Hockey Hearsay

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

The Washington Post recalls that not long ago, Ovi vs. Sid was appointment viewing for fans and the rivalry the NHL used to market its game to the masses.

But when the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins meet Wednesday at Verizon Center, anticipation will be low, relatively speaking. It’ll have more juice than, say, New Jersey at Edmonton, sure. But the feud no longer has the tension it once did, not with Sidney Crosby sidelined indefinitely with a concussion and Alex Ovechkin struggling to regain his MVP form.

Not for some fans.

Not for some players, either.

“As a season ticket holder, it’s probably the number one ticket you’re trying to find in your pack to make sure it’s there,” Capitals winger Mike Knuble said. “With Sid’s injury, it taints it a little bit, in my opinion. I remember those games, even before the Winter Classic, those were just great hockey games, with the league’s two top guys. The players around them wanted to play hard for them, make their superstar look the best.

“When one’s missing,” Knuble added, “it comes down a little bit.”

Asked how Crosby’s absence affects him, Ovechkin said he misses the challenge.

“It’s something the league is missing, the fans are missing,” the Capitals captain said. “He’s one of the best players in the league. It’s hard to see he’s not playing. . . . I enjoy playing against him.”

Crosby always brought out the best in Ovechkin, and vice versa. From the 2005-06 season through 2009-10, Crosby scored 12 goals in 19 regular season games against the Capitals. During the same span, Ovechkin registered 17 goals in 20 games.

But Crosby has been limited to three games against the Capitals the past two seasons. He has only one goal. Ovechkin, meantime, has suited up for all six games but has only two goals.

“Parts of the rivalry are still there,” Penguins Coach Dan Bylsma said in an interview after Monday’s practice at Consol Energy Center. “In recent years, it was built up as ‘The Matchup.’ It certainly took that shape in 2009. They were the two best players in the game.

“Some of the games recently haven’t had that same flavor because of either Ovi not being at the top of his game, or where he was, or Sid not being there,” he added. “It’s got a different flavor.”

Which is to say it’s been decidedly bland — a possibility that seemed unfathomable only three years ago.

The Post says who could forget that February afternoon on F Street when the rivalry escalated to new heights on national television? Crosby shoved Ovechkin after the two bumped near the benches. Ovechkin responded by ripping off Crosby’s helmet and waving dismissively toward him as the two exchanged profanities.

Then, a month a half later in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the game’s brightest stars were again at the center of the hockey universe after they recorded dueling hat tricks. Ovechkin’s Capitals won the battle that night, 4-3. But Crosby’s Penguins won the war, advancing four games to three.

“The fun things about those games was watching Ovi and Sid going at it,” Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury said. “That was so fun to watch and it was always on NBC.”

The rivalry became so marketable, in fact, that the NHL risked the wrath of the other 29 clubs and tapped the Penguins for the 2011 Winter Classic, just three years after they appeared in the inaugural outdoor game.

HBO couldn’t resist, either, documenting the buildup to the Winter Classic on its Emmy Award-winning program, “24/7.”

Bylsma said he hasn’t given up hope on Ovechkin rediscovering his groove and Crosby returning to full health, particularly given their ages: 26 and 24, respectively.

“By year end, it might take two months, it might take who knows; we might have the same thing all over again,” Bylsma said. “You can only hope.”

The Calgary Sun writes that those who expected the Sutter boys to hug it out or apologize to one another obviously never saw them play.

But in the quiet confines of their respective homes — far from the cameras and the microphones — Darryl and Brent Sutter did the next closest thing: They finally talked.

After more than a year of silence prompted by anger, frustration and personality clashes that dotted their working relationship as GM and head coach, respectively, while with the Calgary Flames, the two spoke Sunday night.

They didn’t discuss their differences, nor bury the hatchet, nor agree to disagree or dissect old wounds …

They just talked.

And for a pair of proud, stubborn farmers, whose only contact came at their family golf tournament in Red Deer last summer when they exchanged hellos while passing one another, a simple phone call was the first and biggest step towards a healing process some thought might never begin.

“We had a good chit-chat — it was good,” said Brent, whose brother initiated the call.

“We talked about their team, about our team … never once did we talk about anything personally. We talked about the kids. We were all over the map with it. That was the first time I talked to him. It was nice.”

Exactly when they last spoke previously is uncertain, as the two weren’t exactly on speaking terms for a time leading up to Darryl’s ouster as Flames GM Dec. 28, 2010. Retreating to the family homestead in Viking, Alta., Darryl disappeared from the hockey world and has yet to comment publicly on his time in Calgary or his requested resignation from the franchise he helped rebuild.

Hired by the Los Angeles Kings last month as head coach, Darryl has since gone on record admitting he had trouble adjusting to the move from coach to GM, which is the crux of what led to the tension between him and his younger brother, whom he hired in the summer of 2009.

On Saturday, Darryl returns to Calgary with the Kings for the first time since making his way back into the NHL coaching ranks. It likely spurred on his decision to reach out to Brent.

“You have to move on,” said Brent before Tuesday’s game against his former employer, the New Jersey Devils.

“Through good and bad, everything you go through is an experience. I learned a lot in New Jersey, and with Darryl here, I also learned a lot. I think there was a lot made out of some things that were said — and not all of it was true either. Perhaps some was. Darryl and I aren’t ones who are going to talk to the media about it. That’s personal. Certain things go on in an organization that you don’t talk about. And that’s no different in a family. It’s personal.”

The Sun points out that with seven brothers growing up in a tiny farmhouse, it’s certainly not the first time two of the lads have had their differences. Nor will it be the last.

But given how close the Sutter clan generally is and how curious it is to see a GM and coach who don’t talk — let alone brothers — their ongoing silence was legitimate news speaking to the dysfunction of the Flames organization before Darryl was let go.

“We’ve now had communication since then, and it has been good,” said Brent, who insists he has no idea what transpired management-wise leading up to Darryl’s departure.

“Any way you want to look at it, we’re still brothers. I care deeply about what happens with him and how he does.”

The Toronto Sun affirms it used to be that The Monster scared the hell out of his own coach as much as the opposition, with his inconsistency and knack for letting in soft goals on a regular basis.

But for the first time since the Maple Leafs acquired him in July of 2009, Jonas Gustavsson is looking — on a consistent basis — like a front-line NHL goaltender, the kind of netminder that can carry a team into the playoffs.

“It’s huge,” said Leafs coach Ron Wilson, when asked what Gustavsson’s play is doing for the mood inside the dressing room these days. “You saw what happened last year when James (Reimer) came in and started playing really well. All of a sudden, we were scoring more goals and everything seemed to get fixed in a hurry.

“You look around our league at some of the other teams that are ahead of us in the standings and generally they’re there in large part because of the solid goaltending they get,” the coach added. “And you can’t go anywhere with average or mediocre goaltending in this league. It’s too close. Goaltenders make the difference.”

Gustavsson certainly made the difference Tuesday night against the Sabres, turning aside 32 shots in a 2-0 win, to record his fourth consecutive win and second shutout in his past three games. He was more steady than spectacular against the punchless Sabres, but he did make a few huge saves, including a monster stop on defenceman Tyler Myers in the dying seconds of play with Ryan Miller pulled for the extra attacker.

When Brian Burke signed Gustavsson on July 7, 2009, the Leafs GM was expecting to get a game-changer. Instead, largely because of health setbacks and the surprisingly great play by Reimer last season, Gustavsson never really got on track, never got the chance to prove that his heady statistics from the Swedish Elite League weren’t a fluke. But now he’s starting to show what Burke and others NHL GMs saw when they scouted him a few seasons ago.

“It’s a process he’s gone through over the couple of years,” said Wilson, when asked about the goalie’s recent success. “He’s been healthy the whole season and naturally his confidence has grown. He had a great November, we didn’t play him much in December — we were trying to get Reimer on top of his game — and now he’s come in and done very well. He is handling pucks, he is confident, he is making key saves when we need him. He’s playing real well. (And) no soft goals. I can’t think of the last time he let a soft goal in. So, that’s real positive development for us.”

The Sun notes it was expected that Reimer would carry the load as the No.1 netminder for the Leafs this season, but more and more he looks like the regular backup. Still, it’s a good situation. The Leafs now have two goaltenders capable of getting hot and carrying the team when they’re healthy.

“I feel good out there,” said Gustavsson. “But I’ve been feeling good early in the season too. You know, it’s so little between winning and losing and letting in three or four goals or having a shutout. So you really have to be on your toes and keep pushing yourself . You can’t relax just because you had a good run.”

Since last week's "24/7" series finale, PhillyNews.com points out that the reviews have been mostly positive, but the consensus is that the Flyers-Rangers edition was not as strong as last year's original Penguins-Capitals series.

One of the things that was missing was day-to-day interaction between Peter Laviolette and Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren, especially with concern for player evaluation, possible trade talk or roster movement. The previous year's coverage of the dialogue between Penguins GM Ray Shero and coach Dan Bylsma was unprecedented.

According to Laviolette, it wasn't exactly an accident that HBO cameras didn't catch those conversations or personal meetings with players. A league source told the Daily News that while the Flyers did not assert any editorial control, HBO simply wasn't invited to film those portions of day-to-day hockey operations.

Noticeably missing was the Flyers' internal debate about Pronger's health. The team captain was barely mentioned in the last three episodes.

"I've never been a big fan of using the media to motivate or talk about my players," Laviolette said. "I don't believe in that. That doesn't mean that they don't get meetings, because they do. A lot of times they don't like those meetings. But for me, that's an opportunity to coach a player.

"If there was something of any significance, it probably got the cut. There were certainly some things that came up during the show. But that isn't to say that we staged it and said, 'We'll talk about this, why don't you get your cameras in here?' The cameras caught what they caught."

Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers can relate to Jeff Skinner of the Carolina Hurricanes, according to The Raleigh News & Observer.

Like Skinner, Giroux suffered a concussion this season. Like Skinner, the forward was antsy, impatient, frustrated by the injury, eager to get back to a team that badly needed him but unsure when that would be.

"It's the worst," Giroux said Tuesday. "You see your team play and you obviously want to help them win, and you kind of want to rush it back.

"But that's probably the worst thing you can do. You need to relax and let it heal."

Giroux was smacked in the back of the head by teammate Wayne Simmonds in the Dec. 10 game against Tampa Bay, Simmonds catching a fallen Giroux with a knee as he attempted to hurdle him. Giroux was able to return Dec. 21 against the Dallas Stars, missing just four games, and the center had a goal and three assists in his first game back.

What is normal?

Skinner suffered his concussion Dec. 7 against the Edmonton Oilers and has missed 14 games. He recently said a tough part of the recovery is waking up and playing the mind game of whether he feels "normal."

"You wake up and you ask yourself every morning and about every half-hour, 'How do I feel?' " Giroux said. "You don't know what normal is anymore.

"The worst part is everyone asking you how you feel and you don't know the answer. The best advice might be for him to tell all his friends to let him be and quit asking him how he feels."

Giroux said the precautions being taken around the league in dealing with concussions were necessary steps. Skinner's concussion is his first; Giroux said he had "a couple" before this season.

"It's a good thing to make sure people are fine before they play, because a head injury is probably the worst injury you can have," Giroux said. "I mean, you're not going to play hockey for the rest of your life, so you want to make sure you're healthy and able to take care of your family."

"He's either got food poisoning, some type of virus, flu," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told the Buffalo News of Thomas Vanek after last night's game. "He wasn't feeling well in warm-up. ... If you watch his first three shifts, you could tell. That was part of the issue. That line didn't get anything going. He had nothing. He emptied his tank in between periods and couldn't go."

The Edmonton Journal reports that the door to the NHL finally reopened for Gilbert Brule but it’s just not going to be with the Oilers.

The Phoenix Coyotes claimed Brule from re-entry waivers and will immediately plug him into their lineup. They will pay just half his $1.85-million salary, leaving the Oilers the rest of the tab and no replacement player.

“I’m disappointed,” said Oilers head coach Tom Renney. “I wanted to see Gilbert back in the lineup.”

With both Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the medical room, the Oilers had tried to reel Brule back up from the Oklahoma City Barons.

They also recalled Magnus Paajarvi and Ryan O’Marra, who did not have to clear waivers.

“It’s a new city, a fresh start,” said Brule, “but I had been looking forward to playing here and getting another chance.

“I didn’t know if I was going to even get called up this year because of the re-entry waivers but there’s still half a season to play so I do have a chance to make the most of this opportunity.”

Renney offered this: “In talking to (Brule) this morning, he was certainly coming here to stay here — and that is the perfect attitude. Under the circumstances there was a good chance he would have been here for a while, maybe forced us to play a card.

“I do think he’s going to a spot where he’ll get a chance to excel. It will be good to see him get a fresh start.”

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune notes that former San Jose Sharks forward Devin Setoguchi was a healthy scratch against his former team Tuesday night, but it wasn't because of poor play.

Coach Mike Yeo called it a violation of a team rule. According to multiple sources, Setoguchi missed a Tuesday morning meeting.

"It's not an easy decision, especially how valuable he is to our team," Yeo said after the Wild's 5-4 shootout victory. "The thing is we all have to be held accountable, but he's still a guy that cares very much and he's still a good person and still a very big part of our team.

"So come [Wednesday], clean slate."

It was a gutsy move.

The Wild is struggling to score. Setoguchi, in two games back after a knee injury, had nine shots and an assist. And the Wild was already without concussed second-liners Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Guillaume Latendresse.

"We're just trying to build a culture here where our standards are higher than everybody else's," Yeo said.

Before the game, General Manager Chuck Fletcher said he "fully supported" Yeo's decision.

Sporting more stitches than your average quilt, The Chicago Tribune describes how Jonathan Toews was able to joke about giving the Blackhawks quite a scare after he was hit in the head with a puck.

Toews suffered two cuts on his forehead when he was struck in the early going of the Hawks' 5-2 victory over the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night at the United Center.

Teammate Duncan Keith's shot deflected off the skates of a Columbus defender and struck Toews in the helmet. The puck then ricocheted off the post and out of harm's way while Toews fell to the ice before eventually making his way to the dressing room.

After team physician Michael Terry stitched him up, Toews returned to the game.

"It hits me in the face and still doesn't go in," Toews said with a grin. "I'm not getting any bounces. It hit me on the helmet, so it could have been worse."

Toews now has three different rows of around five or six stitches each on his face with the latest pair added to a line along his bottom lip because of a cut suffered Jan. 2 against the Oilers.

"I'm going to keep these a little bit longer," Toews said pointing to his lip. "They're supposed to come out, but I'm liking the look right now."

Randy aka The Hockey Hitman: "Hey Chris, Hope you enjoyed your holidays, man! I was wondering if you'd give me some feedback on the trade I made.

I traded Kesler/Bolland/Purcell/Frattin for Perron/Hornqvist/Paajarvi/Christian Thomas

*My thinking was I am buying super low on all four of these wingers, but especially Perron and Paajarvi. I know you're a big Oilers fan, you think MPS has been given a fair shot there so far? Or is he bound to end up like a Robert Nilsson or Gilbert Brule?

My new roster is below... Its 10 teams, yahoo H2H dynasty keeper league, no limit on how long you keep players. 60 players max. per roster. G, A, P, +/-, PIM, PPP, GWG and Wins, GAA, SV%, shutouts.We start C x 4, LW x 4, RW x 4, D x 8 and G x 3 (huge rosters, I know..lol)

Thanks in advance for any feedback, Chris."

Chris: Thanks Randy.

In the grand scheme of a truly deep keeper league like that one I don't necessarily have an issue with the deal, although your overall roster has some pretty solid talent (I couldn't include everything here) and I wonder if you won't come to regret giving up Kesler.

I don't know that I'm as high on Perron as you are, at least when it comes to sacrificing someone like Kesler. I don't mind giving up Bolland, Purcell or Frattin (I'll be interested to see what he can do over time in the NHL given his impressive college numbers) at all, but Kesler is Kesler and the Canucks are the Canucks. Impressive on both counts.

I don't think I'd classify Paajarvi in the Nilsson/ Brule genre, no. Too early for that, IMO. I really liked Paajarvi's attitude when he was sent down and he seems to have some of that confidence back already for this call-up. Whether it translates immediately or not remains to be seen, but I like Edmonton's potential for having a strong top nine within the next few years and Paajarvi can be a strong part of that wherever he fits in.

I'm just not a Hornqvist guy. At all. I don't really like the Preds for any forward, honestly. But when he gets hot, which he may be doing again right now, he's as hot as any free agent acquisition could be for a poolie.

If Thomas can translate his goal scoring touch to the NHL, great for you. I'm not saying he won't or that he or the other three won't be good parts of your team. For me though, if I give up Kesler I'd want a different feel of quality coming back. I'm not always right, but that's just my take on it.

Steve from Toronto: "Hi Chris,

Recent injuries have hurt my team, J.Staal and S.Salo DTD right now. Hopefully on the IR soon. I need a replacement C and D. Head vs head, weekly, Following Stats: Points (P), (+/-), (PIM), (PPP), (SHP), (GWG), (SOG), Faceoffs Won & Hits

Some choices are :

C- Fillpulla, Oshie, B Little, Peverlely, Cullen, S.Koivu, Berglund, Arnott, k.Brodziak, Antropov,C.Smith, R O'Reilly, T Ruutu, Zack Smith K Brodziak, M Cullen S Gagner Tim Connolly, Hodgson

D- Z. Daley , C.Potter, Quincy (recently went on waivers), Girardi,M Niskanen, D Seidenberg , Vlasic,Trevor Daley, Kuba,

What would be some of your recommendations/choices for a center and defenceman? Much Appreciated and Thank you."

Chris: Steve, although you have some solid options there I think my first choice might actually be Bryan Little. He, Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler have been really hot for awhile now and while it's possible they could cool off soon, I'd give them awhile longer. Filppula would also be a strong choice and Connolly, when he's with the deadly Lupul-Kessel duo, is good as well.

On D, Trevor Daley has been really solid for the last month and Corey Potter has become a central part of Edmonton's offence on the back end. I'm fine with either. Potter is more likely to keep a PP1 role for the longest amount of time, IMO.

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