Hockey Hearsay compiles stories from around the hockey world and runs weekdays, 12 months a year.
SHARKS’ WILSON MUM ON HAVLAT TRADE REPORT
Monday night, The Ottawa Sun reported that according to a source, Senators GM Bryan Murray has talked to the San Jose Sharks about acquiring Martin Havlat.
The Sharks have also been asked about Havlat by the New York Rangers, said the source.
Havlat’s agent, Allan Walsh, then offered this insight to his Twitter followers Tuesday afternoon.
Following up on the story, CSNBayArea.com indicated Tuesday afternoon that Sharks GM Doug Wilson wouldn’t comment on reported trade talk.
Wilson did, however, offer this on Havlat: “Marty is a very talented player, and we have some very talented forwards. … It creates competition. As a player, once you’re back healthy, you have to earn your opportunity and ice time, and that’s the way this game is.”
“He went through an injury that was very frustrating to everybody involved, had the procedure, and now he’s back at 100 percent and playing. And, there’s competition,” Wilson said, mentioning players like Brent Burns, Tomas Hertl and Matt Nieto. “That’s what good teams want. He’s going to have to compete. That’s really what it is. Sometimes, that’s beneficial to a team.”
FLAMES MONAHAN BUILDING BIG MOMENT REPUTATION
The Calgary Sun recaps Flames rookie Sean Monahan’s shootout game-winner from Monday night and suggests maybe it’s a sign he can be a big-game player.
“I want to be able to be a go-to guy in this league at some point,” Monahan said. “I’m trying to earn everything I get.”
Coach Bob Hartley chimed in as well: “Maybe it’s too early to tell, but one thing is sure, every time the game is on the line or there is a key moment, it seems he’s there to shine. You can’t teach that. Either you have it or you don’t.”
BOOTH STRUGGLING WITH REGAINING EXPLOSIVENESS
Straightforward, honest comments from Canucks winger David Booth, who was scratched against the Florida Panthers Tuesday night, via The Vancouver Sun.
“My explosiveness isn’t where it was in the past,” said Booth. That extra step, that’s really the strength in my game. Without a doubt I can get it back. I’ve had other leg injuries and it comes back with time. It’s just been a little bit longer this time than in the past.
More Booth: “No one holds me to a higher expectation than myself,” said Booth. To whom much is given, much is required and that’s a biblical principle and one that’s always stuck with me. I understand that I’ve been given much and obviously much is expected. I know that I could be better. I know that I have to score.
“The hesitation … you just have to overcome it. Right now, I don’t want to takes chances on the offensive side of the puck. If I did, maybe I will get a break but I’ll also give up something and I can’t give up any chances defensively. I’ll take this time to just work on my strength and my explosiveness.”
PRIVATE DEVILS READYING FOR ALL-ACCESS SHOW
The Star-Ledger recounts how the notoriously private New jersey Devils will be part of the seven-part “NHL Revealed: A Season Like No Other” TV series, which will be similar to HBO’s 24/7.
How much access will the cameras get?
“I’m not sure what this is going to be,” Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said. “I’m still meeting with the league on that. I sat down once but I have to sit down again to get exactly what it is. I’m sure it’s something similar to what they’ve done.”
Martin Brodeur offered this: “I’ve watched them all. They’re pretty cool. It will be interesting to see how much liberty they have within our organization. That will be very interesting. It definitely will be different with other teams, no doubt about it. Our guys’ personalities won’t truly come out, besides Jags (Jaromir Jagr) maybe.”
WILD’S KOIVU DRAWS EFFUSIVE PRAISE FROM KURRI
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune points out that Hall of Famer Jari Kurri, the general manager of Finland’s national team, has known Wild captain Mikko Koivu since he was a little kid. Koivu spent years attending Kurri’s summer hockey camps starting at age 7.
“You could tell even then how much he wants to win, how much he wants to battle and be good. He’s practiced a lot,” said Kurri. “He’s so much an all-around player. People shouldn’t look at the points, the stats. He does so much for the team. Every coach would like to have a player like that — really a team player you can put on the ice at any time in any role, offensively or defensively.”
SHARKS’ MARLEAU “FINE” AFTER CAR ACCIDENT
KRON4.com reported Tuesday afternoon that San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau’s Mercedes SUV collided with another vehicle in what was termed a ‘serious’ car accident.
The team released this statement on Marleau via Twitter.
Teammate Jason Demers also sent out a tweet letting fans know Marleau is fine.
CANES DEALING A GOALTENDER?
The Raleigh News & Observer reports Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford has not ruled out a goaltender trade. Cam Ward is healthy, Anton Khudobin is a week away and Justin Peters started 10 straight games.
Rutherford said the options being considered were carrying three goalies on the roster, trading a goalie or risk putting Peters on waivers with the intent of sending him to Charlotte. Khudobin could go to the Checkers on a conditioning stint.
“There are several ways of looking at it and it’s already on our radar screen,” Rutherford said. “The good thing is we don’t have to decide today.”
AVALANCHE’S MACKINNON ADMIRES TOEWS’ GAME
CSNChicago.com illustrates how Colorado Avalanche rookie Nathan MacKinnon admires Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews
“I loved Toews growing up,” he said on Tuesday morning. “I like his two-way game. I like offensive guys who put up numbers. He doesn’t necessarily lead the league every year but he won the Selke, he’s up there every year in that (defensive forward) category and he does a good job at both ends of the ice.”
MacKinnon added: “I’m not nearly at the Toews level yet. But hopefully I can be that type of player one day.”
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