NHL NEWS & NOTES: BOSTON COLUMNIST TAKES SHOT AT EXPANSION

          In Boston, Kevin Paul Dupont writes on NHL expansion:
     "The talent base just isn't there to support the growth
     spurt.  That's the truth the NHL should take to the bank,
     rather than the $60 million or $75 million expansion fees,
     per team ... The Lords of the Boards should lock the door at
     the expansion office, throw away the key and do what they
     can to relocate the small market clubs such as Hartford,
     Edmonton, Ottawa, maybe even Calgary" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/8). 
     In Philadelphia, Les Bowen notes the "uncomfortably high
     number of tickets remaining" for tonight's Panthers-Flyers
     game and the "neutral-zone trap" and slow pace played by
     some teams.  Bowen: "Maybe the game really is getting
     boring" (PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 12/10).