Hockey Hearsay compiles stories from around the hockey world and runs weekdays, 12 months a year.
KADRI SEES GRETZKY’S VALUE FOR ANY TEAM
Speculation has been that with Wayne Gretzky reaching a financial settlement with the NHL for money owed him, he could return to the league in some capacity.
The Toronto Star indicates Leafs forward Nazem Kadri believes Gretzky would help any organization.
“He definitely has a head for the game,” Kadri said. “He knows his way around the rink. Usually when a hockey great like that comes to an organization, it’s a positive, especially for an organization that needs it.”
Kadri said he believes Gretzky himself wants to get back in the game.
“He probably misses it a little bit,” Kadri added. “But he’s just got to find the right spot.”
KARLSSON: OLYMPICS ARE PLAYERS’ MOTIVATIONAL CARROT
The Ottawa Sun details how star Senators defenceman Eric Karlsson is tempering his Sochi Olympics enthusiasm at the moment.
“It’s one of those things that I think a professional hockey player wants to play in,” said Karlsson. “It’s going to be an exciting time, but at the same time it’s a little bit far ahead to start really focusing on it.
“It’s in the back of your mind, but as of right now nothing more.”
A player still wants to make his respective nation’s roster though.
“Everybody knows it’s an Olympic year and it’s coming up, everybody wants to represent their county,” said Karlsson. “But at the same time I don’t think it’s clouding anyone in a negative way. It’s a little carrot that you have in front of you and you know that you’re looking forward to going and playing if you can.
“It definitely sparks you to try and play your best hockey.”
CANUCKS’ LUONGO CHANGES GAME MINDSET
The Vancouver Province points out Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo is playing deeper in the net to react better to pucks that he needs to track.
“I have a bit of a different approach than I had in the past,” said Luongo. “I just play and whatever happens, happens. You’d like to start off with a clean sheet in the first period, but that’s not going to happen every game. Maybe earlier on in my career, I would let that affect the rest of my game. But I find ways to get around that stuff and make saves.
“If you start thinking that you can’t let in two goals or whatever is on your mind, it just deteriorates from what you’re trying to do. Sometimes, you’re going to let in two or three goals. You’ve just got to keep going.”
SCOUT: OILERS NOT STRONG ENOUGH
Ahead of Thursday night’s clash between the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche, The Calgary Sun relays that a Western Conference team pro scout points out a key difference he sees between the two young teams.
“Strength. It’s still a man’s game,” he said. “People want skill, skill, skill, but you need more. Look at Colorado’s young forwards, (Gabriel) Landeskog is so strong physically. Ryan O’Reilly is very strong. (Nathan) MacKinnon is already a strong guy. (Matt) Duchene has come so far. (Paul) Stastny is getting it back together. They also have strong guys on defence.
“Edmonton has guys who are strong, Taylor Hall is really a strong player, but as a team, they’re not as physically strong as the Avalanche.”
Right now, the scout said, their players are losing too many physical battles.
“If you’re not strong, you get leaned on and get tired, and tired skill is average,” he said. “Then, when you get worn down, you get mentally tired and make more mistakes.”
CANADA’S SUTTER HAS OPEN MIND ON MCDAVID
The Ottawa Citizen profiles talented 16-year-old Connor McDavid, who will be the most watched player on the ice at Team Canada’s WJC training camp
Team Canada head coach Brent Sutter addresses conventional wisdow dictating this be a tournament for 19-year-olds, as it compares with exceptionally-named players like McDavid.
“They have as good of a shot as anybody to make this team, and that’s the mindset,” said Sutter this week. “We’re not about age, we’re about giving ourselves the best chance to succeed and we’ll try to put together the right team to give ourselves that chance.
“They are exceptional players. They were standout players at age 15, and to stand out a year or two later shouldn’t be something that shocks, because of their talent and as highly touted as they were.
“They have a gift. You try to use it as best you can.”
PANTHERS WON’T TRADE YOUNG CORE
The Miami Herald notes the unenviable position in which the Florida Panthers find themselves deep down in the Eastern Conference standings.
They are still gunning for a playoff position though.
“It’s going to be tough to do, but that’s what we’re aiming for,” general manager Dale Tallon said. “We have to come to work every day with our lunch pails and climb that ladder. We have to try and get better every day, get the most out of what we have here. It’s not easy. I’m frustrated as hell but we’re going to fix it.”
Tallon said he’s not in tank mode although any moves to improve the current team will not be made with Florida’s young core.
“I’m not happy, obviously, but I’m not going to panic,” Tallon said. “I’m disappointed. The effort is better but we’re not getting the results. Guys are fighting it, don’t have a lot of confidence. We need something to go our way.”
CAPITALS’ LAICH HUMBLED BY STRING OF INJURIES
The Washington Post describes how Capitals forward Brooks Laich says he’s learned that there is no substitute for time when it comes to returning from injuries.
“I was pretty humbled last year. I learned pretty quickly that it’s something I can’t beat. It’s not a question of being tough or being stubborn, it’s so physically limiting that you just can’t help the team,” Laich said. “I’m going to have to be right before I go back on the ice in order to be able to make the season and to be able to play for a continued stretch of time.”
He recently began acupuncture with electrical stimulation and has already seen positive results.
“Sometimes you get a big jolt and sometimes you don’t, but it’s supposed to get pathways in certain muscles firing at the same time. It’s kind of like a G-rated way of being tasered, if that makes sense,” Laich said. “I had good results with it the first time, so we went a little more aggressive yesterday. It’s kind of something that I’m hopeful will get me back on the ice.”
BACKSTROM WAITS BEHIND HARDING
The Pioneer Press writes that sitting and watching Josh Harding play would be a lot different for Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom if he were healthy, said coach Mike Yeo.
“I think it would be tougher,” Yeo said.
Backstrom has been on the ice for only 10 in the Wild’s first 30 this year. His latest ailment was the flu, although he did back up Harding Thursday night.
“I think it’s helped a lot that Josh has played as well as he has,” Yeo said. “There isn’t as much pressure on ‘Backy’ right now to rush back and put him in a situation he’s not ready for.
“(Backstrom) understands it’s a long season, and obviously he wants the net. He knows that his opportunity will come, and he’ll make sure he is ready.”
DILLON MATURING FOR STARS
The Dallas Morning News illustrates how strong 23-year-old sophomore defenseman Brenden Dillon has been for the Stars this season.
“He’s been tremendous,” said assistant coach James Patrick. “He’s done a great job of pushing forward and taking on more challenges, and we need that now that Stephane Robidas is out.”
Patrick continued.
“It’s hard to play defense in the NHL, and it’s especially hard to play against the best players in the league,” he said. “When you have the big body and you can skate with them, it makes all of the difference in the world. I think that’s why he’s a good match for that.”
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