Erin Brown

ATLANTA -- When first asked whether he thought about putting a new version of the Russian Five together at Sunday's game, Eastern Conference coach John Paddock's initial response was nyet.

Actually, Paddock never got to elaborate on his thought process during the coaches roundtable. But when a member of the Russian media followed up with the same question during a media scrum, the Senators coach seemed to be changing his stance on the possible combination.

Paddock explained that he hadn't thought about putting a forward line of Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk together because both Ovechkin and Kovalchuk were left wings with right-handed shots. The journalist informed Paddock, however, Ovechkin said he was excited about the prospect of playing with his fellow countryman and willing to play right wing if thats what it took.

Andrei Markov and Sergei Gonchar would fill out the five on defense.

"I never thought of it before. I probably should have," Paddock said. "I thought of how I'd play the lines. I don't think I'd play them as a regular group, but I think since it has been brought up, sometime during the game, or at the start of a period, it would be entertaining and further the players' enjoyment. It's certainly something we'd consider now."

Paddock also hinted at possible line combinations including: Kovalchuk-Savard-Hossa, Ovechkin-Spezza-St. Louis, as well as seeing if Mike Richards and Eric Staal can play wing. Scott Gomez and Vincent Lecavalier would probably remain at center.

ATLANTA -- The coaches roundtable appeared to be more for viewers of the NHL Network, but provided some decent thought-provoking bits. Among them:

* Is the season too long? Sharks coach Ron Wilson said he thinks the league needs to trim its schedule to 70 games. Thrashers GM/Coach Don Waddell noted the Board of Governors are considering extending the season by two games, but that would be a tough grind for players.

When I spoke with Wilson later, he brought up the example of how teams are relying more on their goaltenders over long stretches, and how they would benefit from a rest. He specifically noted Evgeni Nabokov, who has been in the Sharks net for all but a couple games this season.

One proposed solution, Wilson offered, is to have a shorter season which allows teams a small chunk of time off during the season, similar to what European leagues do.

* Are teams overcoached? Some have accused today's coaches of getting to detailed when directing players, but the panel felt coaches are just using the technology and resources to their advantage. As Red Wings bench boss Mike Babcock put it: "I think we get paid to win hockey games. So, we've got to find a way to win... I think coaches are paid to find a way to make their people be the best they can possibly be."

* Are contracts getting too outrageous? I thought Waddell couldn't have answered this question any better: "We all make decisions that probably some other teams wouldn't make." He said while it probably isn't possible to see two or three players on a team signed to these massive deals, it does make sense to lock up your absolute best player for the long term.

ATLANTA -- Once touted as the best player not yet in the NHL, Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom has quietly emerged on the NHL scene. He first started the year as a winger, but a move to center helped him regain his comfort level and earn a spot alongside Alexander Ovechkin on the Caps' top line.

Q: When you came to the NHL, did you think you'd be here at the All-Star Game?

Backstrom: I didn't know it could happen, but I appreciate being here. It's been fun.

Q: What has the adjustment level been for you this year? It seems like you've handled it well.

Backstrom: We had a tough start, the whole team, this season. I think having Bruce (Boudreau) coming here has helped us win games. The whole team is playing good. We're scoring a lot of goals and that's a good thing for us. We have to score to win games.

Q: For you personally, coming from another country and adjusting to Washington D.C... has it been tough at times?

Backstrom: It was tough in the beginning, but I like it there. It's a good place to play and we've got a really good hockey team, a good gang. It's going better and better, and all the guys are smiling in the locker room right now. I feel more comfortable right now.

Q: Your English is good, so obviously it helps.

Backstrom: It helps to understand something, so your English has to be good. When I first came here, it was terrible.

Q: How have you been learning? A lot of guys that come over from Europe say they watch television to pick up the language. Is there anything specific you've been watching?

Backstrom: In my situation, you just have to pick up words sometimes. I watch a lot of TV. There are the guys (on the team), you pick up some words from them. It helps a lot.

Q: Any specific shows?

Backstrom: I like CSI: Miami. That's my favorite. I don't know if that is a show or not, but I like it.

Q: When you moved from wing back to center, did that help your transition?

Backstrom: I'm a natural centerman. I like to have the puck down in the defensive zone. I like to have the puck in the neutral zone and give it to other players. I feel more comfortable at center and I think my game is going better and better.

Q: And it must be nice to have Alex (Ovechkin) to dish it off to.

Backstrom: For sure. He's a really good goal scorer. If you pass to him, it's a goal, maybe...

Q: How about having Michael Nylander around? It must have been a real help to have him in Washington.

Backstrom: Yeah. He's from Sweden too. I can ask him something off ice. He does really good dinners, too, so...

Q: What's his best dish?

Backstrom: He makes some really good fish, actually.

ATLANTA -- Obviously one of the players that was high on the list for many reporters today was former first-overall pick Patrick Kane, who is the likely favorite for the Calder Trophy. He was nowhere to be seen for the one-hour media session which ran from 5-6 p.m, making some wonder what happened to the Chicago Blackhawks future star. Now we know. Apparently, Kane was mobbed by 30-40 fans at the Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport. The winger spent time signing for the fans, then hurried to Philips Arena for a brief media scrum.

Here's what he had to say:

Q: How will it be to be with your old teammate Sam Gagner this weekend?

Kane: It will be fun. Hopefully I'm paired up with him or something. Hopefully, we can revive some magic that we had last year. It sure will be fun playing with him. We're good buddies, so there will probably be some jokes about some plays and be fun in general.

Q: Being a rookie and a rising star in this league, how do you feel about this weekend?

Kane: I think it will be fun, obviously. It's nice to be part of the All?Star festivities in any way you can your first year. So just being here as a Young Star and as a player. That is part of the whole process. It should be fun, and I'm looking forward to it.

Q: How do you think your game has changed since you joined the NHL?

Kane: Well, I mean last year I thought I kind of viewed myself more of a goal scorer. And obviously playing with players that could dish the puck and make a lot of plays. But this year I seem to be more of a passer this year. Hopefully I can add the goal scoring a little bit more to my arsenal at this level. But I think it will just take some time and just got to adjust a little bit.

Q: Has anything surprised you, been too easy for you or too hard for you?

Kane: It's kind of what you expect coming in. So I mean, obviously it's the NHL. It's the best league in the world. And there are going to be times when the game might be a little too fast. You're playing against men now, so it's something you're going to have to work with and adjust at times. But I think the biggest thing probably will be adjusting to the speed of the game. The players are still there, but they just happen so much quicker, so it's something I had to adjust to a bit.

Q: Have you been working on any trick shots?

Kane: I've got a few tricks up my sleeve that I am working on, so it should be a fun game. If I have the opportunity to pull one of those moves, I'll try it.

Q: Are you going to outscore Gagner?

Kane: Nah, we're on the same team. We'll try to get the same amount of points and win.

Q: How many are you going to get?

Kane: I don't know. It's 3-on-3, so maybe 9 or 10?

Q: Nine or 10? That's pretty ambitious.

Kane: Yeah, but it's a short game, too. We'll see. As long as we get on the board once, we'll be good.

Q: Can you talk about the resurgence of hockey in Chicago?

Kane: There's a lot of young players there. Obviously Jonathan Toews and myself, there are players in the AHL farm system, players coming up through the CHL ranks. The team looks pretty good for the future. You look at our D, you've got Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook. They're leading the way and they're only 23, 24 years old. It's pretty exciting for Chicago. We're trying to make the playoffs this year. It would be a big thing for us if we made the playoffs. That's what we're working for now.

Q: What do you think it is going to take to get the fans back into the arena like they were 20, 30 years ago?

Kane: Probably the biggest thing would be to keep winning. When we win games there, the crowds will start coming out and when your top players are playing good, it makes it more exciting. I think it starts with guys like myself and Jonathan to get the fans excited and make them have something to cheer about for the next 10, 15 years, hopefully.

Q: Are you surprised you got mobbed at the airport this afternoon?

Kane: (laughs) I was telling everyone I wasn't an all-star! I don't know why they were mobbing me. But it was good. It was funny going into the airport, and even in the airport itself, having people come up to you and ask for autographs. It's pretty exciting.

Q: Will it be fun to play with (U.S. junior teammates) Erik and Jack Johnson again?

Kane: Yeah. They're good players obviously, a big part of the World Junior team last year. They're good buddies of mine, as are a lot of players on the team, so it should be fun.

Q: What about the all-stars? Is there somebody you'd like to meet that you haven't yet?

Kane: I haven't seen (Alex) Ovechkin in person. So that will be fun to watch him. I met (Sidney) Crosby at last year's NHL awards. I think maybe I'll say hi to Ovechkin and watch him play.

Q: Maybe see if he'll teach you that diving shot?

Kane: Yeah, I don't know if I can do that one. I don't have that trick up my sleeve.

ATLANTA -- After spending two hours running from coach to coach, player to player, I've got tons of stuff to churn out...

But since it seems to be the most pressing question among fans is whether a number of Stars missing from this year's contest will impact future ones, I'll tackle that first.

In short, this year's coaches do not feel the absence of some stars this season will lead to the annual contest suffering a similar fate to that of the NFL Pro Bowl.

During a coaches roundtable discussion, Thrashers GM/Coach Don Waddell said it was disappointing that Sidney Crosby wouldn't be able to attend, but noted "this weekend won't miss a beat. We'll put on a good show in Atlanta."

Senators coach John Paddock, who will serve as head coach for the Eastern Conference team, said that he views the absences the same way he sees players getting injured during the season. He noted that even Roberto Luongo, who declined to play this weekend because he wanted to be in South Florida with his wife, who is pregnant, had a perfectly valid reason for not being in Atlanta. "As I understand the situation, that's where he should be," Paddock said.

One thing that was touched upon during the roundtable was the issue of whether the season needs to be shortened (more on that later), and San Jose coach Ron Wilson tied that idea into the situation involving players needing some time to rest around the All-Star Break.

"I think we should block off a week, right off the bat, do your All-Star Game, get in here, do what you need to do and give everybody four days off, where the all-stars do get a break," Wilson said. "It is a lot to ask of these guys. I don't have a problem with that. "

But in comparing the NHL's situation to the NFL's, Wilson showed sympathy for the guys on the gridiron, too.

"I don't know how they go to a Pro Bowl. They get beat up for 20 weeks or so and then you've got to play another football game? I don't know how they do that."

I managed to catch the tail end of an interview with broadcaster Bill Clement, who said players not attending the All-Star Game shouldn't be a concern, mainly because there's so much talent to fill in.

That's just the position of some higher-ups. I'll attempt to see what some of the players think about the situation tomorrow.

ATLANTA -- So, we're finally here in Atlanta... finally. Every trip has its own adventure, right?

Wes and I managed to tour the entire exterior of the CNN Center and Philips Arena. Not by choice, of course. Finding the entry for media was akin to having a rat run through a maze for cheese. The arena here is gorgeous, and one of my favorites, but it really has to be one of the most confusing buildings I've ever been in. Even the people who work here have had a trouble trying to guide people.

Apparently, there is more than just the All-Star Game going on in Atlanta this weekend. There's some sort of business conference, a huge AYSO conference... but the real kicker? A poultry convention. Who knew hockey ranked right up there with chicken? The city is definitely making its best effort to make the NHL a top priority among the locals, though. There are banners plastered all over the place, including a portion of the Westin Hotel, where a huge portion of the building displays an ad with Ilya Kovalchuk promoting the game.

The chaos of the first media day will be getting underway shortly. The coaches and YoungStars are on tap for today. Tomorrow morning will be devoted to the teams themselves.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- I'm not a morning person, so please bear with my disjointed thought process here... I'm just spouting some thoughts as I wait for my flight and try to wake up.

* Last week, Jak-o posted on our Faceoff question thread asking why the NHL doesn't cash in on other young talent besides Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby. It is an excellent question, and hopefully one that we should get an answer to this weekend.

I suppose you'd have to ask the NHL's marketing department why they seem to be putting all their eggs in one basket, but my only thought is that they're still living off a Wayne Gretzky (or maybe even Gretzky-Mario Lemieux) mentality. If you had no clue was a puck was during the Gretzky era, chances are his name wasn't a foreign one. And maybe if you were a casual fan, you had some idea that Gretzky and Lemieux had a rivalry comparable to say, Magic and Bird.

The problem with this thinking is that it just doesn't work anymore. Yes, every other league has at least one major superstar. But they've also got plenty of others that would at least spark a debate of "Is superstar A better than superstar B?" If Gary Bettman, a former protoge of NBA commish David Stern, has learned anything from his former employer, it's that when you lose your record-breaking, commercially appealing, everyone-in-the-world-knows-him superstar (a la Michael Jordan), it is OK to branch out.

But getting back to the weekend... The NHL got its ultimate dream game with the Outdoor Classic. They couldn't have scripted it any better between the crowd, the snow, and of course, Sidney Crosby scoring the decisive goal in a shootout. This week is the perfect opportunity to show the world (or the United States) at the very least, the NHL isn't just Sid's league. It's Alex Ovechkin's, Ilya Kovalchuk's, Vincent Lecavalier's, Jarome Iginla's, Joe Thornton's league, too. (There are many others I could add to this list, but you're better of just looking at the All-Star Game rosters.)

I think the league could be moving in the right direction though, just based on the changes to the SuperSkills competition. The new Obstacle Course Relay seems like fun, but it (hopefully) will be the Breakaway Challenge that gets plastered all over highlights packages. It won't be enough to make the NHL the top sport in the United States, but it might be yet another thing that gets people talking at the watercooler on Monday. That is what the league needs more than anything, and they're going to have faith in their "other" Stars to produce that result.

* I think Pascal Leclaire wrote an open letter to the league last night. I think it goes something like, "Dear NHL... So, my seven shutouts weren't worthy enough for a ticket to Atlanta? Here, let me tack another one onto my resume to embarrass you for snubbing me."

Granted, Leclaire is probably just as happy to be spending the next couple of days resting. And the Blue Jackets are probably happy about that, too. Still, you wonder what a guy has to do to get recognized for a stellar season. Maybe not Vezina worthy, but one that was really unexpected and impressive considering the stiff competition he faces in the Central Division.

* Speaking of goaltenders, how great is the story of Tim Thomas? He ends up as Boston's starter last season because their depth in net was in shambles. He gets relegated to the bench again with the acquisition of Manny Fernandez, but ends up regaining the No. 1 job when Fernandez gets hurt. And after putting up very respectable numbers, he earns an All-Star berth.

* Is anyone else drooling over the possibility of seeing Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk on a line?

* As I mentioned in the last post: please feel free to send questions/comments/feedback... if you've got a question for a player (within reason), I'll do my best to get an answer. We'll be talking to coaches and YoungStars this afternoon.

* Weather in South Florida: Sunny, 65 degrees. Weather in Atlanta: Partly Cloudy, 21 degrees. Brrrrr.

SUNRISE, Fla. -- While most of the NHL is headed for a long-deserved break, we're going to be quite busy over the next couple of days for All-Star Weekend.

As you all might expect, our NHL writer, Wes Goldstein, will be filing stories from Atlanta. I'll also be along for the ride, but working from a more... interactive standpoint. Based on my experience from the 2003 All-Star Game in Florida, there's a lot that goes on that just never gets covered because it's not big enough for newspapers to spare a couple of inches on. The thing is, you never know who you'll run into at these things, or the stories you'll hear along the way.

So, with an iPhone and notepad in tow, I'll be sending constant updates from Atlanta. Ideally, it would be nice to get interviews with every all-star in attendance, but that might be tough. (Still, we're setting a goal to get everyone... OK, maybe 75 percent... We'll see what we end up with.) Don't be surprised if you end up seeing short, one-sentence blog posts, entries with just photos or random musings.

I'll also be working as your eyes and ears... Is there something you want to know about? Is there a player you'd like to see more about? (Yes, that's aimed at you small-market team fans!) Is there a question you'd like me to ask a player (within reason, of course...)? Feel free to drop me a line by leaving a message on the blog or sending me some feedback. Yeah, I know, the page is pretty blank... but trust me, stuff sent from that feedback form lands in my Inbox.

On that note, it is time to pack up from watching an impressive Edmonton Oilers comeback (or a terrible Florida Panthers collapse, if you see it that way) and head home to get ready for the trip. I'm headed to the airport at sometime before insane o'clock, and will probably get to plug away at a post or two before my flight.

In the meantime, start sending some questions. :)