THE NHL : Makarov’s Success Stirs Debate: Can an Old Flame Be Rookie of the Year?

The dictionary defines rookie as a novice .

In sports, a rookie has always been defined as a first-year player. But not necessarily this season in the NHL.

There, the term is being redefined in sometimes furious debates that have spread over two countries.

At the center of the controversy is Sergei Makarov, right wing of the Calgary Flames.

His numbers--22 goals and 58 assists for a total of 80 points in 76 games--make him the leading candidate for the Calder Trophy, annually awarded to the league’s top rookie. The winner is selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Assn.

Makarov’s closest pursuer is Mike Modano of the Minnesota North Stars with 73 points. Darren Turcotte of the New York Rangers leads all rookies with 31 goals but has only 63 points. Other contenders are Mark Recchi of the Pittsburgh Penguins, with 30 goals and 65 points, and Jeremy Roenick of the Chicago Blackhawks, with 63 points.

But those numbers are not the issue here. The only relevant number seems to be 31.

That’s Makarov’s age.

He is a veteran of more than a decade with one of the world’s top hockey units, the Soviet Army team.

Makarov is the most successful of the eight Soviet players who have joined the NHL in the last year.

After playing two seasons with his hometown club, Tracktor Chelyabinsk, Makarov spent 11 seasons with the Central Red Army team. Each of those years, his club won the Soviet National League title, and he made the all-star team. He won the league scoring title nine of the last 10 seasons.

Makarov has also played in three Winter Olympics and nine World Championships.

He appeared in 275 games for the Soviets, scoring 323 points on 173 goals and 150 assists.

Impressive numbers? Too impressive for many reporters and coaches around the league who insist Makarov shouldn’t qualify for consideration as a rookie.

Too old and too experienced, they say. It’s not fair to the true rookies.

Since when has age been a criterion for rookies in any league?

There are cases like the Kings’ backup goalie, Ron Scott. At 29, he is finally getting a chance to play after spending six years wasting away in the New York Rangers’ organization. Should someone be penalized because no team recognized his talent earlier?

The other argument is the experience factor. Because Makarov has competed at the top level of amateur hockey, that somehow disqualifies him from being considered a novice pro.

By that reasoning, David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs, considered a lock to be NBA rookie of the year, should be denied that award because he competed on the U.S. Olympic team, the top level of amateur basketball competition for this country.

According to league rules, the Calder Trophy is to be awarded “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League.”

Clear and simple.

To set up additional restrictions handicaps not only Makarov, but countless others in the future.

Is there a way to San Jose? The hockey situations in Minnesota and San Jose seem on a collision course.

In Minnesota, owners George and Gordon Gund have threatened to move their North Stars to the Bay Area.

In San Jose, former Hartford Whaler owner and WHA President Howard Baldwin is negotiating to land an expansion franchise for that city.

“We are virtually on the edge,” he said in describing his bid to get a lease on the $100-million arena planned for San Jose.

The next step would be to apply to the league for an expansion franchise. That would appear to be a formality since most NHL owners consider another West Coast team a must.

But what about the North Stars? The Bay Area cannot support two hockey clubs.

The most logical thing would be for the Gunds to sell their team to a Minnesota group and for Baldwin to get his San Jose expansion team.

But here’s a new scenario: Baldwin buys the North Stars, keeps them in Minnesota, and the Gunds get the expansion team.

Crazy? Baldwin, who arrived in Minnesota Tuesday, wouldn’t rule it out. “We’re trying to figure out a solution,” he said. “But let me say that any solution that does not include San Jose is unacceptable. I have made a commitment to San Jose and I intend to keep it.”

Baldwin already has stated a willingness to meet the NHL’s asking price of $50 million for an expansion team. If the Gunds moved to the Bay Area, would the league be out that money?

“If they are going to transfer,” King owner Bruce McNall said, “in my mind, we should still get the amount we would have normally got ($50 million). Why would the league take less?”

The Gunds have no intention of paying the league $50 million to go to the Bay Area. If they insist on moving rather than selling, the league could fight it in court.

Or the NHL could award the expansion team to Minnesota, perhaps with Baldwin heading the group, and get the $50 million that way.

To Baldwin, it’s simple.

“I just don’t feel you move franchises around like you move pieces of luggage.”