Hockey Hearsay shines a light on stories of interest from around the hockey world and runs weekdays, year-round. <\/i><\/p>\n
NHL Line Combo Central<\/a> | Nichols on Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n MURRAY: SENATORS SHOPPING FOR FORWARD<\/b><\/p>\n The Ottawa Sun<\/a> relays the latest trade thoughts from Senators GM Bryan Murray.<\/p>\n “We had a couple of teams I was talking fairly serious to about a smaller type deal that would add one player to our team, but it doesn’t appear it’s going to happen at this point,” said Murray. “As of now, we are what we are.<\/p>\n “I’ve talked to a number of managers, I think there’s a lot of people just saying we’d like to do something, but there’s nothing on the horizon right now.”<\/p>\n Murray on team needs: “I think our defence is going to be okay, in spite of occasional games where we have turnovers. I think our defence is young, it’s big, it’s pretty mobile and it’s getting better. There’s no question a couple of our players back there are playing better. Adding Cody (Ceci) to the lineup has helped considerably.<\/p>\n “If we could find one more forward of particular type, I think that would help us.”<\/p>\n The Sun indicates the Sens are known to be interested in injured Buffalo Sabres winger Matt Moulson and are actively seeking a winger to play with Jason Spezza.<\/p>\n KULIKOV STEADFASTLY DENIES KHL RUMOURS<\/b><\/p>\n 23-year-old Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov is slated to become an RFA this summer and tells The Miami Herald<\/a> he\u2019s heard the rumours. Not only does he not want to leave the team by trade, he has no interest in returning to play in his native Russia.<\/p>\n \u201cI would like to face those people saying those things and ask them where they are getting their information,\u201d said Kulikov. \u201cWanting to go back to Russia? Those words have never come out of my mouth. I think the people starting that are just trying to create more drama for the league or whatever. … I want to help turn things around here. I want to win here. The year we made the playoffs was like the best thing ever. It\u2019s a totally different feeling. I want to feel that again.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n More Kulikov: \u201cI had a great experience in the KHL during the lockout. That was my first chance to play there. I left when I was 17. I wanted to play there and see how it is. But that experience was enough for me. I experienced it. My dream since I was a kid was playing here. I\u2019m living the dream.\u201d<\/p>\n On rumours: \u201cI try not to listen to those things because they are mostly negative. You never know who is putting them out there or why. I don\u2019t focus on them. I\u2019m just playing my game.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n MALKIN DREAMING OF SOCHI GOLD<\/b><\/p>\n With the Sochi Olympics quickly closing in, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review<\/a> profiles Russian superstar Evgeni Malkin.<\/p>\n \u201cI know it is not easy,\u201d Malkin said. \u201cBut is my dream: Same year, and Russia wins Olympics, Pittsburgh wins Stanley Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n On taking his game up a notch: \u201cI’m playing, I think, not bad. When we get to Sochi, I want to be ready, at my best. I’m not yet.\u201d<\/p>\n On the excitement level: \u201cI can’t wait. It’s Olympics. It’s Russia. It’s family and friends and maybe a little bit pressure on me. It’s soon. I’ll be ready.\u201d \u201cIt’s the way he likes it,\u201d Gonchar said. \u201cHe’s a little bit behind, and then he gets to surprise everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n Sidney Crosby on Malkin: \u201cI think he’s ready. A lot of those Russian guys, I think you can tell their games are where they are supposed to be. I think you can tell they’re pretty excited.\u201d<\/p>\n FLAMES SKIP THIRD JERSEY USE SATURDAY<\/b><\/p>\n In detailing the Flames\u2019 five-game home stand sweep, The Calgary Herald<\/a> reveals the team was permitted by Brian Burke to not wear their old school third jerseys Saturday.<\/p>\n With an 0-8 record in them, there was good reason to switch things up.<\/p>\n Coach Bob Hartley: \u201cI talked to Brian. I said, \u2018We\u2019re playing so well right now. Can we just keep going?\u2019 And Brian said, \u2018Let me check.\u2019 He got back to me and said, \u2018Yeah, I can help you that way.\u2019 Sometimes, little superstitions …\u201d<\/p>\n JACKETS MUM ON RANGERS\u2019 CALLAHAN<\/b><\/p>\n Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen, via The Columbus Dispatch<\/a>, on trade talk involving New York Rangers forward Ryan Callahan: \u201cIt\u2019s rumors,\u201d Kekalainen said Saturday. \u201cSometimes I laugh when I see rumors. Sometimes I scratch my head. I don\u2019t ever comment.\u201d<\/p>\n On the upcoming Olympic break: \u201cIt\u2019s another opportunity to move forward. We can use the three weeks to our advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n On the March 5 trade deadline: \u201cI\u2019ll give you my patented, dull answer: We\u2019re always looking to get better. I\u2019m always working the phone, always watching the games \u2014 here and on the road \u2014 and I am always looking. We\u2019re always looking to get better.\u201d<\/p>\n WILD\u2019S KOIVU EXPLAINS FINLAND\u2019S HOCKEY PRIDE<\/b><\/p>\n The Pioneer Press<\/a> points out with the Olympics just around the corner that international hockey matters to Finland.<\/p>\n “Big time,” Wild captain and proud Finn Mikko Koivu said. “It comes from the success. That’s how you create expectations. We’re proud of our country, our independence and the way we got it. It’s a long time ago but not that long. Our grandparents were there during the war. I think that has something to do with it.<\/p>\n “Our generation, our moms and dads, were raised by grandparents who went through the war. You hear the stories, you know the history. Hockey is a huge part of that.”<\/p>\n SIMMONDS A CORNERSTONE PIECE FOR FLYERS<\/b><\/p>\n The Philadelphia Inquirer<\/a> illustrates how Wayne Simmonds has evolved from a checking line forward with the Los Angeles Kings to a cornerstone power forward with the Flyers. Simmonds and Brayden Schenn were acquired for Mike Richards in 2011.<\/p>\n “We knew when we made the trade we were taking a step back to take two steps forward – and that’s what has happened,” Ed Snider, chairman of the Flyers’ parent company, Comcast-Spectacor, said after the Flyers’ 2-0 win over the Kings on Saturday. “We felt they were young and would get better and better.<\/p>\n Simmonds, on his maturity as a player: “As you get older, I think things start to slow down. You start to realize that you can do things if you take your time and don’t panic all the time. I think that’s the case for me. I’m starting to learn things I can do and things I can’t.”<\/p>\n ROY IMPRESSING BLUES\u2019 HITCHCOCK<\/b><\/p>\n
\nInsightful quotes from a variety of players, including fellow Russian Sergei Gonchar, who notes both Alexander Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk tend to be the \u201cSidney Crosby of Russia\u201d in media terms.<\/p>\n