The Hockey News March 9, 2015

THE WAYNE GRETZKY SHOCKER to L.A. will always be hockey’s preeminent swap. It is, after all, known simply as “The Trade.” That said, the first seismic, earth-shattering, mind-blowing blockbuster to register on my Richter scale happened more than a decade earlier, on Nov. 7, 1975, when the Rangers sent Jean Ratelle, Brad Park and Joe Zanussi to Boston for Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais. To borrow a line from Greg Kihn, they just don’t write ’em like that anymore. (If you don’t get the reference, Google The Breakup Song. Then sit back and let your ears drink in the party). In today’s NHL, you get the occasional big-name player shipped out, for financial or rebuilding purposes. The bounty he fetches is typically draft picks, prospects and young players. It’s almost always a…

LOVE OR HATE ONE OF OUR FEATURES/STORIES? LET US KNOW BY EMAILING US AT LETTERS@THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM The last paragraph of your J-P Parise In Memoriam states Parise is “just the second player from the 1972 Summit Series to pass away.” He is actually the third or even the fourth. Bill Goldsworthy was the first, but Gary Bergman died in December 2000. He played in all eight games and had an amazing series. Rick Martin also passed away, in 2011, although while he was a member of team, he did not play in any of the games. Rod Allison Hamilton, Ont. All our prayers go out to the Parise family as J-P is called home. The Lord has one more terrific forward for his team. God bless you, J-P. Joe Connor, Pennsville, N.J. A-PLUS FOR PAUL Thank you for…

WHEELING AND DEALING THE PHONE RINGS AT 3:45 A.M. Sorry pings, not rings (it is March 9, 2004, and I have an old-school Blackberry). You know those sudden jolting wake-ups that interrupt the sweetest, deepest of dreams? One second you’re rubbing sunscreen on Eva Mendes’ back while she lies in the sand…of the bunker beside 18 at Augusta where you just won your third Green Jacket…wearing a mask and flippers for the entire final round (I have no idea)…and PING! PING! PING! Suddenly Eva’s gone and you jump up in your bed and have no idea where you are or why it sounds like there are five fire trucks in your room. I finally grasp that it is my phone and not Ladders 65-68 driving under the bed. PING! PING! PING! “Wha…Uhh…Helloooo? “James, it’s Mark.” Mark?…

FOR THE SEVENTH TIME IN CANADA, and the fourth in the United States, Upper Deck will give away free hockey cards during their National Hockey Card Day program. Fans who visit a participating trading card shop on Feb. 14 in Canada or Feb. 21 in the U.S. will receive a free pack of five exclusive cards. Both American and Canadian sets will consist of 16 cards focusing on each country’s top talent, past and present. An added twist this year will be “retrothemed” Young Guns, designed to look like 1990-91 Upper Deck Cards. To find a nearby retailer, visit facebook.com/NationalHockeyCardDay PUCKJUNK.COM…

HOW DO YOU DEFEND against the most dominant offensive force of all-time? In Facing Wayne Gretzky, Brian Kennedy compiles interviews from former teammates and opponents of Wayne Gretzky to chronicle the maddening task of trying to stop him. A colorful cast breaks down Gretzky’s uncanny ability to counter any strategy and will his way onto the scoresheet. Defensive minds such as Mark Howe, Denis Potvin and Rob Blake explain how No. 99’s legacy was built on more than just skill. The interviews describe Gretzky’s legendary intensity, drive and vision like works of art. Those who shared the ice with Gretzky recall the most memorable moments of his career: the Oilers Cup runs, his 51-game scoring streak and 50 goals in 39 games. Especially engaging is Larry Murphy’s dissection of the shift that…

IN JANUARY, THE NHL ANNOUNCED IT WILL hold outdoor games in Boston, Colorado and Minnesota next season and in Winnipeg, versus a TBD foe, in 2017, bringing the number of franchises that have played outside to 22. The tradition started as a novelty in 2003, when Edmonton hosted Montreal at the inaugural Heritage Classic. Five years later, the league began holding its annual Winter Classic and the number of outdoor matches surged with the addition of the Stadium Series in 2014. The NHL is becoming more ambitious with its locations, as California gets set to host its second outdoor game in as many years when San Jose takes on Los Angeles Feb. 21. It may border on oversaturation for some, but these record-breaking, money-making games are here to stay.…