Poti on the block

Oilers defenseman not living up to expectations

Tom Poti, who once looked like a building block of the Edmonton Oilers defense, could be on the trading block if some team calls GM Kevin Lowe with a first-rate offer.

Poti, once a legitimate hope for the U.S. Olympic team, has had a miserable season since ending a holdout in mid-October, handling the puck tentatively and showing none of the offensive flair that earned him the reputation as a future NHL star. Entering the week, Poti had scored just one goal -- on the power play.

His struggles also have affected partner Eric Brewer, who was named to the Canadian Olympic team this week despite a minus seven rating. The generally supportive but knowledgeable Edmonton crowds have started razzing Poti, rattling him further.

A Shark out of water

Sharks defenseman Gary Suter will have the honor of carrying the flame when the Olympic torch run passes through San Jose on Jan. 18.

Only Suter won't be running. Because the 37-year-old has wonky knees, Suter will actually walk quickly for the requisite two-tenths of a mile allotted to torch bearers. Suter, currently now playing on the Sharks second defense pair with Mike Rathje, was the most surprising of the pre-selections last summer for the U.S. although the Olympics are part of the Suter heritage.

Gary Suter played on the disappointing 1998 team in Nagano while brother Bob was part of the 1980 Miracle on Ice in Lake Placid.

Congratulations on being so dirty

Maybe it says more about the NHL than anything that has occurred in the first half of the season: Tie Domi received the heartfelt congratulations of Toronto teammates and coach Pat Quinn last Saturday after surpassing Tiger Williams' Maple Leafs record of 1,670 penalty minutes.

The distinction is dubious, but then Domi has earned those minutes the hard way -- generally five at a time. He has spent the rough equivalent of 28 Leafs game sequestered in the penalty box, another 21 when he played for the New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets. Generously listed at 5-10, 200 pounds, inch-for-inch Domi might be the roughest NHL player ever.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Michael Farber covers the NHL beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.

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