Nhl Notebook

Saying he’s changed but not claiming to have cured his problems with alcohol and drugs, hockey bad boy Bob Probert is back on skates and looking toward the resumption of his NHL career.

“I wasn’t crazy about going into the treatment center this time, but I did learn some things about myself that needed to be changed,” Probert said Tuesday. “I don’t want to say that I’ve changed everything and I’m cured, because I know that’s not at all cured. I haven’t licked the problem. But I’m working on it.”

His career remains on hold, waiting for clearance from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and David Lewis, the doctor who runs the California rehabilitation center that Probert has called home the last six months.

Blackhawks coach Darryl Sutter wants Probert in uniform before the playoffs start next month. His team lacks the kind of physical presence that has always been provided by the 6-foot-3, 225-pound left wing, one of the NHL’s most feared enforcers the last decade.

Probert, 29, who had eight stormy seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, has yet to play for the Blackhawks since signing a fouryear, $6.6 million, free-agent contract last July.

Sabers problems

The Buffalo Sabres knew they had problems when Dominik Hasek allowed nine goals in less than two games. He rarely gives up that many in a week, let alone a weekend.

“I think he’s trying to do too many things,” Sabres coach John Muckler said. “He’s trying to be a general at that end of the ice. He’s got to get back to doing what he did so well, be a focused goalkeeper.”

The Sabres appear far more worried with their team defense than they are their goaltender, who was charged with drunken driving after police spotted his vehicle traveling 77 mph in a 35 mph zone April 2.

Since his arrest, Hasek has watched his goals-against average jump from 1.83 to 2.05 in the last four games. He allowed 14 goals during that span, and the Sabres are winless in their last three.

xxxx