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NHL to review alcohol's role in hockey

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Posted: Saturday May 08, 1999 08:50 AM

In the aftermath of the fatal traffic accident of Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Steve Chiasson, the NHL said it will continue to encourage responsible alcohol use. There is a clause in the collective bargaining agreement that bans alcohol on team flights unless authorized by the head coach. Despite the clause, beer is routinely available on NHL charters -- including Carolina's as it returned from its first-round playoff elimination in Boston.

While the NHL and its players association have addressed the issue, beer remains ingrained in hockey's culture, starting before players reach the NHL and continuing on to old-timers' leagues at neighborhood rinks. Words on a contract are important, but the fresh memory of Chiasson's death might be an even more significant step in loosening ties between the game and the post-game beer.

Rangers re-courting Leetch

The New York Rangers hope to re-sign their captain, Brian Leetch, although talks with the free agent have gone slowly. Even if Leetch stays, general manager Neil Smith has enough of a budget to be a major player in the free-agent market. Colorado's Theo Fleury's interest in the Rangers diminished with Wayne Gretzky's retirement, leaving San Jose's Vincent Damphousse as a more realistic target among available forwards. The Rangers also will make a strong bid for Montreal defenseman Stephane Quintal.

Yashin may be contract liability

The Ottawa Senators have to make a decision about their captain, Alexei Yashin. Yashin was a major disappointment in the quick first-round loss to Buffalo, failing to lead or score. He will earn $3.5 million next year, and there are rumblings he wants to jump to $8 million the following season when he becomes a restricted free agent. This year the Senators' projected loss before their two home playoff gates was $7 million.

Yashin, who has had nasty contract negotiations with the club before, might be too rich for its payroll. If the Senators decide to trade him, his market value -- despite his poor playoff performance -- never will be higher. As Calgary learned with Fleury, trade value drops the closer a player comes to free agency.

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

 

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