Hockey Hearsay compiles stories from around the hockey world and runs weekdays, 12 months a year.
BURKE: FLAMES CAN SPEND TO SALARY CAP
On Monday, Calgary Flames president of hockey operation Brian Burke joined the Hockey Central panel on location at the Board of Governors meetings in Pebble Beach, California.
Burke was asked how the increasing salary cap in the National Hockey League – not only next year, but beyond – might change things for the Flames moving forward.
“Well, we’re budgeted to spend to the cap now. I know if you look at where we are now salary-wise, we’ve got cap room. We’re able to make some significant moves here at the trade deadline if they present themselves.
“That being said, Jay hasn’t seen the value yet. We’re not just going to spend money to spend money. But our ownership group is committed to cap dollars. We are prepared to spend to the cap the moment we see value there.
“As the cap goes up, that’s something from a revenue standpoint we should be able to keep pace with. Once we see the value, we intend to be a cap team at all times.”
HITCHCOCK: LA RUSSA SHOULD HAVE COACHED HOCKEY
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch relays how Blues coach Ken Hitchcock had this to say on Monday’s announcement that former Cardinal manager Tony La Russa will be going into the baseball Hall of Fame:
“He’s a champion because he’s so prepared. He should have been a hockey coach, to me. He has that mentality. I think the world of him. We’ve developed a great friendship. There’s great support from either side.
“For me, he is a great coach because he’s one step ahead of it every time. He’s developed a coaching method where he can see around corners and that’s his biggest strength. He knows what’s going to happen before it happens. His ability to predict, I think, has really helped his teams win championships. When it’s on the line, he’s made the right move at the right time. I think that comes from a combination of experience and preparation. He’s just way ahead of the curve. Like I said, he should have been a hockey coach.”
STAMKOS APPRECIATES CAREER MORE NOW
The Tampa Bay Times illustrates that whenever Lightning superstar Steven Stamkos returns from his broken leg, he said it will be with a greater appreciation for his profession.
“Now that I’ve gone through this, you definitely have a different outlook,” Stamkos said. “You should be just happy and blessed you are out there being able to do what you love to do.
“It’s the old saying: You don’t know what you have till it’s gone. I think I’ve gotten to that stage now. You have to remind yourself it’s going to be a long road. You just have to work hard and keep focused and do what you can.”
WEISS RETURNS TO FACE PANTHERS
Ahead of Tuesday’s Red Wings-Panthers game in Florida, The Miami Herald profiles former Panthers center Stephen Weiss.
“Confidence has been a struggle for him,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said of his forward. “I think when you go to a new place, just not being comfortable makes it hard on you. The reality is; hockey is hockey. He’s been a good player his whole career. I don’t imagine it’s going to take him too much longer.”
Weiss: “Trying too hard sometimes can backfire on you. I think that was the case early on. I came here to be a part of something, to win hockey games. We’ve been doing that. It’s fun seeing your team at the top of the standings. That’s been a lot of fun. Personally, I’ll get that going soon.”
STARS’ NICHUSHKIN DEFIES DEFINITION
The Dallas Morning News writes that rookie Valeri Nichushkin has been compared to Rick Nash for his mix of size and skill and to Eric Lindros for his head-down style of bulling forward. He has been compared to Evgeni Malkin as well.
“Sometimes when he’s carrying the puck up the ice, it’s almost like Malkin,” Stars captain Jamie Benn said. “The kid’s 6-5, or whatever, and skates like the wind. I don’t think teams actually realize how fast he’s going until he skates by them.”
SABRES’ GIRGENSONS IMPRESSES NOLAN
The Buffalo News describes how 19-year-old Sabres rookie Zemgus Girgensons’ self-awareness and work ethic have made him a favorite of coach Ted Nolan and the fans.
“I’m not sure about the expectation that we should put too much on the young kid, but he played well,” said Nolan, who coaches Girgensons in the Latvian national program. “I’ve known the kid for about three years now and have watched him play. He does this all the time. It’s one of those things with maturity and his body matures, he’s going to get better. The one thing you can’t teach somebody is to give them that work ethic that he has.
“Those are the building blocks in which we’re going to turn this organization around and turn this team around. It’s through people like that with some strong character and a will to get better.
“The young guys are not our problem. We’ve just got to get more production from the people who are supposed to give us production. We have to be better overall.”
EVEN PREDATORS’ TROTZ FEELS JOB PRESSURE
The Nashville Tennessean notes that while longtime Predators coach Barry Trotz often puts on a brave face, he understands the stresses that come with being an NHL head coach.
“I think any coach that says ‘you don’t feel the pressure’ is lying to you anyways,” he said. “We’re about winning. We’re in the winning business. We’re not in the development business at this level, and if we’re not winning, then the pressure comes on the coach and the organization, and there’s no question you feel it.”
Whether it’s merited or not, a coach often ends up being the fall guy.
“We get too much credit for the wins and we get too much blame for the losses,” Trotz said. “Either way, I think if you’re a good coach, people recognize and if you’re a bad coach, you don’t get another chance.”
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