11.   It also makes sense because they face the prospect of losing center Michael Olowokandi to free agency.

12.   It was even worse for the Rangers, who lost center Tim Taylor with a separated shoulder.

13.   Just as the Mavericks welcomed the return of backup center Donald Hodge, they lost backup center Loren Meyer to an injury.

14.   Last time the Suns visited Utah, Phoenix lost center Luc Longley for seven games because of a hypertextended left knee.

15.   Lou Lamoriello of the Devils could lose center Doug Gilmour to unrestricted free agency the same way Smith could lose Richter.

16.   Seattle lost one center, Ervin Johnson, but probably added a better one, Jim McIlvaine.

17.   Tech lost center Tony Battie, and Colorado lost guard Chauncey Billups.

18.   That incident is causing roster problems for the Kings, who could end up losing center Randy Robitaille.

19.   The Bruins also lost center Jozef Stumpel, who left after being struck in the face by an Edmonton shot midway through the second period.

20.   The Bruins lost center Jozef Stumpel with just over two minutes left in the second period with a bruised back, suffered when he collided with teammate Rob DiMaio.