Wednesday, November 28, 2001
Stastny holds out hope he'll get help
By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun
ST. LOUIS -- Slovakian GM Peter Stastny is "optimistic" he'll be able to ice a competitive lineup at the Salt Lake Olympics in February.
Speaking to Ottawa reporters last night, he confirmed that he's held talks with Senators GM Marshall Johnston about getting defenceman Zdeno Chara and winger Marian Hossa released in time to play at the Olympics.
Stastny, who met with Johnston during the Hall of Fame meetings in Toronto, said he's been told by league officials they will try to come to some kind of agreement to get some players released in time to play for Slovakia Feb. 9.
"I know we're not going to be able to get 100% of the players, but I'm hoping that we can about half," said Stastny, between periods of the Senators-Blues game. "I've spoken with a lot of GMs and I'm just waiting to see what happens.
"It would be good for some of the players to get the chance to play at these games. They would come back refreshed and ready for the final 35 games of the season."
At this point, Slovakia would be forced to go into the games without the likes of St. Louis winger Pavol Demitra, Phoenix' Michal Handzus, Ziggy Palffy of L.A., Washington's Peter Bondra, along with Chara and Hossa.
CHANCE OF A LIFETIME
Stastny said in most cases he simply wants the players to miss two regular-season games. Slovakia needs the bodies if it's going to have a chance to advance to the medal round.
"This is an opportunity of a lifetime for most of these players and they should have the chance to play there," said Stastny. "I think the fans in the NHL cities would understand these players missing a few games.
"I speak to people in Germany and other countries and they understand. The only people who don't understand are the NHL people."
2002 Games Men's Hockey Coverage
