NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

LUCIC LAUDS LUONGO’S CHARACTER

There is never a shortage of bad blood when the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins square off, as they will Tuesday night in Beantown, but CSNNE.com passes along that there is no lack of respect from Bruins power forward Milan Lucic toward Canucks netminder Roberto Luongo.

“I think too many people point the finger too much on Luongo,” said Lucic on Monday. “I think he’s a great goaltender. He was still able to get them one win away from the ultimate goal. It shows what type of person he is, going through what he went through with how he was treated [in Vancouver] by everyone.

“He’s managed to keep his game at a high level, and he’s on the Olympic team. He’s still one of the best goaltenders in the league. It shows a lot about his character. I wish him all the best in Sochi. I’m Canadian, right? It’s the only time I’ll cheer for him.”

EAKINS AVOIDS TWITTER NEGATIVITY

Oilers fans may have noticed how head coach Dallas Eakins has been tweeting lineup information for fans.

https://twitter.com/dallaseakins/status/430376404262592512

Eakins discussed Twitter Monday morning, as relayed by The Edmonton Journal.

“I just put them out there and let J.J. (Hebert, the Oilers PR man) handle the rest,” Eakins told a scrum of reporters following the morning skate. “I think Twitter is a number of different things to me.

“The first is thing is information. I go on there and I follow the New York Times and some other news agencies and my endurance sports stuff that I like to read.”

“I think it’s my duty, especially when we’re on the road, to let our fans know what’s going on. We want to continue that.

“The second part for me is inspiration. I get lots of inspiration off of Twitter. People’s stories, things like that. I think it’s our job (as coaches) to try to inspire, as well.

“The problem with Twitter is when you talk to the players about it, it’s an easy place for people to type and snipe at people.

“It has turned into a very negative place. That’s where I’m not sure what the feedback is. I learned a few years ago, when I was with the (Toronto) Marlies, don’t go read what they’re saying about your name on

Twitter, because it’s not going to be good.”

RYAN WON’T BE WATCHING TEAM USA

Via The Ottawa Citizen: Don’t expect Ottawa Senators winger Bobby Ryan to tune into Team USA’s hockey games in Sochi. After being left off the Olympic roster, Ryan is headed to a European destination for some rest.

“Where I’m going there won’t be a whole lot of coverage on the hockey,” Ryan said. “I’ll check in on the internet, but that’s about it.”

LUNDQVIST SLAMS ‘IGNORANT’ CRITICS

The New York Post writes that Henrik Lundqvist scoffed at those who had attributed his early difficulties to the approximately 2-inch reduction in pad length coupled with enhanced enforcement by the NHL this season.

“The people who said that the pads were the reason I was not playing well, or said I’d been good before because I’d been cheating, maybe I’d care if they weren’t ignorant about the game and the position,” Lundqvist told The Post.

“You close your pads at the knees, not at the tops. The way I play, staying back and then moving across, the change has actually helped me.”

DECEPTIVE KESSEL DOMINATES FOR LEAFS

Consider The Globe and Mail’s profile of the secrets to Phil Kessel’s success from Monday a must-read.

Joffrey Lupul on how Kessel uses one of the most flexible and unique composite sticks in the NHL: “It’s very hard to handle the puck. It takes talent. He’s been using that stick for a long time and, obviously, he just has more talent than the rest of us. He’s able to deal with it.

“When I take a similar shot, I have to exert a lot more pressure on the stick to push down and get that reaction out of the stick. That’s what it’s made for – for the kick point to be right there. The way it’s set up it sometimes looks like he barely has to push and it helps him with a quicker release.”

Lupul, on how you should never underestimate his teammate: “Any sport you want to play him in, he’ll beat you at. That’s just natural fast-twitch muscles. It’s the same thing if you go play golf with him. … You wouldn’t picture him driving the ball 50, 60 yards past you, but it happens.

“Some people are naturally powerful, and in his case, that’s what gives him that extra gear.”

SEGUIN, VANEK SWAP DISCUSSED IN SUMMER

So much trade talk goes on that never see the light of day, but this tidbit must make Sabres fans wonder what might have been.

Via The Buffalo News early Monday evening, multiple sources indicate the Sabres and Bruins discussed a trade package at the June draft that would have sent Thomas Vanek to Boston in exchange for center Tyler Seguin. It’s not clear why the talks didn’t result in a deal, but it is known the Bruins were seeking another NHL-ready player off the Sabres’ roster.

The Dallas Stars eventually wound up landing Seguin, while Vanek was dealt to the Islanders in October.

THOMAS WOULD CONSIDER RE-SIGNING WITH PANTHERS

Florida Panthers goaltender Tim Thomas, via The Sun-Sentinel, on the prospect of returning to the team for next season.

“I’m certainly willing to entertain the idea. I haven’t talked to the club about that,” Thomas said Monday.

“I was hoping by this time to be seeing more team success. That’s been a little bit difficult. Having said that, it’s a process. I knew coming into it where the team was last year. I bought into this process, and what we’re trying to do is turn it around.”

He added: “I’ve been with Boston when they were where the Panthers are right now, actually. So I do know how rewarding it is to be a part of that turnaround.

“It’s baby steps at times, but we’ve got a lot of young talent here. We took some steps forward and now we’ve taken some steps back. It’s time to start pushing this way again.”

MAURICE ENJOYED TIME WITH CANES

With the Carolina Hurricanes and Winnipeg Jets meeting Tuesday, The Raleigh News & Observer has Paul Maurice’s thoughts on his former team. Any regrets?

“Not one,” Maurice answered quickly, then pausing. “No, not one. There are no negatives from my time there. I really care about that franchise, about the people, about the city.

“It was time for me to go, and off I went. And now I have a new challenge, a new start.”

On the success of the organization: “This is such a good franchise and probably doesn’t get noted for that as much as it should. When we first started there was nothing. Every once in a while you’d see a little Hurricane flag and you weren’t sure if they were sold out of N.C. State flags or liked the red.

“It’s almost a model franchise for the non-traditional market. You always had that sense that there was a connection between the fans and the players, more so than other places and very much like Winnipeg. It wasn’t easy. There were a lot of questions at the time about, would this franchise succeed?”

BRUNNER READY FOR SWISS UNDERDOG ROLE

New Jersey Devils forward Damien Brunner, via The Star-Ledger, on his Swiss team’s hockey chances in the upcoming Olympics.

“You never know. We start the tournament against Latvia. I think that is a must-win game for us,” Brunner said. “It’s good to start like that, a game we have to win but maybe not the toughest opponent compared to the other two in the group. We’ve had success lately against the Czechs and Sweden. The thing for us is to just play our style, puck possession, speed, put them under pressure with a lot of forechecking.

“Obviously we need good goaltending, but Hiller is pretty hot this season so I don’t see a problem there.”

On perhaps shocking teammate Jaromir Jagr and the Czechs: “We have a lot of young guys who can really skate. The Czechs are obviously favored against us just because of the amount of players coming from the NHL and the success they’ve had in the past. But the days are over when they say they know they can beat Switzerland. I think they respect us as an opponent and they know we can surprise everyone. We know we’re underdogs but everyone in Switzerland knows we can also beat them.”

VIGNEAULT RESPECTS ROY PAYING HIS COACHING DUES

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault, via NorthJersey.com’s Rangers Rants, on Colorado bench boss Patrick Roy:

“I’ve know Pat for a long time,” Vigneault said. “I wouldn’t say I’m curious (to coach against him Tuesday night). I would say to you I’m not at all surprised by the success he’s had with his team. There’s a guy that finished playing and went and paid his dues. He had opportunities prior to last year to coach there and he turned it down.

“I don’t know if he turned it down because he didn’t think he was quite ready or he didn’t like the situation at the time but I’ve got a lot of respect for what he did. He paid his dues, he became a coach and general manager (in junior hockey). He was a great player, he’s got a lot of passion for the game and it’s obviously rubbed off on his team.”

CHAT WITH PARENT HELPED FLYERS’ MASON

The Philadelphia Inquirer illustrates how Flyers goaltender Steve Mason was helped greatly by a recent chat with Flyers legend Bernie Parent.

Mason didn’t want to get into specifics, “but Bernie gave me one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten,” he said after Monday’s morning skate. “It’s something I just kind of took to heart and it simply helped. There are obviously ups and downs through the entire season, but it’s a matter of how you come out of it. You just can’t let a couple of negative things affect you.”

Parent: “What I said to him was simple. I looked him in the eyes and said I really believe in him. I told him, ‘You’re a good goalie, but there are going to be rough spots. . . . I had some tough times, too.’ I told him, ‘Don’t judge yourself based on a couple rough games. Always look at the end goal, which is to win the Cup.’ ”

Parent said if you concentrate on the end goal, it “brings back the good feelings” and positive energy, “and you have a purpose. When you do that, you forget [your struggles] and learn from the goals scored against you.”

THEY TWEETED IT

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

MURRAY: SENATORS SHOPPING FOR FORWARD

The Ottawa Sun relays the latest trade thoughts from Senators GM Bryan Murray.

“We had a couple of teams I was talking fairly serious to about a smaller type deal that would add one player to our team, but it doesn’t appear it’s going to happen at this point,” said Murray. “As of now, we are what we are.

“I’ve talked to a number of managers, I think there’s a lot of people just saying we’d like to do something, but there’s nothing on the horizon right now.”

Murray on team needs: “I think our defence is going to be okay, in spite of occasional games where we have turnovers. I think our defence is young, it’s big, it’s pretty mobile and it’s getting better. There’s no question a couple of our players back there are playing better. Adding Cody (Ceci) to the lineup has helped considerably.

“If we could find one more forward of particular type, I think that would help us.”

The Sun indicates the Sens are known to be interested in injured Buffalo Sabres winger Matt Moulson and are actively seeking a winger to play with Jason Spezza.

KULIKOV STEADFASTLY DENIES KHL RUMOURS

23-year-old Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov is slated to become an RFA this summer and tells The Miami Herald he’s heard the rumours. Not only does he not want to leave the team by trade, he has no interest in returning to play in his native Russia.

“I would like to face those people saying those things and ask them where they are getting their information,” said Kulikov. “Wanting to go back to Russia? Those words have never come out of my mouth. I think the people starting that are just trying to create more drama for the league or whatever. … I want to help turn things around here. I want to win here. The year we made the playoffs was like the best thing ever. It’s a totally different feeling. I want to feel that again.’’

More Kulikov: “I had a great experience in the KHL during the lockout. That was my first chance to play there. I left when I was 17. I wanted to play there and see how it is. But that experience was enough for me. I experienced it. My dream since I was a kid was playing here. I’m living the dream.”

On rumours: “I try not to listen to those things because they are mostly negative. You never know who is putting them out there or why. I don’t focus on them. I’m just playing my game.’’

MALKIN DREAMING OF SOCHI GOLD

With the Sochi Olympics quickly closing in, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review profiles Russian superstar Evgeni Malkin.

“I know it is not easy,” Malkin said. “But is my dream: Same year, and Russia wins Olympics, Pittsburgh wins Stanley Cup.”

On taking his game up a notch: “I’m playing, I think, not bad. When we get to Sochi, I want to be ready, at my best. I’m not yet.”

On the excitement level: “I can’t wait. It’s Olympics. It’s Russia. It’s family and friends and maybe a little bit pressure on me. It’s soon. I’ll be ready.”
Insightful quotes from a variety of players, including fellow Russian Sergei Gonchar, who notes both Alexander Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk tend to be the “Sidney Crosby of Russia” in media terms.

“It’s the way he likes it,” Gonchar said. “He’s a little bit behind, and then he gets to surprise everybody.”

Sidney Crosby on Malkin: “I think he’s ready. A lot of those Russian guys, I think you can tell their games are where they are supposed to be. I think you can tell they’re pretty excited.”

FLAMES SKIP THIRD JERSEY USE SATURDAY

In detailing the Flames’ five-game home stand sweep, The Calgary Herald reveals the team was permitted by Brian Burke to not wear their old school third jerseys Saturday.

With an 0-8 record in them, there was good reason to switch things up.

Coach Bob Hartley: “I talked to Brian. I said, ‘We’re playing so well right now. Can we just keep going?’ And Brian said, ‘Let me check.’ He got back to me and said, ‘Yeah, I can help you that way.’ Sometimes, little superstitions …”

JACKETS MUM ON RANGERS’ CALLAHAN

Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen, via The Columbus Dispatch, on trade talk involving New York Rangers forward Ryan Callahan: “It’s rumors,” Kekalainen said Saturday. “Sometimes I laugh when I see rumors. Sometimes I scratch my head. I don’t ever comment.”

On the upcoming Olympic break: “It’s another opportunity to move forward. We can use the three weeks to our advantage.”

On the March 5 trade deadline: “I’ll give you my patented, dull answer: We’re always looking to get better. I’m always working the phone, always watching the games — here and on the road — and I am always looking. We’re always looking to get better.”

WILD’S KOIVU EXPLAINS FINLAND’S HOCKEY PRIDE

The Pioneer Press points out with the Olympics just around the corner that international hockey matters to Finland.

“Big time,” Wild captain and proud Finn Mikko Koivu said. “It comes from the success. That’s how you create expectations. We’re proud of our country, our independence and the way we got it. It’s a long time ago but not that long. Our grandparents were there during the war. I think that has something to do with it.

“Our generation, our moms and dads, were raised by grandparents who went through the war. You hear the stories, you know the history. Hockey is a huge part of that.”

SIMMONDS A CORNERSTONE PIECE FOR FLYERS

The Philadelphia Inquirer illustrates how Wayne Simmonds has evolved from a checking line forward with the Los Angeles Kings to a cornerstone power forward with the Flyers. Simmonds and Brayden Schenn were acquired for Mike Richards in 2011.

“We knew when we made the trade we were taking a step back to take two steps forward – and that’s what has happened,” Ed Snider, chairman of the Flyers’ parent company, Comcast-Spectacor, said after the Flyers’ 2-0 win over the Kings on Saturday. “We felt they were young and would get better and better.

Simmonds, on his maturity as a player: “As you get older, I think things start to slow down. You start to realize that you can do things if you take your time and don’t panic all the time. I think that’s the case for me. I’m starting to learn things I can do and things I can’t.”

ROY IMPRESSING BLUES’ HITCHCOCK

In The Slot notes St. Louis Blues forward Derek Roy has let his play do the talking for him since he was a healthy scratch Jan. 23.

“I think since Derek was not in the lineup, I think he’s really made a great account of himself,” Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. “He’s been a real good player for us. He’s been one of our best players on the power play, he’s made great plays on the power play, he’s been very competitive and I think he’s really answered the bell and had a great attitude and I think he’s really going to take on the responsibility of keeping that line going with Sobe not here.”

More Hitchcock: “I just think he’s competing. He’s competing for pucks, he’s winning races, he’s not on the outside, he’s not reaching and he’s using his quickness as a real weapon to pick up loose pucks. I think he’s also playing in straight lines and that’s why that line looks so fast. They play in straight lines, they play with great tempo and they’re dangerous. They’re dangerous because everybody knows that once they cross center ice, it’s going towards the net. It’s a really good thing for us. I really liked the way they played today. I liked the way they went to the net, I liked the way they hung onto the puck, I really liked their composure.”

DEVILS’ TABLE SET TO MAKE STANDINGS MOVE

The Star-Ledger details how the Devils may be on the outside of a playoff spot looking in, but coach Pete DeBoer feels his team has weathered a four-month storm and is within striking distance.

“We’re in a good spot. I believe we’re in a good spot and that’s not just lip service,” DeBoer said Sunday. “We’ve played the most road games in the conference. We’ve got 16 at home and 10 on the road left. Our schedule– from an opponent point of view– is never easy because there are no easy teams, but it’s not as difficult as it could be. So the table is set for us to make a move here. We just have to do it.”

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

PARENTEAU RESPONDS TO TRADE RUMOURS

P.A. Parenteau didn’t try to stickhandle around questions from The Denver Post when it came to his recent status as a healthy scratch, which triggered some trade rumours involving the Montreal Canadiens. Parenteau is from Hull, Quebec.

“Any time a top-six guy on a team is out of the lineup (rumours) are going to go around. It’s part of the game, but it’s not fun with family and stuff like that. It’s Montreal, too, and everyone was calling me. But I’m trying to block that out and wait for my turn. The team is winning, playing really well and Patty likes his top-six right now. I’ll be patient. I know I belong on the top-six, big-time, I proved it in the past, but sometimes things change in this league pretty quick. We’ll see where this goes.”

Patrick Roy, incidentally, reiterated Thursday Parenteau is not in his doghouse.

“I like P.A. He’s a great guy,” Roy said. “Unfortunately in this business when you get hurt it gives opportunity for others — and that’s what I ask, to take advantage of an opportunity with a player is hurt — and I like the lineup that I have right now. McGinn has scored almost every other night for us and with Tanguay, Stastny and Landeskog we’re 14-1.”

MELNYK: SENS WILL STILL SPEND WISELY

The Ottawa Citizen reflects on the national Rogers Communications broadcasting deal with the NHL, announced last fall, as well as this week’s news on the regional pact. Combined, the deals are expected to generate an estimated $20 million to $30 million per year for the Senators over the next 12 years – although factors like the fluctuating Canadian dollar will impact those totals.

Senators owner Eugene Melnyk: “This puts us on a solid footing. We are going to be competitive in spending on players. If I need to spend an extra $2 million to $3 million to make the playoffs, it’s a no-brainer. I’ll do it.”

On how he’s not about to open his vault: “We’re still going to spend wisely,” he said. “Just because you have extra money in your pocket, doesn’t mean you go out and spend it.

On a prospect-related note, this was part of Melynk’s email to The Ottawa Sun: “A number of our players would easily make NHL teams right now — we just have too much talent on the Senators. We have excellent, second to none, management in hockey operations, namely Bryan Murray, Randy Lee and his development and training staff, Pierre Dorion — arguably the best scouting head and his team an award winning head coach in Paul MacLean and his assistants. Not to mention an excellent young, team on the ice now!!!”

SULLIVAN DEFENDS CANUCKS’ ICE TIME TOTALS

The Vancouver Sun illustrates how Canucks interim head coach Mike Sullivan says “you guys draw the assumption” that overuse is why the top Canucks are struggling, in relation to their high minutes played and the criticism from the media.

“Since you guys have been on this and asking me these questions, I’ve been kind of exploring the league myself a little bit,” Sullivan said after Thursday’s practice. “Ryan Kesler plays four seconds on average more than Sidney Crosby. Is Sidney Crosby, is that a problem for him?

“Marty St. Louis, his average ice time is 21:46. He plays more minutes than the (Sedins). Marty St. Louis is 39 years old. Is the minutes a problem for him?”

Excluding the three Canucks though, seven of the top nine NHL forwards in average ice time play in the Eastern time zone.

“You travel in the east, too,” Sullivan said. “Tampa is not an easy travel schedule; I coached there. Our best information is our players and we communicate with those guys on a daily basis.”

He added: “Listen, as a coaching staff, we’re looking for answers, too. We’re looking for solutions, too. And we talk about this stuff all the time – not only as a staff, but also with our players.”

OVECHKIN GUNNING FOR GOLD IN SOCHI

The Washington Post explains how the Sochi Games are Alex Ovechkin’s next opportunity to attain the team glory that has eluded him.

“Growing up in Russia, Olympics, it’s a lot for us,” Ovechkin said. “Maybe somebody don’t understand it, but it’s the biggest event maybe of our year and maybe of my life.”

On the longtime dream: “Since I was a little kid and since everybody was a little kid, their dream was to play in the Olympic Games.

“Especially we have the chance to represent the country in Sochi, it’s unbelievable. … I don’t think somebody is going to just say their mission is done just to be in the Olympic Games. Our mission is to win the gold medal and play our best hockey.”

On the intense scrutiny: “It’s going to be lots of pressure. It’s going to be lots of media. It’s going to be lots of attention out there. Of course, when you get closer to that, you just have to handle it.”

JAGR’S HOT TUB WORKOUT

Jaromir Jagr’s dedicated training habits have become the stuff of legends with each NHL stop he makes, but NJ.com brings a new twist.

Dallas Stars right wing Ryan Garbutt explains what he saw last season when entering an oversized hot tub at the team’s practice rink.

“Jags actually would bring his hockey stick in the pool to work on his grip strength,” Garbutt said Thursday. “He’d be in there making waves with his stick. And I saw him doing it a few times. He’d keep a stick in there.”

Just part of his extensive workout program, Jagr explained later, while adding that he actually was working on strengthening his stomach muscles.

“That was my workout,” said Jagr, who turns 42 on Feb. 15. “It’s a pretty good workout if you get used to it.”

OSHIE’S VERSATILITY HELPS BLUES

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch describes how depth and flexibility have been calling cards for the Blues this season. The coaching staff has taken advantage of the forwards’ abilities to play different roles.

T.J. Oshie has been one such player for head coach Ken Hitchcock.

“Oshie is the guy who can play left, right and center,” Hitchcock said. “He can play in a checking role or a scoring role. Oshie’s the guy who can provide us with flexibility.”

JONES, DEL ZOTTO PARTNERSHIP BLOSSOMING

The Nashville Tennessean notes the Predators made the Michael Del Zotto trade with Seth Jones in mind and envision the defensive pairing last for many years.

“We’re just trying to get them to talk,” coach Barry Trotz said. “They’re both guys who compete really hard, and they can do some things offensively. As long as they’re not both (jumping into the play) at the same time, I’m pretty happy about that.”

Jones: “The more games you play the more experience you gain with each other. Trust isn’t an issue. I trust him that he’s going to make the right play, and I’m sure he trusts me as well on the ice, so we’re using each other a lot.

“We’re both pretty offensive. When I look over and see him going, it’s perfectly fine with me. He’s doing great so far.”

PROSPAL: RETIREMENT IS A RELIEF

The Columbus Dispatch indicates Vinny Prospal’s retirement announcement provided some peace.

“It felt like I was finally free of all the pressure,” said Prospal. “I don’t have to prove to anybody that I’m better than the guy sitting next to me. I don’t have to fight off that guy fighting for my job, or the other guy trying to take my spot on the power play. I just felt such a relief.”

Prospal was loved by the players during his time in Columbus and he’s proud of the mark he helped to leave on the club.

“When I got there, nobody wanted to be there,” Prospal said. “But we became a team that was relentless, and they still use that word there. It’s a team nobody wants to play against, and we only got better over time.

“They brought me in to change the culture, and I’m always going to be proud of that, that I was part of the spark plug. The players weren’t happy. The fans weren’t happy, of course. But now it’s a team that makes people proud.”

RUPP PROTECTS WILD TEAMMATES

The Pioneer Press notes skilled Jason Zucker and physical Mike Rupp have been alternating spots in the lineup lately. With Rupp in the lineup, the whole team feels protected, head coach Mike Yeo said.

“It’s like having your big brother with you; you feel a little bit stronger,” Yeo said. “You know that when push comes to shove, he’s going to step up and stand up for his teammates. That breeds a good feeling on the bench and in the locker room.”

THEY TWEETED IT

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN FOR CAMMALLERI, BURKE

The Calgary Sun relays how Michael Cammalleri, cleared to play from his latest concussion, will return to the Flames lineup Thursday night against the visiting San Jose Sharks.

Cammalleri is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, leading to speculation Brian Burke may deal the forward before the March 5 trade deadline.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Cammalleri said. “Brian has been really good with me. We’ve had a lot of communication, as far as talking about some different things. I’m not able to speculate on what may or may not happen yet, but as far as that goes, I think I just try and play the game the way I’ve always tried to play it, and that’s the best I can every day.”

On concussions: “There’s no doubt that concussions are a separate entity when it comes to injuries, and it’s just scary because it’s your brain and you want to make sure you feel really good when you come back. It’s something to take seriously.

“I had a couple earlier in my career and one a few years ago, so I’ve been through this before.”

BERNIER SEIZES CHANCE WITH LEAFS

The Toronto Sun outlines how Jonathan Bernier has further cemented his spot as the unchallenged starter for the Leafs.

“I knew the type of coach Randy was and I knew I really had to battle to earn it, which is the good way. You don’t want anything free in life,” Bernier said. “I didn’t really focus on how many games I was playing, I just focused on getting better every day and every game and it just worked out that I started playing good and he kept me in … I’m having a lot of fun, it puts a big smile (on my face).”

On heading from Los Angeles to Toronto in last June’s deal: “When I got traded I knew it was my chance to prove what I can do in this league and my main focus was always to be the No. 1 guy.

“I still have a lot to learn, but I think I’m moving toward that. Consistency is always going to be your biggest challenge as a goalie.”

SENATORS’ RYAN IN ANNUAL ‘LULL’

The Ottawa Citizen notes Senators winger Bobby Ryan has one goal in his past 12 outings.

“The pucks just aren’t finding me in certain areas,” he said. “I’ve always had a lull every year and it’s always been around this time. I’m just a little far away from the puck. I’ve got to be a little more reactive towards the puck a little bit.

“When you’re pressing like that and the stick feels like it weighs 30 pounds, you start to cheat a little bit and you start to make plays that wouldn’t normally try to make or force the issue,” he added. “You’ve got to sit back and be a little more relaxed in that regard.”

HABS’ GALLAGHER, BRUINS’ LUCIC TRAIN TOGETHER

The New York Times examines the friendship between Montreal Canadiens sophomore Brendan Gallagher and Boston Bruins winger Milan Lucic.

Brendan’s dad, Ian,  is the strength and conditioning coach for the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League. Ian began training Lucic after the ’04-5 season, which is where Lucic met a 13-year-old Brendan.

“He was just a little guy, and like most people, when you see a little guy like that, to be perfectly honest, you don’t think he would amount to what he has,” said Lucic. “I never expected him to, well, first off, for me to be a Bruin and for him to be a Hab. Now I have Ian wearing Montreal Canadiens stuff to workouts, and I have to deal with that, but at the end of the day it’s great to see him having success regardless of the rivalry.”

Brendan, on training with Lucic as a fellow NHLer in the off-season: “The coolest part of the summers was just talking to him about their season compared to our season, the little challenges that they faced and things that they know about other players in the league. The more knowledge you have, the better off you are.”

BRODEUR REMAINS OPEN TO TRADE

More thoughts from Martin Brodeur, following up on yesterday’s Hockey Hearsay, concerning his future.

These, via Fire & Ice, continue to suggest Brodeur remains open to leaving the New Jersey Devils by the trade deadline.

Again, to be clear, Brodeur is “not at all” looking for the Devils to trade him. He also holds a no-trade clause.

But?

“I’m open to anything,” Brodeur said. “I just want to play. So, like I said in Toronto, if there’s a better situation for me, I’ll take it. If it’s here or somewhere else, it doesn’t matter.”

On if he’d ask for a trade himself: “I don’t think so unless in the next three weeks it goes worse than (it is). We’ll see. But I don’t think I will ask.”

Brodeur also tells Fire & ice he and Devils GM Lou Lamoriello haven’t discussed the future yet.

PANTHERS COACH PREACHES PATIENCE FOR KADRI, HUBERDEAU

The Toronto Star examines the sophomore slump being endured by young Florida Panthers star Jonathan Huberdeau. With the Panthers facing the Leafs Thursday, Florida coach Peter Horachek brought Leafs forward Nazem Kadri into the discussion, noting critics forget that it’s not easy to score in the NHL.

“People expect that guys like Kadri, guys like Huberdeau who have the notoriety coming right into the league are going to instantly be great, stay great and never have off times.”

Players with star potential often now get “pushed into the limelight right off the bat.”

“You look at some of the best players and they start lower in lines,” Horachek said. “You look at Getzlaf and Perry, they were on the fourth line for a whole year. They just slowly moved up. They didn’t all of a sudden become that guy.”

DALLAS OUTDOOR GAME ‘YEARS AWAY’

The Dallas Morning News wonders: When might the area get an outdoor game?

“We are in the very early stages of talks and planning, and we expect to make some headway during the Olympic break, but it’s still a few years away,” Stars president and CEO Jim Lites said. “Just guessing, I would say 2015-16 at the earliest, and more realistically 2016-17.”

Lites, on how the rebuilding project is just getting started: “Look, we think we’ve made a lot of inroads with fans, with advertisers and with the grassroots hockey effort at the youth level, but it takes time. So, honestly, now is not the time for us to try to attract a game like that.”

On a potential venue: “I think you can talk about the Cotton Bowl or the ballpark [Rangers Ballpark in Arlington], but in the end it makes the most sense to look at Cowboys Stadium. You have the safeguard against rain, plus I think an event of this magnitude needs that building. It can be a huge part of the draw in itself.”

CARLSON’S JOURNEY TO U.S. OLYMPIAN

The Washington Post profiles Capitals defenseman John Carlson, reflecting on his early hockey days through to being named an Olympian for Team USA in Sochi.

Dick Carlson, John’s dad, recalled John’s decision to opt out of an scholarship offer with to the University of Massachusetts and instead play in the Ontario Hockey League.

“You don’t realize it at the time, but he was absorbing everything at every level, and it kind of fed into all these decisions he made,” Dick Carlson said. “He probably doesn’t realize that, but everything in his mind was calculated and mature – kind of beyond his own maturity level. I sit back and think about it: He had kind of a game plan in his mind, and he was just going a step at a time.”

GOALS LACKING FOR DUCHENE LATELY

The Denver Post points out Avalanche forward Matt Duchene has run into some rough luck in the goal department of late, with just one in his past 18 games.

“I’m just trying to not let it get me down, and not be on that emotional roller coaster,” Duchene said. “But it’s crazy. I think I’ve hit more goalposts than I have in the last two years in this stretch. I keep getting hooked, but I’m not getting penalty shots or anything. But I’ve just got to keep working and eventually it’ll go in. But other guys are scoring, so just give them the puck.”

That said, Duchene noted: “Yeah, I want the puck to go in, but I feel like our line is still producing and we’re winning games. As long as that happens, I’m happy,”

SAMUELSSON LOOKING TO REDISCOVER HOCKEY’S ‘FUN SIDE’

Michigan Live indicates Mikael Samuelsson, demoted to the minors by the Detroit Red Wings, sees the Griffins as a chance to play regularly again, but not to prove that he can still play.

“I don’t think I’m coming down here to showcase myself,” he said. “I don’t think that’s the deal. I come down here to play the game again, to have fun, and hopefully find the fun side of it again. I think I lost a little bit of that.”

On making the best of the situation: “If you look at it from my standpoint, as a hockey player I want to play the game. Obviously, I want to play at the highest level, but if guys don’t believe in me that I can do that, then this is my situation for now.”

THEY TWEETED IT

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

DEVILS’ BRODEUR FACES POSSIBILITY OF TRADE

Martin Brodeur is not looking for a trade, but he tells The Star-Ledger that Cory Schneider’s presence means the legendary goaltender does not think it would be inconceivable GM Lou Lamoriello might ask him to waive his no-trade clause.

“No, not at all,” Brodeur told The Star-Ledger on Tuesday. “It’s within the team’s rights to try and make themselves better. The fact is, I have the luxury to decide what I want to do. I hope if he is able to help the team, he’ll ask, regardless of what it is. It’s definitely something that is possible.”

Brodeur, on how he might react were that scenario to unfold: “I don’t know how I’d feel. I don’t know where I’m at with that. I don’t know what I’d think if it were to happen. I definitely would like to play more, so if there is a chance somewhere…

“But I’m not looking for that. I want to make sure this team gets on a playoff run. We’ll see what happens, but stranger things have happened.”

On if the Devils might trade the face of the franchise: “I’ve never faced it, but this year I might,” Brodeur said, his voice trailing off.

ARE SENATORS BUYERS OR SELLERS?

The Ottawa Citizen passes along that Senators GM Bryan Murray is still trying to decide what to do with his roster as both the Olympic break and trade deadline approach. Will the Sens be a playoff qualifier, or will they be able to supply other teams with rentals?

“Do I add or subtract UFAs?” Murray said on Tuesday. “The team will decide that issue over the next couple of weeks.”

FLYERS’ HOLMGREN: THERE WILL BE DEALS TO BE MADE

Flyers GM Paul Holmgren, via The Philadelphia Daily News, discusses what is basically a double trade deadline coming up, between the Olympic break and the actual trade deadline in early March.

“Right now, it’s getting to the point where we need to see what we have, see what’s out there and make a move if we’re going to do it.”

On a recent meeting with Craig Berube and his staff: “I think the coaches and I were all on the same page,” Holmgren said. “I think every team has some things they’d like to work on, but I firmly believe in the nucleus that we have here.

“That doesn’t mean if something comes up now and for the future, that we wouldn’t think about it,” Holmgren said. “We’ll continue to look around. But it would have to be something that makes sense for both.”

On cap space: “There are ways we can deal with the salary cap and get around things, if we need to. There will be deals to be made.”

WILD NOT LOOKING TO DEAL TOP PROSPECTS

Via The Pioneer Press, Wild GM Chuck Fletcher says he’s less likely to make any trade now involving one of the team’s top prospects.

“I wouldn’t rule anything out, but those deals are hard to make,” Fletcher said. “It’s tough to give up multiple assets on a yearly basis and stay competitive long-term, so you’re balancing the long term with the short term. Certainly, we’re happy with the deal last year, but that’s a difficult deal to make on a yearly basis.

“Any deal (we do) has to make sense in the long- and the short-term perspective, in my opinion, for where we’re at in the arch of our franchise.”

The lowering of the salary cap for this season has made trades harder to come by too.

“This has been one of the more difficult years that I can remember,” Fletcher said. “So many teams are close to the cap and don’t have that wiggle room to either add a player without giving you a player back or simply to take on the money.”

DANIEL SEDIN STILL WANTS TO SHOOT MORE

The Vancouver Sun illustrates that Canucks forward Daniel Sedin is without a goal in 13 games.

“I think we have good enough players on this team to make things happen,” responded Daniel when queried about the absence of injured brother Henrik. “I can’t blame it on that. I have to make things happen so that’s something I don’t really look at too much. It’s up to me. It’s my job to score and when I’m not scoring, it’s tough.”

He had one shot in each of his past two games.

“I don’t think I’ve been putting myself in those situations where I can shoot the puck,” he said. “So that needs to be better. I mean, that should be my mindset and that’s what I talked about before the season, too – shooting the puck. That’s what I need to get back to. But I’ve been in this league too long to kind of get down.

“I don’t really dwell on things too much. I try to stay positive and that’s been my mindset the last 10 years. I will come back (Wednesday) and work hard and I think things will turn around. That’s how I look at it.”

CECI TOLD HE’S STAYING WITH SENATORS

The Ottawa Sun indicates Senators defenceman Cody Ceci was told by the team to “get an apartment” two weeks ago, but he just revealed it Tuesday. The 20-year-old is not going back to AHL Binghamton.

“I enjoyed my time there,” Ceci said of Binghamton, “but it was nice to get the call up. I’ve just enjoyed it here. It’s a lot different here with flying to games and staying in the nicest hotels, and eating in nice restaurants all the time.

“I had fun when I was down in Bingo. I lived with some great guys.”

RAFALSKI ENDS COMEBACK BID

The Ft. Myers News-Press reports Brian Rafalski’s pro hockey comeback is over after only three games with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL.

“I’m done,” Rafalski said. “My back is no good. That was one of the hurdles.”

He added: “After playing two games, it inflamed the nerves in my back so I’m done. I felt like I played pretty well the last game. I was getting my timing and the game seemed to slow down.”

Bottom line: “There’s no reason to keep going. This is not something you can push or play through or goes away.”

GUDBRANSON LEARNING FROM PRESS BOX

The South Florida Sun Sentinel points out Tuesday night’s game against the Bruins was slated to be Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson’s second straight game sitting out as a healthy scratch.

“It’s tough not being in the lineup. It’s never a position you want to be in. It sucks more when you’re the one that put yourself there,’’ said Gudbranson, 22. “It’s never going to be all roses throughout a hockey career. It’s about testing your character, responding to it and reacting to situations.

“I always see everything as an opportunity to learn from it. I had a good chance to watch some pretty good hockey players lately. I got to see Jonathan Ericsson and Niklas Kronwall the other day. I get to see Zdeno Chara tonight. Watching them play is a luxury you don’t necessarily have when you’re playing.  I’m going to use it to my full advantage.’’

THEY TWEETED IT

https://twitter.com/mattpep15/status/428328750007078912

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

PACIORETTY SAYS THERRIEN HASN’T LOST CANADIENS’ ROOM

Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty explains to The Montreal Gazette that his team’s current slumping state “isn’t rock bottom.” Similarly, anyone suggesting that head coach Michel Therrien has “lost the room,” would have to look elsewhere.

“Obviously, we’re not playing the right way, but it’s not like guys are trying to sabotage the Montreal Canadiens. We want to win,” Pacioretty told The Gazette.

“(Therrien) is being positive right now. He’s doing a great job of keeping our confidence up. Any coach can come in here, not look at us, not say hi and act pissed off all day. But he’s doing a great job of communicating with us, talking with us, staying positive and keeping the mood light.”

https://twitter.com/Dave_Stubbs/status/427921220378841089

Pacioretty, on the team keeping its collective chin up: “I’ve never been in a dressing room where the morale is so good at a time like this. That’s what management and the coaches are trying to instill in this team as we face adversity, as every team does.

“I’ve had my own fair share of adversity and I can look back and say 100 per cent that it’s made me a better player and a better person.

“As a team, that’s what we’re going through now. We hope to be a team that wins, and wins often. In the long run, this will help us a lot.”

SPEZZA ‘PLUGGING ALONG’ FOR SENATORS

The Ottawa Citizen points out Senators captain Jason Spezza has had a revolving door of wingers this season, but  Spezza said it’s up to him to produce.

“It’s been a frustrating year for me, individually, but I just have to keep plugging along,” he said. “We have a lot of games left to play, and I think I’ve got better here in the last 10 games and I’ve felt better with my game.

“The reason I’ve been such a good player for so long is that I’ve pushed myself. When things don’t go well, you try to figure out what’s going wrong and improve on it.

“It’d be easy for me to write the year off as a bad year, but I’ve got a lot of hockey left and my plan is to have a good finish.

YEAR OFF ‘REJUVENATED’ THOMAS

The Miami Herald passes along how Tim Thomas said Monday taking last season off was a much-needed respite from hockey.

“It rejuvenated me, gave me a new life so to speak,” Thomas said. “It’s allowed me to again appreciate being able to play in this league.”

Thomas also said he is willing to go to Sochi if Team USA needs him.

“There’s disappointment,” said Thomas, who wasn’t one of three goalies selected for the U.S. Olympic team on New Year’s Day.

“But I’ll be ready to take the call if something happens in the next week and a half if there was an injury and they want to bring me. That’s how I’m looking at it.”

EAKINS: SMYTH’S FIRE STILL BURNS HOT

Before the Edmonton Oilers and Canucks squared off Monday evening, The Vancouver Sun relayed how, in Oilers coach Dallas Eakins’ words, there’s “a fire that’s still burning very, very hot” within Ryan Smyth.

“The veteran guys that are able to play to his age have unbelievable hockey sense. They think the game so well, and that makes up for the loss of their quick-twitch muscles and fibres, because that’s what happens as you get older. You lose your power, your quickness,” Eakins said.

“So Ryan’s not as quick as he was 10 years ago, but his head’s still there.

“The other thing that certainly hasn’t gone away is his will and his competitiveness. A lot of times as guys get later in their careers, that kind of goes away. It’s not that they’re not trying, it’s that they don’t have that fire that they had at 24 or 25. But that hasn’t gone away with him.”

PAAJARVI GAINING CONFIDENCE WITH BLUES

In the Slot, a blog on the St. Louis Blues, takes a look at the development of former Edmonton Oilers winger Magnus Paajarvi, who was traded to the Blues for David Perron.

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock on Paajarvi: “What we kind of thought we were getting, we didn’t necessarily get. We found a different player. I think we’re getting used to seeing how good he is off the rush. He takes the puck to the net, he makes plays, he’s got great speed, he’s got great timing. I think as a rush-attack player, he’s a lot better than we thought. I think the other part that thought he was a third line checker, I think he’s got more in his game. We’re going to have to bring him along and develop it. But I really like the way he is on the rush. He really makes good plays with the puck.”

Paajarvi on being in and out of the line-up: “It’s a good and it’s a hard thing. But it really develops you. For me, it’s been really tough for me mentally the last two, three years. I’ve been way better mentally. That’s the biggest thing. You need to handle the mental part of it. It is hard, but at the same time, it really gives you a lot if you’re willing to do it.

“I’m not saying I had a bad time or anything in Edmonton, but when you lose, you lose. It doesn’t matter how, and it’s really hard. I can only imagine what they’re going through now. I know how hard it is, and I really appreciate what we have here.”

ZUCCARELLO, CALLAHAN CONTRACT UPDATES

Via The Daily News: Mats Zuccarello is slated to become a restricted free agent after this season when his one-year, $1.15 million contract expires. His agent, Craig Oster, told the Daily News on Monday afternoon that while nothing new has happened recently, he and the Rangers have had “preliminary talks” with a willingness to revisit the discussion.

Also via The Daily News: Ryan Callahan’s agent, Stephen Bartlett, said he and the Rangers have had “ongoing discussions in the hopes that we can get something done,” and that while there have been some “detours” at points, he remains “optimistic.”

Callahan’s three-year, $12.825 million pact ends after this season and he’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent.

BLUES’ TARASENKO HAS UNPREDICTABLE SHOT

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock, via The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, on Vladimir Tarasenko’s shot.

“It’s a lot like Hull, it’s heavy … it’s fast,” Hitchcock said. “I think the biggest thing he has going is it’s unpredictable. When you’re shooting with your blade that square to the net, I don’t think any goalie can tell you where it’s going. I don’t think any goalie can read off that blade because it’s flat.

“Very similar to the way Mark Recchi’s was. Mark had the same thing, where he squared up his blade, so you didn’t know if it was going glove, stick, low, high…you had no idea. I don’t think anybody can tell on Tarasenko. He scores (Saturday) high glove on the first one and then he scores 18 inches on the second one. Both times the blade is square and I don’t think you can tell where it’s going.”

HEDMAN EMERGES FOR LIGHTNING

The Tampa Bay Tribune asserts 23-year-old Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, the second overall pick in 2009, has become of the best blueliners in the league.

“Heddy has just come into his own,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “It’s a tribute to him that he has weathered his ups and downs. He has weathered his critics.”

Hedman: “I’m having my best season so far in my career, but I can’t be satisfied. Things have been going well, but I have to keep working on my game and try to get better every day. It sounds like a cliche, but that’s how it has to be.”

CAPITALS’ DADS LOVING FATHERS’ TRIP

Tremendous quote from Karl Alzner, via The Washington Post, on the Capitals’ fathers’ trip.

“It’s so funny just seeing them walking into the rink today, and everybody’s so fired up,” Alzner said. “We walk in through the door and I hadn’t even had a chance to introduce my dad to the other guys because he was already talking to them, getting breakfast. They’re all around the coffee maker just chugging coffee. And then it’s the Alberta guys chirping the Saskatchewan guys. It’s the Canadian guys chirping the American guys. What don’t they get out of it? They love it.”

KINGS’ BROWN APPRECIATES SHARKS’ HERTL

Lengthy quotes from Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown, via CSNBayArea.com, concerning Sharks rookie Tomas Hertl ahead of the two teams playing Monday night in San Jose. Hertl may miss the rest of the season following Brown’s knee-on-knee hit Dec. 19.

“You never want to see anybody get hurt. He was pretty exciting coming into the league. We need more players like him that are willing to go through the legs, and go shelf,” Brown said, mentioning Hertl’s highlight-reel goal against the New York Rangers in October. “That’s good for our game. You don’t want to see anybody get hurt. Like I said, it’s one of those things that kind of happens in the game of hockey.

“There was a lot of excitement. Everyone remembers that one game. It wasn’t just up here (in San Jose), we had guys in our room talking about how good it was. It’s not too often you see a young guy like that come in and do the things he was able to do. Hopefully, he can get healthy.”

Brown also goes more in-depth to the hit itself, which you can check out.

“All I can say is, I made the effort to get out of the way.”

THEY TWEETED IT

https://twitter.com/Willie_Mitch33/status/427919801722236928

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

MURRAY CHATS WITH SABRES’ KEY FREE AGENTS

New Sabres GM Tim Murray spoke with The Buffalo News before Saturday’s win over Columbus, indicating he has casually chatted with pending unrestricted free agents Ryan Miller, Matt Moulson and Steve Ott.

Murray emphasized none of them are getting traded unless the Sabres reap significant rewards.

“I’ve told them all the same thing really and it was like, ‘It’s unfortunate you’re going to see your name in the paper. That’s just the nature of the game,’ ” Murray said. “They’re not young players. They’ve been around. They know the game. They know that this is part of it.

“I told them not to believe everything they read or everything they’ve heard on the sports channels. But certainly their names are in play and we’ll see what happens, but it doesn’t guarantee they’ll be moved at all. For me, it’s all about return. These are good players. So if the return was up to a certain point and not great and we then decide we want to talk to them about staying, then that’s an option too.”

Murray, on what it will take: “So if we’re going to do something, it’s going to be something I’m really forced to do as far as return. That would be fine but I’m not sure it’s going to happen.”

Murray, on discussions with teams so far: “There’s been lots of interaction, a lot of early talking,” he said. “There’s been no real specifics. I think teams are just trying to feel us out, feel me out on what we want to do. There’s certainly been discussions. I’m not sure there’s any artificial deadline. I think people are in a wait-and-see mode, to tell you the truth.

“People are concerned about injuries this far out. If a contending team makes their one big move and that guy is not available when he needs to be, there’s concern there from those teams. I’m really not sure a lot of teams want to pull off the big trade this far out. It could happen, but it doesn’t seem to me there’s any urgency right now.”

BETTMAN ADDRESSES GRETZKY’S NHL FUTURE

The Los Angeles Times has quotes from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman during Saturday night’s Stadium Series tilt at Dodger Stadium involving the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, where Wayne Gretzky was a central part of the festivities.

Gretzky and the league finally recently settled the matter of money owed him from the Phoenix Coyotes’ bankruptcy.

“I’m not sure he ever left the fold. People have their own lives to live,” Bettman said. “But having him as a more frequent presence is very special to us.

“On a personal level I’m a fan of his. His accomplishments are unbelievable in the annals of any sport. And he’s just such a great ambassador for the game. We wouldn’t be here tonight doing this if it wasn’t for him.”

Bettman said Gretzky’s future involvement with the NHL “is a matter for him of personal choice and what he wants to spend his time doing.”

BURKE LOOKING TO DEAL O’BRIEN

The Calgary Flames waived Shane O’Brien over the weekend and with no takers, he was assigned to the Abbotsford Heat.

The veteran defenceman is in the second season of a three-year, $6 million dollar pact.

SENATORS EVALUATING TRADE OPTIONS

The Ottawa Sun asserts it doesn’t seem likely Senators GM Bryan Murray will make any trades before the Olympic break.

Assistant GM Pierre Dorion: “We identified what our team is right now and possible targets for possible trades. Not that we’re going to make any trades but we always have to be ready for that possibility (with) players who we feel could help us in the short-or-long term.”

More Dorion: “We have to wait to see where we are the Olympic break. You have to wait to see where are at the trade deadline and that will dictate a lot of what happens in the future.

“I like the way we’re going as a team and the direction that we’re taking.”

CROSBY PRAISES OLYMPIAN BENN

Via The Dallas Morning News, Canadian Olympic captain Sidney Crosby on first-time Olympian Jamie Benn.

“I think his play, especially the last couple of years, has earned him the right to be on the team,” Crosby said of the Stars’ captain. “I think he’s just gotten better every year. He’s a big guy. He’s got speed, a lot of offensive talent. Yeah, he’s done everything to make himself ready for that team.”

FLYERS’ SIMMONDS BRUSHES OFF RACIST TAUNTS

The Courier-Post traces back the blue collar, hard working roots of Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds, which, in itself, is an extremely worthwhile read to further gain an appreciation of him as a both a hockey player and a person. Great tidbit about how he didn’t mind paying his dues coming up in his role with the Los Angeles Kings either.

Also reflected upon are the racist taunts to which Simmonds has been subjected in recent years.

Simmonds has “no problem” taking abuse like that.

“Eventually, hopefully, people will realize that it’s childish and stupid and will stop doing it,” he said. “If I have to be a person that’s gonna get ridiculed or chanted at, I’ll gladly take it for the younger kids coming up so they don’t have to deal with it.”

CRAWFORD MARVELS AT QUENNEVILLE’S MIND

The Chicago Tribune profiles Blackhawks bench boss Joel Quenneville. Coach Q and Marc Crawford – who would each go on to become Stanley Cup winners as coaches – were inseparable in the early 90s, when Crawford was the coach of the AHL’s St. John’s Maple Leafs and Quenneville was a player/assistant coach.

“I had a little bit more experience with things like how to run a practice, how to talk to players and that sort of thing,” Crawford said. “I always remember him being totally enthralled by it. It made me think, ‘Yeah, he’s going to be a really good coach.’ I would always joke that the three (words) I would say to Joel, were ‘what happened there?’ And he would always know exactly what had happened.

“I’ve never seen anybody who has recollection and recognition of what has happened like Joel does. I’m not a doofus or anything as a coach but he’s amazing. He really is. He has a very, very good mind. His recollection of what has happened and his vision are great. I believe that makes him as good as he is.

“I sent a note to him when he won the second Cup. I only sent three letters, which were ‘HOF.’ To me, that’s what it is. His record speaks for itself.”

SHARKS’ ROBINSON STILL LOVES NHL

CSNBayArea.com describes how 62-year-old San Jose Sharks associate coach Larry Robinson, with health being one of the factors, can’t commit to a third season in his role.

“It’s no different than any other year. If I was 25, I’d say I know what my future is,” Robinson said. “But, I’m getting older. We’ll see. I just take everything a year at a time, and we’ll see how it goes.”

On always wanting to be involved with the NHL in some capacity, regardless: “I don’t think I ever would like to get out of the game. Certainly, when you’re 60-plus years old and you’re traveling the travel schedule we’ve got, especially this year, it takes its toll on you, for sure.”

FLYERS’ GREAT LEACH WARNS KIDS OF ALCOHOL DANGERS

Inspirational tale via CSNPhilly.com from former Flyers’ great Reggie Leach, a notorious drinker during his playing days. He’s been sober for 29 years and spends much of his time these days – on his own dime – speaking with the youth of First Nation in Canada, explaining how drinking ruined his marriage, sent him into bankruptcy, and drove his family apart.

“I go around and talk about life choices and my experiences as a hockey player and what I did after hockey. I am more proud of what I do today than my hockey career. That was a stepping stone of getting me where I am now.

“Everybody has a journey in life. I have been lucky enough to accomplish mine in hockey and now I use that experience with what I accomplished to help youth so they don’t follow in the footsteps of what I did as a youngster.”

On not being able to reach everyone: “You’re never gonna win the battle. You’re gonna help kids think about it. If I can talk to 100 kids and get two or three of them to listen, I did something, not just for the kids but for everybody.

“I speak the truth. I don’t hide nothing. I go out there and whatever I [say], I speak from the heart. I do it and I am very proud of what I do.”

AVALANCHE UNDERSCORE IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH COMMUNICATION

Interesting feature in The Denver Post on an issue each NHL team faces, in terms of having so many different nationalities among the players – which makes using English as a point of commonality that much more important.

Goaltender Semyon Varlamov describes coming to the U.S. in 2008 when he was 20.

“I definitely think English is the toughest language in the world,” he said. “I was pretty lazy on English my first three years because I had five Russian players on my team at Washington, and I would always speak Russian when I was hanging out with the Russian guys.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere notes English “has to be” the language of team communication, adding: “It’s the international language of business, and if we all need to know what’s going on, we need to communicate all in one language. Everybody communicates in English very well. The communication on the ice is usually very simple, one word or two words so you don’t get confused in what you’re saying, so everything is in English. It’s just easier that way.”

PENS’ DESPRES NOT POUTING IN AHL

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review points out Penguins defenseman Simon Despres hasn’t taken his demotion to the AHL personally and has, in fact, been thriving.

Coach John Hynes: “The way he’s produced offense is probably more important than the offense he’s produced. He hasn’t been leading the rush. He hasn’t been carrying the puck end to end.”

Also: “The key point is he’s improving, and he’s a better player than he was last year, and he’s a better player than he was at the beginning of this year. It’s about patience. Every person’s different in their own development. For him, it’s just mental maturity. That sometimes takes a little bit longer than the physical stuff.”

THEY TWEETED IT

https://twitter.com/NHLDevils/status/427576264996577281

https://twitter.com/f_andersen30/status/427363216281174016

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

EBERLE DEALING WITH TRADE RUMOURS

The Edmonton Sun explains how Jordan Eberle hears the trade rumours involving him.

“It’s part of the game,” Eberle said, explaining how TV and Twitter spread the message. “It’s such a social-media world now, that some guy in his basement starts a rumour and everyone is talking about it.

“You have to deal with that stuff. I’d love to be an Edmonton Oiler forever and try to turn this thing around. But all I can focus on is trying to focus on my next game and our next win.”

Craig MacTavish said earlier this season he wouldn’t deal Eberle and owner Daryl Katz’s letter to the fans a few days ago indicated the Oilers wouldn’t move core pieces for a short-term fix.

“Daryl coming out and saying that obviously gives you a little bit of reassurance,” Eberle said. “But we have to grab the reins of this thing and try to turn it around.”

FLAMES’ HARTLEY: MONAHAN WILL BE FRANCHISE PLAYER

Flames head coach Bob Hartley, via The Calgary Sun,  summing up the rise of rookie centre Sean Monahan.

“Mony is going to be a franchise player for us,” Hartley said. “That’s what I see in him, his demeanour. He’s not flashy, but he’s effective. There’s no smoke, there’s substance.”

More Hartley: “He’s already a true pro with the way that he prepares, the way that he knows the game, plus the way he wants to learn the NHL game. It’s a big learning process but, at the same time, I think he has done tremendously well for us.”

Monahan: “That’s pretty cool to hear, obviously. But I look at it as a team, and I’m just going to work hard and try to do whatever I can to help this team succeed and win hockey games.”

VANEK OPEN TO POST-TRADE, JULY 1 SIGNING WITH ISLES

Candid quotes from Islanders winger Thomas Vanek to Newsday on Thursday.

On the Islanders potentially trading him before the deadline: “I know Garth gave up a lot to get me here, so if they feel they need to get something back (by the deadline), I understand,” Vanek told Newsday. “He’s been great, the team has been great. No one has put any pressure on me.

“I know that we’re getting close and that they want to know what I’m going to do. It’s a big decision that obviously isn’t just about me, it’s a big decision for my family, where we’re going to be.”

Vanek says the Islanders “would definitely be on my list” July 1.

“Even if they traded me, sure,” Vanek said. “I like it here, it’s a good group of guys. This would be a place I’d consider if it gets to July 1.”

BLUES SUPPORT TEAMMATE SCHWARTZ

Touching story told in The New York Times about how on their day off Friday in New York, the St. Louis Blues will be New Haven to support teammate Jaden Schwartz and his family. Sister Mandi Schwartz played hockey at Yale before she died in 2011 of acute myeloid leukemia at age 23.

“We’re in New York and a lot of guys have things to do, but we’re glad that everyone’s making it out,” Schwartz, 21, said. “My family — it means more to us than anyone will probably realize.

JAGR DOESN’T LIKE DEVILS’ LINE SHUFFLING

The Star-Ledger asserts New Jersey Devils winger Jaromir Jagr has built his Hall-of-Fame career on chemistry, and on having a sixth sense about where his linemates are at all times.

He’s not a fan of his top line continually being under construction.

“It keeps changing,” Jagr, who will play with Travis Zajac and rookie call-up Joe Whitney on Friday, said. “You get new guys coming in and out. I don’t really like it, but that’s the way it is.

“This game is too quick to play with guys you don’t know about. Sometimes you have to do things when you don’t even see them. You have to have a sense that he should be there. The game is so quick. We’ll see what happens.”

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello: “We’ve got to try to find a left wing for Travis and Jaromir. We’re going to give Joe a chance. He competes every second. He has good hockey sense.

“And he knows how to handle his size as far as his positioning. He’s been extremely consistent. The things that we thought he had to improve on last year, he has. He deserves that opportunity to see what he can do.”

ALFREDSSON LOVES PLAYING IN MONTREAL

The Detroit Free Press notes the Red Wings will play host to the Montreal Canadiens Friday, where they’ll expect to get Daniel Alfredsson back in the lineup.

Alfredsson had 17 seasons’ worth of seeing the Habs regularly while with Ottawa. He noted that Montreal “is a historic franchise going back a lot of years. In Montreal, hockey is the sport. It’s probably the favorite building to go to play a road game because of the atmosphere.”

Alfredsson called his old foe disciplined and structured.

“If you turn the puck over too much, especially in the neutral zone, they’re quick to counterattack,” he said. “They’re a team that seems to give themselves a chance every night.”

WOULD BABCOCK COACH COLLEGE AFTER NHL CAREER?

Via The Detroit News, Michigan coach Red Berenson was asked last weekend if he thought Red Wings coach Mike Babcock could one day be a head coach of a college team.

“He always mentions that at some point when we talk,” Berenson said. “When he’s done, he could see himself doing that. He’s a student of the game and understands academics and sports and life after hockey.”

STARS’ TATTOOS EXPLAINED

Interesting article via The Dallas Morning News explaining the meaning behind the tattoos of several Stars players.

Tyler Seguin’s left arm is his family tree.

“It’s important to me,” Seguin said of a sleeve tattoo that weaves elements of his mom, dad, two sisters and the Seguin family crest all into an image of a tree. “It reminds me every day of the things that are important to me. It’s a part of me. I haven’t really been home since I was 15, so it’s nice to carry with this with me every day.”

Jordie Benn’s left bicep is tattooed “NEVER QUIT.”

“Honestly, it’s basically my whole life,” Benn said. “I mean, my old man kept telling me and telling me when I was young that I had to keep working, that I had to stay with it, that I had to never quit, and I’ve honestly had to have that attitude pretty much every day to get here. So that right there pretty much tells my life story.”

PANTHERS MORE CONFIDENT THESE DAYS

The Miami Herald indicates forward Nick Bjugstad thinks the major difference between the Panthers now and the Panthers that got Kevin Dineen fired as coach is, simply, confidence.

“That’s what it comes down to a lot of the time, no matter what you’re doing,” Bjugstad said. “Even if you’re the best player in the league, if you’re not confident at certain times, you’re not going to do anything. So if everyone’s confident on the team and confident we can win, buy into the systems, it’s a whole different mentality.”

THEY TWEETED IT

https://twitter.com/GabeLandeskog92/status/426545430122758144

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

LUONGO QUIETLY EXCELS FOR CANUCKS

The Vancouver Province illustrates how Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo has, quite happily, been thriving in the shadows this season and has easily been the team’s MVP.

Two turning points are described.

The first was being able to work with Francois Allaire for six weeks during the lockout, which Luongo credits for improving the technical side of his game.

“That’s where it started,” Luongo said. “It was a good foundation for me to build off of.”

Clearly, the past few years of battling Cory Schneider for playing time changed Luongo as well.

“It helped me mentally more than technically,” Luongo said. “It refreshed my mind and put things in perspective.

“Maybe you take things a little bit for granted when you’ve been starting all those years.

“You don’t realize what a privilege it is.

“Right now, I’m just enjoying the game.”

ROY EXPLAINS VARLAMOV’S TRANFORMATION

Speaking of Francois Allaire…

Great insights from Avalanche coach Patrick Roy, via The Denver Post, on the transformation of goaltender Semyon Varlamov. This dates back to a dinner the pair had in Montreal over the summer, which led to private summer tutoring sessions with Allaire in Switzerland.

“I called Francois to ask how it was going, and he told me the first couple days were tough,” Roy recalled. “So I said, ‘Did he work hard?’ And Francois told me, ‘Oh, yeah.’ That was the first sign. Somebody who wants to work hard and is dedicated has a chance to be better. … He was very receptive to make changes. And he was open to trust us.”

The success is not because Varlamov was awed by the aura of a Hall of Famer whispering in his ear.

“That,” Roy said, “lasts for two, maybe three days. If you’re full of (baloney) and say things that make no sense, a player doesn’t care how many games I won as a goalie. If a player thinks, ‘What the heck is he talking about,’ it’s not going to work. You have to give a player reason for confidence.”

WILD’S KOIVU WILL BE READY FOR OLYMPICS

Wild captain Mikko Koivu tells The Pioneer Press there’s no doubt that he’ll be ready to represent Team Finland in the Winter Olympics in February and that he’s “progressing ahead of schedule” from ankle surgery.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” Koivu said. “I don’t want to set any dates (of) when I’ll be playing. I have a goal where I want to play.”

Also: “It always matters (to play before the Olympics, but if not so be it. I think in my situation being off right now, not playing any games, it’s going to be good for me to play some games and practice with the team first off. To play in high-level hockey is going to be good for me after the tournament even if I don’t play any games here. I think it’s good for all of us.”

JAGR NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE CRITICS

The Star-Ledger recalls New Jersey Devils winger Jaromir Jagr’s recent slump, through which he recently broke. Doubters figured he had finally hit the wall.

“Critics. I don’t worry about that. They wanted me to retire 10 years ago. I’m still hanging,” Jagr said.

“To be honest, I had a lot more chances and shots than before. So I didn’t really worry about it. I never did. I told you before, I’m not a goal-scorer. I’m more of a playmaker than a goal-scorer. I don’t really (see) myself scoring a lot of goals. I like to set up goals and create plays. If I score it’s an extra bonus.”

POST-TRADE TWEETS

The New York Rangers finally pulled the trigger on the long-awaited Michael Del Zotto trade, dealing him to the Nashville Predators straight up for Kevin Klein in a swap of defencemen.

https://twitter.com/Realkevinklein8/status/426075965257961472

https://twitter.com/mikefisher1212/status/426173639550320641

RED WINGS HOPE PLAYOFF STREAK STAYS ALIVE

The Detroit Free Press points out the Red Wings’ 22-season streak of qualifying for the playoffs could be in danger of ending this season, thanks in large part to a nasty run of injuries. Decisions will need to made prior to the March 5 trade deadline.

“The more we win, the more you can think about being a buyer,” Holland said. “Last year, we were on the bubble, we made a decision to hang on to everybody and felt that if we got healthy, we could make a run. As it worked out, that’s what happened — we got healthy, we played our way in, we got to game seven of round two.”

“The more we win, the more you can think about being a buyer,” GM Ken Holland said. “Last year, we were on the bubble, we made a decision to hang on to everybody and felt that if we got healthy, we could make a run. As it worked out, that’s what happened — we got healthy, we played our way in, we got to game seven of round two.”

More Holland: “We’re hoping we can play our way into being a buyer, or at least stand pat,” Holland said. “But the next 10 games are critical.”

Also of note: Team executive Jimmy Devellano watched Brian Rafalski play in the ECHL last weekend. Rafalski himself has said he’s not sure where he wants this comeback to go and he’ll naturally still need to show he can play at the NHL level after several years away, should that become the end goal.

ST. LOUIS CONTINUES TO POWER LIGHTNING

More deserving praise for Lightning star Martin St. Louis, via The Tampa Tribune.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper : “He’s not Superman, he’s Marty St. Louis. He’s got aspirations and dreams and goals, and not saying he’s given up on that goal (of playing in the Olympics again) yet, because who knows. But he has had that ability to separate his day job from what would have been a part-time job, and he’s put our team ahead and he’s done a hell of a job under what I would consider some tough circumstances for him.”

Teammate Ben Bishop: “It’s crazy. The guy is 38 years old and he’s the fastest guy and has the most energy every night. It’s good for these young guys to see that, because when he comes out and works hard every night, plays well every night, we have nine rookies out watching him out there, it’s good for our team. When you have a chance to play with someone like that, it’s something special.

“Marty does an unbelievable job as our captain, and as our leader. Coming out to practice, he works that hard, and in games he’s working that hard. It’s really fun to watch as a goalie.”

PANTHERS’ JOVO STILL LOVES THE GAME

The Miami Herald describes the countless hours of rehab endured by 37-year-old Florida Panthers defenseman Ed Jovanovski following extreme hip resurfacing surgery. He played his first game Jan. 4.

“I think his pain has been relieved,’’ said general manager Dale Tallon. “He’s a leader and God bless him. What’s he’s doing is unbelievable. He’s a tough SOB and I really like him. His teammates love him. If anyone would come back from this, it’s Jovo. He’s been terrific.’’

Teammate Brian Campbell: “He cares and wants to win, but he also wants to have fun, and that’s been important to us, too. He loves being in this locker room. Time goes pretty fast and this can go away pretty quick. I think it’s a good lesson for everyone. He loves what this is. This is him, where he strives.’

THEY TWEETED IT

https://twitter.com/b_ryan9/status/426151202192375809

https://twitter.com/Willie_Mitch33/status/426049686525333505

https://twitter.com/jschwartzy9/status/426110079654707200

https://twitter.com/Ferknuckle/status/426108630526468096

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

KARLSSON, COOKE REACT TO MELNYK-NHL MEETING

You no doubt heard about Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melynk meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman Monday, reportedly to present the findings of the “forensic investigation” to see if former Pittsburgh Penguin winger Matt Cooke, now with the Minnesota Wild, intentionally sliced the Achilles’ tendon of Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson last February.

Via The Ottawa Sun, here’s Erik Karlsson’s reaction:

“I heard about it. It’s not something that I’m personally involved in or something I put any focus on. (Melnyk) is a very emotional guy and he cares about this team deeply. He’s always had our back. If he’s done something he wants to do and move forward with that’s totally up to him. That’s not something I’m involved in.”

Karlsson, on moving forward: “It’s almost a year now. You can’t think about that stuff anymore. It’s done and it’s happened. It’s always going to be a part of me, but it’s something I rarely think about anymore,” he said.

And finally: “It’s just one of those things. We play a sport where injuries happen. If I could go my entire career without being injured I would be the luckiest guy alive.

“This is totally (Melnyk’s) own choice. If he wants to do it, that’s fine. He cares about this team and his players. That’s something that we respect.”

Meanwhile, here’s Cooke, to The Minneapolis Star-Tribune: “I think it’s really strange. It’s almost a full year ago that it happened. I’ve said this from the beginning and I still say it. It was a complete accident. It’s happened two or three times since with other guys.”

On if he wishes Melnyk would just let it go: “I can’t control it. I learned a long time ago, all I can control is my actions and my words. I try to do that to the best that I can. Other people are going to have judgments. They’re entitled to their own opinions. I can’t tell this guy how to spend his money. He’s entitled to do what he wants.”

CONCUSSED VISNOVSKY STILL HOPEFUL FOR OLYMPICS

Newsday caught up with Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky, who has been sidelined with a concussion since Oct. 19. He’s at least 10-14 days away from returning to action.

As far as playing for the Slovakian team in Sochi, to which he was named?

“I’m looking for my first game back with the Islanders and be back in perfect condition — after that, I try thinking about Olympics.”

And: “In my country, Olympics is something very big. But you need to be in good shape. I don’t want to go out there and kill my team by playing. I have to be ready for games here and then we will see.”

BRUINS’ BERGERON ADDRESSES OLYMPIC SECURITY

Candid, extensive quotes via The Boston Herald from Bruins center Patrice Bergeron regarding his thoughts on security concerns for the upcoming Sochi Olympics.

“It is scary to some extent. I’m not necessarily concerned about it right now. I don’t feel that my own personal security is going to be in jeopardy over there, so I feel fine about going.

“I’ve heard about the recent threats but I haven’t thought about it too much. I’m still focused on playing the games here. It’s still a few weeks away and we have a lot of games left …

“My family, my wife, my brother went to Vancouver, but they’re not going this time. I’ve got to say security is part of it. I wanted to worry about my game and my team, and I didn’t want to have any other distractions.

“It’s still a huge honor to go to the Olympics. I’m focused on the Bruins right now, but I’m really excited about Sochi. I’m really looking forward to it.

“With the terrorist threats, it actually blows my mind that people could consider attacking the Olympics. It’s sad that it comes to that. It’s such an honor for athletes and such a great event. You work so hard to get there. It’s sad that this could happen …

“I don’t know if anything could change my mind. You obviously don’t want to hear about anything happening. That’s the last thing you want to hear. But I feel like the security over there is going to handle it. I’m sure the Olympic village is going to be very secure. So right now, I feel OK.

“At Vancouver the security was great. It was actually hard to get in anywhere even as an athlete, to the village, the rink, or wherever. Our families were not allowed to come visit us in the village. I thought security was great four years ago and I’ve heard there’s even going to be more force there this time with the army.”

PATRICK KANE MARVELS AT PENGUINS’ CROSBY

The Chicago-Sun Times relays Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane’s thoughts on the face of the NHL, Sidney Crosby.

‘‘He produces every night,’’ Kane said. ‘‘He’s fun to watch. Even on nights where he maybe doesn’t have his best game, he still comes out of there with two assists or a goal and an assist. Then there are games where it seems like he’s determined, and he’s the best player in the world and just dominates the game. You’re like, ‘Wow, this guy is amazing.’ I think he’s the best player in the league, for sure.’’

Kane added: ‘‘The thing is [being] consistent,’’ he said. ‘‘That’s the biggest thing about it. To do that for 82 games is where he’s at, and I’m not, I guess. Consistency is the biggest thing, just to keep that chugging along the whole year. I was real hot and right there with him, and then he kind of continues and keeps trotting on.’’

PAVELSKI’S HIGH HOCKEY IQ

Sharp profile on Sharks forward Joe Pavelski from CSNBayArea.com.

Coach Todd McLellan recalls taking over the team in the summer of 2008.

“You could tell at that point that Pav was astute. He wanted to know how we were going to do things,” said McLellan, the former Red Wings assistant. “He asked a lot of questions about people we had in Detroit – the Pavel Datsyuks, the Henrik Zetterbergs. He wanted to know how they did things.

“Where others were meet-and-greets and that type of stuff, Pav was already digging, trying to find ways.”

McLellan also noted: “He’s not Marian Gaborik or Patrick Marleau when it comes to skating. So, his mind has to get him to places where their legs get them. Pav has that sense. He knows where to go. Then when he gets there, he has the courage to stay in it.”

RUPP BEING GOOD TEAMMATE FOR WILD

Via The Pioneer Press, Wild forward Mike Rupp on being a healthy scratch for the 10^th straight game Tuesday night.

“I’ve played with guys who drag their lip and maybe have a chip on their shoulders and they don’t talk to their teammates,” said the 11-year NHL veteran. “That’s been a turnoff to me, and I don’t ever want to be that. So no matter what the circumstances are, I’m going to be a teammate and continue (to work hard).”

More Rupp: “It’s no one’s fault; it’s just the circumstances. There’s a way you can handle it, and I’m just trying to work hard and use this time to get my skating back to where it needs to be and just stay focused, and I think I’ll get a chance at some point.”

HUTTON PLAYING BETTER FOR PREDS

Predators coach Barry Trotz, via The Nashville Tennessean, on how he hasn’t taken it easy on goaltender Carter Hutton during his slumps this season. Hutton has won his past three starts.

“If anybody would know where his confidence level is now it would be him, but if anybody was hard on his confidence it probably would be me,” Trotz said. “The difference between just having a cup of coffee in this league and being in the league full time is your consistency level, and that’s what you’re pushing to do: be more confident and consistent.”

THEY TWEETED IT

https://twitter.com/Willie_Mitch33/status/425748727198785537

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

CROSBY THOUGHT ST. LOUIS WOULD MAKE TEAM CANADA

Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby tells The Tampa Bay Times he’d love to see Steven Stamkos recovered from his broken right tibia in time to play for the Canadian Olympic team next month.

“It’d be great,” Crosby told The Times. “With what he brings, the player he is, especially on that bigger ice, he could be very successful.”

Really insightful quotes from No. 87 on the evolution of Stamkos’s game too. Worth checking out. Crosby calls Stamkos a “student of the game.”

Crosby was also asked about Stamkos’s star Lightning teammate Martin St. Louis, who didn’t quite make the cut for the stacked roster.

“I mean, he was right there,” Crosby said. “I don’t think any of us could have exactly picked the team, there’s so many tight decisions and tough ones. But, yeah, definitely he was a guy that I was thinking was going to be there.

“He was right on the bubble, as (well) as probably 10 other guys where you could kind of mix and match. But ultimately you could tell it wasn’t an easy decision for that whole group. When they were announcing the team, you could just tell it looked like they were all pretty stressed out in a room for a few days.

“As nice and as much of a luxury it is to have so many great players, it was probably pretty difficult to not pick some guys, especially with Marty being in Tampa and (Steve Yzerman) being the (general manager) there. I don’t think there’s ever an easy way to do it, but I don’t think it was a lack of success on Marty’s part. He’s done everything I think he could to be in that position.”

BIEKSA READY FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

In the wake of Canucks coach John Tortorella’s 15-day, six-game suspension, The Vancouver Sun points out it’ll be Mike Sullivan calling the shots behind the Canucks bench with the help of fellow assistant Glen Gulutzan.

Leave it to defenceman Kevin Bieksa to lighten the mood.

“They are all on the same page, they all know what they are doing,” said Bieksa. “Sully has been a head coach in the league before and he knows what it’s like to be the big cheese behind the bench. He’ll probably wear a little bit nicer suit to the game, one that fits, and a nicer tie. And maybe Gully will comb his hair different. They know what they are doing.”

HABS’ BOURQUE KNOWS WHY HE WAS SCRATCHED

Straightforward talk from Canadiens winger Rene Bourque Monday via The Montreal Gazette following Saturday night’s healthy scratching against Toronto.

“I’ve had some good games and some not so good,” Bourque said. “It’s been a tough year and I knew it was coming, and it happened to be Saturday. He didn’t have to say anything. I knew what it was about.”

“Obviously, I wasn’t happy but there’s not much I can do about it,” Bourque added.

Any issues fitting into the Canadiens’ system?

“Every team plays basically the same,” he said. “My game is forechecking, banging bodies and trying to get the puck low behind the net and throw it up top. I have to get rebounds in front of the net and, obviously, I haven’t been doing enough of that.

NOLAN CALLS OUT SABRES’ LEINO

Biting words from Sabres coach Ted Nolan about forward Ville Leino, via The Buffalo News.

“We’re looking for people that want to compete and want to work,” Nolan said. “It doesn’t matter what your skill level is. It’s nothing with no will. We have to get him competing at a certain level. Some days he shows it. Some days he doesn’t.

“You’re frustrated with most people that don’t do it on a consistent basis. He’s showed some signs lately.”

HOSSA, 35, NOT READY FOR RETIREMENT

The Chicago Tribune relays Marian Hossa’s admission that his thoughts inevitably drift to the possibility of no longer being a hockey player.

“It always crosses your mind when the season is getting really long and you’re on the road and you have lots of time to think,” the Blackhawks winger said. “As long as I can enjoy the game and keep up with the young guys, I want to definitely play. We’ll see how long.”

Hossa, on two-way play: “When you look around this room, there are so many goal scorers so I don’t have to worry about scoring as much. When I came here, I tried to set an example of playing two ways. I learned it and I’m sure there are lots of young players in this dressing room like when I was young and I could look up to somebody. Maybe if somebody is willing to play both ways I can be an example, so I try to do that. I would be happy if I can help that way.”

On his actions over words: “To tell you the truth, I don’t talk about anything,” Hossa said. “I just try to play my way and if they see something, it’s great. I’m not one of those guys who are going to come up to them and try to teach them something.”

Solid quote from teammate Duncan Keith, via CSNChicago.com: “I don’t think 35 is that old; maybe I’m saying that because I’m 30 now. But he’s the same player, with the same speed, same skill as when he was 25. It’s a credit to him, his ability and his work ethic. We all know him as a guy who’s in great shape, a great skater. He’s done that his whole career.”

DUCKS EQUIPMENT MAN READY FOR DODGER STADIUM

The Los Angeles Times indicates with the Stadium Series game between the Kings and Anaheim Ducks set for Saturday night, the Ducks will practice at Dodger Stadium at 6 p.m. Friday.

Team equipment manager Doug Shearer: “We’ll see what the guys say and back off how deep the hollow [skate bottom] is if it’s too soft. Because of our practice time, we’ll have a good feel for how it’ll be at game time under the lights.”

Shearer said he’ll bring two skate machines to Saturday’s game, keeping an extra in the Dodgers’ dugout if widespread adjustments are necessary.

BRODEUR LOOKS TOWARD OUTDOOR GAME

Fire & Ice points out Devils coach Pete DeBoer hasn’t named a starter for Sunday’s game against the Rangers at Yankee Stadium.

Martin Brodeur said Saturday’s practice at Yankee Stadium will helpful for him and Schneider to prepare for Sunday’s game.

“I’ve never done it and I don’t know what to expect,” Brodeur said of playing in an outdoor game of this scale. “That’s why, for me and Schneids, that practice will be really important for us just to get used to everything. The temperature Saturday and Sunday should be similar. The lighting, I think, we’re going to practice around 12, so it’s similar to game time. So, we’ll have an idea what to expect a little bit after the first day.”

On if he’ll wear a Devils toque: “I don’t know. We’ll see. I don’t know how much that it warms up. If it makes it feel warmer, I’m going to put in it, but I doubt that it does. One goalie, (Leafs Jonathan) Bernier, had it (at this year’s Winter Classic) and the other goalie didn’t have it. I don’t know how you stick it there and it stays there. It must be glued on. I scramble too much to have a toque on my head.”

THEY TWEETED IT

https://twitter.com/Ferknuckle/status/425414047031259136

https://twitter.com/GabeLandeskog92/status/425374793546739712

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

SPEZZA APPLAUDS MCGRATTAN’S PEACEMAKER ROLE

The Ottawa Sun notes Senators centre Jason Spezza, like many people, saw the hostilities unfold on TV Saturday night between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. He also noticed old buddy Brian McGrattan playing the role of peacemaker outside the Flames’ dressing room in the first intermission as John Tortorella approached, including holding back Flames goaltender coach Clint Malarchuk from going after Tortorella.

Spezza texted McGrattan to congratulate him on his restraint.

“That was my first text this morning,” said Spezza on Sunday, describing the text he sent to McGrattan. ” ‘It probably took a lot for you not to take a swing at (Tortorella).’

“He was grabbing and pulling guys back. I was pretty impressed. That’s the new, mature Brian McGrattan I guess. Six or seven years ago he probably would have had Torts’ suit jacket ripped off and him on the ground. I had good chuckle with him today about it. Of all the guys to be there.”

BURKE ON FLAMES’ GM SEARCH, TRADES

The Calgary Sun passes along several items of interest from Flames president of hockey operations Brian Burke.

Alluding to the possibility a GM won’t be found until the summer: “There’s no hurry,” Burke said.“We’re not ever going to discuss the GM search. We do care what the fans think.

“It can’t drive what we do, but we’re cognizant they want to know what’s going on. It doesn’t serve us any purpose to conduct this search publicly.

“If we do have to wait, it means some of the guys on the list won’t be available until after the season or the draft — that’s not a bad thing because it means we’re waiting for the right person.”

On whether or not he’s had offers for the Flames’ 2014 first rounder, potentially a lottery pick: “No — it’s not in play. We’ve had no inquiries — people wait to see the draft sequence.”

On whether the best time to make a trade would be pre or post-Olympic trade freeze: “The best time is when the value presents itself,” Burke said.

“My guess is there will be a lot of compression between the Olympics and March 5. It’s going to bunch up, and it will be a frantic time for all the teams. If you’re shedding and moving UFAs, you’re probably better off waiting, because it always compresses in that last week. My prediction, if we are moving UFAs, is that that time will be very stressful.”

An Ottawa Sun report indicates Burke has been getting phone calls from contenders who are willing to ante up to get Michael Cammalleri, with sources saying the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings all have an interest in him.

JETS HOLD PRACTICE FOR SEASON TICKET WAIT-LIST FANS

The Winnipeg Free Press reports the Jets held an invite-only workout Sunday at the MTS Centre for their season-ticket waiting-list customers.

“It actually timed out pretty well,” said Jets coach Paul Maurice, who had the players in a three-on-three game with a tennis ball after some work. “When you win three games, almost everything times out better.

“But when we didn’t have the day off last week and we needed to skate, you also need to build a recovery day in there somehow.

“So the timing of it with the fans… I think they had more fun because they get to see the personalities a little bit instead of a bunch of drills with the coach barking and even in that, I don’t get to coach the way I need to in that environment.

“I thought it worked out really well. The guys had fun, the coaches got to see some personalities and this is new for me, too, to see how they interact with each other.”

BOZAK’S CLASSIC STICK TO BE ENSHRINED?

Tyler Bozak provided some insight to The Toronto Sun on where the puck and stick keepsakes are from his shootout game-winner at the Winter Classic.

“I have the puck. Well, I think (league officials) have it, I haven’t got it yet,” said Bozak. “Actually, the cool thing, the Hall of Fame asked for my stick, so I think it’s going in there.”

He added: “I kept my first-goal stick and they give you the puck for your first goal and all that stuff. Some stuff from college, but not everyday things. But big milestones. Maybe if some more milestones come in the future, I’ll keep some stuff, but I’m not really too huge on it. (The Winter Classic items) aren’t under my bed or anything.”

RED WINGS STUDYING INJURY ISSUE

The Windsor Star reflects on the fact that the Red Wings have now lost more than 200 man games to injury for the fifth consecutive season.

“In terms of fractured ribs, concussions and separated shoulders, that’s just part of the game,” Detroit general manager Ken Holland said. “We all expect groin injuries and hip flexors in September, at the start of training camp.

“Internally, we’re talking about why we’re having groin injuries in December and January. I’m not sure what we can do about it this year but it’s something we’ll look at in the summer time.”

Coach Mike Babcock offered this: “We’ve been through all that, right through our medical room to our strength and training, to how we condition our guys, the whole thing. The interesting thing is when we were old we never got hurt and now that we’re young we get hurt all the time. So why is that?

“Lots of things don’t add up in the short term. In the long term, you try to be scientific and solution based. That’s how I try to coach and that’s how we try to run our team.

“In the short term, you can say we’re over-training our guys, spending too much time in the weight room, we don’t have it going in the medical room, but I don’t buy any of that crap.”

SUBTLE SHIFT FOR PENGUINS’ FLEURY

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review believes there is something different about Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury this season, and it’s subtle enough to be missed on most days.

“He seems extremely comfortable,” said defenseman Brooks Orpik.

Goaltending coach Mike Bales said he is trying to make use of Fleury’s athleticism.

“He doesn’t want to change everything about me,” Fleury said. “He lets me be me, but there’s some little things that make a difference.”

Seeing a sports psychologist over the summer has helped him “channel things,” Fleury said. Sessions were “few” and stopped before training camp, but Fleury said they remain “in touch.” The takeaway seems simple enough, but it has proven a difficult transition for Fleury, who said he still sometimes “wants to please everybody.”

“I’ve got to find ways, when people say I had a bad game, to not worry about it,” he said. “That’s it, really. I’ve got to say, ‘Forget it. Onto the next one.’ ”

VARLAMOV CONTINUES TO EXCEL FOR AVS

The Denver Post points out Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov has not lost a start in 13 appearances since the third-degree assault charge against him was dropped.

Coach Patrick Roy bristled a bit recently when asked if Varlamov had picked up his play.

“No, it’s been like that all year,” Roy said. “He’s been great all year. He has really worked hard and been receptive to what (goalies coach Francois Allaire) has tried to teach him. Right from the start, in meeting last summer with Francois and into the training camp, he has had a great attitude. It’s fun to see him be rewarded for it.”

Varlamov, on staying level-headed: “I have to look at it like I have not accomplished anything yet, to keep wanting more and to work harder for it. I try not to think about anything other than the next game, the next day in front of me. That has worked well for me this year.”

FREE AGENCY NOT ON MESZAROS’ RADAR YET

The Courier-Post notes Flyers defenseman Andrej Meszaros has nine points in his past six starts. In his eyes, there’s no correlation between when his hot streak began and when he was nominated to his third Olympics.

“It’s a coincidence,” said a grinning Meszaros. “Maybe it doesn’t seem like it, but in my mind it is. I’m really happy I got picked, obviously. Olympics for every athlete is something big. I’m really happy I can be there.”

He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

“That’s a long way to go,” Messaros said. “I’m not really focusing for that yet. I want to be here. I want to play right now. I want to be here. I want to go all the way. That’s the ultimate goal right now. After this season, I’m going to worry about what’s gonna be next.”

KONTOS SHARES GOAL RECORD WITH ST. LOUIS

The Tampa Bay Times indicates former NHLer Chris Kontos, 50, lives in Penetanguishene, Ontario these days. He was snowmobiling Saturday when he found out Martin St. Louis tied his Tampa Bay Lightning record of four goals in a game.

“It’s been great,” Kontos said of having the record to himself. “But records are made to be broken, and I’m glad to see Marty was on his way. I was hoping he would break it.”

Kontos set the mark Oct. 7, 1992, in the Lightning’s first-ever game, a 7-3 victory over the Blackhawks at Expo Hall. It took 1,620 games to match him.

“Everything has to go right,” he said of scoring four goals. “You get five, six shots. It’s like a poker game when they deal you aces.”

HENRIQUE SCORING DEVILS’ CLUTCH GOALS

The Star-Ledger observes Devils forward Adam Henrique has that rare knack for scoring big goals.

“You always want to score as many goals as possible, but I think I’ve been more of the guy that’s been there at the right time to score the big goals,” Henrique told The Star-Ledger. “I try to always be one of those guys who steps up in those tough situations. A guy can have an awful year and score a few big goals in the playoffs and everybody forgets. All you remember are the big goal in the playoffs.

Coach Pete DeBoer believes Henrique’s best attribute is his ability to score big goals the way previous players such as Claude Lemieux did.

“I do. I don’t think that’s an accident,” DeBoer said. “Those guys have a knack for those type of things and if you look at Adam, he’s done it throughout his career. His best moments have come in the playoffs. Not just in the NHL, but in junior too in the Memorial Cup in the playoffs. He has an ability to raise his level of play. Not everybody has that.”

SHEAHAN IMPRESSING WINGS’ BABCOCK

The Detroit Free Press asserts Red Wings forward Riley Sheahan is showing he’s quite an asset since being called up from Grand Rapids.

“He’s a big kid, and he seems to know how to play,” coach Mike Babcock said. “Has better hands than I would have anticipated. The first time we called him up, he was no good — just like lots of kids you bring up, they look like they’ve got no hockey sense because they’re so nervous they don’t do anything. He’s obviously got good hockey sense.”

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

COACHING NOT IN THE CARDS FOR BRODEUR

Fire & Ice notes New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur expressed admiration for the job Patrick Roy has done in coaching the Avalanche this season.

Brodeur said he has no interest in coaching after he retires though.

“I’m sure I could do it, but the thing is I don’t know if I want to,” he said. “He coached years in junior hockey. I don’t know if I’m ready for these long bus rides. It’s a passion being a coach. It’s something that’s not in everybody. I think he owned that team long before he retired, so I’m sure had a lot of things invested in it. Me, I’ve got no association with anybody, so coaching wouldn’t be something that really attracts me.”

On why goalies have great viewpoints: “Goalies, it’s a different perspective because you see the game a lot better than anybody. Probably better than the TV. Probably better than the coaches that are watching it. If you pay attention, I’m in every single meeting. For 20 years, I’ve been listening to coaches different systems. I see things in front of me defensively, the adjustments, because I’m in the middle of everything. Offensively, when we do get chances, where there’s an opening, the player that’s got the puck probably doesn’t see it, but because I’m right behind him, I can see everything.

“So, I think the knowledge about the game is pretty good for goalie.  That’s why you see a lot of them are commentators, more than coaches. They’re able to explain the plays maybe a little better than the defensive defenseman that never crossed the red line or had the shock collar when he played under Jacques (Lemaire). He couldn’t go closer than the red line.”

ROY DOESN’T REGRET RETIRING AT 37

The Denver Post wonders, while comparing Patrick Roy (who retired at 37) with Martin Brodeur (still playing at 41), if Roy ever regrets having retired when he did.

“No, it was different,” Roy said. “My personality is a lot different than his. I’m not saying he is not taking the game seriously. He has probably a better approach than I had. After losses, I took it tough. I took it almost personal. Marty takes it more like, ‘Hey, let’s go back tomorrow.’ I think that helps to have a longer career, without a doubt.”

But as a coach, Roy has emphasized a game-at-a-time, turn-the-page approach. In that sense, isn’t he different as a coach from he was as a player?

“Maybe I am,” said Roy. “But inside, I always want to win. Winning is not everything, it’s the only thing. That matters to me. But at the same time, I understand our players are coming in and working hard, and that’s the thing that we control. I’m pleased with what I have seen so far.”

One last Roy-Brodeur link. NJ.com relays a story Roy told Thursday about asking Ray Bourque for advice after the 2003 playoffs.

“When do we know it’s over?” Roy asked.

“Don’t worry, you’ll know,” Bourque answered.

EMPHASIS ON PLAYMAKING EARLY FOR SENS’ TURRIS

The Ottawa Sun points out Senators centre Kyle Turris has set new career highs in goals and assists already.

Does he have a preference toward scoring or playmaking?

“I’d like to say I’m more of a passer than a shooter,” Turris said before entering Thursday’s game. “Maybe it goes back to my dad, when I was in minor hockey growing up. He was my coach. We’d always play games, like I couldn’t score goals until I got this one kid an assist. Or I wasn’t allowed to score until I got two assists in the game. We’d always play games going into the actual game.

“If I had a breakaway and I hadn’t had the two assists yet, I’d swing behind the net and wait for my teammate to come in. Stuff like that. It was fun playing games within the game. You really learn the skill and develop it.”

SEGUIN DRIVEN FOR SUCCESS WITH STARS

ESPN.com takes another look at Tyler Seguin’s trade from the Boston Bruins to the Dallas Stars.

Stars GM Jim Nill recalls when he first met with Seguin after the trade, the forward wanted tape on Jamie Benn. He wanted to study the technical side to Benn’s game, how he played, who he worked with and why.

“Here is a young man that cares,” Nill told ESPN.com. “He didn’t like the perceptions he was being pegged with. Like every young man, he’s made mistakes, but right from Day 1 he’s been professional.”

Stars coach Lindy Ruff: “What I’ve seen from him, I really liked. I thought maybe there would’ve been some tougher struggles putting him back in the middle, but he handled the defensive stuff pretty well. And then on the offensive side he’s been dynamic. He’s been a difference-maker most nights, one of the best shots I’ve seen – quickest, hardest — and he’s an elite skater.”

HIGH PRAISE FOR SABRES’ GIRGENSONS

The Buffalo News passes along that when Sabres coach Ted Nolan is asked to pick a player from his past who comes to mind watching star rookie Zemgus Girgensons, one in particular stands out.

A teammate of Nolan on a junior team in Sault Ste. Marie back in the ’70s. Oh, this guy was gifted, but it was his inexhaustible love for hockey, and for competition, that stood out even more.

“You know, they had to do the same thing with Wayne Gretzky when he was that age,” Nolan said. “He had that same work ethic. The coaches had to kick him off the ice. All the good ones, the coaches have to do that.”

OATES NOT INTO AMATEUR PSYCHOLOGY

CSNWashington.com indicates that to Capitals head coach Adam Oates, his criteria has been – and he says always will be – how his team played that particular night — not the final score.

“If you want to trade chances, you’ll have games where you score seven and then you’ll lose five in a row and you won’t be able to fix it,” Oates said.

“Shootouts are tough [to evaluate]. It’s not that you don’t care, but you don’t care. Not that you don’t want your points. But one of my criteria [for judging the game] is in the morning when I wake up.

“If I played in that game last night, how would I feel? You’re upset after the game because you lost. You shower, you eat, you get on a plane, you travel, you sleep, you wake up, you come to the rink the next day, and say to the guys, ‘Good game last night, eh? We could have won that game.’

“I can never get away from that, because if I go in there and say something else, they’re going to tune me out.

“They’re going to say, ‘He’s pulling amateur psychology trying to jack us up for tonight. It’s like looking for the Knute Rockne [speech] as opposed to saying, ‘Hey, boys, we played a good game. That page is over. Let’s do it again tonight.’ I’m way more a believer in that. If you look for highs and lows you’re going to have highs and lows.”

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

SCHNEIDER HIT RESET BUTTON AT CHRISTMAS

The Star-Ledger reveals negativity had started to sneak into Devils goalie Cory Schneider’s mind during his first-half struggles.

“I’m generally not a negative person. And there was no negativity coming from the team and the guys,” Schneider told The Star-Ledger Wednesday. “But sometimes you do get into a negative place where you get upset more easily and get irritated more easily.

“Maybe you should channel that into working harder and being positive and trying to fix the mistakes rather than getting annoyed at them. That was just me being hard on myself as opposed to anything else. I want to win and I like to win. When you’re not doing it, it weighs on you a little bit.”

Coach Pete DeBoer believes Schneider reset himself after Christmas and the goalie agrees.
“Sometimes when it’s not going the way you like, when you’re in it every single day it’s hard to take a step back and gain some perspective and pull positives out of it,” Schneider explained. “I’m pretty tough on myself. I expect a lot out of myself and I don’t want to let myself off the hook for anything.

“Sometimes maybe I can be a little too hard on myself. I wasn’t playing my best in December. Just getting away for a few days, being around family for the holidays sort of gets your mind away from all the negative thought and all the things that are on your mind. You kind of come back with a new mentality. Just sort of try to sort all over again instead of carrying the stuff you’d been carrying the last few weeks.”

NHL EYES MORE GOALIE EQUIPMENT CHANGES

Kay Whitmore, NHL senior manager of hockey operations, tells The Toronto Star it’s highly probable the league will continue to make tweaks to the maximum allowable dimensions of goaltending equipment in the off-season. Catching gloves, upper-body padding and knee protectors are on the league’s watch list.

“It’s the first time there’s been segregation among the goalies … Some of them are saying, ‘Enough’s enough. Let’s just weed out the problems here. Why should I lose my job to a guy who’s wearing big equipment?’” said Whitmore.

“I remember what Marty Brodeur said to me one time, ‘Just give me what he has at the other end, and if it’s fair, I like my chances.’ If that attitude prevailed through more of the goalies, the game would be better off.”

More Whitmore: “If it’s an athletic save, it’s as exciting as a goal. Sometimes we were getting to the point where these big pads were just getting in the way and the pucks are just hitting them. I’m not saying there’s a right way and a wrong way to play goal. But when you watched Mike Palmateer and those guys as a kid, it was exciting. It made you want to be a goalie.

“We want to see the best athletes (wanting) to be goalies again. Football always has the best athletes at wide receiver and quarterback. Goalie is the most important position on most teams. Why not have the best athlete?”

RAFALSKI NOT SURE IF NHL IS THE GOAL

The Windsor Star delves further into Brian Rafalski’s hockey comeback with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL, wondering if the NHL is the end goal.

“I don’t know,” Rafalski said. “It’s not what I want. For the last 2 ½ years I’ve had no calling to do that and the people around me know that.

“I haven’t done much as far as training or anything so God put this in my heart in early December and I’ve been praying and he hasn’t told me not to continue. All I can do is follow his will.”

On where this path might lead: “We live down here, so it’s where God’s put me. I’m not leaving. I have too many commitments here right now. My family is established here with my two boys in school. They’re not going anywhere.

“I don’t know where he’ll put me tomorrow no more than where you will know where you’re going to be tomorrow versus 100 percent certainly. So where this leads I don’t know.

“There are those things that would have to be addressed.”

JETS PLAYERS IN ‘BOBBLEHEAD’ MODE

The Winnipeg Sun details how new Jets coach Paul Maurice has taken a forceful approach during his first two days of real teaching.

“He’s very demanding,” said Jets centre Olli Jokinen. “Now you have a new set of eyes watching you and you see a lot of guys paying attention. There’s no screwing around between the drills. You see a lot of bobbleheads out there — guys are nodding and listening. That’s usually what happens for the first week when there’s a new coach. He wants us to do everything fast. He wants us to pass the puck hard.

“This is the NHL. You should be able to do those things automatically. That’s what he wants us to do in practice. Once you start doing those little things in practice right, it’s going to be automatic in the games.”

CECI APPRECIATES NHL LIFE WITH SENS

The Ottawa Citizen notes 20-year-old Senators defenceman Cody Ceci, who has played 15 straight games since being recalled from the AHL, knows it’s dangerous to start thinking about tomorrow and beyond.

“It’s just kind of going day-to-day, enjoying it as much as possible,” said Ceci. “Having that mindset doesn’t allow me to drift. The main thing has got to be to focus on every game, every practice, every shift.”

On appreciating what he has now: “It is nice to fly everywhere and get the food that we get and stay in the hotels we do. Everything just adds up and it’s a pretty cool thing.”

WILD’S YOUNGSTERS INVESTING IN FUTURE

The Star-Tribune describes how every day, long after most Wild players retire to the showers, several of the Minnesota Wild’s younger players –Charlie Coyle, Mikael Granlund, Nino Niederreiter and now Jason Zucker – are working overtime with the team’s assistant coaches.

“This is why our organization loves these kids,” said Andrew Brunette. “They’re willing to work. That’s the one thing you can say about all of our young kids is that they want to learn, and they’re willing to put in as much work as possible — sometimes probably too much work.

“The Ninos, the Grannys, the Charlies, the Zucks, they are out there all the time working on their game.”

HABS’ MOEN MAY KEEP VISOR

The Montreal Gazette relays that Canadiens forward Travis Moen isn’t 100-per-cent sure, but said he’s leaning toward keeping his visor on for the year.

“I think it’s not like it’s changed my game at all,” he said. “So that’s kind of your initial instinct, is it going to change my game? But I’ve got in a couple of fights and I don’t think it really changes anything.”

Moen noted he’s had three close calls in his career with two pucks and a skate near an eye.

“Your eyes are very valuable,” he said. “You only get two in your life, so I’m going to try and wear it and hopefully I can stick with it and get used to it.”

PANTHERS’ HUBERDEAU: I HAVE TO GET BETTER

The Miami Herald points out Panthers sophomore Jonathan Huberdeau has been struggling this season.

“There are no excuses, I’m not physically tired,” Huberdeau said. “The surgery, I couldn’t skate all summer. But now I feel pretty good on the ice. There’s no hip problem or anything. It’s on me. I have to get better.”

He hopes to find some fun in the game and stop pressing so much.

“I’ve been digging a hole, being negative all the time,” Huberdeau said. “I just need to stay positive. It’s good that the team is winning. That helps. Right now this is all about me. I’m going through a slump and I could be scratched or sent down. But they’re giving me a chance. I know I can have success here. I have to keep telling myself that. I wish I could snap my fingers and things go back like last year. But it’s a different year. I need to produce.”

BICKELL GOES TO YOUTUBE TO REDISCOVER CONFIDENCE

CSNChicago.com indicates Blackhawks winger has even been watching a little video of his memorable and impactful postseason to help rediscover his missing form on the ice.

“I’m going to YouTube and checking it out once in a while to give myself confidence to carry on in these games,” Bickell said on Tuesday morning. “You want to bring back good memories and good train of thought on and off the ice of what you’re capable of.”

He added: “Confidence goes a long way in this game and I’ve been lacking that lately. When I have confidence in myself, I know (coach Joel Quenneville) will have confidence in me. He’ll see it and hopefully everything will work from there.”

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

HUDLER DISAPPOINTED BY OLYMPIC SNUB

The Calgary Herald points out Flames forward Jiri Hudler kept quiet for more than a week before breaking his silence on the shocking decision by Czech officials to not name him to the Olympic team.

“Disappointing,” he said. “But there is nothing I can do about it. Just disappointed. A little sad.”

“I don’t have a problem with it,” Hudler said of the snub. “Just disappointed.”

On if he’ll watch the Olympics: “I don’t know where I’m going to be,” he smiled. “I think where I’m going to be, there’s not even going to be channels. But if I’m somewhere I could (watch the games), for sure.”

On if he’d join the Czechs as a last-minute addition: “I don’t think about it because the only reason I’d is if somebody got hurt. And of course, you don’t (want to have) anybody get hurt. So I’m focused on being in Calgary, on us right now, getting out of that little slump that we had.

“Like I said, the season’s not over. I feel great physically. So you’ve got to keep going.”

JETS, CANUCKS, HABS TESTING FITNESS DEVICE

Fascinating look in The Globe and Mail at a product called the Zephyr BioHarness, which monitors heart rate and an array of other fitness indicators.

The Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets have all begun to experiment with the devices, seeing what the data can do to provide an edge.

“It’s a game of inches. You need an extra step,” said Lee Stubbs, Winnipeg Jets assistant athletic therapist and strength and conditioning coach.

Injury prevention is the Jets’ No. 1 aim. “Guys who are tired are definitely more prone to injury,” Stubbs said.

He notes: “Data doesn’t lie – it shows: Are they tired? Are they overworked? It’s nice to have the data to go to the head coach and say, ‘These guys need the day off, we’ve been banging them pretty hard.’”

SEGUIN ENJOYS BEING GO-TO GUY FOR STARS

The Edmonton Sun indicates Dallas forward Tyler Seguin reflected on his time in Boston compared with his first year in Dallas.

“It’s definitely night and day,” said the 21-year-old. “Walking into one team where you’re winning pretty much every night and expected to win, you have to play whatever role you’re given. Then you’re put into a different team where it’s kind of like, you’re the guy who needs to produce.

“We’re not really Stanley Cup contenders, but this is going to be a process. It’s just different. I liked where I was in Boston and I like this as well. I’m feeling a little bit more a part of something just because in Boston I’m an added on piece where here I’m more of a front-line player.”

Shawn Horcoff on Seguin’s off-ice reputation from his time in Boston: “He goes out about half as much as I’ve expected a kid his age to. He picks his spots at the right times. When he does go out, he’s under control.

“I haven’t seen a single thing that warrants any of the stuff that was written about him when he was in Boston. I don’t know, maybe he did want to come here and want to change a little bit, but the kid was 20 years old, he had a Stanley Cup, he signed a big deal…

“In a lot of ways I blame the organization for not helping squash that. But that’s in the past for him, he’s become outstanding.”

DODGER STADIUM ICE CONDITIONS KEY

LA Kings Insider illustrates how the Stadium Series game that will take place at Dodger Stadium January 25 should paint a picturesque vista for hockey fans.

An outdoor in California though? Ice integrity will be key.

“This is an NHL game. Two points on the table,” said Dan Craig, the NHL’s Senior Director of Facilities Operations.

“Especially with clubs like this, these guys are going to be battling for first overall. It’s not that they’re fighting for a playoff spot, they’re going to be in the playoffs. They’re going to be one and two. They don’t want to lose these two points and I don’t want in any way of our conditions dictate how they’re going to play the game.”

Craig added: “I can play an exhibition here tomorrow. I can put water down and away we go. I’ll put a cone out and we’ll skate around it. But this is an NHL game. I do not want one player worrying about where his skate is going and how the puck is moving – not one thing. That is my crew’s goal. We are perfectionists.”

Interesting note in that article: Though they haven’t been used yet in the setup of any outdoor NHL games, reflective tarps will reflect the sun away from the playing surface once the ice is laid.

“If you wanted to go sunbathing, you could do that,” Craig said.

ROOKIE MURRAY QUIETLY EXCELS FOR JACKETS

Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards, via The Columbus Dispatch, offers his insight into rookie defenseman Ryan Murray’s game.

“He has no flash,” Richards said. “He doesn’t have the speed — not yet. He’s not a forward, so he’s not going to put up numbers like Nathan McKinnon. He doesn’t have a booming shot like Seth Jones. But, hopefully, the people who vote for the Calder will take a close look at what he does.”

What does he do?

“It’s almost like he takes a snapshot of the ice before he gets the puck,” Richards said. “He knows where everybody is, he has a real good idea of where the puck needs to go and he has the ability to get it there. That sounds simple, but for a lot of defensemen, it might take a career to learn.”

Richards added: “I have no qualms about putting him out there in any situation. None. And I say that without hesitation.”

VETERAN BALLARD SITS FOR WILD AGAIN

The Pioneer Press relays how 31-year-old Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard knows why he was a healthy scratch Tuesday for the fourth straight game.

“We’ve been winning games, so why change?” Ballard said. “The guys are playing well and it’s up to me to be a good teammate. I’ve done everything I can on the ice and in the gym. I’ve watched a ton of video on my own to make sure that when I do play, I’m ready to go.”

He added: “I understand. I’ve been around long enough. I’m not 22 years old anymore. I understand when I play well and I understand when I play bad. I don’t need anyone to say you played well or you played bad. I understand that for a bit it’s been up and down for me.”

OATES DRAWS THORNTON, WILSON DEVELOPMENT COMPARISON

The Washington Post notes Capitals coach Adam Oates uses Tuesday night’s opponent, Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks, to draw a comparison with Caps rookie Tom Wilson and his limited ice time. Wilson is averaging around seven minutes a night, while Thornton was at about eight minutes as a rookie with the Boston Bruins.

“Love the player, love him,” Oates said of Thornton. “Great player, big physical guy, shows up every night, very durable, very strong on the puck, really like him as a player. Boston treated him great, a little bit like what we’re doing with Willy. Just had him around because they felt he belonged in the NHL, which I agree with and gave him sporadic minutes at times and more when they could, let him ease into the league.”

BABCOCK: NYQUIST NEEDS TO GET PUCKS ON NET

The Detroit Free Press describes how Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist’s production has tapered off with one goal and two assists in his last 13 games.

“This is what I’d tell you about Gus — we talk about it all the time — you don’t get any points in the league for style,” said Wings coach Mike Babcock. “You gotta get the puck to the net. So when you’re a pure passer and you don’t feel that that’s your job, you never shoot the puck. Most guys with lots of assists got a whole bunch by passing it off the goalie. That isn’t part of his repertoire yet and we’re working on it and he’s working.”

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

MARKOV WANTS TO FINISH CAREER WITH HABS

The Montreal Gazette reports 35-year-old Canadiens defenceman Andrei Markov, a pending unrestricted free agent this summer, said he’d like to play out his career with the Canadiens.

“How long that’s going to be, you never know,” Markov said. “It’s not only my decision, (but) also management, the organization. We’ll see what’s going to happen.”

He added: “Maybe I’m going to sign another contract tomorrow. Maybe in another month. We’ll see,” he said. “I’d like to stay here for the rest of my career. You can see some players in their 40s who still play. I don’t want to think that far. Whatever is going to happen tomorrow will happen tomorrow.”

https://twitter.com/Dave_Stubbs/status/422850122741866496

Preliminary talks have begun between general manager Marc Bergevin and Markov, who is currently without an agent.

CANADIENS, MONTREAL ALWAYS SPECIAL TO BRODEUR

Fire & Ice points out the New Jersey Devils are in Montreal to take on the Canadiens, hometown of Devils great Martin Brodeur.

Brodeur said the memory of his father, longtime Canadiens photographer Denis Sr., who passed away in September, is one of the things that has driven him this season.

“Every time you go out, you always try to find things that kind of motivate you and stuff like that,” he said. “Definitely, the passing of my dad was a big thing early on, but you try to get by and get through it. But he’s always going to be with me. He was always with me, so it’s just one of these things that I know he’s up there looking at us.”

When it was mentioned today that his father’s presence has been missed around Bell Centre, Brodeur said, “The Montreal Canadiens have been a big part of my family. I never played for them and probably will never play for them, but I think it’s a big part of me growing up and my career with my dad. So, it’s definitely appreciated when people think about it.”

OILERS’ EAKINS LOOKS TO USE GAZDIC MORE

The Edmonton Journal takes a look at physical Oilers winger Luke Gazdic, who has been working with the coaching staff on improving his overall game.

“There have been nights where I’ve thought of moving Luke up with Nuge and Hall or Eberle,” head coach Dallas Eakins said. “As our team gets stronger, I think you’ll see Luke’s minutes move higher in that regard because his skating is getting better and he’s way more comfortable with the puck … he’s not going to anchor down a line.

“It always comes back to what’s the score in the game, though. If we’re down — and this is no offence to Luke — but if we’re down a goal, odds are Luke is not going to participate, whereas another guy who hasn’t been playing as well may have the skill level to do that.”

Gazdic knows Oilers pro scout Dave Semenko would often ride shotgun for Wayne Gretzky.

“That used to be how it was back in the day but I don’t see that happening today … I mean, I’d love it. Nobody would touch Hall,” Gazdic said.

SABRES’ NOLAN BLUNT ON GRIGORENKO

Via The Buffalo News, Sabres coach Ted Nolan on Mikhail Grigorenko, who finally relented in his assignment back to the QMJHL.

“We can’t control what people do and what they say, but we certainly can control how we’re going to try to run this organization and what we feel is necessary for the development of young players,” Nolan said. “The tail can’t wag the dog. The dog wags the tail.

“We feel as an organization it’s best for him to develop in junior hockey. That’s not taking anything away from him. He’s got some skills and he’s got some ability, but in order for him to play at this level, we just need a little bit more.”

More Nolan: “You got to make the best of whatever situation you’re in. If he learns at a young age, it’s even better. But you will learn how to adapt and to adjust, and if you don’t, someone else is always going to take your job.

PREVIEWING DODGER STADIUM OUTDOOR GAME

The NHL’s ice truck arrived at Dodger Stadium and a press event was held Monday, previewing the Stadium Series game set to take place in less than two weeks between the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks.
Here a few tweets to whet fans’ appetites.

https://twitter.com/Condog37/status/422873584734720000

https://twitter.com/reallisa/status/422863553498853376

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

DODGER STADIUM EVENT ALMOST A ‘VALENTINE’ TO GRETZKY

The Los Angeles Times reports Wayne Gretzky will be honored during the outdoor game between the Kings and Ducks at Dodger Stadium on Jan. 25. It’s a perfect moment for Gretzky to embrace — and be embraced by — the sport he elevated in Southern California.

“In many respects Wayne got it all going,” said John Collins, the NHL’s chief operating officer.

“Twenty-five years ago, who would have thought you’d be playing an outdoor game in Dodger Stadium? Who would have thought that you’d have two Stanley Cup-winning teams in recent history? Who would have thought you’d have the success of the young players coming up and getting drafted and making the kind of impact that they are in hockey around the world?

“Wayne started it all, and in many respects not to have Wayne at this event would be almost unimaginable. It’s almost a valentine to him and everything that he accomplished.”

BRODEUR WANTS TO PLAY ANOTHER SEASON

The Star-Ledger describes how Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, who is on the last season of his current two-year contract, wants to play again next season, but…

“We’ll go through the season and go from there. If the body holds up, that’s going to be I think more of the guideline because I’m enjoying what I’m doing right now,” Brodeur said Sunday morning. “It’s kind of fun to go to the rink. And sometimes on days off I’m like, ‘This is going to be retirement. It’s not fun.’

“My body will tell me if I allow myself to be able to play.”

So far his body is holding up.

“My heart is in (returning for another season). My body could be another story,” Brodeur said. “We’ll see. I’m done after this year with my contract depending on what’s going to happen in the next few months. If I feel good body-wise I’ll see what is the best scenario for me, if it’s back in New Jersey or somewhere else. That’s something the future will bring.

“Right now my heart is here to try and finish strong to prove I can still have a big impact and win hockey games.”

CONFIDENT ZIBANEJAD PLAYING ON INSTINCT

The Ottawa Citizen asserts Mika Zibanejad has been, perhaps, the Senators’ most dangerous scoring threat in the past several weeks.

“The more confidence I have, the more I can go on my instinct and just play, rather than think out there,” he said. “And I think that’s what I’m doing right now. The confidence is there when I hold on to the puck. I don’t have to maybe throw it away all the time. I’m able to skate with (the puck) and that comes along with it.”

Zibanejad, who has been skating with Milan Michalek and Cory Conacher, believes this is the best stretch he has played in the big leagues.

“On a consistent basis, I think so,” he said. “I try to improve every day at practice, but I don’t want to let up now. It’s a good building (block) for me, a good model to go out there. I know what I’m doing when I play well and I have something to rely on, to go back to.”

RANGER, FRANSON DEALING WITH TORONTO MEDIA CIRCUS

The Toronto Sun writes that asked about the big-top media atmosphere that surrounds the Leafs on a daily basis, defenceman Paul Ranger offered a candid take.

“Let’s put it this way: This is part of our job,” he said. “When things are going great and we’re getting lots of good questions, you feel pretty good. It’s times like this where you need to learn to handle it. And everyone has their own way. I can’t speak for anyone else. But, no, it’s not fun to answer questions when things aren’t going well. Especially when that’s the focus. But we’re learning how to handle it.”

Added Cody Franson: “This is our job right here and every one of us takes a lot of pride in what we do. When it doesn’t go your way, especially in Toronto, you feel it. But it’s up to you as an individual to find a way to balance that, to make sure you’re in the right frame of mind every time you come to the rink.”

WAIT AND SEE FOR MILLER WITH RETOOLING SABRES

The Buffalo News points out Pat LaFontaine made it clear Thursday the Sabres’ current preference is to sign  pending UFA Ryan Miller to a long-term contract extension.

“It’s nice of him but I still need to kind of see what’s going on in the bigger picture,” Miller said Saturday.

Miller said he expects the process to move on the Sabres’ timeline and not to wait until after the Olympics, since the trade deadline is just a week after the Sochi Games end.

“It’s up to them how they want to handle it. Either way I’m fine, professional, go and do my job,” he said. “Olympics, I can definitely make that something that’s separate. Just trying to use the next few weeks to see where we’re at for things and also play some hockey.”

CHECKING DRIVES HITCHCOCK’S SUCCESS

Enlightening info via The St. Louis Post-Dispatch about Ken Hitchcock. He’s known as a defensive coach, but his Blues are routinely among the league leaders in goals per game this season.

“The reputation came by accident, not by design,” Hitchcock said. “When I coached junior hockey, all we did was score. When I coached in the (International Hockey League), all we did was score.

“The defensive reputation was born out of necessity from the Dallas days. We had a lot of veteran guys that needed to play a counterattack game. For me, it’s more about goals against. It’s not, ‘Hey, we’ve scored two, that’s enough.’ I’ve never been like that.”

Checking is the key.

“I’m not a defensive taskmaster,” he said. “There’s a big difference. The two things are related checking-wise. We’ve been scoring a lot of goals because we’re checking well, offensively and defensively.

“We’re a team that plays on our toes. We check and we forecheck like crazy. We’re scoring because we’re creating more turnovers with this group than any I’ve had in three years here. This group creates more turnovers off their checking than anybody.”

LANDESKOG LEADS AVALANCHE ON THE ICE

The Denver Post points out Gabriel Landeskog does most of his leading on the ice as captain of the Colorado Avalanche.

“I don’t think you have to be the cheerleader, the guy always chatting it up in the dressing room, pumping the guys up,” said Landeskog, the NHL’s youngest captain at 21. “There’s a time and a place to say things, and I’ll say it. But I’m trying to channel my energy and put it all on the ice instead of sitting and screaming in the dressing room. I try to just focus on what I’ve got to do on the ice. When I focus on my game, I help our line get going and help our team get going as well.”

He added: “I just want to leave everything out there on the ice every time. Hard work is what it’s going to take for us to accomplish our goal, and I know I have to set that example.”

Coach Patrick Roy offered this: “Joe (Sakic) was a bit like this too as a captain. What I like is, when these kinds of guys take the ice, that’s exactly the kind of leadership we get on the ice.”

PANTHERS WILL SPEND TO WIN

Reinforcement over the weekend via The Sun-Sentinel following the Florida Panthers’ midseason budget meeting, where new owner Vinnie Viola gave General Manager Dale Tallon carte blanche to spend to the cap to acquire elite free agents.

“This team’s been bleeding money for a long time, but I’ve been told we’re going to be a cap team and want to try to break even. They want to invest money into the team,” Tallon said.

“They want to win. That’s what’s going on here. They’ve given me the green light to be a cap team. So that’s fantastic. Not a floor team, a cap team. We’re excited.”

More Tallon: “We want to win. We’re going to the top. We’re going to spend. We’re moving forward. We’ve been given the opportunity by Vinnie to spend the money wisely and God bless Vinnie, they’re willing to put maximum amount of money into the team so we can win.”

THEY TWEETED IT

Nichols on Twitter | Weekday Hockey Hearsay

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

OILERS’ GAGNER IGNORES TRADE RUMOURS

The Edmonton Journal points out the no-move clause in Oilers forward Sam Gagner’s three-year deal, of which he’s in the first season now, doesn’t kick in until after this year.

“I’ve been through trade rumours my whole career, it seems,” Gagner said Thursday. “It’s something I’m used to at this point (but) unless something came about, it’s not something I worry about. I’m here to help the Edmonton Oilers win and that’s my focus.

“I just know personally that things aren’t always as good as they seem when they’re going good, or as bad as they seem when they’re going bad. I think I’ve played some good hockey this year. Coming back from the jaw injury, it was slow going for a little bit, but my game is rounding into form.

“It’s just easier when you’re not reading (trade talk). That’s been my biggest thing. I try not to read it anymore. People are going to say things all the time — whether you’re doing good things or not. I just have to keep pushing forward.”

Bottom line?

“I haven’t read anything that’s been said … It can be a roller-coaster ride if you do.”

PREDATORS’ FISHER PONDERS RETIREMENT TIMELINE

The Ottawa Sun relays that 33-year-old former Senators forward Mike Fisher, currently with the Nashville Predators, admitted contemplating his retirement.

“I think everyone kind of does that, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t,” said Fisher. “I still have a year left on my deal here and, after that, probably next year will be a deciding factor on how my body feels and where Carrie and I are at.

“Obviously there’s always the green light from her, but it’s going to be a decision then. I really don’t know at this point.”

Is he recognized on the streets as a Predator or Mr. Underwood?

“No, she’s my wife here,” Fisher said sarcastically. “I’ll never get rid of that, probably. People are pretty good here. It’s not like at home, for sure. It’s not like Ottawa, where people follow every bit of it. But the more you here, obviously, more people recognize you. You can still get away.

“We actually stay at home a lot. If we’re out, we don’t go into the tourists spots, for sure. You can’t really hide here. People are good, friendly, and they usually leave me alone.”

NOEL TO JETS FANS: WE FEEL YOUR PAIN

The Winnipeg Sun details how the Jets lost their fourth game in a row Tuesday and were booed off the ice.

“We hear their voices, and I can tell you to a man, with the players and the staff, we’re all feeling about the same,” coach Claude Noel said. “We’re trying to find solutions to get this thing back on the right track. So we feel their pain. We’re hoping they still support us for the next game, and we expect to be a lot better in the next game.”

Noel wouldn’t go into detail about what is being done to get the situation turned around, but he said you can hold only so many meetings with players before they start tuning out the coaching staff.

“We’ll get it turned around,” he said. “We are going to win here one day. I’m hoping to be here one day. We are going to win here one day. And then I’ll be able to sit here and say, ‘We’re winning now.’ That’s going to happen. I’m confident in that.”

WOULD MILLER CONSIDER PLAYING FOR PANTHERS?

The Panthers and Sabres squared off Thursday night and after the morning skate, The Sun-Sentinel had these quotes from goaltender Ryan Miller. He’s slated to become a UFA at the end of this season.

He told the Sun Sentinel that while he’s focused on helping the Sabres get out of the NHL basement, he repeatedly said that, “Florida’s a good spot.”

Miller is aware that new owner Vinnie Viola has vowed to use his wealth to acquire elite free agents.

“My situation here has to play out before I could consider anything else,” Miller said. “I pay attention to the league, I know what’s going on.

“I’m happy that Florida has new ownership. It’ s important for every team to be healthy. Florida’s a good spot. My grandparents live down there in Stuart … My mom’s mom and my grandfather are down in Lakeland for a long time. Florida’s a good spot but …”

STARS’ NICHUSHKIN DRAWS HIGH PRAISE FROM YASHIN

A report in R-Sport discusses how a split has developed between Team Russia coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov and GM Alexei Yashin, the ex-NHL star, over whether or not Dallas Stars rookie Valeri Nichushkin deserves his place on the Sochi Olympic team.

The coach said it was “an advance payment” that the player “must justify.”

Yashin disagrees.

“It’s hard to talk about an advance payment. It’s the wrong word,” said Yashin. “Nichushkin has earned the call to the Olympics with his game.”

Yashin also said Nichushkin is “a very good player and an emerging star of the NHL” and his rookie season is reminiscent of Sidney Crosby and John Tavares.

ROY’S GOOD-NATURED RIBBING OF ROENICK

Phenomenally funny moment described in The Denver Post:

One of the most famous lines in Avalanche history, when Patrick Roy said “I can’t really hear what Jeremy says, because I got my two Stanley Cup rings plugged in my ears” to Jeremy Roenick of Chicago in the 1996 Western Conference semifinals, got an addition Thursday.

Roenick was at the Avs practice facility this morning, doing a segment on Matt Duchene for NBC. We asked Roy, who got two more rings after that series, if he could hear anything Roenick said to him during the visit.

“I had the other two rings in my mouth, I couldn’t say anything to him,” Roy joked.

FLYERS’ HOLMGREN SURPRISED BY GIROUX SNUB

Via CSNPhilly.com, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren describes his reaction to finding out Claude Giroux didn’t make Team Canada.

“I would say I was a little bit surprised,” Holmgren said. “I’m more disappointed for Claude. I know how badly he wanted to be named to the team. That’s a tough call. A lot of good players to choose from.”

TORTORELLA APPRECIATES LACK’S IMPORTANCE TO CANUCKS

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette looks at back-up goalies, including Eddie Lack of the Vancouver Canucks. A few thoughts from coach John Tortorella on the situation he inherited between the pipes with Roberto Luongo and Lack, the Canucks having traded Cory Schneider.

“Coming to a new team, the stuff involving Roberto, and not knowing Eddie, it was a concern of mine,” Tortorella said. “As a coach, you have to put him in. Eddie, right away, it was pretty easy for me to see his demeanor and how he plays, that he was going to be able to handle this.”

Tortorella puts a lot of value on the role of backup goaltender.

“If you want to get where you want to be come May and June [deep in the playoffs], you can’t be playing your No. 1 [too heavily] throughout the year,” he said. “You’ve got to make sure that he has some sort of freshness to him when you start the playoffs. It’s a huge role, not only just to play the games, but to get points.”

FAREWELL TO REDDEN

Wade Redden retired Thursday after a 14-year NHL career, prompting a few tweets from current NHLers.

https://twitter.com/ellerby88/status/421403096611160065

KRUGER EARNS SECOND LINE ROLE WITH HAWKS

The Chicago Tribune describes how 23-year-old Marcus Kruger has earned another shot as the second line center for the Blackhawks, between Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg.

“(Kruger) has been a real nice fit for our team,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “You appreciate the energy he brings, you like the consistency he brings (and) the reliability on both sides of the puck. I see improvement in his game. You have to commend him on his practice habits. He betters himself because he works so hard in practice and brings that into the game. He’s had a really nice progression to his young career. He’s got that will to find ways to contribute any way he can and I think he’s really moved up the ladder in a lot people’s eyes, particularly around this locker room.”

THEY TWEETED IT

NHL Line Combo Central | Nichols on Twitter

JACKETS’ JOHNSON: THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE IN ME

Blunt comments from Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson, via The Columbus Dispatch, on not being included on last week’s Team USA roster for Sochi.

“I read the article that said three coaches unanimously left me off,” Johnson said, referring to a report by ESPN.com’s Scott Burnside. “It’s over now. … Anything that’s said now is empty and meaningless. When I needed the belief and trust, I didn’t get it, and I didn’t get it when it counted from numerous people.”

“The team’s picked. I sat there and watched it on TV along with everybody else. That’s how I heard. From TV.”

Johnson, on a potential injury fill-in role: “I’m not going to sit here and bank on injuries. Quite frankly, I’m able now to solidify plans for February, and it’ll be nice to not have to worry about anybody watching you play, just go out and play your season. It’s something I’m just putting out of my mind. It’s over to me.”

YZERMAN CONCERNED OVER ST. LOUIS OMISSION FALLOUT

More from Lightning GM and Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman, via The Tampa Bay Times, on the decision to leave Martin St. Louis off the Olympic roster.

Yzerman: “I’m very concerned. I didn’t take this lightly. Believe me. This was not easy.”

He expanded.

“I put together a committee to help me select this team and, together with the coaches, we came up with our roster,” Yzerman said. “If I’m not going to listen to the others then why have them?

“But I’m not going to pass the buck. If you want to put this on me, that’s fine. I can’t let my duties as general manager of the Lightning conflict with my role with the Canadian Olympic team. I suppose that if I insisted on a certain player then I could have had that player. But that’s not the way to do things.

“I will tell you this: I’m confident that we put together the best team we possibly could to compete in this tournament.”

CARTER NOT WORRIED ABOUT TEAM CANADA SECOND-GUESSERS

Jeff Carter, via LA Kings Insider, on being criticized by Canadians for making the team over others: “There’s a lot of coaches out there, a lot of GMs. I think I can bring a lot to the team, obviously with speed and size. I feel like I can put the puck in the net if given the opportunity. I’m just excited to be on it.”

BERGEVIN: GALCHENYUK’S REPLACEMENT TO COME FROM WITHIN

Several interesting tidbits via The Montreal Gazette from Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin before Wednesday’s tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers.

On how to replace the injured Alex Galchenyuk: “We always look within first. You can’t get a player like Alex, unless you want to give up the house, the farm, to replace him. You look at Tampa Bay when they lost (Steven) Stamkos. He’s not Stamkos yet, but it’s like Shane Doan, who was out for a while in Phoenix. You just don’t replace these players, you have to give other guys more ice and hope they come through for you.”

On P.K. Subban: “I came here two years ago and he was a healthy scratch. Our coaching staff did a great job with him. I’m proud he’ll be able to represent his team at the Olympics.”

On looking for size early on in the past few drafts: “We have to identify these guys early and get them in the draft. These guys aren’t available even as free agents.”

MODANO RECALLS WORLD CUP LESSONS

The Dallas Morning News outlines the boost in player development which can be provided by participating in international competition such as the Olympics.

Stars head coach Lindy Ruff, an assistant coach for Team Canada: “You’re going to be around the best personnel in the world. You get to watch how they prepare, how they practice, how they play.

“Players can look at it as a learning experience, that this tournament can make me better if I take something back from it and share that with my teammates. Beyond being able to represent your country, it’s an excellent chance to become a better player.”

Former Stars great Mike Modano recalls winning the World Cup of hockey in 1996 with Team USA.

“Just being able to go there and see the great players on Team USA, it opened your eyes,” Modano said of winning the gold medal at age 26. “You realized how much harder you had to push, and how much harder other players, really good players, were working.”

CAPITALS’ ERAT SAD ABOUT OLYMPIC ROSTER DISMISSAL

CSNWashington.com relays that Capitals forward Martin Erat, a two-time Olympian, wanted one last chance to play for the Czech Olympic team. He was not named to the roster this week, despite being told by the Czech coach in the summer he had a spot on the team.

“I was on the team,” Erat said. “It’s hard to play 7 minutes and play at the level you think you are. It’s sad for me because it’s hard to forget about this stuff, especially when you’ve got a spot and then it’s taken away.”

Erat, 32, who has asked repeatedly to be traded, fears he will not have another chance in 2018.

“I don’t know how it’s going to be in four years,” he said. “That’s why the Olympics are so big now. You don’t know if the NHL will let players go again. You never know. That’s why it’s very sad for me to see myself out of the team.”

CANUCKS SAW SOMETHING IN SESTITO

The Vancouver Sun describes how the Canucks saw some of this potential in Tom Sestito – considered one of the team’s most improved players this season – to grab him off waivers from the Flyers last season and then re-sign him to a two-year deal.

“We coveted the elements that he brought when we made the waiver claim,” said assistant GM Laurence Gilman. “We saw he had the tools to be a more complete hockey player but we felt his conditioning could have been better. We sent him off with a very comprehensive plan, which he worked at over the summer, and he’s continued to improve his conditioning throughout this season. I think that’s what has translated with his increased output in the last month.”

DEVILS ALWAYS OPEN TO TRADES

Via Fire & Ice, New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello on if he’s involved in any active trade talks: “There’s not something you would never not do if you can make your team better,” he said.  “So, it’s not a case of we’re not doing anything or it’s a case of somebody’s going to come down and give you a spark. If you’ve got somebody you can drive in here, let me know because I’ll be the passenger as well as the driver.”

Still believe the Devils are a playoff team?

“Yes, I do,” Lamoriello said Wednesday. “We’re missing a couple of pretty good players, but we have to go through this. We have to play through it. I don’t think there’s anybody in that locker room or the coaching staff or myself who think any different. But we just have to go on and not be distracted and do all the things that are necessary to win and go from there.”

THEY TWEETED IT

https://twitter.com/Logancouture/status/420990300472225793