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Monday, October 18, 1999
Linden must play better
"It's one of those things where right now, I want to contribute anyway I can," said the 29-year-old, who was signed to a four-year deal worth $15 million during the off-season. "If nothing is happening offensively, you want to make sure you do all the other things well."
Linden was invisible against the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night with no shots. He's got three assists on the season so far, but more is expected from a veteran like him, especially with the Habs having seven regulars out of the lineup and being forced to go with a bunch of kids. Habs general manager Rejean Houle traded stars Vincent Damphousse and Mark Recchi away last spring at the trade deadline because he feared the club would lose the two potential unrestricted free agents in the off-season and get nothing in return.
Linden represents Houle's big move to try and replace some of that lost offence and how it turns out could well dictate Houle's future with the club. Linden is a six-time 30-goal scorer in the league, but the last time was three seasons ago. Since then, he's had seasons of nine, 17 and 18 goals. He's still looking for his first with the Habs and was asked Monday morning if he's become frustrated.
"I was frustrated a week or 10 days ago," he said. "You have to try to keep having fun if you can. It's tough to stay positive. You press and you push and sometimes you press yourself right out of good scoring position."
HEAR AND THERE: The Islanders have got their own problems right now, not the least of which is a scoring goals. They've scored just nine in their five games. Right winger Mariusz Czerkawski had two in the club's first two games, but has been scoreless since.
"He's a goal scorer and he has to find a way to score," said Islanders coach Butch Goring. When asked by the club's beat writers if he had a talk with Czerkawksi, Goring replied: "He knows what is role on the hockey club. He's not scoring.
To have a meeting with him to tell him that would be stating the obvious."...The Islanders picked D Branislav Mezei (6-5, 221 pounds) from the Belleville Bulls of the OHL with the pick they received from the Habs for Linden...The Habs could have another of their walking wounded back in the lineup tonight as C Scott Thornton has been cleared to play. He's coming off a torn triceps muscle...Jeff Hackett is expected to be in the Montreal goal while
Felix Potvin was first off the ice for the Islanders at their morning skate, indicating he'll be their starter...The Islanders sent G Roberto Luongo to the minors despite a strong training camp. "I was impressed with what he did in camp," said Goring, "but we want to bring him into the pros slowly. We thought (sending him down) would be a better way for him to get the feel of pro hockey."
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