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Sunday, February 06, 2000 By Dejan Kovacevic: Post-Gazette Sports Writer
TORONTO - Ray Whitney, a Florida Panthers left winger who was a late addition to the All-Star Game, yesterday endorsed the Penguins' acquisition of Pat Falloon ... with an asterisk.
Whitney and Falloon were taken in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks. They also skated together for six seasons and became close friends, meaning few in the league are more aware of Falloon's strengths and weaknesses.
"I don't think they're bringing him in to be a checker, so I would assume they want some goals out of him," Whitney said of the Penguins. "If you want goals out of Pat Falloon and that's all you expect, then you'll be happy with him. But if you want him to play something else, then you won't be happy. Just let him be and let him score."
Falloon, claimed off waivers Friday from the Edmonton Oilers, is spending the All-Star break vacationing in Las Vegas but is expected to join the Penguins when they resume practice tomorrow at Southpointe.
Politically correct
Someone asked former Toronto star Darryl Sittler, who scored the Maple Leafs Heroes' final goal in their 6-1 victory over the NHL Heroes last night, if he prefers to be called a legend or an old-timer, as they are in other charity events.
"Since I'm only 49, I'd rather be a legend," Sittler said. "You know, some people look at us as has-beens, but I keep saying that there are a lot of people out there who are never-weres."
Marcel Dionne, the league's third all-time leading scorer, netted the NHL Heroes' lone goal in what he promised will be his final appearance at an All-Star Game.
How high?
St. Louis Blues goaltender Roman Turek is new to the All-Star Game, but he has seen enough of them to know not to expect much help. He is forecasting a 15-14 game.
Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, appearing in his fifth consecutive game, has a more realistic prediction.
"I think 8-6 or 7-5," Brodeur said. "All I know is, if I get away with anything less than three goals, I'll be happy."
In the two years since the NHL adopted the international format, North America has beaten the World, 8-7 and 8-6.
But Jaromir Jagr isn't encouraging anyone to send the goaltenders sympathy cards if they get shelled again today.
"Never feel sorry for goaltenders. They're too good."
Moose on loose
The only player to rival Jagr for attention at the annual media gathering yesterday was Vancouver Canucks center Mark Messier, making his 14th All-Star appearance at age 39.
He said he enjoys the extra festivities but is most looking forward to the drop of the puck today.
"I think the longer you play, the more you appreciate the game itself," Messier said.
Bure brothers together
Coach Scott Bowman of the World team will unite the Bure brothers, Pavel of Florida and Valeri of Calgary, on a line centered by the Panthers' Viktor Kozlov.
Pavel has 37 goals this season, and Valeri has 28. But the older brother insists there is no competition between them.
"It's great to have my brother here and to be able to play with him," Pavel said. "No, there's no rivalry at all. I wouldn't have a rivalry with my brother. It doesn't make sense."
No mikes, please
Bowman isn't wild about having to wear a microphone today so that ABC viewers can hear his instructions to players.
"The problem is," he said, "when you know you are miked, you end up saying nothing."
Toronto Coach Pat Quinn, working the North America bench, agreed.
"You can't be contrived there because it does look phony," Quinn said. " I don't know how successful this is going to be."
Icy chips
Bowman said he picked Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom as the World team's captain because he didn't want to pick between Jagr and Toronto center Mats Sundin, the only two captains on his roster. Lidstrom is an alternate with the Red Wings. ... That the first two meetings in the new format have been close hasn't convinced Jagr that his World team has a chance to win today. "It's tough to beat the North Americans," he said. "I guess they're better hockey players than us." ... The league will have ceremony before the game today to retire Wayne Gretzky's No. 99 All-Star sweater.
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