In The Crease

Wayne Gretzky's 10% stake in developer Steve Ellman's purchase of the Coyotes is the best tiling that could have happened to the NHL. Gretzky's involvement will likely help the team get a much-needed new arena built in Phoenix and will spare the league the black eye it would have gotten had the franchise, which relocated from Winnipeg to Phoenix in July 1996, been sold and moved to Portland, as had been discussed....

The most improved referee in the league this season is Dan Marouelli. Coaches around the NHL praise his consistency, his calmness during games and his ability to communicate with players....

Though he is often overlooked, Devils forward Sergei Brylin has a vastly underrated set of skills and is one of the smartest players in the league. Brylin is also excellent at creating offense off the forecheck....

Center Keith Primeau's inconsistency hurt the Flyers badly during the conference finals against the Devils. In the first three games he was nearly unbeatable on face-offs, but he seemed exhausted in the last four matches. The New Jersey coaching staff, especially head man Larry Robinson, should get credit. Robinson made sure that he had different face-off men taking draws against Primeau, which eventually helped tire him out. The Devils also tried to wear down Primeau by hitting him as much as possible....

If you watch the U.S. Open from June 15 to 18 you might notice a familiar face carrying the scoring standard up the 18th fairway with the final twosome in the tournament. Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman has accepted an invitation to do those honors this year.