here is something for denver fans and wcha fans.
 
   Laaksonen hopes to find place
   By John Vellante, Globe Staff, 09/19/98
 
   WILMINGTON - The opportunity to land a spot on the Bruins' roster is
   there, and Antti Laaksonen intends to grab it.
 
   In the words of coach Pat Burns, he's had ''some ups and downs'' during
   training camp. But he boosted his stock considerably with a strong
   performance in Thursday's Black and White intrasquad game at Tsongas
   Arena.
 
   Laaksonen didn't score but raised a few eyebrows with his play,
   especially on an end-to-end rush that culminated in a goal by linemate
   Andre Savage. It's plays like that that Burns wants to see more of, and
   Laaksonen hopes to do just that in exhibition games tonight in Montreal
   and tomorrow in Chicago.
 
   ''He got off to a real good start but then slowed down some,'' said Burns
   yesterday between split-squad workouts at the Ristuccia Center. ''He
   didn't have a great rookie game, but now he seems to be picking it up
   again.
 
   ''His speed and skills remind me somewhat of P.J. Axelsson. He has to do
   more, though, because we already have a P.J. Axelsson. He's coming off a
   tough year and a lot of injuries, and hopefully, he's all over those.''
 
   Last year wasn't kind to Laaksonen, a left wing and Boston's 10th pick
   (eighth round, 191st overall) in the 1997 draft. He started the season in
   the AHL at Providence, where he had three goals in 38 games before being
   assigned to Charlotte of the East Coast Hockey League in mid-January.
 
   In his first game there, he broke his right arm. Just when that was
   healed and he got the OK to return to action, he came down with
   pneumonia. All told, he missed eight weeks and saw action in just 21
   regular-season and playoff games with Charlotte, finishing with four
   goals and six assists.
 
   ''It wasn't the best of years for me,'' said Laaksonen. ''I didn't get my
   career off to the start I wanted. I started slow and then got less and
   less playing time. I'm not the type of guy who likes to sit. I want to
   play.
 
   ''Things didn't go well for me in Charlotte, either. Maybe breaking my
   arm in the first game was an omen, but that's all behind me. This is a
   new year.''
 
   Laaksonen knows very well that his chances of sticking with the Bruins
   are bolstered every day that Jason Allison, Anson Carter, Kyle McLaren,
   and Ted Donato remain unsigned.
 
   ''A lot of the younger guys are very much aware of the opportunities that
   are there,'' he said. ''We have the opportunity to really step it up. We
   have to show that we can play here.
 
   ''I think overall I've had a pretty good camp. I've gotten a lot of
   practice time. I want to stay here. I have the chance and want to make
   the most of it. I know they want me to score more, and that's something
   I'm working on.''
 
   ''The door's open,'' said Burns. ''If the others aren't here, mathematics
   tells you there are jobs available. The opportunity is there if they want
   it.''
 
   The Bruins will dress 28 players - 17 forwards, eight defensemen, and
   three goalies - for their first two exhibitions. The goalies are Jim
   Carey, Rob Tallas, and John Grahame. Burns indicated that he'd start
   Carey and then use Tallas against Montreal. Grahame will likely get the
   start in Chicago and be spelled by either Carey or Tallas ... Burns said
   this weekend's game are critical to some players fighting for survival.
   He expects to make more cuts Monday in time for the opening of training
   camp in Providence Tuesday ... Laaksonen said he'll have a few anxious
   moments while he's on the road with the Bruins. He and his wife,
   Jennifer, are expecting their first child any day now.
 
   This story ran on page G02 of the Boston Globe on 09/19/98.
   © Copyright 1998 Globe Newspaper Company.
 
 
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*  Nashua, NH			away, than look it in the eye	*
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