EURO CURVE

Have you been tossing and turning at night asking yourself "Where is John Slaney playing this year?" or " Is Phillipe Derouville still playing pro hockey?" Well, if so, read on because Euro Curve attempts to answer these and other questions in today's feature.

- Former World Junior Hero and Philadelphia Phantom Defenceman John Slaney has signed a one-year contract with German DEL team Cologne Sharks (Hockey.CZ/Sport1.CH)

- Apparently 1999 No.1 overall pick Patrik Stefan may still sign an NHL contract or will instead bolt to play with SC Bern in Switzerland (SLAPSHOTS.CH):. Aside from Sergei Bautin ( a Winnipeg Jets Hall of Famer) and Jason Bonsignore, Stefan may be the worst 1st round pick ever.

- NHL Journeyman Glen Metropolit will take part in the Boston Bruins training camp, although there remains interest in his services from SC Bern, HC Lugano and ZSC Lions of Zurich. ( as seen on spectorshockey.net)
- Former Team Canada Junior Standout Goaltender Phillipe Derouville now plays for the Belfast Giants of the British Elite League.

- Former New Jersey Devils 2nd round pick Pierre Dagenais (1996 , 47th overall) now plays with Innsbruck EV of the Austrian League.

- Ever wonder why Ak-Bars Kazan Sniper Aleksey Morozov isn't snatched up by any NHL club? He is highly regarded as one of the best players not currently in the NHL, (he led the Russian Super League in scoring last year with an astonishing 83 points in 53 games) but has no desire to play in Pittsburgh or elsewhere because he makes an estimated $4 million playing in Russia.

- This Week's Poll: Which former Russian NHLer was better: Evgeny Davydov or Alexander Godynuk? Please e-mail me at ezraginsburg@hotmail.com with your choice. One lucky winner will receive Alexander Godynuk's Young Guns Rookie Card in the mail.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Ezra Ginsburg.