Sports: Scout: Canucks not looking, but would like to see Cloutier

Scout: Canucks not looking, but would like to see Cloutier

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

SUNRISE -- Vancouver scout Shawn Dineen said regardless of reports to the contrary, the Canucks are not looking to trade for a goaltender -- yet. Dineen said the team is hoping Felix Potvin will work his way out of a seasonlong slump.

On the other hand, Dineen said he was disappointed the Lightning did not start Dan Cloutier Saturday against the Panthers at National Car Rental Center.

"I'd like to see Dan play because if we ever are in that position (of trading for a goaltender), he's one of the names that would come up," Dineen said.

Dineen said it was coincidence he was at Saturday night's game (he was in town for Friday's Panthers game) and was scouting the Lightning "more for monitoring's sake."

He also said it is a coincidence he will be in Raleigh, N.C., Monday to watch the Lightning play the Hurricanes.

Dineen said he did speak to Lightning general manager Rick Dudley before the game, "but we never discussed (Cloutier). I'm just trying to get a feel for the Lightning."

BALTIMORE BACKERS: It's the Ravens in a landslide.

In a survey of eight players, coach John Tortorella and general manager Rick Dudley, Baltimore was the overwhelming favorite to win today's Super Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.

Tortorella and defenseman Sergey Gusev were the trend-buckers who picked the Giants.

"No question," Tortorella said. "I haven't thought about it, there have been some other things to worry about. But I've been a die-hard Giants fan forever growing up in Boston."

Tampa Bay's players will watch the game on big-screen TV at the team hotel in Raleigh, N.C., as they await Monday's game against the Hurricanes. There will be plenty to eat.

And much support for the Ravens.

"I think the Ravens will win because of the defense," defenseman Paul Mara said, predicting a 10-3 final.

Other predictions: Ravens 21-14 (defenseman Pavel Kubina); 13-7 (right wing Mike Johnson); 15-6 (center Brad Richards); 20-14 or 17-10 (forward Martin St. Louis).

Forward Stan Drulia also was solidly in the Ravens' camp, 16-10. But the Elmira, N.Y., native is more rooting against the Giants than for the Ravens.

"They beat my Bills," he said of the 1991 Super Bowl, "so I'm a little biased."

ODDS AND ENDS: Left wing Gordie Dwyer and defensemen Gusev and Marek Posmyk were healthy scratches. ... Former Lightning forward Mike Sillinger (groin) did not play for the Panthers. He was ranked fourth in the league going in with a 59.8 winning percentage on faceoffs.