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Monday, December 13, 1999
Sens in market for blue-line help
TORONTO -- Marshall Johnston isn't travelling with the Sens, but he's been busy scouring NHL rosters to get help for their black and blue line.
Sources told the Sun yesterday that Johnston is trying to make a deal to bring in a defenceman. Desperate for help, Ottawa is expected to call up David Van Drunen from Grand Rapids today.
It's believed Johnston has held talks with Chicago, Los Angeles, Buffalo and Tampa Bay about acquiring somebody who can step in help right away.
Options include the Sabres' Richard Smehlik, Phillipe Boucher of the Kings, Doug Zmolek of the Blackhawks and Pavel Kubina of the Lightning. It will all depend on what Johnston is willing to give up.
"Making a deal is tough these days," said an NHL executive yesterday. "If a team has a defenceman they normally want to keep him, but Johnston has made it clear that he's looking for somebody who can bring some size."
HURTS GO ON
The Senators took another hit this weekend when they learned Chris Phillips is going to have surgery on his ankle Wednesday and will be out of action 4-6 weeks.
If that wasn't enough, veteran Jason York is gone until later this week with a groin injury and Igor Kravchuk suffered a mild knee injury in Saturday's 1-1 tie with the Islanders.
The Senators won't decide until today whether Kravchuk will suit tonight against the Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre, but if he's unable to play, it would leave the club with five healthy defencemen and Van Drunen, who has spent time in the East Coast Hockey League.
Losing Phillips came as a surprise. He has been troubled by a sore ankle for the last month and it's hoped the surgery will help correct the problem. He missed two months last year because of a similar injury.
"It's just disappointing because I've missed so much hockey. At least with this procedure, when I come back I'll be fine for the final two months of the regular season," said Phillips.
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