NHL Line Combo Central
Hockey Hearsay compiles stories from around the hockey world and runs weekdays, 12 months a year.
PREDATORS’ JONES WELCOMES DIVERSITY ROLE
The Washington Post supposes Seth Jones became not only the highest-drafted African-American player in NHL history as the fourth overall pick in June, but also the new face of diversity in the NHL.
“Anything I can do to help the sport of hockey grow,” Seth Jones, whose mother is white and father is black (Popeye Jones, now an assistant coach with the NBA’s Indiana Pacers), said. “Whether it’s with white people or black people, it doesn’t matter. I’m happy to do it.”
In recent trips home, Capitals winger Joel Ward, a Toronto native, noticed an abundance of kids from all backgrounds taking up the game he loves, and he thinks Jones will be able to serve as a positive role model.
“It’s good that younger kids can see we’re not just here trying to make it, but actually are impact players. For [Jones] to go as high as he did in the draft, I think that sets the bar higher,” Ward said. “With his background, he’s a great example of more and more kids getting involved. It’s a very special time.”
Predators coach Barry Trotz: “We’re so impressed with how grounded of a player he is. With all the hype and expectations and all that, he’s handled it all terrifically. From our standpoint, he looks like he’s a veteran in the league. He looks as close to the real deal as you’re going to find.”
KESLER WANTS BETTER SKATE PROTECTION
The Vancouver Province describes how Canucks forward Ryan Kesler wonders now why there’s not better skate technology to guard against the potential of injury while blocking shots. It’s become an ongoing balance between lighter boots and better protection.
“You’d think skate companies would figure it out,” said Kesler. “There you go, a million-dollar idea, a skate that has technology in it. I don’t know enough about skates. You want the lightness, but there has to be something out there with all the technology. They (companies) do a lot behind the scenes, but I don’t know what they do.”
SELANNE MENTORS WILD’S GRANLUND
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune has some telling quotes from Anaheim Ducks legend Teemu Selanne on Wild youngster Mikael Granlund. The two train together in Helsinki during the offseason.
“I know for a fact the way the year went last year, he was so disappointed and, I don’t want to say angry, but disappointed with himself,” said Selanne. “His body language and mindset was, ‘I’m going to go back home, I’m going to train and do everything that it takes to reach the level that I can have success in this league.’
“He’s hungry. Everything, all the approach he had in the summertime, the practice work, his attitude there, it’s been fun to watch. I’m expecting him to break through this year as long as he gets a fair and good opportunity. You have no idea this kid’s character. He wants nothing more than to succeed and show Minnesota fans he’s a great player.”
On the importance of confidence: “I told Granny, and I always say to guys with that kind of talent who have all the tools, the biggest thing they need is confidence. And you have to find it somewhere, somehow, especially when you have disappointment after things don’t go as easy right away as maybe they did in the past. I don’t care who you are, if you don’t have confidence, you can’t be great. I told Granny he’s got find that confidence, or nothing he does off the ice will matter.”
SEGUIN, BENN BUILDING CHEMISTRY IN DALLAS
The Dallas Morning News indicates Stars center Tyler Seguin said he has seen progress on the ice with new teammate and linemate Jamie Benn, but knows that the challenge is difficult.
“It won’t happen overnight,” Seguin said. “We have to play a lot of games and get used to each other and just learn where the other wants to go or where they want the puck. That just takes time.”
In terms of chemistry, it is trial and error, but there is much to like in terms of potential. The two hang out together off the ice, and Stars coach Lindy Ruff said they are just starting to build a strong relationship.
“They like playing together,” Ruff said. “There’s great communication. I think, first and foremost, that’s the biggest hurdle. On the ice, they’re looking for each other a lot of the time.”
ERIKSSON LEARNING BRUINS’ SYSTEM
The Boston Herald relays that as far as the Bruins’ system, new winger Loui Eriksson says it’s a bit different from what he was accustomed to in Dallas, but he is getting used to it.
“It’s not any big adjustments, just small things that I need to learn,” he said. “I think the more games you play, you get more into it.
“Sometimes I’m trying to play like I did in Dallas a little bit. I’m trying to learn to stay more on my side (of the ice). I have a tendency to go more on the other side. But that’s a pretty easy thing to fix.”
O’REILLY ADJUSTS TO WING LIFE FOR AVALANCHE
The Denver Post observes that through the exhibition season and the Avalanche’s 2-0 start, center Ryan O’Reilly has remained at wing, and he has a goal and an assist.
“I’m lucky to be playing with those guys,” O’Reilly said of linemates Matt Duchene and Steve Downie. “Sometimes, I think about the game in a centerman’s way, and I’m still learning. This requires me to be more physical now. I have to forecheck and be more aggressive. Playing center, I could sit back more, read the play and support more.
“It helps generate more offense for me. ‘Dutchie’ is so dangerous with the puck. It opens up a lot of room for me, and I have to find those areas and get open for him and put the puck in the net.”
CULLEN, PREDATORS MESH WELL TOGETHER
The Nashville Tennessean believes Matt Cullen has fit in so well and so quickly with the Predators that it’s difficult to tell the difference when coach Barry Trotz is talking about the player and when he’s talking about the team.
Basically, the 36-year-old center has done a good job of getting himself into position to score a couple goals, but the puck hasn’t cooperated.
“We like Cully because he’s a very sharp player in terms of being crafty,” Trotz said. “I like his professionalism, I like his pace that he plays the game at. When I say that he has a very crafty-type game I mean that he can look guys off pucks, he can roll off people, he can make plays in traffic.”
SLOW START FOR CANES’ BIG LINE
The Raleigh News & Observer notes in an interesting twist, it’s the Canes’ top line, so consistently good last season, that’s off to a slow start with no points in two games. It’s as if Eric Staal’s line, with Alexander Semin and Jiri Tlusty, has yet to mesh while the other three lines have formed a quick chemistry.
Head coach Kirk Muller said some of the top line’s problems were expected. Staal had a serious knee injury in May that required extensive offseason rehab. Semin and Tlusty missed time in training camp with injuries, and Semin returned to practice just before the opener.
“The important thing is the big picture,” Muller said. “Because of missing a lot of time they’re not up to par right now, timing wise, conditioning wise. But we look at the positive side. We have nice depth right now on the other lines.
“If those lines are going we can take some minutes off of those (top-line) guys … certain nights when it’s not their best night performing.”
THEY TWEETED IT
@Smit_Treat15 @MarcMethot3 @ErikKarlsson65 I was gonna wear the same shirt… #Mexico pic.twitter.com/wP7WcLG98T
— Bobby Ryan (@b_ryan9) October 7, 2013
Take off…1…..2……3 and we're gone! pic.twitter.com/8oWEzLSR51
— Erik Karlsson (@ErikKarlsson65) October 7, 2013
Nerd alert… Xbox on the plane… Eh @CraigAnderson41 pic.twitter.com/a8ZiEiPX6B
— Marc Methot (@MarcMethot3) October 7, 2013
Take off. 3..2..cool selfie Karl pic.twitter.com/P1myEXy10r
— Bobby Ryan (@b_ryan9) October 7, 2013
BREAKING: Taking plane selfies may get you heckled on Twitter by the #Sens.
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 7, 2013
Puck, our Frenchie got a #Sabres jersey today. Who else thinks that he looks like @robray32 ? #notiedown pic.twitter.com/GSQa7Ru6ug
— Ryan Miller (@RyanMiller3039) October 7, 2013
Unbelievable seats and atmosphere at the pirates game!!l pic.twitter.com/82FjMiWzUF
— riley nash (@rileynash20) October 7, 2013
Happy birthday to my big sister Tara. Hope you have a great day! #sweetdress #cuties pic.twitter.com/3aIduj9NE4
— Ryan O'Reilly (@Ryan_OReilly90) October 7, 2013
He enjoys golfing, salsa dancing, and poetry @Realkevinklein8, Nashville's 25 most beautiful peeps, ha! pic.twitter.com/Erw2fmMeTM
— Eric Nystrom (@enystrom23) October 8, 2013