COACH NOTES

On game days I always try to get with the opposing coach and ask 2 or 3 completely irrelevant, pandering questions.

Oh ya, I'm like a one man Drudge Report. (I don't think that even makes sense)

Now, because the time to air the nuggets I mine is as limited as Kobe Bryant's "team play", I thought I'd pass along a few quotes that never made it off my notebook.

John Tortorella (TB)…During a media scrum the topic turned to the NBA player who wouldn't go back into a game in which his team was being blown out. The intense Tortorella was asked what would happen if he switched places with an NBA coach. His reply, "I'd end up in jail"

Glen Hanlon (WSH)…Said there have been times he'd like to sit Ovechkin down for a few shifts for "rookie mistakes" but then he reminds himself that the young Russian provides "70% of our offense and roughly 100% of our chance to win."

Mike Sullivan (BOS)…"We Suck" His answer to media questioning following a 6-0 shellacking on home ice to L.A.

Bob Hartley (ATL)…When I asked him what defensive responsibility he demands of Ilya Kovalchuk he said, "Well, Guy Carbonneau can sleep in peace. His Selke trophies are safe. We simply tell him, don't make us to lose."

Peter Laviolette (CAR)…As the coach of the U.S. Olympic hockey team he was asked if he watches potential players for his Oly squad while coaching Canes games. "I only notice when they're really good or really bad."

Ron Wilson (SJ)…During a stretch where his goaltending wasn't getting job done he was asked whether his team was missing something. "Ya, saves"

Craig MacTavish (EDM)…Hit Dallas on a 7 game losing streak and following that 7th defeat he called his team "A Junior Team". When asked about the comment, and if he's softened his view he shot back, "Have you seen us play lately?"

Darryl Sutter (CGY)…When being peppered with questions about what newcomer Brian Marchment would add to the then struggling Flames he stopped the questioning and said, "Wait a minute. His name is Brian Marchment. 'Moses' just did the interview." In reference to injured stud defenseman Robyn Regher who finished an interview just prior to Sutter's press conference.

Wayne Gretzky (PHO)…After Paul Mara got nailed with an illegal stick he pleaded ignorant to the media. When Gretzky was told this he said, "I'm not buying that. Those players look at their sticks all day long". The next day in Dallas he gathered his team at the morning skate and told them that would be it for illegal sticks, adding, "It's kind of a sensitive subject with me". (An illegal Marty McSorley stick in the Final against Montreal may have cost him a Cup in Los Angeles)

Guy Carbonneau (MTL)…Asked who he was going to put on the ice against his son-in-law (Morrow) Carbo smiled and mischievously replied, "Bob's the head coach, that's his call."