There are so many stories about players knocking Blackhawks coach Mike Keenan behind the scenes, many of which are true, that justice should be served by setting the record straight on reports that are inaccurate.
The latest juicy anecdote making the rounds, and spreading even wider after being printed in a Montreal newspaper, is that defenseman Chris Chelios tossed Keenan out of a postseason party the team was having at a downtown Chicago restaurant. Keenan argued it was a public place, the story went, but Chelios told him to take a hike, it was players only.
Not true, Chelios said Tuesday. ”The team didn`t even have a postseason party,” he said. ”I don`t know where this started, but I`m trying to find out. I think it`s just people in Montreal trying to stir things up. It never happened. Where would I come off doing something like that, anyway?”
It is true Chelios and ex-Hawk Denis Savard, the principals in last summer`s blockbuster trade, recently golfed together in Chicago. And it is true during their chatter, they didn`t call Keenan the best coach they have ever had. But then, you could have guessed that, couldn`t you?
Big money player: The Hawks reportedly are one of the teams that have talked about obtaining right wing Jari Kurri`s rights from the Edmonton Oilers. But the price tag may drive them out. Other teams discussing Kurri with Oilers General Manager Glen Sather are Los Angeles, Hartford and Philadelphia. Kurri played last season for the Milan Devils in Italy, walking out on Edmonton after scoring 1,043 points in 10 seasons. Kurri is said to want a $1 million a year salary, plus another million as a signing bonus. Sather wants first-round picks in return at the June 22 draft. Stay tuned.
Advise and consent: Keenan spent last weekend in Los Angeles discussing this summer`s Canada Cup with the Kings` Wayne Gretzky. Keenan and Gretzky have a good relationship from the last Team Canada effort, a glorious victory in the Canada Cup. Keenan also views Gretzky as someone who can help him convince other players who may not want to play for him that they should play for their country`s best interests. The rosters are due out shortly.
One more time: When you are sweating on your patio this summer and wishing you could cool down by watching a Hawks game, there will be an outlet for your yearning. SportsChannel will replay what the station feels is the top 13 games from last season, beginning June 4 with the Hawks` 5-2 victory over St. Louis from last October. It will show four different games in June, five in July and another four in August, ending with the Hawks` final victory of the season-6-5 in Minnesota to go ahead 2-1 in the playoffs. Every game is a Hawk triumph except for a 3-3 tie with the North Stars Feb. 23 at the Met Center.
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