Nichols' Notes
/Haydn Fleury tells The News & Observer’s Chip Alexander that while playing for the Red Deer Rebels in the WHL, Brent Sutter has been instrumental in the development of the Carolina Hurricanes’ No. 7 overall pick from June’s draft.
“He teaches you how to be a pro at a young age,” Fleury said of Sutter. “He treats everyone likes pros and has high expectations.”
Sutter told Fleury, a 6-3, 2-7-pound defenseman who can skate well, what it will take to play professional hockey.
“He said if I want to play the way I played in junior I need to get better with the puck offensively, from the blue line down,” Fleury said. “That’s something I’m really trying to work hard at. Just be more creative. Don’t take yourself out of a scoring chance. Just be a threat to score. But in the D-zone keep being hard on guys every second on the ice.”
Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Johnston is headed to Moscow this weekend, where he'll meet with Evgeni Malkin. The Tribune-Review's Rob Rossi asserts that this is a critical meeting between the two, and that the Pens need Malkin to not only regain his dominating form, but also to take ownership of the dressing room. Good read.
And what about the Russian angle itself? The Trib's Josh Yohe touched base with Gen. Michael Hayden, the former head of the CIA and the former director of the National Security Agency, on the topic. Yohe also got a comment from the NHL's Bill Daly, as well as former Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar.
Johnston has been to Russia many times and has no worries about going, but Gonchar gets that outsiders in general might have some concerns with the political climate these days.
“To me, it doesn't make any difference. I'm Russian,” Gonchar said. “I feel comfortable. I can see friends. If you're a foreigner, and you think about it and don't know what to expect, it's probably harder and more difficult. I think for our guys, for me and Geno, it hasn't changed much. We lead the same life, go to the same places for dinner, work out the same way. It's comfortable. We have no worries because we are Russian.”
The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch profiles Senators forward Mike Hoffman, who is hoping to stick with the team all season.
Within that article:
The Senators had been working on a deal for another forward when they sent Spezza to the Dallas Stars in exchange for winger Alex Chiasson and two prospects on July 1.
It's believed that trade has either fallen through or has been put on the back burner. Several teams have told the Sun that wingers Colin Greening and Eric Condra are both being made available.
Patrice Brisebois chatted with The Gazette’s Dave Stubbs about leaving the post as player development post for the Montreal Canadiens.
Briseboise also reflected on the job itself, which involved working with the team’s prospects all over the continent.
“They’re all different, they all have their own styles, situations, character, different ways of thinking about the game,” Brisebois said. “That’s why I say I’m a better hockey man. Spending time with those kids, you learn a lot. You want to know everything about them.
“Is their school is going well? Had they just broken up with a girlfriend? How was life for them at home? There were a lot of things. You have to know your kids as individuals and know the way you’ll talk to them.
“Sometimes, if the kid isn’t playing well, there’s a way to tell him you’re not happy, but you want to know why. It’s not finding excuses, there are only excuses for losers. But it’s finding solutions. It’s communication with the kid, asking questions, giving good advice.
“I always told my kids, ‘Talent isn’t enough. If you want to make it, it’s the work ethic.’ They all know that and they’re all working hard.”
The Vancouver Canucks provide a look at the discussion leading into the Ryan Kesler trade with the Anaheim Ducks.
GM Jim Benning: "Our coach wants Bonino. The coach really likes Bonino and wants him."
The Denver Post’s Adrian Dater explains how Wednesday’s two-year deal between the Colorado Avalanche and Ryan O’Reilly’s camp came to be right before the arbitration was set to begin.
"When we shook hands, I think we were both very happy," Avs exec Joe Sakic said. "I know the Colorado Avalanche is very happy. He's a very valuable player to us and we want him long-term. That hasn't happened yet, but we'll keep working at it and see what happens."
Another key Sakic quote: "There was never any animosity between us this whole time. Any of the perceived animosity came from the outside."
Dater also provides his take on what this contract could mean for O'Reilly's long-term future with the Avs.
Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz, via CSN’s Chuck Gormley, on the threat of the KHL with Russian players.
“They have options over there,” Trotz said. “You want your whole foot in the water if you’re going to play in the National Hockey League.
“I don’t want your toe. If you’re just going to put your toe in the water … A couple Russian players have come over and they don’t put their whole foot in the NHL sometimes, and that holds them back.
“… If it’s just about the money, then probably the KHL is a better option.”
Montreal Canadiens forward Brandon Prust joined Sportsnet 960 Wednesday morning after his first skating session of the summer.
On the roster changes headed into next season:
“Those are good guys that we lost. You know, Gionta, Gorges, and Danny Briere, those are good kind of key guys. Vanek, Parros and Murray. You can’t really think about that stuff. That’s hockey. That’s the new game, especially with money, and then cap and everything. Players are coming and going and it’s the name of the game... I think they’re trying to get younger and kind of build up for a bright future and you can’t really disagree with that. I just go in there next year and try to continue to worry about my game and what I bring to the team and kind of be a leader out there and help the younger guys.”
On the realization of the role he’d have to play in order to survive and thrive in the NHL:
“It’s weird. I guess it did kind of hit me. I think I was 18 my first year in the OHL. I was hitting guys, playing that physical role that I wanted to play and I realized I was going to have to – if I was going to play that role – I was going to have to fight, so I kind of started learning how to fight... My whole just kind of game came to me and I stuck with it and I knew I wasn’t a superstar player that was going to make it on just pure skill. I was going to have to do a little bit of everything. Fortunately enough, I was able to figure out... the game and what I needed to bring to a team. I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s hard to teach or if it just comes to you naturally. I think it’s something maybe that just clicks in. Growing up, I was always one of the best players and skilled players, but eventually when you get to a higher level, sometimes you have to let your game evolve.”
On what it was like watching the New York Rangers go to the Stanley Cup Finals:
“I wasn’t definitely happy because they beat us, so it was difficult to watch them beat us I think more than to watch them in the Stanley Cup. I actually probably didn’t watch the first two or three games of the Stanley Cup. It was kind of tough for me. You’re happy for friends too. I’ve got a lot of friends over there. You know, Lundqvist is a good friend. He’s battled hard to get there. I was happy for some of the guys out there. But it was definitely tough to watch, especially when you’re that close. When you’re the team they beat out to go to the Stanley Cup I think that makes it kind of a whole different story. I think it’d be different if maybe I didn’t make the playoffs and was watching, but to lose to them like that made it really tough.”
On P.K. Subban:
“P.K’s.... you can kind of see it on camera what he brings. He brings energy to the team. He brings passion. He’s one of the best defencemen in the league. He definitely cares about the team. He cares about winning. Some people kind of think he doesn’t or maybe he’s selfish. He definitely is misunderstood, but he’s coming down to my golf tournament next week and that just shows what kind of guy he is. He’ll help out teammates, he’s a very loveable guy, he always keeps it light in the dressing room, but when it’s time to get serious and win hockey games he’s there for you. He’s definitely a leader on that team and I hope one of the biggest leaders for years to come. I hope he steps up to that huge leadership role and really helps carry the team.”
You played with a young Dion Phaneuf. Are there similarities, or is that fair?
“I think obviously there’s similarities. Both franchise-type players. Big stud defencemen. But personality-wise, I would say different. Both guys that I really enjoyed. Both are still friends of mine to this day. Guys that you would take on your team any day. I know Dion, I think you can kind of tell he’s matured, as well, as he’s gotten older. I think P.K. is doing the same thing.”
On if he feels it’s even more on him to be a leader for the Habs now:
“For sure. Especially losing Gionta and Gorges. We lost some leaders in that room, so it’s going to be looked upon to other guys. For sure, I definitely want to be one of those guys that’s looked at as a leader. Acts like example on the ice and off the ice... Leaders are important on a team. The younger guys are looking up to you as much as maybe you don’t know how much they’re watching you or what you’re doing. They are. I look back to when I was a younger kid and how much I watched the older guys and learned from them. So it’s important. It’s an important thing in hockey. You’re a good leader and just a good teammate for those younger guys.