Edmonton Oilers center Shawn Horcoff is the highest-paid forward on his team and, thus,

winds up getting the most grief. He had just eight goals, 16 points and a minus-18 rating to

show for the first 37 games this season. Factor his $7 million salary for this season, and

that makes him a bust.

A growing number of fans want him on the next train out of town, but he's not going

anywhere. No general manager would take the five years and $26 million remaining on Horcoff's

contract unless he's intent on becoming an ex-general manager. Thing is, Horcoff doesn't even

crack the top 20 in NHL salaries for this season.

The list is littered with players who are underachieving, which makes a bust like Horcoff

almost look like a bargain. Almost.

Vincent Lecavalier is the highest-paid player in the league this year at $10 million. The

Lightning center signed a monster contract based on previous production and potential for

more, but he had only six goals and 26 points in his first 32 games before he had three goals

and seven points in a five-game hot streak.

Carolina center Eric Staal has a $6 million salary for this season on a contract in which

he'll average $8.25 million. He was sixth on the NHL's worst team in goals (six), fourth in

points (19) and sixth-worst in plus-minus (minus-10). In all three categories, he's behind

Jussi Jokinen, who is making $1.5 million.

Chris Drury and Daniel Briere, usually mentioned in the same breath in these parts, are

together for their ineffectiveness. I'll go to my grave — hey, don't get any ideas

— believing the Sabres should have kept them for $10.3 million combined because they

were terrific here with the right chemistry and ideal circumstances.

The Sabres have recovered after missing the playoffs for two years after they left, but

their former co-captains have failed to deliver.

Drury is making just more than $8 million this season with the Rangers and has been

particularly brutal. He had only two goals and nine points and was minus-9 in his first 28

games before scoring three times and adding an assist in his next four.

Briere, making $8 million for the Flyers, had 11 goals and 20 points but was minus-10 going

into the weekend. He also was lugging a nine-game slump in which he had no goals and three

assists.

Joining them was Scott Gomez, who had four goals and 21 points (even) in 35 games with the

Canadiens. Senators center Jason Spezza had five goals and 19 points (minus-5) in 30 games

before he was injured. Defenseman Wade Redden was so bad that coach John Tortorella scratched

him from a game two weeks ago.

All are making $8 million.

It makes you wonder whether anyone in the league other than Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby,

or Evgeni Malkin could justify making more than $6 million, let alone $7 million or more. Of

course, there are some bargains out there, too, excluding dozens of great players who are

still on their rookie contracts.

Thrashers center Rich Peverley had 12 goals and 33 points in 36 games going into the

weekend while making $500,000. He'll make $1.3 million next year, which still looks like a

pittance based on his production.

Maxim Afinogenov, practically useless over his final two seasons in Buffalo, had 13 goals

and 34 points in his first 36 games. He was on pace for a career year with Les Thrash while

making a career-low $800,000. Habs center Tomas Plekanec was sixth in scoring with 43 points,

225th in salary at $2.75 million.

At least they have one thing in common with Horcoff and the other underachievers. They're

not going anywhere, either.

Too good to trade

Canadiens backup Jaroslav Halak requested a trade two weeks ago because he didn't want to

spend another year warming the bench behind franchise goalie Carey Price. Now he's making a

case to keep Price on the pine.

Halak won three straight games on the road last week, validating a 40-save shutout over the

Islanders with victories over Atlanta and Carolina. They aren't powerhouses, but Halak stopped

133 of 137 shots. He entered the weekend with a 9-5-0 record, a 2.57 GAA and a .923 save

percentage.

Price, meanwhile, had lost four straight decisions and fell to 9-13-3 with a 2.75 GAA and

.912 save percentage. Price has been inconsistent since the middle of last season after

starting his career as the second coming of Patrick Roy.

GM Bob Gainey had been shopping Halak after the goalie asked to be traded. Gainey sent an

offer to Philadelphia, among other teams. The Flyers never responded, and the deal fizzled

out. For now, it appears the Habs will likely keep him.

Trouble for 'Hitch'

Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock appears to be safe for now, but he could be headed for the

chopping block if he doesn't get his team turned around.

The Blue Jackets skated into the weekend with eight straight losses overall and 10

consecutive defeats on the road. They had a 2-11-5 record since Nov. 19, which marks the worst

18-game stretch in franchise history. With this franchise, that's an accomplishment.

Hitchcock was pleading with his players to take the beating required to score around the

net, but you have to wonder if they stopped listening. His usual hardened approach hasn't

worked. He pulled several veteran players aside last week, telling them he would accept public

scrutiny, with the idea they would buy into a softer approach.

"I told them I've got their back," he said.

Hitchcock is the best coach in team history and the first to take them into the playoffs,

but he could be packing his bags if he runs out of options. Their biggest problem isn't

Hitchcock's philosophy or the talent he has on the roster. It's their lack of leadership.

Rick Nash is a great player, but he's a hands-off leader in the dressing room. Any chance

they miss Michael Peca more than they ever imagined? Yes. He's still available.

Gonchar asks for $5M

The Penguins are planning to keep defenseman Sergei Gonchar through the season, but there's

a slim chance he'll get a contract extension unless he lowers demands for a $5 million annual

salary.

Gonchar, still one of the NHL's better defensemen at age 36, was looking for a three- or

four-year deal worth between $15 million and $20 million. The Penguins would bring him back

for three or four more years but not at that price.

One reason the Pens won't budge much is their need to sign young defenseman Kris Letang.

He's making only $625,000 salary from his rookie contract but could command between $3 million

and $4 million per season as a restricted free agent.

Around the boards

Fenway Park is one of the most storied stadiums in the land but, at risk of sounding

like a homer, it's never going to stack up against the inaugural Winter Classic game at Ralph

Wilson Stadium. Football stadiums are better suited for outdoor hockey. Nothing could

duplicate the first game in which the stadium turned into a giant snow globe.

The Senators are officially without their top scoring line now that Daniel

Alfredsson has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, thanks to a big hit from Pittsburgh

forward Craig Adams. Alfie joins center Jason Spezza, sidelined for another six weeks with a

knee injury, and Nick Foligno (knee) on the injured list.

Wings coach Mike Babcock after getting shut out by Chicago twice in four days: "A

lot of guys tried, but at this time, their roster is better than ours. When they play hard and

we play hard, they are better."

The gap was widened in part because Detroit played without nine regulars who were either

injured or suffering from the flu.