Red’s notebook

Marty shining in overtime Alfie thinks about retiring

Martin Brodeur hasn’t had a lot of luck in overtime during the playoffs when it’s considered he’s posted only 12 wins in 33 games. New Jersey’s 4-3 win in extra time over Philadelphia on Thursday was his third this season – the most Brodeur has had in a single playoff year. Not bad, I would suggest, for a guy who’s turning 40 on Sunday.

Torres appeals suspension

I see where Raffi Torres and the NHLPA have appealed the 25-game suspension the Phoenix forward received for a devastating hit on Chicago’s Marian Hossa. It will be heard by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, and while a date has not been set the players’ union hopes to have the ban reduced. Yeah, sure. Dream on, folks. What I’m saying is that it’s impossible to imagine Bettman agreeing to a reduction of the suspension. If he does, what he would be telling NHL senior vicepresident of player safety Brendan Shanahan is to start looking for a new job. It’s a non-starter. Hossa, by the way, told Chicago SunTimes writer Adams L. Jahns he feels better after suffering a concussion, but doesn’t feel like himself yet. “It’s going to take some time,” Hossa said from Slovakia. “It’s not fun, especially the first days, just being in a dark room and one week of sitting at home. The good thing is that I can move around now. Things are bothering me less than before. So it’s a good sign. But it’s small steps.”

Owners support Sharks’ Wilson

San Jose GM Doug Wilson has received a solid vote of confidence from the team’s ownership group despite the earliest postseason elimination in franchise history. Their support was contained in a statement released Tuesday. “Despite the fact that our team has experienced a tremendous amount of success over the past eight seasons, we are not satisfied with those results, and neither is Doug. The ownership group has confidence that Doug will make the necessary changes to ensure our club remains among the NHL’S elite franchises.” Wilson, on the other hand, made it clear he’s responsible for the failure to get beyond the first round. “I take first responsibility. The plan, the pieces that we put together, didn’t work,” he said.

Blues coach Adams favourite

Ken Hitchcock is the likely winner of the Adams Trophy, which goes to the head coach who has contributed most to his team’s success during the regular season. He took over the St. Louis Blues in early November with the team 6-7. After that, the Blues went 43-15-11 and broke or tied 13 franchise records, including a 21-game home points streak and 30 home wins overall. Pittsburgh’s Dan Bylsma won the award last year. This is the time of the year when elite players have a summer-long period to consider whether to retire. The latest: Ottawa’s Daniel Alfredsson. “It feels at times when you play a lot, you’re tired and you have a lot of practices. At home, I don’t have the energy I would like to play with the kids,” Alfredsson told reporters after Ottawa’s elimination. “I miss a lot of their activities – that’s going to play part of it. I’m sure the kids would like to see me play another year, there’s no question. They love being part of here, being in the locker room, and coming to games.” Alfredsson, however, is playing at the world championship … so tune in later.

Thornton wants linemates back

There are changes awaiting the Boston Bruins following their first-round elimination, and the names frequently mentioned are fourth-liners Daniel Paillé and Gregory Campbell. Both become unrestricted free agents on July 1. However, linemate Shawn Thornton, who signed a two-year extension, hopes it won’t happen. “All I know is that it’s been an absolute pleasure playing with those guys the past two years,” Thornton said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without those guys.”

Chicago’s PP went south

Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman is blaming the team’s power play for their first-round elimination. No surprise there, in view of the calibre of his team’s shooters. How bad were they? Chicago finished 26th in the league with a 15.2 per cent “success” rate during the regular season. That number fell to 5.3 per cent in the team’s six-game loss to the Phoenix Coyotes. “The numbers speak for themselves,” Bowman told reporters. “They were a huge disappointment.” Bowman’s view isn’t good news for assistant coach Mike Kitchen, who handled the power play.

Seven Stars at world tourney

The Dallas Stars, starting with goaltender Kari Lehtonen, are hoping the world championship, which started Thursday in Sweden and Finland, provides them with the experience they need next season. The reason: he’s played in 344 NHL games, but only two in the playoffs. “I want to get used to playing in May and extend the season, so I think that will be great for me,” Lehtonen told Dallas reporter Mike Heika. “It’s the same thing probably as a playoff situation, because it’s always goalie battles and you try to be the better one.” Lehtonen, who plays for Finland, is one of seven Dallas players in the tournament.

Versteeg tired of moving

I see where Florida’s Kris Versteeg is seeking a longterm contract after playing with six teams in five years. Can’t blame him – after a career-high 23 goals and 54 points. “When you travel as much as I have, I guess you’re never quite settled,” Versteeg said after the Panthers’ elimination. All the more reason for it since Versteeg underwent hip surgery in Nashville on Wednesday. “The hip affected pretty much everything … but I’m not making excuses because when you do, that’s where you get yourself in trouble,” Versteeg said. He scored only two goals in the final 18 games of the regular season, but had three in the playoffs.