Hockey Hearsay compiles stories from around the hockey world and runs weekdays, 12 months a year.
ORLOV’S AGENT: CAPITALS ‘RUINING HIS CAREER’
First it was veteran forward Martin Erat and now, according to CSNWashington.com, 22-year-old defenseman Dmitry Orlov has asked the Capitals for a trade.
“Obviously, what Dmitry would like is to be traded,” agent Mark Gandler told CSNWashington.com Wednesday, “because he has no future in Washington whatsoever, zero chance for him.
“I think his value as a player is diminishing with every day and the team is losing valuable time and also ruining his career.”
Gandler, through a series of scathing statements, made it clear that Orlov’s hockey future does not lie in Washington.
“The only humane thing to do – and at the same time the only right thing to do for your own business – is to trade the guy. If they played him for five games his value would skyrocket, then get rid of him.
“Seeing the situation, George needs to cut his losses and get the best deal he can. As you can imagine, there’s no chance in hell Dmitry is going to sign with the Capitals for next season.”
Gandler had even more comments in the article and GM George McPhee responded as well.
DUDLEY ‘HAVING A BALL’ WITH CANADIENS
Canadiens assistant general manager Rick Dudley confirmed to The Buffalo News he had years added on to his current contract with the team, following reports the Sabres had asked for permission to speak with him about the open GM job.
“I went to Montreal because of Marc Bergevin,” Dudley said. “I enjoy the people I work with. it’s fun. It’s a great gig. if you enjoy something a great deal, why change if you don’t have to?
“I’m having a ball in Montreal and I want to stay there. It’s been fun from day one. We’ve got a wonderful group of players, coaches, the entire staff. It was a situation I didn’t think I could walk away from.”
Dudley added: “My wife knows me better than anybody. She says, ‘you smile now.’ There are times she’s seen me where I didn’t so why change? I appreciate the Buffalo Sabres and everything they’ve done for me and the city of Buffalo. But I enjoy working with Montreal.”
OILERS’ BRYZGALOV CHANGES PERSPECTIVE
The Edmonton Sun supposes it’s funny how a little time away from the game, and the realization he might never play in the NHL again, changes one’s perspective.
“I changed my points of view,” Ilya Bryzgalov said before the Oiler departed for Nashville, where he will make his first NHL start since being bought out by the Flyers. “After the last few months, every day in hockey and every opportunity to play the game, I just enjoy it. I’m just enjoying the game.
“I will compete hard in practice, I will compete hard in a game, but my goals aren’t how many games am I going to play, that’s not a question I worry about at all. Right now, I feel some passion to play hockey again and that’s the best feeling.”
LEIPOLD: WILD IS A ‘DESTINATION TEAM’
The Pioneer Press, via an interview on Sports Radio 105 the Ticket, notes Wild owner Craig Leipold remains excited about his team’s potential to be a contender.
“We have our players signed up for long term. We have marquee, really great players who are just entering into their peak-performance period,” Leipold said. “We have a crew of younger players who have high potential. We like the dynamics of our team and (general manager) Chuck (Fletcher) has done such a great job of mixing young, high-energy enthusiastic players with highly experienced passionate players.”
On the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter signings: “Frankly, from a business perspective, it’s turned out to be just a great investment for us. Our tickets have gone incredibly well. We’re back in sellout mode again. Our sponsorships are the highest they’ve ever been. The buzz is back and it’s because we made that investment last summer.”
On the future: “We’ve become what we believe is a real destination team. We have a great arena in a great market in the state of hockey. Other players, we believe, are going to want to play in this market with the marquee players we have and the commitment we’re willing to make. We think the future is even better because those players will want to come here.”
JACKETS STUDYING TICKET SALES
The Columbus Dispatch points out the move to the Eastern Conference has yet to pay off for the Blue Jackets at the box office.
“A few of those games are ones where we didn’t see the typical single-game sale numbers that we expected,” team president Mike Priest said. “We’re not at all disappointed in the process of being (in the Eastern Conference), and we believe those teams will draw.
“Montreal (in town last week) is a storied franchise … but do our fans think any more of that opponent than of Carolina coming to town? We’re studying it. It’s early in the process and we’re watching and trying to take some notes. But we have to ask ourselves if we’re being too bullish on what to expect or if there is something else going on.”
Priest also noted: “Historically, November is better than October, and December is better than November and then in the winter months you start to see normalized attendance. But you’ve got to win your fair share of games. In those times, you’re not as sensitive (to the calendar or) anything else.”
RICHARDS ENJOYS KINGS’ DADS TRIP
17 fathers of Kings players were on board for the team’s latest dads’ trip, about which Mike Richards spoke with The Los Angeles Times concerning his own dad.
“I love having him around,” Richards said. “He loves coming on the road, getting together with the other dads. He just loves being at the rink and following us around. I think last night he was tired after a long trip. He’s probably not used to all that traveling and getting in late to the hotels.
“It’s no secret how much he’s meant to my hockey career. Pretty much one of the only reasons I’m here is him and my mum.”
THEY TWEETED IT