Articles by Doug Stolhand

OTTAWA – Having drafted what they hope are tomorrow’s stars, the NHL’s 30 general managers now turn their full attention to retaining some of their current ones.

OTTAWA – It’s only natural for hockey fans in search of hope to look to their team’s top draft choice with excitement.Many NHL squads selected players this weekend that will become mainstays on their rosters down the road.

OTTAWA – Without picks in the second and third rounds at the NHL draft on Saturday, but with a promising young team, Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe didn’t want to upset Edmonton’s apple cart in the hopes of landing an earlier selection.

DENVER – Colorado Avalanche captain Joe Sakic hasn’t decided yet whether to return to the team for his 20th season or retire.Team spokesman Jean Martineau said Saturday that Sakic met with general manager Francois Giguere.

OTTAWA – The NHL entry draft wrapped without a significant trade Saturday but not without any significant news.The Pittsburgh Penguins were informed that star winger Marian Hossa was going test the July 1 free-agent market, where he will arguably be the most attractive commodity.

OTTAWA – The NHL entry draft wrapped without a significant trade Saturday but not without any significant news.The Pittsburgh Penguins were informed that star winger Marian Hossa was going test the July 1 free-agent market, where he will arguably be the most attractive commodity.

OTTAWA – For years, Chris Stamkos thought his talented, hockey-playing son Steven was too small to play in the National Hockey League.So he never pressured him.

OTTAWA – Jimmy Hayes will have no shortage of NHL connections to tap into as he strives to make the Toronto Maple Leafs in future years.The winger from Dorchester, Mass.

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Senators hosted the NHL’s entry draft but it was three other Canadian teams that stole the show Friday.The Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens were busy on the trade front.

OTTAWA – The last time Yann Sauve listened for his name to be called in a draft, his wait was nowhere near as long as this.Sauve, a former first-overall pick in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, had to wait well into the second round of the NHL draft Saturday before the Vancouver Canucks scooped the Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman up with the 41st selection.

OTTAWA – Sleep didn’t come easy for Philip McRae after sitting through the first round of the NHL draft without hearing his name called.Fortunately, there was plenty of time for him to nap on Saturday because it didn’t take long to get selected on Day 2.

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Senators started Saturday morning where they left off Friday night at the NHL draft – by selecting a slender defenceman.After taking Erik Karlsson with the 15th overall pick, they chose Patrick Wiercioch in the second round with the 42nd pick.

OTTAWA – Mitch Wahl is one of six new Calgary Flames following the second and final day of the NHL draft on Saturday, but he’s the only one who got a high-school credit for surfing.

Movements in the world of hockey Friday:National Hockey LeagueANAHEIM DUCKS-Named Dave Nonis senior adviser of hockey operations.ATLANTA THRASHERS-Named John Anderson coach.

OTTAWA – Even though it was one the best nights of Greg Nemisz’s life, he couldn’t help but think of some of the sadness he’d experienced in the past few months.

OTTAWA – The Edmonton Oilers got their man, selecting Jordan Eberle of the Regina Pats with the 22nd overall pick Friday night at the NHL Entry Draft at Scotiabank Place.

OTTAWA – The Toronto Maple Leafs were in unfamiliar territory when they drafted Luke Schenn.The bruising defenceman was selected by the Maple Leafs with the fifth pick on Friday night, making him the team’s highest-drafted player since Scott Thornton was taken third in 1989.

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Senators did a little dealing to land their man at the NHL draft.The Senators moved up three spots to the No. 15 spot, and used it to select defenceman Erik Karlsson from Sweden.

OTTAWA – Cody Hodgson was not surprised one bit.The 18-year-old centre from the OHL’s Brampton Battalion had a feeling the Vancouver Canucks would call his name with the 10th overall pick Friday night in the NHL’s entry draft.