Chris Nichols

­Chris Nichols is Sportsnet.ca's fantasy hockey writer.

@Nichols_NHLPool on Twitter for timely NHL & poolie info, along with occasionally snarky comments.

Live blogging nightly: line combos, defensive pairings, analysis, statistical trends and more from every game on the NHL docket. Refresh the 'Live NHL Recap' page while the games are on to get new info as it is added.

Send in a brief fantasy hockey question, including all relevant league info, and it may be included in a future Hockey Hearsay blog during the week. One per person, please. Send it via Twitter for a possible response in the blog, or send via email (include your first name and hometown to represent!) if you'd prefer. chris.nichols@sportsnet.rogers.com

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that several Blues players had dinner Tuesday night with former Blue Paul Kariya, who is sitting out this season with post-concussion syndrome.

"It seemed like he was doing good," defenceman Barret Jackman said. "His main goal is get back to feeling 100 percent physically. He's enjoying some time off ... same old Paul. It was nice to see him.

Asked if Kariya still wanted to return to the NHL, Jackman said, "We asked him that, and he said that he hasn't ruled anything out yet. He hasn't made an official announcement that he's retiring, and he still isn't back to the point where he feels like he could play ... so he's in limbo."

Excellent analogy in The Toronto Star: To watch James Reimer in a hotel lobby waiting for an elevator is to gain some insight into the Maple Leafs’ latest, but least-heralded, goaltending saviour.

If there’s a crowd, the patient rookie makes sure everyone else gets on first. He knows his turn will come.

So it is that Reimer, the always smiling, always affable kid from Winnipeg, watched as 11 other goalies got their chance in the Leafs’ goal between his drafting in 2006 and his first start for the big club.

And so it is that Reimer will be in net again Thursday night against Phoenix – not demoted to the Toronto Marlies, as the plan had called for – as the Leafs look to ride their rookie to a season-best fifth win in a row.

“It’s been a wild ride, it’s been crazy, it’s been a lot of fun,” said Reimer. “It seems like every day it’s been an adventure, not knowing what’s happening. It just keeps going. It’s fun. I’m enjoying it.”

The Star wonders: So how did we get here, through the J-S Aubins, the Andrew Raycrofts, the Vesa Toskalas, without really hearing anything about Reimer?

Go back to the 2008-09 season, when Justin Pogge was still believed to be the goalie of the future for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Meanwhile, toiling down in the East Coast Hockey League was Reimer.

What was Pogge doing? Going 1-4-1 with a 4.36 goals-against average for Toronto, setting the stage for his unceremonious exit from the Leafs — shipped off to Anaheim, then on to Carolina.

What was Reimer doing? How about helping the South Carolina Stingrays win the Kelly Cup, being named MVP of the playoffs in the process while he was on loan to that team?

“It was always about Pogge, and I flew under the radar,” said Reimer, who really doesn’t have a jealous bone in his body. “Then there was a lot change up top and no one really paid attention down in the minors. I’ve been kind of sitting there trying to make saves.

“If we had a game Friday night, we’d leave Thursday at midnight and drive through the night and sleep on the bus and wake up for the morning skate.”

Reimer told the Star this too: “I’ve enjoyed playing under the radar because if you lose a game, no one is saying: ‘Our franchise is going under,’ or if you win a game: ‘We’re going to win the Stanley Cup.’

“It’s nice to stay out of that atmosphere and just be able to play your game and enjoy the game and try to be better every day. If I turn out to be a good goaltender, or a great goaltender, there will be that hype and that media and that pressure. Right now, I’m just enjoying playing and see where it goes from there.”

The Washington Post reports that against Tampa Bay on Wednesday night, Alex Ovechkin had more attempted shots blocked (5) than reach the net (2) but he also broke at least three sticks, maybe more, when taking aim for others.

There's no question that Ovechkin, and several other players who were among the Capitals' top scorers last season, are slumping, but after the 3-0 loss to the Lightning, coach Bruce Boudreau commented on the uncontrollable factors that contribute.

One of the odder moments at St. Pete Times Forum came when Ovechkin came out of the penalty box and had what might have been a clean breakaway into the offensive zone and well, here's Boudreau:

"Ovi comes out of the penalty box, the puck instead of bouncing forward -- I don't know how in the hell -- it bounced backwards on him or he has a breakaway," Boudreau said. Nicklas Backstrom "gets chances in the slot and it flubs off his stick. Ovi breaks sticks when he's shooting. There's a lot of things not going right for them and they're pressing really hard but [their slumps are] not for a lack of want and will.

"it's tough when you've got a team that's used to scoring. There's a lot of guys that's used to scoring a lot of goals, being up at the top in a lot of categories, and when they're not scoring they get frustrated."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes that the Penguins played their fourth consecutive game without Sidney Crosby Wednesday night. And, for the second time in three evenings, Evgeni Malkin opened the game is Crosby's usual spot between Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis as the Penguins took on the Canadiens at the Bell Centre.

Malkin's performance this season has not begun to approach that of Crosby -- Malkin entered the Penguins' game against Montreal with 35 points, while Crosby has a league-leading 66 -- but he does have the ability to be a major force in the offence.

When Jordan Staal made his 2010-11 debut Jan. 1, Malkin was on his right side, but Malkin moved back to his natural position of centre before the Penguins' 4-2 loss to Boston Monday.

"We're not strong down the middle right now without Sid there and [Malkin], minus [his struggles in] the faceoff circle, is good in that position of the ice and is a threat there," coach Dan Bylsma said.

The Post-Gazette says Kunitz and Dupuis have played with Malkin, although not for extended stretches, in the past, and Kunitz acknowledged the transition from Crosby to Malkin could not truly be seamless.

"When you play with a guy for 40 games, then play with somebody else, obviously there's going to be an adjustment," he said.

Dupuis and Kunitz might have a little more time to get comfortable with the switch, however, because there is little evidence at this point to suggest that Crosby will return when the Penguins visit Boston Saturday afternoon.

"He's getting better," Bylsma said. "But we're not going to progress forward until the [concussion] symptoms subside."

The Boston Globe reported that Milan Lucic was not present for the morning skate, indicating he will not be available tonight. This will be the second game out for Lucic, who was hurt in the third period of Monday's 4-2 win over Pittsburgh. He's apparently feeling better though and is still considering DTD.

The Buffalo News indicates that Thomas Vanek shot a few pucks on his own and did a few sprints in one end of HSBC Arena this morning. Frankly, he didn't look all that comfortable testing his injured right hand. Nonetheless, Vanek said he will be in the lineup tonight when the Sabres face the Carolina Hurricanes.

"I expected to be a little uncomfortable but it actually went better than I thought it would," Vanek said. "It felt good. I still think I can contribute and score out there so that's why I'm in."

The Sabres are getting into dire straits in the standings (they're seven points behind ninth-place Carolina heading into tonight's game), but Vanek said he's not pushing the envelope because of the conference race.

"It's always based on if you can help the team," he said. "Even now, we're in a tough situation but if I would have felt like I can't shoot and can't help the team, there's no purpose in playing."

"It's not uncommon for a player to try to battle through [injury]," added coach Lindy Ruff. "He's not 100 percent but a lot of players are not 100 percent when they play. Thomas thinks it's important that he plays and I do too."

The News points out that Vanek played 24 minutes Tuesday against Philadelphia and the injury flared up after the game and kept him off the ice Wednesday. The line of Vanek, Tim Connolly and Jason Pominville did very little offensively against the Flyers and that has to change quickly.

"We were put together for a reason," Vanek said. "That's not just to score goals but to create momentum and offense and we didn't do much of that. On the power play we didn't do the job and it carried over on our five-on-five play."

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” 19-year old Ottawa Senators goalie Robin Lehner told The Ottawa Citizen ahead of tonight, which will be his first NHL start. The Sens are on Long Island. “When they told me, I was really happy and I’m looking forward to it.

“I’m just going to go in and do as good as I can. I have one key only: work hard. I won’t think much more about the game. It’s just like any old hockey game — a little higher level. Just go in and don’t think too much.”

The Raleigh News & Observer notes that Tuesday night, Carolina Hurricanes rookie Jeff Skinner and defenceman Cory Sarich of the Calgary Flames nearly tangled. The Canes' Chad LaRose jumped into the fray though, wrestling Sarich away before Skinner could get fully engaged.

Truth is, Canes coach Paul Maurice wouldn't have minded if Skinner did.

"Good for him," Maurice said. "He's not a shy player. For a skilled guy, you always put them in a category where they don't get involved with that, but if you watch him, he'll take care of himself. He has a very calm demeanor, but he's a very competitive man."

"I knew who it was, but at the same time you don't want to be the one that backs down," Skinner said of 6-foot-4, 210-pound Sarich.

Skinner didn't. He was doing some pushing and jawing, and had LaRose not come flying, things could have become really heated.

"I don't think I would have fared too well against him," Skinner said, smiling. "It was just one of those scrums where you don't want to back down. Definitely some emotion coming out there."

Skinner had the only shootout goal as the Hurricanes won 6-5.

The News & Observer points out that more teams surely will physically test Skinner because he looks like he's 15 and he's only 5 feet 9 or so. Let a big guy such as a Sarich try to play rough with him, at the RBC Center, and you almost expect a thousand mothers in the crowd to try and climb over the glass to protect him.

But Skinner is strong, and he's pretty tough. Knock him down and he comes at you twice as hard.

"He's tough to play against," Canes forward Tuomo Ruutu said.

According to The Chicago Tribune, the guy with the best view of Nick Leddy's play has come away impressed with the teenage defenceman's talent.

"He plays really poised and mature for only being 19," said Jordan Hendry, who has been paired along with the blue line with Leddy since the rookie's Jan. 7 return to the Hawks.

"I reflect back to when I was 19, I was nowhere near the player he is. He's definitely ahead of the game here. He's a great player with a bright future."

Leddy played in his third game since being recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League when the Hawks took on the Avalanche on Wednesday night at the United Center. It was also Leddy's ninth game of the season with the Hawks overall, one short of the designation of a year of service under his contract. Which means Leddy likely isn't going back to Rockford, where he has honed his skills primarily since being acquired from the Wild in a Feb. 12 trade.

"I took a lot from coaches (at Rockford) and tried focusing on the defensive zone a lot," Leddy told The Tribune. "I tried to learn as much as I could. ( NHL) players are obviously the best players in the world. In the defensive zone … my biggest thing is anticipating the play a little bit."

Said coach Joel Quenneville: "I like his patience and play with the puck and his reads. You just appreciate his poise out there for a young kid. You look at his upside and it's very bright."

The Columbus Dispatch writes that 23-year-old blueliner Kris Russell arrived at training camp eager to play for a new coach whose system seemed tailored to Russell's game; one that relies on speed and includes joining rushes to create offence. But injuries and ongoing bouts with self doubt led to a disappointing first half of the season.

Russell has just two goals and seven assists in 36 games. His minus-8 rating is among the worst on the club.

A sprained right knee cost him virtually the entire preseason, and a tender groin muscle has sapped him of some skating power. But Russell won't use them as crutches to prop up an underachieving start.

"I put pressure on myself to contribute that way, and I haven't been doing it," said Russell, who's fifth among Jackets defencemen in points. "It doesn't sit well with me. All I can do is keep working at it."

The Dispatch believes that offensive defencemen are among the slowest players to develop at the NHL level. San Jose's Dan Boyle didn't crack the 25-point mark until putting up 13 goals and 40 assists in his sixth season, when he was with Tampa Bay.

But Jackets fans, losing patience with many facets of the organization, have seen other young defencemen around the league mature at a quicker rate. The club passed on Anaheim's Cam Fowler in the 2010 draft, and he has responded with 21 points in his rookie season.

Russell is in his fourth season with the Jackets.

"I think he is finding his game right now," Jackets assistant coach Brad Berry said. "But the toughest part for him is frustration. When you are a player that is looked upon as an offensive guy and the numbers don't come right away, you press a little bit."

Coach Scott Arniel offered this: "He's already tough enough on himself. I don't need to beat him up more. He didn't really have a training camp, and when we were playing well early in the season, he wasn't really going yet."

Michigan Live believes that barring more injuries, Jan Mursak will return to the Grand Rapids Griffins this month when either Pavel Datsyuk (broken hand) or Danny Cleary (fractured ankle) is able to play. In the meantime, Mursak is gaining valuable experience.

“I’m pretty comfortable right now,” Mursak said. “I don’t worry about things anymore. I just play the system. I want to take care of our defensive zone, that’s where I have still some room to improve.

“I just want to keep skating and grinding their (defence). That’s what they want from me. Every game is better, and hopefully it goes that way.”

Mursak is an exceptional skater and stick-handler with a nose for the net. He is one of the Griffins’ leading scorers but is projected as a third- or fourth-line player in the NHL. The 23-year old is out of minor league options after this season and is in the final year of his contract. He must make the NHL roster next season to remain in the Red Wings organization.

Also from Michigan Live: Wings coach Mike Babcock liked what he saw of Tomas Tatar during his five-game stint with the club but said he must get quicker. Tatar was reassigned to Grand Rapids on Tuesday.

“He’s got a skill set, he’s real intelligent, he’s good with the puck, he’s strong on the puck,” Babcock said. “He’s going to have to put more pace in his game. When he gets the puck he’s going too slow right now. But that’s all part of becoming a good pro and playing at this level.

“He’s going to play in this league for sure. Just how good a player he’s going to be has yet to be determined. He’s got lots of time to get better.”

It's been 11 days since Predators Coach Barry Trotz asked David Legwand to produce more offence, according to The Nashville Tennessean.

The message got through.

The veteran forward has helped Nashville become one of the hottest teams in the NHL. Legwand has five points in his last six games, and the Predators will look to extend their winning streak to seven games tonight at Florida.

"It's a confidence thing," said Legwand, who is flourishing on a line with Colin Wilson and Marek Svatos. "Those two guys are offensive-type players. It reminds me of a few years ago when I played with Marty (Erat) and Paul Kariya. We created offence."

Trotz said of the offensive-minded approach: "With David, it's getting into the mindset that he's going to be in that role a little bit more. When you have a chance to score, you score. When you have a chance to make good offence, make that good offensive play. Extend yourself to make that happen."

The Tennessean says the coaches like what they are seeing.

"That line, it has some weight and some skill with Wilson," Trotz said. "It has some speed, creativity and experience with Leggy. And you have a little bit of a sniper with Svatos. If that all comes together, that should be a real good line."

Legwand's presence is also helping Wilson, who has two multi-point games since being put on the line with Legwand.

That includes a one-goal, two-assist game against at Los Angeles last Thursday.

"He talks to me a lot," Wilson said. "You can tell he reads the play well. He knows where to be at the right times. On offense, we can read off of each other and know where the other one is going."

When Trotz put Wilson, 21, on the same line with Legwand, 30, in December, the thinking went beyond on-ice ability.

Trotz likes getting young players and veterans together.

"The veteran guys can get you settled down," Trotz said. "When a young player first starts to struggle and have doubt, that's when that veteran player can have a calming effect. I went through that when I was 20."

The Philadelphia Inquirer notes that after a shaky first period Tuesday, Flyers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky settled down and resembled the player who was the league's rookie of the-month in November.

Bobrovsky made 38 saves - equaling a career best - and seemed to gather confidence as the game progressed. Philly won 5-2.

The performance was much needed because Bobrovsky wasn't as aggressive, or in control, in his previous five games, during which he had a 4.25 goals-against average. It was just his fourth start in the last 13 games.

"It wasn't difficult," Bobrovsky insisted through a translator, referring to his inactivity in the last month. "I was just waiting for my opportunity to play so that when I do, I can perform well."

After a first period in which Bobrovsky allowed two goals and was betrayed by a defense that couldn't get out of its end, the 22-year-old rookie gained his composure, won for the first time since Dec. 15, and raised his record to 16-6-3.

"I was nervous in the beginning of the game, but I got calm as the game went on," Bobrovsky said after the Flyers raised their road record to 14-4-3.

"He settled in and made some really big saves - and gave us an opportunity to get our legs under us," said coach Peter Laviolette, whose team overcame an early 2-0 deficit.

The Inquirer believes that the last half of the season will determine which goalie plays the leading role in the playoffs.

"When your team is playing well, those are good decisions," Laviolette said.

Right now, Brian Boucher has emerged as the No. 1 goalie, thanks to a 9-1-1 record and 1.97 goals-against average in his last 11 starts. All told, Boucher has a 2.23 goals-against average - tied for fifth in the NHL, entering Wednesday - and a .921 save percentage, while Bobrovsky has a 2.55 GAA and a .917 save percentage.

Although his uneven play recently suggests otherwise, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Russian said he was getting more comfortable with the North American game. "As every day goes by, it's getting easier and easier," he said.

Steve Connell in Geneva, IL USA: "Chris, Again, thank you for everything you do for us. As I have always stated in emails to you over the years, you make the NHL more enjoyable. Question: how about a mid-season Top 100 (based on the rest of the season). I think it would be excellent reading for all. I hope you consider it."

Chris: Thanks for reading and for the kind words Steve, I appreciate it.

This topic comes up once in awhile annually and I'll say that I wouldn't rule it out. I'm always open to ideas that could improve the blog and whether it's new changes made going into a season or something I tweak in-season, I try to keep an open mind. I resisted Twitter for a long time, but it's actually turned out to be a really good thing for the blog in many ways and it has uses I didn't envision beforehand.

My mindset on mid-season rankings to date has been this though, right or wrong: if I were to do a reset of the Top 100 that I do each September, but based on how I thought guys would fare in the second half, we're talking about 99% of guys who are already owned in fantasy leagues. Before the season it's an extremely useful tool because it provides the basis around which you can build your team. In-season, it would have some usefulness and it would make for a good read - which I get - but for the most part I don't see the redeeming value for poolies on an everyday basis.

Any rankings will boost readership because they create controversy. In terms of actually helping fantasy league owners at this point though? I'm not sold on that.

The main thing to consider here is that while I don't know how quickly others can throw together rankings, there is an inordinate amount of work that goes into my annual fall offering. To be perfectly honest, I just don't have that sort of extra time in my schedule during the season. Between the weekday Hockey Hearsay blogs and spending every single night, seven days a week, live blogging, I couldn't find the time to put the sort of effort I feel is needed into something like that and I won't do a half-assed effort and put my name on it. In the summer I have the extra time to work on the Top 100 and the rest of draft week content. Now? Not so much.

Might there be some sort of way to find a happy medium somehow and still give readers a taste of some mid-season projections? Maybe. I'm continually looking for ways to improve and more feature pieces are always in the back of my mind. Time is always the enemy though.

In the meantime, as you know, every single reader has the opportunity to ask me directly how I feel any given player might perform for the second half - be it someone on their team already or someone they may want to target via trade. Although it hasn't been used as much as I'd like this year, the plan all season has been that people can ask a question any weekday in the HH blog instead of having to wait for a dedicated Q&A on a Monday or Thursday or whenever.

But again, thanks for the input. If I can find a way to incorporate something like that into the blog, it's certainly a possibility.