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.

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At times over roughly the last week, The Washington Post believes Alex Ovechkin has looked exactly like the dominant, energetic force that his reputation as a player is built on. Against the Rangers on Monday night, he created scoring chances off rushes, crashed the net (even sparking a bit of a shoving match with Martin Biron) and had the electrifying presence that, well, hasn't always been out on the ice this season.

Only time will tell if this is the sign of a larger breakout by the Capitals' star left wing, as we've seen slumps end at various points throughout the year, but there may be a different feel to Ovechkin's play in recent games. There's a little more movement, a little more oomph, a little more of the qualities that have made Ovechkin fun to watch during his career.

"To me his speed has increased recently," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "His puck handling has increased, he's gotten a little bit better. Again [Monday] he had, I thought, two really good chances to score. Sometimes you get them, some years they're all going in and some years they're not going in. He's fighting for every goal he can get this year."

Asked to explain what he meant by Ovechkin's speed increasing, Boudreau brought up to The Post some of the main qualities evident on the ice when Ovechkin is at his best.

"He looks quicker. He was making moves while he was skating, where as before he'd get stiff-legged and would try to make moves around guys by not moving his legs," Boudreau said. "You saw in the second period he got a puck at the blue line and he was going full speed, made one move, took a great shot and I think he missed the net with it but it was a great opportunity. That's what you're used to seeing when you're talking about Alex."

For his part, after the game, Ovechkin joked when asked if he was his old self.

"What, am old Ovie?" Ovechkin asked back. "You guys said I'm back and like old Ovie. I feel like normal."

The symptoms are easing, Sidney Crosby told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

They are not as frequent. Not as severe. But they are not gone, either, which is why Crosby declines to even speculate on when he will be able to resume playing. Crosby, who has a concussion, will miss his ninth consecutive game when the Penguins face the New York Islanders tonight at Consol Energy Center.

Aside from missing this weekend's All-Star festivities on and off the ice, the article notes that the initial prognosis offered by the team was that Crosby would miss "about a week" because of what was pointedly described as a "mild" concussion. That was Jan. 6.

"People say 'mild' concussion, but I don't know if there really is such a thing," Crosby said Monday. "It's a serious thing.

"Obviously, it's frustrating being out, but it's kind of out of my control. All I can do are the things on my part to give me a chance to come back and play. It just takes time."

Precisely how much more time remains a mystery. Consequently, Crosby has not set a target date for any aspect of his return, whether it's starting off-ice workouts, getting back on the ice or playing in games.

"The good thing is that the last four or five days have been pretty good," he said. "But that's not to say that tomorrow I couldn't get more symptoms and things like that.

"It's one of those things that's hard to really gauge, but I've been pretty happy with the way I've progressed the last four or five days. Hopefully, it keeps going that way, and that it will be sooner than later. But it's still pretty hard to tell."

The Post-Gazette relays that while Crosby's commitment to conditioning borders on legendary, it has been nearly three weeks since he engaged in any significant activity. And, to his obvious dismay, it might be a while longer before he does it again.

"It's really difficult," Crosby said. "It doesn't get any easier. With each day that goes by, you realize that it gets tougher and tougher to work your way back [into game shape].

"But I think that at the end of the day, you remind yourself that you have to make sure everything is clear, and that when you do come back, you'll be ready to go hard and do the things it takes to get back."

The Tampa Tribune notes that recently, 2009 second overall pick Victor Hedman has taken his game to a higher level and is well on his way to an even better second season.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound defenceman is beginning to utilize his greatest asset — his swift skating ability — more consistently at both ends of the ice. While concentrating on defence first, he's also picked his spots to rush up the ice to contribute on offence.

The key is understanding the difference between making a play and trying to force one. With 32 games remaining, he has matched last season's assist total of 16 and is two shy of last season's points total of 20.

"There's a maturation in his game, a little more poise and confidence,'' right wing Martin St. Louis said. "He's initiating now, not just waiting. He's making things happen with the way he's skating. And if your biggest asset is skating and you don't skate, you are just like everybody else.''

And, as Hedman has learned, his game is not necessarily defined by what shows up next to his name in a box score.

"Less is more sometimes and you have to change your mentality, too. I don't have to produce points to play well," said Hedman, 20. "It's just been that — changed my mentality and I feel more confident out there. To put up points and stuff like that, I know now that that's not really the point about me. I want to play solid defensively, first of all, and my offense is going to come.''

The Tribune observes that Hedman admits he caught himself looking at defencemen such as Los Angeles' Drew Doughty, picked second overall by the Kings in 2008 and a Norris Trophy finalist in just his second year. But Hedman stopped trying to live up to those expectations and, instead, played within himself.

At Hedman's current pace of development, it may not be long before he finds himself in conversations about the game's top defenceman.

"If somebody told me a year ago that he would be where he's at right now, I would say it probably would take longer for him to become this good," Ohlund said. "He's definitely ahead of the curve, and he's definitely going to get better.

"He's still going to go through struggles, as we all do, but I think he is maturing and learning not to put so much pressure on himself to feel he needs to so something every time he steps on the ice. He picks his spots better and his defensive game has been a lot better. I think we are all really impressed with the way he's played for us.''

The Tribune believes that as Hedman rounds out his game, becoming consistent at both ends of the ice, he will grow into a top-tier, two-way defenceman. But whatever role he fulfills, he's ready to accept it.

"I'm just going to be excited about helping this team go a long way,'' Hedman said. "We want to win the Cup, there is no doubt about it. Whatever my part is going to be on the team I'm going to do it as well as I can. I want to be the guy who plays a lot and contributes both offensively and defensively. But I know that I'm still 20 years old and it's going to take time."

The San Jose Mercury News reports that Evgeni Nabokov’s old teammates have been watching his strange situation with curiosity. The sentiment in the Sharks locker room is players just hope it works out for Nabokov.

“I don’t think he wanted to spend two months on a non-competitive team, so I’m not surprised,” Dan Boyle said. “His reasoning for coming back is to be in the playoffs. I think that’s more important to him than just being in the league playing some games. How this will affect him in the future, I don’t know.”

Added Joe Thornton: “It’s unfortunate because he obviously wanted to go to Detroit. I’m sure it’s pretty frustrating for him. But what can you do? Rules are rules. He had to know what he was getting himself into. But it’s just too bad.”

According to The Calgary Herald, all Martin Jones has ever asked for is a chance to strut his stuff.

Once given the opportunity, the six-foot-four native of North Vancouver has proven his worth at every level of hockey.

Today the Calgary Hitmen's all-time leader in career victories, shutouts and most wins in a season, the Western Hockey League's top goaltender last season and most valuable player in the 2010 Memorial Cup, is doing it again as a rookie professional in the American Hockey League.

"He's been stellar for us, for sure," said Manchester Monarchs coach Mark Morris of his rookie all-star. "He's had a great first half. Slowly but surely he's been getting more time in the net and has made the most of his opportunities.

"His strong play got us to the top of the division."

The Herald notes that Jones started the season behind Erik Ersberg and Jeff Ztkoff in the Monarchs rotation. There was very little in the way of starts so the Kings sent him to the Ontario Reign of the East Coast league.

It lasted about 10 days with one start as Ersberg decided to hook up with a Kotinental league team.

Once back in Manchester, Jones got the work he was looking for and has answered the bell with sound play."It's obviously faster. Guys shoot harder, quicker and move the puck better so for me the thing I've been working on the last couple years is being a little more patient and more reactive," he said.

"At the next level here it makes a huge difference. You kind of have to be on your toes ... you can't be guessing because there's too many good shooters.

"It's been a good start but I know the games are only going to keep getting tougher down the stretch and into the playoffs so I just have to make sure I keep working on it. But I'm definitely happy with my playing time and the way things have gone so far."

The Buffalo News says the respite is almost here. Following tonight's game against the Ottawa Senators, the Buffalo Sabres will have nine days off. With several key players bruised and battered, the break seems to be arriving at a welcome time.

Coach Lindy Ruff, however, has no desire to stop playing. The Sabres are 8-3-1 in the last 12 games, and Ruff doesn't want their best stretch of the season to disappear like nickels in the cushions as the players sit on their couches and watch this weekend's All-Star Game.

"We've been going pretty good, and you'd like to keep playing," Ruff said Monday. "We've closed the gap and got some games in hand on the eighth-place team, so I look at it that it would be nice to keep rolling."

The News indicates that the schedule and injury list dictate otherwise. The Sabres will head home after tonight's game in Scotiabank Place, and with the exception of rookie forward Tyler Ennis (who is participating in the All-Star festivities) they won't be on the ice again until Monday. The next game isn't until Feb. 4 in Pittsburgh.

By then, they should be healthier. Centre Tim Connolly (hip) and right wing Patrick Kaleta (broken hand) both will miss their second straight game tonight. Left wing Thomas Vanek is expected to play, but he will be limited by an upper-body ailment.

"He's just going to have to deal with what he's dealing with," Ruff said. "The good news is the break is after [today], so that should help.

"The only person that's progressing is [Drew] Stafford. He skated [Monday], and if that went well he's a possibility."

Stafford has missed three games with a groin injury.

The Chicago Tribune believes the number Blackhawks defenceman Brent Seabrook is paying closest attention to is the one located under the "points" category in the Western Conference standings.

There are other important digits, of course, such as the veteran's 23 assists this season — tied for second on the Hawks — and the one that will be on Seabrook's next contract.

The pending restricted free agent said Monday his agent and general manager Stan Bowman are still negotiating on a new deal. The sides have been in discussions since November. The 25-year-old's current deal that's paying him $3.5 million per season expires this summer.

"It's one of those things that it's going to be done when it's done," Seabrook said. "I understand that — it's the business side of the game. I love Chicago, it's been my home for six years and it's definitely the place I'd like to play hockey in.

"I'm just focused on playing hockey right now and trying to get as many points with the Blackhawks and get into the playoffs."

The Tribune says that on that front, along with his usual sturdy defensive play, Seabrook has elevated his game offensively as he's approaching career highs in assists (26) and points (32). Heading into Tuesday night's game against the Wild at the United Center, Seabrook has three goals to go with his 23 assists.

"I'm just trying to continue to get up in the play, help our forwards out and try to keep the puck in the zone," he said. "Being on the first power-play (unit) helps quite a bit (as) you're passing to (Patrick) Kane and (Jonathan) Toews and (Marian) Hossa and (Patrick) Sharp. It's one of those things I definitely wanted to get better at this year and it's been going good so far."

The Columbus Dispatch indicates that not long ago, the sight of a Blue Jackets power play struck fear in the hearts of no one, except maybe their own goaltenders.

Steve Mason and Mathieu Garon watched opponents get whistled for penalties and braced for odd-man rushes coming their way.

"A couple games back, our power play was giving up too many 2-on-1s, and that gives the other team momentum," captain Rick Nash said.

With the season lurching toward irrelevance, the Jackets have produced points in five straight games (3-0-2) in part because of a rejuvenated power play. They are 5 of 24 (20.8 percent) in the past six games, with the unit delivering overtime and game-clinching goals.

Amazing what a splash of confidence, a commitment to shooting and the presence of a 25-year-old minor-leaguer can do for one of the league's most somnolent power plays.

There are several factors involved in the power-play uptick, including a change in the formation and getting more traffic in front of opposing goalies. But it's impossible to analyze the improvement without crediting rookie defenceman Grant Clitsome.

The Dispatch points out that his promotion from minor-league Springfield on Jan.9 has coincided with the six-game surge. In fact, he has been on the ice for all five power-play conversions, registering a goal and an assist.

Clitsome is compact and stout and quarterbacks the power play with a confidence that belies his 17 games of NHL experience. He makes quick decisions with the puck and can fire a heavy slap shot or quick wrister from the point. He keeps his head up as he shoots, and he sails pucks past the first penalty-killing shot blocker, allowing for rebounds.

"Grant is the one guy that jumps out at you because he does it so well," Arniel said. "But (Fedor Tyutin) is doing a great job of bombing them, and (Kris Russell) is getting them through now. Maybe it took a guy like Grant to come in and do it on a consistent basis to show the other guys it's working."

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune says it has been about 11 months since Nick Leddy, the former Eden Prairie star defenceman, the former University of Minnesota player, was traded from the Wild to the Hawks along with Kim Johnsson for defenceman Cam Barker.

Believing it wouldn't be able to re-sign Johnsson, the Wild wanted to get an NHL-ready asset in return. But Barker, the third overall pick in the 2004 NHL draft, has been erratic in his play. There are questions about his skating, and he has spent his time in Minnesota in and out of the lineup as the sixth defenceman. Barker has one goal and four assists and is a minus-10 in 39 games.

"Right now the focus is on our team. I'm not going to look back and say something is good, bad or indifferent," Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher said when asked to analyze that trade. "You make decisions at the time with the information you had, and you hope it all works out well."

Leddy, meanwhile, took advantage of salary cap-related turnover in the Chicago roster to move up fast. After turning pro after one year in college, Leddy signed a three-year, $2.7 million contract with the Hawks. He was impressive in their prospects camp, and again during training camp.

The Star-Tribune says Leddy, a steady player in his own end, also has a big upside on the offensive side. He played in the opener vs. Colorado, then scored his first goal Oct. 11 at Buffalo. He was sent down to the minor leagues after that Buffalo game but was recalled in early January. Tuesday's game against the Wild will be his 14th game overall and eighth since his recall. He has one point and is a minus-2.

"He is not your typical 19-year-old defenceman," said Jordan Hendry, Leddy's defensive partner. "He's pretty poised for someone so young. He's a good skater and is good positionally. But I think what really sets him apart is his patience with the puck. A lot of guys will rim the puck, or get rid of it, maybe panic. He's comfortable in those situations."

Said Chicago coach Joel Quenneville: "I like his head, the way he sees the game. I like that patience level, that poise on the back end. We see him progressing steadily. He's going to absorb more minutes, more opportunities as we go along here. His future is bright."