Keenan Paying Price For Move To St. Louis

His first season after leading the New York Rangers to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years has not begun in championship fashion for Mike Keenan.

First, he was excoriated in New York for jumping to St. Louis. Then, he lost a total of $500,000 through fines and a forfeiture of most of his signing bonus, and was suspended by the NHL for two months last summer.

The ban prohibited Keenan from running the Blues during most of training camp. After he returned, the 103-day lockout began.

Now, one of his big scorers, Brendan Shanahan, is ill. Another offensive star, Brett Hull, is wondering how effective he’ll be when the Blues open the season Friday night at San Jose.

So, how is Keenan handling all this?

“That’s part and parcel of developing a team,” he said before the Blues - minus Shanahan - flew Saturday to Vail, Colo., where they are to practice most of this week. “Injuries certainly are part of the game.”

Shanahan didn’t pass his physical because of a viral infection.

“He’s at the tail end of it now, so it’ll be a matter of days before he’ll be able to resume training,” Keenan said. “It’s enough to keep him out, so it’s not minor.”

Shanahan’s illness affected his liver and spleen, but said he feels fine now. Blues doctors told him, however, that exercise would delay his recovery. He’s expected to be out five to seven days.

“It’s very frustrating, especially when I feel so healthy,” Shanahan said. “But maybe it’s best to get it over with now. There’s nothing to do but wait.”

Missing a left wing who scored 52 goals last season is bad. But if Hull, who scored 57 goals at right wing, isn’t ready, the Blues may have a tough time in their season-opening three-game road trip.

“I haven’t done anything in 2 months,” Hull said, explaining that he did not expect the lockout to end. “I gave up on the season a long time ago.”

The Blues chose the Rocky Mountain ski resort because of a shortage of available ice time in St. Louis and its accessibility to San Jose, Vancouver and Calgary. The Blues open the season with a swing through those cities.

One coach pleasantly surprised by the condition of his players is Buffalo’s John Muckler. He put the Sabres through their paces Friday night and twice Saturday at their Wheatfield, N.Y., practice facility.

“We had another excellent workout,” Muckler said. “The guys say they don’t have too much soreness.”

The Sabres were missing two key players, however. Dominik Hasek, who played in the Czech Republic during the lockout, is expected to report today. Russian Alexander Mogilny also is late.

“I expected him here this morning,” Muckler said. “But God only knows what happens when you come out of Russia. He should be here (today).”

Hartford coach Paul Holmgren found it difficult to believe what he saw during practice Saturday.

“The guys were in better shape than I expected,” he said after a 2-hour workout. “It was like we didn’t miss a day.

“Everything is normal again. I’m the same as the players. I’m back in my element again, and it’s time to go back to work.”

Scotty Bowman broke his Detroit Red Wings into two groups, making each skate for 90 minutes before heading for the weight room.

“Boy, that made it tough,” forward Ray Sheppard said.