
or no controversy – inside the dressing room anyway. Everyone has been
concentrating on hockey. If that remains so, and if the goaltending can be
counted on, the Senators should be potent. |
Nancy Marrapese-Burrell of the Boston Globe writes a weekly national NHL column for ESPN.com.
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ALSO SEE
Montreal Canadiens preview
Buffalo Sabres preview
Boston Bruins preview
Toronto Maple Leafs preview
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