Media’s focus on big hit gives Big E big headache

NOTEBOOK

For a guy who has long dreamed of wearing the Blue and White, Eric Lindros looked like he was having a few second- thoughts yesterday about signing with the Maple Leafs. The oft- injured centre was in a somewhat surly mood with reporters after noting the media’s fascination with the big hit he took from rookie defenceman Staffan Kronwall in a scrimmage on Tuesday.

“ You ( media) guys are going to make a big deal out of every little thing that happens,” said Lindros, clearly exasperated at the line of questioning on just the second day of training camp.

“ I’m a hockey player and hockey players get hit. That’s part of the game.” OILERS INK SMYTH:

Captain Canada is staying put in Edmonton. Ryan Smyth, the Oilers star winger who earned that nickname for his years of service representing Canada on the world stage, signed a $ 7- million ( all figures U. S.), two- year deal yesterday.

Signing the 29- year- old Alberta native was the final contractual piece of the puzzle for the Oilers as they head into their first season under the levelled playing field of a league- wide salary cap.

That cap allowed the team to trade for and sign stars Chris Pronger and Mike Peca last month. Smyth said that played a part in his decision.

“ They made some strides to get these guys and I want to be part of it for the long term,” he said. SAVING FACE:

One look at Steve Yzerman’s mangled face during the 2004 playoffs, was enough to convince rookie Sidney Crosby. His visor is never coming off.

“ I’m going to keep it. It’s not a very big one but you never know. When I saw what happened to Steve Yzerman last time they were playing, that pretty much did it for me,” said the Penguins’ top draft pick. “ I’ve been playing with it for a couple of years so it’s not a big deal to keep it on.” BERTUZZI RARING TO GO:

Even when he had two defencemen draped over him Todd Bertuzzi was a load to handle. Now, with the NHL promising to make the game more open and freewheeling, he could be unstoppable.

“ I got double teamed a lot,” said Bertuzzi, who had 46 goals and 51 assists in 2002- 03. “ With the double team they got to hang onto you. I don’t think that’s going to happen now.”

“ You used to have to run someone over to get the puck.” WE MEAN IT THIS TIME:

The NHL’s new director of officiating insists the crackdown on interference is for real this time, and he doesn’t care if it leads to more power plays.

“ I’m not going to predict how many penalties there are going to be in a game, all I’m going to predict is that our guys are going to call the standard as they’re directed to do. And whatever the result is, it is,” said Stephen Walkom.