More shots, more scoring chances, more opposing players in front of the net. Life in the new NHL has been
anything but pleasant, so far, for goalies.
If those obstacles weren't enough, the league's netminders also face the increased traffic with smaller equipment
and less room in which they can play the puck.
Well, help is on the way in the form of two-time defending Vezina Trophy winner Martin Brodeur.
The New Jersey Devils star goaltender, who recently made it back from an early season knee injury, was appointed
this week to the competition committee formed by the league and the players association.
"I am excited to be a part of the competition committee, since it plays such an important role in the future
of the NHL," Brodeur said. "I look forward to representing the goalie fraternity as part of my role."
Brodeur and Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco were two players directly impacted by the rule that limits where
goalies can play the puck. No longer can they go below the goal line to get the puck in the corners. Instead, they can only
stickhandle in a trapezoidal area behind the goal.
But at least from now on, goalies will have a voice in deciding what is best for the ever-changing league.
"We were all a little nervous coming into the season with the changes, not just one or two of them, but all
of them combined, what it possibly could do," Turco said. "It's just the mental challenge after games and after weeks or months
after some seemingly bad games, there's just nights that I've actually felt like I've played well and let in four or five
goals. But you just have to let it go."
In addition to Brodeur, the committee includes players Rob Blake of Colorado, Jarome Iginla of Calgary, Trevor
Linden of Vancouver and Brendan Shanahan of Detroit. The clubs are represented by general managers Bob Gainey of Montreal,
Kevin Lowe of Edmonton, David Poile of Nashville, Don Waddell of Atlanta and owner Ed Snider of Philadelphia.
Colin Campbell, the league's director of hockey operations, supervises and is a nonvoting member. Mike Gartner,
the NHLPA's director of business relations, also is a nonvoting member.
The committee, established in the new collective bargaining agreement, consists of up to 10 voting members
for the purpose of evaluating and making recommendations on matters relating to the game - and the way it is played - to the
NHL board of governors.
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ALEX AND SID: Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin already have their personal rivalry well in swing, and
the rookie rivalry will be revved up more this week when they face off against each other for the first time.
Even though they haven't shared the same ice yet, they already have engaged in battles.
Crosby, the 18-year-old Canadian phenom chosen by Pittsburgh with the first pick in the NHL draft, edged his
Washington counterpart - the 2004 No. 1 pick - for the first rookie of the month award of the season.
Some questioned the decision, but both have lived up to the hype in the early going.
Crosby led rookies in scoring during October by notching 14 points on two goals and 12 assists in 11 games.
Ovechkin held the goal lead, pouring in eight and setting up five others for 13 points in 11 games.
Heading into this weekend, Crosby was still on top with 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) to Ovechkin's 19
(14 goals, five assists).
All that just serves as debate fodder as to who the top rookie will be at the end of the season. A real test
will come Tuesday in Pittsburgh when Ovechkin and the Capitals visit Crosby and the Penguins in the first of four meetings
this season.
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GIVING THANKS: Only six of the NHL's 30 teams will be in action on Thanksgiving.
Of the three games on the schedule, only one features a Canadian team - the Vancouver Canucks, who will host
the San Jose Sharks.
The other holiday matchups include the New York Rangers facing the Atlanta Thrashers, and the Nashville Predators
against the Los Angeles Kings in the Music City.
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SENATORS SHOOTING: Daniel Alfredsson skated off with offensive player of the week honors two weeks ago, and
he has another target in his sights - 50 goals.
After a two-goal effort Thursday night in Ottawa's 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers, the Senators captain
had 18 in 17 games. So not only is the half-century mark clearly in reach, Alfredsson has the chance to hit the mark of 50
in 50.
Not bad for a guy whose previous high for a whole season was 37 during 2001-02.
"I wouldn't say I'm a natural scorer," the Swede said. "I think I'm extremely hot right now and I would love
to keep it going, and I believe I can get to 50."
New teammate Dany Heatley notched 15 in the first 17 games, and Martin Havlat chipped in with eight. All three
have posted four-goal games this season, with Alfredsson and Havlat doing it on the same night.
Heatley, who has points in every game this season, was held to a pedestrian two goals in that 10-4 win at
Buffalo on Nov. 2.
As a team, the Senators had 80 goals in their first 17 games. They could become the first club since the 1985-86
Edmonton Oilers to have 400 in a season. That Wayne Gretzky-led squad scored 426 - 72 more than Calgary, which finished second.
"I don't know if we'll get to 400, but we are off to a great start, that's for sure," Alfredsson said. "I
think there are more chances in the game now because of the new rules. I think it's easy to get a forecheck going, and I think
that is probably the biggest thing for a team to create chances.
"It's tougher for the goalies to play the puck, which makes it easier, and it's tougher for the D to hold
guys up. So that's the big reason I think that goals are up in the league for sure."
