Hockey Hearsay compiles stories from around the hockey world and runs weekdays, 12 months a year.
WINGS’ HOWARD CALM, CONFIDENT
The New York Times recalls how Jimmy Howard, a 29-year-old native of Ogdensburg, N.Y., became the Red Wings starter during the 2009-10 season, taking over for Chris Osgood. He considers his ascent a gradual one, with Jim Bedard, the goalie coach, and Osgood, a team consultant, serving as mentors.
“What I like about Jimmy is you know what you’re going to get; he’s consistent,” Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland said. “It’s not an accident. He’s done his time, moving up from college at Maine, to the minors, to learning from Ozzie, to taking over the job himself.”
“He’s always had confidence, but there’s something different about it now,” Holland added. “He’s calmer, more assured. The play comes to him, and he knows what he needs to do.”
Bedard offered this: “You can’t go to the experience store and just buy some. Jimmy’s come through to this point because he’s had to learn from everything. And those who can’t get through that process get left behind.”
SHARKS’ GALIARDI CALLS OUT KINGS’ QUICK
The San Jose Mercury News passes along that Sharks forward TJ Galiardi said Wednesday that Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick is guilty of “a little embellishment every now and then” in this Western Conference semifinal series as he tries to draw penalties on San Jose forwards.
“What kind of bugs me about him, I don’t know if I should say it, but a little embellishment every now and then,” Galiardi said before the team left for Los Angeles for Game 5 on Thursday at Staples Center. “You skate by and you don’t even touch him or you barely even touch him and he’s throwing his hands in the air. So that’s one of those things.
“It’s the playoffs. Everyone’s trying to draw a penalty. Whatever.”
He added: “The thing is, with video, something we like to say around here is ball don’t lie. It’s an old basketball term, but when you watch the video, the video doesn’t lie. So I’m skating by and I barely touch him and he’s throwing his hands in the air, it’s kind of one of those things — he looks bad on video, not me.”
POWE RECALLS FLYERS’ RARE COMEBACK
The New York Daily News recalls how injured Rangers forward Darroll Powe, along with Rangers teammate Arron Asham, was a member of the Flyers in 2010 when they became just the third team in NHL history to take a playoff series after dropping the first three games, winning four straight against Boston before eventually losing to Chicago in the Stanley Cup finals.
“Obviously it was a memorable series,” said Powe. “What I remember is going in every day and just focusing on the game at hand. We obviously can’t win four games (Thursday) night. So we just have to focus on the task, which is coming out strong on our first shift. You go shift by shift and just chip away. You have to try to win every shift, and that’s how you’re going to get back in the series.
“It was a pretty special feeling, for sure. It builds a lot of character and we have a lot of character in this room. I know we’re going to come out hard (Thursday) night and put our best effort out there and do the right things that are going to help us win the hockey game.”
DEKEYSER COULD MAKE PLAYOFF RETURN
Michigan Live indicates that while Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser (broken right thumb) definitely won’t play during this second round series against Chicago, but he said he’s not ruling out a possible return in the Western Conference finals, if the club advances.
“I’m not 100 percent sure on that,” DeKeyser said. “As it is right now, I’m not ready to play yet, but if I keep progressing like I am then I think I might have a chance to do that. I just need to see how it is another week or two.”
He added, “As long as they keep winning it gives me a better chance for a return.”
EAKINS’ SUMMER MESSAGE TO MARLIES
The Toronto Star notes Marlies coach Dallas Eakins believes several of his players made great strides this season and they could get a long look with the Leafs next year. Besides centres Joe Colborne and Ryan Hamilton, both of whom played a bit for the Leafs, Eakins said players such as Carter Ashton, Greg Scott and Jerry D’Amigo have the ability to take the next step.
“I don’t think we had anybody who stalled in their progress,” Eakins said. “I thought everybody took strides forwards. My message to them is how are they going to handle their summer to get better? Are they going to remember how hard it is to play in this league and how hard it is to get a shot at the NHL or is that memory going to be lost in a couple of weeks when they’re standing on a golf course away from the rink?”
KENNEDY’S COURAGE SHINES THROUGH CHILD ADVOCACY CENTRE
The Calgary Sun chronicles the journey that led Sheldon Kennedy, now 43, to his involvement with the recently christened Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre in Calgary. It is termed North America’s first “one-stop shop” to help deal with child abuse.
“There has to be one-stop shop for this issue,” said Kennedy, explaining most of the 15 Child Advocacy Centres in Canada include little more than interview rooms.
“You phone here and we’re going to take it from here — they don’t have to navigate the system. The whole goal here is to not re-victimize the kids. How do we wrap around and give them the support needed for the kids to be able to live out the dreams they have and the families to get their heads around? If we don’t deal with them here, we’ll be dealing with them as adults in our prison or health-care systems.”
Centre CEO Bonnie Johnston: “I and the professionals who work here have nothing but respect for Sheldon — his commitment to and passion for the centre is exceptional.
“This guy is the real thing. He’s authentic. He’s a champion. He gives wings to the centre. There are the four partners who thought outside the box and said we can come together to do this differently, and champions like Sheldon who bring a face and humanity to this. His passion, conviction and commitment are what’s so inspiring, and he’s working at the federal level to continue change.”
AU REVOIR, ANDY
Andy Sutton made his retirement from the NHL official and some former teammates took to Twitter to say their farewells.
Want to wish Andy Sutton a happy retirement. Pleasure to play along side him. Best suits in the league!
— Bobby Ryan (@b_ryan9) May 22, 2013
Good luck to Andy Sutton on his retirement. was enjoyable not only playing with the big man but rooming with him.Taught me to eat sushi
— Jim Slater (@slaterjim) May 22, 2013
Happy Retirement to Andy Sutton, great teammate and even better dresser! Enjoy big man. #Louisvuttonbig&tall
— Matt Beleskey (@Matt_Beleskey) May 22, 2013
“@nhlpa: Veteran defenceman, Andy Sutton announces retirement from the @nhl after 15 year career. ply.rs/lhGZe” love this guy!
— Colten Teubert (@tubes33) May 22, 2013