Buffalo Sabres Ryan Callahan takes ice in Sochi

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1 SPORT-SCAN Buffalo Sabres Ryan Callahan takes ice in Sochi Chicago Blackhawks Blackhawks hit ground running in Russia Toews knows pressure Team Russia faces to win gold at home Patrick Kane has what it takes to be top U.S. star in Sochi Intense and serious: Jonathan Toews a true captain for Hawks Stan Mikita receives Lifetime Achievement Award Patrick Sharp honored as Blackhawk of the Year How will Blackhawks respond after Olympics? Colorado Avalanche Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog given the A for Sweden, practicing on top line Avalanche's Gabe Landeskog named alternate captain for Swedish team Avs' Semyon Varlamov might earn start in goal for Russian team Dallas Stars Kari Lehtonen named NHL's second star of the week Stars expect a charge down stretch from their Olympic contingent Detroit Red Wings Pavel Datsyuk doesn't practice, but Russians hope he can play right away in Sochi Some Red Wings will use chill time of Olympic break to escape cold Sochi Olympics: Detroit Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk says he'll play in Russia's opener Red Wings, local players in Sochi Olympics men's hockey tournament Sochi Olympics: Henrik Zetterberg leads Red Wing-laden Team Sweden in hopes of reclaiming gold Detroit Red Wings' Swedes sharing room at Sochi Olympics Red Wings' Stephen Weiss looks forward to skating with Whalers during break, eyes Feb. 26 return Detroit Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg: 'Our playoffs start after the Olympic break' Red Wings know it'll be playoff type hockey after returning from break Los Angeles Kings Injury to keep U.S. hockey team's GM away from Sochi Olympics Deslauriers athleticism, strength ease transition Minnesota Wild Team USA's Poile won't travel to Russia All-Minnesota line among Team USA's weapons Montreal Canadiens Habs Subban paired with Hamhuis at first Team Canada practice Nashville Predators Predators GM David Poile returns to Nashville after surgeries Nashville Predators players Shea Weber, Roman Josi begin Olympic play NHL 2/11/2014 DAILY BRIEF New Jersey Devils Holtby Makes 25 Saves, Capitals Beat Devils During Olympics, Minor League Teams Gladly Borrow Vacated N.H.L. Ice Devils fans want new coach? Players rave about Pete DeBoer, system Sochi Olympics 2014: Ilya Kovalchuk, a traitor in New Jersey, is beloved in Russia NHL: Forwards in their 40s are few and far between NHL: Ageless wonders Ageless Devils star Jaromir Jagr sticking to it New York Islanders What's behind the jersey number of hockey players? New York Rangers Guest blogger: CALlahan (Carl Legg) The Road Toward Contention Ottawa Senators Anderson could return from break with baby boy... MacArthur shaves the grey and heads to Florida for some sun Philadelphia Flyers Flyers using Olympic break to get away Flyers dispose Flames for 4th straight victory Meszaros solid in final game before Olympics Ray Emery razor sharp for Flyers in rare start Instant Replay: Flyers 2, Flames Flyers-Flames: 5 things you need to know Shawn Tilger to head Flyers' business operations Return to Philly was 'special' for ex-flyer Talbot Flyers took control in 2nd period to down Avs Ed Snider: 'There's no benefit' to Olympic break Flyers Notes: Mason battles through cramps Phoenix Coyotes Phoenix Coyotes GM preaches consistency during playoff push Pittsburgh Penguins Sochi hockey notebook: Most Penguins foggy after long flight Crosby arrives as Captain Canada Kovacevic: Malkin, Russians 'must win' Shero elevated to Team USA general manager Evgeni Malkin uncomfortable as face of Sochi Olympics Penguins teammates join forces for Finland in Sochi Olympics San Jose Sharks Pavelski joins sniper-filled line for Team USA St Louis Blues Rival coaches in the NHL, Babcock and Hitchcock can co-exist at Olympic level Blues' Shattenkirk can't wait to play for Team USA at the Olympics

2 Tampa Bay Lightning Lightning staff members part of Team USA in Sochi season-ticket prices going up an average 5 percent, though some seats cheaper Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leafs Kessel, van Riemsdyk roommates as well as linemates Vancouver Canucks Canucks need rest, recovery during Olympic break Washington Capitals John Carlson, teammates can finally focus on trying to win Olympic gold Alex Ovechkin gets to work in Sochi with relaxed attitude Ovechkin arrives in Russia to lead hockey hopes Websites ESPN / Max Pacioretty embracing Olympic moment ESPN / Max Pacioretty practices with U.S ESPN / A new way of thinking ESPN / Power Rankings: Blues at the break ESPN / Canada must solve chemistry puzzle FOXSports.com / Three things to know about Ducks during the Olympic break FOXSports.com / Three things to know about Kings during the Olympic break CNN/Sports Illustrated / Jeff Carter earns coveted role alongside Sidney Crosby for Team Canada CNN/Sports Illustrated / Toronto Mayor Rob Ford on how Team Canada can win Olympic hockey gold CNN/Sports Illustrated / Top Line: Pavel Datsyuk to play at Sochi; Ovechkin s crazy skates; more links Winnipeg Jets Jets Wheeler already loving Sochi SPORT-SCAN, INC

3 Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk posed for a picture with the Russian national team this afternoon, then disappeared from the ice. It was not a surprising occurrence, given that Datsyuk has battled a lowerbody injury for six weeks, limiting him to three games for the Wings in He arrived in Sochi for the Winter Olympics earlier in the day and was excused from the afternoon practice at Bolshoy Ice Dome in order to rest. Asked whether Datsyuk will play Thursday, when Russia opens preliminary play with a game against Group A opponent Slovenia, Russia coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov said, "I hope so." Datsyuk did not talk to the media. Teammate Viktor Tikhonov seemed unconcerned, saying Datsyuk "was walking around fine, so I'm pretty sure he's going to be all right to go. The Wings today announced that, before the NHL s Olympic break, they assigned forwards Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) and recalled forward Mikael Samuelsson. Nashville Predators David Poile often described his general manager duties for Team USA in the 2014 Olympic men s hockey tournament as the opportunity of a lifetime. For the 63-year-old Poile it truly was, since rarely does USA Hockey allow general managers from previous Olympics to take the same role twice. Unfortunately for the Predators GM, he will miss the tournament. Injuries sustained when he was hit in the face by a puck last Thursday during Nashville s morning skate at Minnesota have prevented him from traveling to Russia, USA Hockey announced on Monday. Philadelphia Flyers Shawn Tilger, the marketing guru of the Flyers, moved a critical notch up Comcast s corporate ladder on Thursday. He s now chief operating officer of business operations of the Flyers. Tilger will continue to serve as senior vice president of the club. His job now entails some of the duties that Peter Luukko oversaw during his tenure as Flyers president, including serving as an alternate to the NHL s Board of Governors. Tilger said he will be responsible for the business operations of the Flyers, but won t have authority over the Flyers' player payroll, salary cap, etc. in hockey operations. I m grateful to Mr. [Ed] Snider for giving me this opportunity and having confidence in me, Tilger said. And Dave Scott, in the short time he s been here has given me some great insight on some things. Scott is president of Comcast-Spectacor. Pittsburgh Penguins David Poile, who spent the last half-year putting together the United States men's Olympic hockey team as general manager, will not be joining the team for the Sochi Winter Games because of injuries sustained when a puck hit him in the face last week at a practice in St. Paul, Minn. Team USA announced Monday night that Penguins general manager Ray Shero, who had been an associate general manager, will take the place of Poile, the general manager of the Nashville Predators. Like every other day of the past five years, Shero will now get to work directly with Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, who is the head coach of Team USA. The United States begins group play on Thursday against Slovakia SPORT-SCAN NHL REPORT FOR END FOR YOUR EYES ONLY SPORT-SCAN, INC. OPERATIONS@SPORT-SCAN.COM Page1

4 Buffalo Sabres Ryan Callahan takes ice in Sochi Feb. 10, 2014 Kevin Oklobzija SOCHI, RUSSIA From the moment coach Dan Byslma blew his whistle for the first time, the practice was brisk for Team USA. For a good 60 minutes there was almost always constant movement in one zone or the other at Bolshoy Ice Dome. Their charter flight from Newark, N.J., to Adler Airport completed maybe 10 hours earlier, the Americans got their first look at the Olympic setting on Monday night. At least they think it was Monday. I don t think I ve adjusted (to the day), said right winger Ryan Callahan, the Greece native who is captain of the New York Rangers. It was a long flight, a long day. It was good to get out here and get a sweat in. The Americans are hoping that by the time the puck drops on Thursday (7:30 a.m. EST) for their Olympic tournament opener against Slovakia, they ll be acclimated. I think everyone s going through the same thing, Chicago Blackhawks right winger Patrick Kane said, referring to other teams that are comprised mostly of NHL players. The Americans won a silver medal in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, losting in overtime to Canada. The memory still stings. It s also a reminder of how difficult it was to get to the gold-medal game. We can t rely on what we did in the last tournament, Callahan said. It will be tougher to get back there and even tougher to win it. Especially since the Sochi Olympics are being played on the European ice surface, which is 15 feet wider. European teams have an advantage, at least early in the tournament, because they are accustomed to the nuances and style. It changes the style of play, it changes everything about the game, Callahan said. But as long as you re improving every game, then you should be OK. They should also be better once the get one or two nights of real sleep in Russia. Democrat and Chronicle LOADED:

5 Chicago Blackhawks Blackhawks hit ground running in Russia By Chris Kuc, Tribune Olympic Bureau 6:32 PM CST, February 10, 2014 SOCHI, Russia -- Patrick Sharp s journey across the ocean to Russia where he ll represent Team Canada in the Winter Games has gone off without a hitch for the most part. The only negative I can say is that I m rooming with (Jonathan) Toews for the next two weeks, the Blackhawks winger said with a smile after arriving in Sochi on Monday and then practicing at the Bolshoy Ice Dome. One-on-one with him is going to be tough for (14) days. Sharp and Toews are already used to being in close proximity on the ice as Hawks linemates. On Monday, Rick Nash joined them during Canada s practice. It s all about chemistry and the need to develop it quickly among the 25-man rosters as the 12-team men s hockey tournament begins Wednesday and kicks into full gear Thursday. For most teams including Team Canada and Team USA that amounts to three days of practices and meetings before taking the ice. It s all part of the tournament, said Sharp, who is participating in his first Olympics. Everyone on our team has been in World Championships, World Juniors or previous Olympics. Things start fast so you have to find a way to come together as a team.... I think the idea is to get better as the tournament goes on but seeing familiar faces like Jonathan out there is going to help. Patrick Kane found himself skating Monday with Ryan Kesler as the Hawks winger did in the 2010 Games when the Americans captured a silver medal. We have three practices. That's a lot of time to get yourself ready, Kane said. We ll have a lot of meetings and be as ready as possible. It s like any other team, Kane added. You don t really know how that first game is going to go, even if it s the beginning of the season with your own team. There s not a lot of time but I think a lot of us have played with each other in the past, whether it s been the Olympics or even times before that. We should be somewhat familiar with each other. The need to jell quickly is no small issue and certainly not lost on the players. It s huge, Hawks and Team Canada defenseman Duncan Keith said. It s a quick start to the tournament. Guys aren t playing together all year and all of a sudden you re thrown on a line or pairings with guys you re not used to playing with. It s important to talk a lot and communicate. Canada returns 11 players from the group that defeated the U.S. (12 returnees) to win gold in Vancouver and that should prove to be a big benefit this time around, according to alternate captain Toews. Guys know each other really well, he said. Maybe last time around, we were on the quiet side as a team (but) I d say it s very much different this time. We re ready to be together as a team. There are no real groups on our team, guys are all hanging out together (and) chatting with each other. It s just about finding the right combinations as a team as lines and going out there and making sure we re ready to go on Thursday (against Norway). Chicago Tribune LOADED:

6 Chicago Blackhawks Toews knows pressure Team Russia faces to win gold at home BY MARK LAZERUS Last Modified: Feb 10, :58PM SOCHI, Russia Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews lay in bed in Vancouver on the night of Feb. 27, 2010, and tried to put it all out of his mind, tried to relax, tried to sleep. But how could he? At high noon the next day, Toews faced the biggest game of his career hell, the biggest game of anyone s career. It was the biggest hockey game in the history of his country, as nearly any Canadian will tell you without equivocation. The unflappable embodiment of cool? The unshakable picture of poise? Not on this night. It was all in Toews head: the expectation no, the demand to win the Olympic gold medal on his home soil, the pressure to not let his entire nation down. Even the delirious noise from a buzzing downtown Vancouver permeated his walls and his psyche. The first day in Vancouver? Tough. I remember the first practice, pucks were flying off my stick, Toews said. I was nervous. The last night in Vancouver? Unbearable. That last night was a long one, Toews said. It all worked out in the end, of course. Canada beat the United States 3-2 on Penguins star Sidney Crosby s golden goal in overtime. The joy and the relief was palpable across the Great White North. The pressure was more than anything anyone on the Canadian team had faced or will face again. And now it s Russia s turn. Nearly 150 NHL players arrived Monday in Sochi to relatively little fanfare. Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky didn t know what to expect. It wasn t much. The greeting wasn t anything special, he said. Just the usual, Hi, how are you doing? Just wait. There s no bigger gold medal to host Russia than this one. What would hockey gold mean after Vladimir Putin put so much effort and money into hosting the Winter Games? Means gold only costs $50 billion, probably, Capitals star Alex Ovechkin joked. The atmosphere at the 12,000-seat Bolshoy Ice Dome is expected to be unlike anything most of these players have witnessed. The Russia-United States game Saturday has been circled by both sides for months. The crowd will be off the charts, in U.S. coach Dan Bylsma s words, rabidly chanting Shaybu! Shaybu! the Russian demand for a goal. And they ll be demanding a lot of them. Enough to beat the stacked Canadians, the surging Americans, the superb Swedes. Considering nine of Russia s 25 players play in the Kontinental Hockey League, the Russians are hardly the favorites. And captain Pavel Datsyuk has a balky left knee that kept him out of practice Monday (he s still expected to play). It doesn t matter. It s gold or bust. Russia hasn t won a gold medal in hockey [since the unified team won in 1992], said former NHL star Ilya Kovalchuk, now in the KHL. You can see how much our president and all of those guys have put in to host the Olympics, and they are very proud of it. The expectations can overwhelm, but they also can inspire. Of course, you feel the pressure, Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov said. But you re also going to feel the support from all Russian people. That ll have to help us. Most of the Russian players said variations on the same theme: They feel the pressure, they know it s there, but they re not dwelling on it. Of course, that s easy to say in an empty rink two days before the tournament starts. As Toews and the rest of Team Canada found out four years ago, it s quite another thing once the puck drops, the flags wave and the fans roar. The pressure s pretty big, but, as athletes, it s something we ve been handling our whole careers, said Viktor Tikhonov, grandson of the legendary coach of the former Soviet Union. Didn t really mess up Canada the last Olympics, so hopefully we re going to have the same success this time. Chicago Sun Times LOADED:

7 Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane has what it takes to be top U.S. star in Sochi BY RICK MORRISSEY Last Modified: Feb 10, :16PM Cups. He s got a lot of experience. I ve been able to see what he s able to do up close. I love when Toews finds a way to take a playful shot at Kane. But who knows? maybe Kane will be the one crowing about his gold medal this time. And his unofficial title as the American Idol of the Sochi Games. Chicago Sun Times LOADED: SOCHI, Russia For the United States, these are the Patrick Kane Winter Olympics. That might be a bit frightening to those of you who still think of Kane as the immature, bare-chested party monster who never would say no to a night out. Times change, and people change. Or maybe some people don t change, but they just get smarter about their nocturnal habits. Whatever the case, there s no doubt Kane deserves to be the face of the Sochi Games for the United States. He s that good and that exciting as an athlete. He s bigger than Shaun White, Bode Miller and Shani Davis, for the simple reason that he s one of the biggest stars in a sport that happens to matter more than once every four years. Then again, he ll be America s favorite only until a U.S. female figure skater wins a gold medal, in which case the country will dump the Blackhawks star like one of the stuffed animals tossed at Gracie Gold s feet. But Kane is so unique in his skills, so electric with the puck, that eyes can t help but follow him. NBC, always on the lookout for a hero, will be looking at him intently, quite possibly to the point of distraction. He always has done well in these moments. He helped lead the United States to a silver medal in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Several months later, he scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in overtime for the Hawks. He put on another championship ring last season. Now comes Sochi. I think you always want to prove yourself as a big-time player in big games, he said Monday. Another thing is just to try to prove yourself at these highest levels of hockey. These are great opportunities opportunities that don t come along often, if at all. When it comes to hockey and flair, Kane is all American. If he were Canadian, you get the distinct feeling he d be a little too flashy for the taste of our neighbors to the north. They like their idols to have a determined look to them, the way Hawks captain Jonathan Toews does the way Toews probably does when he s eating cotton candy, blowing soap bubbles or power-sleeping. Kane still has an impish look on his face, as though he knows he just got away with something. But there will be weight on his 25-year-old shoulders. I think there s even more pressure on him this time around for that team, considering they made it to final game last time, Toews said. They re going to be a tough team to beat, and he s going to be right in the middle of it. Kane isn t a tough guy. He knows how to avoid a hit better than most players in the NHL. But he is as feared as anyone because he can make a defender look absolutely silly. It s why defenders give him so much space when he has the puck: They don t know what he s going to do with it. They won t in Sochi, either. He should be helped by the bigger Olympic surface and an international game that puts a premium on puck movement. If you had the pleasure of watching the gold-medal game between the United States and Canada in the 2010 Games, then you know what drama combined with hockey excellence looks like. The United States tied the score on a goal by Zach Parise with 24.5 seconds left in regulation. Canada won 3-2 in overtime on a goal by Sidney Crosby. Kane didn t watch a tape of that game until recently. At the time, you don t realize how big of a game it was and how many people were watching, how much coverage there was, how big it was for the game of hockey in general, he said. In that sense, I was happy to be a part of it, but it still stings. He was good as a 21-year-old on the 2010 Olympic team. He has the ability to go on a tear in this Olympics. Toews knows it. He goes about his business the same way, no matter what, he said. He s played in an Olympic final before, silver medalist. He s won two [Stanley]

8 Chicago Blackhawks Intense and serious: Jonathan Toews a true captain for Hawks February 10, 2014, 8:15 am Staff report This is the second in a four-part series as Blackhawks Insider Tracey Myers explores what it means to wear the 'C' in the NHL. Take a look behind the scenes with unique perspective from players, coaches, historians and much more. Brenden Morrow tried to find the right word to describe Jonathan Toews, his fellow gold medal-winning Team Canada teammate from the 2010 Winter Olympics. He s just very intense, said Morrow, former Dallas Stars captain who s currently playing for the St. Louis Blues. He s just very intense and serious when it comes to performing. There s that word again: serious. I was trying to think of a different word to label him with, Morrow said with a grin. But it s not serious in a not-ever-having-fun sense. There are so many types of things you have to do, and your mind has to be in a certain frame to perform, and he gets in there. Toews has worn the C for the Blackhawks since he was 20. Now 25, he s earned respect around the league for his heart and dedication to the game. And wearing that C, and all the responsibilities and pressures that come with it, means a lot to him. For sure, Toews said. I m surrounded by a great team and a great group of guys. Being the captain, having the C on your sweater, there s a lot of responsibility. You get a lot of credit when the team s doing well. When the team s not doing so well, you have to be willing to accept that responsibility, your fair share of the game when you don t win games. Toews has exuded a wise-beyond-his-years personality for some time, be it in front of the media or his teammates. And his fellow players say he s grown into the captaincy well. Just from that first year to the year we won he was just a lot more comfortable with his role and his teammates and just being himself, said former teammate Andrew Ladd, a captain himself with the Winnipeg Jets. When you first get the captaincy, you put a lot of pressure on yourself to try to do everything. After a while, you learn to be yourself, worry about yourself, and everyone will follow. When the Blackhawks were on the verge of winning their second Stanley Cup in the past four seasons in June, Toews went to the most veteran players on the team, telling them they d be among the first to hoist the Cup. Jamal Mayers, who got the Cup third after the Blackhawks victory in Game 6, said Toews just has a pulse on things like that. He has that encompassing perspective of the whole picture, Mayers said. Usually it takes you until your 30s to get that. That doesn t mean guys aren t team guys; but most guys in their 20s are more concerned with themselves and their own game. But he has an uncanny ability, even over the last two years, to see the whole picture. That s very rare and to me, that s what separates him: he knows the value of every piece of that team and has a pulse on everything. Coach Joel Quenneville said Toews has adapted into the role well. Every year, I think he s more aware, he said. There s an education process that goes on, growing up as a young man. But when we came in here six years ago, we said, Don t change anything, just play hockey and all that other stuff will follow. That s the best way to go about his business. Shane Doan, captain of the Phoenix Coyotes, has loved Toews competitiveness since he met him, when Toews was a teenager. He gets me into more trouble. And at the same time it s the thing I enjoy the most is his being competitive, Doan said. I know when you play him he s going to be combative, he ll do what he can to win. As a captain, you want that from a guy: willing to do whatever it takes to make sure his team wins, and he does that. His approach to the game is so great. He s one of the most guys I admire for the way he approaches it, he plays and his determination and will to win. Toews still has many years left in his career and his captaincy. He already has one Selke Trophy and two Stanley Cups, and the potential to win more hardware, individual or team, is there. Intense and serious: they re synonymous with Toews approach in hockey and with the captaincy. I m just trying to be myself and grow as a player and captain every single day, he said. I don t take it less serious now than the first time I wore the C. It s something I m proud about and try to do the right way. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED:

9 Chicago Blackhawks Stan Mikita receives Lifetime Achievement Award February 10, 2014, 4:00 pm CSN Staff Stan Mikita was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at Monday's CSN Sports Awards, honoring the career of one of the best Blackhawks of all-time and one of the best forwards to ever lace up the skates. Both he and his daughter, Jane, accepted the award, with Jane speaking on behalf of the NHL Hall-of-Famer. Specifically, Jane and Stan thanked the Blackhawks for welcoming back Mikita in "Stan used to walk anonymously into the United Center and catch a couple periods of a game and then go on his merry way," Jane said. "The decision to invite Stan back in 2008 was an honor and privilege for him to represent the best organization in the world." Mikita also thanked the Blackhawks fans, who stood beside him during his highest highs and were able to celebrate his accomplishments, both individually and for the Blackhawks. "I, Stan, would like to thank the best fans in the world," Jane said on behalf of her father. "Chicago has been my home since I entered the league. He married a Chicago girl and together raised their children in this city. My wins are your wins, and you were there with me every step of the way. And your support never went unnoticed." Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED:

10 Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Sharp honored as Blackhawk of the Year February 10, 2014, 10:00 pm CSN Staff Patrick Sharp was one of the biggest reasons the Blackhawks were able to capture the Stanley Cup last season after posting 16 points (10 goals and 6 assists) in the team's championship run. On Monday, he added to his trophy collection when he won Blackhawk of the Year at the CSN Sports Awards. Sharp is currently in Sochi representing Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics but was still able to send in an acceptance video. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED:

11 Chicago Blackhawks How will Blackhawks respond after Olympics? February 10, 2014, 7:00 pm CSN Staff The Blackhawks didn't enter the Olympic break on the best note after they got shutout on the road against the Phoenix Coyotes. It was the first time they've been held scoreless in almost two years. So with 10 players heading to Sochi to represent their respective countries in the Olympic games, how will this break help the defending Stanley Cup champions? Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED:

12 Colorado Avalanche Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog given the A for Sweden, practicing on top line By Mike Chambers The youngest captain in NHL history is taking a big-time role with Sweden s Olympic team in Sochi. Colorado Avalanche s Gabe Landeskog, 21, was named alternate captain for Sweden after an injury to Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks. Landeskog is also currently practicing on a line with Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings and Alex Steen of the St. Louis Blues. Sedin was originally chosen the Swede s captain, and has been replaced by Zetterberg. Landeskog takes the A from Zetterberg. This NBC online story looks at Sweden s situation and links to story I wrote a week or so ago about Landeskog expecting a third- or fourth-line role with Sweden. Our friends at Eurolanche.com have Landy s comments about the exciting developments here. As for Avs center Matt Duchene and Team Canada, here s a very early look at some line combinations and power-play units. Haven t seen much Team USA info yet, other than the unfortunate accident to GM David Poile that will keep the Nashville Predators boss in the U.S. during the Games. Denver Post: LOADED:

13 Colorado Avalanche Avalanche's Gabe Landeskog named alternate captain for Swedish team By Mike Chambers Posted: 02/11/ :01:00 AM MST Avalanche left wing Gabe Landeskog, the youngest captain in NHL history, is taking on a big-time role with Sweden's Olympic team in Sochi. Landeskog, 21, was named alternate captain for Sweden after an injury to Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks. Sedin originally was named Sweden's captain but had been replaced by Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings. Landeskog takes the "A" from Zetterberg. "To be honest, I was quite shocked by it. But on the other hand, I want to thank the coaching staff for putting the faith in me," Landeskog told reporters in Sochi. "Now I just need to not take anything for granted and prove that I deserve it." Landeskog recently said he expects to play a third- or fourth-line role in his first Olympics, but he was practicing Monday on a line with Zetterberg and Alexander Steen of the St. Louis Blues. Landeskog, the 2012 Calder Trophy winner as NHL rookie of the year, has 48 points (18 goals) in 57 games with the Avalanche this season. Denver Post: LOADED:

14 Colorado Avalanche Avs' Semyon Varlamov might earn start in goal for Russian team By Mike Chambers Posted: 02/11/ :01:00 AM MST The NHL Olympic break has taken Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov home, or about 1,140 miles from where he was born in Samara, Russia. In the Sochi Winter Games, Varlamov could be Russia's starting goalie in the country's Group A opener against Slovenia on Thursday. The United States and Slovakia complete the four-team Group A pool. "Growing up, that was my dream, to play in the Olympics, play in the NHL," said Varlamov, who was a third-string goalie for Russia at the 2010 Vancouver Games and did not play. "It's huge. It's going to be so much fun playing back in Russia in front of your fans, family, parents, friends. Can't wait." Varlamov, 25, will compete with Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets to be the starting goalie. The other goalie is Alexander Yeryomenko of the Kontinental Hockey League's Dynamo Moscow. Varlamov, who is enjoying his best NHL season, seemingly has been groomed for these Olympics since he was 17. He has represented Russia in eight major international events, including three world championships (2010, 2012, 2013), two world junior championships (2006, 2007) and two world 18-under tournaments (2005, 2006). At the 2012 world championship in Helsinki and Stockholm, Varlamov led his team to the gold medal, going 8-0 with a 1.77 goals-against average and.939 save percentage. His victories and save percentage led all goalies. Still, Varlamov wasn't convinced he would be selected for the Sochi Games before the Jan. 7 announcement. "Believe me, I was nervous," he said. "Always lots of questions." Varlamov was selected by the Washington Capitals 23rd overall in the 2006 draft. He was traded to the Avs on July 1, 2011, and in his third season with the club he has earned a career-high 28 wins. He recently signed a five-year, $29.5 million contract extension with the Avs that kicks in next season. Read more: Avs' Semyon Varlamov might earn start in goal for Russian team - The Denver Post ight-earn-start-goal-russian#ixzz2t0s7wluz Denver Post: LOADED:

15 Dallas Stars Kari Lehtonen named NHL's second star of the week MIKE HEIKA Published: 10 February :48 AM Updated: 10 February :07 PM Here is the press release: NEW YORK, NY - Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, Dallas Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen and Boston Bruins right wing Jarome Iginla have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Feb. 9. FIRST STAR - CAREY PRICE, G, MONTREAL CANADIENS Price led all goaltenders with three wins in three starts, posting a 1.00 goals-against average,.971 save percentage and one shutout to help the Canadiens ( , 70 points) move into third place in the Atlantic Division. He began the week by stopping all 27 shots he faced in recording his fourth shutout of the season and the 23rd of his NHL career in a 2-0 victory over the Calgary Flames Feb. 4. Price then made 42 saves, his second-highest total of the season, in a 5-2 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks Feb. 6 and 31 saves in a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes Feb. 8. The 26-year-old native of Anahim Lake, B.C., who will represent Canada in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, is with a 2.33 goals-against average and.925 save percentage in 48 appearances this season. SECOND STAR - KARI LEHTONEN, G, DALLAS STARS Lehtonen posted a record with a 1.32 goals-against average and.947 save percentage to help the Stars ( , 64 points) climb into the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. He made 27 saves in a 3-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes Feb. 4. Lehtonen then recorded 19 saves in a 2-1 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks Feb. 5. He capped the week by making 26 saves in a 2-1 win over Phoenix Feb. 8, improving to with a 2.11 goals-against average and.930 save percentage in 17 career appearances versus the Coyotes. The 30-year-old native of Helsinki, who will represent Finland in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, is with a 2.48 goals-against average,.916 save percentage and three shutouts in 48 appearances this season. THIRD STAR - JAROME IGINLA, RW, BOSTON BRUINS Iginla registered and a +5 rating to power the Bruins ( ,78 points) to five out of a possible six points, stretching their lead in the Atlantic Division to seven points. He posted 1-1-2, including his third game-winning goal of the season, in a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks Feb. 4. After collecting an assist in a 3-2 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues Feb. 6, Iginla recorded 1-1-2, his 10th multi-point game of the season, in a 7-2 triumph over the Ottawa Senators Feb. 8. The 36-year-old native of Edmonton has tallied in 57 contests this season, including and five multi-point performances over his past eight outings. Dallas Morning News LOADED:

16 Dallas Stars Stars expect a charge down stretch from their Olympic contingent Posted Monday, Feb. 10, 2014 By Travis L. Brown FRISCO If the Stanley Cup playoffs are a two-month long marathon, the Winter Olympics, for hockey players, is more like a 100-meter dash. The Dallas Stars sent three players and a coach to Sochi, Russia, to make that intense, but short dash for gold captain Jamie Benn for Canada, goalie Kari Lehtonen for Finland, rookie forward Valeri Nichushkin for Russia and coach Lindy Ruff for Canada. To Ruff, the selections are telling of the work first-year general manager Jim Nill has done over the off-season and so far during the regular season. If the season ended today, the Stars would be in the playoffs. Dallas is tied with Phoenix for the eighth and final playoff spot with records, but the Stars own the tie-breaker over the Coyotes. I really think the more you can send [to the Olympics], the better you feel about your team, Ruff said. It just means you re getting recognized for having good players. This year s 11-day Olympic tournament will be a first for both Lehtonen and Benn. Ruff said the experience they will gain far outweighs the rest they will lose while the NHL takes a break to watch its representatives compete for their home countries in Russia. The men s hockey tournament begins Wednesday and the gold-medal game is Sunday, Feb. 23. The Dallas Stars are extremely proud of Jamie, Kari and Valeri for being selected to participate at the Olympic Games, Nill said in a statement when player selections were announced last month. It is a tremendous honor to represent one s country at the highest international stage and their experience at the Games will be invaluable for our own team as we approach the most competitive portion of our season. In the preliminaries, the USA is in Group A with Slovenia, Slovakia and Russia. Canada is in Group B with Austria, Finland and Norway. Group C has the Czech Republic, Latvia, Sweden and Switzerland. The pressure is more on veterans Benn and Lehtonen, who will be expected to make contributions to their countries deep runs, than on 18-year-old rookie Nichushkin, who joins the tournament favorite. However, the pressure to win, for Lehtonen, balances out with the chance to play with former comrades and teammates from past international teams. It s playing with old friends, the fifth-year Stars goalie said. My age group was really good when we were young. Six or seven made it to the NHL and they re always there and it s nice to play with them. It s just a different atmosphere when you re playing for your country and nobody is getting paid. It s just going there and working hard as a team because we love this game. It s fun. Ruff said he s not concerned about how his everyday goaltender will be used with several games in a short period of time. I want him to go over there and enjoy that experience, whatever that is, and come back ready to play, Ruff said. I want the guys to come back knowing I can be a better player from this experience and enjoy that. It could be once in a lifetime. Nichushkin, the Stars first-round pick, was given the nod to join the Russian national team, a spot he battled not only NHL stars for, but professionals from the Russian-based Kontinental Hockey League. For Val, it s like a free ticket, Ruff said. You re 18 and they re taking a little bit of a gamble and they re hoping their gamble pays off. For him it s a great experience for him, but it s an easier one. Nichushkin has been playing particularly well going into the Olympics. He has two goals and one assist in his past five games. Benn has international experience, having represented Canada in the 2007 World Junior Championship and at the 2012 World Championship. It s pretty special and it definitely means a lot to me, Benn told the local media during a photo shoot displaying their Olympic uniforms. I definitely want to represent Canada well and hopefully bring home a gold. All that being said, no one will experience pressure like Ruff, who will serve as an assistant coach for Team Canada for the second consecutive Olympics. In 2010, Ruff helped coach Canada to a gold medal in an overtime final against Team USA that Ruff believes could not have been scripted better. At least for Canadians. It s a one-game showdown that you re thinking every play could make a difference, Ruff said. It could be a screen shot, tip shot, shot off the skate. You don t get a second chance in a one-game elimination. That feeling is incredible. It s incredible for coaches and the players feel it too. The challenge for an Olympic coach is bringing together a group of players trained to compete against each other every day except the time spent together playing for their country. That s the great thing about hockey at this level, Ruff said. The love of sport and country overrides all. They have this special moment to do something with this group of guys and then after they leave, it s game on again and we ve seen that, he said. We ve seen guys who have played together and they buck their heads and you think, Didn t they play tougher a week ago in the Olympics? Star-Telegram LOADED:

17 Detroit Red Wings Pavel Datsyuk doesn't practice, but Russians hope he can play right away in Sochi 12:26 PM, February 10, 2014 By Helene St. James SOCHI, RUSSIA Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk posed for a picture with the Russian national team this afternoon, then disappeared from the ice. It was not a surprising occurrence, given that Datsyuk has battled a lower-body injury for six weeks, limiting him to three games for the Wings in He arrived in Sochi for the Winter Olympics earlier in the day and was excused from the afternoon practice at Bolshoy Ice Dome in order to rest. Asked whether Datsyuk will play Thursday, when Russia opens preliminary play with a game against Group A opponent Slovenia, Russia coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov said, "I hope so." Datsyuk did not talk to the media. Teammate Viktor Tikhonov seemed unconcerned, saying Datsyuk "was walking around fine, so I'm pretty sure he's going to be all right to go. "He's in good spirits, already cracking jokes around the room. It's good to have him there." The Russians may well keep Datsyuk out for the first game. Their only real test of the preliminary round comes Saturday, when they play Team USA. There is little doubt that Datsyuk ultimately will play, though, as the Olympics are on his native soil, and he has the honor of being the team's captain. He has maintained all through January that he would be ready for this tournament. He managed to play in the Wings last two games before the Olympic break, but he played on the wing rather at center, a move that lessened the demand on his skating. He also didn't take face-offs. The Wings would prefer that he not play in the Olympics, because a player pushing to come back early from an injury that's clearly as serious as Datsyuk s runs significant risk of aggravation. However, there is nothing they can do the NHL has allowed players to participate in the Olympics, and Datsyuk wouldn't be the first player pushing to play. Peter Forsberg did it for Sweden in Red Wings great Steve Yzerman here in Sochi as general manager of Team Canada did it as a player in 2002, playing on a bum knee. Note: The Wings today announced that, before the NHL s Olympic break, they assigned forwards Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) and recalled forward Mikael Samuelsson. Detroit Free Press LOADED:

18 Detroit Red Wings Some Red Wings will use chill time of Olympic break to escape cold February 10, 2014 By George Sipple TAMPA For the Red Wings who are not heading to Sochi to play in the Olympics or heading to Grand Rapids to play in the American Hockey League, the decision on how best to utilize the NHL s schedule break came down to two options. Players either opted to head off to mini vacations or decided to return to Michigan and just take it easy until they have to return to practice on Feb. 19. The Wings don t play again until Feb. 26. After a 4-2 loss to the Lightning in Tampa, Drew Miller and his wife were heading a few hours away to the Bahamas. Clear the mind for a bit and then get back at it, Miller said. The decision on whether to get away or go back home wasn t too hard for Miller. I think the weather and the cold did that for me, he said. Made the decision pretty easy. I think any time you get an opportunity to do something like this, you should try to make the most of it. Brendan Smith said he was heading straight to Jamaica for a vacation with his girlfriend and brothers. I ve never been south of the States, so it should be fun, Smith said. Planning it for a while, but didn t end up pulling the trigger until a month or so (ago). Brian Lashoff is heading back home to Albany, N.Y., to see family, including his brother, Matt, who plays hockey for Leksands IF in Sweden and is also on an Olympic break. I think it s the only place in the country with more snow than Detroit right now, Lashoff said of Albany. I think a lot of guys are going someplace warm. My girlfriend s at home. She s working and stuff. I haven t been home very much in the last couple of years. Luke Glendening said he didn t find out until earlier this week that he was going to be on break, rather than being able to play for the Griffins, so he didn t plan a big vacation. He can report to the Griffins starting on Feb. 19, the same day NHL players are allowed to begin practicing. I haven t seen my dog in two months, Glendening said of his Great Dane, Lucy. I m excited for that. It ll be good to be back with her, hanging out. Danny DeKeyser planned to remain in Florida for a few extra days to relax. Got a whole other week-and-a-half when I get back to get back on the ice and start skating again, DeKeyser said. I think just resting up will be the best thing for me. Justin Abdelkader is going to make the best of both worlds on his break. Going home for about four days (to Muskegon), and then I m going to Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), Abdelkader said. Take some time off here, then get back into some workouts. We ll have some practices (before returning to play). We ve had so many games in a short period of time, you do have some bumps and bruises. It s good to take some time off and let those heal. Contact George Sipple: gsipple@freepress.com. Follow him on Detroit Free Press LOADED:

19 Detroit Red Wings Sochi Olympics: Detroit Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk says he'll play in Russia's opener 4:02 AM, February 11, 2014 By Helene St. James SOCHI, RUSSIA If Pavel Datsyuk's sense of humor is anything to judge by, everything is dandy. He joined his Russian national teammates this morning for practice at Bolshoy Ice Dome, and after a good hour on the ice declared himself ready to play at the Sochi Games. Russia opens up Thursday with a preliminary game against Slovenia. Datsyuk's status was questionable after he skipped Monday's practice, reflecting a lower-body injury that has bothered him for two months and which limited him to three games for the Detroit Red Wings between Jan. 1-Feb. 8. Datsyuk parried like a professional stand-up comic with reporters after today's skate, which saw him center Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Radulov. Asked how his injury felt, Datsyuk smiled and replied, "what injury?" That Datsyuk will play in the tournament is little surprise. He is the captain of Russia, he is on native soil, and while his general manager in Detroit, Ken Holland, speculated Datsyuk has been thinking about this for six years, Datsyuk multiplied that number. "Not six," he said. "All my life. "It's good feeling, we come back and play home Olympics in front of your fans, it's unbelievable feeling. This is Olympics is much more pressure. Usually lots of pressure, but this is much more because play home in front of our fans and we need handle it and convert to energy, this pressure. That will be good help for us." Datsyuk played wing the last two games he appeared in for the Wings before the Olympic break because in Detroit's system that involves less skating. There's no question he remains bothered by his injury, but there is nothing the Wings can do about it. Datsyuk is determined to play; he made that much clear with his parting words today, in response to being asked if he can do everything he wants to on the ice. "I do everything, but only one thing I can't do is talk to much media," he said, smiling. "Take me lots of energy." Detroit Free Press LOADED:

20 Detroit Red Wings Red Wings, local players in Sochi Olympics men's hockey tournament February 11, 2014 Detroit Free Press Staff If they re wearing skates in the Olympic hockey tournament, there s a decent chance they have a Michigan connection: Red Wings Canada: Mike Babcock, coach; Ken Holland, advisory committee; Steve Yzerman, general manager. Russia: Pavel Datsyuk, center and captain. Slovakia: Tomas Jurco, forward; Tomas Tatar, forward. Sweden: Daniel Alfredsson, forward; Jonathan Ericsson, defenseman; Jonas Gustavsson, goalie; Niklas Kronwall, defenseman; Gustav Nyquist, forward; Henrik Zetterberg, center and captain. Team USA: Jimmy Howard, goalie; Inar Treguits, massage therapist. More players From Michigan: Carl Hagelin, forward, Sweden; Brian Lebler, forward, Austria; Max Pacioretty, forward, Team USA. From Michigan State: Duncan Keith, defenseman, Canada; Ryan Miller, goalie, Team USA. From Detroit area: Cam Fowler, defenseman, Farmington Hills, Team USA; Ryan Kesler, forward, Livonia, Team USA. U.S. NTDP in Ann Arbor Team USA: Forwards Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, James van Riemsdyk. Defensemen Justin Faulk, Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan Suter. Olympic hockey at a glance Format: The 12 men s teams play a three-game round robin in their groups to determine seeding for a single-elimination playoff. Top-four teams earn a first-round bye. Pool play: Group A United States, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia. Group B Austria, Canada, Finland, Norway. Group C Czech Republic, Latvia, Sweden, Switzerland. Medal games: Bronze Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. (Detroit time). Gold Feb. 23 at 7 a.m. Group A schedule Thursday: U.S. vs. Slovakia, 7:30 a.m.; Russia vs. Slovenia, 7:30 a.m. Saturday: U.S. vs. Russia, 7:30 a.m.; Slovakia vs. Slovenia, 3 a.m. Sunday: U.S. vs. Slovenia, 7:30 a.m.; Russia vs. Slovakia, 7:30 a.m. Group B schedule Thursday: Finland vs. Austria, 3 a.m.; Canada vs. Norway, noon. Friday: Canada vs. Austria, noon; Norway vs. Finland, noon. Sunday: Austria vs. Norway, 3 a.m.; Canada vs. Finland, noon. Group C schedule Wednesday: Sweden vs. Czech Republic, noon; Latvia vs. Switzerland, noon. Friday: Czech Republic vs. Latvia, 3 a.m.; Sweden vs. Switzerland, 7:30 a.m. Saturday: Sweden vs. Lativa, noon; Switzerland vs. Czech Republic, noon. Detroit Free Press LOADED: