Around the NHL: Kovalchuk good for NHL.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: David J. Neal

MIAMI _ In his third season, Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk is blossoming into the NHL's most exciting player. Kovalchuk has even learned where the defensive zone is and visits when absolutely necessary.

But his brashness still offends some whenever he shows it _ or whenever they feel he shows it. Some had a problem with his fist-pumping in front of Nashville's bench after a game-clinching, empty-netter for a hat trick.

What's interesting is Kovalchuk never has been criticized for overcelebrating a goal that didn't matter. He's not hockey's version of wide receivers who give the full Tony Manero solo dance after catching a 10-yard buttonhook.

In discussing Kovalchuk, Tie Domi told The Toronto Star he would learn as Domi learned. Domi said his hot-dogging one night during his Rangers days caused Mark Messier to tell him, ``If you want respect from your peers, you better show respect for your peers.''

Is this irony, hypocrisy or chutzpah? You decide.

Messier, Mr. ``I'll Slash Ye Bones to Make My Bread,'' talking about respect for opponents? Messier's many thundering hits are what hockey is about. But how do the wrist-breaking, two-hand slashes and teeth-shattering crosschecks to the mouth show his ``respect'' for peers?