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STAMKOS: ST. LOUIS DESERVES TEAM CANADA NOD
The Tampa Bay Times describes how some people suggest Lightning captain Martin St. Louis’ roster spot on Team Canada would be more assured if linemate Steven Stamkos was certain to be healed from a broken right tibia and able to play.
Asked if he buys into that, Stamkos said, “No. Marty deserves a spot on that team regardless of any player, whether they’re injured or not. … He’s a leader, he’s the captain for a reason and probably should have been on the last (Olympic) team.”
St. Louis, on the Steve Yzerman factor: “I don’t want to be on the team because Steve Yzerman is my boss. I want to be on the team because Marty St. Louis can bring something. We’ll see.”
St. Louis, comparing these Olympics with when he went in 2006: “My kids were really young (in 2006). Now, they’ll remember this. For me, it’s not just the ‘what’s in it for me?’ It’s ‘what’s in it for my family to get to live that?’ That’s why I’m pushing and hoping I fall on the right side of the equation this time.”
HITCHCOCK REFLECTS ON 2010 CANADIAN GOLD
Worthwhile insights via The Globe and Mail from St. Louis Blues coach Ken Hitchcock. He’s an assistant coach for Team Canada and he reflected on his lessons from past Olympics, while also looking ahead to Sochi.
On the 2010 gold medal success: “For me, things went right in Vancouver because of the preparation. The buy-in from the players was immediate and it was made easy because some of the older players willingly took support roles at the start and then became prime-time players at the end, when the games were on the line. The second part that made it really smooth was, the camp in the summer [in Calgary] gave us the teaching mechanisms we were able to put in place and kept us organized early on. The whole time, everything felt really organized and really efficient and the buy-in.
“What the young players brought was an attitude and energy that really helped us early in the tournament. They were really excited to be there and it rubbed off on everybody. They were so open to learn, it felt really comfortable. But I really believe one of the major things, those older players, they took a back seat early, but they didn’t fight anything. You look at the minutes played by Pronger and Niedermayer and [Dan] Boyle early – not a lot – then look at it late. Holy smokes! Their attitude towards being a part of the team had a major impact on everybody. Everything off the ice, every part was run by Pronger or Niedermayer, every function, every off-ice workout. I know the gold-medal game went to overtime, but I never felt more comfortable with a team that could adjust, any time, any place – between periods, between games. I felt like this team would have no trouble adjusting.”
On what he expects in Sochi next month: “I think it’s going to be some of the best hockey we’ve ever seen.”
REPORT: PENGUINS NOT SEEKING RENTAL PLAYER
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review indicates there is a sense within the Penguins organization that any move made before the March 5 trade deadline would be what GM Ray Shero often calls “a hockey trade,” which would require the Penguins to give up somebody significant to get somebody of worth and under contract.
“A lot can happen between now and then,” Shero said this past week of the deadline. “But I like our team. I don’t feel like we have to do something.”
Trade speculation has swirled about Winnipeg Jets winger Evander Kane, who is in the second season of a six-year, $31.5 million contract.
As of this week, Shero and Winnipeg’s Kevin Cheveldayoff had not talked about Kane.
HARTLEY HAS BIG PLANS FOR FLAMES’ MONAHAN
The Calgary Sun illustrates how Flames coach Bob Hartley has big plans for 6-foot-2 freshman Sean Monahan.
“In the near future, you’re going to see him on P.K., because I don’t want to make him a one-trick pony,” Hartley said. “I want Sean Monahan to be the most complete hockey player in the NHL, the most complete centreman in this league, to learn the game in the three zones.
“There’s going to be times that we’re going to put him in those situations so he learns from them.”
Monahan, on suggestions the Flames should have excused him to play for Team Canada at the world juniors, in the wake of the team coming home empty-handed: “This is where I wanted to be. My goal was to make the team at the start of the year, and I think for them to keep me instead of sending me to the world juniors, that’s a pretty big honour.”
ANDERSON: KARLSSON’S DEFENCE IS UNDERRATED
The Ottawa Sun had this observation from Senators goaltender Craig Anderson on star blueliner Erik Karlsson, and how the Swede’s defensive abilities tend to get overlooked: “Erik is a very dynamic player and he’s very gifted offensively,” said Anderson. “He can do things that nobody else in the league can do from a defensive position but what is overseen is his defensive ability. Everybody makes mistakes but I think because it’s Erik Karlsson they get magnified when he does make a mistake. There is numerous times he makes a great play look easy because he is so talented. That gets overlooked as well. He makes it look so easy that he doesn’t get credit for some of the defensive plays he makes.”
OILERS’ HEMSKY OPENS EAKINS’ EYES
The Edmonton Journal recalls how before he was even named head coach of the Oilers, Dallas Eakins said he’d seen the reports that veterans Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff would be traded.
“When you see that, what you think is geez, they must be a pain in the ass. That hasn’t been the case at all, it’s been the exact opposite. Hemmer has been a rock solid guy,” said Eakins. “As far as I can see, he’s been a real good teammate. He’s gone out of his way to help (Nail Yakupov) this year . . . he’s been a real pleasure to coach.
“He’s been really good defensively for us. He bought in right away with what we’re trying to do.
“I always find with these skill guys that they can be so brilliant then sometimes their brilliance just turns to dog crap. The one thing I think he can do more of, and we’ve asked him to, is shoot the puck more. He loves to take guys inside, outside and get right in on top of the goalie. That’s a big part of his skill set, but I do think he can score more goals, and he’s trying.”
SEABROOK HOPES TO MAKE TEAM CANADA
The Chicago Sun-Times outlines how well Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook has been playing. He’d love to be named to Team Canada Tuesday, but knows how stiff the competition is for him too.
“It’s going to be a tough team to make,” Seabrook said. “The guys that are picking the team have a tough job, and I wouldn’t want to be them right now.”
The veteran rearguard knows the knock on him has been his speed.
“I feel like I can skate,” he said. “I’ve worked on it. That was a big knock on me coming into the league nine years ago, and I’m still here.”
Of Tuesday’s announcement, he added: “I’ve been fortunate to be on a lot of great teams and win some Stanley Cups and win some gold medals,” Seabrook said. “And I’m excited for the 7th. I’m going to sit around like everybody else, and hopefully another dream comes true.”
ROY PROUD OF HIS AVALANCHE
The Denver Post notices that coach and executive vice president of hockey operations Patrick Roy rightfully receives the bulk of credit for the turnaround of the Colorado Avalanche this season, but the 48-year-old Hall of Famer is quick to pass it around.
“The coaching staff that I have, we’re having fun and they do a tremendous job. And I’m really happy with how the players have respected the teaching that we’ve been doing, how they’ve been willing to try things that we’ve been bringing up,” Roy said. “I’ve said all along that I was there to be their partner, and I just feel that I have a great partnership with the players.
“I think that’s the one thing that I’m probably most proud of. I didn’t know what to expect, but when I looked at our roster I thought we had a really good team. I’m not here to talk about what happened in the past, but the first day we got on the ice I saw how receptive the guys were and how hard they were ready to work, and I thought it could be a good mix between them and the coaching staff.”
FRESH START FOR WINGS’ HOWARD
Michigan Live points out that while Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard went to bed at 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, he looked at that moment as a proverbial turning point for what had been a trying season to that point.
“When the clock struck midnight, I put everything behind me,” said Howard, who turned in a strong 44-save performance Saturday. “The end of the 2013 year wasn’t very nice to me but I just said, ‘Here’s a new, clean slate. Let’s start fresh.’ And I’ve been doing that.
“I’m trying to get back into that groove that I’ve been in. I’m trying to find that happy medium again out there. The only way I know how to do that is to keep working.”
SCHNEIDER WON’T BLAME DEVILS’ OFFENSIVE WOES
Fire & Ice points out that after Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, the New Jersey Devils have scored one or no goals nine times in Cory Schneider’s 19 starts. He’s 1-4-2 in his last seven outings.
“I’m trying to come up with stuff to tell you guys that’s any different, but I’ve just got to find a way to get it done,” Schneider said. “I’ve got to find a way to win games this time of year, start winning 2-1 instead of losing 2-1. I just really believe that. I’m not just saying it. You can say it all you want, but you’ve got to start making it happen.”
Schneider insisted he is not letting it get to him mentally.
“No, I’m trying not to,” he said. “I think I’m at the point in my career, at age where I’m not going to pout, I’m not going to feel bad, I’m not going to get mad. You have to find a way to work through it. Just trust in your team and your teammates and believe in the process and the way you do things. Sometimes you just need a little fortune. You need a couple bounces. You need a streak of luck a little bit as well as hard work and good performances.
“I’m not going to try to reinvent the wheel or change a whole lot. Just continue to work hard.”
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