Richards, Toews a tough choice for Team Canada
It's getting to be crunch time for those players hoping to make the Olympic team for their respective countries.
Team USA general manager Brian Burke said Monday he would meet with his staff next week in California during the NHL Board of Governors meetings at Pebble Beach to select the American squad for the Winter Games that start Feb. 16 in Vancouver.
"At that point, we hope to be down to between two and three decisions as far as our roster, if we have any at all," Burke said Monday during a conference call with reporters. "The ideal world will be after we meet in Pebble Beach, we've got our team picked. And we go to Fenway Park and announce it (Jan. 1 at the Winter Classic)."
Canada GM Steve Yzerman and his people appear to have the biggest decisions to make.
Two of Yzerman's toughest decisions figure to come at center and defense.
A lot of "experts" on both sides of the border don't see Hawks center Jonathan Toews making the 23-man roster, which is difficult to believe.
Many see Canada's four centers as Sidney Crosby, Joe Thornton, Ryan Getzlaf and Mike Richards. While Crosby, Thornton and Getzlaf are no-brainers, is Richards a better player than Toews?
Richards had 22 points in 27 games and was plus-4 going into Tuesday's schedule while Toews has 17 points in 22 games and is plus-12.
The Flyers are a disappointing 13-13-1 while the Hawks are 18-7-3.
Both Richards and Toews are team captains.
Richards, however, spent most of the weekend attempting to diffuse reports of a rift between himself and teammate Chris Pronger, a story that emerged when coach John Stevens was fired.
"That couldn't be further from the truth," Richards told the Philadelphia Daily News. "I have a good relationship with every player on this team. Chris Pronger and I get along really well. We grew up in the same area.
"I want to clarify that there is no tension between me and Chris. There is no division on this team."
It could help either Toews or Richards if Yzerman decides to keep an additional forward instead of two extra defensemen.
Toews also might benefit in the decision process from the fact Detroit's Mike Babcock is Canada's coach, and Babcock is a big fan.
The great Brodeur
Ho-hum, so New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur has tied another record.
Not so fast.
It's easy to take Brodeur for granted after all these years, but tying Terry Sawchuk's NHL record with his 103rd shutout on Monday is significant, to say the least, when considering the active goalie with the next most shutouts is Detroit's Chris Osgood at 50.
"It's a big number," Brodeur said. "When I look back at all the numbers of other goalies, it's mind-boggling a little bit."
Good news
The Maple Leafs expect goalie Jonas Gustavsson to return sooner than later after he needed a second ablation procedure for a rapid heart beat. Gustavsson was pulled from a game in Montreal last week after his heart was found to be beating 180 times a minute.
"Hopefully it's gone now," Gustavsson told the Toronto Sun.
Around the rinks
• The Blue Jackets are in the midst of a 1-5-3 tailspin, but GM Scott Howson insists coach Ken Hitchcock's job is not in jeopardy.
"Hitch is safe," Howson told the Columbus Dispatch. "To suggest otherwise is just ludicrous. It has not even entered anyone's mind. It's not something we'd even consider."
Columbus has allowed 105 goals, which was last in the NHL coming out of the weekend.
• The Ducks thought they were headed for a turnaround after they beat the Hawks 3-0 on Nov. 27. But they proceeded to lose their next five games, frustrating GM Bob Murray.
"I still think there's a good hockey team in there," Murray told the Orange County Register. "It's up to them if they want to turn it around."
If the Ducks continue to struggle into the new year, the better the chances become of defenseman Scott Niedermayer getting traded.
• Who are the best referees in the NHL? That's always debatable, but these seven have been named to work the Winter Olympics in Vancouver: Bill McCreary, Paul Devorski, Marc Joannette, Dennis LaRue, Dan O'Halloran, Chris Rooney and Brad Watson.
The list
Is the Blackhawks' Antti Niemi the best backup goalie in the NHL? His numbers say he is right there with the best. Here are five true backups who are delivering the points.
1. Tuukka Rask, Boston
He is 8-2-2 with a 1.97 goals-against average and .932 save percentage playing behind Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas.
2. Antti Niemi, Blackhawks
With a 5-1-1 record, 1.71 goals-against average and .931 save percentage, coach Joel Quenneville has said he will consider playing him more.
3. Johan Hedberg, Atlanta
The veteran is 7-2-0 with a .932 save percentage playing behind Ondrej Pavelec.
4. Ty Conklin, St. Louis
The always-dependable veteran is 4-2-1 with a .929 save percentage.
5. Jimmy Howard, Detroit
Chris Osgood still is the Red Wings' No. 1, but Howard (8-5-1) is getting more and more playing time.
Ex-Hawk of the week
While Adrian Aucoin's career with the Blackhawks was pretty much a disaster, he is a key player for the surprising 18-11-1 Phoenix Coyotes. Aucoin is playing almost 24 minutes a night for coach Dave Tippett and has 16 points.
Blackhawks game day
New York Rangers at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WGN 720-AM
What to watch: After a hot start, the Rangers have become ordinary. Marian Gaborik has 21 goals, but the power play is 5 for its last 38. Center Brandon Dubinsky (hand) is out, but defenseman Wade Redden (shoulder) could return after missing five games.
Last season: The Rangers beat the Hawks twice in two meetings.
Next: Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena, 6:30 p.m. Friday.