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Kings C Jason Allison, who missed the season with a whiplash injury, says it took until about two weeks ago before he was feeling like himself again. The injury also caused concussion-like symptoms, and Allison hasn't worked out or skated since mid-February, at the insistence of his doctor. The symptoms have subsided with the rest. There is no timetable for when he might resume workouts, but he hopes to do so in the next couple of months. If he doesn't experience further symptoms, he plans to play again. Allison's agent, Bryant McBride, expects the Kings to pass on making a qualifying offer, allowing Allison to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Regardless, Allison's future is contingent on being symptom-free when he returns to the gym and the ice. . . .
One scout says assistant coach Craig Ramsey is the reason for the Lightning's success. Ramsey's hockey intelligence and teaching ability have been helpful. Ramsey also played a role in making the Senators successful as an assistant in the late 1990s, and he took the Flyers to the Eastern Conference final in 2001 after taking over when Roger Neilson became ill. . . .
International Management Group's Pat Brisson, the agent for teen phenom Sidney Crosby, says the "next Gretzky" hasn't even discussed following in the Great One's footsteps and beginning his career in the World Hockey Association--even though the revival league will allow 17-year-olds to be drafted. Brisson says Crosby, who turns 17 on August 7, is looking forward to another season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. As for other IMG clients, the WHA would be considered a legitimate alternative during a lockout when the league proves it has teams and buildings for the 2004-05 season. . . .
Islanders G Rick DiPietro cannot be faulted entirely for the team's first-round defeat, but he proved he is not ready to be a top goalie, despite what management thinks. DiPietro needs to spend the offseason watching tape and figuring out when to leave the crease. His overzealous play of the puck, regardless of circumstances, hurt the team almost as much as its tired defensemen's turnovers and the lack of forwards crashing the net. . . .
The biggest advantage to the Sharks' early elimination of the Blues is they
can get C Alyn McCauley healthy and ready for the second round. McCauley was
limited to one game in the first round after suffering a shoulder injury. San
Jose will need him as its second-line center and on the penalty kill to advance
to the Western Conference finals. . . .
In past first-round losses, the Devils underachieved. Not this time. New Jersey lost to a better team in the Flyers. Devils G Martin Brodeur points out one of the reasons for the loss: "We got physically a little outmatched.". . .
The last team to play seven games in the first round and win the Stanley Cup was the 1992 Penguins. Long early rounds definitely take a toll on a team. . . .
Kevin Constantine,
who engineered playoff upsets while coaching the Sharks and Penguins, is orchestrating
a similar run through the Western Hockey League playoffs with the expansion
Everett Silvertips. The Silvertips are playing the defending champion Kelowna
Rockets in the Western Conference final.