Hockey Hearsay

Hockey Hearsay runs weekdays, 12 months a year; mixing NHL stories, quotes and fantasy takes.

The Columbus Dispatch indicates the Blue Jackets’ 3-1 win over Anaheim last night was described by captain Rick Nash as a “must-win.” Several other players said they took a “playoff” approach to the game.

Clearly, desperation was in the air.

The Blue Jackets’ 2-9-1 start to the season has made them one of the hot topics in the NHL’s early season, and not for the reasons they intended after an offseason makeover.

Sources indicated to The Dispatch late Saturday that the Blue Jackets have begun preparing for the possible firing of general manager Scott Howson and coach Scott Arniel should the horrendous start not get turned around quickly.

Club president Mike Priest vehemently denied reports that he had discussed a return to coaching by former Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock, or that he had reached out to former NHL executive and current broadcaster Craig Button as a potential GM candidate.

But he also allowed that any change would be spearheaded by majority owner John P. McConnell.

“Let me be clear here, though,” Priest said. “Everybody understands that the losing can’t continue.”

Button and Hitchcock also denied the report.

Priest said he and Howson and the coaching staff continue to search for answers. McConnell is engaged with the situation, too.

“This franchise is going to win,” Priest said. “I can’t tell you when that is, but it’s going to win.”

"I guess 39 is the new 20." - Claude Giroux, on Jaromir Jagr's age

The Philadelphia Inquirer says it is a strange on-ice marriage, one that no one could have imagined last season: Center Claude Giroux, the Flyers' 23-year-old emerging superstar, and still-effective-after-all-these-years Jaromir Jagr, a future Hall of Famer who calls Giroux "Little Mario Lemieux."

Together, along with left winger Scott Hartnell, a recent addition to the unit, they have formed the Flyers' most lethal line in the early part of the season.

"Don't forget, the age difference between me and G is about 20 years, and how I play hockey and how he plays hockey is totally different," said Jagr, said after the Flyers' 5-1 win over Carolina on Saturday night. "Somehow, we have to figure out how to try to play together.

"Hockey, in 20 years, has changed a lot. . . . It is going to take time and [we'll] learn from the game and practice."

Take time? Jagr, a wide-bodied right winger, and Giroux have had almost-instant chemistry since they were put together on a preseason line with James van Riemsdyk.

In the five games since they have been together with Hartnell, the unit has combined for 11 goals and 12 assists and a plus-8 rating. In the last four games, they have combined for 23 points and a plus-13 rating.

"They seem to have some chemistry out there," coach Peter Laviolette said.

The Inquirer notes the much-maligned Hartnell has led the way in the last four games with nine points (four goals, five assists), while Giroux (two goals, five assists) and Jagr (five goals, two assists) each have seven points in that span.

"You need the three guys to mix together," Jagr said, "and everybody brings something special."

Jagr, who spent the previous three seasons playing in Russia, brings soft hands and dominating puck control along the boards; Hartnell brings a big-body presence in front; and Giroux brings speed and flashy, eye-opening moves.

"Obviously, they're two big bodies, so I try to sneak around them," said the 5-foot-11, 172-pound Giroux, referring to his linemates. "I'm pretty lucky to play with those two."

"The more games we play together, the more comfortable it's going to be," said Jagr, who has 651 career goals, five shy of equaling Brendan Shanahan for 11th place in NHL history.

The Winnipeg Free Press believes that through 10 games of their season the Winnipeg Jets have been inconsistent above all else, but coach Claude Noel likes his team.

"I know a little bit and I’m getting some information. There are some things I like. The other side of that is you can see the areas where we have to improve," said Noel, chatting with the Winnipeg media at a Fort Lauderdale hotel on Sunday.

"Things are becoming more clear in our play and it tells me we are doing some good things, but also, that we have a lot of teaching to do in establishing the way we want to play. It doesn’t come natural. We’ve practised a little bit but not much of late and that’s going to be the equation now that we must solve. How do we get our team to embrace the changes and to play the way we want them to play with just a little practice time? We’re playing seven games in 13 days and we don’t have a lot of time for practice."

The Jets are 3-6-1 coming off a 1-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night and will play their Southeast Division rival Florida Panthers tonight. Noel gave his club the day off on Sunday and will spend a good amount of time today prior to the game working with players via video instruction.

"I think our guys are good and the teaching gets through with video. We’ll have a big day of teaching (Monday) and get ready for Florida. We’ll do special teams in the morning and then the regular game prep in the evening."

The Jets will play 37 games in 74 days dating back to their second game of the season on Oct. 15 and running up to Dec. 31, leaving very little time to practise.

"You have to pour everything into the games because you can’t lose sight of winning games. The schedule is what it is, that’s the NHL," said Noel.

"As long as our group is willing to learn and want to get better and win and do the proper things, I don’t have a problem. I sense that we’re all going in the right direction and I’m happy with that."

The Calgary Sun writes that of all the adjustments Roman Horak has had to make the last seven weeks to become the feel-good story of the Calgary Flames’ young season, getting contact lenses had to have been one of the biggest.

“Oh, yeah,” laughed the 20-year-old winger, “that was tough at the beginning.”

It was during Flames’ medical testing on Day 1 of camp Horak’s poor vision test results prompted a visit to the eye doctor, where it was determined for the first time in his life he was, in fact, near-sighted and needed contacts.

Anyone who has gone through the experience of wearing contacts for the first time can tell you how awkward it can be at first, making his surprising emergence from camp all the more remarkable.

“Now that I see, the difference it’s huge,” said the rookie centre, who has two goals and three assists in seven outings.

“With that and all the other things happening … this year has gone kind of quick to me.”

Michigan Live reports that the Detroit Red Wings have agreed to terms with defenseman Niklas Kronwall on a seven-year contract worth $33.25 million, for an average of $4.75 million per season.

Kronwall, 30, was in the final season of a five-year contract that pays him $3.75 million this season and has a salary-cap hit of $3 million per season. While Kronwall is off a slow start this season (one goal, one assist, minus-3 rating in nine games), there is no denying how valuable he is to this team with his puck-moving skills and penchant for delivering huge open-ice hits.

He took on more of a leadership role this season by being named an alternate captain following Kris Draper's retirement.

Kronwall is coming off one of his best seasons. He notched a career-high 11 goals, to go along with 26 assists, in 77 games in 2010-11 and followed that up with a strong playoff performance, picking up six points (two goals, four assists) and providing a physical presence.

The Boston Globe details how yesterday morning, just hours after being punted out of Canada with their seventh and latest loss, the Bruins regrouped at TD Garden.

Not a skate blade touched ice. All eyes were trained on the video screen in their dressing room. The Bruins watched the clips outlining the many shortcomings to their game, which stands in shambles just 10 matches into their Stanley Cup defense.

In the heat of the moment, players don’t often realize the mental mistakes they’re committing and the corrections that must take place. Yesterday’s video session served as an ugly reminder of how many lapses have crept into their system and how they have affected the first 10 games of 2011-12.

“A lot of times players don’t think they’re as bad as they are until they see it,’’ coach Claude Julien said. “When they see it, it kind of opens their eyes. We’ve attacked different areas at times and showed them. Today was more of the whole package. That’s why we kept our whole day on video more than on practice. They need to realize it before they can do something about it.’’

On the surface, the most glaring problem is the team’s lack of finishing. The Bruins are averaging 2.10 goals per game, sixth-worst in the NHL. In Saturday night’s 4-2 loss in Montreal, the Bruins rattled three posts, including two in the first period. The supposed top line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci, and Nathan Horton is responsible for only six goals. Zdeno Chara is the only defenseman who’s found the back of the net. Rich Peverley (three goals) should have twice as many strikes if he had the touch to convert his chances.

But the foundation of Julien’s system is defense. Everything flows from being stout in front of goaltenders Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask, including the offense.

Team defense, more than their ham-handed ways around opposing nets, has been the Bruins’ downfall.

“Any time we’ve been good defensively, we’ve been able to feed offensively from that,’’ Julien said. “Which means that when we come back hard, we backcheck hard, all five guys come back in the zone, we [get a turnover] and we go up the ice together, that’s where our strength offensively comes from. We’re not a very good team when we stretch or try those long passes, because when the guy gets the puck, he’s by himself. We’re a team that relies a lot on support, chips, races, and stuff like that.’’

The Chicago Sun-Times says that perhaps the most notable stat from a largely less than noteworthy performance was the 20 minutes, 20 seconds Patrick Sharp played in the Hawks’ 5-2 victory Saturday over the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was the most minutes Sharp has played in nine games since playing 20:54 in the season opener.

“It’s not easy to jump right into it,” Toews said of Sharp, who has had his own preseason after missing the Hawks’ training camp while recovering from an appendectomy. “Even the first couple games of the regular season there’s an adjustment that’s already different from the preseason.”

Sharp said it took him four or five games to finally feel like he had the kind of stamina he wanted. Still, while he was getting his legs underneath him, Sharp reeled off a five-game point streak that included a game-winning goal on the road against the Colorado Avalanche.

“I’m sure there definitely was an adjustment where maybe he didn’t feel the way he wanted to,” Toews said. “But he’s one of those guys where he’s not going to let that bother him even if he’s not 100 percent. He’s going to work through it and find a way to rise above it.”

Sharp has found a way. He is tied with Patrick Kane for the team lead in points with eight and is tied for second with a plus-4 rating.

Even without a point in his last two games, Sharp has put together the kind of start that any player could be satisfied with, never mind one who missed all of training camp.

“He’s been a big player for us ever since I’ve been here, and it’s good to see him doing that because I know he wants to get off to a hot start every year,” Kane said. “For him to have that injury probably put him back a little bit, but he’s been awesome.”

The Miami Herald notes that Jose Theodore watched Jacob Markstrom from one of the best seats in the building. Sitting on the Panthers bench right near the ice, the Panthers’ elder statesman in goal took in what Florida’s youngster was doing.

And no one was rooting harder for the kid to have success.

“What a character guy. He’s been awesome in the room to everyone, but what a positive influence on Jacob,’’ Stephen Weiss said of the relationship between the Theodore, 35, and Markstrom, 21.

“No one is happier for Markstrom than Theo was. Theo is a class act, has been great since he’s been here. He’s great for Markstrom, although he has a confidence about him where he’s comfortable in his own shoes and does his own thing. But it doesn’t hurt to have Theo right there beside him.’’

Markstrom appeared to have taken away the starter’s job from Theodore with his play in the past week. Last week, Theodore faced 10 shots in the first 40 minutes of Florida’s home game against the Islanders before cramping up. Theodore thought it would be best if Markstrom came on in relief and he excelled, stopping all 18 shots he faced as Florida rallied to win 4-2.

Two days later, it was Markstrom — not native son Theodore — getting the start for the Panthers in Montreal. Markstrom was impressive, stopping 40 shots in a 2-1 win. After that, Markstrom had to start in Ottawa.

The Herald points out that after Florida lost 4-2 to the Senators, however, coach Kevin Dineen put Theodore back in. In Saturday night’s thrilling 3-2 win over the Sabres, Theodore was sharp throughout as he stopped 26 shots to get Florida to 6-4-0.

“We have two guys playing extremely well,’’ Dineen said. “Jose had a couple of days off, and that’s not the worst thing for him. When his time came to play, he answered the bell.’’

Theodore said he was eager to get back in the net and help the team rebound from the Ottawa loss.

“I was so happy to see Jacob get in there and do so well,’’ he said. “One of my jobs here is to help him and try to mentor him the best I can. I was really excited to see him do so well. It was great to see. He played great under some tough circumstances.’’

Dineen said the most impressive thing he has noticed about Theodore is his work ethic. Whether he’s starting or not, he’s usually the first player on the ice.

“And then I have to drag him off,’’ Dineen said.

Markstrom obviously has noticed as he seemingly has the same ideals when it comes to doing the work on the ice. If Theodore is on the ice first, Markstrom isn’t far behind. Sometimes the kid makes it out there first.

“I don’t know if it bugs me yet, but he almost works too hard,’’ Dineen said. “He went three or four games in a row, and he was still out there all the time.’’

You just can't allow an opponent to hit your star players; it's as simple as that, Lightning left wing Ryan Malone told The St. Petersburg Times.

That is why during Tampa Bay's victory over the Sabres on Tuesday, Malone squared off with Robyn Regehr, who had crushed captain Vinny Lecavalier with a bruising, but clean, check.

You can't let an opponent threaten a teammate, Steve Downie said. That is why in the same game, the right wing traded blows with Patrick Kaleta.

To call either player an enforcer is a stretch — "I don't think either of us is taking that title," Downie said — but on a team without a true heavyweight, Downie and Malone are as close as it gets.

"They're not scared of anyone," center Steven Stamkos said. "They're going to protect their teammates. That's the kind of guys they are."

Malone, 31, is 6 feet 4, 219 pounds. Downie, 24, is 5-11, 191.

"We're both willing," Downie said of himself and Malone. "But we need to play the game first, win the game first. But there's always those times in games where something needs to be taken care of."

"I don't mind doing that," Malone said. "I did it (when he was with the Penguins from 2003-08), sticking up for my teammates. You want to play the game honestly, but if guys are going after your star players, you have to make sure they're held accountable."

The article continues that it seems a precarious undertaking. You get punched and then are lost to the team for however many penalty minutes.

The benefits? Festering scores are settled, and in the Sabres game, emotions were expended and the contest went on in relative harmony.

You also get much respect from teammates, and it's great for team chemistry.

"It does a lot for everybody," Lecavalier said. "It just brings guys together."

"But it has to serve a purpose of the team at that particular moment," coach Guy Boucher said. "When Vinny got hit kind of blind side (by Regehr), everybody on the bench stood up, and I knew something was going to happen. You hear guys, and they care, and they make it happen."

Malone's dustup with Regehr really wasn't much of a fight. Malone wrestled him to the ice, and both got roughing penalties. But the point was made.

"He's like an old-school team guy," Lecavalier said. "He's a great leader when he does things like that."

"You're just not allowed to hit your star players," Malone said. "Even if it's a clean hit, you want to make sure they're held accountable. That's the way I've always played. When you see one of your star players get hurt, a person has to deal with some consequences."

Laing: "Hey Chris, Love your blog, religious follower. I'm always looking for stats or information that other people in my league may not have in their decision making, and your blog never fails to deliver! (You've help lead me to 1 gold and 1 silver the last 2 seasons)

Today I have a trade query. I need to bounce this off someone because I'm just not sure where my gut is with respect to how these players will do...

H2H, 1 year, 10 person, no bench spots, 2LW, 2C, 2RW, 4D, 1Util, 2Goalie. Categories are G, A, +/-, PIM, PPP, SHP, GWG, FW, HIT, and goalie categories are standard.

C options are relatively shallow asthe FW category causes everyone to put C's in their util spot.

I have Crosby on IR, and all of my C's are better than the FA pool (Spezza, Tavares and Ribeiro), so I have to open up a C spot for when Crosby comes back. I've been going back and forth with one guy and here is the trade currently on the table:

I trade Spezza, Kovalchuk, Lidstrom and Brodeur

For

Malkin, Fowler, Plekanec and Price

After the trade I would drop Plekanec and Fowler, and move Crosby in and pick-up M.A.B. or Wideman (who are available for some reason).

If I didn't make the trade I would drop Ribeiro to move Crosby in.

I know, its a complicated trade just to get a C I feel better about dropping for Crosby. I have no clue what to expect from Lidstrom this season after posting his first minus season ever last year, what Malkin's injury risk is, I am disappointed by Ribeiro not being on a better line than last year, I am assuming Price will be better than Brodeur (but I feel like Montreal is worse than last year), is Spezza just getting really lucky (his linemate's shooting percentages seem unsustainably high, so will his production go down?), etc.

I guess it comes down to: Would I rather have Brodeur, Kovalchuk, Spezza and Lidstrom, or Price, Malkin, Ribeiro and M.A.B (or Wideman).

Any thoughts?"

Chris: Thanks for the kind words Laing. I would not make that trade, personally. I think you'd be giving up way too much. Plus, you really need to weigh how much you want to shift your team's roster on the assumption of Crosby's good health. It's still pretty much a question mark, even though he's really close to returning and everything seems to be going quite well. I think he'll be ok. I hope he'll be ok. But you need to be cautious.

Add onto that Malkin's knee and how he may need to rest it again and I just think you're parting with too much. I'm ok with you trying to get Malkin (I'm assuming he's also eligible on the wing for you, which is the point here), but not at that price.

Due respect to Price, whose stats will improve, but in a single season league I wouldn't say he's a big improvement on Brodeur. If at all. SV%... probably. GAA. Maybe, but doubt it. Wins? We'll see. Should be close enough.

Kovalchuk is going to be strong on the wing and I'd rather you just kept him.

It's pretty crazy that MAB and/or Wideman are still FAs, but I guess if you have no bench spots then I could see it to a point. They're just both doing so well and are each in great positions on their team.

Anyway, I'd either try to deal Ribeiro when Crosby comes back. If you can't, then I guess you'll have to drop the Dallas centre.

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