Game Over

Scott Stevens and Vincent Damphousse have, pardon the irritating cliché, hung up their skates for good.

The Devils announced Stevens' retirement the other day, effectively ending a 22-year career in the NHL. He was drafted by the Capitals in 1982 and played for them for eight seasons. Following a year in St. Louis, Stevens moved on to New Jersey in 1991 where he finished out his career.

Damphousse exits the NHL as a Shark. Until heading to San Jose in 1998, he had been only with Canadian teams, including Toronto (where he was drafted in 1986), Edmonton (for a single season), and Montreal (where he spent seven years).

And then there's Pavel Datsyuk, who apparently has no interest in returning to the Red Wings unless they meet his demands. The only thing this hold-up was missing was gunfire — until Datsyuk signed on with a Russian club for the season. Adios.

The New York Islanders re-signed Rick DiPietro and the Lightning grabbed blue liner Todd Rohloff, who no one else really seems to want.

Last but not least before I end this abbreviated post is to mention that the Lightning training camp opens at the Brandon Ice Sports Forum on Monday, Sept. 12.

That about wraps it up. The pre-season begins in 12 days.