SPORTS The Michigan Daily Friday, February 18, 1983 Page 11 THE SPORTING VIEWS Cu Carter's agent ngs drivinfor playoffs.. . . . no reason for them to miss By JIM DAVIS WAY BACK in 1978, the Detroit Red Wings last made the National Hockey League playoffs. Now, five years later, the Wings have a chan- ce to end the post-season famine for Detroit hockey fans. Through Tuesday night's 7-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the worst team in the league and Toronto's win over St. Louis Wednesday, the Wings are two points ahead of the Maple Leafs in the race for the fourth and final playoff 'spot in the Norris Division. Twenty-two games are left on the Red Wing schedule, twelve of which are at Joe Louis Arena. And all it will take to make the playoffs, according to head coach Nick Polano, is "a little consistency, particularly at home, (because) we certainly don't win on the road (five times in 30 games) on the road." Polano is a member of the modern hockey regime in Detroit. New owner Mike hitch hired Polano from Buffalo and Geperal Manager Jimmy Devellano from the New York Islanders organization to try to instill some of the spark this once-mighty franchise has been lacking in the last decade or so. The defenseman-turned-coach realizes that the task won't be easy, however, likening the Detroit organization to an old house. "When you buy an old house, you have to fix something; like the roof. Then, as soon as that's fixed, the plumbing goes. Then the wiring. There's always something to fix." So far, Ilitch's newest franchise (other than pizzzerias) appears to be *"going in the right directin toward being repaired. Building around a nucleus of wingers John Ogrodnick, Mike Blaisdell, Danny Gare and Mark Osborne, and defensemen Willie Huber and Reed Larson, Polano and Devellano signed free agents Stan Weir, Reggie Leach and Colin Campbell this past winter. Then during the season, centers Dwight Foster and Ivan Boliriev were ad- ded via the trade route. These veteran acquisitions give Detroit the league- lead in gray hairs, with seven players over 30 years old. But the Wings are anything but veteran at goaltender, where rookies Corrado Micalef and Greg Stefan give the Wings inconsistent play marked by flashes of brilliance, such as Micalef's 5-1-2 record in December. Polano has recently added Gilles Gilbert to try to get some stability. Though the Wings are still struggling, the players feel an expectant at- titude on the Detroit club. Foster, who sparked Detroit during the December hot streak, feels the Wings' problem is lack of goal scoring. "We have our chances to score. We just can't get the puck in the net. We have to stick with our system, though. It's gonna pay off." Polano must also find a combination that will click on the power play. Seldom has Detroit looked powerful with the man-advantage. It would also be nice to see one of the goalies get hot during the stretch drive, not just for a game or two, but for five or six. Lately, the Wings have been showing signs of ending the slump that has plagued them since New Year's Eve. The victory against Pittsburgh gave Detroit three wins in its last-four games. Last night, Los Angeles came to r town, a team not much better than the Wings. Another weak team, Hartford, visits Joe Louis Arena on Sunday. Wins in games like these are a must. The Wings hold their destiny in their own hands. If they start playing like they should, veterans as well as youngsters, the players feel Toronto won't be able to stop Detroit. "I think we're gonna make it (the playoffs)," said Lofthouse. "If we can get on a roll, there's no stopping us." Can the Wings mount a streak in the next six weeks? I think so. By RON POLLACK Bob Woolf has yet to sit down to the negotiating table, but the Boston attor- ney, acting as Anthony Carter's agent, has already caused quite a stir with Michigan Panthers' officials. Woolf, who will meet with team of- ficials for the first time today, has angered members of the Panthers' organization with his comments on Wednesday that Carter deserves the most lucrative contract in the United States Football League. "ACCORDING TO the pro scouting reports, (Grambling's) Trumaine Johnson was the best receiver in the nation, and our offer is as good or better than Trumaine got from the Chicago Blitz," said Panthers spokesman Bruno Kearns. "So I think that (Woolf) is put- ting an astounding figure up front." Woolf said that former North Carolina running back Kelvin Bryant's contract with the Philadelphia Stars is worth $2.2 million over a four-year period. Former Ohio State running back Tim Spencer signed a similar con- tract with the Chicago Blitz. The Pan- thers' offer to Carter, meanwhile, is believed to be worth $1.3 million over four years. Kearns compared Woolf to agents Jerry Argovitz and Howard Slusher, two men whose negotiating tactics he questioned. "WE FEEL our figure is as good or better than most in the USFL," he said. "I don't know why Mr. Woolf would make a statement like Argovitz and Slusher would make. Argovitz has a bad tendency to go to the media before going to the negotiating table. I'm sur- prised Mr. Woolf would say that (Car- ter should be the league's highest paid player). Panthers' general manager Jim Spavital hinted that Woolf's comments may be nothing more than a bargaining ploy. "He hasn't told us anything," said Spavital. "We have a package we'll present to him. We have a lot of talking to do. When you sit down face-to-face with people, . things are often different lngers than what they say over thep when you talk big money, you1 in to talk." BUT SPAVITAL said he negotiations with Woolf to b tive. "We've got somebody feel is competent and knows he said. The Panthers' GM expre belief that Woolf's presence i ter negotiations will speed up1 Prior to hiring Woolf last wee called off three meetingsv thers' officials. "I definitely think we're do Panthers phone. So brass tacks now," said Spavital. bring 'em Speed is certainly of the essence for the Panthers in their pursuit of Carter, e expects since the regular season begins for. e produc- them on March 7 when they play the there we Birmingham Stallions. figures," "We hope to get a decision as soon as possible, because training camp is essed the nearing an end," said Spavital. "We n the Car- have to get Anthony in shape and into the talks. our offensive scheme of things. A wide ek, Carter receiver has to be able to read more with Pan- sophisticated defenses than in college. If we sign him, we hope he can play iii own to the the first game." 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