Officials from three New York-area NHL franchises
recently discussed the league's plans for expansion,
according to Dan Wasserman of the Newark STAR-LEDGER.
Islanders GM/Head Coach Mike Milbury: "There is not an
unlimited supply of players. Whether the Commissioner likes
it or not, I think its time to slow it [expansion] down for
a long time." Devils President/GM Lou Lamoriello: "We'll
see some expansion, probably at least two teams, and we'll
have problems with the talent pool. It's already been
depleted." Rangers President Neil Smith: "The cardinal rule
of marketing has been broken which is keep supply below
demand. In the NHL we've expanded to the point where some
cities are trying to make marquis players out of players who
are not at that level" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 11/26).
NO HELP: It's "virtually certain" Ohio State Univ.
"will play no role" in helping Columbus land an NHL team,
according to Dan Crawford of COLUMBUS BUSINESS FIRST. Ohio
State is not willing to permanently share its new arena
scheduled to open in '98. Whalers officials have been
talking to Columbus, OH, officials about possibly
relocating. OSU President E. Gorden Gee: "The first
priority of this arena must be the university ... hockey has
a lot of nights, so that could run into some serious
conflict" (COLUMBUS BUSINESS FIRST,11/25).
