Samsonov is feeling better

WILMINGTON -- Sergei Samsonov was back at work yesterday, skating on the left side of a trio that included Patrice Bergeron and Glen Murray. The numbness and tingling that crept mysteriously into his hands and kept him out of the Bruins' lineup the last two games no longer plagued him.

''Just one of those things," said Samsonov, resting at his locker following the club's late-morning workout. ''We went through all the tests and everything came out negative. The doctors say it's a pinched nerve, and that's about it."

Overall, said Samsonov, he was relieved, even though doctors couldn't identify the specific nerve in question -- other than to suspect it was in his neck or shoulders. Prior to returning to Boston, he said, his hands had troubled him for 2-3 days. When he woke up after the game in Edmonton last Saturday night, the condition persisted, and that was enough for him to seek medical attention.

''Three thousand miles away, and you get that," said Samsonov, expressing the anxiety he felt at the time. ''Usually [when in Boston], I go across the road and talk to the doctors . . . but I feel fine, everything is fine."

Samsonov declared himself good to go for tomorrow afternoon's (5 o'clock) Garden matchup with the Phoenix Coyotes, but coach Mike Sullivan wasn't as optimistic that the Magical Muscovite would be back doing business as usual.

''I thought he looked pretty good," said Sullivan. ''But for now, his status is the same, questionable for [tomorrow] -- but I think he is probable."

Part of what initially concerned Samsonov, as well as the medical staff in Boston, was his prior history of migraines, dating back almost a year. To this day, he still takes medication to keep the debilitating headaches in check. Given that history, and the sudden onset of tingling and numbness, Samsonov said the doctors felt it was prudent to have him return for an exam.

''Yeah, that was one of the reasons they kind of wanted to see me -- just to check on things," he said. ''I guess I'm glad they did."

Duck to be plucked?

A Los Angeles Times report yesterday speculated that the Ducks and Bruins could be close to a deal that would send veteran forward Petr Sykora to Causeway Street.

But sources familiar with the negotiations on both sides said yesterday that the two general managers, Anaheim's Brian Burke and Boston's Mike O'Connell, initially talked weeks ago about a deal involving Sykora, and that the Bruins as of yesterday had little interest in acquiring the 29-year-old former Devil.

The source familiar with Anaheim's operations said the Ducks pulled Sykora from the lineup Thursday night in Buffalo because Burke felt a deal with another club, not Boston, was imminent. According to the source, the deal remained on the table as of late yesterday afternoon and could be finalized before the Ducks face the Canadiens tonight in Montreal.

Sykora, a key member of the Devils club that won the Stanley Cup in 2000, will make a little more than $3 million this season, the final year of his contract, and likely won't be re-signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Ducks, who are being overhauled by Burke. Last month, Burke unloaded the underperforming/overpaid Sergei Fedorov on the Blue Jackets, a deal that eventually sent the speedy but overpaid Todd Marchant to the Ducks via waivers.

Sick call

The small contingent of media here for practice, noting that Alexei Zhamnov was not on the ice for the workout, immediately began to speculate that the veteran pivot had been traded, waived, or injured.

The official word: He was sidelined with the flu.

''He should be fine for [tomorrow]," said Sullivan.

Zhamnov is the club's No. 1 center, based on skill level, in the wake of the recent Joe Thornton trade to San Jose. To this point, however, he has been a disappointment of Kevin Stevens-Paul Coffey proportions. In 13 games, the 35-year-old Russian has tallied a meager five assists, and he has notched but one helper over the last seven games.

If the Bruins have any hope of salvaging something this season -- be it simply a modicum of respectability -- Zhamnov will have to be at the center of a turnaround.

According to Sullivan, Zhamnov has fully recuperated from whatever ailed him (shoulder? ribs?), and the health problems that hindered him from early on in training camp are behind him.

''I think he's a better player than what he's shown us to this point," said Sullivan. ''We're hopeful he will find his game here. He has been a top player for a long time."

If the Bruins ultimately decide to waive Zhamnov, they have the advantage of being able to expunge his salary, slightly more than $4 million per year (through 2007-08), from the salary cap. They would have to pay him, but without a dime of it assessed against the salary ceiling ($39 million, league-wide, this season). In accordance with the new collective bargaining agreement, had Zhamnov signed his deal after his 35th birthday (Oct. 1), his money due after this season ($8 million-plus) would all be assessed against the cap. He signed with the Bruins Aug. 4.

Partner up

With Zhamnov down, the top line had Bergeron with Samsonov and Murray, followed by Brad Boyes pivoting P.J. Axelsson and Marco Sturm. Newly acquired Wayne Primeau centered Brad Isbister and Travis Green. Tom Fitzgerald worked between Dan LaCouture and Zdenek Blatny . . . The pairings on defense had newcomer Brad Stuart with Milan Jurcina, Brian Leetch with David Tanabe, and Hal Gill with Jiri Slegr . . . Gill, Tanabe, and Leetch all hope to be members of the United States Olympic squad that will head to Italy in February. ''My hand's definitely up for it -- way up," said an enthusiastic Leetch, gaining strength these days after missing nearly all of November with a wrenched knee. ''What I'm hoping is I play well enough for these two weeks that I make an easy decision for them." The Yanks name their squad Dec. 19 . . . Samsonov said he had a cellphone message from ex-NHLer Sergei Nemchinov, one of Team Russia's assistant managers, but the two had not yet spoken. ''I figure if they're calling, it must be something good," said Samsonov. However, he isn't certain about committing to what would be his second tour of the Olympics with Team Russia . . . Sullivan on what was clearly a dispirited performance Wednesday in the 4-1 loss at Colorado: ''Difficult to explain, from my standpoint. I think our team has changed dramatically within the last couple of weeks. Some games we've played with consistent focus and energy, and we didn't have that at all [Wednesday]. That's what is disappointing to me."