The Hitch effect continues The St. Louis Blues continue to roll with Ken Hitchcock, out of work for more than a year, at the helm. They are 10-2-3.

"I don't think people understand because it has nothing to do with being a head coach. It's about being a part of an organization again. That's what you missed," Hitchcock said. "It's the thing you love about our sport, and when you're not part of the team and on the sidelines, it's not a good feeling.

"Nothing against you reporters, but I would like to just live in the locker room and live on the practice rink and show up to the games because I love the energy you get in dissecting and the dialect that goes with planning."

Moves ahead? The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to struggle, and there's speculation Craig Patrick will be the next GM now that the former Penguins GM has been hired to be Scott Howson's adviser. Colorado coach Joe Sacco is under the gun, too. Reports say Sylvain Lefebvre could be a frontrunner if Sacco is ever fired.

Haters everywhere Henrik Sedin is looking forward to building new rivalries in the Vancouver Canucks' new conference.

"Everybody hates us," Sedin said. "It doesn't matter if it's Chicago or Florida, we'll have a rivalry with every team."