The National Hockey League regular season is sometimes considered meaningless. But this one could have more significance for the Blackhawks, considering the number of potential record-setting performances.
Here`s part of the record list they are pursuing in the last 30 games:
– With 15 road victories in hand, they need seven more to top the 21 road games won in 1973-74.
– With 18 more victories, they can equal the club high of 49 victories in 1970-71.
– With 10 more victories, goalie Ed Belfour will pass Tony Esposito`s team record of 38 wins in 1969-70.
– With 20 more goals, right wing Steve Larmer would become the third Hawk to score 50 in a season, following Bobby Hull and Al Secord.
Ready to serve: Mike Keenan acknowledged that although the formalities still must be carried out, he is eager to become coach and general manager of Team Canada during September`s Canada Cup tournament. Alan Eagleson, who oversees the Team Canada selection committee, said Tuesday that Keenan was assured of coaching the team and likely would be GM, too.
”It`s up to Alan when he wants to speak to the appropriate parties,”
said Keenan, who didn`t want to announce the move himself. ”It`s not completely solidified, but it`s pretty close.”
Keenan knows the jobs are his and is looking forward to September, when he will be absent from some of the Hawks` training camp to be with Team Canada. ”I did it in Philadelphia (in 1987) and it won`t be a problem,”
Keenan said about missing some exhibition games and practices. ”It`s probably very exciting for the other coaches to think about running it.”
The kid: Before Thursday`s game with Buffalo, Jeremy Roenick will receive a check of $500 from a hockey-card company. It is his reward for being NHL Player of the Week from Jan. 7-13, a span in which he had four goals and five assists in three games.
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Nothing new: Keenan didn`t specifically rate his chances to trade one of his three NHL roster goalies before the early March trading deadline, but he said: ”It might have to be one of those situations where a team has an injury or has to make the playoffs. There`s nothing going on now (in trade talks).”
Higher level: While emphasizing that center Adam Creighton hasn`t had a poor season so far, Keenan did point out: ”I`d like to see him on par for a 30-goal season (he has 14 goals in 45 games), see him play at that level. He`s capable of it.”
Close tabs: Brian Noonan is playing so well at Indianapolis that Keenan is watching closely to see if he would want the winger recalled to boost the Hawks offense. Noonan started the season with the Hawks, but was demoted and briefly walked out on the organization before returning. ”It hurts him that he`s not a finisher when he has played (in the NHL),” Keenan said. ”If he was, he`d be here and not there (in Indy).”