Kevin Haller

Knowing that defenseman Donald Dufresne needed to play at least one game in the finals to get his name on the Stanley Cup, Canadien Coach Jacques Demers inserted Dufresne into Wednesday's lineup and took out Kevin Haller. "My biggest worry was that I didn't want the Kings to get the impression that we thought we had won the series and so were making changes," he said.

The New York Islanders signed defenseman Kevin Haller and center Mike Stapleton on Monday, as the rebuilding team continued its busy off-season. Haller, a free agent, played 67 games last season for the Mighty Ducks. He had three goals and five assists. Stapleton, also a free agent, spent last season with the expansion Atlanta Thrashers, scoring 10 goals and set up 12 others in 62 games. "These are great veteran additions for us," General Manager Mike Milbury said.

The New York Islanders signed defenseman Kevin Haller and center Mike Stapleton on Monday, as the rebuilding team continued its busy off-season. Haller, a free agent, played 67 games last season for the Mighty Ducks. He had three goals and five assists. Stapleton, also a free agent, spent last season with the expansion Atlanta Thrashers, scoring 10 goals and set up 12 others in 62 games. "These are great veteran additions for us," General Manager Mike Milbury said.

The Dallas Stars might cringe at the thought, but Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg decided he needed a pairing of hard-nosed defensemen, so he has started playing Ruslan Salei and Jason Marshall together. Until Wednesday, Salei had played with the offensive-minded Fredrik Olausson, and Marshall and Kevin Haller had formed a steady pairing. But Hartsburg scratched Haller for Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers, prompting a bit of shuffling among the Duck pairs on defense.

The Dallas Stars might cringe at the thought, but Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg decided he needed a pairing of hard-nosed defensemen, so he has started playing Ruslan Salei and Jason Marshall together. Until Wednesday, Salei had played with the offensive-minded Fredrik Olausson, and Marshall and Kevin Haller had formed a steady pairing. But Hartsburg scratched Haller for Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers, prompting a bit of shuffling among the Duck pairs on defense.

Kevin Haller and Wayne Gretzky continued their mutual disregard Friday. Haller, a Duck defenseman, knocked the Ranger center to the ice midway through the first period, drawing an interference penalty. Gretzky retaliated by attempting to spear Haller. Duck left wing Jim McKenzie then fought Ranger enforcer Rumun Ndur. "I try to play physical against him," Haller said. "He doesn't enjoy physical play. I thought it was a clean hit. Besides, he had the puck. That's the way it goes, though.

There was a trickle of blood on the face of Duck defenseman Kevin Haller late Saturday night, but there also was a grin stretching from ear to ear. After all, what's a couple of stitches when you've just scored your first goal in 74 games? "I just saw a good opportunity," Haller said of racing toward the net on left wing for his first goal since Feb. 7, 1998, when he played for the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Mighty Ducks acquired a fan favorite and a potential contract headache all in one Tuesday, bringing back popular enforcer Stu Grimson in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes. In exchange for Grimson and defenseman Kevin Haller, the Ducks traded away defenseman David Karpa and a fourth-round pick in the 2000 entry draft. Grimson, 33, an original Mighty Duck, was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1995.

Kevin Haller fessed up. My bad, he said after the Mighty Ducks' 3-2 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers here Saturday night. Haller, who fits neatly into the profile of a "Steady Eddie" defenseman, got carried away for a moment in his first experience under the NHL's new four-on-four overtime format. It cost the Ducks the game. Perhaps next time, Haller won't be so eager to fire a long-range shot on net.

Teemu Selanne was off. Puck on his stick, empty net ahead of him. Then Keith Tkachuk's stick came flying at him. Selanne kept going, scoring his 46th goal to wrap up a 3-0 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Sunday. Then Tkachuk came flying at him. What followed was more WWF than NHL. Tkachuk tackled Selanne. Duck defenseman Kevin Haller tangled with Tkachuk. Ted Drury and Jeremy Roenick went at it. Jamie Pushor and Rick Tocchet had a go.

Kevin Haller fessed up. My bad, he said after the Mighty Ducks' 3-2 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers here Saturday night. Haller, who fits neatly into the profile of a "Steady Eddie" defenseman, got carried away for a moment in his first experience under the NHL's new four-on-four overtime format. It cost the Ducks the game. Perhaps next time, Haller won't be so eager to fire a long-range shot on net.

Teemu Selanne was off. Puck on his stick, empty net ahead of him. Then Keith Tkachuk's stick came flying at him. Selanne kept going, scoring his 46th goal to wrap up a 3-0 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Sunday. Then Tkachuk came flying at him. What followed was more WWF than NHL. Tkachuk tackled Selanne. Duck defenseman Kevin Haller tangled with Tkachuk. Ted Drury and Jeremy Roenick went at it. Jamie Pushor and Rick Tocchet had a go.

Kevin Haller and Wayne Gretzky continued their mutual disregard Friday. Haller, a Duck defenseman, knocked the Ranger center to the ice midway through the first period, drawing an interference penalty. Gretzky retaliated by attempting to spear Haller. Duck left wing Jim McKenzie then fought Ranger enforcer Rumun Ndur. "I try to play physical against him," Haller said. "He doesn't enjoy physical play. I thought it was a clean hit. Besides, he had the puck. That's the way it goes, though.

There was a trickle of blood on the face of Duck defenseman Kevin Haller late Saturday night, but there also was a grin stretching from ear to ear. After all, what's a couple of stitches when you've just scored your first goal in 74 games? "I just saw a good opportunity," Haller said of racing toward the net on left wing for his first goal since Feb. 7, 1998, when he played for the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Mighty Ducks acquired a fan favorite and a potential contract headache all in one Tuesday, bringing back popular enforcer Stu Grimson in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes. In exchange for Grimson and defenseman Kevin Haller, the Ducks traded away defenseman David Karpa and a fourth-round pick in the 2000 entry draft. Grimson, 33, an original Mighty Duck, was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1995.

Knowing that defenseman Donald Dufresne needed to play at least one game in the finals to get his name on the Stanley Cup, Canadien Coach Jacques Demers inserted Dufresne into Wednesday's lineup and took out Kevin Haller. "My biggest worry was that I didn't want the Kings to get the impression that we thought we had won the series and so were making changes," he said.

Teemu Selanne scored two second-period goals to lead the Mighty Ducks to a 3-0 victory over the Nashville Predators in an exhibition game at Milwaukee on Saturday night. Steve Rucchin added a goal and Jamie Ram stopped 19 shots for Anaheim. Ram replaced Anaheim starting goalie Guy Hebert in the opening minute of play after Hebert hit his head on the post when teammate Kevin Haller backed into him. Hebert lay motionless for several minutes before skating off under his own power.

Goalie Stephane Fiset stopped 33 shots and Dave Chyzowski scored the winning goal as Canada opened the world junior hockey championship tournament today with a 3-2 victory over the United States. Fiset, a second-team all-star at last year's tournament, kept Canada in the game in the first period when his teammates came out flat and were outshot 14-8. The Americans took advantage of numerous turnovers in Canada's end. Stu Barnes and Kevin Haller also scored for Canada.