Hockey Hearsay compiles stories from around the hockey world and runs weekdays, 12 months a year.
GIRARDI: RANGERS’ PLAYERS LOVED TORTORELLA
Rangers Rants offers some thoughts from defenseman Dan Girardi on head coach John Tortorella being fired and being replaced by Alain Vigneault behind the bench. Tortorella will now guide the Vancouver Canucks, Vigneault’s former spot.
“I think it was a little bit surprising,” Girardi said of Tortorella’s axing. “In New York, there’s a lot of pressure on the coach to get the job done and I thought Torts did a great job with the guys in the room. We all loved him. That’s part of the business. Sometimes a coaching change has to happen. I think it’s a good time for us. We kind of just made a trade with Vancouver, which is pretty interesting. We’re happy to have AV here and I talked to him just briefly a couple of weeks ago. He seems like a great guy and he wants to win. I think we’re all excited to have a different feel behind the bench and get the excitement going.”
GRETZKY CHANGED MOSS FAMILY FOREVER
Included in all of the 25th anniversary coverage of the Wayne Gretzky trade is this jewel from The Edmonton Sun, which reflects on how The Great One impacted the Moss family.
And how sometimes the simplest question can receive the most powerful answer.
“Thank you very much … (for) my life.”
That’s how 49-year-old Joey Moss — who has Down Syndrome and who has been an Edmonton Oilers’ dressing room attendant for 29 years — responded when asked what he would say to Wayne Gretzky if he had the chance now.
THE TRADE: On the 25th anniversary of Wayne Gretzky’s trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the L.A. Kings, our special section takes a comprehensive look at the trade that changed a league and shook the world. Watch and read new features every day this week.
Stephen Moss, Joey’s 45-year-old brother and guardian, says Gretzky positively changed not only Joey’s life but that of the Moss family.
“He comes into our lives, this is where Wayne’s pixie dust sprinkles,” says Stephen. “Everything blossoms, we have a better life, way better, absolutely magical.”
“I have had many dreams and wishes to just have Wayne all alone, to thank him for everything he has done,” adds Stephen, his voice cracking.
He wants to tell Gretzky directly: “You made our lives better and stronger, thank you so much.”
But, he adds, “I don’t think he would want to hear that ’cause he’s just … just Wayne.”
LUNDQVIST, RANGERS STILL SEEK LONG-TERM EXTENSION
In providing the details of the New York Rangers’ two late January Yankee stadium outdoor game dates against the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders, Newsday also incorporates a few contract-related tidbits.
Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has one more year on his deal and both sides are planning a long-term extension.
“Henrik [currently in Sweden] wants to be here and we want Henrik,” assistant general manager Jeff Gorton said. “At the end of the day, it shouldn’t be too difficult to get a deal.”
Newday also notes pivot Derek Stepan, 23, is a restricted free agent without arbitration rights, and the Rangers also are restricted, with only about $3 million left under the reduced $64.3-million salary cap.
“I don’t expect it to be done tomorrow, but we fully expect that we’re going to get something done by the time we’re in camp,” Gorton said, adding that the Rangers prefer not to use the 10-percent cap overage allowed in the summer. “He’s one of our core guys . . . I expect to be talking to them in the next few days.”
ISLANDERS, MOULSON NOT TALKING CONTRACT YET
#Isles and Matt Moulson have had no talks regarding a contract extension. Moulson, entering final yr of deal, said it's not on his radar.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) August 8, 2013
Moulson on contract: "Thats what I pay my agent for. I’m going to try to help this team win games and make sure my mind’s on that." #Isles
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) August 8, 2013
KELLY SAYS BRUINS WILL LEARN FROM CUP FINALS DEFEAT
The Ottawa Citizen reflects on the fact that one minute 32-year-old Bruins forward Chris Kelly and his Boston teammates held a 2-1 lead over the Chicago Blackhawks and were looking ahead to Game 7.
The next minute — quite literally — the Blackhawks were skating around Boston’s TD Garden with the Stanley Cup.
They’ll get over it, said Kelly.
“There are two ways to go,” he said. “You can dwell on it and let it ruin you as an organization. Or you can learn from it and realize, yeah, we did a lot of good things, we have a great team here, and let’s get there again and learn from our mistakes.”
The article also recalls how the Bruins blew a 3-1 lead in the first round as the Toronto Maple Leafs rebounded with two straight wins, and then fell behind 4-1 with a little more than 10 minutes left in Game 7.
“When we made it 4-2, yeah, you’re feeling happy, and then 4-3 with 1:20 left, that’s great and you’re excited,” said Kelly. “But how many times do you ever see two goals in that short of time? The odds are pretty well stacked against you.
“But then when we tied it up — oh, my goodness.”
CANUCKS’ TEAM DOCTOR RECALLS SOUTH AFRICAN HERITAGE
Canucks’ team doctor Mike Wilkinson shares his South African childhood with The Vancouver Province.
He remembers hearing about the man who would create a new South Africa, a man who’s now 95 and near death, a man whose strength and compassion shattered evil and inspired the world.
When he was a schoolboy, Wilkinson was told that Nelson Mandela was a terrorist, an outlaw, someone who would destroy his country. Then he’d travel outside South Africa and hear what the rest of the world thought of Mandela and apartheid.
“I just hope they let him die in dignity and uphold what he stood for,” Wilkinson says in a deserted Rogers Arena. “I hope it’s not hijacked for political reasons.”
SABRES USE TWITTER TO ANNOUNCE BIG NEWS
Here’s how the Buffalo Sabres used social media Thursday to break some important news for their market.
Good morning, Twitter. We’ve got some big news coming up for you in a few minutes.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) August 8, 2013
Rick Jeanneret will call a reduced number of #Sabres games over the next three seasons. Dan Dunleavy will serve as his substitute.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) August 8, 2013
RJ will retire at the end of the 2015-16 season. He will remain with the #Sabres in an honorary capacity after he retires in 2016.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) August 8, 2013
We’re excited to have @dan_dunleavy on board. He’ll fill in for RJ over the next 3 seasons before taking over full-time in 2016-17. #sabres
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) August 8, 2013
WHAT THEY’RE TWEETING ABOUT
Does this mean what I think it means?? Is my XBOX toast? Hope not… Need some help here! pic.twitter.com/KKH6r0N8I6
— Matt Duchene (@Matt9Duchene) August 8, 2013
Good luck to my friends on the 2003 Detroit Wizards and their new teammates from CO, NJ & Moscow in the Tretiak Cup! pic.twitter.com/PzGE2fO7EL
— Pavel Datsyuk (@Datsyuk13) August 8, 2013
Great day with @NHLPA at @All_Canadians camp. My goalies are about to see 500 pucks in the next hour. #AllCanadians pic.twitter.com/Y4zP0sI7ri
— Martin Biron (@martybiron43) August 8, 2013
Been working hard this summer to be ready 4 a new season! Kinda look like this now only my hair is a little longer. pic.twitter.com/Gp3c5DeMM5
— Mats Zuccarello (@zuccarello36) August 8, 2013
Good day of golf with @bobby_allen .. @HockeyChickd12 are u jealous? pic.twitter.com/5t7fDTP5Fe
— Brandon Prust (@BrandonPrust8) August 8, 2013
Someone woke up hungry #moneyman pic.twitter.com/44fdjOltU6
— Anthony Stewart (@StuMunrue) August 8, 2013
Big congrats to @CoachGwoz on his next challenge in Tampa Bay! Reuniting with Mr Hobey himself @mattcarle25 #DUpios
— Paul Stastny (@PaulyWalnuts26) August 9, 2013
Big congrats to @CoachGwoz on the new coaching job with the Tampa Bay Lightning! #PioNation #WellDeserved
— Jason Zucker (@Jason_Zucker16) August 9, 2013
Congrats to @CoachGwoz on the new gig in Tampa, reuniting with #SenõrHobey @mattcarle25
— Chris Butler (@TheButler44) August 9, 2013
A huge congrats to @CoachGwoz on the new job. Extremely well deserved!
— Tyler Bozak (@Bozie42) August 9, 2013