Bure rockets to Rangers :: essays research papers

Bure rockets to Rangers New York Rangers fans have to be the happiest in hockey right now following the acquisition of three-time goal-scoring champion Pavel Bure. "The Russian Rocket" will be in the lineup tonight when the Rangers host the Vancouver Canucks. The irony can't be missed. Bure rocketed to fame with the Canucks, leading them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1994 -- the first year he led the NHL in goals -- only to be defeated by the Rangers. In 1999, the Rangers turned down a trade involving Bure with the Canucks, who then traded the Moscow native to the Florida Panthers, for whom he twice led the NHL in goals. But Bure is a Ranger following the deal that sent defenseman Igor Ulanov, junior defenseman Filip Novak, the Rangers' first- and second-round picks in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and their fourth-rounder in 2003 for Bure and Florida's second-round 2002 pick. The Rangers were glad not to part with U.S. Olympian Mike York whose name had been mentioned in earlier talks. Madison Square Garden Chief Executive Jim Dolan sent his corporate jet to Florida to retrieve Bure who will skate with the Rangers this morning before playing tonight. "He's a constant threat — he's somebody that can score any time he gets the puck on his stick," Rangers General Manager Glen Sather said. "He's a superstar. He's an artist with the puck. He's a great player." Bure has had a troubled season. After leading the NHL with 58 and 59 goals the last two seasons, he started the season with a groin problem, then suffered a head injury in November and a broken hand in January. In 56 games, he has scored 22 goals and added 27 assists. Rangers coach Ron Low hopes Bure's problems are behind him. The Rangers are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, in danger of missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season. "To me, it's absolutely amazing," Low said. "I'm kind of excited. He's an obvious talent — one of the best, if not the best, goal-scorer in the league right now. He has had a tough year. But the biggest thing is: Is he excited to come? I'm sure he is." The six-time All-Star and three-time goal-scoring champ, who turns 31 on March 31, has eclipsed the 50-goal mark five times in his 11-year NHL career.