In The Crease

Hockey legends Scotty Bowman and Bobby Orr feel the NHL should eliminate the red line, a move that would open up the game. (International and college games are played without a red line.) Bowman and Orr think long passes would be akin to the bomb in football and bring a new level of excitement. In the past, the NHL has rejected making such a change....

Lightning G.M. Jay Feaster may regret last June's trade in which he dealt the 2002 No. 4 draft pick to the Flyers for wing Ruslan Fedotenko . With the choice, Philadelphia selected Finnish defenseman Joni Pitkanen , who dominated at the recently completed world junior championships. Fedotenko , playing on Tampa 's second line, had nine goals through Sunday, but scouts are comparing the 6'3" Pitkanen to a young Chris Pronger ....

Don't be surprised to see the Blackhawks sign free-agent goalie Tom Barrasso to serve as Jocelyn Thibault 's backup. At week's end Thibault had played in 36 of Chicago 's 40 games.