Who says the skill is gone?

NEW YORK -- Fans and media alike have expressed some displeasure with this season's playoffs, referring to the close-checking style of play as artless and dull, but there are two sides to the story.

Fashions and styles come and go, and hockey is no different. It fluctuates. Sometimes it's great and other times... not so much.

But relax, naysayers, the game is fine. There are lots of good players and skill is still the most precious commodity. Parity has made scoring goals difficult, but hockey is about more than offence. These low-scoring games haven't translated that well on TV but the in-building product has produced lots of excitement.

Here are some other likes, dislikes, observations and head scratchers four games into the Stanley Cup final.

MISSING MARTY: Cam Cole, roundly considered Canada's top sports columnist and a fixture at the Stanley Cup final for a couple of decades, was laughing about Martin Brodeur and his great wit during the drive from Staples Center back to our hotel on Wednesday night.

"Those guys (reporters) in New Jersey will be wearing black the day he retires," said Cole. "He's always been great to talk to. That room had lots of good guys but Marty has been the go-to-guy with the Devils for a long time."

Brodeur is easy to deal with, handles obscure or awkward questions with ease and is generally happy to talk with reporters. His facial expressions are often the most telling aspect to his answers and he'll roll his eyes with or let a sly smile slip across his face.

Aside from his play on the ice and status as the best goalie of all time, Brodeur is one of the best things about hockey. The list of players that could learn a lesson or two from him on how to treat people is not a short one.

SUTTER SPEAK: Kings coach Darryl Sutter can appear cranky and isn't afraid to give a reporter a verbal smack from time to time, but he's loyal and giving to those he's known for a while.

The writers and TV folks from Western Canada who have dealt with Sutter for a long time are treated to generous chats where the veteran coach is willing to share his thoughts on the game, players and anything that relates to hockey.

JUST DESERTS: Devils coach Pete DeBoer wasn't shy to suggest his team "deserved better," in the first three games of the series. One could have viewed this as loser talk.

Instead it served as a positive the Devils were able to hang onto despite being down 3-0 in the series. Game 4 saw DeBoer's proclamations ring true and not hollow.

DeBoer has done a fine job of coaching in this series and refusing to hit the panic button gave his players confidence.

GOT CAP? The answer for the Kings is yes. They plan to use that room to bid for Zach Parise should Jersey let him hit the free agent market.

Kings GM Dean Lombardi has spent wisely and has his core locked up for next year with only five players eligible for free agency -- Jarret Stoll, Dustin Penner, Dwight King, Scott Parse and Colin Fraser.

Unlike the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks that had to break up their roster immediately after winning the Stanley Cup, Lombardi will be in position to get better for next year to either try and repeat or get the Kings their first Cup. According to Capgeek, the Kings have more than $16 million of cap space and that's before the cap goes up, which it is expected to do by as much as $7 million. That's right around the price Parise is expected to fetch.

GET YOUR FAN ON: L.A.'s crowd may be peppered with celebrities but it's nowhere near as passionate as the Devils audience. The atmosphere at Staples Center pales in comparison to that of the Prudential Center. L.A. has educated hockey fans but they're a little subdued. They rock it at The Rock.

TOO LONG: The NHL has delayed games twice in this series to give NBC the opportunity to broadcast on Saturdays. The result has this round with the potential of stretching into a third week. That's too long. The players hate it, the fans hate it, the coaches hate it and no doubt league employees do as well. Getting the Saturday dates is important but at some point it becomes counter-productive. Even the most ardent fans are losing interest with all these off days.

MAGNIFIQUE HENRIQUE: Devils centre Adam Henrique has been deadly in this post-season with three game winning goals. DeBoer uses him on his second or third line depending on the game but this is a top-line centre in the making. The Devils seasoned Henrique in the AHL last season and he was headed there again this year until an injury to Jacob Josefson opened the door.

Henrique was a third-round pick in 2008 and was brought along slowly, finishing his junior eligibility and then spending a full season with Albany, scoring 25 goals and 25 assists last season. Earning full-time work in the NHL this year, Henrique opened eyes with 16 goals and 35 assists in the regular season and has been solid in the playoffs.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: The Kings have lost just three games all post-season and that has some people thinking a sweep in the final should have been easy. Not Sutter

"We need to continue to play the way we're playing. That's why you play the series. Unfortunately, we have some spoiled people that think that everyone wins 16 in a row or something. A little confusing to me," he said Thursday.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @garylawless

Gary Lawless, Winnipeg Free Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 8, 2012 C1