In The Crease

Don't be surprised to see the Flyers cut down on the playing and practice time of defenseman Kim Johnsson, who is beginning to wear down. Johnsson was averaging 23:14 per game through Sunday and also played for Sweden in the Olympics. After a strong start this season, Johnsson has not been jumping into the play as often or been as strong with the puck. He is the quarterback on Philadelphia's power play, and his falloff has coincided with the Flyers' recent lack of success with the man advantage (4 for 48 in the last 14 games)....

Three reasons veteran free agents won't want to sign with Calgary: Phil Housley, Dave Lowry and Mike Vernon. Since the start of the season Flames management has waived Housley, a 38-year-old defenseman who played on the U.S. Olympic team and has anchored the Blackhawks' blue line this season; stripped 37-year-old forward Lowry of his captaincy because of his inconsistent performance; and inexplicably sent Vernon, a 39-year-old goalie, to the minors. Those moves have shaken the Calgary dressing room....

Despite his admitted past use of heroin, the Predators traded for talented Kings defenseman Jere Karalahti (SI, Jan. 21) last week in part because of his relationships with defenseman Kimmo Timonen and forward Stu Grimson. Karalahti played with Timonen one season in Finland and was a teammate of Grimson's in L.A. for a year....

The Sabres should be embarrassed by their actions against the Islanders on March 12. Trailing 3-0 with less than a minute remaining, coach Lindy Ruff sent out tough guy Rob Ray, who instigated a fight. Then with five seconds left Ruff allowed enforcer Eric Boulton off the bench, and Boulton initiated another scrap. The NHL should set a policy to discipline coaches and teams who intentionally start fisticuffs late in a game.