Bluelines (11/13): Isles fighting out their differences

Nov 14, 2006

In Ottawa they're wondering how long John Muckler's patience will last before he shakes up his underachieving (6-9-1) Senators. Meanwhile, Zdeno Chara ripped his ex-GM for trading Marian Hossa for Dany Heatley. "When you have a diamond in your hand, (Hossa) you shouldn't get rid of it," says The Big Z.

Trent Yawney has never forgotten the good and the bad of minor league bus rides. "Living in such close proximity to each other, if two players are quarreling, they are forced to work out their problem," says the affable Blackhawks coach. "Every time you get up to go to the bathroom the other guy is right there."

Fights among teammates during practices are among the overrated media stories. Exhibit A is the Islanders, whose Rick DiPietro and Arron Asham traded punches last week. So, in their next game, each starred beating the Flyers, 3-1, in Philly!

Asham usually saves his fisticuffs for opponents on the ice, not for teammates! (AP)

One of the unsung reasons for the Sabres' resurgence is former backliner James Patrick. Our man in Buffalo, Eric Reich opines: "The biggest unspoken difference in the Sabres from last to this season is defensive coach Patrick. He has empowered his D-men to jump into the play, looking for odd man rushes. Plus, JP has the right personnel; each of the Sabres' nimble D-men make all-important first passes with precision and immediately look up ice for offensive opportunities."

Best Advice Dep't.: Randy Carlyle warned his 2005-2006 rookies, "The 'sophomore jinx' isn't going to be accepted!"

Not that he's an ingrate – he certainly is not – but you're wasting your time telling Tom Poti he's playing well for the Islanders. "I never listen to what people say about things like that," the defenseman tells us. "I focus on my own game. But I am more comfortable and confident on the Island. It's eight years worth of experience." As for the new rules enforcement, Poti sees both sides. "Some of the restrictions make it more difficult to play defense; you can't stick-check or tie up a guy in front. But it's a lot more fun to play on the offense."

One reason why Brad Treliving's Central League does so well is its top-notch buildings. The latest to open is the magnificent Broomfield Event Center, between Denver and Boulder. It's the 6,000-seat home to the Rocky Mountain Rage.

If you're wondering why John Stevens imported a Shooter Tutor for a Flyers' practice, just check out the Philly shooting. "It's an area where we have to get better," explains the new coach. "If we can shore up our execution shooting the puck, it can add to another goal here or there." And that would be most welcome on Broad Street.

Double Congrats to Ron Wilson. 1) He just became a grandpa. 2) He agreed to do an on-air TV interview in the middle of a game; possibly a TV hockey first. We're sure that Wilson is happier about daughter Kristen Fischer's seven-pound, two-ounce Riley, born November 9th. Ducks ticket sales are up 9.6 percent.

The Predators' Greg Zanon could have been called for "clipping" on the club's Community Day during which Nashville's skaters performed assorted chores. Backliner Zanon played the role of barber, even though he admittedly had no idea what he was doing.

Just A Thought Dep't: No team hustles more than Glen Hanlon's Caps. P.S. Washington has the NHL's lowest payroll.

Garth Snow tells Newsday's Greg Logan that his Islanders will be buyers and not sellers at the trade deadline. He's already far enough under the Cap to think that way.

Speaking of the Salary Cap, we haven't heard a single player beef about the new system that the union had so vociferously fought; until Trevor Linden, Bill Guerin and Vince Damphousse wised-up the NHLPA.

What took so long to get the great late Brooks into the Hall? (AP)

Good News Dep't: Paul Holmgren is a real – and no longer "interim" – GM Homer says deals involving Simon Gagne and Peter Forsberg are not on his agenda. Among top NHL team p.r. men, add the name Merit Tully of Anaheim.

In case you're wondering how Detroit managed to win eight in a row, here's the three-part Skinny: 1) The Wings limit shots-on-goal to under-25 per game; 2) The defense – Chelios, Schneider, Lidstrom, et al – is solid; 3) Minus Yzerman-Shanahan, the scoring "by committee" plan is working very well.

Yoga is the latest fad to grip NHL stars. Patrik Elias and Jarome Iginla are among those on the Y-wagon. "The focus," says the Flames' captain, "is on flexibility, breathing and relaxation; stuff that I ordinarily don't think about. For me, it was as beneficial mentally as it was physically." Conversely, teammate Roman Hamrlik says of Yoga; it's too hard.

Do Coaches Matter Dep't.: Look at Alexei Yashin pace the Islanders. Is this a mirage? Nay. The likeable, cerebral captain has responded to Ted Nolan and – because of that – is playing his best hockey in years.

Best Wisecrack Of The Week: Advised that he was about to reach the thousand-game NHL coaching mark, Jacques Lemaire quipped, "That's why I'm so tired!"

Nothing says more about hockey's continued growth than the new Aviator sports complex at the U.S. Navy's former Floyd Bennett Field Air Base. Two new ice rinks are a feature of the 170,000 square feet of indoor space created by uniting four unused airplane hangers into one building. Madison Square Garden is a partner in the enterprise, which involves former Islanders' part owner Steve Gluckstern.

Our gal in Calgary, Debbie Elicksen tells us that Randy Carlyle, recently was "floored" by a scribe's question – "Is there enough room in the Ducks' dressing room for Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger?" Adds Elicksen: "Randy was so shocked by the question, he verbally questioned the reporter's sanity."

Sometimes we quarrel with the New York Post's Larry Brooks, but we won't dispute his caring about hockey and its history. That's why we're with him 100 percent in ripping the Hall of Fame committee's selection of Dick Duff over such deserved aces as Kevin Lowe, Butch Goring and, yes, even Bob Nevin over Duff.

Brooks is right-on observing, "The whole thing – the process, the decisions, the imperial and imperious bearing of Hall of Fame CEO Bill Hay – reeks of the odor of an old-boys network whose time has come and should be long gone." Yeah, and how many on the committee actually saw Duff play, from start to finish of his career? Good player; but great – no way!

Herb Brooks made it into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday. Our question: What took them so long?

Has anyone advised Anson Carter (14 games played, two goals, one assist, three points) that training camp is over?

The Senators are expected to follow the Leafs and Canucks, with pay-per-view telecasts on the big screen of neighborhood movie houses.

So, who gets into the Hall of Fame next year, among the eligible entrants? Mark Messier and Scott Stevens, for sure, and then there's Ron Francis, Al MacInnis and Igor Larionov, among others.

Goalie Quote Of The Week: This from Marty Turco on how the new rules affect heroes: "Now we've got all these brave new souls who never entered the Twilight Zone (crease) before. One guy gets there by accident, who hasn't been there for years, and says 'This isn't so bad!'"

That the Leafs have won without Mats Sundin tells you that; 1) John Ferguson has crafted a well balanced team; 2) His bringing experienced Paul Maurice in as head coach was brilliant; and 3) Sundin is not that essential to Toronto success, although that won't sell in T.O.

Brian Boucher is one of the best unheralded signings we've seen.