Historical Challange continued 90's onwards

[lawrence97]

1993/1994 Pre Season and Season Preview

Trades Claude Lemieux to Oilers for 2nd rnd pic

Washington go dumb and trade 25 year old Janney for 34 year old Propp. . I'm tempted to reverse this trade but i don't

RedWing trade 32 year olf Murphy for Glen Murray 20,

My Rankings
1-NY Rangers
2-Red Wings(Ranked 2 by Ai) Gertzky and Hull still beasts
3-NY Islanders(4) Mogilny Sundin Selanne
4-Calgary(6) Young team Bure Zubov at their best
5-Washington(8) Fedorov Leetch annd Stevens

Edmonton will be up there, New Jersey is getting old, Chicago andf Montreal best of the rest.

There is clearly a shift of players now, all the superstar attackers bar a few are getting old. Luckily most of the team when to Calgary and the Islanders so this should still be a fight. Free agency coming up. Looking forward to seeing how that will shift the dynamics.

[lawrence97]

1993/1994 Regular Season


No targets this year, just playing best lines i can. Gretzky 350 points away from all time lead. In terms of goals he is on 1260 chasing 1454 from Howe.

Top Line is Bondra-Modano-Neely, with Nieuwendyk-Brind'Amour -Linden 2nd line. Richer Yashin and Nedved line3, with Sanderson Kovalev and Palffy on 4th line. With less games against weaker team with schedule teams, i'll be happy to hit 500 goals. Brind'Amour and Modano get 2 million per year deals, i have a few deals that are evry heap for a couple of years, but then its all about the budget!

1st Quarter
We start off hot with some big wins, as 13-2 demolltion of Lemieux's Oilers is a highlight, but we lost 5 games, to be right in the pack with Red Wings Flames Islanders Capitals and Whalers. On pace fo 550 goals

Half Way
We have as 12-4 loss to the devils and Red Wing beat us 8-6 but goals do slow down a bit aroud Christmas, leaving us on pace for 526. Detroit has a 5 gmae winless streak to put them 2 points behind us. Calgary, Washington and Islanders are with 4 of us as well, if they win their games in hand. It is a 5 way battle for the league this year. Gretzky on pace for 200. Lemieux 10 pts behind

3rd Quarter
Neely gets 6 goals in a 11-3 thumping of the Devils! Record is 7. Bure a hatrick against us in a 5-5 tie with Calgary, Gretzky on pace for exactly 200, Lemieux 188. In the goal scoring race. Hull Lemieux Neely and Gretzky all on 60-62. Hopefully Neely can win that one. In the league Detroit first on course for 131, wr project to 128 and Calgary 117. ECapitals and Islanders are 5 points back of Calgary.

End of Season
Gretzky goes turbo charged and has 3 6 points games in 9 games,with every game in that period he scored at least 2 points. They beat us 6-2 in game 75 to essentially wrap the league up for them despite a wobble after that! That ends my streak of Presidents Trophies at 4. We end up on 512 goals, Detroit 457.

Gretzky ties Lemieux and Gretzky for season record for assists at 146, and sets a points record with a barely believe 242. 90 points in 21 games to finish the season was so fun to watch. He was top scorer with 96 goals, Neely second with 82. For us Modano 162 and Neely 152. 42 players got 100, 17 got 50.

Edmoton joined the top 6 party, so east is between us, Islanders and CApitals, whilst Detroit has Calgary or Edmonton to get through in the west.

[lawrence97]

93/94 Playoffs

Hoping we avoid Hartford and Washington as played them a lot the past few post seasons. We have Buffallo in the new seeding system, so Washington and NY Islanders are 3rd and 4th seeds. in the west Detroit 1st, Calgary 2 Edmonton 3. This takes out the big matchs up in the 1st rounds, but it gives us variety which i massively prefer.

In another quirk of fate, we have yzerman go to Que, and Lemieux to Edm, we've also had the line Philadelphia would ahve had if they hadn't got Lindros. Forsberg is on a line in buffalo with Renberg and LeClair. Nylander and Arnott with Housley makes them dangerous, even for the 8th seed.

Rnd1: We have won all 3 games against Buffalo this year by an average of 9-3!Not quite as lopsided here but still a sweep. All other team progress as expected fairly easily, except Washington and Edmonton wo both escape in 7!

Rnd2: The BATTLE OF NEW YORK. Islanders had 109 points this season, Selanne 73 goals, and 154 points, Mogilny 53 and 131 Sundin 75 assists and 102 points. Tim Kerr, Shanahan Steen Bossy and Tkahcuk all getting 90-70 points. 450 goals this team scored. This should be a treat. Edmonton-Calgary is the other great series this round.

Islanders actually went 3-4-1 against me in Regular season, so this is anyones. However, first two games are 6-2 wins for us! then we score 6 again to their 5 to take a commanding 3-0 lead. They win the next one though 3-2 thanks to a latae Bossy goal. And anoter late goal by Mogilniy in game 5 takes it to ot, but 13 seconds later, Kovalev wins it for us and we take the series 4-1. Detroit thumps toronto, other series go to 7, and Washington and Calgary get through.

Rnd3: The ever dependable Washington - Rangers playoff series. think thats 4 or 5 in a row now. They have Fedorov Leetch and Stevens, a very differnt style from the goal power houses of the other teams. We however again beat them easily, and get back to the SC Final. Detroit-CAlgary are again in a tough match up. Calgary win game 5 in DEtroit 7-5 thanks to a double by Turgeon, and then knock Gretzky out of the playoffs with a 4-3 game 6 win! Its a repeat of last year!

Stanley Cup FInal. Calgary, armed with a top team. Similar to last year, they have depth everywhere. Bure Turgeon and Zubov their top threats. But Carson, Craven, Loob, Foote Straka and Chiasson give them such depth Thi is a team with Scott Walker Michael Peca and Steve Sullivan and Manny Legace still to come through. They end the season with 117 points and 420 goals. The two games this year went 5-5 and 5-1 to us.

Game 1: 5-2 Rangers win. Modano 2 goals, and Neely 1 pace the Rangers. Calgary had taken the lead through Quintal, but 4 straight in the 2nd does the damage. Richer Kovalev and Galley get the other goals.

Game2: 9-2 Ranges, another 4 goal second period does the damage, making the score 5-2, Zubov and Carson get their goals Richer gets 2, rest of the goals spread evenely amongst the team.

Game3: 4-1 win for Calgary, who finally show up! When the have Legace in goal they will probably best best team in league. But for now, Tabarraci, finally puts in a world class perfomrance saving 32/33 shots. Niedermayer had put us in the lead but Zubov and Bassen having a goal and an assists to turn it round. Bure gets his first goal on the finals. Stevens as well on an EN.

Game4:Flames tie the series with a 5-4 win. A very even game of 33 shots each. period 1, Chitaroni from Straka and Pierre Turgon make it 2-0 after 13 mins. Then 2 goals in 15 seconds from the workhorses Linden and Brind'Amout make it 2-2. Into the second period, no further goals, until the 15th mionute mark, where Bassen and Galley score within 90 seconds to give them a big 4-2 lead. Lidstrsom gets one back with 70 seconds to go, to give the Rangers momentum, The third period, that momentum is stopped instantly as off the opening face off, Stevens scores! Chitaroni takes a penalty and Richer bangs it home, leaving 12 minutes to find the equaliser, but it never comes. Can Calgary win one in NY? They'll have to if they want to win this!

Game5: 3-2 Flames, they do win, just like in the previous round, this one however, is a flames dominated game, Tabaracci makes 29 saves Richter 41. Loob and richer trade goals in the first, Chitaroni gives Calgary the lead in the second, before Modano ties it at 14:09. Then Carson from Stevens and Bure, win it at 19:52, in a period they out shoot us 20 to 7! This is the mirror image of the det series for calgary, lost the first 2 then win the next 3 with a home game to win it in 6!

Game 6: 5-2 Flames! Rangers play another awful game, out sho 14-9 14-5 and 20-11 in the three periods. Calgary take full advantage with Chitaroni and Turgeon in the first, Craven Zamuner and Carson in the 2ndm inbetween two neely goals, and no further goals in the third, which they dominated. A well deserved cup for hopefully an excellent opponent for the rest of the 90's.
Zubov top scored in the playoffs with 34, he had 4 assists abd 2 goals in the finals, he'll probably win Conn Smythe but it was a solid team performance that won it

Hart:Wayne Gretzky
Conn Smythe: Sergei Zubov
Calder Oleg Davydov (EDM)
Norris: Ruotsalainen his first
Vezina-Hextall(Was- not a suprise with their team)
Selke also went to Cgy with Zamuner

[lawrence97]

1994/1995 Pre Season & Draft

This is a full 84 game season. Free Agency is in effect and their is no salaray cap.

Straight away there are some major free agents available. -Bourque-Chelios-Gilmour and Hartsburg

In the restricted fa pool there is just a depth of talent Jagr Roy Selanne Yzerman Brodeur Kariya and Sundin! Teams have monoey to spend let the feeding frenzy begin!

Trades Islander get Duchesne(29) but give up Tkachuk(22) to Pitt
Stars trade Stumpel(21) for Verbeek(30) and a 2nd rnd pick
Calgary get Greg Adams(30) for Adam Foote(22)-dumb trade

Draft

Have the 25th pick, Chara Savard and Iginla are available.

I however trade Olausson for that pick for Elias.

1-Chara-Florida
2-Iginla-Anaheim
3-Savard-Quebec
4-Redden-Tampe Bay
8-Briere-Chicago
21-Berrard-NYI

a bland draft. My my current team, is set for the next few years, Only question is when Kovalev, Satan, Demotra Elias and Koivu join. I will most likely trade some for some defenders as only Visnovsky in prospect pool. Question of finance will come up soon, But for the time being i am standing stock still.

Free Agents-
Lemieux now has Bourque on his blue line will it make a difference! Calgary get so much stronger with Chelios and Brodeur, the loss of Adam Foote slightly negated but he was much younger.

Bourque-Edmonton
Chelios-Calgary
Gilmour-San Jose
Hartsburg-Boston
Roy-Penguins
Brodeur-Calgary

All rfa stay with their original team, as Islanders don't lose Selanne or Sundin, i try to offer sheet Gonchar but Montreal easily matches it. I have everyone signed for next year except Cam Neely who at 29 wanted 8 years and no movement, we couldn't come to an agreement, so will try again at Christmas.

Islanders make a fairly sensible trade, gary suter 30, for Steen 34.
THEN A GIANT TRADE

Lindros goes to Edmonton with Lemieux, for Luc Robitaille Don't know what Phily are thinking are 7 years between them, but man did Edmonton make some moves this summer!

[lawrence97]

Season Preview 1994/1995

Well that summer had some moves, Brodeur, Lindros Robitaille Chleios and Bourque headline it. Detroit also picked up Larry Murphy in all of the chaos, but he's not as good as he was.

1-Rangers Richter Neely and Oates all top 10 players in the league.
2-Calgary defending Champs have fixed their problem in net-Brodeur and added Chelios for an excellent 1-2 punch with Zubov. Kevin Stevens traded for Sylvain Turgeon(even trade, Slyvain a 120 pt player) as he points his brother and Bure on the top line Loob Adams Straka Carson Peva Sullivan make some depth
3-Detroit. Klima-Gretzky-Hull-Amonte-Bellows-Glen-Murray-Holik-Quinn-Kasatonov, Zhitnk -Murphy and Hasek. Starting to age as most 29 or over.
4-NY Islanders Selanne Shanahan, Sundin Kerr, Mogilny, Rolston Deadmarshm Duchesne Suter Desjardins, Babych and Vanbiesbrouck!
5-Edmonton-Bourque Lemieux Francis-Lindros

Othres
Philadlphia-Messier Robitaille Kariya is a nice line
Washington, Starting to look a bit thread bare, Fedorov Leetch and Stevens need more help.
Buffalo-Leclair Rosberg-Renberg


This should be a great season with the top 5 looking evenly matched, but my defence 6 of Lidstrom Niedermayer-Pronger-Rusto-Iafrate-Ozonlish should hopefully see us through.

[lawrence97]

1994/1995 Season

First Quarter
We do not gel in this first quarter, going 12-5-4 our worst seson in a while leaving us on pace for 112. Islanders 135 Edmonton 144! The top 5 are all there, with Winnipeg joining the party, -Larionov Roenick, Stumpel Primeau and MacInnis, with vezina winner Barasso in net. Modano for is on on course for 200, Neely 180, but defence is maybe not as good as i thoughtm and other lines are struggling. I'll leave them be, they'll hopefully learn from the tough battles. Richer is a -2! our worst plus/,minus player last year was an 18, so we've def hit struggles unexpectedly!

Halfway
we go 16-4-1 in this quarter of the season, but goals are definatley down, on course for 450, and we've been averaging 520 last few years. Islanders 9 ahead but we've got a game in hand. They've beaten us last two times we've played. They are top of the league, we are actually 5th, Islanders Oilers and Red Wings all have a +113 goal differential at half way, we are 95 Washington 75 and Calgary just 57. I'm expecting them to improve. Modano on pace for 160 after hot start cools off. Gretzky and Lemieux have 115 and 106, Gretzky has won the last few scoring titles with Hull as his wingman, Lemieux has Lindros this year.

3rd Quarter
Gretzky Edging Lemieux 157-153 in points race. whilst we are really struggling to keep up with top three of NYI Det and Edm who all are around 95 and we are 88. Washington right behind us, but Calgary, who were my favourites to win the title this year on 82 . No one else is within 10 of Calgary. We've just not maintained our goalscoring levles from previous seasons. 2nd and 3rd line are on pace for 60 points average rather than the 80 and thats causing us the problems. We are still 4th in the league Khabibulin taking over from Richter, who has quite frankly has not lived up to his billing .

End of Season
We change up our lines, and it works 10 game winning streak an first win agains the islanders this season in 6 games(1-3-2) Puts us within 4 with 6 to go. We actually catch the Islanders, and we have identical records of 19-18-7. The top 6 teams predicted are the top 6. Wea ctually finished 4th in the league, with Detroit on 129 with Edmonton, but Detroit top on 63 wins to 62. Calgary and Washington not far behind on 116 points, they also have identical records. Something Noah's arc about these records! Gretzky agvain pulls away in last quarter and beats Lemieux 230 to 200.

He sets 2 records this season, 1 Single Season goal record with 106, and is now all times points leader with 3420!

39 100 point players this year, and 20 50 goal scorers. Top scorers in the NHL was us but Red Wings 3 behind, We hit 476 which is low. Detroit were a plus214 thanks to our late surge of 16 straight win! we get to 210, and go into the playoffs with Edmonton on hot streaks. They has 8 to finish the season.


Roll on the playoffs, where the top 6 will sort out the men from the boys.

[lawrence97]

1994/1995 Playoffs

Round 1: We get Ottawa who make the playoffs after 3 years in existence! We actual luck out in getting the 3rd seed. Forsberg's Buffalo await the number 1 islanders, whilst we get Ottawa the expansion team in its 3rd year, whilst Washington has the Messier/Robitaille/Kariya line to deal with. Ottawa owes its success to Andreychuk who they got off us in the expansion draft as we couldn't protect him, but although he's warmly welcomed back the Sens have no chance are are swept in a major thumping. Shocks inthe first round, the defending Champions are dumped out by Dallas in 6! Theo Fleury's 5 goals a major source of that shock! Washington are 3-2 down to Philly, and they too are out, but in 7 games!

Round 2: Hopefully this will go to form, and we'll have a Gretzky-lemieux battle for the fourth time, and we'll have a battle of NY that will do doubt be closer than last years romp for us in rnd 2. But first we have Joe Sakic Hartford to face. 98 points and with Fuhr in goal, they are consisently the best team in the Northeast, albeit with noe of the big 6 teams in their division. We win first two games at their place, and that is 22 straight wins from us from the regular season! Make it 24 as a 6-1 and 7-0 thumping put us through. Islanders and Flyers tied at 2. We really got lucky being 3rd seeds, Hartford were rubbish 2nd seeds and we don't face any of the strongest teams in the first two rounds. Islanders and Wings through in 6. Edmonton has a 7th game against the Jets, but they win it. Draem match ups are here!


Round 3 Eastern Conference Final: NY Islanders(1) 125 pts vs NY Rangers(3) 125 pts

Islanders owned the regular season matchups, but Rangers on a huge 24 win streak and won the last game. Islanders duo of Mogilny.Selanne biggest threat, but have a depth rose with Shanhan, and Sundin on second line!

Game 1: Well the Rangers run ends with a shuddering halt. Islanders smash them 10-4 at the Nassau C. Evergreen Tim Kerr with the hatrick!

Game 2: Its no better in the second game 9-2 Islanders, and this is looking insurmountable for the Rangers! Steve Duchesne with 6 points and Selanne withb 2 goals What a start by the Islanders!

Game3: Islanders with a 5-4 win, Selanne again with 2 goals. His last the equaliser in the 3rd period, which lets his partner Mogilny to win it in OT. Rangers looking for pride now, let alone a series win!

Game4:Rangers get on the board and its their turn for an ot win 4-3. Despite blowing a 3-0 3rd period lead, including another late equaliser, Bondra puts it to bed in OT.

Game5:15 goal thriller! 2-1 to Rangers after 1. and 5-5 after the second. Ranges take a 7-6 lead after 6 mins in the third thanks to Linden, but Kerr equalises, and Bondra's tripping call, give MOgilny the hatrick with the PP Goal to send the Islanders through to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time!




Round 3 Western Conference Final Detroit Red Wings(1) 129 pts vs Edmonton Oilers(2) 129 pts

Lemieux vs Gretzky. Oilers with Bourque on the team get 4 100 point scorers, they will be an even match hor Detroit, but they lack the edge in net, Guy Hebert against Hasek of Detroit. Detroit added Coffey in a trade for Quinn in the season, giving them a very strong team.

Game 1: Oilers show their intent. Ray Bourque maybe the best signing of the year. He contains Gretzky to an assists, and Lindros and Lemieux combine for 2 goals and 3 assists in a 4-3 win at Detroit. Gretzky a rare 10 minute misconduct penalty for Slashing as clearly frustated by Bourque's play!

Game 2: Detroit roar back with an excellent team game, all four lines chip in with goals for a 6-2 win. Lemieux pointless Gretzky 2 assists.

Game3: A proper Gretzky Lemieux duel this one, Gretzky 3 assists on Hulls hatrick, but out done by a Hatrick from Lemieux and an assist. However its the 3rd period which wins it for Detroit with the onyl 2 goals from Hull turn a 4-3 deficit into a 5-4 win for Detroit and their first series lead.

Game4: Detroit take both games in Edmonton to put anoter dagger into Lemieux's heart, One more win and its 4-0 to Gretzky in their playoff matchups. Ray Bourque ties the game at 2 midwayt through the 3rd, but Gretzky scores the ot winner. Lemieux 1 assist, Gretzky just that goal.

Game5: Detroit end it 5-2, and go onto another Stnaley Cup final after 4 years of missing out.

Stanley Cup Final Red Wings vs Islanders

So much fire power here again, two evenly matched teams, should be a stormer. First time since 67/68 Rangers not in sc final or won the Presidents Trophy!

Game1:6-5 win for Detroit. They take a 5-1 lead without any points from Gretzky, Larry Murphy with 2 goals and an assits. Randy Wood makes it 5-2 in the last minute of the 3rd, and then tie the game with Selanne Kerr and Daze within 10 mins of the 3rd. Gary Roberts wins it with another assist from Larry Murphy!

Game2: 8-5 win for Detroit, 2-2 after the first period, Amonte's 2 assists for Juneau and Roberts, matched by Gary Suters two rockets. Klima and Hull with Gretzky's assist, makes it 4-2. Then the floodgates open, and Detroit are never caught, winning that period 4-3 with all lines getting a goal. Islanders need their defence more than ever now.


Game3: Gretzky on 41 points in 18 games leads all scores Lemieux has 34, as does Selanne. Gretzky has been slowed in these games, he had 31 points in the first two series, and has 'just' 10 in these two. Bad news for the Islanders if he ups his production. And its another Red Wings victory, 8-4 this time. Islanders ahead after 1 thanks to Sundin and Mogilny scoring either side of Amonte.Murphy equalises, before Dubinsky puts the islesa back in front before Hull scores a power play in the 2nd period to make it 3-3. The 3rd period is evenly played, except by boyth Islanders goaliers Vanbiesbrouck and Irbe, who let in 5 on 13 shots. hasek on oter hand saves 14 out of 15. 5 different scorers for Detroit in that, Gretzky just the two points again. This might be the longest stretch in his career that he doesn't get 3 points or more.

Game4: Can the Islanders avoid the sweep? No a 5-4 defeat and Detroit has the cup again! Gretzky not among the scores interestingle enough! Wen 1 goal and 3 assists with a -1 rating in the final! Surely he won't win the conn smythe despite being top scorer.

Hart:Gretzky
Conn Smyth: Alexei Kasatonov, for his 31 point contribution! its a good call he has 7 assists in the finals with +5
Calder: Markus Naslund
Norris:Ray Bourque
Vezina: Mihail Shtalenkov(BUF)

[lawrence97]

1995/1996 Draft and Pre Season

Cam Neely is asking for too much, and we have youngsters coming through. Al Iafrate and Joe Nieuwendyk are all going to be traded. My target i want is Rob Blake, but montreal are playing hard ball.

Free agency is a non event this year, only Coffey(UFA) and Neely(RFA) available.

Draft

Datsyuk the big name here. Markov and O. Jokinen the only other decent players. I am going all out for Blake, and have to give up Cam, Neely Al Iafrate and Mike Richter to make Montreal a contender if they sign Neely!

Nieuwendyk, Bure and 95 1st rnd pick to Winnipeg for Mark Streit and the 95 and 97 jets 1st rnd pick. Not sure if these deals were the best, losing Cam Neely was a blow but i couldn't give him 8 years at 3 million. I have a lot of people to sign this year so need th budget space.

1-Datsyuk-Florida
2. Jokinen-Florida
3. Markov-Montreal!
17.M. Sturm-NY Rangers, Rozsival an option but Sturm better player.

Modano is sign for 3 mil gor 6 years, kovalev 1 mil for 6 and yashin 1 mil for 5. Linden gets 3.5 for 3 years, coudln't get him to sign for longer. Hopefully those deals will let me keep my star defenders for a long time.

not much in terms of trades either, Coffey(34) ends up with the Kings

[lawrence97]

1995/1996 Season Preview


We have no players in the top 10 in the league, as we traded Richter and Neely! Richter was 3.8 gaa, Khabibulin 2.5, in similar games players last year, so easy decision to let him go. Top 6 this year should expect a threat from the Kariya lef Flyers, and the Forsberg led Sabres

1-Rangers
2-Calgary-Turgeon-Bure-Zubov-Brodeur-Chelios
3-Detroit-Gretzky-Hasek-Amonte-Hull-Murphy
4-NY Islanders-Selanne-Sundin-Mogilny-Duchesne-Shanahan
5-Edmonton-Lemieux, Lindros-Bourque-Francis-Sandstrom
6-Washington-Fedorov-Leetch-Stevens-Hextall-Young
7-Buffalo-Forsberg-Renberg-nylander-Arnott-Housley
8-Philadelphia-Kariya-Messier-Robitaille-Schneider-McLean.

I really hope the addition of Blake with Niedermayer and Pronger stepping up, will shore up our defence. Our offence is still strong but lacks the superpower of Neely. top two lines are Linden-Modano-Bondra, Palffy-Yashin-Kovalev, with Sanderson-Nedved-B'amour on 3rd line. Richer gets pp time but 4line with Demitra and Satan

Should be another tight league, but i'm hoping we get back to winning ways and 500 goals.

[lawrence97]

1995/1996 Regular Season

1st Quarter
An excellent start, going 9-1-1, and beat Islanders along they way, 2 defeats in Nov aren't ideal, but we are 16-4-1, 1 point off the suprising Dallas Stars. Calgary, Phil and Detroit all in close proximity, but the Islanders are on 22 points already 11 behind us. Washington also in siomilar position. Gretzky on 50, Lemieux 48, but Bondra stepping up nicely in Neely's shoes has 45, and is top goalscorer with 25. Gretzky at 34 shows no sign of slowing down! Rangers on course for 500 goals.

Half Way
Bondra is FLYING, on pace to get 180 points and 112 goals. That would smash the goal mark. Dallas has 70 points from 45 games, but we have 69 from 42. Calgary 3rd 68 from 44 Philadelphia are our toughest opponent, they've beaten us twice already this season are on 60 from 42.
Dallas are really suprsiing, they added Damphousse in a trade to partner Fleury, but they league the lead in ga, despite have a evry average defence! Jasyon more id the first choise RD! Vernon in goal, I can't see them keeping this up. Gretzky 1-6, Lemieux 93 Bondra 88

3rd Quarter, an early game against Dallas goes 9-3 in their favour, maybe they are for real? Pat Verbeek score 6 points against us! Dallas do cool off, they are now on 96 after 67 games, Detroit 2 behind with 5 games in hand. Calgary 102 from 65 and us 101 from 63. Gretzky has done another of his magic spurts, closing the game from 12 goals behinod Bondra to 2, Bondra on course for 92 now, can't quite keep the pace up. Islanders have found their from and overtook Phil for second place in our division. the top 8 teams, are in the top 9 positions, But a clear seperation exists as Detroit Calgary the Rangers and ereyone else expect possibly the Islanders on current form.

End of Season
7 games to go, and Bondra is ahead of Gretzky by 6, can he hold on. The race for the presidents trophy is so close Rangers on pace for 131, Detroit 130 and Calgary 129! We've tellingly lost all 3 agaisnt Detroit and won 2 out of 3 agaisnt Dallas will finish to their credit 4th, with the rest of the top teams behind. A shock lossto the sharks by us put Detroit in command and then we lose 5-6 to Florida. Detroit is flawless and finish 1st, we are 2nd on wins, 4 points behind with Calgary.The 'top 8 teams' all get 100 points or mroe bar Washington 99. Gretzky 229 points Lemieux 194, Bondra a superstar with 94 goals and holds off Gretzky Sakic and Jagr to be top scorer. We end up with 524 goals. An excellent season, but Gretzky on a team with Hull & Hasek is a very tough combo. 23 50 goals scorers is a record and 45 players with 100 is defaintley close if not a record. Lets go PLayoffs and see if we get another DET-NYR final, as not had one in a while.

[lawrence97]

1995/1996 Playoffs

Rnd1:We get Boston, they are a very average team Makarov at 37 hits 96, Reichel is good, but thats about it. Tie of the round is Was(5)@Phil(4) NYI(3) agianst Mon(6) should be good too Montreal is a strange team, their physicality is all up fron with Clark, Neely Corson and Reechi. whilst having non physical defenders such as Iafrate Boyle and Gonchar! We go 3-0 but takes 6 games to win, We did not look at our best! The Red Wings Flames Stars and Oilers lost 1 game between them! The top 4 in the wedst really is the top 4. ONly shoch of the roud is Buffalo, where forsberg outdueled by Sakic for Hartford. We meet them again next. Phil gets past Washington in 7, Islanders sweep Montreal, they are the team on form after Detroit!

Rnd2: We have Hartford, NY Islanders vs Philadelphia, Detroit vs Edmonton, the 5th time they have met in the playoffs Detroi 4-1 ahread, can Lemieux win another one? Dallas @ Calgary their first real test of the stars being a top team. Rangers win in 7, despite letting a 3-0 series lead drop. Can't do that against the teams that are left. Islanders defeat Philadelphia 4-2, Detroit-Edmonton goes 7, as does Calgary-Dallas.
Gretzky Lemieux part 5 is probably their bet series, Gretzky and Lemieux combined for 30 points accross the series, Detroit won two games in ot, including the final game, where Edmonton had teid in in the last 30 seconds of regulation, only for Gretzky to set up Bellows for the elimination goal! Gretzky 5-1 up now in playoffs duels. Lemieux may look to move, its been 13 years, 2 sc final losses, 5 conference final elimination, and they don't look like they can beat the big teams, even with Bourque in the line up.

Rnd 3: NYI vs NYR 4th meeting in 5 years 2nd straight conference final which Islanders won their only playoff series against us in 5 games, Which started with two beatings of us. Dallas continue to suprise me and surely will be owerpowered by Gretzky and Hasek. After the first two games we are tied at one and Detroit easily go 2-0 up. We however win both games @ the Islanders defspite mogilny and Selanne combinined for 8 goals in the first 4 games. Bondra Linden and Modano are are playoff aces with 40 goal in 17 games. Dallas however shock detroit to even the series at 2. Benoit Hogue Damphousse Fleury and Lavoie just playing out of their skins, Hogue got 50 goals in regular season on the fleury line after never getting past 31. We finish this series at the first time of asking 6-3, Bondra 2 goals and LIdstrom 3 assists to get us back in the SC final! Dallas win 7-6 in ot in game 5 at Detroit, a Hogue hatrick including the ot winner puts them on the brink! This team is bonkers! Then a 6 goal 3rd period at Dallas for the Red Wings tursn a 2-1 game into an 8-1 laughter. Gretzky 4 points, and its back to the Joe for the decider. Detroit goes 3-0 up, but 3 goals in 2 minutes in the first, all assisted by Damphousse gets the Stars even! A fourth assist in the second for Fleury's hatrick makes it 4-3(Hogue two assists, that line is crazy strong). Can they hodl out in the 3rd. 10 minutes passes despite Detroit presure, but Gretzky sets up Bellows for the equaliser, and with 2 1/2 minutes to go last year Conn Smythe winner Kasatonov puts them ahead, Dallas fights back, but a Hull en ends the game. Bravo Hogue Fleury and Damphousse for a sensational season against the big boys in the West.

Stanley Cup Final

Detroit vs NY Rangers. Undoubtedly the teams of the 90's. Since 87/88 Rangers have 4 presidents trophies, Detroit 3, with 2 going elsewhere. Detroit has 3 cups and we have 4 with Calgary getting the other one. Who will win this round?

Red Wings, have Gretzky-Hull-Bellows as a top line with 536 points between them, klima and Amonte are strong 2nd line forwards, with Larry Murphy kasatonov Chiasson and Zhtinik as a solid defensive corp. They have Roberts Murray and Rucinsky as a decent 3rd line. Hasek in goal.

With us, our strength lies in our defensive corps. Lidstrom Pronger Blake and Niedermayer should hopefully see us through. Bondra is our man to hopefully keep pace with Gretzky. Regular season series, 7-6, 6-5 and 7-4 wins all for Detroit, with first two being at MSG. Detroit are probably favourites.

Game 1: Early 2-0 lead for Detroit through Klima and Murray. Linden and Demitra score after 12 and 16 mins of 1st period to tie it at 2, but Gretzky gets final word on PP. 2nd period, is the period we want back, after outplaying them in the first, and an even game in the second, they score 3 unanswered goals to go 6-2 up, Chiasson Bouillon and Bellows, with 1 Gretzky assist. Period 3 we try to fight back, but its over Gretzky scores again early, Modano adnB rind'Amour make it 7-4 but Hull from Gretzky makes it 8-4 4 points for their top line, 2 assist for Bondra but a -2.

Detroit 1-0 Rangers

Game 2: Rangers have to fight back, Khabibulin gets the start. Detroit go 1-0 up through Racinsky, but Modano equalises soon after. Murphy puts Detroit back in the lead. 2nd Period, and the Rangers are back on it outshooting Detroit 17-2, Yashin Blake and Nedved make it 4-2, and need to hold on to get back to msg with a tied series. Brett Hull scores after 2 minutes to get them within one, and then equalises in the last minute. OT is all detroit 9 shots to 2, and they score through McLlwain. Rangers in a whole

Detroit 2-0 Rangers

Game3: That 5 straight games Detroit have won against us. But the rot stops here, an 8-3 win, with Bondra getting 4 points. Ozonlish gets us the lead after 1 beofre 3 goals in the 2nd end the game through Sanderson Yashin and Bondra. Amonte theb Bondra and 2 for Linden make it 7-1, before Bellows and Murphy get destroit to 7-3. Sanderson makes it 8.

Detroit 2-1 Rangers

Game4: Khabibulin is now the started for rest of the series. Carey had played majority of season. Detroit again score first through Kasatonov. but Palffy equalises 10 seconds later before Niedermayers makes it 2-1 Rangers to compete 1st period scoring. Rangers dominate play in that period, but second period is even, and althoughb we go 4-1 through Palffy and Pronger, Detroit then get the 2 goals there play deserves through Hull and Murray(No points for Gretzky so far). Third period and rangers outshoot and out play the Red Wings all period. Final Shots are 39-29 to us, but you have to make it count on the scoreboard. Bondra does just that to make it 5-3, but McLlwain scores soon after to make it 5-4. Despite heavy pressure we can't score, but Palffy then pops up again with 2 goals, to take his tally for the match to 4, and we win deservedly 7-4. Now we have to find a way to win at the Joe

Detroit 2-2 Rangers

Game 5: Heading into this game Gretzky leads on 44, Bondra Linden and Modano on 38, Palffy on 31, with Detroit Bellows and Hull on 32. Putting Modano and Linden on the top line rather than Yashin and Palffy after the 2 straight defeats, and Khabibulin in goal has changed the dynamics of this series. Its now us who have the better of the play. First period its 15 shots to 11, and we score 3 unaswered goals. Blake Linden and Richer with a killer at 19:59 of the period. 2nd Period Detroit make a strong start and get one back through McLlwain, but we then take over again, and Blake and Palffy have surely won it for us. Brind'Amour gets another in the third, and Klima gets a late consolation. We win easily 6-2 it has to be said. Gretzky agains the Modano line is now 1 assist in three game and a -3!

Detroit 2-3 Rangers

Game6: Can Gretzky find a way to solve Khabibulin and the Modano line? Or will the Rangers get to win the SC at MSG? Its a strong start by Detroit and they dominate the 1st period 12 shots to 5, but can't solve Khabibuilin, my MVP. Modano solves Hasek though, with assists from Linden and Bondra, who are a brilliant line it has to be said.Period 2, the Red Wings are deflated and are out shot 16-6. We don't make the mistake of not capitalising, and Niedermayer and Nedved make it 3-0. We can't let this slip. However 3 minutes into the 3rd, and Detroit is on the board, Zhtink from Hull. A few minutes later its Bouillon from Gretzky and out of nowhere its 3-2. Its an even period, with Rangers getting 12 shots to Detroit's 9. Gretzky plays well with his line generating a decent amount of shots it has to be said, buts its Khabibulin who wins, He doesn't allow any more goals, and is my playoff mvp, but lets see who does get it!

Detroit 2-4 Rangers


Gretzky gets 45 points, Linden 43 Modano 41 and Bondra 40, he had most goals with 20.

Hart: Wayne Gretzky
Conn Smythe: Trevor Linden
Calder: Valeri Bure (Win)
Norris: Niklas Lidstrom
Vezina:Mike Vernon(Dal-unsuprisingly)

[lawrence97]

96/97 NHL Pre Season and Draft

No major fre agents, Kasatonov and Murphy are both over 35 and are only major names in there. Richer contract is coming up and he is 30, but i am going to trade him at the Draft as Elias and Hejduk are ready. I also have Koivu on the team, but he is not better than anyone else. Nedved probably the player to go. I will get some future draft picks as this team is good for a few years.

Draft:

Such is the low scoring of the dead puck era, feels a shock that there's some unavailable players here in Thornton & Hossa. Theres some good players in this draft.

1-Thornton-FLA
2-Luongo-TB
3-Marleau-SJ
4-Morrow-STL
5-Gomez-NJ-Two more players going to their original teams!
6-B. Campbell-Pitt
7-Hossa-Col
8-Tanguay-Anaheim
9-Trade Richer and my 23rd pick for Ottawa 9th and Edmonton's pick they had, and their number 1 pick for next year
Nagy-NY Rangers
21-Maxim Afinogenov

Nedved goes to Toronto for 97 and 98 1st rnd picks, givin up my 98 1st and 2nd. Now have 4 1st rnd picks next year with Phoenix Ottawa and Toronto, and then just Toronto's next year. Zetterberg, Richards, Gagne and some excellent goalies as well. Talking of which JIm Carey will have to go next year so Vokoun can come in. None of my goalies look that impressive, but Khabibulin has excellent stats and is my number 1 despite Carey being ranked better.

[lawrence97]

1996/1997 Season Preview

Koivu sent to Stars for 1999 1st rnd pick, i'm betting they get worse by then! Salaries next year all sorted, Lindstrom tied up till 02/03 on 3.7 a year, Niedermayers 1.7 till 00/01. Carey for 175k for 4 years is good. Still have a lot of room under by budget, But Ruotsalainen, one of the top 4 defenders we've ever had is not getting his contract renewed. Hopefully he'll retire at end of year at 37 If not he can sign on for another team. His 3 Conn Smythes are most for anyone not called Brad Park, and he has 2 Norris Trophies as well. He is up there with the greats for the Rangers.

World Cup of Hockey Time and Canada win, Lemieux 18 pts in 6 games!

No major trades.

Top Team feels a changing of the guard now, Flames and Islanders should be strong, Dallas are down in 10th in the rankings. Teams are now starting to be very even, with the top 8 teams now being hit by age, and not as strong in depth. However

1-Rangers
2-Flames- Seoncd best team 6 5 star players, make them the biggest threat
3-Canadiens-To get Blake from them, i've turned them into a contendor, Richter Neely Iafrate, Calrk Boyle, Gonchar Corson and Allison make this team very dangerous
4-Red Wings-Hull Gretzky Hasek are all still great.5 4 star players behind them
5-Flyers-Karita onlt real young superstar, but Messier and Robitaille stil good
6-Islanders, Great offence, no defensive players and no goalie is an issue for them
7-Oilers, Still with Lemieux/Lindros.Francis, but not much else now Bourque traded to Chicago stuipdly. Jeff Brown a decent acquisition though. I can't see them coming throuigh Calgary, Detroit or us though.

We have a decent team , Hejduk will not last long in this team he's there as a placeholder for Nagy, and will be used as trade bait to get one of the upcoming players in the draft.

[lawrence97]

1996/1997 Season


1st Quarter
19-1-1 For the Rangers, Islanders 4 behind, Calgary 6. Detroit, Edmonton not far behind.We're however on pace for one of our lowest goal totals ever at 450. Gretzky is just ridiculous 67 points in 22 games! aLL He's had edited was his aging set to 16, and at 21 his stats matched to those he had at that age. He's barely lost a step

Half Way
Gretzky108-Lemmieux107. Dallas(56) ahead of Detroit(53) in the central! Calgary(71) ckear of Edmonton(61) in the Pacific. Canadiens(59) clear of Buffalo(46). Whilst the 39-2-1 Rangers(79), are only 3 clear of the 76 point Islander, but do have 2 games in hand. Islanders are FLYING this year. Both teams on pace for over 145 points. Rangers on pace for 500 now, Islanders 550!. Rangers +137 Islanders +147. Calgary +110. Edmonton only other team close with +84.

3rd Quarter
We have a 2-2-2 strech, but Islanders also cool off slightly and we are 8 clear of them. Standings have stayed the same since the 42 game mark. Bondra has caught up and is top scorers, 4 clear of Lemieux with 69. Lemieux is ahead of Gretzky by 4 having played the same amount of games. Both on pass for 210+.

End Of Season
We end up on 149, a last game defeat by the Islanders dnies us 150 points. We beat Detroit 10-0 along the way! End up on 526 goals, Islanders 479. They get 136 points. Calgary 126. Dallas suprised again with 110, Detroit really fell off with 108. They were getting 130 the last three seasons. Let see if they can recover in Playoffs

Bondra gets 90 to get back to back top goalscorer. Lemieux gets 218 finally breaking Gretzky art ross run. 46 100 PT SCORERS 21 50 GOAL SCORERS.

[lawrence97]

1996/1997 Playoffs

Should be a straight fight between Islanders Rangers and Flames, but 10 teams break 100, so an upset is not impossible.

Rnd1: Devils vs Rangers. Devils have young Kiprusoff, Naslund and Arnott and olf timers Kurri Steen and Murphy. All 3 are dead cert hof. Still shoudln't be close. We lose the first, win the next 15-3!, the a 6-5 6-1 and 8-0 run put them away easily.

Rnd2: Our yearly Sakic meeting, as the Whalers in their last year stun Montreal! Calgary and Islander are easily through. Islanders have a tough Philly match up Calgary have the Kings, whilst its a 6th match up for Gretzky and Lemieux! However, things don't go to plan! despite our amazing season and the fact we always stroll past Hartford, they win hte first two at MSG! Then they win game 4 to take a 3-1 lead! Changes are made, and Yashin is booted from top line. We then thump them 9-2, 804, 7-2. Lemieux gets past Gretzky for just the second time, Islanders thump Phil 4-0, and Calgary gets to a 7th game with the Kings which they..win 5-3! Top 4 teams are the final four!

Rnd3: Tough battle ahead with the Mogilny-Selanne duo. Can lemiexu drag his oilers into the SC for the third time? and first time since 91/92.
Rangers for once win the first game 3-2. Calgary open their series with a 5-2 win. Its 2-0 to the Rangers and Flames with a 6-3 and 7-1 win respectively. Islanders and Oilers are in a big hole. A crazy 9-7 win for NY, and its 3-0 now, Edmonton give themselves a chance with a 5-2 win for a 2-1 series deficit. Rangers complete the sweep with a 5-3 win. The line change worked wonders. Yashin Bondra Modano now all thriving whilst seperated. Edmonton tie up the series with a 6-1 stomping! They then move 1 game away from the finals with a 10-6 stunner! 5 points for Lemieux hat trick for Lindros! And they get the 4th win at the next game a 3-1 win! Edmonton back in the showpiece much to my suprise!


Stanley Cup Final

A repeat of the 91/92 Final which the Rangers won in 5. Rangers with 11 players on 70 points or more, Kovalev had 66. Oilers with the 6, This all cxomes down to Lemieux and Lindros, if they can dominate they have a chance, if they don't they'll be blown away. Regualr Series scores weren't close, 11-8m 6-3 and 7-4 wins for the Rangers.

Game1: Edmonton manage 57 shots! Khabibulin saves 52! Unbelievable! Rangers 'only' get 40, but its the Rangers who win 6-5. uwe Krupp and Sundstrom make it 2-0 in the 1st for Edmonton, before Kovalev and Niederamyer equalise before the end of the period. Claude Lemieux restores the lead, but Kovalev in hte last minute of the 2nd,makes it 3-3 Rangers score 3 goals in the first 8 minutes of the third, Brind'Amour, Palffy and Blake, two late goal by Sundstrom and McGilies, make it 6-5. Mario Lemieux 2 assists but 9 shots, Khabibulin is the hero again.

Rangers 1-0 Oilers

Game2: Even game in terms of shots, but not on the score board. Goal and an assist for Mario in first period, as Palffy reduces the areas to make it 2-1 Edm at the first intermission. Kozlov, Lindros and Khristich score to make it 5-1 after 15 minutes of the 2nd. Pronger gives us faint hope with a goal at 18 mins.3rd period Demitra makes it 5-3, but Mario two goals ends the contest with Demitra getting a consolation. 7-4. Oilers will win their first cup if they play like this the whole period. I put Yashin on the top line for the next game

Rangers 1-1 Oilers

Game3: Explosive first period, Bondra and Pronger make it 2-0, but Lindros 2, with Kozlov and Krupp contributing make it 4-2. Rangers dominate the rest of the game, getting 31 shots to Oilers 12. Bondra gets one back in the 2nd, and Demitra equalises in the 3rd. Both team gets a shot away in the overtime period, but its Francis who scores for Edmoton, to put them 2-1 up! Can Lemieux finally get his cup!!

Rangers 1-2 Oilers

Game 4: Crucial game here, Rangers would feel they have the upper hand if they win this one. They definatley don't win it! Lemieux 5 points, Lindros 4, Stillman 5 and Francis 3, as they pound the Rangers 10-3. Line changes didn't work! Oilers a game away!

Rangers 1-3 Oilers

Game 5: Oilers with the 37 shots to Rangers 21, Edmonton have consistently been the better team this series, but the Rangers go 2-0 ion the first, Brind'Amour and Linden. Khristich get one back, hejduk makes it 3-1 in the 2nd, but Lindros from Lemieux gives the oilers hope. The third period, Frnacis equalises, and Mario Lemieux gets the go ahead goal at 10:55. he then assists Brown on the en goal to seal it! Very fitting he gets the winning stanley cup final goal and finally wins a cup!

Rangers 1-4 EDMONTON OILERS

Lemieux and Lindros simply overpowered us in this final, Lemiexu ends up 21 goals and 48 points for a slam dunk Conn Smythe, he got 16 points in the 5 games agaisnt us, he was just too good.

Hart:Lemieux
Conn Smythe Lemiuex(he gets Ted Lindsay and Art Ross)
Calder: Jerome Iginla(Anaheim)
Norris: Niklas Lidstrom
Vezina: Mike Richter(MTL)

[lawrence97]

1997/1998 Draft and Pre Season
No big free agents here, Ruotsalinen is a 3 star player.
I get Sanderson, Palffy, Ozolinsh & Vokoun to sign for 3.4 years all less for 1.5 million. Linden and B'Amour askf for 4.5, but get them both for 3.85 for 7 years. Brind'amour need a NTC to sign as did Palffy, but that 'll work. Still leave me 7 million of budget for nexy year.

Draft, Unavailable to me are Lecavalier, and the Sedin twins, Zetterberg and Richards are available though projected to be 4th and 8th. I have a lot of picks this draft, Toronto, Phoenix, Ottawa and my own. Ottawa finished 22nd, Toronto 17th and Phoenix 12th, meaning i have the 5th, 11th and 15th pick of this draft!

1-D. Sedin-Anaheim
2-H. Sedin-Tampa Bay
3-Zetterberg-Florida
4-Lecavalier-Ottawa(97 1 and 97 3 to get this from SJ!)
5-B. Richards-NYR
6- M. Fischer-Colorado
7-Ribeiro-Washington
8-R. Miller-Chicago
9-Ryder-Boston
10-Gagne Penguins

There not much here maybe Brygalov, but i don't need him so i look to trade away Jim Carey and my remaining picks.
Trade him to Colorado for their 98 1st and 99st, whilst i give them Toronto 1st Rnd this year. Hopefully they'll be rubbish in a couple years time Trade my last two picks for Penguins 1st 1998. I have Tor, Pit and Col 1st rnd next year, and Dal Col and mine in 99. Dallas were 5th last year everyone else was between 15th and 19th. So hopefully at least one will turn into a top 5 pick. Ruotslainen, shockingly joins our rivlas the Devils!

[lawrence97]

1997/1998 Season Preview

1-Rangers- Palffy and Yashin i want to turn into 100 point scorers, with koavlev Demitra and Sanderson getting mroe ice time. Brind'Amour and Linden off power play and onto 3rd line. my top 3 lines all get 18 mins each though, so they'll still have plenty of ice time.

2-Calgary-Brodeur in net, Zubov Chelios in D, Carson Bure, Turgeon btothers Straka Sullivan Lehtinen and Pece is a well well balanced team!

3-Detroit-Gretzky.Hasek Hull well into their 30's am trading for their draft picks in a years time

4-Montreal-Neely, Allison, Reechi Iafrate Gonchar Boyle and Richter.(mainly due to the fact i gave them three of those players for Blake!)

5-NY Islanders- Mogilny(6)-Selanne(7) are best combo in league, only Jagr(3) and Hull(4) are rated better than them on the wings Top 2 are Gretkzy and Lemieux, Richter is 5th!, whilst Kariya Sakic and Modano round out top 10. Islanders still have Shanahan Sundin, Suter, Duchesne, but Irbe and Vanviesbrouck are both 2 star goalies.

6-Defending Champs Oilers-Kolzig in goal is a nice upgrade, they traded sundstrom to the Avs for him. but this is all about the Lemieux-Francis-Lindros power trio. Stillman and Claude Lemieux help fill out the top 6, Jeff Brown is past his best on D though.

7-Stars, i still don't rate them, despite two erxcellent seasons, lets see if Fleury and Hogue can keep producing that magic! I have a draft pick of theirs for next year that says they can't!

Florida Panthers are team to look our for Datysuk and Thorton are young players on their team, they'll be good in a while

[lawrence97]

[B]1997/1998 Regular Season/B]

1st Quarter
Start off with a bang with an early start due to the Olympic Games, and we its repeat of last years Stanley Cup final. and we blast them 9-1, Bondra a hat trick, and we then lose 7-5 to the Kings! then by same score to pesky Dallas Stars! Kovalev quickly demoted to third line for Demitra. Rangers 19-2 to start the year, goal scoring for us has gone off the charts, on pace for over 600. Looks like i've found the right balance in my team. Putting Linden and Brind'Amour on line 3 has really opened up the offensive tap for everyone else. 100 Point watch 10 players on course. Modano on pace for 212 points lead Bondra be 8, Bondra on course for 112 goals. Gretzky on pace for 190 as is Lemieux. Islanders and Flames have only lost 3 games this year and right behind us.

Half Way and we are still on course for over 600 goals, and 10 players to hit 100. Only lose one game to the Islanders, but we are out on out own now. Modano and Bondra eased off a little, still on course for 170 pts plus, but will need a spurt. Lemieux 99 from 41, Selanne 95 from 42 Gretzky 95 from41. Modano 92 from 42.

NoteGretzky has to be noted has a 10 point game from March 95, only just noticed, that is the new record*. he leads career points goals and assists. Only think he lacks is most assists in a season! He's only just switch to Gretzky's office the past couple of years, He shares most assists 146 with Mikita and Lemieux.

3rd Quarter

Ranger keep rolling, 12 players on course for 100! Modano top on 138 pts, but Gretzky Lemieux and Selanne right behind with games in hand. Bondra 11 clear of Lemieux with 73 in 63. Flames have had a poor run, But big gap from us to Islanders(119-98) before 5 teams 15 back from the Islanders

Olmypics Games: Czechs much in real life beat USA and Canada on way to gold! Jagr and Spacek score 2 third period goal to win it after Reechi first period goal. Hasek wins this standing on his head 54 saves!

End of Season

We edit our lines to give Kovalev and Niedermayer the chance to beomce the 11th and 12th skaters to get 100 points in the season, and NIedermayer with 2 pts in his last game gets there. An amazing season for the Rangers.

Bondra breaks Gretzky goal record in a season with 110 and 191 points
Modano gets 200 poinst and first centre to score 50 goals in a season for us
We set season record of 161 points and 641 goals, just two off our best in 1977/1978

Lemieux wins second straigh Hart Trophy, 211 points edges out Modano-201 and Gretzky 199/ Bondra what a season, last 11 games 5 hat tricks!! Him Palffty and Modano really combine well together. a new record 51! Players get 100 point, we contribute 24% off that, and 20 50 goals scorers.


Islanders have 134 points, with Ottawat Red Wings Oilers and Flyers getting 100. MOntreal only 90, and Dallas finally playing like i expect get 82. Penguins finish 3rd last giving me a great pick! In fact i believe i had 3 top ten picks this year.

[lawrence97]

1997/1998 NHL Playoffs

Islanders and Flames should be only oppsotion for me, but i am expecting the Cup in dominant fashion.

Rnd1: Boston with Reichle as star playerget swept and conceed 31 goals. Islanders through, Canadiens beat Flyers in 7 in highlight of the round(Ex Rangers Neely and RIchter and Iafrate vs Roy, Messier Kariya and Robitaille) Detroit Calgary Stars and Oilers all through.

Rnd2: Gretzky vs Bure in Rnd 2 is a highlight in match up of two of recent Stanley Cup Winners. Other winners Rangers get Montreal, and defending Champs Edmonton get the plucky Stars. We shows why we traded away those players to Montreal as beat them easily, although they did win 1 game. Islanders sweep Ottawa, and its another Islanders-Rangers rematch. Oilers thump Stars, but heavyweights Flames and Red Wings in a 7th game. Detroit win at home to set up anoter Gretzky-Lemieux showdown!


Rnd3: For the fourth year running Islanders and Rangers meet in the Conference Final. Oilers of Lemieux vs Red Wings of Gretzky meet up for the 7th time. Detroit ahead 4-2 in series match up but Edmonton stronger now, as Detroit look old.

East
NYR (1) 161pts vs NYI (3) 134pts

Game1:Niedermayer hat trick in a 11-1 Romp for Rangers 1-0 Islanders
Game2:Islanders win 3-2 Mogilny and Shanahan score the goals to tie the series!
Game3: 4th liner Satan the hero, with 3 points as a tight game goes 7-6 to the Rangers, Islanders had bigget lead of the game a 6-4 after 2, but Visnovsky and Lidstrom tries it in the third, before Sanderson OT goal wins it!
Game4: Islanders win 5-4! Shanahan and Gratton early in third enough for the win, to turn a 3-4 deficit into a win!!
Game5: Anoter tight game after the first game blowout 6-5 to the Rangers, Bondra with his 6th and 7th, scores the 3rd period goals to break a 4-4 tie and the 6-5 winner.
Game6:Rangers through! But in OT, 3-2 Kerr equalises with 18:56 gone in the third. Brind'Amour from LIdstrom the series winning goal!


West
Edm(1) 117pts vs Det(2) 116pts

Game1::OT winner by Mario Lemieux after Gretzky equalises with 13 sceonds to go. Edmoton wins 8-7. Gretzky 2 goals, but Lemieux 7 points with 3g 4a!)
Game2:Edmonton 10-2, Lemieux 4 points, Gretzky 0 in a thumping.
Game3etroit 4-3 winners, and in ot, Lemieux only point in the game is to put the oilers 3-2 up early in third. Tarnstrom equalises for Detroit, adn Svehla wins it in ot, Gretzky had a goal and an assist early.
Game4: Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky score a hat trick each! But Detroit always ahead to tie series up
Game5:Edmoton win 4-2 for a 3-2 serie lead. Lemieux and Gretzky pointless for ones!
Game6: Edmonton wins another shootout, Claude Lemieux with 4 points and a hat trick, Mario with 4 points, Gretzky 1 goal and 3 assists!

Its a repeat of last years final where we got run over!

Stanley Cup Final

We've slowed in the playoffs, Bondra not scoring as highly, will change lines ups and top scorere for us Brind'Amour(25 in 15) is going on a line with Modano and Linden agaisnt the Lemieux line. Mario has 42 points in 16 games, Gretzky had 39 in 18. Lindros is still dangerous, as is second line of Francis Kozlov and Stillman. Regular season was a 3 gamed sweep for the Rangers, 9-1, 5-4 and 6-5. But this was alsmot exactly same scenario as last year. Can we get revenge for last year?

Game 1: Rangers 9-2 Oilers. Bondra best game of playoffs with 3 goals and an assist. Linden 4 points, Lemieux an assist but -2. So far so good
Rangers 1-0 Oilers

Game2:Rangers 4-3 two early goals by defenders Niinima and Brown, get Edmonton on board first, Bondra with 50 seconds to go in the first makes it 1-2. In the 3rd, Yashin with 2 and Kovalev gives us a lead that we hold onto for the win. Lemieux 1 point only again and 0 on the plus minus
Rangers 2-0 Oilers

Game3:Oilers 2-5 Rangers. Although KOlzig in goal is a massive upgrade for them, Brind'Amour Linden and Modano is a match for the Lemieux line, in fact its beating them overall! Lemieux again 1 assist and a +1. Rob Blake actuall gets 2 goals, with Modano and Linden and then KOvalev making it 5-1 before McGillies gets a late consolation
Rangers 3-0 Oilers

Game4:Oilers 3-6 Rangers. We get the Stanley Cup, apart from the Islanders, no one was a match for us this season, Ranges 4-0 after 2 minutes of the 2nd, Demitra, Blake Linden and Satan with the goals. Brown from Francis makes it 4-1, but Blake makes it 5 with his second straight 2 goal game, Lemieux with a goal and only points(4 in 4 for him)of the game make it 5-2 heading into the third, MacGillis with his 4th of the playoffs makes it interesting with 12 to go, but a minute later Blake completes the HAT TRICK! Thats 10 for him, ends it! Lemieux top scores in playoffs with 46, Brind'Amour for us with 31, Modano Demitra, Blake and Linden Yashin Kovalev and Palffy all in the 20's showing that our strength in depth is too much this year.

Hart: Lemieux
Conny Smythe: Lemieux(scandalous decision!)
Calder: Marc Savard
Norris:Lidstrom(3rd straight!)
Vezina: Richter(Mtl)

[lawrence97]

B]1998/1999 Expansion Draft, Draft & Pre Season[/B]

We trade Kozlov and a 2nd rnd pick to the Red Wings for their 2000 1st rnd pick. Expansion draft comnig now, where we'll lose some of our best players. Satan, Vishnovksy, Kovalev and Sanderson are all unprotected. Vokoun is the one to go luckily, but wiuth 2 more expansion drafts, i'm going to have to get some more picks and a back up goalie.

Draft
Heatley(unavailable), Di Pietro and Havlat lead a very poor draft class. I picked the worst time to have good luck with my trades! Have 4th 10th and 13th.

1-Sharp-Nashville
2-Williams-Tampa
3-Heatley-Anaheim(Sedin,Bertuzzi, Iginla & Tanguay are a good bunch)
4-Di Pietro-NYR(solves back up issue)
5-Kronwall NJ
10-Havlat-NY Rangers

No one else in this draft so trade 13th pick for Dallas 2000 1st.

Contracts- All players signed, Blake, despite stellar years only after 1.5!

Trade Phil sends Kariya to Buffalo for Renberg. I get Legace from Nashville, who have 5 decent gt from the expansion draft, i give up a 3rd and 4th and Marco Sturm