Vermette contributing in all areas

It’s not that he doesn’t care about his offensive production, but Coyotes center Antoine Vermette doesn’t conform his expectations to a number.

The definition of a successful game or season is more abstract and less rigid.

“It’s a total feel about my game,” Vermette said. “Sometimes it translates into numbers. But sometimes you finish a game, you feel like you had a good game and you look at the numbers. … It gives you an idea, but I don’t think it gives exactly the feel of your game. So I don’t pay as much attention as I did before.”

It’s hard to argue with that mentality since Vermette leads the Coyotes with 21 goals and is in the midst of a careerlong 10-game point streak — a span in which he has 13 points.

Because of that tear, Vermette might have been one of the few who would have liked to decline the Olympic break, but he didn’t mind a getaway to his native Quebec. Aside from being the Coyotes’ leading goal scorer, Vermette has emerged as their most versatile forward. He kills penalties and is their resident guru on faceoffs.

“He’s playing a lot of hard, big minutes,” coach Dave Tippett said. “I think the break will hopefully do him good.”

Vermette also isn’t worried about regaining his rhythm. After all, the lack of pressure is what helped kick-start this momentum in the first place. It certainly isn’t about to appear now.

“You try to reach goals,” he said. “Once you get it, you try to exceed that and push yourselves to get better. I’m not satisfied and, really, when you look at it, the focus is on the team’s success, and that’s all that matters to me.”

What a Finnish

A dominating 5-0 win by Finland over the United States in the bronze-medal game ensured that each step of the podium will feature a Coyotes player.

Winger Lauri Korpikoski was on that Finnish team that grabbed bronze Saturday, and defenseman Oliver EkmanLarsson (Sweden) is challenging goalie Mike Smith (Canada) in today’s goldmedal final.

“A real positive experience for him, and hopefully he brings a confidence back that will reflect on his season here,” Tippett said.

Ice chips

» Tippett anticipates defenseman Zbynek Michalek and center Martin Hanzal, who represented the Czech Republic at the Olympics, will be at Monday’s practice.

He’s also hopeful Korpikoski, Ekman-Larsson and Smith will be able to practice Tuesday or Wednesday after returning from Sochi. Regardless, all of them will be on the team’s flight Wednesday to Winnipeg.

» Defenseman Derek Morris (upperbody injury) skated on his own for 30 minutes before Saturday’s practice. He’s also scheduled to skate today. The rest of the team has the day off.

» Before the Olympic break, the Coyotes planned to send defenseman David Rundblad to their American Hockey League affiliate for a conditioning stint. He was officially assigned to Portland Friday.

“They play six games in (nine) nights down there,” Tippett said. “I’m not sure how many games he’s going to get, but he’s going to go down and get some games.”

Rundblad still counts against the roster, so that leaves the Coyotes with nine defensemen. It’s likely that number is trimmed back because the Coyotes currently are carrying only 12 forwards.