Mike Peluso thinks he can become a better enforcer in the NHL by pursuing a boxing career in the off-season. So the Hawk winger plans to go into training this summer as a boxer and try to get some bouts in Minneapolis. He lives in Minnesota in the off-season. ”I`ve done a little boxing, but not much,” he said. ”Maybe this could help me next season on the ice.”
Although Peluso has taken a lot of heat for undisciplined penalties and not standing up longer during his fights, associate coach Darryl Sutter said the fans don`t see what an inspiration he is in the dressing room to others.
”He makes mistakes, but it`s never for lack of commitment or work,”
Sutter said. ”He`s the best guy we have at his role.”
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Nicer on ice: When he`s good, he`s very, very good. When he`s bad, he`s better than most. That`s what Sutter thinks of defenseman Chris Chelios.
”One of Chris` problems is that when he`s bad, he`s sitting in the penalty box,” Sutter said. ”But I`d hate to see the team without him. Even when great players are awful, they`re still good.
”There are nights Chris is underrated for what he does. He still has to be a candidate this year for the Norris Trophy (best NHL defenseman).”
Ready to go: Key forwards Brent Sutter and Brian Noonan should return to the Hawk lineup Thursday night in Quebec. Both practiced Tuesday. Noonan has missed just one game with a knee problem, but Sutter has been out the last four.
Brother Darryl said Brent has been missed ”from the stability part of it. There are situations people don`t notice where he excels. And the other thing is that we have to put Jeremy Roenick in a lot more situations when Brent`s out, and Roenick might be out there too much.”