Catching Up With The Past

Here's a few former NHLers in the news lately:

Hockey In Swenglish reports the Philadelphia Flyers have released head European scout Inge Hammarstrom. As a player Hammarstrom might not have broken many eggs, but he was the guy who campaigned so hard for Peter Forsberg way back in the 1991 entry draft.

Cam Neely was honoured in Boston by the Boston Sports Museum.

Bill Meltzer gives a hand to Tony Hand, Britain's hockey legend.

Martin Straka is returning to the Czech Republic. Oh wait a minute. No he's not.

Kelly Hrudey says "Barry Melrose saved my career." Melrose is the new head coach in Tampa Bay, which is both exciting and curious. Brian Lawton is also joining the Lightning roles as Bill Barber was forced out resigned. Barber's a real good hockey man, but in all honesty what has he done in the past 6 years? The Bolts are hockey's worst team not because of salary cap mismanagement but lack of good young players in the system.

A very similar case in Vancouver where lifelong Canuck Stan Smyl was given the boot to make room for Mike Gillis buddy Dave Gagner as director of player personnel. Sorry Steamer, but just not enough prospects in the system making headway. Hopefully Gagner's tenure in Canucks management is more successful than his tenure on Canucks ice.