HockeyWestern Conference notes

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It’s easy to forget, but at the 2009 All-Star break, the Coyotes were fifth in the West. They collapsed afterward, the second straight year they’d faltered down the stretch. There’s some real good young talent here, but it would help if Ilya Bryzgalov figures out why he couldn’t stop anything in the last 30 games.

I do feel that Wayne Gretzky is a better coach than he gets credit for. When he started, I remember one player telling me, “It’s weird ... I’m not used to seeing Wayne Gretzky look unsure.” It rattled the team.

The last two years, though, he’s done a pretty good job, especially when it comes to developing young players. He’s a lot like Pat Quinn, in that he’s a better coach than GM. Taking that power away was good for him. If the franchise wasn’t such a gong show, I think this is the year people would have noticed Gretzky’s behind-the-bench improvement.

Now, his absence is just another distraction. What’s next for these guys? Swine flu? Arena flooding? As for Gretzky’s salary, I can understand the surprise, but always say, “If someone’s willing to pay him, what’s he supposed to do? Say no?”

• Did all of the Blackhawks confusion cost them Biron? He was interested, but everything fell apart as the front office imploded. Their goaltending situation would look a lot better with Biron/Huet than Crawford or Niemi/Huet. The Hawks may really regret that one.
• Jonathan Toews said he stopped watching the Final after Game 5 because he assumed Detroit would win. Wonder how many other players did that?
• The Predators are very comfortable drafting from the USA Hockey program. That’s why they’re interested in Kessel. Right now, their highest-paid players are Jason Arnott, Martin Erat, David Legwand and Shea Weber – all at $4.5 million. Are they comfortable with another player at that salary?
• One GM’s take on Darryl Sutter’s snaring Jay Bouwmeester: “Robbery.”
• According to the same GM, the Christian Ehrhoff trade was very instructive of how things are going in the NHL. There was a lot of interest in the defenceman; a number of teams wanted him. But the two years and $6.2 million remaining on his contract caused most to back off. “It shows how hard it is to move money right now,” he said. The Canucks won out because they were willing to take Brad Lukowich, too ($1.56 million for this season), but only had to give up very marginal prospects. A few GMs were envious Mike Gillis had the cap room and willing ownership to pull that off.
• Mike Comrie made very smart opening comments upon his return to Edmonton. Fans needed to hear him say he was more mature and a different guy.
• Hope Oilers don’t regret giving Nikolai Khabibulin four years when they wouldn’t give Roloson two. Roloson is at his best when he’s got a chip on his shoulder, and he’s got one now.
• Things are going to be very different in San Jose this year. Year I for Todd McLellan was spent learning what he’s got. Word is, Year II will be about making subtle, but important, changes. For example, he wants a much more serious approach on game days. It wasn’t unusual to see some players have children on the bench during warm-ups. That’s not going to happen anymore.
• By the way, when it appeared that the Sharks would not get Dany Heatley, sources say they asked Chicago if Patrick Sharp was available. Obviously, that never happened.

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