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Bluelines: Former Ranger labels European-bound NHLers as scabs

Does the H in NHLPA stand for Hypocrites? Ex-Ranger netminder Corey Hirsch thinks so. The goalie rips so-called “union” members who’ve pushed him and more than a hundred others out of European jobs. Hirsch calls them “scabs.” And that may be an understatement. “NHL players are bumping off, one by one, players who need the money,” asserts Corey. “Every day I read another arrogant quote from someone coming to play in Europe for no other reason than to stay in shape.”

Meanwhile, there’s this from our Calgary correspondent, Debbie Elicksen: “Brian Burke says it’s a travesty that locked-out NHLPA members are taking European jobs. He figures if the NHL comes back with replacement players, that will come back to bite them. P.S. Rocky Thompson is ready to step up as a replacement player.”

The meeting last week between the NHLPA’s Ted Saskin and the league’s Bill Daly was initiated by the union. But nobody on the NHL side is taking it seriously. Within weeks, the Association is expected to produce an inadequate offer -- mostly for p.r. purposes. No meaningful movement will take place.

Some rich players just don’t give a damn about the work stoppage. A well-known Flyers’ vet tells this to a friend: “A year off will give me four more years in the NHL.” Or this from a Stars’ ace: “Me worry? I got two million bucks in the bank!”

When the Blues entered the NHL in 1967, many wondered whether St.Louis could be a big-league hockey city. Not only has it become one of the best but also is producing pros. One of the latest is Devils’ farmhand Cam Janssen. The St.Lou native is a fiery right wing. “He’s feisty and just wants to win,” says coach Robbie Ftorek.

Of the Players’ Association executive council, only Trevor Linden and Dan Alfredsson are regarded by the NHL high command as thoughtful types worthy of serious dialogue. Clearly, strong leadership of the Mark Messier-Wayne Gretzky ilk is missing from the NHLPA upper crust. And it shows!

Pat Burns hopes to be behind the Devils bench again. (AP)

Pat Burns’ revealing interview with NHL.com’s John McGourty is touching. “I had colon surgery and a resection, rather than a colostomy,” says Burns, “so for that I was very fortunate. I’m still not out of the woods. I’ve been going through the process of chemotherapy and that’s very difficult.” The coach’s treatments ended last month but he continues to see doctors. Pat appreciates the overwhelming support he’s received; especially from retired ref Paul Stewart.

NHL players miss their third paycheck this week. And to think they’ve rejected the chance to have an average salary of $1.3 million in favor of bringing down the league.

San Diego remains one of the continent’s best hockey towns. ECHL Gulls opened at home with a crowd of 11,922. League had seven SROs on opening weekend.

Red Line Report, the birddog paper, raves about Sid Crosby, allegedly The Next Gretzky. “He combines supernatural skills with an unrivaled work ethic and burning desire to improve.” Crosby is favored to go Number One in the 2005 Draft – if there is one. “Nobody knows if there’ll even be a Draft,” says Chicago’s asst. g.m. Dale Tallon. We’ll bet there will be one.

Arthur Levitt, appearing on Phoenix radio, notes that Bob Goodenow may have generally challenged his NHL fiscal report. But, the former Security & Exchanges Commission head, asserts that the NHLPA boss never has questioned any specific item in his study.

Ken Hitchcock tells the Newark Star-Ledger’s Eli Gelman that during his stint last month helping coach Princeton’s varsity, he was as tough on the collegians as on NHLers. “I was pushing hard,” says Hitch. “I need my fix, too. Some things I can’t change.” Hitchcock reveals that he regularly talks to his pal, Pat Burns. “He’s a fighter,” says Ken, “and he’s going to beat it (colon cancer.) The minute he gets the yellow light to come on the ice, he’s on!”

Dave Fischer moves from Michigan Tech to Colorado Springs where he takes over as USA Hockey’s Director of Media and Public Relations.

Syracuse Crunch owner Howard Dolgon feted alumni with a neat reunion celebrating the AHL club’s tenth year. Adrian Aucoin and George McPhee were among attendees. Each was accompanied by photos of themselves in younger days.

Scott Gomez playing for relative peanuts with the ECHL’s Alaska Aces makes a good story but no sense considering that he could be making big NHL bucks even under a new capped CBA.

A third-line NHLer, who’s already lost $200,000 because of what he considers NHLPA intransigence tells his agent, “I’m just NOT being represented by the union. It’s just for the name guys.”

Sergei Gonchar’s head injury may cause second thoughts about NHLers in the Russian League. Boston’s way-overpaid blueliner lost consciousness after being checked – a clean, but brutal hit -- by Alex Ovechkin during a Superleague game.

Sabres’ hopeful, Tom Vanek, has been a lot less than that in Rochester. The ex-Golden Gopher was minus-four, with one goal in seven AHL games.

The Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Michael Russo has a beaut of a story making the NHLPA’s anti-Cap stance debatable. Speaking to several Dolphins, Russo learns that the NFL Salary Cap “has been good to them and good to the game.” (Bob Goodenow has his membership hypnotized that the Cap is a disaster.) NFLers such as David Bowens and Sam Madison swear by the Cap. “It’s important to know that each team has a chance to be competitive,” says Bowens. “The Cap allows that to happen.” Or, Madison: “The Cap’s been a good move.” Or, as Guy Lafleur notes with remarkable understatement, “No one would starve under a Salary Cap.”

Jason LaBarbera is making a case for another shot with the Blueshirts. (AP)

Hartford’s hot start could win Jason LaBarbera another goaltending audition with the Rangers. The AHL’S MVP now has top goalie-teacher, Benoit Allaire working with him; a big plus.

Old pal, Bill Torrey – one of hockey’s all-time great guys – gets another feather in his fedora on November 16. Bowtie Bill will be inducted into the Broward County (Florida) Sports Hall of Fame.

Has anyone noticed how badly interim leagues have fared? The “new” WHA never got off the ground and the Original Stars League experiment is history.

Howard Baldwin, who’s been checking out the Mighty Ducks sale, has a movie hit, the Ray Charles film biography, “Ray,” that’s been very strong at the box office.

Anyone who believes that NHL ownership will settle for a Soft Cap is dreaming. The realistic Hard Cap figure is $35 million.