Now on defence: Tom Foolery

PAUL HUNTER/TORONTO STAR

Black sweater might be more appropriate.

Pat Quinn is an obliging fellow.
The media pack following the Leafs around is ravenously hungry, so he throws them a pork chop now and then -- change up the defence pairs, say. Instant headlines. Blog heaven. Thanks, coach.
So Bryan McCabe -- you know there's a law saying he has to be mentioned every day, right? -- was moved alongside Alex Khavanov yesterday instead of Tomas Kaberle, which is like switching a lightly chilled '01 Pinot for Mateus out of a wineskin. Aki and Carlo, Klee and Kaberle, and among the forwards, there was even a Marius Czerkawski sighting (perhaps the last, so enjoy it while you can).
"Just sort of an experiment," said Quinn, who has also talked about changing up the power play formation.
No one asked about how this ... tomfoolery is the word that comes to mind ... would affect B-Mac's Olympic team chances, but I'm sure that's coming tomorrow when Quinn is quizzed about today's team selectors' meeting in Philly. Just a prediction, mind you.

Elsewhere this morning:

Mario Lemieux is feeling much better and may be back in the lineup in a week to 10 days, which is very good news indeed. And Damien Cox wants him on the team for Turin (er ... what happened to the double standard?).

The Globe's Tim Wharnsby looks at the Leafs schedule -- it's been hectic, now it's easing, and it'll get hectic later on.

Alexander Steen is feeling better; not so Staffan Kronwall.
(C.Y.)

 

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To some linkage, which will be light today. Still tired from shovelling all that snow. But don't think we won't have some wonderful bits o' hockey info, like:

Did you know Adam Mair's nickname is "Scud"? It's because he plays like a ballistic missile. Or,

"He gives our team smack," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff tells the Buffalo News.

So should Aki Berg's (Leafs traded "Scud" for Berg, remember?) nickname be "Mayday"? Czerkawski sure sounds like a "Dud". Please send us your suggestions.

Top line alert:

Sakic-Hejduk-Tanguay are on fire. And tonight, the Senators meet the Canucks and Vancouver is thinking outside the box in their attempts to stop the best line in the NHL.

It's become a daily stop in San Jose around here, for good reason. 6-2 win over Florida last night. Thornton 2 more points. Marleau 3 more. "Patty", as it appears they call him, has completely picked up his game since the trade -- four  consecutive 3-point games. Four straight wins for Sharks and Joey-T tied for third in scoring with 41 points. Heck, they're even having more fun in the dressing room.

Quick hits:

We don't do trade rumours here, but it certainly looks like Petr Sykora will be traded.

Roberto Luongo is going through a horrible stretch. Panthers are going to give him some time off.

Last word to Sid the Kid. Showing off those leadership skills in Pittsburgh. After a 5-0 loss last night:

"I don't know if the effort was there. NHL teams, they've got to find a way to be prepared for an opponent. They've got a good team and a good system over there, but that doesn't make it any better."

He's on my Team Canada. (SW)

Comments

[Carla]

Quinn does all kinds of line-switchups in practice that never see the light of day in a game. I think he does it to tease Toronto sportswriters who are desperate for stories. ;-)

[FlamFlim]

What's happened to Damien Cox? Why isn't he writing hockey columns as frequently as before? I don't wanna read Rosie DiManno (snore!). If I wanted to know what Mats Sundin's fave colour is, or what the smell of his shorts were, I'd read DiManno. C'mon for chrissakes!