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SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 3/18/2021 1185333 Ducks, without Hampus Lindholm, look defenseless 1185364 Blue Jackets' midseason grades put them in jeopardy of 1185334 Ducks midseason report card: Things only seem to be missing playoffs, undergoing changes getting worse 1185365 Michael Arace: Blue Jackets face make-or-break week in Central race. Bet on them? Neigh. 1185335 Coyotes drop 3rd straight game to Wild, 4th overall 1185366 Tyler Seguin, ‘not even close’ to practicing with Dallas Stars 1185336 Trent Frederic is doing his part to boost Bruins’ punchless offense 1185337 On eve of two-game set with Bruins, skidding Sabres fire 1185367 Do not adjust your television set: Detroit to coach change name ahead of Opening Day 1185338 Vladar ‘Happiest Kid In the World’ After Dazzling First 1185368 Detroit Red Wings playing how 'real hockey teams have to Bruins Win play.' Here's what has changed 1185369 FSD becomes Detroit this month; here's what you need to know 1185339 Mike Harrington: Another coach got fired. It's time for 1185370 Yes, Red Wings have their issues, but they're actually Sabres players to show some pride bringing it vs. NHL's best 1185340 Bills, Sabres co-owner Kim Pegula offers support for Asian 1185371 Adam Erne provides power-play boost in Red Wings’ American community after attack victory 1185341 The GM on the Sabres' new staff: Lots of new roles under 1185372 Evgeny Svechnikov returns to Red Wings lineup, replacing injured 1185342 What's next for Sabres GM ? Hire a coach, 1185373 ‘Moritz Seider handed me a loss’: How the Red Wings’ forge a team identity. prospect won over the public scouting world 1185343 Sources: Ex-Penguins, Hurricanes exec Jason Karmanos on Sabres' radar for assistant GM Oilers 1185344 Sabres GM Kevyn Adams on firing Ralph Krueger: 'It felt 1185374 destroy Flames to restore seven- right that it needed to be done ' cushion 1185345 A look at Sabres' coaching carousel during Pegula era 1185375 OILERS SNAPSHOTS: Ethan Bear's game needs polish 1185346 5 things about new interim Sabres coach Don Granato after terrific rookie 1185347 Mike Harrington: Ralph Krueger's buzzwords made no 1185376 JONES: Could Minnesota's Stalock be the second coming impact on his players of Roloson for Oilers? 1185348 'It's been a tough day': Ralph Krueger fired as Sabres' 1185377 Lowetide: Oilers’ midseason depth chart informs their coach needs for trade deadline and beyond 1185349 Ralph Krueger’s firing, what the Sabres do now and what comes next: GM Kevyn Adams speaks Panthers 1185350 Ralph Krueger’s firing was inevitable as Sabres fall to 1185378 Barkov for MVP? Quenneville for Coach of the Year? Here laughingstock status is why Panthers are contenders 1185379 Picking a winner: Coach Quenneville has made Panthers Flames into a contender 1185351 Oilers roll over Flames 1185352 Since Sutter’s arrival, ‘playing fast’ has been focal point for Flames’ 1185380 , Anze Kopitar lead Kings’ rout of slumping Blues Blackhawks 1185382 Kings get Jaret Anderson-Dolan back after their 1185353 defensemen and Ian unplanned break Mitchell bring different elements to the team. But do the 1185383 FINAL – KINGS 4, BLUES 1 – MOORE, 1185354 update: Bowman says Blackhawks ANDERSON-DOLAN, MCLELLAN ‘seems in good spirits’ 1185384 GAME THREAD – KINGS VS. BLUES, 3/17 1185355 Ian Mitchell gets a chance to show Lightning reflexes 1185385 3/17 PREVIEW – PETERSEN/QUICK, LINEUP NOTES, 1185356 Mental lapses costing Blackhawks at inopportune times MONDAY MADNESS, REVERSE RETRO, IAFALLO 1185357 How Hawks, Blues rivalry exploded on St. Patrick's Day 1991 1185358 Blackhawks roster projections: How do Jonathan Toews, 1185386 Wild defenseman Carson Soucy draws one-game , Lukas Reichel fit in 2021-22? suspension 1185387 Carson Soucy faces hearing with NHL Department of Player Safety 1185359 5 possible Avalanche goaltending trade targets ahead of 1185388 Avalanche play the Wild, aim for 5th straight victory April 12 deadline 1185389 Wild wins eighth in a row at home, shuts out Coyotes 3-0 1185360 Avalanche goaltending concerns deepen with giant 1185390 Wild defenseman Carson Soucy suspended one game for disparity between Philipp Grubauer, Hunter Miska high hit 1185361 Who plays behind Philipp Grubauer? The Avalanche need 1185391 Kaapo Kahkonen, Cam Talbot have been Wild’s dynamic to figure out their backup goalie plan duo in net 1185362 Avs Practice Notebook: Renouf on waivers; does it suggest Makar or Byram are ready? 1185363 Scott Takes: Miska had his chance, now it’s time for the Avs to find a legitimate backup Canadiens Senators 1185392 Connor scores twice, Ehlers scores winner as 1185425 GARRIOCH: Senators lose yet another goalie to injury — Jets edge Canadiens 4-3 and the game in a shootout 1185393 About Last Night: The Canadiens still can't win in 3-on-3 1185426 Erik Brannstrom may get a chance to play with Belleville overtime this weekend ... Prospect Shane Pinto a Hobey Baker f 1185394 Canadiens battle back late to earn a point, but fall 4-3 to 1185427 Senators add another goalie to the mix as they claim Jets in OT Anton Forsberg from 1185395 Cowan: 'It's an honour' to wear Canadiens sweater, Xavier 1185428 What should the Senators do with Mike Reilly: Trade Ouellet says before deadline or re-sign? 1185396 Canadiens Game Day: Another OT loss for Habs as they fall 4-3 to Jets 1185397 sign one-year deal with 1185429 Flyers trounced by NY Rangers, 9-0, as Mika Zibanejad cryptocurrency trading platform: report ties NHL record with 6 points in ONE period 1185398 Canadiens’ trade deadline need is glaring but is also a 1185430 After grueling recovery, Flyers’ Oskar Lindblom ‘needs a tricky calculation for reset’ and is among several lineup changes 1185399 Canadiens trade deadline limits: Marc Bergevin told the 1185431 Flyers face the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, and truth — but not the whole truth that’s good news for Philadelphia 1185432 What we learned from Monday’s Flyers 5-4 OT win over 1185400 Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne still going strong, 1185433 Flyers hit rock bottom with 9-0 drubbing by Rangers but will need some rest soon 1185434 Defensive help? After 9-0 loss, who knows if Flyers will be 1185401 The ultimate Predators trade quiz: How well do you know buyers of any kind Nashville deadline deals? 1185435 Flyers make multiple lineup changes up front and on back end Devils 1185436 Prospect's 'NHL-quality release,' D-man trade option, 1185402 Binghamton Devils’ schedule again interrupted due to more in 3 Flyers thoughts COVID protocols 1185437 Can the Flyers fix this? Season is on the brink after getting 1185403 After loss to Devils, spiraling Sabres fire ‘totally embarrassed’ by the Rangers Ralph Krueger 1185404 Devils’ Mackenzie Blackwood takes step back to top form | Pittsburgh Pengui 5 observations from win over Sabres 1185440 Empty Thoughts: Bruins 2, Penguins 1 1185405 Islanders’ Anders Lee Out for the Season With a Knee 1185438 Mark Madden: Penguins shouldn't make big trade chasing Injury faint hopes 1185406 Anders Lee’s season-ending ACL injury changes 1185439 Penguins assign Josh Maniscalco, Radim Zohorona to Islanders’ trade-deadline focus Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 1185407 Lamoriello excited to have fans back in Nassau Coliseum 1185441 What's new with the , the Penguins' on Thursday night next opponent? 1185408 Isles' Anders Lee done for the season 1185442 Penguins’ center depth under the microscope with Evgeni 1185409 Five things to know as the Islanders aggressively try to fill Malkin, Teddy Blueger injuries the Anders Lee injury void 1185443 Penguins trade deadline confidential: What you should 1185410 NEW YORK ISLANDERSIslanders Poised to be know about their plans Aggressive in Pursuit to Fill Gap Left by Anders Lee Injury 1185444 Penguins Trade Talk: Circling Potential Targets, Bottom-6 | NYHN+ Help 1185411 Anders Lee to Miss Remainder of Season with ACL Injury 1185445 Penguins Partnering To Distribute Gear To Young Players 1185412 Unhappy with Mathew Barzal in Loss 1185446 Penguins Report Card: Penguins Battled, That’s the Good to Caps News 1185447 Crosby Calls on NHL for Clarity of Illegal Hits After Tanev New York Rangers Misconduct 1185413 Rangers beat Flyers 9-0 despite losing entire coaching staff to COVID-19 safety protocols 1185414 Entire Rangers coaching staff out against Flyers due to 1185448 What , Tomas Hertl said about their fights COVID-19 protocols vs. 1185415 Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad breaks out of slump with NHL- 1185449 Third period meltdown costs Sharks in heartbreaking loss record-tying outburst to Golden Knights 1185416 Rangers wallop Flyers 9-0 without , other 1185450 Sharks’ Kurtis Gabriel looks for “pound of flesh” tonight vs. coaches Golden Knights 1185417 Entire Rangers coaching staff missing Flyers game due to 1185451 Vegas scores 4 straight in 3rd, rallies past Sharks 5-4 COVID-19 issue 1185452 Boughner says Hertl's first NHL fight showed 'character' in 1185418 Tarmo Reunanen’s whirlwind first day with Rangers was a loss success 1185453 Report: Sharks goalie Dubnyk would accept trade to 1185419 Rest of Rangers’ season must be all about next season contender 1185420 Postgame takeaways: Mika Zibanejad's hat trick gives NY 1185454 Sharks playing more as a team, but ‘moral victories suck’ Rangers dominant win on wild day 1185455 Game Notes #27: Sharks Go Off Rails, Lose 5-4 to 1185421 NY Rangers coach David Quinn and staff enter COVID-19 Golden Knights protocol; two players come off list 1185456 Merkley on Sommer, Cuda Played Skater Short for Game 1185422 Mika Zibanejad nets hat trick as Rangers erupt in 9-0 win Because of App Mistake over Flyers 1185457 Ryan Merkley on First Pro , Living with Kurtis Gabriel 1185423 Erin Goal Bragh! Kevin Rooney finishing chances for 1185458 Game Preview/Lines #27: Gabriel Calls Out Reaves, Rangers Doesn’t Like Pacioretty’s “Dirty Hit” 1185424 Rangers pour it on vs. lifeless Flyers despite coaching staff placed on COVID-19 list St Louis Blues Golden Knights Continued 1185459 Blues come out flat as can be in 4-1 loss to Kings 1185488 When they’re not on the ice, biggest thing hockey players 1185460 Blues notebook: Foes are making it tougher for Kyrou need is sleep 1185461 Blues' Mike Hoffman falling short in scoring, ice time and - 1185489 Morning Skate Report: reveals he had a it seems - his coach's confidence on defense concussion 1185462 (Updated) Blues Game Day: Bozak moved to active 1185490 Robin Lehner Closer To Vegas Golden Knights Return roster, Paryako goes to long-term IR 1185463 Doughty, Kopitar lead LA Kings’ 4-1 rout of slumping Blues 1185491 With Tom Wilson out, Daniel Sprong is making the most of 1185464 Will the return of Jaden Schwartz and other injured Blues his opportunity with the Capitals be enough to save them? 1185492 Behind Alex Ovechkin's goals, the Capitals are rolling in 1185465 Klim Kostin’s KHL coach sees a bright NHL future the East Division developing for the Blues prospect: ‘He can be a game- 1185493 Capitals to wear and auction green warmup jerseys changer’ 1185494 Trotz on Ovechkin's milestone goal: 'I wish I was not here' Websites 1185466 Lightning’s Victor Hedman separates himself at his 1185504 The Athletic / NHL trade deadline: Analyzing the top position available players 1185467 Lightning road trip diary: NHL travel isn’t what rookie Cal 1185505 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: The biggest trade Foote expected involving each Canadian NHL team combo, ranked 1185468 LeBrun: Can the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley 1185506 The Athletic / LeBrun: Can the Lightning win back-to-back Cups? Their own GM, and the last GM to do it, think so Stanley Cups? Their own GM, and the last GM to do it 1185507 .ca / With elite offence, Barrie becoming a force Maple Leafs Oilers have lacked since Coffey 1185469 claim former 1185508 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens leave another crucial point on winger Jimmy Vesey the board in OT loss to Jets 1185470 Toronto hosts Calgary after Hyman’s 2-goal game 1185509 Sportsnet.ca / Thatcher Demko's hot play carrying 1185471 The time has come for GM and his Leafs to Canucks back into playoff race seize the day, and not just talk about it 1185510 Sportsnet.ca / Breaking down the major NHL awards 1185472 joins Maple Leafs’ taxi squad, inches candidates at mid-season closer to game-day roster 1185511 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs' 7 best pure rental forward 1185473 Five Maple Leafs prospects that could be attractive on the targets ahead of trade deadline trade market 1185512 Sportsnet.ca / Quinton Byfield ready to make most of 1185474 LEAFS NOTES: Simmonds keeping his wits, Galchenyuk in NHL, whenever it comes takes another step and Campbell is close 1185513 Sportsnet.ca / Five potential trade destinations for 1185475 KOSHAN: Confidence high in Maple Leafs room, no Predators Mattias Ekholm matter if trade comes 1185514 Sportsnet.ca / Sabres 'open to anything and everything' 1185476 Maple Leafs' forward depth takes a small bump with loss after firing Ralph Krueger of Vesey to Canucks 1185515 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens mid-season report: Consistency 1185477 TRAIK-EOTOMY: Can the Maple Leafs afford to bring key after turbulent first half back Zach Hyman — and should they? 1185516 Sportsnet.ca / Penguins' Burke: Tanev ejection was 'a 1185478 Maple Leafs prospect stock report: Who’s up, who’s down clean hit all day long' with trade talk heating up 1185518 Trade Bait: Examining the NHL’s buyers and sellers ahead 1185479 The Maple Leafs’ top 10 trade deadline targets: Taylor of TradeCentre Hall, Eric Staal, Tanner Pearson and more 1185519 TSN.CA / Galchenyuk appears close to making Maple Leafs debut Vancouver Canucks 1185520 USA TODAY / NHL second-half predictions: On trades, 1185499 Canucks 3, Senators 2 (SO): Gaudette ends more drama MVP, Stanley Cup winner in the twilight zone 1185521 USA TODAY / NHL winners and losers from first half of 1185500 Canucks’ newest addition Jimmy Vesey faces race against season COVID-19 clock 1185501 The Armies: All the Canucks do is win, win, win no matter what 1185495 Jets bounce back with 4-3 OT win 1185502 How Jimmy Vesey gives Canucks lineup a boost now and 1185496 Dubois making an impact could impact trade deadline plans 1185497 Jets escape with another OT win over Habs 1185503 Ranking the top 10 prospects in the Canucks’ system 1185498 Pre-trade deadline bang for your buck: How each Jets 2021: No. 10 to No. 6 player’s performance stacks up with his cap hit at midsea SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 Vegas Golden Knights 1185480 Golden Knights rally with 4 goals in 3rd period to beat Sharks 1185481 Robin Lehner says ‘stigma around mental health is insane’ 1185482 At age 36, Golden Knights’ goalie may be playing the best hockey of his career 1185483 Thrilling 3rd period lifts Golden Knights over rival Sharks 1185484 Golden Knights’ Robin Lehner discusses his concussion and frustrations over ‘stigma’ 1185485 Golden Knights Make Sharks Green With Envy With Overpowering Third Period: VGK 5 San Jose 4 On St. Patrick’s D 1185486 Role Reversal: Ryan Reaves scores clutch goal while teammates brawl 1185487 Vegas Golden Knights Sink Sharks on Four-Goal Third; Win 5-3 1185333 Anaheim Ducks So, what’s changed? Why has their play dipped?

“Because they care so much and we’re a team that lacks offense, they’re trying to do their best to add offense,” Eakins said. “We still want them to Ducks, without Hampus Lindholm, look defenseless join the rush, but we don’t need them trying to carry the puck out of the Since the defenseman fractured his wrist, the team is 2-6-1, has been zone, making an extra move or making a pretty play. outscored 42-25 and fallen into last place “Simple plays are the best for us.”

Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.18.2021 By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | PUBLISHED: March 17, 2021 at 11:25 a.m. | UPDATED: March 17, 2021 at 11:26 a.m.

If you want to know where it all started to go haywire for the Ducks, it’s best to the date of Feb. 27 in red ink.

That’s when defenseman Hampus Lindholm fractured his wrist during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights and departed the lineup.

The Ducks are 2-6-1 without Lindholm and have been outscored 42-25, or by an average of 4.7 goals to 2.8. They are 8-16-6 overall and sitting in last place in the West Division going into Thursday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes at .

Before he hurt his wrist, Lindholm also sat out three games because of an unrelated injury. The Ducks lost all three, including one in overtime, giving them a 2-8-2 mark without Lindholm in the lineup this season. They were outscored 13-7 in those three games to make it 55-32 without him.

The Ducks were 6-8-4 with him in the lineup, which wasn’t great but wasn’t terrible, either. They were outscored 48-35, by an average of 2.7 goals to 1.9, which also wasn’t exactly great but wasn’t so terrible, either. He has two goals and four assists in 18 games.

Lindholm’s absence, coupled with the fact Josh Manson has played only six games this season because of injuries, has proved to be devastating for the Ducks. Lindholm and Manson were in the lineup together, although not paired together, for three games in 2020-21.

Lindholm was expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks, which means he might not be back in the lineup until mid-April. Manson was drawing closer to a return from an unspecified lower body injury after he sat out for six weeks earlier this season because of a strained oblique.

“When you’ve had two of your top four defensemen in a total of three games together this year, that’s very, very difficult to overcome in this league,” Ducks coach said. “I don’t care how good your team is or if you’re a championship team or a team in transition.

“That is just reality. We won’t use that as an excuse.”

But …

“We’ve got to, to a man, be better,” Eakins continued. “We’ll continue on with our ‘D’ back there, trying to get them better, trying to get better support from our forwards. Missing guys like Hampus and Josh, that’s certainly tough to deal with over a long period of time.”

Cam Fowler and Kevin Shattenkirk, who also are considered to be among the Ducks’ top defensemen, have shouldered the burden as well as could be expected. Fowler leads the Ducks’ defensemen with 13 points, including 11 assists, and Shattenkirk has 12 points, including 10 assists.

Fowler has a minus-5 defensive rating in 30 games; Shattenkirk is minus- 4 in 30 games.

What’s hurt the Ducks, and what Eakins acknowledged after their 8-4 loss Tuesday to the Colorado Avalanche in Denver, is the play of Ben Hutton and Jacob Larsson has slipped noticeably in recent days and weeks. Hutton and Larsson have three points each. Hutton is minus-13; Larsson is minus-15.

“Fair statement,” Eakins said of the drop in their play recently. “But the thing we’re trying to get them both to do, and this is going to sound backward, but do less. They have to understand who they are. We just want these guys to do what they did at the start of the year.

“They would close quickly, have great sticks, get the puck and move it to the fastest guy in two to three seconds. We’re not looking for offense from these two young men. We just need them to play solid ‘D,’ be physical and get rid of that puck as quick as they can to our forwards.” 1185334 Anaheim Ducks It isn’t fair to hold Getzlaf to the standard he set for himself in the first third of his career, or even the productive middle third. He turns 36 in May and he’s playing on a team that doesn’t have many pure offensive Ducks midseason report card: Things only seem to be getting worse weapons around him. But it is fair to think that he still has the ability to lift his wingers to greater heights. The fact that he has one power-play assist is unfathomable, even if he has played more around the net than being a pure quarterback. Lately, the Ducks have given him better linemates in By Eric Stephens Mar 17, 2021 Comtois and Rickard Rakell on occasion, but the chemistry has been spotty at best. He has shown that he can transition into more of a defensive role and hasn’t made his steadily declining ice time an issue. The more games the Ducks play, the more they seem determined to find new lows. John Gibson: C+

On Tuesday, Anaheim managed to turn the rarity of scoring four first- The 27-year-old franchise netminder won three of his first six starts – two period goals and having a 4-2 lead over Colorado into an 8-4 loss. The by shutout – and had only one regulation defeat while shining with a .948 eight goals allowed marked a season-high. The only silver lining was that save percentage and 1.68 goals-against average. Ever since he got his beleaguered goalie John Gibson was spared because he missed the third shutout on Feb. 11 in Vegas, Gibson has won only one of 11 game with a lower-body injury, but Ryan Miller took the brunt of an appearances and has been saving pucks at a woeful .863 rate while offensive avalanche. posting a grisly 3.98 GAA. Five goals have been allowed in each of his last three appearances. Whose fault is that? Is it his team’s failure to play The Ducks have allowed 18 goals in this four-game losing streak and a tight system over the full 60 minutes or has it been a propensity to fall haven’t given up fewer than three in any contest since a 1-0 win over apart after allowing a goal or two? Is it Gibson letting the frustrations of Vegas on Feb. 11. Things only appear to be getting worse, with the losing erode his sharpness? All look true. The fact is, the Ducks need occasional break from the bleak thrown in. him playing at that early level to have any hope of winning regularly. And it’s not happening. Which makes it a great time to do some midseason grading. Derek Grant: D Technically, the Ducks are two games past the midpoint of this 56-game schedule, which has come fast and furious, so we’ve got to get these Grant, 30, is playing more than ever in the NHL, as his 14:26 average ice grades recorded. As you can imagine for a team that has an 8-16-6 time is the most over his eight-year career. Unfortunately, his play has record and the third-worst in the NHL, there won’t be taken a real step backward and he has been playing more like the many good marks handed out. borderline NHLer he was for his first few seasons than the player who broke through in his first of three turns with Anaheim. He isn’t winning When The Athletic asked to specify the identity of the faceoffs (49.0 percent) like before and he had zero goals until scoring Ducks and how often have they played up to it, Anaheim’s longtime Tuesday on his first career penalty shot. Only his penalty-killing – which captain answered, “Not enough, obviously, with our record showing.” hasn’t been as impactful without injured partner Carter Rowney – is It is a team that doesn’t seem to have a clear identity. And it is one keeping him in the lineup. lacking in top performers to help shape that identity. Jani Hakanpää: B/B- : B Pressed into top-four duty when Josh Manson suffered an oblique injury, From the outside, the 36-year-old Backes might seem to have a Hakanpaa was a bit of a revelation when he not only handled 17 to 20 thankless role as that of a grizzled, past-his-prime veteran who plays only minutes per night but capably went over 20 minutes on eight occasions. sparingly and is on the final year of his contract. This might even be his That is a major achievement considering that this is the 28-year-old’s first last season. But Backes has thrown himself into that role, by bringing experience as a full-time NHL player. Forming a mostly effective energy and an edge when he does play and by bringing a healthy dose partnership with Fowler, Hakanpaa was a minus player in only five of the of professionalism as he embraces a mentorship role while residing first 24 games while operating as the shutdown half of that duo. The mostly on the taxi squad. A nice moment arrived when he scored his first minuses have started to pile up over the past four games. But it’s a solid goal of the season in a win over the rival Kings. showing for someone expected to be a No. 6 defenseman at best.

Max Comtois: A- Danton Heinen: C/C-

Comtois came into training camp with a bold attitude and was intent on I’m not really sure how much the Ducks expected from Heinen, 25, on a making the Ducks’ roster and staying with them the entire year. The 22- full-time basis following an abbreviated look last season after they year-old left wing scored both goals in Anaheim’s season opener and acquired him from Boston. Clearly, the winger hasn’t been what they hasn’t looked back. With nine goals, Comtois remains the team leader in hoped for, as he has been scratched in nine of the last 12 contests. that category and his 19 points are tied for the top spot. His play has There aren’t many spots for him on either wing. Comtois, Rakell and faded lately, and navigating a full NHL schedule remains a learning Jakob Silfverberg are set, Max Jones has moved past him and Troy process. But the thought was that this was the year in which he needed Terry, who also has been scratched at times, is still in the mix. And I to break through and stick. Done. don’t think they envisioned Heinen as a fourth-liner.

Nic Deslauriers: B- Adam Henrique: C-

Deslauriers got off to a great start with two goals in his first four games Whether or not you thought his benching or placement on waivers was while putting 11 shots on goal. His play has ebbed and flowed since and, warranted, Henrique was not playing well in February and there weren’t unlike last year, he hasn’t always made a positive argument to stay in the any signs that he was coming out of his slump until those shock-to-the- lineup. But the times when he has hurt the team have been few, and the system moves were made. The veteran forward has been better – he’s physical play that is his calling card has remained consistent. The Ducks their second-leading goal scorer, and one of his seven goals was a do greatly appreciate the protective element he gives them. recent overtime winner against the Kings – but he is still not at the level that made him Anaheim’s goal and point leader last season. The Ducks Cam Fowler: B still need him to be better, if only to make him more appealing to contending teams that could use some scoring depth for the postseason. On a blue line that has been besieged by injury and inconsistent, if not ineffective play, Fowler has provided a solid foundation for the Ducks. Adam Henrique. (Kirby Lee / USA Today) The 11th-year Duck continues to get his team out of its own end with plays made under pressure, by skating the puck out or making on-target Ben Hutton: C-/D+ first passes. Fowler owns some of the best possession numbers on the Signed to a one-year deal to fill the spot vacated when Christian Djoos team and has other commendable analytics. And he produces at a half- was plucked off waivers, Hutton brought a lot more NHL experience (364 point-per-game average despite Anaheim’s persistent scoring struggles. games) than Djoos but hasn’t been an upgrade. You could make the Cam Fowler. (Kirby Lee / USA Today) argument that Hutton has been worse than what Djoos has given struggling Detroit as a sheltered third-pairing defender. Hutton started off Ryan Getzlaf: C fairly well and appeared to stabilize Anaheim’s third pair. Lately, it’s been a picture of instability as he has been beaten to spots or worked over in It has been an odd, uneven season for the Ducks’ best offensive player. front of his net and has been shaky making plays in his zone. Many The 27-year-old started very slowly, putting shots on net but not being underlying metrics are atrocious. And there has been little offense, particularly dangerous in the offensive end. But Rakell started to play outside of his first goal with the team on March 8. better even as his goal-scoring slump extended to just one goal in his first 20 games. He turned his focus to playmaking, and his 13 assists – Max Jones: B-/C+ 11 of them primary – still lead the team. Seven of them came in a blazing The 23-year-old plays with energy and some snarl, both of which the six-game stretch in which he also had five goals. But just as quickly as he Ducks could use more of. Jones will go to the net and battle. When he got hot, Rakell has turned cold again with zero points in this four-game does that consistently, the Michigan native relishes the back-and-forth losing streak. That’s uneven. and inserts himself into the game. Power forwards often take longer to Rickard Rakell. (Ron Chenoy / USA Today) develop, and Jones still can add a layer of polish to his raw ability. But he can play up and down the lineup, and his long reach and strong skating Carter Rowney: B+ can make him a potential penalty-killer in time. Numbers don’t tell the full story of what the 31-year-old Rowney was Jacob Larsson: C-/D+ bringing to the team until he went down with what was recently revealed as a season-ending torn meniscus. Not only was he playing a healthy In the early going, it seemed Larsson had taken a step toward being a amount on the fourth line, but he was leading a team that struggled to regular who could give Anaheim more good games than bad ones. But score with assists. Dallas Eakins has lamented the loss of Rowney, the Ducks should know by now what they’ve got in the 23-year-old, which whom he called his best penalty-killer, and the numbers bore that out. In is a pretty good skater whose erratic execution doesn’t maximize what his 49 minutes of shorthanded time, Rowney was on the ice for only appears to be a decent toolbox for what could be a quality shutdown three goals against. The Ducks’ penalty kill has been a woeful 61.8 defenseman. Maybe he might do better with Hakanpää as a partner so percent since his injury. he could play on his natural left side. But it is unlikely that the team’s top pick in 2015 (No. 27 overall) will be a core player and that’s disappointing Kevin Shattenkirk: D+ for someone drafted that high. Until he scored a tying goal and assisted on the overtime winner in a Isac Lundestrom: B comeback victory at Colorado on March 6, Shattenkirk had few moments when he made a positive difference on the ice. He had turnovers when There was concern that the 21-year-old Lundestrom was not coming handling the puck and times when his defense was lacking, but that along particularly quickly as a prospect, especially one who was a first- comes with how much he has the puck and the large number of minutes round pick. It wasn’t as though he was tearing up the AHL when he was he plays. But the Ducks also expected much more on the power play. getting a lot of ice time and a prominent role. But he gained some He’s been a little better since his breakout game but just two of his 12 offensive confidence back home in during the Ducks’ long points have come with the man advantage. offseason and improved his skating to where he could get separation from defenders. Lundestrom can stand to improve on his faceoffs and Jakob Silfverberg: C turn more of his puck-possession skills into plays for teammates. But he has taken a notable step forward. Silfverberg’s minus-13 rating, which is among the worst on the team, partially is a product of him playing a lot – at 17:07 per game, he ranks Hampus Lindholm: B/B- third among Ducks forwards behind Rakell and Getzlaf. Silfverberg is still capable of driving play but there’s a wide disparity in the number of high- At 27, Lindholm is Anaheim’s most indispensable defender and his danger chances opponents score on, compared to those he and his absence due to a fractured wrist is having a sizable impact as the Ducks linemates haven’t converted. He is a shooter with six goals, and his have dropped seven of nine games since he went down. The Ducks lost offense often comes out of his forechecking and defensive work. But he three other contests when he missed time due to another injury. Now, also needs linemates who can play a similar puck-possessive game in they also weren’t great with him in the lineup, as they were 6-8-4. But order for him to maximize his effectiveness down low in the offensive they weren’t the hot mess they are now. Lindholm was giving the Ducks end. what he usually does, which is sturdy defense, solid penalty-killing and excellent transportation of the puck while chipping in some offense. All of Sam Steel: D+ that is in short supply now. Steel, 23, has not been able to find his footing in his third season. His Josh Mahura: C+ possession numbers are credible but the metrics in overall scoring chances and those in the high-danger areas are skewed decisively This is the third time Mahura has been given a spell with the Ducks of against him. It hasn’t helped that he doesn’t shoot the puck. His 23 shots some length, and it could be the longest look he will get with Lindholm on goal are the fewest among the forwards who hat have played sidelined. It could give the organization further clarity as to whether the regularly. And he lost his spot on the power play. Only his faceoff 22-year-old is someone it can view as a long-term fit. Mahura is best prowess (56 percent) keeps his grade from dropping any lower. when he uses his skating to attack the net or in transitioning the puck from defense to offense. But he’s going to need to be tougher to play Troy Terry: C- against in front of his net and improve on holding the blue line to keep possession. When he is confident, decisive and assertive, Terry has shown that he can make plays. He did it in the first period Tuesday, scoring a goal and Josh Manson: Incomplete setting up another by Henrique. But the 23-year-old has fallen out of Eakins’s favor on occasion, even though he continues to do a decent job This could have been a year for Manson to re-establish himself as one of driving play and creating scoring chances. It is his inconsistency that the better shutdown rearguards around the league, but he suffered one seems to bother the coaching staff. Terry needs more games during the injury that knocked him out for 20 games and another that has kept him second half like the two multi-point efforts he had over the last 11 days. out for the last four. The injuries have started to pile up over the past two That will take him to the level the Ducks are counting on him to reach. years and, given his physical style, one can’t help but wonder how much they may hamper him as he ages. But the Ducks do need him in action, Trevor Zegras: B whether to help the defense or give the team a potential trade chip. The sky remains the limit for Zegras and he’s only starting to leave the Ryan Miller: C ground. He got his third assist in his 10th NHL game on Tuesday and was only a friendlier post away from scoring his first goal. An adjustment Honestly, this was a tough grade. Miller’s overall numbers weren’t very to this level is necessary and you can see that taking place in how much good heading into an unexpected start Tuesday in Colorado, and the quicker defenders close on him. It’s no surprise that his five-on-five game Ducks did him no favors with an absent defensive effort as he got beat is trailing his impact on the power play, but that is coming along the more for seven goals on 35 shots. If this is the final season for the 40-year-old he plays. It also will come the more he is trusted to play in even-strength goalie and he rides out his final days in Anaheim, it would be nice for the situations, whether the Ducks are leading or trailing. Ducks to play better in front of him so he can have an honest chance to secure another win and pass Dominik Hasek for 14th place on the all- Trevor Zegras. (Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today) time NHL goalie wins list. Coaching: D Rickard Rakell: B- Eakins has not been able to get the Ducks over the hump toward being a winning team, and it appears as if he is losing his grip on a club that, if nothing else, was playing hard for him on most nights. On Tuesday, Getzlaf didn’t blame the bad team defense on their system play but aimed it more at compete level. “It’s a matter of outmuscling the guy next to you,” he said. “We didn’t do a good enough job around our net. And that’s been a little bit of an issue for us at certain points throughout this year.” But Eakins has yet to find a forward pair or line that he doesn’t need to address, and while it’s worthwhile to have a true four-line team, his devotion to grinders at times when the Ducks need offense can be baffling. Some of the young players have progressed. Others haven’t. And he hasn’t gotten many leading performances from his veterans.

Front office: D

General manager Bob Murray insisted that the Ducks were in a position to take a step forward, move beyond being a team in transition and compete for a playoff spot. It stood to reason that the combination of a top-tier goalie, a roster that still had veterans who have experienced winning and a group of youngsters ready to take on meatier roles could at least produce a club that would battle and possibly beat out teams like Minnesota, Arizona, San Jose and Los Angeles. That has been a severe miscalculation. This roster simply isn’t good enough. It has trouble scoring and isn’t airtight on defense. It doesn’t handle adversity very well. Injuries have made things worse. And there have been no deals to inject anything different. This is of Murray’s making.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185335 Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes drop 3rd straight game to Wild, 4th overall

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS | MARCH 16, 2021 AT 8:20 PM UPDATED: MARCH 16, 2021 AT 8:21 PM

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Kaapo Kahkonen made 31 saves in his second shutout of the season as the Minnesota Wild topped the Arizona Coyotes 3-0 on Tuesday night.

Ryan Hartman, and Jared Spurgeon scored for the Wild. Kahkonen won his ninth straight start during a standout rookie season.

Minnesota swept three consecutive home games against Arizona and extended its home winning streak to eight, the longest in the NHL this year.

Adin Hill made 23 saves for the Coyotes.

Hartman scored his fourth goal 1:37 into the third straight game between the teams. The familiarity and a major penalty added to a chippy game. Carson Soucy was given a five-minute major for charging Conor Garland when he left his feet and made contact with Garland’s head.

Lawson Crouse then initiated a fight as soon as Soucy left the penalty box. Crouse was given a penalty and game misconduct for instigating. The teams combined for 47 penalty minutes but were a combined 0 for 7 on the power play.

Zuccarello got his fifth goal of the season in the third. Zuccarello missed the first 11 games with an upper-body injury, but has 19 points in 16 games since returning and has been quite the match with NHL rookie scoring leader Kirill Kaprizov to pace Minnesota’s offense.

The Wild are first in the league in wins, points and goals since Feb. 18, going 12-2-1.

Kaprizov isn’t the only Minnesota rookie showing well. Kahkonen’s nine straight wins are the longest streak by an NHL netminder this year and he started the day sixth in the league in save percentage and eighth in goals-against average for goalies with at least 10 games.

Spurgeon added his first goal late in the third period.

ARIZONA GOALTENDING WOES

Antti Raanta, who had taken over as the top for Arizona with injured, was held out with a lower-body injury. The team said Raanta is day to day. Ivan Prosvetov was recalled from the taxi squad to serve as Hill’s backup.

Niklas Hjalmarsson returned after missing one game with an upper-body injury. Arizona also recalled Hudson Fasching from the taxi squad to play in Tuesday’s game. Michael Chaput was assigned to the taxi squad.

UP NEXT

Coyotes: Continue their seven-game road trip Thursday at Anaheim where they play two games against the Ducks.

Wild: Travel to Colorado for a pair of games starting Thursday. The teams have split four meetings this season.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185336 Boston Bruins We only know that he considered a sleeping aid, noting late Tuesday night that he’d probably take the game puck to bed with him.

“I’m actually going to buy a safe and lock it there,” said a smiling Vladar, Trent Frederic is doing his part to boost Bruins’ punchless offense 23. “So no one can steal it from me.”

On the ice, the night ended with Vladar standing in his crease, sharing a By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff,Updated March 17, 2021, 2:49 p.m. conversation with Jaro Halak, who served backup duty for the rookie.

“He was just saying what he told me before the game — he told me that he’s got the feeling that I am going to win the game,” said Vladar. “And Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron (left) shows his appreciation after Trent he just told me, ‘See, you gotta listen to me.’ It was really nice of him.” Frederic (right) broke a 1-1 tie in the third period Tuesday. It was a memorable night for rookie goalie Dan Vladar. Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron (left) shows his appreciation after Trent Frederic (right) broke a 1-1 tie in the third period Tuesday.KEITH The Penguins pulled DeSmith for the last minute-plus to stage a six-on- SRAKOCIC five assault, which would not have been as stressful for Vladar had Pastrnak and Marchand not missed prime chances to put away empty- PITTSBURGH — Midway through the abbreviated NHL season, rookie netters. forward Trent Frederic has become the Bruins’ scoring machine. “As a goalie, you’ve got to really focus,” said Vladar. “Because every The 23-year-old center/wing has four goals. For the season. single shot can go in. So I was just focused for 60 minutes, from the puck drop to the final whistle. Such is the plight, or blight, of the Black and Gold offense that has pieced together only 73 goals through 27 games, better in the East Division than “Today was a game I waited for 4½ years. It’s been a while. I’m just so only bottom-feeders New Jersey and Buffalo. happy that we won and all the hard work I’ve done paid off. But obviously I hope this is not my final game in the NHL.” Fearless “Freddy’s” fourth of the year, with 7:07 gone in the third period Tuesday night, proved to be the difference in the Bruins’ 2-1 win over the Vladar’s most brilliant moment came in the first period when he robbed Penguins. Set up by fellow freshman Jakub Zboril, he connected with a Colton Sceviour with a desperation paddle save, reaching back with his wrister from mid-slot, thanks in no small part to David Pastrnak setting a right hand to knock aside the forward’s doorstep bid. sneaky screen at the top of Casey DeSmith’s crease. Vladar said the odds were maybe 1 in 100 to make that save. An Frederic was fresh on the ice, swapping in for Brad Marchand, and made admiring Frederic watched it from the bench. tidy work of depositing Zboril’s feed. “Pretty unreal,” said Frederic. “Once he did that, I knew he was locked in, “It wasn’t really a hard shot,” said Frederic. “Just kind of found the back and we knew we had to get the win for him.” of the net. A good play by Bergy [Patrice Bergeron] to get it to Z, and I was just coming off the bench.” Chance for Ahcan?

It was the lone even-strength goal (among only three total) the Bruins Coach said it’s possible he’ll slot rookie blue liner Jack scored in back-to-back games at PPG Paints Arena. Ahcan into the lineup Thursday night for his NHL debut if Jarred Tinordi — rocked by Brandon Tanev’s check into the boards in the second In 10 of their last 14 games (5-7-2), the Bruins have failed to score more period Tuesday — isn’t able to suit up. than two goals. They’ve been outscored, 39-33, over their protracted malaise, with Frederic scoring all of his four goals over the last dozen Ahcan, a free agent signee last spring out of St. Cloud State, was called games. up over the weekend after putting up a 1-6—7 line in 12 games with Providence. Ahcan, 23, has impressed Providence coach Jay Leach from So his pace may not be sizzling, but he’s showing more pop than anyone the start this season. else in the lineup not named Marchand, Bergeron, or Pastrnak. In the 12- game stretch, only Pastrnak (seven) tallied more. Marchand and “Jack’s been a really impressive rookie,” said Leach. “Always in the rush. Bergeron potted three each. For as small in stature as he is [5 feet 8 inches, 185 pounds], he’s got a strong base, so he can win a lot of puck battles. Pretty creative with the Trent Frederic has never been shy about mixing it up. Now, he's also puck, sees and creates things offensively.” providing some offensive punch. Never drafted, Ahcan played a season in the USHL before beginning his Trent Frederic has never been shy about mixing it up. Now, he's also four seasons at St. Cloud, where he compiled 103 points in 144 games. providing some offensive punch.JOHN TLUMACKI/ “He’s a smaller body, but he gives you more of a dynamic puck “It felt good to score,” Frederic said. “It just felt good to win. Right now, I movement,” said Cassidy. guess, we’re not finding the back of the net. But it’s work in progress, and it’s coming.” The sad-sack Sabres have lost 12 straight games. The two games there could be the ideal place for a raw rookie to get his dip into the pool. Sabres fire Krueger Boston Globe LOADED: 03.18.2021 Losers of 12 straight and 17 of their last 19, the listless Sabres sacked coach Ralph Krueger and assistant Steve Smith Wednesday morning.

Don Granato, joined by , Buffalo’s director of player development, will be behind the bench Thursday night in Buffalo for the start of a two-game set with the Bruins. The teams also play Saturday afternoon.

Provided he is in the Buffalo lineup, one-time MVP left winger would be worth Bruins fans watching, because the former No. 1 draft pick likely will be traded prior to the league’s April 12 deadline.

Ex-Bruin draft pick Kevyn Adams, a surprise choice last year to be named the Sabres , remains in charge of the Buffalo front office. For now.

Vladar relishes win

The Bruins had a full day off Wednesday, with no media availability, so the world will have to wait a day before finding out how rookie goaltender Dan Vladar slept after his 34 saves Tuesday night brought him his first career win in his first career start. 1185337 Boston Bruins

On eve of two-game set with Bruins, skidding Sabres fire coach Ralph Krueger

By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff,Updated March 17, 2021, 11:45 a.m.

Ralph Krueger is the third NHL coach to be fired this season.

Losers of 12 straight and 17 of their last 19, the listless Buffalo Sabres fired coach Ralph Krueger and assistant Steve Smith Wednesday morning.

Don Granato, joined by Matt Ellis, Buffalo’s director of player development, will be behind the bench Thursday night in Buffalo for the start of a two-game set with the Bruins. The teams will play again Saturday afternoon.

The Sabres made the move the morning after a 3-2 loss at New Jersey, to a Devils team that snapped an 11-game home skid.

“For me, this is about results that haven’t been good enough,” said general manager Kevyn Adams. “This is about how do we improve. I believe every crisis is an opportunity for change. And this is a chance for us to move forward and begin to get this thing pointed in the right direction.”

Krueger is the third NHL coach to be sacked this season, the first by a US-based franchise, following the dismissals of Claude Julien in Montreal and Geoff Ward in Calgary.

Spiritually, if not mathematically, the Sabres have been expunged from the playoff discussion.

Following the loss to New Jersey, Krueger had said, “All I can say is I continue to enjoy doing this job also in a difficult time. It’s easy to stand here when things are going well. It’s not that easy to stand here right now in this adversity. But I know we are learning and growing as an organization and we will take strength out of this in the future.”

Provided he is in the lineup, one-time MVP left winger Taylor Hall would be worth Bruins fans watching, because the former No. 1 draft pick likely will be traded prior to the league’s April 12 deadline.

Adams indicated that more changes are coming, and when specifically asked about Hall, he said he is “open to anything and everything.”

Hall has an $8 million cap hit, so interested clubs would want to add him as close to April 12 as possible, to absorb a smaller financial hit. The Sabres could hasten the process if they are willing to keep some of his salary, be it a week or two, in the swap.

Interested Canadian teams (hello, Edmonton?) would want to get it done sooner rather than later, because of the mandate that necessitates a two- week quarantine period upon entering the country.

Boston Globe LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185338 Boston Bruins

Vladar ‘Happiest Kid In the World’ After Dazzling First Bruins Win

By Joe Haggerty

As it turned, Boston Bruins rookie goaltender Dan Vladar was exactly what the struggling hockey club needed.

The 23-year-old netminder was brilliant in his first career NHL start while stopping 34 shots, including a dazzling stick save on what looked like a sure goal for Penguins forward Colton Sceviour at the backdoor with the entire net to shoot at.

“Once he did that, I knew he was locked in,” said Trent Frederic of his teammate with the P-Bruins last season. “We knew we had to get the win for him. He’s really worked hard up to this point.”

I find your lack of faith in Darth Vladar disturbing https://t.co/oOrRVu8lgr

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) March 16, 2021

Clearly it was a big moment for Vladar, who waited five long years for this first start after getting one largely unsatisfying mop-up appearance during last summer’s playoff bubble in Toronto. Afterward Vladar was a breath of fresh air talking about the NHL moment he worked for while paying his dues in the minor leagues over the last five seasons.

“I’m just the happiest kid in the world right now,” said Vladar, a former third round pick in the stacked 2015 NHL Draft class. “It was always the dream to play in the NHL. I got an opportunity and I won. There hasn’t been a better day for me hockey-wise.

“Today was a game when I just waited four-and-a-half years. It’s been a while. I’m just so happy that we won. All the hard work I’ve done kind of paid off. Obviously, this is not, hopefully, my final, final game in the NHL. If I ever get an opportunity to play again, I’ll try to do my best as always.”

The affable netminder had an even better answer when he was asked what he’s going to do with the game puck from his first career NHL win.

“I’m probably going to sleep with [the puck] tonight,” said Vladar, who actually pulled a no-no in the B’s dressing room when he pulled out his cell phone postgame to excitedly talk to his girlfriend and then his parents about his big moment. “I’m going to buy a safe so nobody can steal it from me.”

After the Bruins correctly chose Vladar for the Tuesday night start over fellow prospect Jeremy Swayman, there was nothing sleepy about his performance.

Instead Vladar miraculously stopped that one and the Bruins began to believe this was going to be their night in a 2-1 victory over the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena that snapped Pittsburgh’s six game winning streak.

The only goal that beat Vladar was the rebound follow-up of a shot from the face-off circle after a rough Jakub Zboril turnover had the Bruins scrambling in the defensive zone. Other than that, he stopped 14-of-15 shots in the first period and swallowed up all 11 shots he faced in the third period with the Penguins furiously attempting to tie up the game and salvage a point.

Instead, the mammoth 6-foot-5 Vladar looked huge between the pipes, much bigger than Tuukka Rask or Jaroslav Halak, and stood tall against everything Pittsburgh threw at him. Certainly, Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy was appreciative of the performance given how badly the team needed solid goaltending amidst offensive struggles that saw them put up just two goals in victory.

“[The paddle save] certainly gave the group confidence,” said Cassidy. “The whole bench got up. I assume it makes him feel pretty good and it gave our guys a lift. It was a critical play in the game.”

Vladar gave the Boston Bruins exactly what they needed to “stop the bleeding a little bit” and got things moving in the right direction. It’s still up in the air whether it’s Swayman or Vladar that’s the goalie of the future for the Black and Gold, but Vladar made a strong statement on Tuesday that he’s deserving of that consideration.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185339 Buffalo Sabres If these players loved Ralph Krueger as much as we heard the last two years, they sure have a funny way of showing it.

"I don't care where we are in the standings right now," Adams said. "If we Mike Harrington: Another coach got fired. It's time for Sabres players to do not show up at the rink tomorrow, and for the rest of the season, and show some pride have that characteristic (of pride) about our team, it's going to be unacceptable. And that is going to be a message and something that I'm going to spend time on. And as we evaluate players, and when we scout Mike Harrington players, that needs to be part of it. You have to just love to show up every day and want to compete and be a Buffalo Sabre."

General Manager Kevyn Adams pieced together a coaching staff on the A News staffer since 1987, I'm a Baseball Hall of Fame voter, a 2013 fly Wednesday. inductee into the Buffalo Baseball HOF and the Buffalo chapter chair of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. And I insist only Chicago & People work hard in this town. They expect to see it in return. This New York can come close to Buffalo pizza. franchise was born in 1970 and not during the Tank of 2015. People have heroes from days gone by who actually won games: The French The question this corner posed to Kevyn Adams was a simple one Connection, LaFontaine and Mogilny, Gare, Schoenfeld and Korab, Mike Wednesday: What's your message to these players going forward about Ramsey, the Dominator and Donnie Edwards, Peca, Drury and Briere. having some shred of accountability for all the coaches that have been And then there were the players we loved who weren't blessed with talent fired here in recent years? but had huge hearts and went to battle with their teammates. You think of What's next for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams? Hire a coach, forge a team Ray and May, Barnaby and Boughner and so many more. identity. Is there one guy on this team that plays anywhere near as hard as those "We’re not where we need to be, and I felt it was the right time to make guys did? Do you love any of them that way? That's why people are the change," Adams said. disgusted.

You had to love the answer . The Buffalo Coach Killers rang up another Rasmus Ristolainen is one current guy who could be on those teams. one with Ralph Krueger's dismissal and Adams -- the first-year GM who He's a beast in normal times, even more so this year for the way he's didn't remotely have a coaching change on his radar as recently as a battled through Covid. Maybe Jake McCabe. Anybody else? Still, all month ago – promised there's going to a pointed, one-way conversation they've done here is lose. when the team reports to KeyBank Center for pregame work Thursday What would or Pat LaFontaine say to Eichel about his body morning. language too many nights? What would Briere say to Reinhart about his Adams exhaled deeply and then laid down the law in slow, measured lack of an all-around game? Or to Jeff Skinner, who stopped scoring for tones. They should put his words on the wall of the dressing room. the last 25 games Housley coached and clearly spent the last two years blaming Krueger? You can tell now that Rob Ray wants to jump back "There has to be a pride that goes with putting on a Buffalo Sabres down between the benches wanting to shake poor Rasmus Dahlin, jersey," Adams said. "There has to be a pride of showing up every day whose third year has gone completely off the rails and needs an and being a player, of looking around and immediate intervention. saying, 'I'm one of the 700, 800, or whatever it is in the league, to get to do this every day.' And that has to be something that just is inside you Less than two years after his arrival as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres, and drives you to be better every single day, to love to look around the and after only 97 games on the job, Ralph Krueger was fired Wednesd… City of Buffalo and see Sabres hats and signs and people wearing The apologists for these players are everywhere. Too many fans. Too jerseys. You know, that matters. And that has to be within the DNA of our many talk radio hosts. Too many people even inside the club. team." Enough already. Ralph Krueger wasn't good enough and needed to go "There has to be a pride that goes with putting on a Buffalo Sabres but it can't always be the coach's fault. Don Granato isn't going to jersey. There has to be a pride of showing up every day and being a suddenly be a reincarnation of Toe Blake with this group. National Hockey League player." Since starting last season 8-1-1, Krueger's Sabres went 28-48-11. They — Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 17, 2021 were 7-24-4 in the last 35 games. That's pathetic. Right now, it's not. This is a country club. This is players cashing checks These players had far too much rope and they used it. With Krueger and not producing. This is players who didn't like the hard-charging gone, Adams is fully in charge. It's long past time for the GM to make approach of and the behind-the-scenes tweaking of Phil guys in the dressing room uncomfortable. Housley. Let's not forgot one coached a Stanley Cup team and the other was in the Hall of Fame. Too difficult for them to handle. Buffalo News LOADED: 03.18.2021 So they got the philosopher, Ralph Krueger. He was positive. He was happy. loved him, which is apparently all that matters here. Krueger never ranted at practice, never said a cross word about his team to the media. There was no pressure. There was no fear. There weren't any booing fans in the building this year. There were no reporters in the locker room and you just had to survive five minutes on a video call. (Memo to : We notice the eye rolls.)

It should not be easy to be an NHL player. It absolutely should not be easy when you're in 31st place like this outfit is. They've got a lot of excuses for this season – and admittedly some have merit – but they're 6-18-4 and haven't beaten anybody since Jan. 26 except poor 's terrible New Jersey team. Some nights against the Islanders, Capitals and Penguins, the Sabres barely look like they belong in the league.

The season is over. The second half begins Thursday with the first of eight games against Boston and we should never ever ever ever ever see another game from this group like Monday's 6-0 whitewash against Washington. That was one of the lowest moments in the history of the franchise, a mail-order special that brought scorn from across North America.

That was a team that didn't give a damn. 1185340 Buffalo Sabres

Bills, Sabres co-owner Kim Pegula offers support for Asian American community after Atlanta attack

Associated Press and staff reports Mar 17, 2021

A white gunman was charged Wednesday with killing eight people at three Atlanta-area massage parlors. The incident horrified the Asian American community, which saw the shootings as an attack on them, given a recent wave of assaults that coincided with the spread of the coronavirus across the .

Over the past year, thousands of incidents of abuse have been reported to an anti-hate group that tracks incidents against Asian Americans, and hate crimes in general are at the highest level in more than a decade.

Robert Aaron Long, 21, told police that Tuesday’s attack was not racially motivated and claimed to have a “sex addiction,” with authorities saying he apparently lashed out at what he saw as sources of temptation. His parents called police after authorities posted his photo, helping lead to his capture.

Six of the victims were of Asian descent and seven were women.

The shootings have led to shows of solidarity and support for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Among those with ties to professional sports who have issued statements is and Buffalo Sabres co-owner Kim Pegula, who included a link on social media to anti-Asian violence resources.

We stand beside the AAPI community. #StopAsianHateMore information on how we can all support the Asian community: https://t.co/fLqcqp4qvq pic.twitter.com/h1zkTEkaD3

— Kim Pegula (@KimPegula) March 17, 2021

The shootings appear to be at the “intersection of gender-based violence, misogyny and xenophobia,” State Rep. Bee Nguyen said, the first Vietnamese American to serve in the Georgia House and a frequent advocate for women and communities of color.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said that regardless of the shooter’s motivation, “it is unacceptable, it is hateful and it has to stop.”

Buffalo News LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185341 Buffalo Sabres The hope is that Girardi can have instant impact on the defense, given the regression of Rasmus Dahlin and Henri Jokiharju this season. Girardi is one of the top undrafted players in NHL history, playing 927 games The GM on the Sabres' new staff: Lots of new roles under Don Granato with the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay in a career that stretched to 2019.

Girardi missed just five games for New York from 2007-2015 and was a Mike Harrington Mar 17, 2021 key member on defense for the team that lost to Los Angeles in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final. He is second in career blocked shots among NHL

defenseman with 1,954. Just like you see players do all the time during a game with line changes, "High character, high compete, thought the game very well as a General Manager Kevyn Adams pieced together a coaching staff on the defenseman, which I thought would be very helpful in a short time to fly Wednesday for the Buffalo Sabres. bring some fresh perspective," Adams said. "I've been extremely Adams said his search for a permanent head coach to replace Ralph impressed with Dan in his role as a development coach on our staff for Krueger starts immediately, but this is the way the staff will look for now, the past few months, the attention to detail he showed, the discipline the starting with Thursday night's game against Boston in KeyBank Center. amount of work he's done with our prospects.

• Assistant Don Granato takes over as interim head coach. Smith, a three-time Stanley Cup champion as a player with Edmonton in the 1980s and '90s, came on to the staff in 2018 under . He • Fellow assistant Steve Smith, who was running the defense and penalty worked with Krueger as an assistant in Edmonton and then under him in kill, was fired along with Krueger. the 2013 lockout season, Krueger's previous season as an NHL head coach. • Director of player development Matt Ellis and development coach Dan Girardi, both former NHL players, will move to the bench as assistant Buffalo News LOADED: 03.18.2021 coaches. Girardi will likely have to undergo an intake quarantine before taking the bench, so Adams said Rochester coach Seth Appert may come to Buffalo to assist the Sabres temporarily.

Granato, who came to the Sabres a month after Krueger was hired in 2019, had been an assistant the previous two seasons in Chicago but has lots of experience as a head coach at lower levels, including seven years as St. Louis' AHL head coach in Worcester (2000-2005) and Chicago (2008-2010), and five seasons leading the United States National Team Development Program.

Granato, 53, was AHL coach of the year in 2001 and won the ECHL's with Peoria in 2000. He was the head man of Green Bay and Wisconsin in the United States Hockey League from 1993-97.

"Don Granato has been a head coach for many years and different levels of professional hockey," Adams said. "Been in the college game, has been in the national program. He has a development background, has a teacher kind of mentality. So he's commanded a room as a head coach before."

Granato comes from a deep hockey family. His sister is Hockey Hall of Famer , who was captain of the United States' gold medal team at the 1998 Winter Olympics and is considered one of the greatest women's players of all time. She is now a scout for the . Her husband is longtime NHL player and TSN analyst .

Granato's brother, Tony, is the current coach at the University of Wisconsin and led Team USA in the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. played 774 games in the NHL from 1988-2001 with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles and San Jose. He was a four-time 30- goal scorer and had 37 in 1992-93 for the -led Kings who played in the Stanley Cup Final against Montreal.

Don Granato has been in charge of the Buffalo power play all season and it was flying atop the NHL charts for the first 17 games. But it has nosedived without the injured Jack Eichel and is 0 for 18 over the last 11 days. Overall, the Sabres entered Wednesday ninth at 26%.

Granato returned to the Sabres' bench last week after being sent to the press box in the wake of the team's Covid-19 outbreak. Adams was concerned about Granato's exposure level after Granato missed the start of last season and spent nearly two months hospitalized here with pneumonia complications that included a life-threatening blood infection.

Matt Ellis Sabres

Ellis played 296 games for the Sabres from 2008-14 and spent parts of four years in Rochester, including time as the team captain. Adams brought him on in September as director of player development after Ellis had worked as director of the Academy of Hockey in LECOM Harborcenter.

"Matt has been with the team all season in his development role. He'll continue in the development but he's going to step into this as well," Adams said. "So the players have been seeing him every day, he's been on the ice every day, so I don't see any sort of kind of burn-in time for him in terms of relationships." 1185342 Buffalo Sabres Granato was not available to speak to the media Wednesday and players were off. It's unclear how or if he plans to change the system, lineup or player usage.

What's next for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams? Hire a coach, forge a team A roster that includes Eichel, Jeff Skinner, Taylor Hall, Sam Reinhart and identity. Eric Staal has scored only 36 goals at 5-on-5 in 28 games. Skinner, Hall, Staal and Kyle Okposo have combined for seven goals while accounting for $26.35 million of salary-cap space. Eichel, a 24-year-old who scored Lance Lysowski Mar 17, 2021 a career-high 36 goals in Krueger’s first season, had two goals in 21 games, a performance at least partially impacted by injuries.

The roster has also been hit hard by injuries to Eichel, Dylan Cozens, Kevyn Adams was torn. Jake McCabe, Will Borgen, and Linus Ullmark. The Even amid a Buffalo Sabres winless streak that reached 12 games Sabres’ have combined for a .902 save percentage at 5-on- Tuesday night, the first-year general manager received glowing reviews 5, the third-worst mark in the NHL. In 18 games since returning from the from players about coach Ralph Krueger. Those comments confirmed Covid-19 pause Feb. 15, Buffalo ranks last in the league in 5-on-5 goals what Adams observed for weeks: Krueger’s coaching staff remained allowed (47) and suppressing shot quality, according to engaged and the weight of sitting last in the NHL did not a “toxic” NaturalStatTrick.com. culture in the dressing room. “We need to be better in the harder areas of the game,” said Adams. “We Yet, as Adams watched games from above, he kept seeing the same need to defend better and quicker and more tenaciously. We need to do mistakes result in losses. The Sabres, now 6-18-4 and on track to match a better job in the offensive zone of getting to the inside and the harder the NHL record with a 10th consecutive season outside the playoffs, areas. We need to manage the game better. ... Let’s not overcomplicate were again shut out in consecutive games Saturday and Monday. this. We want to be better, we have to be better and we will be better.”

Adams traveled to Florida to inform owners Terry and Kim Pegula that it Twenty-eight games remain in this shortened regular season that ends was time to fire Krueger after less than two seasons. Krueger, an ultra- May 8 and the schedule was further truncated after a two-week pause in positive, staunch defender of a system he refers to as his “principles,” which nine Sabres were placed on the Covid-19 protocol list. was unwavering in his belief that he was the coach to restore the Sabres Granato will only have a morning skate to prepare for the Sabres’ game to greatness, even while receiving the news of his firing Wednesday Thursday night against the Boston Bruins in KeyBank Center. There morning. won't be many practice days to make sweeping changes at 5-on-5 or Don Granato, amid his second season as an assistant on Krueger’s staff, special teams. He’s also likely going to face significant personnel was elevated to interim head coach and Adams began the search for a turnover in the coming weeks, as other teams continue to inquire about permanent replacement. Assistant coach Steve Smith, who has run the Adams’ pending unrestricted free agents ahead of the April 12 trade defense and penalty kill since 2018-19 under Phil Housley, was also fired deadline. as former first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin is last in the NHL with a minus- Hall, Staal, Brandon Montour, Tobias Rieder and Riley Sheahan are 27 rating. among the Sabres who could be traded. “Ultimately, wins and losses are what you’re judged on and what "We’re open to anything and everything," Adams said. happens in the standings, but it’s deeper than that,” noted Adams. “So, for me, certainly part of this was understanding our players’ mindset and Any roster movement will be difficult until the are the players really, really love Ralph Krueger. … Ultimately, the results cleared to resume practicing after three of their players tested positive for speak for themselves. The standings speak for themselves. We’re not Covid-19. Sabres players under contract beyond this season likely aren't where we need to be, and I felt it was the right time to make the change.” untouchable, as Adams evaluates who fits into his long-term plan for the franchise. Since arriving in Buffalo, Granato, 53, has worked exclusively with the forwards and the NHL’s ninth-best power play. He has nine-plus seasons The Sabres are in line to own a top 10 draft choice for a ninth of experience as a professional head coach, including seven in the consecutive year, and CapFriendly.com projects Buffalo will have . $35.839 million in salary-cap space this offseason. The plan must start, though, with finally creating an identity for the Sabres after a tumultuous Adams would not outline specific characteristics he’s seeking in his first decade in which ownership has hired and fired five head coaches and permanent head coaching hire, though he mentioned the importance of two general managers. building relationships and holding players accountable. , and Claude Julien are among the experienced coaches “I talk about this team and this town, we need to have an identity moving currently out of work that will be sought after by teams this summer, forward and build this team where players love playing, they compete including the expansion Seattle Kraken. hard, the fans love watching it and it’s all connected,” said Adams, a 46- year-old Clarence native. “I know, I’ve seen it in this town before. I know The Sabres also could hire someone from the college ranks, most what that does for our fan base, and I understand that and we’re not notably Providence College’s Nate Leaman or Minnesota-Duluth’s Scott there. And that’s when I go back to earlier, I said every part of our Sandelin. There is risk in waiting to make the hire, but Adams prefers to organization has to be better, and it starts with me.” not rush the decision given it’s difficult to hold in-person interviews amid the Covid-19 pandemic. He also may want to first hire an assistant Buffalo News LOADED: 03.18.2021 general manager, a process that is also underway following Krueger’s departure.

“I’m not going to timeline it at all,” added Adams. “For me, it’s about getting it right. If we felt it was absolutely the right person and it happens quicker, then OK. If it needs to take a longer time because we haven’t found the right person or this isn’t that easy of a time to have conversations and meet people face-to-face either, (we will). I don’t want to rush into anything."

Granato and the coaching staff, supplemented now by director of player development Matt Ellis and development coach Dan Girardi, will have to fix the Sabres’ porous defensive-zone coverage and inability to create offense at 5-on-5. The power play is also amid a 0-for-18 slump over the past 11 games, the latter five without captain Jack Eichel, who has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since March 7. 1185343 Buffalo Sabres Botterill and his assistant general managers were under contract through the 2021-22 season.

“I mentioned three words: effective, efficient and economic," owner Terry Sources: Ex-Penguins, Hurricanes exec Jason Karmanos on Sabres' Pegula said after Botterill's firing. "Today’s sports world – and I’m the last radar for assistant GM guy to know anything about technology, I can’t even mute this thing we’re talking on here – but I can tell you this, with all the existing technology that exists in the world of sports today, we can move forward much Lance Lysowski Mar 17, 2021 leaner than we operated in the past and much more efficient.

"So, we’re – you’re right – we’re going to get leaner. It’s just the way the world’s heading. Any business today, you look at the things you do, Terry and Kim Pegula’s plan for the Buffalo Sabres’ hockey operations they’re more efficient, they do things quick, they use this new technology department went out the window with the decision to fire Ralph Krueger that we all have at our fingertips.” only 28 games into his second season as coach. Eichel update Krueger, formerly coach of ’s National Team, worked in lockstep with General Manager Kevyn Adams to reconfigure the roster in Jack Eichel and the rest of the Sabres' leadership group were the first the aftermath of the Sabres firing 21 employees last June, including players informed of the decision to fire coach Ralph Krueger, General and his two assistant general managers. Manager Kevyn Adams said Wednesday.

With Krueger gone, replaced by interim coach Don Granato as the Eichel, amid his sixth NHL season and third as team captain, has missed Sabres sit last in the National Hockey League at 6-18-4, Adams told the the past five games with an upper-body injury. He is completing a media during a videoconference call Wednesday that he is looking to hire mandatory quarantine after traveling out of state to receive a second an assistant general manager. opinion from a doctor.

Industry sources confirmed to The Buffalo News that Jason Karmanos, The 24-year-old remains out indefinitely, but Adams expressed hope that formerly assistant general manager of the and Eichel could return before the final regular-season game May 8 in Pittsburgh Penguins, is high on Adams’ list of candidates. The Sabres Pittsburgh. have received permission to interview Karmanos, who is still under contract with the Penguins. "Jack is one of the best players in the world," said Adams. "We just want to get him healthy and back on the ice and able to do his thing." “I’m currently looking to fill the assistant GM role now,” Adams said. “We’ll be speaking to, I guess the search will be ongoing here and Hall talks definitely. I think if you go back to June, one of the things we talked about Sabres winger Taylor Hall recently told the media he remained open to is finding the right people and kind of maybe catching my breath and returning to Buffalo next season after signing a one-year contract in understanding everything that was going on and evaluating where we October. see that we need to fill in, knowing all along that we absolutely had to fill in certain roles. That’s something that I’m working on right now and I’ll However, Hall was recruited to Buffalo by Krueger, whom he played for in keep you posted on it.” Edmonton from 2010-13. With Hall set to be an unrestricted free agent in July, the Sabres could trade the 29-year-old before the April 12 deadline. Karmanos, 46, worked under former Penguins General Manager in Carolina and Pittsburgh from 1998 through the 2019-20 Adams will need to first ask Hall to waive his no-movement clause. season. The two won three Stanley Cups together, including one in Carolina in 2006 when Adams was a veteran forward for the Hurricanes. "My job is to do anything and everything to make this franchise move in Karmanos’ father, Peter, was principal owner of the Hurricanes and the right direction," said Adams. "I have a very good relationship with from 1994 through 2018. (agent) Darren Ferris and Taylor. Open lines of communication, and obviously days are moving forward here, so there will be a lot of Karmanos joined Rutherford in Pittsburgh, where the two built back-to- conversations around that." back Stanley Cup champions in 2016-17. Karmanos was a behind-the- scenes figure for the Penguins, occupying the assistant general manager Buffalo News LOADED: 03.18.2021 role while helping build a strong analytics department. He was fired in October and Rutherford resigned in January.

The Sabres have filled few roles left vacant by the mass firings in June. The franchise is currently without scouts in Finland, Russia and the , which recently launched its season and has several notable draft-eligible prospects. Buffalo also does not have a scout to cover the Hockey League, which hopes to begin play this spring.

Adams’ top lieutenants in hockey operations are Jeremiah Crowe, director of scouting, and Jason Nightingale, who holds a dual title as assistant director of scouting and director of analytics. Matt Ellis, director of player development elevated to interim assistant coach, has also been a resource for Adams as he navigates the challenges of his first season as an NHL general manager.

Mark Jakubowski, a longtime hockey operations employee with the Sabres, has assisted Adams with all matters related to the salary cap and contract negotiations. Jakubowski was an assistant general manager under Tim Murray from 2014-17 and is now vice president of hockey administration.

Beyond an assistant general manager, it’s unclear how many positions the Sabres plan to fill. Their staff directory currently lists only three development coaches, two of which are now working under interim head coach Don Granato, and eight scouts. Nightingale leads an analytics staff that, as of July, had only one graduate student as an intern.

The Sabres are using more video scouting to supplement their in-person viewings at the pro and amateur levels. Ownership always planned to employ fewer people in hockey operations following Botterill's dismissal. 1185344 Buffalo Sabres learned a lot of from Ralph as a person, his leadership qualities … It was an honest and hard conversation. He believed to his core that he could turn this around. My job is to tell him where I felt we were and to have an Sabres GM Kevyn Adams on firing Ralph Krueger: 'It felt right that it honest conversation." needed to be done now' On reaching the decision: "Ultimately wins and losses are what you are judged on, but it’s deeper than that. Part of this was understanding our players’ mindset and the players really, really love Ralph Krueger. Harry Scull Jr Understanding our dynamic of what the locker room is like. … All the other parts of the coaching part. We’re not where we need to be and I felt

that we needed to make a change." Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams told reporters that he spoke to On the new staff: "Don Granato has been a head coach for many years Ralph Krueger on Wednesday morning to fire him as head coach. on different levels. He has a background as a teacher mentality. He’s Assistant coach Steve Smith was also fired. commanded a room as a head coach before. Matt (Ellis) has been with Adams addressed the decision with the media. the team all season. He’ll continue in the development. The players have been with him every day on the ice. Dan Girardi is someone for me that Here are some excerpts: was very well respected when he played in the league. High compete. High character. Thought the game really well as a defenseman. Been "It’s been a tough day. … They’re great people. I have a lot of respect for really impressed with the amount of work he’s done with us this season. I both of them. I want to thank both of them for what they’ve done for this have no doubt all three of them will jump right in. … I’m excited for the organization. ... It felt to me that it felt right that it needed to be done now. opportunity that all three of them have." ... For me, this is about results that haven’t been good enough. I look and evaluate everything and I was trying to take a real honest, fair evaluation, On Jack Eichel: "We’re hopeful that Jack will be able to move forward understanding the adversity that our team was in. It felt like the right time. and be in the lineup. … As any young leader, especially, you’re This is about moving forward. Every crisis is an opportunity for positive constantly learning and juggling and what it takes to be at your best and change." what’s happening with the team overall. Jack is one of the best players in the world. We just want to get him healthy and back on the ice and let Sabres fire coach Krueger while in midst of 12-game skid him do his thing." BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Firing Buffalo Sabres coach Ralph Krueger on On hiring more staff: "I’m currently looking to fill the assistant GM role Wednesday represents just the beginning of what could become Kevyn now. The search will be ongoing. I think if you go back to June, one of Adams’ major overhaul of an overpriced, underperforming team in the the things we talked about is finding the right people, catching my breath midst of a 12-game skid. and seeing where we need to fill in, knowing that we needed to fill in." On coaching search: "I’m not going to put any guardrails right now. The On Steve Smith: "Steve is a great coach, a great person. It was just search will be effective immediately. I have in my head and I’ve thought a getting a fresh perspective, a different voice. Steve has been here a lot about this characteristics and attributes that I think will be important couple of years. Across the board, our players need to be better so that for this team and organization. A lot of people I will speak to. A lot of wasn’t any one particular thing." people will be involved in the decision. I don’t want to rush into anything or make a quick decision. This is about getting it right. Great to say I’m More on Eichel: "I communicated with the leadership group this morning looking for this or that, but this is about getting the right person and it’s about the decision I made with Ralph and Steve. … We’ve spoken at critical. length in the offseason and in the season. The last seven to eight days, he’s been in quarantine, but it’s important. You want to have What's next?: "We have to be better in every single part of this communication. We talk regularly." organization. I have to manage better. We need to coach better, we need to scout better, we need to develop players better. You name it we need On concern about fan backlash with fans returning: "Never even entered to do it better. Period. It’s unacceptable in every area. We’re doing it my mind. That, for me, if I start thinking about those types of things, it because we feel we have to start to improve. Of course, results matter. takes me away from doing my job, which is this hockey team. … I wasn’t But it’s deeper than that to change the culture and get headed in the right thinking about that in making this decision." direction, I felt this is what we had to do." Buffalo News LOADED: 03.18.2021 What do you to say to the players?: "I’m going to have a very honest conversation tomorrow when our players are here. There has to be a pride that goes with putting on a Buffalo Sabres jersey. There has to be a pride of showing up and being a National Hockey League player. That has to be something that’s inside you. That has to be inside the DNA of our team. If we don’t show up at the rink tomorrow and the rest of the season and have that characteristic that is going to be unacceptable. You have to love to show up every day and compete and want to be a Buffalo Sabre."

How do you change the culture?: "It starts with stacking wins. How I look at this, we all stack wins in the things we do every day and they start to add up. The culture shift and then I’ve seen it before because we get some buy-in and people feel good. Have to look into the mirror and say how in my world do I stack wins and get better in my world. … Little things that players have to do in practice and work together in practice and start to stack on top of each other. Big picture, we have to do it. But it starts with each of us individually and pushing and challenging and getting up every day having a burning desire to be part of the Buffalo Sabres."

What did you need to see rest of the season?: "Compete. We need to be better in harder areas of the game. We need to defend better and quicker. Better job in the offensive zone of getting inside. We need to manage the game better. A lot of little things that point you in the right direction. If you do the right thing, you start to win shifts, then you start to win periods, then you start to win games."

When did you tell Ralph?: "I spoke to Ralph first thing this morning. I met with him and then Steve shortly after. Ralph is disappointed. As I have 1185345 Buffalo Sabres

A look at Sabres' coaching carousel during Pegula era

Harry Scull Jr

Don Granato, named interim coach following the firing of Ralph Krueger, will be the seventh Sabres coach since Terry and Kim Pegula purchased the franchise in 2011.

Lindy Ruff

Ruff was in his 13th season as Sabres coach when the Pegulas purchased the team in February 2011. The Sabres went 43-29-10 that season and made the playoffs, the last time the organization qualified for the postseason. The Sabres were 39-32-11 the following season and Ruff was fired after a 6-10-1 start to the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.

Ron Rolston

Finished the lockout season with a 15-11-5 record and returned to start the 2013-14 season. The Sabres were 5-15-1 when Rolston was fired, the worst start in franchise history. Rolston and longtime GM were let go and replaced by coach and Pat LaFontaine as president of hockey operations.

Ted Nolan

His second stint with the Sabres lasted a season and a half. He finished the 2013-14 season with a 17-36-8 record and went 23-51-9 in his lone full season before being fired again.

Dan Bylsma

The former Penguins coach brought a Stanley Cup ring and six consecutive playoffs appearances to Buffalo only to be ushered out after two seasons. He was fired, along with GM Tim Murray, who had come to Buffalo in January 2014. Bylsma departed with a 68-73-12 mark. The Sabres went 35-36-11 in his first year and then 33-37-1 and last in the division in his second season.

Phil Housley

The Hall of Fame defenseman returned to Buffalo after serving as an assistant with the Nashville Predators. The team finished last in the NHL in 2017-18 at 25-45-12 and then were 33-39-10, despite a 10-game winning streak early in the season. Housley’s two-season total: 58-84-22.

Ralph Krueger

Returned to the NHL for the first time since 2012-13 when he was named the Sabres coach before the 2019-20 season. The team went 30-31-8 in the pandemic-shortened season and missed the expanded playoffs. A 6- 13 start this season and then a 12-game winless streak was his undoing.

Don Granato

Hired as interim coach following Krueger's dismissal. Granato joined the Sabres' staff in 2019, a month after Ralph Krueger was hired as head coach. Granato had spent the previous two seasons as an assistant with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Buffalo News LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185346 Buffalo Sabres

5 things about new interim Sabres coach Don Granato

Sharon Cantillon

Don Granato has been named the interim coach of the Sabres following the dismissal of Ralph Krueger. Here are five things to know about Granato:

1. With the Sabres. Granato joined the Sabres' staff in 2019, a month after Ralph Krueger was hired as head coach. Granato had spent the previous two seasons as an assistant with the Chicago Blackhawks.

2. Health concerns. Missed the start of last season with pneumonia and ensuing complications that have been described as a near-death experience. He needed a ventilator and had a blood infection. His brother, Tony, came from Wisconsin to spend time with him in the hospital, given the severity of his condition. Don Granato rejoined the Sabres for practice in mid-November 2019. In order to limit his exposure to Covid this season, given his medical history, Granato had served as the "eye in the sky" coach after the Sabres returned from pause. He returned to the bench last week.

3. As a head coach. He was the head coach of the United States National Team Development Program for five seasons from 2011-16, leading his teams to victories at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championship. Granato also spent seven seasons as St. Louis Blues' AHL head coach in Worcester (2000-2005) and Chicago (2008-2010). He was the 2001 winner of the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award for the AHL’s most outstanding coach. Granato won the ECHL's Kelly Cup with the Peoria Rivermen in 2000.

4. Power play. One of the few good numbers for the Sabres this season has been the power play. Granato is in charge of the team's power play, and remained in charge even when he was not on the bench. The Sabres have 19 goals with the advantage and their scoring percentage of nearly 30% is in the top five.

5. Family ties. Yes, his sister is Hockey Hall of Famer Cammi Granato, who was captain of the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. His brother, Tony, is the current coach at alma mater Wisconsin and coached Team USA in the 2018 Winter Olympics. He also is a former NHL head coach with Colorado. Don Granato was an associate coach on his brother's staff with the Badgers before moving back to the NHL.

Buffalo News LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185347 Buffalo Sabres defensive-oriented system with a bunch of offensively skilled players was just a lousy fit.

Krueger clearly lost Jack Eichel, who has been a sham of a captain this Mike Harrington: Ralph Krueger's buzzwords made no impact on his year because he hasn't been healthy. Still, even though he hasn't been players 100%, I barely know what to say about Eichel's two-goal season.

The fiasco around whether Eichel was injured in a pregame warmup that Mike Harrington clearly infuriated the captain? It was baffling to the media and to insiders in the organization. Krueger has seemed noticeably distracted and disjointed during his recent video calls with reporters.

A News staffer since 1987, I'm a Baseball Hall of Fame voter, a 2013 Has he just been overwhelmed by the stench of losing or, at 61, has he inductee into the Buffalo Baseball HOF and the Buffalo chapter chair of legitimately been suffering from brain fog in the wake of his battle with the Professional Hockey Writers Association. And I insist only Chicago & Covid-19? We've wondered. New York can come close to Buffalo pizza. Remember, Krueger said last week that he felt the Sabres' first two Farewell to The System, whatever it was supposed to be. games after their Covid pause against the Islanders – when they combined for one goal – were "actually pretty solid." Farewell to The Principles, which were clearly never adhered to by the players. He can't be serious. Maybe he just didn't remember them.

Farewell to Synergy, another of Ralph Krueger's infamous buzzwords. Krueger fumbled the Jeff Skinner situation after his initial scratching of the $9 million winger, which was completely justified. Too much 'It's been a tough day': Ralph Krueger fired as Sabres' coach gobblygook to the media and too much disrespect to the player by General Manager Kevyn Adams will speak to the media at 11:30 a.m. scratching him three straight times. Virtually everyone on this team, sans Jake McCabe and Rasmus Ristolainen, has badly regressed under Krueger's shelf life expired in stunningly quick fashion with the Buffalo Krueger. Sabres after just 97 games as his firing was mercifully announced Wednesday morning. These players, many of whom have been through Rasmus Dahlin, where are you? this before, quit on yet another coach. This recent stretch felt much Let's not forget this is Krueger's team as much, if not more, than it is worse than the final days of Dan Bylsma and Phil Housley. Kevyn Adams'. The firing of Jason Botterill and the hiring of a first-time The Sabres should be firing about 20 players here, but we know how this GM from down the hall gifted too much power to the head coach. goes with any team: The coach always takes the fall in these situations. It was Krueger who was the rainmaker to bring in Taylor Hall, who is And there's plenty of blame to be directed at Krueger. losing millions of dollars in a future deal with his play here. It was Krueger who recommended to sign Cody Eakin and Matt Irwin, two veterans with Krueger's hire was hailed as out of the box and overdue by the oogling recent playoff pedigree who have helped the team's woeful penalty kill Canadian media when it came in 2019. Krueger, remember, was fired via and not done much else. We'll give Krueger credit for Tobias Rieder, a Skype by the Edmonton Oilers in 2013 after just one lockout-shortened pretty decent addition. season. Clearly, he made a lot of media pals north of the border by being a background source for Team at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The shame of it all is we'll never really know how this season would have gone had the Sabres not endured their Covid outbreak, and Krueger will The praise was far and wide, especially when the Sabres started last probably rue that point forever. season 8-1-1. When the Sabres fell apart at the end of the 2019-20 campaign and proved utterly noncompetitive through much of the last 15 Buffalo was 4-4-2 when the season was shut down. The Sabres, games of this one, there was nary a peep about Krueger being an issue remember, were one of the NHL's leaders in shots in the early going of from the other side of the border until the last few days. Funny how that the season. These days, two goals is a full night for this club and 30 works. shots on goal a pipedream. But other teams have had Covid situations as well and haven't collapsed like this one did. The Oilers, whose lack of success in the Connor McDavid era feels oddly familiar here, have proven to have no monopoly on wisdom. But maybe In what felt like some weird last-ditch effort to save his job, Krueger the folks out West were on to something about Krueger. started throwing around "The Process" during his recent pressers, as if it were some sort of subliminal message to that he He lost his lone Edmonton team at the end of the 2013 season, falling subscribes to the same theories of Sean McDermott, the owner's beloved out of playoff contention with a 1-9 slide that included a six-game losing football coach. streak. The 2019-20 Sabres? A six-game losing streak right at the end with the playoffs within reach. Hmmmm. Krueger said he and McDermott have been regular texters the last couple of years. Not enough has rubbed off. Players run through walls for Since starting last season 8-1-1, Krueger's Sabres have gone 28-48-11. McDermott. When it comes to Krueger, these players see a wall and they That's a dreadful .385 points percentage, and that's ahead of only lowly just do a big loop on the ice and exit stage-left without ever scraping the Detroit in that span. They're 7-24-4 in the last 35 under Krueger and thing on the way by. Monday's 6-0 disaster against Washington rates as one of the single lowest points in franchise history, an embarrassment that drew shocks The Pegulas can't figure this out from the executive suite. It appears and snickers from across the league. Adams has no idea how to figure it out from the GM's office, his recent faux anger notwithstanding. And no coach has figured this out from the In the last few weeks, they could only beat lowly New Jersey. And they bench in far too long. couldn't even do that Tuesday night, their hideous winless streak stretching to 12 games in a loss to the Devils on a night Krueger clearly Next man up. Good luck to you. It's a decade of futility and counting. seemed to know marked the end of his time. Buffalo News LOADED: 03.18.2021 "Everybody is trying to battle out of this precarious situation. Everything is uncomfortable right now," Krueger said. "It's not the kind of fun that we want to have. This is definitely not the space we want to be in."

With all these first-round draft picks on this roster, how in the world are the Sabres still in the nether regions of the NHL?

It's clear Krueger's success is rooted in small sample sizes, be it the Olympics or World Championships or World Cup. Same with the Sabres' first 10 games of 2019. Over the course of a long NHL season, opponents either figure out what Krueger is doing and he just doesn't know how – or is unwilling – to adjust. In the case of the Sabres, a 1185348 Buffalo Sabres Sabres’ 8-1-1 start and Jack Eichel scoring a career-high 36 goals to become a viable Hart Trophy candidate.

A system built around defense allowed the 10th fewest 5-on-5 goals in 'It's been a tough day': Ralph Krueger fired as Sabres' coach 2019-20, elevating the Sabres into possible playoff contention at the February trade deadline. Buffalo then encountered a second six-game winless streak and the season ended when the NHL suspended play Lance Lysowski Mar 17, 2021 March 12 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Krueger seized more power in the organization in June with the dismissal of former General Manager Jason Botterill and 21 other hockey Under the guise of a curious traveler, Ralph Krueger visited Buffalo bars operations employees. Krueger, working alongside Adams, recruited Hall in the spring of 2019 to meet locals and take the pulse of a Sabres fan to sign a one-year, $8 million contract with Buffalo in October and hand- base frustrated by turmoil and failure. picked other offseason additions, including Tobias Rieder and Cody Krueger, then weeks removed from a five-year stint as chairman of Eakin. English Premier League’s Southampton FC and in Buffalo for his The Pegulas’ vision for the Sabres had Adams and Krueger working in interview with the Sabres, walked away from those encounters with a lockstep to build a roster that fit the coach’s preferred style of play. desire to try to resurrect the proud hockey franchise and, shortly thereafter, became the 19th coach in team history. The Sabres started the season with encouraging performances in the rugged, temporarily aligned East Division during this truncated 56-game Less than two years later, and after only 97 games on the job, Krueger schedule. The team's top forwards were stricken by bad puck luck, was fired Wednesday morning with the Sabres amid a 12-game winless particularly in 5-on-5 situations. Then the season was paused for two streak and sitting last in the National Hockey League at 16 points (6-18- weeks because of a Covid-19 outbreak, the result of a two-game series 4) through 28 games. against the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 30-31. Nine Buffalo players were "It’s been a tough day," lamented Sabres General Manager Kevyn placed on the protocol list, some of whom were symptomatic. Adams. Then Krueger's system began to crumble, and he came under scrutiny Adams delivered the news to Krueger in the aftermath of a 3-2 loss to the for how he handled the benching of a star player. Devils in New Jersey on Tuesday night. Shortly after speaking to Shortly after the Sabres’ return, Krueger scratched Jeff Skinner, a two- Krueger, Adams informed assistant coach Steve Smith that he, too, was time all-star left winger who signed an eight-year, $72 million contract fired. with Buffalo in June 2019, for three consecutive games. Skinner’s agent, Assistant coach Don Granato will take over as interim head coach, while , had a lengthy phone conversation with Adams to express Matt Ellis, director of player development, and development coach Dan concerns about the situation. Girardi will be behind the bench as assistant coaches. The search for a In 18 games since returning from the pause Feb. 18, the Sabres have permanent head coach will begin "immediately," according to Adams. posted a negative-26 goal differential at 5-on-5 while ranking last in the The Sabres were off Wednesday and host the Boston Bruins in KeyBank NHL in limiting an opponent's shot quality. Center on Thursday night. On March 5, on the heels of another ugly loss, Adams did not give "Ralph was disappointed," said Adams. "I have learned a lot from Ralph Krueger a public vote of confidence and told the media during a as a person and his leadership qualities and different attributes that he videoconference that he was evaluating all aspects of the team. Even in has. It was a very honest and hard conversation. Obviously disappointed his final days, Krueger's confidence was unwavering, as he proclaimed and believed to his core that he could turn this around, but my job was to that his system would soon produce results. tell him where I felt we were and have a honest conversation and that’s what we did earlier today." When asked about Adams’ comment afterward, Krueger said: “My reaction is we have a game here in an hour and a half, and that I am The Sabres have been shut out as many times as they've won games (6) completely, wholly focusing on doing what I do every day here and that’s and rank last in the NHL with 2.07 goals per game, scoring a league- getting up in the morning, meeting with my coaches, looking at what we worst 36 times at 5-on-5. The production fell far short of the high can improve on, what we want to take with us and the lineup we have expectations created when Buffalo added former Hart Trophy winner and the growth. Anything beyond that right now would be a waste of Taylor Hall and accomplished veteran center Eric Staal during the focus and energy. The team needs me to be 100% present and that’s offseason. what I am here, right now.” Adams waited patiently to see if the Sabres' performance would improve, The Sabres have since lost seven consecutive games, including once in but he chose to make the change with Krueger owed $3.75 million next a shootout, while being outscored 32-12. In addition to the Covid-19 season. pause, the team has lost several important players to injury, including Krueger’s rapid fall began shortly after his return from a bout with Covid- Jack Eichel, Dylan Cozens, Jake McCabe, Linus Ullmark and Zemgus 19. The 61-year-old endured multiple symptoms during the Sabres' two- Girgensons. week pause last month. Since returning to the ice, the team has posted a Yet, in the end, Adams did not see enough progress and decided to 2-14-2 record, a stretch that includes four shutouts. make the change, despite the possible challenges that lie ahead for Over his relatively short time as coach, Krueger led Buffalo to a Granato. combined 36-49-12 record and the franchise is closing in on a 10th "I said it a couple weeks ago, it’s unacceptable in every area," said consecutive year outside the playoffs, which would match the longest Adams. "So, why do we do it? Well, we’re doing it because we feel we drought in NHL history. have to start to improve. Of course, results matter. This is a results Owners Terry and Kim Pegula have hired and fired five coaches since business and where we are is unacceptable, it speaks for itself. But it’s purchasing the team in February 2011. Since the sale was approved deeper than that. To change the culture and to do what we have to do to Feb. 18, 2011, the Sabres have a combined record of 282-367-96. Their get this headed in the right direction, I felt this was the move that we had 660 points are the fewest in the NHL during that span. to make, regardless of all those things that you mentioned."

On the first day of his first training camp as coach in September 2019, Krueger previously served as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers for the Krueger delivered an impassioned speech to players and staff, a moment 48-game lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. He first entered the NHL as veteran forward Kyle Okposo later described by saying, “I talked to five or an assistant in Edmonton, spending two seasons under six guys after – Ralph talked for 15 or 20 minutes, and every single one from 2010-12. Prior to that, he was the coach of Switzerland's National of them said they wanted to run through a wall after he was done talking. Team for 13 years. Krueger also was lauded for his work coaching Team He definitely got the guys’ attention and knows how to deliver a Europe at the in 2016. message.” Sabres' Ralph Krueger era comes to an end The message did not translate to consistent production on the ice. His Less than two years after his arrival as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres, first season featured some encouraging moments, particularly the and after only 97 games on the job, Ralph Krueger was fired Wednesd… Buffalo News LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185349 Buffalo Sabres “Dan Girardi, for me, is someone that was very, very well-respected in the league when he played. High character, high compete, thought the game very well as a defenseman, which I thought would be very helpful Ralph Krueger’s firing, what the Sabres do now and what comes next: in a short time to bring some fresh perspective.” GM Kevyn Adams speaks Adams fired assistant coach Steve Smith, who was a holdover from the Phil Housley era.

By John Vogl Mar 17, 2021 “It was just getting a fresh perspective, different voice,” Adams said.

Who’s coaching next?

Kevyn Adams listened to the Sabres’ players, which is why Ralph The field is wide open. Adams is willing to wait for the NHL, AHL and Krueger’s coaching tenure lasted longer than expected. Now it’s the NCAA seasons to end so he can interview the largest pool possible. players’ turn to listen to Adams. “This isn’t that easy of a time to just have conversations and meet people “There has to be a pride that goes with putting on a Buffalo Sabres face-to-face,” Adams said. “I don’t want to be rushed in anything. It’s jersey,” the general manager said Wednesday. “There has to be a pride about getting it right.” of showing up every day and being a National Hockey Player, of looking What traits appeal to Adams? around and saying, ‘I’m one of the 700 or 800 in the league that get to do this every day.’ “Relationships are important,” he said. “You need to build trust and relationships with players, but there has to be an accountability that goes “And that has to be something that just is inside you and drives you to be with that.” better every single day. (They need) to love to look around the city of Buffalo and see Sabres hats and signs and people wearing jerseys. That Going back through the most recent coaches, Dan Bylsma was unable to matters, and that has to be within the DNA of our team.” connect with the players. Housley was too easily ignored. Krueger lacked the X’s and O’s. The coach helps instill that attitude, and the search is on yet again. Adams fired Krueger after a 6-18-4 start, a necessary move as the The Sabres need a combination of those three, someone who will Sabres continue to look for an identity during their 10-year journey into demand the best out of players and actually get it. the abyss. Will Adams have help hiring the next coach? “There will be a lot of people that I will speak to,” Adams said. “What I don’t want to do is rush into anything or make a quick decision without The biggest surprise of the Zoom call was Adams revealing he will hire truly taking as much time as we need because this is about getting it an assistant GM. While he was always open to the idea, he had never right. formally embraced it.

“This is about getting the right person, and it’s critical.” “If you go back to June, one of the things we talked about is finding the right people and maybe catching my breath, understanding everything As the Sabres look for their seventh coach in nine seasons, here’s a that was going on and evaluating where we see that we need to fill in,” Q&A on what happened and what’s next. Adams said.

Why was Krueger fired? One candidate, according to Elliotte Friedman of “,” is former Penguins assistant GM Jason Karmanos. He was an The numbers say it all. The coach was 7-24-4 in his last 35 games, executive in Carolina when Adams played there. Karmanos has won including 0-10-2 in the last 12. This season, on a per game basis, the Stanley Cups with the Hurricanes and Penguins. Sabres are last in goals scored and third in goals allowed. Will the firings make a difference on the ice? “It felt right that it needed to be done now,” said Adams, who called Krueger early Wednesday morning. “It was a very honest and hard Maybe a small one. Hopefully, Granato relaxes some of Krueger’s conversation. (He was) obviously disappointed and believed to his core “defensive principles” and plays more aggressively. that he could turn this around, but my job was just to tell him where I thought we were and have an honest conversation. But at the midpoint of the season, the Sabres have zero chance of making the playoffs. The goal now is to have respectable outings rather “This is a chance for us to move forward and to begin to get this thing than 6-0 shellackings. pointed in the right direction.” “I don’t care where we are in the standings right now,” Adams said. “You The only reason Krueger lasted this long was the fondness most players have to just love to show up every day and want to compete and be a had for him. Buffalo Sabre.”

“Wins and losses are what you’re judged on and what happens in the What moves are next? standings, but it’s deeper than that,” Adams said. “Part of this was understanding our players’ mindset, and the players really, really love The trade deadline is April 12. Adams’ goal should be to find new homes Ralph Krueger. for all the pending unrestricted free agents, including Taylor Hall, Eric Staal, Tobias Rieder and Brandon Montour. “Ultimately, the results speak for themselves.” “We’re open to anything and everything,” Adams said. “My job is to do What’s the monetary impact? anything and everything to make this franchise move in the right direction.” Krueger remains under contract through the 2021-22 season at $3.75 million per year. What’s the overall message from the GM?

Who’s coaching now? “We have to be better in every single area of this organization,” Adams said. “It starts with me. I need to manage better. I need to be better in Assistant coach Don Granato is the interim coach and will be joined on every way. We need to coach better. We need to scout better. We need the bench by director of player development Matt Ellis and development to develop players better. We need to practice better. coach Dan Girardi. Assistant coach Mike Bales and video coach Myles Fee remain on the staff. “You name it, we need to do it better. Period.”

Granato was a head coach in the American Hockey League, but neither The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 Ellis nor Girardi has been on an NHL bench.

“Matt has been with the team all season in his development role,” Adams said of the taxi-squad leader. “He’s been on the ice every day, so I don’t see any sort of burn-in time for him in terms of relationships with players. 1185350 Buffalo Sabres to become personal, based on the coach’s comments about Skinner compared to the rest of the players.

Krueger also got caught fabricating a story about his star player this Ralph Krueger’s firing was inevitable as Sabres fall to laughingstock season. While all coaches bend the truth with player injuries, this was status different. Eichel wasn’t playing hurt, Krueger said, then he was. The center missed two games after sustaining a new injury in warm-ups, Krueger said, but Eichel came back to say he didn’t get hurt in warm-ups. By John Vogl Mar 17, 2021 The coach’s credibility took a hit.

Even when everyone was healthy, Krueger stuck to his defensive The Sabres did something rare in the hockey world when they hired “principles” despite a potentially powerful offense. The focus was Ralph Krueger. They went outside the box. They skipped over the group preventing goals, not scoring them, but the Sabres did neither. The five- of coaches who get hired in a never-ending circle, opting for fresh on-five offense slid to embarrassing levels, but Krueger steadfastly thinking from a worldly man. maintained his system wasn’t to blame, just the players’ confidence.

It started well in 2019. Players adored Krueger, calling him the best Each of the missteps, not necessarily fatal on their own, combined to coach they ever had and an alpha male with the leadership skills to turn make Krueger’s employment indefensible. He remains under contract around the organization. through next season at $3.75 million.

They won his first game in Pittsburgh. They blew out New Jersey in his Former general manager Jason Botterill plucked Krueger from relative home opener, a game that had harkened back to the good old days. obscurity, at least compared to previous bench bosses Dan Bylsma and Buffalo started 9-2-1, and it seemed a new era had begun. Housley. Krueger had a half-season stint with the Oilers in 2013, but he spent most of his career in Europe, winning titles in Austria and leading That era is over. the Swiss Olympic team. With the Sabres sinking to Tank-like levels, Buffalo fired Krueger on He devoted the five years prior to his 2019 arrival as chairman of the Wednesday. It was inevitable. There was listless play on the ice and Southampton soccer club in England. He had a brief stint coaching Team increasing distractions off it. The Sabres and their coach had descended Europe at the , but other than phone calls to to laughingstock status. coaching friends, he was essentially out of the sport. ACCORDING TO @FRIEDGEHNIC, ASSISTANT COACH DON Still, the hiring was worth a shot. Sabres players disliked the egocentric GRANATO IS EXPECTED TO HANDLE THE INTERIM DUTIES. Bylsma. They chewed up the inexperienced Housley. Krueger walked in — JOHN VOGL (@BUFFALOVOGL) MARCH 17, 2021 as a man of knowledge with a background in motivation. The players gravitated toward him. Despite writing a book on motivation, Krueger couldn’t coax Buffalo out of the basement. The retooled roster is littered with underachievers, starting But they couldn’t play to their potential under him, so he’s gone. with the top line and filtering down to the taxi squad. In Krueger’s final The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 days, his only answer for the disappointing year was the players’ lack of confidence.

There was so much more.

The Sabres were lost in the defensive zone, giving opponents time and space to torment goalies. The team did nothing in the offensive end, simply pushing the puck into traffic. The Sabres wilted under the slightest adversity, steadily watching their deficits double in a matter of minutes.

The teamwide trends pointed the blame toward Krueger. Established scorers Jack Eichel, Taylor Hall, Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal forgot how to find the net. Rasmus Dahlin and Henri Jokiharju didn’t recall how to defend.

It seemed no one had a clue, which was endorsed by the standings. First, the Sabres sank to the bottom of the East Division. A horrible 2-15- 2 skid sent them to the bottom of the NHL. All but one of those games came after the Sabres paused two weeks because of COVID-19.

“Anything I mention right now is going to be perceived as an excuse and misunderstood, so it’s a dangerous area to go to,” Krueger said after Tuesday’s loss in New Jersey. “I think everybody knows what the facts are. Everybody knows there was adversity along the way. Everybody knows that we are still dealing with that.

“But it’s not that anybody’s interested in. Everybody’s measuring it all on results.”

Last place has been a common home for the Sabres during the past decade, but most of those teams had last-place rosters. After adding Hall, Staal and Dylan Cozens to the core of Eichel, Dahlin, Skinner, Sam Reinhart and Victor Olofsson, the Sabres thought they had a chance to end their playoff drought.

Instead, it will reach an NHL-high 10 seasons this spring.

Krueger’s lineup choices routinely antagonized fans. He’d claim 20-year- old Cozens needed rest but skated Ristolainen for 22 minutes despite COVID-19 fatigue. The coach bumped Kyle Okposo and his zero goals into the top six.

But his two-season use of Skinner rankled fans the most. Fresh off a 40- goal season under former coach Phil Housley, Skinner got sent to the bottom six. Then Krueger sent him to the press box. Though it started as a hockey decision – the coach wanted scoring on all lines – it appeared 1185351 What does it mean?

Well, it means Sutter didn’t magically fix the Flames in the nine days since he’s arrived. There’s still a lot of work to do and the improvements Oilers roll over Flames the Flames showed in their three-game winning streak prior to Wednesday’s loss can’t just be accepted as a given now that Sutter’s on the bench. Daniel Austin The two points dropped are costly, as the Flames lost out on a chance to narrow the gap between themselves and the Oilers in the standings. They’re now seven points back, instead of the three they would have It was never going to be a straight line. been had they won on Wednesday. It’s been a week-and-a-half of understandable optimism around the The division-leading Toronto Maple Leafs are up next with games on Calgary Flames since returned as head coach. Three wins Friday and Saturday, and the Leafs are just as capable of punishing the in three games will make it feel like the good times are here to stay. Flames for their mistakes as the Oilers. On Wednesday night against the Edmonton Oilers (19-13-0), though, the “I just think we have to play harder. We’ve got to try to get the lead,” said Flames (14-13-3) were served a timely reminder that getting out of the . “Not every night you’re going to get the lead but when early-season hole they dug for themselves isn’t going to be easy with a that happens you just have to keep at it, grind it out and just play the way 7-3 loss to their provincial rival. that we know is going to make our team, in particular, successful. If we Sutter can only fix so much and when the Flames get away from the do that, I guarantee Toronto is watching us tonight and probably licking tight-checking, defensive style their new head coach wants them to play, their chops at the way we played. Those skill guys over there, they’re games don’t tend to go their way. wanting a game like that on Friday and Saturday, I can guarantee that.”

If they can’t stay out of the penalty box, games might get ugly. Two early- ROSTER MOVES third period goals by the Oilers essentially killed the Flames on The Flames made a couple of interesting roster moves Wednesday Wednesday. morning, recalling defenceman Alexander Petrovic and goaltender Artyon If you turn the puck over in your own zone, good hockey players are Zagidulin from the AHL’s and placing them on their taxi going to make you pay. That helped the Flames fall behind on squad. Wednesday. They didn’t recover. To make room, goalie Louis Domingue and d-man Michael Stone were “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing next, this team, this group of assigned to the Heat. players, it has to learn that they don’t have the firepower to not put Zagidulin is unlikely to do much other than serve as insurance in case themselves in a position to be good defenders or to check or play well in either Markstrom or David Rittich is hurt, but Petrovic could potentially be their zone, that’s not going to happen,” Sutter said. “Look at the shots, it an interesting option for the Flames. ends up what … 33-30? I don’t think we’re going to score eight goals and win 8-7.” He hasn’t played in the NHL since he was with the Oilers in 2018-’19 but has 12 points in 11 games for the Heat this year, and Sutter said the For the most part, the Flames held tight with their provincial rivals for two Flames are very much still sorting out their third defence pairing at the periods. Mistakes cost them and had them down 3-1 after 40 minutes, moment. but it wasn’t until the third period where they were truly outplayed in a profound way. “I think we have our four guys and they’re really important players but I think that next group, there’s four guys there, they’ve got to play for ice- Whether the scoreline was worse than the performance deserved is time and they’ve got to fight to play the right way,” Sutter said hardly the point, though. Even if the first two periods were better than the Wednesday morning. third, the final 20 minutes were still ugly and the Flames still made costly, avoidable mistakes earlier in the game. ICE CHIPS

On Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ opener, Milan Lucic whiffed on a clearance With about 10 minutes left in the first period, Rasmus Andersson lost attempt and the puck went to the stick of Connor McDavid. Giving the control of a puck in the Oilers zone. McDavid looked like he was going to puck to the best player on the planet deep in your own zone is generally pick it up and you could almost hear all 75 people in the a bad idea, and McDavid slipped the puck right to Nugent-Hopkins. Saddledome take a deep breath. Andersson smartly wrapped McDavid up and prevented the breakaway, ending the threat … Noah Hanifin may With Brett Ritchie in the penalty box for slashing a couple minutes later, be Sutter’s option as the defenceman to play on the first-unit power-play. Jesse Puljujarvi deflected-in a shot from Tyson Barrie — who had four When the Flames got their first man-advantage of the night, it was assists on the night — to give the Oilers a 2-0 lead that they deservedly Hanifin who once again joined the team’s most potent weapons … carried into the first intermission. Lindholm’s goal gave him 26 points in 24 career games against the The Flames came out looking much better in the second and you could Oilers. As Sportsnet’s Derek Wills pointed out, Lindholm now has 64 reasonably argue they were dominating the balance of play in the early goals in 181 games over three seasons with the Flames. With his minutes, only for Mikael Backlund to lose the puck in his own end and previous team, the Carolina Hurricanes, Lindholm had 64 goals in 374 Dominik Kahun to bury shortly thereafter. games in five seasons. His uptick in productivity has been a nice bonus for the Flames. Elias Lindholm got one back for the Flames and there was hope going into the third, but it evaporated quickly. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.18.2021

Mark Giordano took an early penalty. McDavid scored on the ensuing Oilers power-play.

A couple minutes later, Andrew Mangiapane went to the box. Alex Chiasson scored with the Oilers on the man-advantage to make it 5-1. Game over.

Darnell Nurse and Zack Kassian would make it even worse, beating a less-than-stellar Jacob Markstrom, who stopped 23-of-30 shots.

“S— night by me and I feel bad,” Markstrom said. “I feel terrible. They scored on every chance they got and, you know, half chance and it’s my job to keep the puck out of the net. It’s embarrassing.”

Backlund and Johnny Gaudreau scored late to make it 7-3, but the game was essentially over by then. 1185352 Calgary Flames Under Sutter’s watch, this formula isn’t about to change.

It’s something the two-time Stanley Cup winner referenced again Wednesday when asked about his impressions of rookie defenceman Since Sutter’s arrival, ‘playing fast’ has been focal point for Flames’ Juuso Valimaki, responding “we’re just trying to get him to pick his pace up.”

Wes Gilbertson The coaches are likely reminding Valimaki to take his cues from a guy like Chris Tanev, the rock-solid veteran who barely lets the puck leave a smudge on his stick-tape before it is re-routed to a teammate. The key, and part of what Tanev does so well, is not to be so hurried that you Pick up the pace, boys. cough up a turnover. That has been Darryl Sutter’s biggest ask since returning to the “I think that’s been the biggest theme for us as a team — to play quick Saddledome for his second stint as head coach of the Calgary Flames. with the puck, move it right away, be quick to contact … It’s just kind of If there’s a catchphrase so far for the Sutter 2.0 Era, it’s ‘playing fast.’ everything on the ice happens quick, and that is no different for me,” Valimaki said. “That’s been for everyone, but for me, as well.” It’s mentioned on every pre- and post-game Zoom call. If you ranked the NHL’s speediest squads from Lightning — as in the It’s no doubt a recurring theme in team meetings and intermission pep- defending champs from Tampa Bay — to molasses, the Flames would talks. be somewhere near the middle of the pack.

It’s not just about winning foot-races, but about lickety-split passes, They’re certainly faster, though, than they were just over a week ago. hustling to support your pals and not dilly-dallying on decisions. As captain Mark Giordano put it: “A lot of people think playing fast means A quick fix? At the very least, an encouraging sign. skating fast. But most of the time, it’s puck movement that makes you “The top teams in the league play with that format in place, so that’s a play quick.” good lesson there,” Sutter said. “It has to be cohesive. It’s not necessarily And it goes not only for the fleet-of-foot, for burners like Dillon Dube, skating fast, but the puck has to move fast and you have to be in the right Johnny Gaudreau and Andrew Mangiapane, but for every dude on the position to make that next play.” roster. And yeah, that includes the guy who is often stationary in Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.18.2021 Calgary’s crease.

“First of all, you have to be capable of doing it — and I think this team is capable of doing it — and you have to think the game well,” Sutter explained prior to Wednesday’s late date against the Edmonton Oilers. “So I think as coaches, we can do a little better job of cleaning up some areas of the ice where they can be more active in or don’t have to stop and go, ‘Ok, one one-thousand, what do I do now?’ I think we can clean that up as coaches. We’ve made little strides in that. I don’t expect our guys to play at Connor McDavid’s pace, because he’s as fast with the puck as he is without it.

“But you have to be collectively … It’s not just five guys. It’s six guys counting your goalie in terms of handling the puck, moving the puck and making good decisions and execution. And then even though you’re playing faster, you’re still in the mindset of, ‘Ok, I can execute. I can play fast, but I can make the play, too.’ ”

It’s not that former skipper Geoff Ward didn’t want this team to play with pace, but Sutter has managed to turn that talk into action. With no massive changes to their system or structure, it might feel like the video coach accidentally activated the forward function on the remote control.

It was something the 62-year-old Sutter had diagnosed before even arriving at the Saddledome — an uptick in tempo would be a necessity as the Flames endeavoured to erase the damage of an inconsistent start and steadily climb the standings in the NHL’s North Division.

And so far, this ‘playing fast’ stuff certainly seems to be working. Heading into Wednesday’s Battle of Alberta rematch at the Saddledome, the locals had rattled off three straight wins with the Jolly Rancher at the helm.

So what’s the secret?

How has Sutter managed to crank the collective pace of his new crew?

“I think he just wants us to be more competitive, more intense. Those are some words he has used,” said Flames winger Josh Leivo. “I think it’s just the battle, the effort. And when that comes into anything, when you’re working harder, I think the comes up. It’s nothing crazy.”

“It’s pretty much that simple, honestly. It’s a lot work. It’s non-stop skating,” Dube, currently operating as a first-line flanker, echoed in a separate interview. “The puck comes out of the zone and you’re beating everyone out, you’re trying to beat their guys and come right back with it. There is no secret formula except for hard work and consistency with it. If you take a shift off or you’re hanging in the zone, then the defencemen can’t get it up to you. So it’s everything.

“It’s weird, though — when you skate harder and move your legs a little more, it feels like you have more energy out there and you’re able to play quicker. So there’s a pretty simple formula to it, and it’s hard work.” 1185353 Chicago Blackhawks guy that you’d love to observe how he responds to these types of challenges.”

Zadorov said he’s been gaining confidence within the Hawks’ system, Chicago Blackhawks defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Ian Mitchell bring learning his teammates’ tendencies — regardless of who he’s paired with different elements to the team. But do they complement each other? — and doing a better job maintain his gap as a defender.

“Now it’s all about just do whatever I can to help my team win, so I think By PHIL THOMPSON CHICAGO TRIBUNE |MAR 17, 2021 AT 7:18 PM that’s the biggest goal for us right now, for the whole team,” he said.

Ian Mitchell

When defenseman leveled Chicago Mitchell sat out two games against the Dallas Stars so the rookie could Blackhawks forward Carl Soderberg Saturday in the hockey equivalent of get a bird’s-eye view of the game as a spectator and go over clips of his a “decleater,” Hawks defenseman Nikita Zadorov was in Gudas’ face play and that of others with Colliton. moments later. “It allowed me to see that there’s a lot more time out there than maybe it The confrontation didn’t escalate to a traditional goon fight, but the feels like at times,” Mitchell said. “When you sit from above, it seems a lot implied message was clear: Gudas or one of his teammates might get lit easier than it is at ice level. I watched a lot of Murph (Connor Murphy) up — if not during that game, then in a future game. and Duncs (Duncan Keith) and Cal (Calvin de Haan) just to see how they played. That was really helpful for me just to see their poise and their At 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, Zadorov has the weight — literally and presence with the puck. figuratively — to carry out such a threat. It’s a presence that hasn’t always existed on recent Hawks rosters; their forwards and even some “That’s something that I was kind of getting away from me in Tampa defensemen have been known more for being small and fast than big there,” he said. and bruising. Blackhawks defenseman Ian Mitchell is called for hooking against the “I’m not sure if it’s a role, it’s just who I am inside,” Zadorov said Lightning's Erik Cernak on March 5, 2021, at the . Wednesday. “I feel like when your teammate gets run over — I think it During the three games against the Lightning at the United Center, was a clean hit definitely, but you still have to go up there. Mitchell had a minus-2 rating and committed penalties that led to power- “It’s a hockey play, (but) you’ve got to let the person know, you’ve got to play goals in back-to-back games. The Lightning were going at him, step up for your teammates. That’s what you do. That’s how you create particularly with big forwards such as Aleksander Barkov. this relationship inside the team. That’s how you win the hockey game.” “Jeremy kind of put it best: He said I went from hunting to being the Zadorov is one of the Hawks’ younger blue liners. They aren’t limited to hunted,” Mitchell said. “For most of the year I thought I’ve been getting defined roles, but tendencies have emerged: really comfortable, but that break was really good for me to reset. I think I’ve rebounded well the last two games.” Adam Boqvist has gotten better keeping his gap on skaters, but his offense is still ahead of his defense. He has been paired with Zadorov, who at 25 is three years older than Mitchell and understands the fits and starts of playing a nuanced position Lucas Carlsson and Nicolas Beaudin have each played 12 games and at such a young age. simply are trying to establish themselves as regulars, though Beaudin has two goals and three assists. “Your whole career is a roller coaster,” Zadorov said. “Sometimes you have a bad game, sometimes you have a good game. Sometimes you Ian Mitchell has the potential for a strong overall game, but there are need a break to take a look at a game from upstairs; it helps. I had it times when his inexperience and inconsistency show. before when I was young; I was getting scratched and all that.

Zadorov is a hitter, for certain, but he’s not the offensive weapon he has “I think he took it a really good way.” said he would like to be. Zadorov said he has enjoyed being paired with Mitchell. In the most recent games, Zadorov and Mitchell have been paired to see how well they complement each other. In limited action, they have the “He’s a first-year guy, but on the ice it doesn’t feel like you’re playing with third fewest goals-against per 60 minutes (1.94) among Hawks pairs who a first-year guy,” Zadorov said. “He gets in the battle, he gets in the have played at least 50 minutes this season. scrums, he tries to close quick in the D-zone, plays hard, he has a good offensive IQ, he can make plays.” Here’s how they evaluate themselves and each other. For Mitchell, the feeling is mutual. Nikita Zadorov “Z’s a big body so he’s really good at breaking up the cycle down low and During a homestand against Tampa Bay earlier this month, Zadorov was I can swoop in and pick up loose pucks that are laying there around his asked about the Lightning’s offensive-minded defensemen, and he let out feet,” Mitchell said. “I really like playing with him. He’s got a great gap a a laugh. lot of the time too. … I’m just trying to complement Z as much as I can here.” “I’m not Victor Hedman, right?” he said. “If you put me on the Lightning, I’m not going to put up as many points as he does.” Chicago Tribune LOADED: 03.18.2021 Despite that moment of self-awareness, he brings other things to the table.

“We’re focused mostly on how he defends,” Hawks coach said. “That’s how he’s going to bring the most value to the team. Everyone wants to contribute offensively and certainly moving the puck efficiently and getting pucks to the net on the offensive blue line, that’s always welcome. But he’s here to defend and be hard to play against and physical and box out around the net.”

Blackhawks defenseman Nikita Zadorov checks Hurricanes center Morgan Geekie during the second period Feb. 2, 2021, at the United Center.

Through 30 games, Zadorov ranks sixth in the league with 101 hits.

“I think he’s been improving as the year goes on. And his puck plays have improved as well,” Colliton said. “We’re still helping him and working with consistency, game to game. But we need him. He’s another 1185354 Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews update: says Blackhawks captain ‘seems in good spirits’

The Blackhawks’ GM did not speculate about a potential return. “We want him to be feeling great ... to be back to himself. I don’t think he’s quite there yet, but hopefully he will be soon.”

By Mark Potash Mar 17, 2021, 7:09pm CDT

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said center Jonathan Toews “is not really ready to play hockey” but “seems in good spirits” and is hopeful that Toews will be “back to himself” soon.

Speaking on a live edition of the team’s podcast via Zoom with and Carter Baum, Bowman did not address Toews’ return to the team. The longtime Hawks captain has not played this season after the team announced he was “experiencing symptoms” that left him “drained and lethargic.” Toews has not spoken publicly about his ailment.

The podcast featured questions from fans, and the most frequently asked question was about Toews’ health, Baum said.

“I have corresponded with Jonathan on a couple of occasions . . . to make sure he knows we’re thinking of him, but also not to bother him too much,” Bowman said. “He’s been great about getting back to me and staying in touch.

“I think he’s been following our team closely. I don’t have much of an update . . . obviously he’s not back with us, so he’s not really ready to play hockey. But he seems in good spirits, and I know he’s liking watching the team and the way that we’ve [started] the season.

“For the most part, it’s been all positives from that.”

Toews and the Hawks announced Dec. 29 that the star was experiencing those symptoms. Bowman has since clarified that those symptoms had been present for months, potentially as far back as the August 2020 playoffs.

“I’m in the same category as everyone — we want him to be feeling great, not only to help our team but to be back to himself,” Bowman said. “And I don’t think he’s quite there yet, but hopefully he will be soon.”

Toews made his first public appearance since last season March 9, albeit not live or in person.

The Hawks posted a 24-second video Toews took of himself congratulating longtime teammate Patrick Kane on his 1,000th career NHL game, one of numerous videos recorded by various hockey greats congratulating Kane.

“You’ve hit a few milestones lately, but this is a big one,” Toews said in the video. “Wish I was there to celebrate with you. See you soon, man.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185355 Chicago Blackhawks

Ian Mitchell gets a chance to show Lightning reflexes

The Blackhawks rookie defenseman was benched for two games after a tough series against the Lightning earlier in March. The rematches Thursday night and Saturday will be an opportunity to see how well he learns. “It’s great timing,” he said.

By Mark Potash Mar 17, 2021, 3:58pm CDT

Blackhawks defenseman Nikita Zadorov likes playing with Ian Mitchell because he doesn’t feel like he’s carrying the rookie on his back.

“He’s a first-year guy, but on the ice, it doesn’t feel like you’re playing with a first-year guy,” Zadorov said. “He gets in the battle. He gets in scrums. He tries to close quick in the D-zone. Plays hard. He has a good offensive IQ. He can make plays. It’s enjoyable.”

But inevitably, there are times when Mitchell looks like a rookie, and it was no surprise that his inexperience was exposed against the best team in the NHL. Mitchell’s tough series against the Lightning in the first week of March earned him his first NHL demotion — a healthy scratch in the two-game series against the Stars.

“Definitely humbling,” Mitchell, 22, said. “What I learned is that when things start to go bad, you can’t let it snowball, and you’ve got to find a way to stop it and get it moving in the other direction. Just try to make a simple play that would just start to get that good feeling for me — whether it’s a breakout pass or having a good gap, forcing a dump. Just trying not to let the errors compound, and all of a sudden you’re way in over your head and can’t get out of it.”

Mitchell has generally acquitted himself well in his first NHL season as coach Jeremy Colliton has allowed him to learn the hard way. That has happened often for the 2017 second-round draft pick but usually against top-tier competition. He has two goals and four assists and a minus-7 differential in 28 games with an average ice time of 15:27.

Even Colliton’s benching of Mitchell was more management than punishment. And Mitchell took advantage of the two-game break to literally see the game from a different perspective in the press box, focusing on veterans Duncan Keith, Connor Murphy and Calvin de Haan.

“It allowed me to see that there’s a lot more time out there than maybe it feels like at times,” Mitchell said. “When you sit from above, it seems a lot easier than it is at ice level.

“I watched a lot of Murphy, Duncan and Calvin just to see how they played. That was really helpful for me just to see their poise and their presence with the puck. That’s something that was kind of getting away from me against Tampa Bay.

“Jeremy put it best — he said I went from hunting to being the hunted. For most of the year, I’ve been getting really comfortable, but that break was really good for me to reset. I think I’ve rebounded well the last two games [against the Panthers].”

Mitchell already looks like a keeper. Now the Hawks will see how well he learns and adjusts to the elite level of play in the NHL — and perhaps get an indication of just how high Mitchell’s ceiling is.

The Hawks (14-11-5) begin a two-game series against the Lightning on Thursday night at Amalie Arena in Tampa. It’s a perfect opportunity for Mitchell to show he’s learning from his rookie mistakes. The second game is Saturday, also at Amalie Arena.

“It’s great timing,” Mitchell said. “I’ve always set high goals, and I want to be the best player I can be. To get right out there against arguably the best team is really exciting, and it’s a great chance for me to improve and get to that top level. So I’m really excited for it.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185356 Chicago Blackhawks Meanwhile, the Hawks are filled with players who -- like Mitchell said -- are learning how not to lose. Hagel, Highmore, Mitchell, Suter, Philipp Kurashev, Adam Boqvist, Nicolas Beaudin and Lucas Carlsson are just Mental lapses costing Blackhawks at inopportune times getting their feet wet at this level. Remember, too, that Dominik Kubalik, Dylan Strome, David Kampf and DeBrincat have yet to play on a Blackhawks defenseman Ian Mitchell says "little mental lapses" have hurt consistent winner. the team lately. Goalies Kevin Lankinen and Malcolm Subban are up and down as well.

"It all comes from experience," Zadorov said. "We have a young team. John Dietz Give those guys some credit -- we have six, seven rookies and those guys are competing every day, working hard, and they do whatever the

coach is asking them to do. We're doing great this year." Momentum is a funny thing in sports. Let's not give a free pass to the veterans, though. Duncan Keith took When you have it, it feels like nothing can go wrong. what Colliton called a "terrible penalty" in the first period of Tuesday's loss, and Patrick Kane made mistakes at both ends of the ice on that But lose it and a slow trickle of issues often leads to an avalanche of costly short-handed tally. problems. Now it's about everyone getting on the same page and managing the The Blackhawks have experienced the latter far too often the past month, game, especially when the Hawks are leading. It's a hurdle Colliton and it's led to a series of losses that may cost them a playoff spot. believes will eventually be cleared.

"We're playing good teams," coach Jeremy Colliton said after practice "This is great for our team, to be tested here," he said. "It's gonna make Wednesday ahead of back-to-back games against the 20-6-2 Lightning. us better once we come through it. You've got to welcome adversity. "They're pushing us, so we need to get better." "If ... no, when we do respond and improve, that improvement can carry "We're learning right now how not to lose," Ian Mitchell said. us straight through to the end."

Sage words from a rookie D-man with only 28 games under his belt -- Daily Herald Times LOADED: 03.18.2021 because that's exactly what is happening.

The Hawks -- who are far exceeding expectations -- are out-executing and out-hustling more talented teams for good portions of these games they've blown.

But then they'll take a penalty. Which leads to a power-play goal.

Or they'll take their foot off the gas for just a few seconds at the wrong time. Which leads to a goal.

Then momentum flips and they can't get it back.

"Those things don't happen to the best teams," Mitchell said. "They don't have those little mental lapses for however long it might be. That's what's killing us. We're still learning from it."

A quick look at the carnage:

• Think back to the 6-5 loss to Columbus at the United Center March 11 when the Blue Jackets scored twice in the last three minutes. Those are the goals everyone remembers, but the momentum shifted after Matthew Highmore was whistled for interference. Columbus then scored on the power play to trim the Hawks' lead to 4-3.

• On March 4, the Hawks dominated Tampa Bay for two periods and led 2-0. But the Lightning struck twice in the first three minutes of the third -- the first goal coming short-handed when Colliton said his team was playing at "70%."

• Three nights later, the Hawks led Tampa 3-0 but then surrendered 6 unanswered goals, 4 on the power play. Brandon Hagel was called for hooking 29 seconds after Pius Suter made it 3-0 at 3:11 of the second. Mitchell (hooking) and Mattias Janmark (high sticking) also took penalties that lead to PP goals.

• On Monday, the Hawks led Florida 3-1 after Hagel scored at 13:02 of the second period. One minute later, Alex DeBrincat was in the box for tripping. Fifty-six seconds after that, Aaron Ekblad scored to make it 3-2. Then came the botched faceoff in the offensive zone with the Hawks beginning a power play, which led to Aleksander Barkov's game-winner with 6:34 remaining.

There's 8 standings points that have gotten away from the 14-11-5 Hawks.

"Sometimes the team with more character wins," said defenseman Nikita Zadorov. "I feel like Florida is really good at it. They bear down, they keep playing their game no matter what the score was ... they got their momentum, scored a few goals on us and we didn't respond at the right time."

Learning how to respond comes with experience, something Florida, Tampa Bay and Carolina have in spades. 1185357 Chicago Blackhawks

How Hawks, Blues rivalry exploded on St. Patrick's Day 1991

BY TORI RUBINSTEIN

If you’ve been paying attention for the last, oh, 50-plus years, you know there’s a rich narrative between the Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues — and not a cordial one either.

But one game stands alone as the most cold-blooded meeting in the rivalry’s history.

On St. Patrick’s Day 1991, the Blues and Blackhawks met in a Norris Division matchup that saw each team prepared to fight for the President’s Trophy. Literally. Like, to the death.

In the brutal affair, 12 players were ejected, 278 penalty minutes were served (24 minor, 12 major and 17 misconduct penalties, to be exact), and three players were eventually suspended for their roles in what would be called the St. Patrick’s Day Massacre.

30 years later, the St. Patrick’s Day Massacre is a — if not THE — defining moment in Blackhawks-Blues history, though there have been plenty of bitter contests since. In game 2 of a 2014 playoff series, laid a dangerous hit on Blues captain David Backes that led to a three-game suspension and league-wide uproar over a player, believed to have been Duncan Keith, who taunted the clearly injured Backes, shouting “Wakey, Wakey, Backes!” after the hit. In 1993, Goaltender trashed the visitors' locker room after the Blues completed a four- game sweep of the Hawks in the division semifinals.

Hockey fans will never see a clash like this again, but man, is it fun to reminisce on the beginnings of one of the most illustrated rivalries in all of hockey.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185358 Chicago Blackhawks Extra: Beaudin

Explainer: The Blackhawks still hope and seem to expect Toews will return at some point, but the truth is we still don’t know if he is returning Blackhawks roster projections: How do Jonathan Toews, Dylan Strome, next season. If he doesn’t, that obviously changes the outlook. If he’s out Lukas Reichel fit in 2021-22? of the mix, it’s possible the Blackhawks would accelerate Reichel’s timetable. He seems like he’s NHL ready now. Where Nylander fits into the picture will be interesting, too. He was going to be given another By Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers Mar 17, 2021 large opportunity this season before his surgery. Will he be given the same next year?

Seattle takes de Haan The here and now matters. DeBrincat – Dach – Kane Trying to beat Tampa Bay on Thursday matters. Making it through a brutal March schedule in position to take advantage of a seven-game Kubalik – Toews – Hagel mid-April stretch against the Blue Jackets, Red Wings and Predators matters. Reaching the playoffs and getting the chance to go up against Kurashev – Strome – Suter an elite team in a seven-game series matters. Janmark – Kampf – Carpenter

But what really matters to the Blackhawks as an organization is next Extra: Nylander year. The year after that. And the year after that. Even with the inevitable March regression, they’re more competitive than anyone expected them Keith – Mitchell to be this season. But that doesn’t change the big picture, the one laid out in October when the Blackhawks openly declared themselves in the Zadorov – Murphy midst of a rebuild. Simply put, next year is more important than this year. Beaudin – Boqvist

So what will the Blackhawks look like in the fall of 2021? Even just six Extra: Lucas Carlsson months out, it’s hard to know for sure. There are so many variables — the April 12 trade deadline, the July 21 Seattle expansion draft, free Explainer: Projecting the expansion draft today, it would seem logical for agency in a flat-cap world, Lukas Reichel’s trajectory, Jonathan Toews’ the Blackhawks to expose de Haan and for the Kraken to select him. health. That would definitely open a spot for Beaudin, Carlsson or Wyatt Kalynuk, but it would also test how many undersized defensemen the Let’s take a look at the most likely scenario — and all the other options Blackhawks want in their lineup. The Blackhawks will have to decide at that exist: some point which defensemen are in their plans and which aren’t.

Most likely lineup (with Jonathan Toews) Trading Strome

Alex DeBrincat – – Patrick Kane DeBrincat – Dach – Kane

Dominik Kubalik – Jonathan Toews – Brandon Hagel Kubalik – Toews – Hagel

Philipp Kurashev – Dylan Strome – Pius Suter Nylander – Suter – Kurashev

Mattias Janmark – David Kampf – Ryan Carpenter Janmark – Kampf – Carpenter

Extra: Alex Nylander Extra: Highmore

Duncan Keith – Ian Mitchell Keith – Mitchell

Calvin de Haan – Connor Murphy de Haan – Murphy

Nikita Zadorov – Adam Boqvist Zadorov – Boqvist

Extra: Nicolas Beaudin Extra: Beaudin

Kevin Lankinen Explainer: Where does Dylan Strome fit in the Blackhawks’ big picture? Malcolm Subban Do Stan Bowman and Jeremy Colliton see him as the long-term answer at No. 3 center behind Toews and Dach, or do they see Kurashev or Explainer: The Blackhawks don’t seem likely to tweak too much of their Suter as that guy? Can Strome adapt to life on the wing or life without lineup next season as things stand now. You add in Toews and Dach, DeBrincat on his line? So far, he’s struggled to do both of those things. and that could be enough of a difference. The Blackhawks will lose Strome is one of the more productive Blackhawks, with 97 points in 135 someone in the expansion draft, but it’s possible Seattle takes a role games, he’s just 24, and he’s signed at a good price — just a $3 million player or someone the Blackhawks simply don’t re-sign. Hagel, Suter, cap hit through next season. He’s worth keeping. But Dach has Nylander and Kampf are restricted free agents after this season, but essentially taken his spot in the lineup, which complicates matters. If the none of them will cost too much. Zadorov’s contract is the question mark. Blackhawks don’t think he’s a good fit in the lineup and are concerned Do the Blackhawks qualify him at $3.2 million? Janmark would also need about what he’ll cost in the summer of 2022, he’s also by far their most to be re-signed. Beaudin is listed as the seventh defenseman, but he appealing trading chip. Strome has been in the concussion protocol for could take someone’s spot or be in the AHL. It really depends on his nearly a month, which could render this discussion moot. At least, until development. the summer, or the next trade deadline.

Without Toews Worst-case scenario

DeBrincat – Dach – Kane DeBrincat – Dach – Kane

Lukas Reichel – Suter – Kubalik Kubalik – Suter – Hagel

Kurashev – Strome – Hagel Johnson – Kurashev – Nylander

Janmark – Kampf – Carpenter Highmore – Kampf – Carpenter

Extra: Nylander Extra: MacKenzie Entwistle

Keith – Mitchell Keith – Mitchell de Haan – Murphy Zadorov – Boqvist

Zadorov – Boqvist Beaudin – Murphy Extra: Carlsson

Explainer: This is not the lineup any Blackhawks fan wants to see. In this scenario, Toews is still unable to play, de Haan has been selected by the Kraken, Strome has been traded out of down-the-road cost concerns, Janmark isn’t coming back, and Reichel isn’t quite ready for the NHL. Up front, this team would look a lot like the current team, only with a better top line, thanks to Dach’s return. There’s still not enough scoring depth, and it’s still a little thin down the middle. And on the blue line, de Haan’s steady veteran play would be missed. Do you put Murphy with Keith to create a true top pair, or Murphy with Zadorov to try to create a shutdown pairing? If so, you’re going to have two undersized young defensemen on the same pairing.

The Max Shalunov lineup

DeBrincat – Dach – Kane

Kubalik – Toews – Suter

Max Shalunov – Strome – Kurashev

Nylander – Kampf – Hagel

Extra: Carpenter

Explainer: Shalunov has finally arrived from Russia. You put him and his big shot with some playmakers and he might be a good fit in the NHL. He also can take faceoffs.

Outside the box

DeBrincat – Dach – Kane

Kubalik – Toews – Reichel

Kurashev – Strome – Suter

Hagel- Kampf – Carpenter

Extra: Andrew Ladd

Keith – Dougie Hamilton

Mitchell – Murphy

Beaudin – Boqvist

Extra: Carlsson

Explainer: This is our extreme “outside-the-box” roster. The Blackhawks let Zadorov walk. De Haan gets selected by the Kraken. The Blackhawks would have around $15 million in cap space and, as The Athletic reported last week, they are willing to tap into their long-term injured reserve and weaponize it. So in this case, they take on Andrew Ladd’s contract from the New York Islanders for a first-round pick. Ladd would have two years remaining with a $5.5 million cap hit. The Blackhawks would be able to handle the first year with no problem. The second year would be more difficult but possibly doable. On top of that, the Blackhawks offer defenseman Dougie Hamilton a two-year contract he can’t refuse — Chicago does have world-class museums, after all — maybe something like $12 million a season. He helps make the Blackhawks competitive quickly and doesn’t remain on the books forever. A pipe dream? Maybe. But if the Blackhawks want to get creative with their unusual cap situation, this is how they can do it.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185359 Colorado Avalanche

5 possible Avalanche goaltending trade targets ahead of April 12 deadline

By MIKE CHAMBERS | PUBLISHED: March 17, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. | UPDATED: March 17, 2021 at 4:58 p.m.

The Avalanche is clearly in need of a capable backup goaltender, and there are options out there if the franchise decides to target a proven veteran “rental.”

These five goalies are each pending unrestricted free agents and play for teams not expected to make the playoffs. In alphabetical order:

Jonathan Bernier, Detroit

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jonathan Bernier ...

The 32-year-old is the No. 1 goalie for the Red Wings (9-17-4) and making $3 million this season. Detroit would have to retain at least half of his salary for him to return to Colorado, where he played in 2017-18.

Aaron Dell, New Jersey

New Jersey Devils goaltender Aaron Dell ...

Nick Wass, The Associated Press

New Jersey Devils goaltender Aaron Dell (47) in action during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Washington. The Capitals won 4-3.

The Devils (9-13-4) are carrying three goalies, including the 31-year-old Dell, who served as San Jose’s backup the last four seasons. He’s making just $800,000.

Devan Dubnyk, San Jose

St. Louis Blues' Ryan O'Reilly (90) ...

Scott Kane, The Associated Press

St. Louis Blues’ Ryan O’Reilly (90) handles the puck in front of San Jose Sharks’ goaltender Devan Dubnyk (40) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday Feb. 20, 2021, in St. Louis.

The rebuilding Sharks (11-13-3) aren’t quite out of a playoff spot but perhaps they’re willing to move Dubnyk, 34, and retain half of his $2,166,667 salary.

Ryan Miller, Anaheim

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ryan Miller pauses ...

David Zalubowski, The Associated Press

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ryan Miller pauses after giving up a goal to Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Denver.

Miller, 40, is having a rough season for a bad team and currently the No. 1 guy because John Gibson is day-to-day with an injury. But the Ducks (8-16-6) could get something for the 2010 Vezina Trophy winner. He is affordable at $1 million.

Calvin Pickard, Detroit

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Calvin Pickard ...

Paul Sancya, The Associated Press

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Calvin Pickard (31)before an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, in Detroit.

The 2010 Avalanche draft pick is 28 and making a modest $750,000. He was reassigned from Detroit’s taxi squad to the AHL’s on Sunday. The Avs know Pickard as highly competitive and a great teammate.

Denver Post: LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185360 Colorado Avalanche must clear waivers to be reassigned to the taxi squad or minors. … Defenseman Cale Makar, who has missed 10 consecutive games with an upper-body injury, is also on the cusp of returning along with forward J.T. Avalanche goaltending concerns deepen with giant disparity between Compher (upper-body, missed last six games). Philipp Grubauer, Hunter Miska Denver Post: LOADED: 03.18.2021

By MIKE CHAMBERS | PUBLISHED: March 17, 2021 at 2:15 p.m. | UPDATED: March 17, 2021 at 3:33 p.m.

Joe Sakic’s patience has paid off in the past, but the Avalanche general manager is playing with fire if he fails to upgrade the team’s goaltending depth in the immediate future.

Unproven rookie goalie Hunter Miska, the current backup to Philipp Grubauer, has the NHL’s worst save percentage (.838) and second-worst goals-against average (4.14) among those who have played at least five games. At this point, it’s clear the 25-year-old Miska is not an NHL- caliber goaltender. That doesn’t mean he won’t become one. It just means the Avs have poor depth at a position that requires two solid options — particularly this year in a condensed schedule.

Miska wouldn’t be judged so harshly if Grubauer wasn’t playing so well with the same team. Grubauer is second in the NHL in goals-against average (1.85) and sixth in save percentage (.925).

The disparity begs for Sakic to trade for a proven backup or get lucky on the waiver wire.

Grubauer is second in the NHL in wins (16), earning the last one Tuesday night in an 8-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Miska started that game and allowed four goals on just seven shots (.429). He was replaced by Grubauer to begin the second period and the Avalanche became the first team since the Calgary Flames in 1988 to allow four goals in the first period and win by four goals.

Grubauer stopped all 15 shots he faced. Following the game, Avs coach said this about Miska: “We’ll re-evaluate and next time we need a goalie other than Gruby to go in, we’ll try and select our best available option.”

What happens if Grubauer is injured in the upcoming two-game set against red-hot Minnesota, which plays the Avs on Thursday and Saturday at Ball Arena?

They would probably be doomed.

During Wednesday’s option practice, Bednar was again asked about Miska, whom he spoke to that morning.

“I wasn’t expecting miracles out of this guy,” Bednar said. “It’s not an ideal situation. I don’t know that he’s ready to be an NHL backup at this point, but he’s been a good option for us and I just want him to keep working and trying to get better. We’re not going to indict him on a couple bad games nor are we willing to sign him to a five-year deal if he had pitched a shutout. It’s just not the way we operate. It’s constant evaluation. I just want him to keep his head up, not worry about it, put that behind him, learn from it and get ready for his next start whenever that is.”

Bednar also said Wednesday there is no update on the lower-body injury to goalie Pavel Francouz, who began the year as Grubauer’s backup but has not played a single minute. Francouz is on long-term injured reserve and he’ll presumably still be unavailable up to the April 12 trade deadline.

The Avs could also deal with the backup goalie problem internally and give two other NHL rookies with little or no experience a chance. Peyton Jones, 25, is on the taxi squad and Adam Werner, 23, is the No. 1 guy with the AHL’s .

Jones has never played in the NHL and Werner has just two games under his belt. They aren’t the answer here.

Sakic has the answer. But he’s being his patient self in addressing the Avs’ only weakness.

Footnotes. Minnesota is on a five-game winning streak and Colorado has won four in a row. The Avs are 5-1-1 on their nine-game homestand … Avs defenseman Dan Renouf was placed on waivers Wednesday in a move that likely spells the return of rookie defenseman Bo Byram, whom Bednar previously said would be cleared for Thursday’s game. Byram, 19, has missed the last nine games with an upper-body injury. Renouf 1185361 Colorado Avalanche proved to be a season-ending injury, and there were times Bednar had to navigate the lineup knowing he would be without Grubauer, Francouz or both. At one point, the club played four different goaltenders in as many Who plays behind Philipp Grubauer? The Avalanche need to figure out games. their backup goalie plan Bibeau’s injury, coupled with Miska’s and Werner’s lack of NHL experience, led the team to trade at the deadline for Hutchinson, who won his only regular-season start before the NHL season went on pause By Peter Baugh and Ryan S. Clark Mar 17, 2021 because of COVID-19. The Avalanche entered the Edmonton bubble with both of their goalies healthy and Hutchinson as their third option, but

the playoffs ended with Grubauer and Francouz hurt. Hutchinson and The plan itself was simple enough: find a third goaltender. The search for Miska, who had to drive from Minnesota to Edmonton to join the team, — and, at times, struggle to find — goalie depth is something the were the starter and backup before the Avs were eliminated in the Avalanche organization is plenty familiar with. Western Conference semifinal round.

Colorado and general manager entered the season with This season, Grubauer has been a force for the Avalanche and hasn’t Hunter Miska as a potential option for the No. 3 role. The club had slowed down despite his heavy workload. Among goalies who have closely monitored the former Minnesota-Duluth star since he joined their played more than 15 games, he ranks fifth in the NHL in save percentage system at the start of the 2019-20 season. What Miska, 25, did in the (.925), second in goals-against average (1.85), second in wins (16) and AHL and ECHL upon joining the Avalanche’s roster — as well as the tied for first in shutouts (4) as of Wednesday afternoon. But the team’s need for goaltending depth — led Colorado to sign him to an NHL Avalanche are coming up on a stretch in which they’re scheduled to play contract in February 2020. 29 games in 52 days, and keeping Grubauer fresh for the playoffs will be paramount. Between Miska and 23-year-old Adam Werner, who played in two games for the Avs last season, Colorado saw enough in their internal options to The Avalanche are not the only team looking for goaltending help ahead part ways with veteran Michael Hutchinson in the offseason. Miska and of the deadline, but there are still potential options expiring contracts who Werner, after all, are prospects for an organization that likes to develop could gain traction over the next few weeks. from within. Plus, both are on team-friendly contracts at a time when the Bernier, now with the Red Wings, could fit the bill. He is 8-6-0 with a 2.90 flat salary cap makes finances even more important. GAA and a .914 save percentage. Of course, the Avs have a familiarity Neither has much NHL experience, though. Entering the season, Miska with Bernier given he played 37 games for Colorado during the 2017- had played only 18 minutes in the NHL, suiting up for the Coyotes in 2018 season while logging a .913 save percentage. 2018, and Werner played 88 minutes for the Avalanche a year ago. So He could be an option, but at what cost? He has a cap hit of $3 million, when primary backup Pavel Francouz went down with an upper-body according to CapFriendly, so should the Avs decide to trade for him, injury in January, it forced Miska into a bigger role than he’s ever had at they’d need to make room by moving contracts out and/or placing players the NHL level. on long-term injured reserve. LTIR cap space doesn’t accumulate daily Suddenly, the No. 3 goalie had become a No. 2. like normal salary cap space, so if any player (like Francouz at $2 million or Erik Johnson at $6 million) placed on LTIR were ready to come back “If somebody (in the NHL) was to tell me that they would be into Hunter before the end of the regular season, the team would need to find a way Miska this time of the year in a normal year, I’d be surprised,” said coach to make additional space. Greg Cronin of the Colorado Eagles (Avs AHL affiliate) in February. “Because I think he needs another year at this level.” Colorado could look into another familiar face in Devan Dubnyk. The former Wild goaltender competed against the Avalanche for several Tuesday reinforced the reality the Avalanche might be forced to seek seasons before being traded to the Sharks. Dubnyk is 3-6-2 with a 2.95 another option. Miska was pulled after giving up four first-period goals in GAA and a .908 save percentage in 14 games and carries more than 500 an 8-4 win over an Anaheim Ducks team that entered with a three-game games of NHL experience. CapFriendly lists Dubnyk as having a $2.167 losing streak while having the worst record in the West. It amounts to million cap hit. Sabres duo Linus Ullmark and Carter Hutton are also Miska recording a 4.16 goals-against average and a .838 save pending UFAs who teams in need of goaltending might consider. Ullmark percentage through five games. is out with a lower-body injury right now, though.

Miska’s inconsistencies aren’t fully unexpected, considering he came into Coyotes goaltender could make sense, but the Coyotes are the season with fewer than 20 minutes of NHL experience and, due to already without goalie Darcy Kuemper, who is week to week with a the pandemic, had gone almost a year between professional games. lower-body injury. Raanta has a $4.25 million cap hit and is also a He’s still developing, which Avalanche coach Jared Bednar stressed pending UFA, too, but the Kuemper injury leaves him as the Coyotes’ talking to reporters Wednesday. most experienced healthy option available.

“It’s not an ideal situation,” said the coach, who praised Miska’s attitude The waiver wire is another option. The Senators claimed the much- and work ethic. “I don’t know that he’s ready to be an NHL backup at this traveled Anton Forsberg on Wednesday. Plus, Aaron Dell, Alex point, but he’s been a good option for us. I just want him to keep working Nedeljkovic and Craig Anderson have all been on waivers at some point and trying to get better. We’re not going to indict him on a couple bad this season. games, nor were we willing to sign him to a five-year deal if he had pitched a shutout. It’s just not how we operate.” But before making an addition, the Avalanche will almost certainly need at least one more game from a goalie already in their system because Goaltending depth has become a familiar conversation piece under the COVID-19 protocols will prevent any external goalie from joining the Sakic administration. The first prominent sign came when the Avalanche team immediately. The team faces off with Arizona on both Monday and were fighting to capture the final wild-card place ahead of the 2017-18 Tuesday, so unless it’s comfortable playing Grubauer in three games in playoffs. Then-starting goaltender Semyon Varlamov sustained an injury four days, they’ll need to turn to Miska, Werner or Peyton Jones, the that led to backup Jonathan Bernier becoming the top option only for team’s taxi squad goalie. Werner is in the AHL with the Eagles and has Bernier to get injured and the Avs having to rely on Andrew Hammond, an .875 save percentage in four games. Jones has been in both the AHL who appeared in three postseason games against the Nashville (.891 in two games) and ECHL (.889 in eight) this season. Predators. “We’ll reevaluate,” Bednar said Tuesday. “Next time we need a goalie The following offseason, the Avalanche traded for current starter Philipp other than (Grubauer) to go in, we’ll try to select our next available Grubauer and signed Francouz, who led the Czech Republic to the option.” bronze medal game at the 2018 Winter Olympics. It provided the Avs protection while also allowing Francouz to adjust to the North American The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 game while playing for the Colorado Eagles in the AHL.

A year later, the Avalanche let Varlamov walk in free agency. Grubauer was named the starter, with Francouz as his backup and trade acquisition as the No. 3 option. Bibeau sustained what 1185362 Colorado Avalanche On the note of injured guys, absolutely not update on Goaltender Pavel Francouz

Landeskog said some nice things about Devon Toews, too: “Toews has Avs Practice Notebook: Renouf on waivers; does it suggest Makar or been a pleasant surprise…everybody was saying he’s a great pickup and Byram are ready? he’s come in and really led our team on the back in. He never gives up on a play; he’s always in the right spot.” Bednar raved about him too.

By Scott MacDonald We’ll know after morning skate tomorrow about the status of Byram, Makar or Compher, and whether or not they’ll be an option for tomorrow night’s game against the Minnesota Wild. My money’s on Byram back in the lineup. I’ll put it at +150 odds. It was an optional skate today and not much was revealed in the way of who all was on the ice. We do know that missing defensemen Cale Colorado hockey now LOADED: 03.18.2021 Makar and Bo Byram, as well as forward J.T. Compher were all on the ice when Avs head coach Jared Bednar addressed the media.

“I should know later today if they’re available tomorrow or not, or I should know after this skate, but they’re all on the ice right now,” Bednar said.

Stand-in Avs D-man Dan Renouf was put on waivers Wednesday morning, in a move that might suggest Bo Byram may be coming back.

Or not.

“It helps clear cap space to be able to activate guys,” Bednar added. “We haven’t sent Renouf down. We put him on waivers, but we haven’t sent him down or put him on the taxi squad or done any of that at this point.”

I do believe Bednar legitimately doesn’t know if Byram, Makar or Compher will be ready for tomorrow’s tilt against Minnesota…but I also do believe that sending Renouf to the taxi squad—or at the very least, readying for Renouf to be sent there—is a pretty good indication that one of Byram or Makar will be ready to rock. My money’s on the former.

On the note of Avs defense, I asked coach Bednar about how his conversation went with Hunter Miska, who is coming off a rough, rough outing on Tuesday night. Bednar’s answer was insightful, open and honest, and genuine.

March Madness!

“I did talk with him this morning, and it wasn’t that long,” Bednar told Colorado Hockey Now. “He had a tough night; he’s had a couple tough nights. He’s a young guy and goalies take a long time to develop. I love his attitude; I like his work ethic; he’s a great teammate; he wants to get better; he’s willing to learn and he’s putting that time in.

“He hasn’t played since February, so I wasn’t expecting miracles out of this guy. It’s not an ideal situation. I don’t know if he’s ready to be an NHL backup at this point, but he’s been a good option for us and I just want him to keep working and trying to get better. We’re not going to indict him on a couple bad games, nor are we going to sign him to a five-year deal if he pitched a shutout. It’s not how we operate. It’s a constant evaluation and I just want him to keep his head up, not worry about it, put that behind him and get ready for his next start, whenever that is.”

You can read more on my take on the Miska issue here. AD wrote a nice piece on the matter, as well.

Other news and notes:

As we reach the halfway mark of the season, Bednar said “I’m pretty happy with our first half” and “likes where we’re at.”

Cont.: “I think we could’ve been better than our start. I think our record didn’t indicate how we were playing…we’re starting to find our footing from an offensive standpoint. We have some guys that can still produce more than they are and we’re starting to get healthy. For the most part, I’m pretty happy with what we’re doing.

Bednar also answered some questions about that status of Erik Johnson, and it’s, uh, concerning: “The longer he’s out, the more concern I have about if, when he’s able to come back. If he’s able to come back there’s a conditioning factor, and we’re already halfway through the season now.”

Avs captain Gabe Landeskog, noted best friend of Johnson, said this: “We really miss EJ. I really feel bad for him because he’s had some of the worst luck the past couple seasons with injury. It just sucks to see one of your teammates go down, especially one of your best friends. He’s really missed around the locker room and on the plane and everything. I can’t really speak for him or reveal anything he’s told me, but I’ll tell you he’s definitely missed.” 1185363 Colorado Avalanche questions like these and, again, to not throw any of his players under the bus.

“I don’t know about that. I think we’ve seen some good play from him,” Scott Takes: Miska had his chance, now it’s time for the Avs to find a Bednar said of Miska failing as a backup. “But that’s not my concern as a legitimate backup coach. My concern is with the guys that we have that are available for us to play…Like any other player we have, we’re evaluating guys all the time. By Scott MacDonald “We’re watching guys all the time and then we make the decision on who’s ready to play and back us up. Hunter had gone a year without playing a game, so he’s been working to get up to speed. Werner was I stand by my word. the exact same way. Werner’s getting some games down there and I said it less than three weeks ago on Twitter. It went a little something Hunter’s gotten some games with us. (Peyton) Jones has got some like this: games down there. We’ll reevaluate next time we need a goalie other than Grubi to go in, we’ll evaluate our best available option.” I've said it numerous times on various podcasts and all across twitter… But is the best available option really in the Avs or Colorado Eagles Don't make a trade. Give Hunter Miska a chance to be an NHL backup. locker room right now? He can do it. I wouldn’t necessarily put my trust in Adam Werner, nor would I feel too I stand by my word. comfortable about a kid like Peyton Jones being forced to play NHL back-up in a season where the Colorado Avalanche are expected to — Scott MacDonald (@0ffScottFree) February 27, 2021 compete and win the Stanley Cup. And, in the troll-suffused world of Twitter, it didn’t take long for the finger- Unless GM Joe Sakic knows something we all don’t know about the pointers and provocateurs to call me out for my Hunter Miska hot take status of Pavel Francouz—maybe he’s closer to healthy than we all from a few weeks back. expect?—it’s time to pull the trigger on acquiring a legitimate NHL back- Within seconds of Miska allowing his fourth goal—an Anaheim penalty up goaltender. shot—on just the seventh shot of the game, my Twitter mentions were Philipp Grubauer’s workload is not sustainable. He’s tied for the league flooded with I told you so’s from that February 26th post. Things like “this lead in games played, and he’s playing some of the best hockey of his milk is very very very sour,” or my personal favorite, a quote tweet of the career. It’s imperative he stays healthy if the Avalanche really are to live above post that read: “Aging like a fine vinegar soaked turd.” Hah. up to the favorites, or whatever, Cup-bound potential, they’ll need I get it. Maybe I was wrong. That tends to happen…a lot. It is what it is. everything from Grubauer. And in order to get everything, they’ll need to rest him, and the workload projection he’s currently on is not sustainable. I still stand by my word. By that I mean, the part where I said “Give Hunter Miska a chance to be an NHL backup.” But I’ll admit when I am Starting Miska is starting to feel like a scheduled loss. He’s certainly lost wrong, and this part I was: “He can do it.” the trust of the fanbase. Perhaps he’s starting to lose the trust of the coaching staff and front office, too. The Avalanche gave Miska his chance—a few of them. The consensus: Maybe he’s not quite ready for the job. It was supposed to be a much-needed and well-deserved rest day for Grubauer on Tuesday night. But with Bednar pulling Miska after the first Avs head coach Jared Bednar admitted after the game that “Hunter period in a 4-2 game, it sent a message: We want to win. would like to make an extra save or two there, but we also hung him out to dry.” It’s not Bednar’s job to throw Miska under the bus. That’s the And, perhaps, it sent a message to the front office too: Get me a fans’ job. But we can’t afford to dance around the subject anymore. legitimate backup.

With how valuable Philipp Grubauer has been for this Avalanche team all Colorado hockey now LOADED: 03.18.2021 season—and it cannot be understated or undervalued how important he is to the success of the team in the postseason—it’s time to get Grubauer the adequate backup he deserves. An injury to Grubauer—knock on wood—would all but completely derail the Avs, who would then be forced to scramble for a viable No. 1-replacement option, forcing Sakic to hemorrhage valuable assets for a mid-tier starting goalie.

In such a shortened season, five starts is a pretty decent sample size for the Avs, and GM Joe Sakic, to judge Miska’s performance—and capability—as the long-term solution for Colorado as the No.2 guy in net.

And, you know, maybe he’s not quite ready.

With de facto back-up Pavel Francouz out for what is starting to feel like might be the entirety of the season, Miska just won’t cut it as a long-term back-up plan. His 1-1-2 record, with one first-period benching doesn’t look great. And his 4.15 goals-against average and .838 save percentage doesn’t exactly invoke feelings of comfort and trust in the fan base, or the front office.

March Madness!

Props to a fellow Denver-area media member for asking the tough question during Tuesday night’s presser.

“When as a team do you accept the fact that he’s not an NHL-caliber goaltender, given the fact that he’s had three or four or five opportunities here and he’s basically failed all of them?”

Ouch. But fair. It’s a tough question rarely asked by us Denver media, a departure from the usual generic, soft-ball I-don’t-mean-to-offend- anybody kind of questions that are normally asked.

Bednar’s response was exactly what you might expect. As a coach, and representative of the team, it’s his job to eloquently dance around 1185364 Columbus Blue Jackets They’ve been hemmed into their own zone by opposing forecheckers far too often and have made loads of baffling decisions on attempted exit strategies.

Blue Jackets' midseason grades put them in jeopardy of missing playoffs, Past games: Blue Jackets miss another opportunity, but feel they're undergoing changes turning a corner

No area of the team has overachieved, from the players to coaches to That fault does not entirely lie with the defensemen, of course, but they the front office. Lots of room for improvement in the season's second do have a lot of the responsibility for clearing the defensive zone. All of half. them have struggled, but the most notable are the top four of Seth Jones, Zach Werenski, David Savard and Vladislav Gavrikov.

Brian Hedger The Jackets have also struggled with defensive coverages, which combined with the exit issues and a dip in goaltending, has led to opponents scoring 3.2 goals per game, tied for 23rd in the league. Last season, the Jackets tied for third at just 2.61 goals allowed per game. It has been an all-too-common sight for the Blue Jackets this season: a defenseman, in this case Seth Jones, digging a puck out of the back of Grade: D the net after it has slipped past a Columbus goaltender, in this case Joonas Korpisalo. Goaltenders

The Blue Jackets’ season might feel like it’s dragging, but that’s only Along with defensive depth, the goaltending duo of Elvis Merzlikins and because of how it’s gone. Joonas Korpisalo was a big reason the Blue Jackets were confident about competing for a playoff spot. Two games past the midpoint, with 26 games left, the season is actually flying — even if it has been a grind for the Blue Jackets from the start. They were right to feel that way, too, after both goalies had breakout performances last season. This year has been more of a struggle. A pair Michael Arace: Are Blue Jackets a playoff team? of Merzlikins injuries put the onus on Korpisalo to carry the load, but neither goalie has been effective. Sitting fifth in the Central Division with a record of 11-12-7, the Blue Jackets have brought no joy to Bronzeville — nor the Short North, nor Part of it is the amount of time the puck spends in the Jackets’ end, German Village, nor the Arena District, where despite a glorious return of which has led to both goalies facing a large number of what the stat- fans to , the Blue Jackets have sputtered. tracking website NaturalStatTrick.com labels “high-danger scoring chances.” And part of it is just a decline in their overall play. The good news is they only trail the Chicago Blackhawks by four points for the fourth-and-final playoff spot in the division, while the bad news is Analysis: Bemstrom's play improving, but Blue Jackets still need him to the Dallas Stars are only five points behind the Jackets, in seventh, and find his scoring touch have played six fewer games. Among the statistics the site tracks is goals saved above average Blue Jackets: Coach still tinkering, unafraid of criticism (GSAA), an indicator of goalie performance against the league average; after tough decisions neither Columbus netminder is above zero.

Here’s a midseason report card for the Blue Jackets, who probably would Merzlikins has a minus-0.61 GSAA in 11 appearances and Korpisalo is be grounded if they brought these grades home to their parents. minus-2.51 in 22 outings. Both have made dazzling stops, but neither is among the NHL’s best in high-danger situations. Korpisalo’s .804 high- Forwards danger save percentage is 29th among goalies who have played at least The season began with the Blue Jackets talking about negotiating a 10 games and Merzikins’ .706 ranks 47th. balance between sound defense and scoring more goals, after they Consider that Korpisalo has faced 148 high-danger chances at even finished 27th in the NHL last year at 2.57 goals per game strength (6.72 per game) and Merzlikins has faced 51 (4.6 per game), the It has not gone well. The Jackets are averaging 2.63 goals a game, a Blue Jackets’ goaltending must improve over the second half of the slight uptick to 24th, but this is not what they had in mind. schedule for them to have a serious shot at rejoining the playoff hunt.

Blue Jackets: Roslovic producing for Blue Jackets, but still has 'things to Grade: C- learn' at center Coaching Cam Atkinson is having a nice rebound, leading the team with 11 goals, Such struggles were supposed to happen to the Blue Jackets last but he’s 46th in goals among all NHL players and Oliver Bjorkstrand is season, after losing stars Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky and Matt the only only other player on the roster in double digits, with 10. Duchene as free agents. Jack Roslovic’s five goals and 14 assists are a nice boost from the trade It didn't, despite a mountain of injuries, because the Jackets’ coaching that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to Winnipeg, but he’s struggling defensively staff shapeshifted their approach around a roster with less firepower and and the Jackets’ main prize in that deal, Patrik Laine, has scored just new goalies. This year, they’ve had far fewer injuries but a lot more three of his seven goals at even strength. headaches. Max Domi is heating up, finally, but he’s been a disappointment, and the Dubois’ lackluster play, which led to the Laine/Roslovic deal, played a big oft-hyped trio of youngsters — Alexandre Texier, Emil Bemstrom and role in a poor start and Domi’s inability to handle a top-six center position Liam Foudy — have combined for only four goals, all scored by Texier in compounded the situation. The defensive struggles are the biggest the first seven games. The experiment has also mystery. They have sunk this team into a sticky spot, and coach John flopped. Tortorella has shouldered the brunt of criticism for it. Grade: D Both special teams have also failed. The Jackets’ power play is mired in Defensemen its usual spot among the worst in the NHL, tied for 25th at 16%, and the usually-sound penalty kill is even worse — hobbling along at 72.9% for The Blue Jackets are last in the NHL with a 46.2% Corsi percentage, 28th in the league. which gauges even-strength possession time by measuring the percentage of attempted shots for each team. The past couple weeks have produced promising results, but the coaching staff must find answers to these issues quickly. The statistic incorporates offensive and defensive play, but is heavily skewed toward the defensive side for Columbus. While they’ve improved Grade: D lately, the Jackets have simply floundered when the puck is in their end Front office of the ice. Some moves work out great and others fail miserably. It’s the nature of the job for an NHL general manager and the operations staff entrusted to assemble a winning team.

Thus far, nearly every move attempted by GM Jarmo Kekalainen and his staff has failed, from acquiring Domi for Josh Anderson — who has 11 goals for Montreal — to signing Mikhail Grigorenko from the Kontinental Hockey League to signing 37-year-old Miiko Koivu, who retired after seven games.

Acquiring Laine and Roslovic for Dubois was remarkable under those circumstances, but Laine hasn't looked comfortable in the Blue Jackets’ system and Roslovic is still working on becoming a more reliable center.

Time is running out already, the April 12 trade deadline is approaching and it will be interesting to see how quickly Kekalainen pulls the plug if the Jackets keep spinning their wheels.

Grade: D

Overall

This has not been not close to the season the Blue Jackets, most media analysts and fans expected. It’s been quite the opposite and their midterm grade reflects that disappointment.

Grade: D+

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185365 Columbus Blue Jackets Maybe. Can they do both? Their goal differential is a strong indicator they cannot.

Quite likely, the Jackets’ season hangs in the balance over the next Michael Arace: Blue Jackets face make-or-break week in Central race. week. They’re at Carolina from Thursday-Saturday and they host the Bet on them? Neigh. Hurricanes at Nationwide on Monday-Wednesday.

The ’Canes were plus-27 before their game in Detroit on Tuesday. The Michael Arace Jackets are taking a minus-19 into Raleigh. That’s a 46-goal swing in differential over half of a 56-game season. It’s the difference between a Grade 1 stakes contender and a Standardbred with a cart behind it.

The NHL’s Central Division has three thoroughbreds jockeying for the Either this Jackets team is as good as management says it is, and the lead as the regular season passes the midway point. The three teams coaching staff can’t get the best out of it, or it’s as good as its record says are the Florida Panthers, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Tampa Bay it is, and one has to question management’s handling of the roster. Lightning, with the mighty Lightning being the reigning Stanley Cup champions. This is the week when the thing tilts one way or the other. Neigh.

The top four in each division make the playoffs. The Panthers, Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.18.2021 Hurricanes and Lightning are going to win-place-show, in some order, at the top of the Central. Go ahead and box the trifecta right now.

Blue Jackets: Midseason grades put them in jeopardy of missing playoffs

Through Monday, the Panthers had a goal differential of plus-18, the Hurricanes were plus-27 and the Lightning were plus-34. These horses have presence. Those are majestic numbers.

Box the trifecta. Maybe play three tickets, keying a different thoroughbred at the top. You’re going to cash.

The real action is trying to pick who will finish fourth in this race.

A furlong behind the three leaders is a pack of trotters. In front of this second pack are the Chicago Blackhawks — who, in the midst of a rebuild, have found some legs behind their driver, Patrick Kane. But right now they’re on a road trip that began in Dallas and is coursing through Sunrise and Tampa. The trotting is getting tough.

Right behind the Blackhawks are the Blue Jackets.

As of Tuesday morning, Chicago (33 points/30 games/minus-6 goal diff) was still holding off the Jackets (29/30/minus-19), the Nashville Predators (25/29/minus-25) and the Dallas Stars (24/24/plus-5). The Red Wings were in eighth and last place, which is where they will remain, unless the Jackets or the Predators spit the bit.

Let’s take this one horse at a time. The Blackhawks have been a nice surprise. Kane is carrying a bunch of kids and they’re all having a ball. Duncan Keith can still play. It’s warms the heart to see a team playing with such joy — imagine that! — but they’re a shaky bet for the fourth playoff spot.

The question is, who’s going to catch them? There is some smart money on the Stars, who made it to the Stanley Cup final in the bubble last fall. All things being equal, the Stars ought to be placed in the company with the three thoroughbreds. But all things are not equal.

Because of postponements due to COVID-19, and because much of the Texas power grid went down in a snowstorm, the Stars have games in hand on every team in the division. And unlike any other team outside of the three thoroughbreds, they have a positive goal differential (plus-5).

I put stock in goal differential. It's an elegant measure of the strength of a team. Generally speaking, if you’re a plus team you’re in the playoffs — and if you’re not, you’re out.

The Stars are plus. Yet, in this crazily squeezed, 56-game, pandemic- addled season, their schedule has been compressed into an agent of cruelty. Beginning Tuesday night, the Stars were left with 32 games to play over 56 days, including seven back-to-backs. The human body is not made to play professional hockey at such a pace.

The Stars, given their quality, ought to be the fourth playoff team in the Central. But if they are, ought to be coach of the year, and all of his players should have free orthopedic surgery for the rest of their lives. It’s possible. It’s also an exotic wager.

The Jackets have a different problem. They’ve played 54% of their season and, even if they start playing better — to their credit, they played four or five good periods over the weekend — they’ve been too god-awful for too long already.

The Jackets are not playing with joy. Can they catch the happy Chicago kids and their MVP Pied Piper sniper? Maybe. Can they hold off Dallas? 1185366 Dallas Stars

Tyler Seguin, Ben Bishop ‘not even close’ to practicing with Dallas Stars

By Matthew DeFranks 2:37 PM on Mar 17, 2021 CDT

Don’t expect injured Dallas Stars goaltender Ben Bishop or center Tyler Seguin to begin practicing with the Stars anytime soon.

Bishop (knee surgery on Oct. 21) and Seguin (hip surgery on Nov. 2) have not played this season yet, and head coach Rick Bowness said Wednesday that neither is close to practicing with the team.

“I get every day updates,” Bowness said. “They’re not even close. To put a timeline on it, can’t do that. All I can tell you is that neither one of them is close to practicing with the team.”

The initial recovery timelines for both Bishop and Seguin were five months, which would put them on track to return around the trade deadline on April 12.

Without Bishop, the Stars have relied on a mix of Jake Oettinger and Anton Khudobin in net. Without Seguin, the Stars have looked toward Joe Pavelski to carry the load offensively, and as a right-handed center.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 03.18.2021

1185367 Detroit Red Wings

Do not adjust your television set: Fox Sports Detroit to change name ahead of Opening Day

TYLER J. DAVIS

So long, Fox Sports Detroit. Well, so long to that name, at least.

Fox Sports Detroit, home to Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers and other local sports coverage, will be known as starting March 31 — the day before the Tigers' Opening Day telecast. The deal has long been in the works but was recently confirmed by the network's parent company, Sinclair.

Fans will still be able to watch Tigers (and other teams') games live on the and on ballysports.com (with a cable or other pay- TV subscription), which are set to launch across several platforms March 31. The FOX Sports GO app will update and rebrand as the Bally Sports app the same day, according to a release from the company.

No programming changes have been announced and Bally Sports Detroit is expected to still carry Pistons, Tigers and Wings games. Sinclair bought Fox Sports Detroit and its 20 sister regional sports networks from Disney in 2019. Naming rights for the RSNs in 2020 were sold to Bally's Corp., which manages 10 casinos and multiple other betting centers. Two southern stations will close as part of the rebrand, and two other Sinclair markets, Cleveland and Los Angeles, will also adopt the Bally name.

Fox Sports Detroit, launched in 1997, and other Fox offshoots were originally owned by Inc., but after the company merged with Walt Disney Corp., federal authorities forced the sale of the RSNs because of antitrust concerns. Sinclair had one year to find a new name for the networks under a license agreement with Fox, according to Bloomberg.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185368 Detroit Red Wings Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.18.2021

Detroit Red Wings playing how 'real hockey teams have to play.' Here's what has changed

HELENE ST. JAMES

The Detroit Red Wings feel good about themselves, the best they’ve felt since they opened the season.

They face a miniseries against the Stanley Cup runner-up Dallas Stars next, buoyed by having taken five of eight points from the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning and from the Carolina Hurricanes, both contending for the Central Division title.

“I think we’re creating more offense,” Adam Erne said after scoring twice in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory over the Hurricanes. “It’s obvious that we’re more confident with the puck, and I think in this league, that’s huge. We are making efforts to make plays — there’s a middle ground that we’ve kind of found where we’re not playing too risky and turning pucks over, but we’re still making plays when they are there to be made. That’s big for us.”

Over the past week the Wings lost in overtime to the Lightning, and then scored a season-high six goals on the Bolts. The first game against the 'Canes ended with a 2-1 loss. To come away with a 2-1-1 record against such elite opponents — each of which pulled the goaltender — reinforces the hard work the Wings put in even as they dropped to the bottom of their division. When they play hard, play fast and manage the puck well, good results follow.

“We played the way real hockey teams have to play,” Blashill said. “It was a good step. We played a number of games where we played pretty good hockey and we didn’t have results to show for it. Now we’re in a spot where we’ve played pretty good hockey and we’re starting to see some results. It’s important reinforcement for guys to keep their belief up.

“We’ve got lots of season left. Let’s continue to grow as a hockey team and continue to grow as individuals.”

The Wings (9-17-4) improved to 6-7-3 at Little Caesars Arena with one of their best performances of the season. Erne converted on two power plays in the first period, connecting on Filip Zadina’s rebound on the first one and using Michael Rasmussen as a screen on the second one. The Wings have power play goals in six of their last eight games, solidly distancing themselves from a stretch where they didn’t convert in 14 straight games.

“We’re scoring on a more regular basis on the power play,” Blashill said. “That’s a big aspect of it.”

That has bred confidence the Wings haven’t had since they opened the season 2-2. One week into the season, five players were in COVID-19 protocol. Then Jonathan Bernier got hurt. He has been their MVP; he made 35 saves against the 'Canes on Tuesday, including one that required flopping onto his belly.

“He’s been amazing,” Erne said. “He’s been super solid and playing really, really well.”

It has helped to get Dylan Larkin back from a four-game injury layoff; he has two goals and two assists in the last four games. His return has allowed other forwards to slot into the right spots. Filip Zadina has been solid, with two goals and four assists in five games. Rasmussen's net- front play has helped ameliorate the absence of Tyler Bertuzzi, who has been out since Jan. 30 with an upper-body injury.

Defenseman Filip Hronek has been phenomenal; he scored his first goal of the season Tuesday and his eighth point in four games.

The Wings never trailed after Erne made it 1-1.

“We feel pretty good about ourselves,” Erne said. “That’s the way we want to play every night and hopefully we can continue to do that, because that’s leading to us beating some of the better teams in the league.

“We think we have to a chance to win every game. We are playing with confidence and that’s huge for us.” 1185369 Detroit Red Wings

FSD becomes Bally Sports Detroit this month; here's what you need to know

TONY PAUL | The Detroit News

Come month's end, FSD will be MIA.

Fox Sports Detroit will officially be rebranded as Bally Sports Detroit on March 31, the final step in Disney's sell-off of 19 regional sports networks after acquiring them from Fox in March 2019.

The U.S. Justice Department ordered the regional sports networks to be sold, to avoid monopoly issues. Disney owns ABC and ESPN.

From the viewer's perspective, little will change with FSD becoming Bally Sports Detroit. The channel number will remain the same, depending on your cable provider, and viewers who stream on Fox Sports Go soon will be able to stream on the Bally Sports app. Like with the Fox Sports Go app, that requires cable-account verification.

Bally Sports Detroit will continue operating with the streaming services that currently offer FSD. YouTube TV still doesn't offer FSD.

FSD, which carries the Red Wings, Pistons and Tigers, will unveil new graphics and music with the rebrand, but the teams' broadcasters will remain the same. Methods vary on who pays the talent, whether it's the network or team, but teams wield significant power when it comes choosing to on-air talent.

Fox Sports Detroit launched in 1997, replacing Pro-Am Sports System (PASS) as the Tigers' cable home. During the Tigers' franchise revival from 2006-14, the team drew some of the biggest ratings in ; the team's deal with FSD is believed to run through early this decade, and pay the team $50 million a year.

In 2018, the Tigers expressed interest in starting their own network, like the Yankees with YES, but those plans haven't come to fruition.

FSD on Wednesday sent out its first press release in which it referred to itself as Bally Sports Detroit, announcing 161 of 162 Tigers games will air on the network. The Tigers' June 1 game at the Los Angeles Angels will be televised nationally, on .

On April 1, Opening Day, each of the regional sports networks will air a Bally Sports Big Opening Day, with whip-around coverage, starting at 11 a.m. The Tigers open at home that day against the Cleveland Indians, and that telecast will be simulcast on Fox 2 in Detroit, CBS 3 in Grand Rapids, CW 46 in Flint and NBC 74 in Traverse City.

In March 2019, Disney and 20th Century Fox announced its $71.3-billion merger was official, after agreeing to a 2018 Justice Department order requiring the RSN sales.

Bally's, the casino operator, and Sinclair, which bought the RSNs from Disney for nearly $10 million, announced they were teaming up in November.

Detroit News LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185370 Detroit Red Wings Do the Wings risk trading Bernier, or simply sign him to an extension? Scoring

The team that couldn’t score, especially on the power play, turned Yes, Red Wings have their issues, but they're actually bringing it vs. explosive against Tampa and Carolina. The Wings scored 14 goals over NHL's best these last four games, getting contributions from a variety of sources.

And that power play, which at its worst didn’t score in 40 consecutive TED KULFAN | The Detroit News attempts, is suddenly red-hot. The Wings have scored seven goals in their last 24 attempts, with Erne scoring two first-period goals sparking Thursday’s win.

Detroit — The script regarding these Red Wings is slowly being flipped. They’ve scored a power play goal in six of the last eight games.

The rewrite has come over the first four games of a six-game homestand. “We’re creating more offense, it’s obvious we’re more confident with the What was expected to be a nightly thumping, and deeper burial into the puck, and in this league that’s huge,” Erne said. “We’re making efforts to Central Division cellar, has taken a turn. make plays instead of just making the easy play sometimes. There’s a middle ground we’ve kind of found, where we’re not playing too risky and The Wings have played admirably in four games against defending turning pucks over, but we’re still making plays that are there to be Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay and contending Carolina. They made.” earned five of eight points (2-1-1 record) and have a stumbling Dallas team coming in for two games. Improved health

The rebuild is far from complete. But this stretch showed promise. The Wings are 9-17-4 record. But take away that 0-6-2 stretch the first month of the season when they were missing five regulars. That leaves "They're obviously two of the best teams in the league," coach Jeff the Wings a more respectable 9-11-2. Close to a .500, an average team. Blashill said after Thursday’s 4-2 victory over Carolina. "That played out Maybe that’s closer to what this particular roster actually is. last year and it'll play out this year. So to get five points is a good step for us as a hockey team. “When we’re fairly healthy we’ve been a pretty solid team,” Blashill said.

"Tonight was one of our better games of the season.” The Wings do seem to be trending upward.

What was impressive Thursday was the way the Wings won. “At the beginning of the season we got into COVID trouble and a lot of guys were missing, so it was kind of tough to play,” forward Vladislav They looked just as good, or better, compared to Carolina in every facet,. Namestnikov said. “But now we’re getting everyone back and healthy They played the way they need to play to be successful. and we’re building on that and sticking together and playing well.” “We played fast, hard and managed the puck pretty well,” Blashill said. There are only 26 games left in this shortened season. The April 12 trade “We weren't without mistakes, but we created a lot of chances and we deadline will likely see a chunk of the lineup head elsewhere for draft played the way real hockey teams have to play. picks. Still it will be intriguing to see where this team winds up. “It was a good step." “We’ve got lots of season left,” Blashill said. “Let’s continue to grow as a The Wings are frustrating the better teams in the division due to the hockey team and continue to grow as individuals." following factors:

Confidence growing Detroit News LOADED: 03.18.2021 The Wings mostly carried play against Tampa and Carolina. They showed no fear.

"We think we have a chance to win every game," forward Adam Erne said. "We're playing with confidence and it's a huge thing for us. We just need to continue to do that."

Blashill has preached about how the team needs to play to be successful.

Being good defensively, being able to win tough, one-goal games, and being opportunistic are keys.

Now, the Wings are also scoring goals and getting outstanding goaltending, which is adding to the recipe for success.

“A number of games we played good hockey and didn’t have the results to show for it,” Blashill said. “Now we’re in a spot where we’ve played pretty good hockey and are starting to see results. It’s important reinforcement for guys to keep their belief up.”

Bernier, very good

Speaking of goaltending.

From the second half of last season to now, Bernier can be mentioned among the better goalies in the NHL. He's been the team’s most valuable player.

“He’s played great,” forward Dylan Larkin said. “Every time we need it, he makes a great save. He’s been so solid for us, and gives us a chance to win every night.”

Which begs the question: What does general manager do with Bernier, a prospective unrestricted free agent, at the April 12 trade deadline?

Several contending teams (Colorado, Pittsburgh, Washington) need experience, or better play, in net. 1185371 Detroit Red Wings

Adam Erne provides power-play boost in Red Wings’ victory

Updated Mar 16, 10:11 PM; Posted Mar 16, 10:11 PM

By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings’ power play has perked up of late, after looking dismal for most of the season.

It was boosted on Tuesday from an unlikely source.

Adam Erne scored a pair of power-play goals and snapped a tie, lifting the Red Wings past the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 at Little Caesars Arena.

Detroit (9-17-4) snapped Carolina’s eight-game winning streak. The Hurricanes (20-7-1) entered the game with highest points percentage in the NHL.

Filip Hronek sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, his first of the season, at 19:34 of the third. He also had two assists, giving him seven in four games and 17 for the season. He has a team-leading 18 points.

Dylan Larkin contributed a pair of assists as well.

Jonathan Bernier, starting for the ninth time in 11 games, made 35 saves to improve to 8-6-0.

This was only the second game this season the Red Wings have tallied two power-play goals. They are 7 for 24 on the man-advantage over the past eight games.

Fabbri put the Red Wings ahead 3-2 by converting a drop-pass from Larkin after his end-to-end rush, at 12:28 of the second period. It was his sixth goal in 21 games.

Sebastian Aho had tied it at 2-2 at 1:50, firing in a one-timer from the right face-off circle.

Erne scored twice in the first period to give the Red Wings a 2-1 lead.

He fired in a rebound at 3:35, after Filip Zadina did most of the work by lugging the puck up the ice, weaving his way around defenders, and getting off a shot.

Erne snapped a tie at 12:11 with a quick shot from the slot, taking advantage of Reimer having lost his stick.

Erne has five goals this season, three on the power play to tie Tyler Bertuzzi for the team lead. Erne has seven points (four goals, three assists) in the past nine games.

Nino Niederreiter opened the scoring at 2:21, easily tapping in a pass from Jesper Fast.

Michigan Live LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185372 Detroit Red Wings

Evgeny Svechnikov returns to Red Wings lineup, replacing injured Bobby Ryan

Updated Mar 16, 12:05 PM; Posted Mar 16, 12:05 PM

By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

Evgeny Svechnikov, over the past week, has gone from being a healthy scratch to being shipped to the Grand Rapids Griffins to being assigned to the taxi squad to being back in the Detroit Red Wings lineup tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes at Little Caesars Arena.

Svechnikov will replace Bobby Ryan, who is day-to-day with an upper- body injury.

Svechnikov recorded four points (two goals, two assists) during a four- game road trip from Feb. 27 to March 4, but it didn’t earn him a regular spot in the lineup.

“We don’t just judge players simply on production,” coach said following the morning skate Tuesday. “There’s a lot more that goes into the game certainly beyond just goals and assists, plus-minus or any of those stats.

“But production does matter. The fact that he’s at a point a game probably is why he is in the lineup right now ahead of some other guys. He just needs to make sure he wins every shift, make sure he’s accountable. To play as a five-man unit, you got to make sure everybody is doing their job, so he has to make sure he’s doing his job in each particular instance. He’s got to make sure he’s winning battles by skating. If he does that, I think he’ll be an effective player.”

This will be Svechnikov’s second game against younger brother Andrei, a star for the Hurricanes (20-6-1), who have won eight in a row and own the best points percentage in the NHL (.769). The Red Wings are 8-17-4.

Blashill said Svechnikov will take Ryan’s spot on the power play, which has gone 0 for 6 the past two games after converting in five consecutive games.

“One of the reasons Svech goes back in is because there is a power-play spot there, so we’re hoping Svech can fill that,” Blashill said. “He is a threat to score. He’s got a really good shot. We’re hoping some of the things Bobby brings to the table, (Svechnikov) can bring.”

Blashill said Dylan Larkin, who took a maintenance day on Monday, is expected to play.

Michigan Live LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185373 Detroit Red Wings in terms of just how physical he was, that there was offense in there even if he wasn’t a power-play guy for Mannheim. I think that’s all relevant.

He was a really complicated case. Kudos to Detroit for getting him where ‘Moritz Seider handed me a loss’: How the Red Wings’ prospect won they (did). Obviously, he hasn’t played an NHL game yet, so no victory over the public scouting world lap just yet, but kudos. He looks like a great player in Sweden, and he did last season in Grand Rapids and the World Juniors too. He was a really complicated case, and with prospects you’re always looking for precedents. Comparables. Comparables can be both stylistic, in terms of By Max Bultman and Corey Pronman the tools (or) it could be statistical comparables — like, this guy did Mar 17, 2021 exactly what this guy did as an underage, draft year, in this tournament and so on and so forth. He really lacked comparables, other than the tool comparables. And that, I think, was a struggle. So that’s what I think his kind of story is. The shock inside was audible. Scott Wheeler, The Athletic — Seider’s rank in final 2019 draft ranking: Nearly two years ago, Steve Yzerman stunned the crowd at the 2019 35 NHL Draft when he took defenseman Moritz Seider with the sixth overall pick — Yzerman’s first selection as Red Wings general manager. Moritz Seider handed me a loss. I missed. It’s really that simple sometimes, and I think good evaluators study their mistakes for what Seider, by most public accountings, had been ranked in the teens or 20s they reveal about potential biases, gaps in coverage and everything in entering the draft, which made him a clear first-round pick and a well- between. In Seider’s case, I saw a big, mobile defender who played a regarded prospect by any measure. But still, at least in the public sphere, mature game against the rush and inside his own zone, but who didn’t hearing his name called in the top 10 was a surprise to most. inspire me on the offensive half of the ice beyond more than the simple Two seasons later, with Seider wrapping up a dominant campaign in the plays and the odd crossover sequence across the blue line to find space at age 19, the Red Wings’ faith has thus far and distribute. been rewarded. Seider is regarded as a top prospect and one of the best That gave him more of a second-pairing projection (and raised questions players currently outside the NHL. in my mind about his power-play utility) at the time, the kind that slots a So, how did we go from that shock in downtown Vancouver to this point player in the late first or early second round. Even until this year — today? The Athletic asked a panel of five of the sport’s leading draft though my projection changed and he turned me into a big fan and one analysts, and three NHL scouts, to weigh in. of the top D prospects on the planet on my recent rankings because of his play in the AHL and at the world juniors in Ostrava a year ago — I still Corey Pronman, The Athletic — Seider’s rank in final 2019 draft ranking: worried about how deferential he was to his teammates at the offensive 22 zone blue line, too often looking off an aggressive play to immediately Mo was an interesting case. I think you do this long enough, and you see pivot after he received the puck into a quick pass to someone else. guys that look a certain way, come from a certain league, that follow a Then, in the SHL this season, he really began to develop a more forceful, certain path. A guy like a Matthew Beniers this year: plays for the bold on-ice presence, regularly hanging onto the puck to attack off of the program, goes to college hockey, plays well in the USHL, plays well in line, push down the wall, or look to make a play that drives primary college, plays well at the World Juniors for the United States. That’s the production results rather than secondary ones. And now, the more I most traditional path for a top prospect. watch of him with Rögle, and the more I hear from people with that team Moritz Seider did not follow that path. Before we get to the tool kit, he about him, the more I realize that I got his skill set wrong for two reasons. played in the DEL (), and he played on a team The first is that I didn’t do a good enough job contextualizing why his at- that was really, really good, and (so) he didn’t get a lot of opportunity. times passive approach with the puck was what it was (because he was And there wasn’t really a rich history of top-10 picks being drafted out of trying to earn the trust of coaches at two good pro levels as a teenager, that league. We now have Seider and (Tim) Stützle, but that wasn’t a dummy!). The second is that I think, despite recognizing that he was an league you usually go to to watch a top, top-end prospect. So you have excellent man-on-man and positional defender, I didn’t put enough this league that doesn’t typically produce top-end talent, you have this emphasis on just how impressive that side of his game was — and just guy who doesn’t really play in this league that much — played a little bit how dominant it might become. more, he kept on getting better towards the second half and into the playoffs — but that was the case, he just wasn’t a standout player like, It’s easy to say that he progressed better than I expected, or excuse the say, Stützle was last season at that level. miss because of how much harder defensemen are to evaluate than forwards, but both of those things don’t get to the root of the cause in He was good, though, and then as you might recall Germany was not at terms of reconciling that he belonged in the range he was selected more the top U20 level, they were not in the World Juniors that draft year, so than the one where I would have picked him. he went to the U20 (Division IA) pool, where he was great. And players do get drafted who play at that tournament. It’s an important tournament. Chris Peters, Hockey Sense — Seider’s rank in final 2019 draft ranking: But usually, they’re like fourth- or fifth-round picks. It’s the Latvian, it’s the 15 Austrian, or something along those lines — kind of an under-the-radar So, I had Seider No. 15 on my final board heading into the draft. I thought guy for a lot of teams. You don’t usually go there expecting to see a guy even that was a little aggressive just because there was not much go in the top 5 or the top 10 or something like that. So he played great. precedent for a top defenseman being picked out of the DEL. I had only He was the best defenseman at that tournament and he looked great. been able to see Seider on video, too, which makes me a lot more You watched him like, ‘Oh yeah, there’s this big, mobile defenseman and cautious about a player. I didn’t have the ability to go see him that he’s running their power play, he looks great.’ particular year as much as I would have liked to. The video told a tale You look at the tool kit and you saw size, skating, good first pass. But he though, especially what I saw from him at the U20 World Championship wasn’t a power-play guy in the DEL, was never really considered a huge, Division IA, where he was a dominant player. huge offensive guy coming up, even. And then he went to the worlds. I What I saw from that video was an incredibly intelligent, mobile and think the World Championships is really where I think he re-affirmed the skilled defenseman. He dictated so much of what Germany did in that opinions (of) a lot of people I talked to. You had this 17-going-on-18-year- tournament from the back end. He was good enough to help them win old defenseman, who’s playing against high-level competition, including promotion to the top level, so that was notable. But you take those NHL players, and is looking the part. It was right around that time that I games with a grain of salt because the competition was poor relative to started hearing the minority opinion, at the time, that he could be a top-10 what we’re judging other U20 players on. When it came to the DEL pick. games I was able to watch on video, all of the tools were there, but it was I don’t think a lot of people took how good he looked at the World harder for him to have a substantial impact on the game. He wasn’t Championship seriously enough. You could argue whether you respected playing the minutes and special teams that you could see other players the DEL, the U20 (IA) pool enough, how he looked as an underage playing. enough — although I don’t think his underage profile screamed top-10 pick. You probably could have scouted the tools a little bit more closely, So here’s what changed about him for me: I got to see him live. I surely if you’re getting drafted into the NHL, you must know a little bit watched him with Grand Rapids and then I, of course, saw him at last about his history or his son or whatever. And so that was kind of our year’s World Juniors. That WJC absolutely blew me away. Here was introduction to him, and I thought, ‘Wow. This is a guy who’s got like a Germany playing in the top tier, against USA, Russia, Canada and the little bit of swagger, a little bit of confidence, he’s really funny, he’s Czechs, and when Seider was on the ice, Germany was not completely outgoing.’ And it was very easy from that short little kind of commentary outmatched. His skating, his hockey sense, his puck movement. It was to see how he’d fit into the team dynamic perfectly. So that really set the all brilliant. Maybe the time in the AHL did him some good, but I really tone, I think, for what we’re talking about with him. think he just has a great feel for the game. Now you look at him this season at Rögle and he’s a dominant player. He is producing at a There is no question, for me, that (drafting him) was the defining moment phenomenal rate, he’s hammering people and adding more physical that Steve Yzerman had taken over this team. edge to his game. There just aren’t a lot of weaknesses to point to. I I think the pick, when you project him as a 1-2 guy — and you look at (it), really do think he’s one of the best players not currently in the NHL and those 1-2 guys are typically playing between 23 and 28 minutes a game I’m more convinced than ever that he is going to be a long-term No. 1 and usually that workload gets a little heavier in the playoffs. So you’re defenseman. managing, essentially, almost half the game when you’re looking at Now, I don’t know if I saw him live in that draft season if I would have put selecting those guys. And that’s why there’s such a premium on them. him in my top six. In fact, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have because of how And so from that perspective, you have to go back, and that projection to much I liked the forwards that year. It’s just a good reminder that video me is even more clear now than it was when he was selected. And based can sometimes hide or enhance the brilliance of a player; you can’t get on someone that you’re going to be able to get to essentially play half the too hung up on precedents to guide your rankings either. But you better game for you, the projection looks really good right now. believe his success made teams way more comfortable about projecting You still have to go and do it at the NHL level. You’re still in a franchise Stützle as a top-tier pick. Moritz and Tim are going to open the door for that Steve grew up in, and their hallmark of what they did was over-ripen the elite German players who’d prefer to stay home and play for their pro their prospects so that they wouldn’t have to go back and forth. And so I clubs because they proved you can achieve a lot from right where they think Moritz is probably in that scenario. And let’s not forget, I mean, are. yeah, he comes from the DEL, it was a men’s league, so on and so forth. , TSN — Seider’s rank in final 2019 draft ranking: 26 But still, the transition to the North American game, and the rigors of what the NHL schedule (has) to offer are things that need to be adjusted to. No. 1, he was a 17-year-old player playing in the German pro league. You watch a player that can skate, can compete, can think the game so NHL scout 1 well. There was certainly lots that was intriguing, and lots to like about At the time of the draft, I thought Seider was almost a sure thing to Moritz Seider. Certainly you don’t end up being on the radar of every become a top-4 guy and he wasn’t that far off from playing in the NHL NHL team if you don’t have those attributes and qualities that are right after. But more of a top-15 pick rather than top 10 for me. I thought attractive. his offensive game was underrated but I didn’t think it would come along And certainly his attributes and qualities were very attractive. All the way enough to make him a true top-pair guy. Since the draft, all parts of his to 6. game have been improving more than expected and he absolutely projects to become a top-pair guy now. I underrated him but their My question on Moritz — and it was a question — was how good were development staff also deserves credit. his puck skills? And I felt that if his puck play and his ability with the puck was going to really, really blossom, you’re going to have a real, real top- NHL scout 2 end defenseman. And at the very least, in a range of players, I thought at In his draft year, people weren’t giving the DEL enough credit and the very least he would be Brandon Carlo. … I (just) didn’t know if his appreciating how well-rounded his game was. He showed ability with the puck play was going to produce a lot of points. Handling the puck in the puck, defending with ease and a mean streak. It was highlighted in the defensive zone is very different than handling the puck in the offensive World Championships. The games he played he looked like such a zone. They’re not the same puck skills. complete player versus world-class players. I saw for sure a top-4 role in You’ve got to be able to pass the puck, but passing the puck from Point A the NHL and probably higher. to Point B on a breakout is very different than passing the puck in the NHL scout 3 offensive zone, when people are defending and you’ve gotta open up a lane, you’ve gotta put it right on their stick for a guy to one-time it or to We saw a big D-man, kind of similar — he had everything back then that create a scoring chance. Those are two very different elements of puck he has today, but it’s just gotten better. Everything is better. He was a play. And Moritz was — I mean he’s a competitor. You watch Brandon good-sized kid back then. He was pretty good moving the puck, he joined Carlo play, Brandon Carlo’s a competitor. He’s big, he’s physical. He the offense a little bit. He showed compete. Everything was there, but it’s denies you space. Moritz had that. Moritz was a really good skater. just gotten better after that. But he was a good all-around D-man. … He certainly looks like (he can be) a really good, high-end all-around player. I think (his comparison has) totally evolved. Like, do you remember when He’s big enough, 6-3, he has natural compete in him, he certainly plays Charlie McAvoy came into the league? He came in, he skates, he physical. I can’t see why that wouldn’t continue in the NHL. He moves the competes, he moves the puck, and everybody thought he was going to puck really well, he likes to join the offense, he’s got a good shot. There’s be a 65-point guy. No, he isn’t going to be a 65-point guy. But is he going a lot of good tools with him. to be an important player and a No. 1 defenseman, a top-pair defenseman on your team? Darn right he’s going to be. I think a better comparable right now for Moritz Seider is Charlie McAvoy. … When you The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 ask me, I think Brandon Carlo’s clearly a second-pair defenseman. But I think Moritz Seider is a player that looks like a clear top-pair defenseman.

Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet — Seider’s rank in final 2019 ranking: 24

My very first (time) meeting (Seider), I was with Louie DeBrusk, and we were at the NHL combine. And so we saw Mo, and it took a minute to kind of figure out who he was, and then just kind of in the bowels — and this was an informal thing. Like, we’d been interviewing all the players. But before our interview, we just kind of ran into him. And so we started talking (about his Mannheim teammate Denis Reul and how strong he is). And then Louie DeBrusk, you know he’s a big dude … and (Seider) looks at Louie and he goes, not like you, like (Reul works out) really hard. So I don’t know if he was like ball-busting, or if it was just a funny thing that he was kind of ripping on Louie a little bit. But either way, the three of us just started pissing ourselves laughing.

And so I thought, ‘Wow, this guy’s got some moxie.’ Like Louie DeBrusk, no matter whether you knew him or not, he’s a menacing figure. And 1185374 Edmonton Oilers 5:55 and Zack Kassian, returning to the lineup after missing 17 games with a broken hand, showed that the mitts still work, scoring the 7-1 goal at 8:38.

Edmonton Oilers destroy Flames to restore seven-point cushion “It felt good, it’s nice to contribute,” said Kassian. “You’re watching your team succeed for four and a half weeks, so it was nice to get in and help. It’s one of those years where every game is important, but it feels a little better when you beat the team right down the highway from you.” Robert Tychkowski Kassian said that once Edmonton’s third-period outburst began, there Publishing date: Mar 17, 2021 would be no stopping it.

“Our power play helped us out a lot, they were good when we needed Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom is scored on by Edmonton them,” he said. “From there, it’s crazy how momentum can swing once Oilers Dominik Kahun in second period NHL action at the Scotiabank the big guys take over; it just trickles down the lineup. From top to bottom Saddledome in Calgary on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. we were solid from Smitty on out.

Article content Mike Smith started in net for the ninth time in 11 games and stood strong for the Oilers. The Flames applied all kinds of furious pressure when it It’s not very often you get to undo the past, while destroying an enemy’s was close, but he battled hard and never let them get closer than two morale at the same time, but that’s kind of what the Edmonton Oilers goals. managed with timely and vicious bit of revenge Wednesday night in the Saddledome. There is no time for the Oilers to celebrate or savour the victory, though. They get right back at it Thursday with the first of a two-game showdown After watching their seven-point lead on Calgary cut to five with a costly with the Winnipeg Jets. Winner gets sole possession of second place. defeat on Monday, the Oilers knew they couldn’t let the resurgent Flames cut it to three (with two games in hand) in the rematch. “They play a fast, physical game and they obviously have some high-end skill, it’s going to be a good test for us to see how we match up with the Their only option was to get mad, get even, and return to Edmonton in way they’re playing,” said Barrie. the exact same place they were when they started — seven points up. “There’s 24 games left, so it’s going to be a big finish in the North So they took it. Division. It’s kind of crazy, every night feels like a playoff game. It’s a good test for us against a team that’s playing really well.” Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jesse Puljujarvi got Edmonton off and running with a pair of first period goals and the Oilers blew things up in the third, As far as the Oilers are concerned, the stretch drive is now. crushing their overwhelmed rivals in a convincing 7-3 decision. “You see how tight the division is, how quickly it tightens up,” said “I thought we competed hard and did a lot of things well structurally and McDavid. “We’re playing playoff hockey here. Everyone is playing for didn’t make the mistakes that we made the other night,” said Oilers their playoff lives. There are only 24 games left; these points are coach , whose club was up 7-1 till the Flames scored a valuable.” couple in garbage time. “And it ended up being a good night for us.”

Edmonton, 4-2 in the Battle of Alberta this year, can now focus on what’s ahead of them without having to worry about the foul stench of the Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.18.2021 Flames breathing down their necks.

“Coming off a loss, it’s nice to play them again,” said McDavid, who had a goal and two assists. “You want another crack at them right away. If you win, it’s almost like we came to Calgary and nothing really happened (in the standings). We walked away with two points and move on.”

The Oilers knew what was at stake and it showed. They were relentless with their pressure, they dug in around the net and buried their chances in a must-win game. Up 3-1 and with the night hanging in the balance to start the third period, they were simply a cut above. They made the four- goal outburst look easy.

“It’s pretty incredible the skill we have on this team,” said defenceman Tyson Barrie, who finished with four-assists. “It’s word class, as good as it gets. And we played the right way the whole game.

“We talked about it (in the second intermission), we wanted to come out and have a great start in the third, not give them any life. We were expecting more of a defensive grind than exploding for four goals, but when you play the right way you get rewarded.”

The Oilers wasted no time establishing themselves in this one, with Nugent-Hopkins scoring his 11th at 4:39 of the opening frame and Puljujarvi scoring his eighth at 7:22.

The Oilers are 13-2 when scoring first, so the importance of the quick start wasn’t lost on anyone.

“You’re expecting a really tight game, so every goal is really meaningful and if you can get one it’s usually a big advantage,” said Tippett. “You get on the board early, your team gets a little jump and away you go. I like the way we started the game.”

The teams traded goals in the second — Dominik Kahun for the Oilers and Elias Lindholm 25 seconds later for the Flames — making it 3-1 at the second intermission.

Then, with the game on the line, Edmonton blew the doors off Calgary in the third period. McDavid scored on the power play at 1:50, Alex Chiasson scored on the power play at 3:44, Darnell Nurse added one at 1185375 Edmonton Oilers “He’s one of those really, really annoying players to go against, he never gives up on pucks and he’s right in the face of other guys,” said teammate Rasmus Andersson, who went in the second round in 2015.

OILERS SNAPSHOTS: Ethan Bear's game needs polish after terrific That 2015 draft mined defenceman John Marino (drafted by Oilers and rookie season his rights traded to Pittsburgh when they couldn’t sign him) at 154 and Winnipeg third-line winger Mason Appleton at 168. So while media guys yawn as the draft wears on, scouts never do.

Jim Matheson • Edmonton Journal This ‘n that: Jujhar Khaira, hurt in a fight with Brett Ritchie Monday, didn’t play. Neither did Kyle Turris, back from Covid protocol … Best fit for Publishing date: Mar 17, 2021 Taylor Hall in a trade scenario would be Long Island with Anders Lee on long-term injury. Hall could play with and Mathew Barzal on their top line … Ex-Oiler defenceman Steve Smith, who won three Ethan Bear looks like he’ll be one of the three defencemen the Edmonton Cup rings here in 1987, 1988 and 1990, was also a casualty when Ralph Oilers protect in the July Seattle expansion draft if they go the seven Krueger got fired in Buffalo. Smith, who has been an NHL assistant in forwards/three D route, but his game isn’t as calm and collected as his Calgary, here, Carolina and with the Sabres, was looking after their D rookie season when he played 22 minutes a night. and their penalty-kill … Goalie Anton Forsberg signed last summer with the Oilers for $700,000 figuring he would be their No. 3 and on the taxi- Sophomore slump? Hey, why not? Happens to lots of NHLers. squad but he’s been living out of a suitcase. First he’s claimed by But, it’s more a case of young defencemen’s progress seldom being Carolina, then Winnipeg and now Ottawa because Matt Murray is hurt. linear. Bear was in the first pair on a lot of nights with Darnell Nurse last He’s yet to play a single minute this season. season. He played more than 25 minutes in 10 of those games, and got

Calder trophy votes. This year, Bear has been found in the third pairing with a series of partners. He’s got a wealth of talent but isn’t escaping Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.18.2021 trouble as effortlessly.

“He’s a player that we need to play quality minutes for us,” said Oilers coach Dave Tippett. “If we didn’t know it was in him, we’d be second- guessing it but he showed last year he can be a really solid, right-side D. He’s an in-betweener. He covers a lot of areas. He can move the puck, play on the second power play and can kill penalties. We’re trying to push him into those areas of his game so he’s back up and running at a top level. He can really help our team.”

The concussion Bear suffered when he took a puck in the head while sitting on the bench in Toronto in January also set him back. He missed all but two games in February. The best way to describe Bear now (18 minutes a game) is to say he’s treading water as the No. 3 right-shot D behind Tyson Barrie and Adam Larsson, and the coaching staff is dying to see last year’s breakout Bear.

“He’s a smart player but he’s had some ups and downs. He struggled in training camp, got hurt (concussion), then when he came back it took him three or four games to get up and going. He’s been better lately,” said Tippett.

With a surplus of young D, Bear’s name has come up as possible trade bait for a young forward — Bear for Jake DeBrusk was floated — but Bear is on a team friendly $2-million a year for two seasons, very important in a flat-cap world.

Plus, there’s uncertainty with Adam Larsson and Tyson Barrie. Larsson, their best shutdown guy, has been terrific the last six weeks, and Barrie, who has been playing in the top pair with Nurse and has 24 points, are both unrestricted free-agents. Can they sign both?

CATCHING UP WITH HOLLOWAY

As expected, Oilers 2020 first-round pick/forward Dylan Holloway made the cut to the final 10 for the Hobey Baker award as NCAA’s best player. Holloway, who played for Canada at the world junior championship, might be signed after U of Wisconsin’s season ends. The NCAA’s Frozen Four is April 10. Holloway has 30 points in 20 games since the world junior and is fourth in the nation in points with 34.

His college teammate Cole Caufield (Montreal first-rounder) is clear favourite to win this year’s Hobey Baker with 28 goals and 49 points in 30 games for the Badgers. Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau has won it, so did Cale Makar in Colorado.

The final 10 includes two players on USA gold medal winning world junior team—forward Matt Boldy and goalie Spencer Knight (both ).

Calgary winger Andrew Mangiapane was the 166th name called in the 2015 draft (sixth-round) but unless there’s a sudden change, he’ll be one of the seven forwards the Flames protect in the Seattle expansion draft in July. Mangiapane, who played junior in Barrie for late coach , is a greasy player with skill. 1185376 Edmonton Oilers good news that the swelling of the heart was not only down but gone. I was cleared to come back.

“I was on the ice twice with the taxi squad and then we had a meeting JONES: Could Minnesota's Stalock be the second coming of Roloson for with the coaches and the training staff and decided the best plan would Oilers? be to go down to the AHL (American Hockey League) for a conditioning stint. To do that, they had to put me on waivers.”

He’d barely been informed that he’d been claimed by Edmonton when Terry Jones Stalock had his car packed and pointed west through the Dakotas and Montana. Publishing date: Mar 17, 2021 “It made the most sense for me to drive and speed up the quarantine

process. I managed to get to Montana and get a hotel room and drove up Edmonton Oilers forward Kailer Yamamoto (56) deflects a shot against through Couts first thing the next morning,” he said. “As I started driving, I Minnesota Wild goaltender Alex Stalock (32) at Rogers Place on Feb 21, could really feel the excitement. It’s a new chance. It’s a new chapter. 2020. “I really like the team they have here. They have a chance to make a run. It would be a bit much to expect a total rewrite of ‘The Dwayne Roloson That’s the most exciting part. I’m going to a team that’s going to win Story.’ hockey games.

But there are some interesting compatibles involved in whatever tale Alex “Obviously, to get claimed by a team, they saw something and I want to Stalock is about to write as he emerges from his 14-day quarantine and come in a work hard and do whatever I can do to push people and help joins the Edmonton Oilers, Thursday. The last time the team obtained a make the team better while I work on my No. 1 goal of getting prepared goaltender from Minnesota, it was March 8, 2006, and his name was D. to play in the NHL again.” Roloson. He’s on the second year of a three-year, $785,000-a-year contract, while Rollie The Goalie wrote one of the great stretch run and playoff stories in Mikko Koskinen has a year remaining at $4.5 million and has buyout NHL history that spring, first leading the Oilers to claim a playoff position written all over him. and then leading the eighth-seeded team in the Western Conference all It’s interesting how general manager ’s major mess in goal the way to the Stanley Cup Final. seems to have dramatically improved with Smith recovering from injury to If Roloson hadn’t suffered the knee injury in Game 1 of the final that went start the season and going into Wednesday’s game in Calgary, the arrival to Game 7, Edmonton might have won a sixth Stanley Cup that year. at last of Stalock on the ice and what local product Stuart Skinner has made of his season after getting one start (a win) backing up Koskinen to Born in St. Paul, Minn., Stalock was a fourth-round pick (112th overall) in begin the season. the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. So, he remembers Roloson and the Oilers’ run very well In his last nine starts with the Oilers’ AHL farm club in Bakersfield, he has a 9-0-0 record with his 1.33 goals-against average and .948 save “I watched Rollie as a kid. Growing up there, I went to a lot of Wild percentage. games. It’s really similar,” Stalock observed. There are up arrows at the position now. Head coach Dave Tippett isn’t projecting an immediate insertion of Stalock into the Oilers line-up.

“He’s still about a week away. He has to get some practice in. He’s Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.18.2021 missed a lot of time. He might be able to get around our team as of (Thursday) but he still needs some time to get up and running here.”

Tippett says he’ll likely join the team for the three games in Montreal and two in Toronto. But don’t expect to see No. 32 in net until April.

My instincts are telling me there’s going to be a good story to follow here, so let’s begin to follow it now.

With a career record of 61-49-18, a goals-against average of 2.61 and a save percentage of .909. the career numbers of the 5-foot-11, 33-year- old compare favourably with Mikko Koskinen’s (53-45-9, 2.96 GAA, .908 SP).

Stalock spent the first five years of his NHL career with the San Jose Sharks organization before he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016. Acquired by Minnesota, Stalock was 20-11-4, 2.67 GAA, .910 SP last season. He started 38 games and recorded four shutouts. He also started all four Wild qualifying series Stanley Cup playoff games in Edmonton’s Hub City bubble.

Coming off what was termed an off-season injury, Stalock hadn’t played a game this year and found himself behind rookie sensation Kaapo Kahkonen (12-4-0, 2.05 GAA, .927 SP), backed up by ex-Oilers starter Cam Talbot.

In an interview with your correspondent Wednesday upon emerging from quarantine after getting his first tour of the Oilers dressing room and taking his first skate on Roger’s Place ice since he was here in the playoffs, Stalock wanted to set the record straight about his ‘injury.’

He was never injured.

“Unfortunately, it was COVID related,” he revealed. “I had two negative tests. We did heart tests and found a condition that they’ve found in some athletes called myocarditis. I got shut down for six weeks. I wasn’t allowed to do any physical activity that might get my heart rate up. I had an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging scan) in mid-January and got the 1185377 Edmonton Oilers more often with Ennis. (1.45) has also delivered some offence at five-on-five, a major improvement from last year’s poor total (0.94). The top four left wingers have played well enough to keep Joakim Nygard out of the lineup for most of the season. Lowetide: Oilers’ midseason depth chart informs their needs for trade deadline and beyond Tyler Benson is having a terrific start to the season in the AHL, posting 4- 12-16 in 11 games (and with a 16-7 on-ice even-strength goal differential). There are rumours that the COVID-19 requirements when crossing the border could be relaxed, and if that happens, it’s possible By Allan Mitchell some of the Condors see NHL action before the end of the season. Mar 17, 2021 Holloway has been a revelation in all areas during his sophomore season at Wisconsin, and we could see him signed and brought straight to the NHL after his season. The timing is a big question, as Wisconsin’s strong Think back on the biggest questions and concerns facing Oilers general season means an invite to the NCAA Tournament. manager Ken Holland this past offseason. Looking to next season, at this point it’s a good guess Draisaitl, He needed to fill four main holes in the lineup: Holloway, Benson and James Neal will be joined by a couple of signed free agents. Ennis has earned another contract. • A replacement for injured defenceman Oscar Klefbom This is perhaps the most encouraging position compared to how things • A goalie to partner with Mikko Koskinen looked at the beginning of the year. The emergence of Jesse Puljujarvi • A No. 3 centre, and … over the season is a big piece of the build. He showed solid two-way awareness in the first month of the year, then reeled off six goals in • A scoring winger for the Leon Draisaitl–Kailer Yamamoto line February playing on the big line with McDavid. Now a member of the Holland’s solutions were Tyson Barrie to replace Klefbom, Mike Smith second line with Nuge, Puljujarvi’s scoring has slowed, but he’s still returning in goal, Kyle Turris for No. 3 centre and winger Dominik Kahun getting looks and shooting from the places he can score goals (close to to play with his countryman Draisaitl. Not all of those solutions worked, the net). but nonetheless after 31 games, either because of Holland’s move or Yamamoto is scoring at a 1.86 points-per-60 rate so far this season and improvised alternatives, it seems that the holes have been plugged. has shown an ability to perform on both of the big lines. At some point, Are there new ones appearing in their place? A new set of questions and we might see him on the power play, and that could cause a spike in his concerns for Holland to address with the April 12 trade deadline less than overall numbers. a month away and an eye on the team’s future? Zack Kassian started on the top line with McDavid but struggled and then Having the best player in the game at the top of the centre depth chart is got hurt. His contract is an issue if he’s playing on a depth line; there are a good way to start the conversation. Connor McDavid leads the league three more years after this one at $3.2 million per season, Kassian has a in points, points per game, even-strength points and power-play points. half-season to make something happen. He can be an asset when he’s His five-on-five on-ice goal differential (32-24) is his personal best since playing a physical game with speed and some scoring. 2017-18. Draisaitl ranks No. 2 in league scoring, and his five-on-five on- Josh Archibald has been solid if unspectacular as a penalty killer and ice goal differential (34-13) is easily the best of what is already an utility forward. If he delivers the same quality over the course of his outstanding career. contract (this and next season), Holland probably brings him back. There are times when McDavid and Draisaitl are on the same line, and Patrick Russell is an end-of-roster player. that moves Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to No. 2 centre. Offence is the issue coach Jay Woodcroft is playing Cooper Marody on when Nuge is on the ice without either 97 or 29. Here are the five-on-five right wing, and the gifted forward is posting outstanding numbers. He did totals for Nugent-Hopkins with and without this season: the same thing as a centre in 2018-19 before a series of injuries Edmonton is fine with the 97-29-93 trio mixing and matching between left completely derailed him last season. Marody is all the way back and has wing and centre, but if Holland makes a move at the deadline (and it earned another contract (a one-way this time), but it’s possible the young might still be an issue in the summer), it will be in an effort to give the forward will test the market for more inviting options. Lavoie is listed at second line with Nugent-Hopkins more firepower. centre and wing. It’s uncertain where he’ll play in pro hockey.

Turris was not effective as the No. 3 centre during the first half of the Darnell Nurse stepped into the No. 1 role and delivered across the season and might not get a chance to play that spot in the second half. in the first half of the season. Although some Oilers fans Veteran Jujhar Khaira has stepped in and played well (9-8 on-ice goal remain unconvinced, he is gaining recognition across the hockey world differential at five-on-five) with several different wingers and at this point and could get some Olympic consideration if he can sustain current has a firm hold on the job. His fight Monday against Brett Ritchie might levels. Nurse’s timing couldn’t be better, as the injury to Klefbom is going have him out for a time, and that could bring Turris (7-17 at five-on-five to wipe out his season. Youngsters William Lagesson and Caleb Jones goal differential) back into the picture. Righty centre Gaetan Haas is have stepped in as options but have struggled with the job, with veteran finally healthy and playing opponents to a standstill (4-4) in five-on-five Kris Russell offering reliable if unspectacular play when called upon. scoring. Shore looks better on the wing and might stay there. Slater Koekkoek had an uneven first half and then suffered a significant injury, forcing the recall of Theodor Lennstrom, who has yet to play. On the farm, Ryan McLeod is pushing now and should be considered a strong candidate to make the Oilers for opening night next season. He Markus Niemelainen has played well in Bakersfield, and one suspects has scored six goals and 14 points in 13 games this season, while going he’s improved his stock. He has more offence (five points in 13 games) 17-6 in on-ice five-on-five scoring with Bakersfield. Raphael Lavoie is than expected and has been a steady hand at even strength (11-9 on-ice scoring in Sweden’s second league (Allsvenskan) with 23 goals and 45 goal differential). His combination of size and speed makes him points in 51 games. Dylan Holloway, who might land on the wing when intriguing. he’s signed, rocked the Big Ten this season and is one of the most Philip Broberg and Dmitri Samorukov spent the season in Europe and heralded college players this season. Aapeli Rasanen moved to centre both showed progress in their respective leagues. Broberg had an and played a strong two-way game in Finland’s and might have uneven campaign and some injury issues with Skelleftea in the SHL, NHL ability. Holland will have to make a decision on him by Aug. 15 or while Samorukov had a splendid campaign in the KHL before a season- Rasanen’s rights will be lost. ending injury. Broberg (6-foot-3, 203 pounds), Samorukov (6-2, 198) and The No. 1 left wing is a top-flight player no matter who is playing there. Lagesson (6-2, 207) continue the trend under Holland (and Peter McDavid-Draisaitl is an epic pairing, even if Nugent-Hopkins is more Chiarelli before him) of developing big, mobile defencemen who can effective with Draisaitl, based on last year’s run. move the puck and win battles net-front and along the wall.

Tyler Ennis has slowly moved his way up the depth chart on merit, his Klefbom’s status for next year is up in the air, putting a giant question 2.07 points-per-60-minutes scoring rate is well in front of Kahun’s 1.34. mark at this position through the expansion draft and into the fall. If Both have played well on the No. 2 line, but the puck has found the net Holland protects Klefbom (expect it if the post-surgery prognosis is good), then either Jones or Lagesson could be lost in the expansion over the summer. He would be a player of interest for Holland if he’s still draft. on the depth chart next season. Only Koskinen, Stalock and Rodrigue are signed for next year. Skinner and Wells are RFA. This position should be strong for years with Nurse and Klefbom as veterans, Jones and Lagesson as young NHL players, and Broberg and Trade deadline Samorukov pushing soon. Klefbom’s health and Nurse’s next contract are the only potential hurdles. Holland’s shopping list might include a scoring winger (for the No. 2 line), a lefty defender (for the second pair) if none of the young blue (Jones, It has taken several general managers and over a decade to get the right Lagesson) can grab it, and a goalie if a good one shakes loose. side of the defence in a strong position, and the Oilers are unlikely to give away anything over the summer. It’s completely possible he keeps his powder dry. As he said in the media availability last week, depth moves aren’t needed, but if there is a quality Barrie has delivered handsomely on the offensive side of the puck, and piece available, he might pull the trigger. the five-on-five outscoring results have improved markedly since he was paired with Nurse. His on-ice goal differential for the season five-on-five Summer needs is 29-26, and with Nurse, the puck-moving Barrie is 25-17 (4-9 without). The expansion draft likely will see Edmonton lose a good young That’s a compelling reason to leave him on the top pair. He was hurt in defenceman, and there are three major unrestricted free agents to the Calgary game Monday night, though, which could impact the address (Nugent-Hopkins, Larsson and Barrie). pairings. After that, and depending on what is available, a true No. 1 goalie and a Adam Larsson is a unique player on this roster, a physical defenceman scoring left winger will be the priorities. The big move, as I see it, will be who punishes the opposition with extreme prejudice. His on-ice goal in acquiring a goaltender. differential at five-on-five (19-18) includes a stellar 7-3 differential with rookie Lagesson, who has many of the same shutdown elements as Yamamoto, Khaira, Kahun and minor leaguers Benson and Marody are Larsson. A mentoring from elder to younger Swede might be taking hold, the main RFA names. Skinner could be one by the time this season although the expected-goals percentage for the pair through 136 minutes ends; it’s difficult to evaluate his season at this point. is 46 percent. Holloway remains a fascinating option. Barrie and Larsson are unrestricted free agents over the summer. Klefbom will be a big question over the summer and could go Ethan Bear was injured early and has struggled this season. His goal unprotected. differential (14-15) has shown improvement over his rookie season (64- What does it all mean? 70) in 2019-20. Despite the challenges of this season, he would be the obvious choice to play alongside Nurse if Barrie is out for any length of Holland needed to build up the skill forwards coming down the pipe the time. That pairing played big minutes against tough opponents last moment he arrived, and the amateur scouts did a good job in adding season, and Bear was rock solid. This year, even with hurdles, he is Lavoie, Holloway and Savoie. even playing with Nurse at five-on-five (11-11). He has also added a big, fast, strong two-way lefty defenceman with Evan Bouchard is a big part of the future, and I believe the reason Barrie Broberg, and the GM signed all available talents on the backline in order will be one and done in Edmonton. Bouchard’s main skills, the ones that to increase competition. make him special, are major assets for five-on-five and the power play. His outlet passing, ability to get the puck through with an assortment of At the NHL level, his bets have been both popular (Barrie, Kahun, Ennis) shots and creativity in the offensive zone mean his primary role will be and wildly unpopular (Smith), but the team sits in playoff position in part what Barrie is doing now. I can’t see a way to fit both into the starting due to those choices. lineup next year, and Barrie is going to make many millions more than

Bouchard. The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 Filip Berglund struggled in the SHL this season but has a sound résumé and two-way skills. He’ll be in Bakersfield this fall. Philip Kemp signed and played an effective season in the Allsvenskan for the same team as Lavoie (Vasby IK). They’ll likely play together in Bakersfield during next season. Michael Kesselring is a fascinating prospect. He has size (6-4, 194 pounds) and two-way ability with surprising skill. He is unsigned.

NHL teams draft and develop anticipating moments like the transition from Barrie to Bouchard. Edmonton will add a player with the same or similar skills and save enormous cap dollars in the process.

The depth chart is most uncertain in goal, and that telegraphs the summer to come. It’s possible we see a deadline deal.

Smith is making Holland look like a genius, his strong performances since coming off the injured list have been a major part of the team’s recent success. Koskinen is signed for one more year at $4.5 million, but he could be part of the summer house cleaning. Alex Stalock is a complete wild card, a waiver pickup who could see little or no action or get a full audition. He is also signed for next season.

Skinner is a player of interest based on his outstanding performance (8- 2-0 in 10 games, .937 save percentage and a 1.70 goals-against average) for the Bakersfield Condors over the past month. His previous pro seasons were uneven, but he has found the range in front of a no- name defence in Bakersfield. Dylan Wells is the extra goalie and should land in the AHL soon, once Stalock has cleared COVID-19 quarantine.

Rodrigue is a promising goalie who just turned pro. He has played in Austria (23 games, .908 save percentage) and for the Condors (three games, .873 save percentage) this season. The organization likes him and will give him plenty of time to prove himself with Bakersfield during his entry deal.

Ilya Konovalov is an undersized goaltender with a strong KHL résumé (.923 save percentage in 19 games this past season) who is a free agent 1185378 Florida Panthers defensive player of the year award. Ekblad has the second most goals among defensemen this year and the Panthers’ defensive turnaround has been massive.

Barkov for MVP? Quenneville for Coach of the Year? Here is why Florida is allowing the 11th fewest goals per game after allowing the third Panthers are contenders most last year and has done it by eliminating opponents’ high-danger chances. The Panthers rank sixth in expected goals against by allowing the seventh fewest high-danger chances and their defensive numbers could still improve. Opponents are scoring on a league-leading 18.9 BY DAVID WILSON percent of those high-danger chances. Victor Hedman will be tough to MARCH 17, 2021 03:12 PM catch, though.

Right now, Bobrovsky is nowhere near contender for the NHL’s goaltender of the year award. His .905 save percentage ranks 32nd in The 2020-21 NHL season is halfway over the Florida Panthers are taking the league and he’s a +5,000 long shot. a well-deserved miniature break before they begin the second half Thursday against the Nashville Predators in Sunrise. This is about what he has done lately. In his last eight starts, Bobrovsky is 7-0-1 with 2.75 goals against and a .919 save percentage, which would The Panthers enter the second half tied for the most points in the NHL rank in the top 15 across a full season. He’s slowly inching his way into and the Central Division, and they have an 13-point cushion to land one the conversation. of the Central’s four playoff spots. “He’s showing more patience in his net. I think he’s tracking the puck a They have a top-five offense and a borderline top-10 defense, and a 98.8 little better,” Quenneville said. “It looks like he’s in control.” percent chance to make the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight. No team has boosted its playoff odds more from the start Eetu Luostarinen really doesn’t have a chance at this one. It is worth of the season to now. mentioning the contributions of two rookies, though.

They also have a slew of candidates to take home postseason awards, One of the biggest reasons Florida is among the best teams in the including at least one favorite for one of the league’s biggest trophies. league is the play of its bottom two lines.

Aleksander Barkov is in the conversation for the Hart Memorial Trophy. Luostarinen, the third-line center, has three goals and five assists, and Aaaron Ekblad is in the mix for the Norris Trophy. is the his 20 blocked shots are tied for second most on the team among frontrunner for the . forwards. Fellow rookie Mason Marchment, the ourth-line left wing, has two goals and four assists in 11 games. Even Sergei Bobrovsky is playing well enough right now to wonder if he can make a second-half run into contention for the Vezina Trophy. Their Other contenders: Kaapo Kahkonen, G, Wild; Kirill Kaprizov, LW/RW, awards pushes will continue Thursday when Florida (19-5-4) hosts the Wild; Kevin Lankinen, G, Blackhawks; Igor Shesterkin, G, Rangers; Vitek Predators (12-16-1) at 7 p.m. at the BB&T Center in the first game of the Vanecek, G, Capitals second half.

JACK ADAMS CONTENDER: JOEL QUENNEVILLE Miami Herald LOADED: 03.18.2021 The Panthers began the season with an expectation to be mostly irrelevant. Temporary realignment, brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, threw Florida into arguably the NHL’s toughest division, with three of the last four teams. The Panthers, who flamed out in the qualifying round of the expanded 2020 postseason, brought in a new general manager. Another rebuild, in theory, was on.

Instead, Florida is the biggest surprise in the league in Quenneville’s second season. The Panthers have fully bought into the three-time champion’s message and it has turned them into a Stanley Cup favorite. Their 12 wins after giving up the first goal and their five victories after trailing by multiple goals are proof Quenneville’s message is resonating. Coach of the year awards typically go to a surprise contender and Florida fits the bill best.

“There’s a little excitement in our team, as far as the approach during games that, Hey, keep doing the same thing, let’s stick with it,” Quenneville said Thursday.

There was a time when Barkov’s peers considered the star center to be the most underrated player in the NHL.

Now, the 25-year-old is simply one of the best players in the NHL. He’s probably the midseason frontrunner for the Frank J. Selke Award, given to the league’s best defensive forward, and his blend of size, speed and creativity has him tied for seventh in the league with 34 points — coincidentally, with All-Star left wing Jonathan Huberdeau.

Barkov, who hasn’t even played in an NHL All-Star Game since 2018, is the best player on perhaps the best team in the league, but he remains a +4,000 long shot to win the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player, according to MGM Resorts International. Even Huberdeau has better odds at +2,000. Barkov should climb up this list, even if he probably won’t catch Connor McDavid.

“When you win, people start following you more,” Barkov said Monday. “Obviously, the last couple of years we haven’t been having any success and people don’t really talk about us that much. This year is a whole lot different.

Ekblad is actually the player with the best odds to win one of the major awards. At +1,400, Ekblad has the sixth best odds to win the NHL’s 1185379 Florida Panthers has been fresher legs, and Florida’s 36 third-period goals entering Tuesday was tops in the NHL — a big part of all those comeback wins.

“It’s not lost on me at all,” Panthers general manager and former hockey Picking a winner: Coach Quenneville has made Panthers into a agent told The Associated Press in an interview last month, when contender asked about the advantage that comes with having Quenneville as coach. “I lived in Chicago when he came in and made the run and had a number of players play for him. So, that is a luxury for me that does not go unappreciated.” By TIM REYNOLDS Quenneville has nothing left to prove. Only one coach in NHL history has ASSOCIATED PRESS won more games, only seven have won more Stanley Cups and most of MAR 17, 2021 AT 10:29 AM those were claimed a lifetime ago. He could be spending more time watching horses, playing golf and tennis, skiing, enjoying life with his family.

SUNRISE — Florida coach Joel Quenneville loves horse racing. As any Instead, the 62-year-old is still working, with no plans to stop soon. That good bettor does, he goes through all the past performances for every silver chalice, the one Florida has always chased and the one horse in the field before making his wager. Quenneville has already hoisted three times, is still very much on his mind. He’s not an expert. “When you win a Cup, you can’t wait to do it again. And that’s the thing,” “Below average,” he said. Quenneville said. “It’s everything. That’s why we do it. The process of Perhaps Quenneville should stick to hockey. The bet he made on the trying to win the Cup is the best part of winning a Cup. And that’s what Panthers a couple of years ago seems to be on the cusp of a big-time you look forward to.” payoff.

Florida — a franchise that has made missing the playoffs an art form, Sun Sentinel LOADED: 03.18.2021 with no series wins since 1996 — is at the midpoint of this season, Year 2 of the Quenneville era, tied for the most points in the NHL as of Tuesday. At 19-5-4, the Panthers are off to the best 28-game start in their history in terms of points and winning percentage.

And for the first time in a quarter-century, the Panthers might be a true contender for the Stanley Cup.

There are plenty of reasons why: Aleksander Barkov is playing like the best in the game, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is back in top form after a down year, and Aaron Ekblad and MacKenzie Weegar might be the top defenseman duo in the league.

The biggest reason, though, might be Quenneville, the mustachioed guy behind the bench. He preaches simple hockey, tough hockey, team-first hockey. The Panthers are soaking up every word.

“Even if it’s the most complicated play on the ice, he’s OK with it so long as it works,” Ekblad said. “So that’s one of the things I’ve learned. Obviously, there’s a time and place to make a simple play. And there’s a time and place to make the play that’s going to help us win the game.”

The Panthers have trailed at some point in 14 of their 19 victories; they were down 3-1 to Chicago on Monday night before ripping off the game’s final five goals for yet another comeback win. They’re 4-0-0 this season against the Blackhawks, who fired Quenneville — a three-time champion coach there — only 15 games into the 2018-19 season.

Quenneville took some time figuring out what to do next. He saw the young core in Florida, the team that was being run then by his longtime friend , and decided that would be his next stop. The Panthers have reaped the benefits ever since.

“In Chicago, I was lucky at that time to grab a team that was as talented and deep as they were,” Quenneville said. “This team’s a little different in some ways, but at the same time, the development, where we’re at, it kind of reminds me of those days. And I came here with the thinking that it’d be a fun place to win.”

He won a title in his second year in Chicago. He might have a team good enough to win another title in his second year in Florida.

The Panthers haven’t had anything close to a rough patch yet. They’re 8- 0-1 after a loss this season, have scored five or more goals 10 times and given up five or more only twice. And they’re the only team so far with a winning record this season against reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay.

“Everyone is having fun on the ice,” Barkov said. “And that’s when everyone starts to notice you. Half of the season done, we’re in a good spot.”

Florida has stars on the ice, without question. But it’s Quenneville who is pushing all the right buttons. He’s cut down on practice time this season because of the compressed schedule and the demands on players’ bodies, choosing to do more work in the video room instead. The result 1185380 Los Angeles Kings

Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar lead Kings’ rout of slumping Blues

By GREG BEACHAM ASSOCIATED PRESS

MARCH 17, 2021 UPDATED 10:17 PM PT

Drew Doughty, Carl Grundstrom and Trevor Moore scored in a dominant first period, leading the L.A. Kings to a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night.

Moore had a goal and an assist for his first multipoint game of the season, while captain Anze Kopitar scored an empty-net goal from the opposite goal line and added an assist. Cal Petersen made 19 saves to end his five-start losing streak for the Kings, who looked sharp in just their third win in 10 games.

Los Angeles and St. Louis were scheduled for two consecutive games at Staples Center this week, but Monday’s game was postponed after a blizzard stranded the Kings in Denver, where they had just lost back-to- back games to the Avalanche.

“The Colorado trip, it was hard on us,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “A lot of things happened on that trip with illness, the storm, with us not playing very well (and) losing both games, and then spending that extra day there didn’t help. I thought our leaders did a tremendous job.”

Mike Hoffman scored and Jordan Binnington stopped 20 shots for the well-rested Blues, who have lost five straight. Despite having the previous three days off, St. Louis got off to a timid start and failed to earn a point for only the second time in nine games.

“We can’t be turning on each other, getting negative,” Hoffman said of the Blues’ slump. “Otherwise it can go south real quick. This group is good enough that we can work our way out of this, but we’ve got to stay positive and keep working.“

Los Angeles won for the fifth time in seven meetings this season with its West Division rivals.

Doughty got the Kings started 3:21 in with a shot from the slot on a power play for his seventh goal of the season and the Kings’ 26th man- advantage goal in only 28 games. Kopitar got an assist for his 20th power-play point of the season, second-most in the NHL.

Just 58 seconds later, Grundstrom charged the net and stuffed a shot past Binnington to end his 14-game goal drought.

“I think it’s been a point of emphasis for us lately,” Moore said of the Kings’ outstanding start. “A couple of good shifts led to that drawn penalty, and then our power play has been good all year, and we cashed in.”

St. Louis didn’t record its first shot until 8:03 into the first period, and Moore ended his 11-game goal drought late in the period.

“It was really slow,” captain Ryan O’Reilly said of the Blues’ first period. “We just didn’t really start with the urgency we needed. Again, we just weren’t quick enough. We weren’t physical. D-zone, we weren’t sharp to goal, and that’s what killed us. We did some good things in the second and the third, but our hole was too deep there. Yeah, we beat ourselves.”

Hoffman scored on a long, deflected shot through traffic late in the second period, but the Blues mounted little offense.

Kopitar sealed the win by shoveling a backhand from the deep corner of the Kings’ end into St. Louis’ empty net with 1:40 to play.

LA Times: LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185381 Los Angeles Kings Anderson-Dolan skated in a hook pattern toward the net before his cross- crease pass banked in off Moore’s skate with 5:49 left in the first period.

Anderson-Dolan now has seven points in as many games this season, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar lead Kings’ rout of slumping Blues and the Kings have won four straight games with him in the lineup.

“I try to focus on what I can control, and that’s how hard you’re working and the details in your game. Tonight the points were there but I didn’t By ANDREW KNOLL play as well as I wanted to,” Anderson-Dolan said.

PUBLISHED: March 17, 2021 at 10:02 p.m. | UPDATED: March 17, 2021 There was a frightening instant in the first period when St. Louis at 11:47 p.m. defenseman Torey Krug checked Kopitar along the boards. Kopitar’s shoulder struck the glass and his head hit the stanchion. Kopitar did not

miss a shift. Krug later fought with winger Andreas Athanasiou in the Instead of being forced to play three games in four days, the Kings got a second period. bit of extra rest. That paid off as they rode a fiery first period to a 4-1 The Kings took their first penalty of the game at its midway mark. The victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night at Staples Center. Blues had the fifth-ranked power play on the road going into the game The Kings had three injured regulars, one more absence and a bug – not and had scored on nine of their previous 22 man-advantage COVID-19, they emphasized – going around their dressing room. But opportunities. But the Kings killed the penalty with aplomb. nature intervened when heavy snowfall in Denver stranded the Kings in It was during a delayed penalty that the Blues got on the board. Hoffman Colorado, causing their Monday game against St. Louis to be postponed. curled toward the blue line and flung the puck through a four-man screen The Blues, who were 10-2-2 on the road (second in the points and points of two Blues and two Kings. Hoffman’s eighth goal of the year with under percentage) before Wednesday, were awaiting the Kings when they four minutes to play in the second stanza gave St. Louis some life. returned. The Kings improved to 5-1-1 against St. Louis, which has lost five straight. After out-shooting the Blues 9-3 in the first period, the Kings absorbed more of the play in the second. St. Louis had an 11-7 edge in shots and “The Colorado trip was hard on us,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “A inverted the scoring chances-for percentage from the first period. lot of things happened on that trip with illness, the storm, us not playing very well in Game 1, having to react in Game 2, playing a little bit better The Kings did not allow much of a final push from St. Louis. With 5:30 but still losing both games, and then spending that extra day didn’t help.” left, Petersen made an authoritative glove save on defenseman Justin Faulk while fighting hard through a screen by forward David Perron. McLellan praised his leadership group, which organized a brief skate Tuesday despite it being a scheduled day off, and said his team has The Blues pulled Binnington with 3:45 left to play. But St. Louis was risen to St. Louis’ level more often than not this season. largely limited to perimeter passes and shot attempts.

Defenseman Drew Doughty, winger Carl Grundstrom and forward Trevor Kopitar was against the end boards of the defensive zone, but rather Moore, who also had an assist, scored goals for the Kings. Anze Kopitar than icing the puck he iced the game when his long, high, backhanded had an empty-net goal that traveled the length of the ice and an assist. flip of the puck ended up in the net for a nearly 200-foot goal with 1:40 Forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan, who played his first game since Feb. 18, left. contributed two assists.

Cal Petersen, who faced nearly 90 shots over two games in Colorado, also got a bit of a breather, facing a more modest total of 20 shots and Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.18.2021 chipping in with an assist. Jonathan Quick was available to back up Petersen, having recovered from an upper-body injury during the break, while defenseman Olli Maatta exited COVID-19 protocol and skated alongside Sean Walker on Wednesday.

Winger Mike Hoffman tallied for St. Louis. Jordan Binnington started in goal for the Blues, and he allowed three first-period goals that left St. Louis looking up at the Kings all night.

The Kings got going with a power-play goal and a simple recipe: pass, shoot, recover, pass, shoot. With eight players around the net, the Kings dug the puck out of a crowd. Kopitar moved the puck high to an open Doughty, who made no mistake with a shot from between the tops of the faceoff circles.

It was his seventh goal of the season and the Kings’ 26th man-advantage goal in only 28 games. Kopitar’s assist was his 20th power-play point of the season, second-most in the NHL.

A mere 58 seconds later, the Kings’ workman-like line of Moore, Grundstrom and Anderson-Dolan donned their hard hats. A puck that glanced off Grundstrom’s leg and into the corner was centered by his linemates, before he swept it home with a diving effort to end his 14- game goal drought.

“Sometimes things work with combinations of players … they complement each other, they have a tenacity yet a calmness to them that allows them to keep plays alive,” McLellan said, praising the trio’s conditioning on a night when they played more even-strength minutes than any other Kings line.

Their goal prompted a St. Louis timeout just 4:19 into the game.

“Whoever has the best start is usually coming out on top … there was definitely an emphasis from Todd and the coaches to have a quick start,” Anderson-Dolan said.

The timeout settled the Blues to an extent, but it did not prevent a third goal. Again it was the swift, industrious trio converting for the Kings. 1185382 Los Angeles Kings General Manager Kevyn Adams said the team was “open to anything and everything,” including dealing Hall, who signed a one-year deal.

The Sabres named Don Granato their interim head coach. Granato has Kings get Jaret Anderson-Dolan back after their unplanned break also worked in the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis organizations. He is the brother of former Kings winger Tony Granato and former U.S. women’s national team captain Cammi Granato.

By ANDREW KNOLL Timur Faizutdinov, a 19-year-old defenseman for the junior squad of Dynamo St. Petersburg, died Tuesday after sustaining a head injury PUBLISHED: March 17, 2021 at 9:01 p.m. | UPDATED: March 17, 2021 during a March 12 game against Yaroslavl Lokmotiv’s junior side. at 11:49 p.m. On a seemingly innocuous play – a relatively soft clearing attempt near

the blue line – Faizutdinov was struck in the head and neck area by the The Kings experienced travel delays due to a blizzard in Denver that led puck. He was hospitalized and intubated for three days before to the postponement of Monday’s game and limited eventfulness thus far succumbing to his injuries. this week. It was a harrowing moment for Russian fans, who have experienced The team did skate Tuesday for around 15 minutes despite it being a tragedy in recent years. The New York Rangers’ first-round pick Alexei scheduled day off, an idea that Coach Todd McLellan said came from Cherepanov died of heart failure after a casual collision with a teammate, team captain Anze Kopitar and the veteran leadership group. McLellan NHL legend Jaromir Jagr, during a 2008 game in Podolsk. In 2011, said he felt the skate’s quality carried over into Wednesday’s game Yaroslavl, Russia and the hockey world were rocked by a plane crash against the St. Louis Blues, which the Kings won, 4-1. that killed the entire Lokomotiv team, including former Kings star Pavol Demitra and former Ducks defenseman Ruslan Salei. Forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan and goalie Jonathan Quick made progress with their respective injuries during the unplanned but perhaps welcome layoff. Quick dressed as Cal Petersen’s backup on Wednesday Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.18.2021 and Anderson-Dolan had two assists in his first appearance since Feb. 18. The Kings’ 21-year-old Anderson Dolan had been out with an undisclosed injury, but he jumped right back in on a line with Carl Grundström and Trevor Moore.

“I felt good,” Anderson-Dolan said. “Just trying to get the physical part out of the way and throw a couple of hits. To get your timing back, you can’t really simulate that in practice. I felt pretty good for being out for a while, but a long way to go to get to where I want to be.”

Winger Dustin Brown missed his second straight game due to an upper- body injury, but defenseman Olli Maatta returned from a two-game COVID-19 protocol-related absence.

Elsewhere around the league – and around the world – there were plenty of notable events this week.

Francisco X. Rivera has seen his role expand rapidly within the Kings organization since he began calling their games in Spanish on the radio in 2018.

Already a community liaison and trusted adviser to the Kings, he made history Saturday when he called a game for the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, the .

“I spoke to the NHL and it is believed that I (was) the first Latino play-by- play announcer to call a professional hockey game in English,” Rivera said.

Rivera, who grew up in Mexico City and attended Long Beach State, has been a fixture in the Spanish-language sports media. He will call at least one more Reign game this season while continuing his duties in Spanish with analyst Nano Cortes on Tu Liga 1330 (AM).

The Buffalo Sabres fired Coach Ralph Krueger on Wednesday amid a 12-game losing streak with no shortage of other ignominious statistics associated with the skid.

The Sabres loaded up on offense with the additions of 2018 Most Valuable Player Taylor Hall and veteran center Eric Staal, who powered Carolina to a Stanley Cup title in 2006. With center Jack Eichel and high- priced winger Jeff Skinner as well as an offensive-minded defense corps, the Sabres appeared poised to put up big numbers.

Instead, they ranked last in goals per game despite having a respectable power play. Their five-on-five play has been atrocious offensively. They haven’t exactly shored it up with defense either: Buffalo ranks 28th out of 31 teams in goals-against average.

During their slump, the Sabres were shut out four times, they scored two or fewer goals in 10 of the 12 losses and allowed five or more goals in half of their defeats.

Kings coach Todd McLellan was a candidate for the Sabres’ job but opted for the Kings’ vacancy instead before last season.

Krueger’s dismissal immediately amplified rumors about the Sabres making significant moves prior to the April 12 deadline. First-year 1185383 Los Angeles Kings Todd McLellan On if there is a common thread between the wins versus St. Louis this

season FINAL – KINGS 4, BLUES 1 – MOORE, ANDERSON-DOLAN, I think that we respect them enough that we really rise to the occasion. MCLELLAN We have checked well against this team, our special teams seem to get us one more than they get a night, which really helps, and we’ve got outstanding goaltending in all of the matches that we’ve played against BY ZACH DOOLEY FOR LAKINGSINSIDER.COM them. I don’t think there’s anything particular that we’re doing or they’re doing. MARCH 17, 2021 On Anderson-Dolan returning, and his line

Sometimes things work with combinations of players. I thought The LA Kings struck early, they struck often, and a team that has Grundstrom played one of his better games in a long time tonight, struggled to get out in front early in games this season ended the Mooresy’s played quite well. They compliment each other, they have a opening 20 minutes with a three-goal advantage. tenacity, yet a calmness to them that allows them to keep plays alive in Part of it was an early power play, earned by Matt Luff, which resulted in the offensive zone. All three of them are fairly well-conditioned, so they Drew Doughty’s fifth power-play goal of the season, second-best can extend shifts a little bit, and it’s just working for them right now. amongst defensemen in the NHL. Part of it was the hard work of the Carl Obviously, JAD’s a real important piece there. They get some confidence Grundstrom – Jaret Anderson-Dolan – Trevor Moore line, which looked when he goes back with them, so we’ll ride that line for as long as we less like a line that hasn’t played together since January 22 and more like possibly can. the line that thrived in a small sample size earlier this season. On the importance of winning the faceoff battle tonight Grundstrom and Moore scored, with Anderson-Dolan tallying two assists in his first game back from injured reserve. It was a focus of ours, we know that they’re a really good faceoff team. With them getting Bozak back tonight, O’Reilly, Schenn, Bozak, even The Blues struck back with one in the second, courtesy of a Mike Sundqvist, Joshua, when they’re winning faceoffs, they can start with the Hoffman shot through traffic to make it a two-goal lead after 40 minutes. puck an awful lot. We really emphasized that. Not only the centermen, St. Louis pushed back in the second, but generally, the Kings were able ours and theirs, but the people on the perimeter, jumping inside and to hold tough and fend it off. trying to come up with loose stuff so we can have the puck a little more The third period featured a couple of nice stops from Petersen, but at the than they did. Our group did a good job of it. same time, a lot of nothing in front of him. The Kings have surrendered On the team getting some rest, getting healthy, into tonight’s game leads at points in this season that they would like to have back, and in this case, a lot of nothing is a good thing. The Kings didn’t sit back and Yeah….the Colorado trip, it was hard on us. A lot of things happened on absorb pressure in the final period, but closed the game out. Those are that trip, with illness, the storm, us not playing very well in game one, to two different things, and the latter is something the team can take some having to react in game two, playing a little bit better but losing both pride in from tonight. games, then spending the extra day there didn’t help. I thought our leaders did a tremendous job. We actually skated yesterday, they came Overall the Kings got contributions from throughout the lineup, and it was to us and wanted to skate. It was a scheduled day off, we’ll have to make evident the added depth that they have as a group when more than just it up at some point, but they came to the coaching staff and said we need the Kopitar line, or the Vilardi line, is firing. That was a huge element to to skate, we want to clean our legs out, led by Kopi, but supported by the the team’s winning streak in February, and has been a huge element to team as a whole. We had a 10-15 minute skate yesterday which I think the team’s success as a whole so far this season. was a real good decision on their behalf. They owned that skate With the 4-1 victory Kings sit two games above .500 as we hit the yesterday, it was a really good skate for us and I thought it carried over halfway mark of the season, and are now 5-1-1 against the St. Louis into tonight. Blues, the team that now sits three points in front of them in the West On playing with a lead tonight, and the team’s play over the last 40 Division Standings. minutes Hear from forwards Anderson-Dolan, Moore and Head Coach Todd A couple things, I think it’s good for us to play with a lead sometimes. McLellan after tonight’s game. Let’s face it, over the last year and a half, it hasn’t happened enough. It’s Trevor Moore starting to, but a three-goal lead is a dangerous one. You can get casual quick, you begin to get away from your game, which I thought we did a Jaret Anderson-Dolan little bit in the second period. The break helped us refocus on what our tasks were as a line, and we began to play more like we needed to in the On how he felt in his return to the lineup tonight third. Great experience for us, something we need to do more often, it’d I felt good. I just tried to get the physical part out of the way, throw a be great to have more 3-0 leads. I thought in the third especially we couple of hits, just kind of get your timing back. You can’t really simulate handled it well, in the second, it got away on us a little bit. that in practice, or anything, so I felt pretty good for being out for a while, Notes – but I definitely have a lot of room for improvement to get back to where I want to be. – The Kings allowed three shots on goal in the first period, tying a season-low for shots allowed in a single period (2/16 vs. MIN, 1st On what has clicked between he, Moore and Grundstrom in the offensive Period). zone – The Kings were perfect on the penalty kill for the fifth-straight game, Honestly I’m not really sure, I think it’s just a good combination of players killing off the Blues’ lone power-play chance. This season, the Kings are that play similar games. We can all skate, and are willing to get in on the 68-for-81 (84.0%), tied for seventh-best in the NHL. They have only forecheck, that’s kind of been our bread and butter since we’ve been allowed 13 opponent power-play goals this season, tied for fourth-least in together. It’s working, so we’re not looking to change anything. Just keep the league rolling with it and continue to grow as a line and as a team. – Forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan collected two assists in a game for the On the frustration of not getting back on Monday, but getting a couple of first time in his NHL career, as he tallied his third career multi-point extra games to get back, considering the game cancellation game, all coming in his most recent four games played. A little bit frustrating, but I just tried to take the positives. That game – Drew Doughty claimed sole possession of second place in the NHL getting cancelled gave me a couple of extra days of full practice with the amongst defensemen with his fifth power-play goal of the season. team to get my legs back and my timing back. I thought that helped me a Amongst defensemen, Doughty ranks second in power-play points, tied bit tonight, getting back in there. Little bit frustrating, you want to get back for fourth in goals in total this season with seven, and is sixth with 24 in as soon as you can, but I just try to take the positives, and it’s not points. really something I can control, so not really any point in stressing about it. – Courtesy of a first-period assist and an empty-net goal in the third period, Anze Kopitar now has points in eight of his last nine games, with 13 points in total (4-9-13) during that stretch.

– Trevor Moore scored his first goal since February 20 in Arizona, while Carl Grundstrom scored his first goal since February 11.

– Goaltender Cal Petersen collected the first assist of his professional career tonight, with the primary helper on Anze Kopitar’s empty-net goal.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185384 Los Angeles Kings

GAME THREAD – KINGS VS. BLUES, 3/17

BY ZACH DOOLEY FOR LAKINGSINSIDER.COM

MARCH 17, 2021

Pre-Game Live Show (Call-In 877-KINGS20)

SOG: LAK – 24 STL – 20

PP: LAK – 1/2 STL – 0/1

First Period

1. LAK – Drew Doughty (7) – (Anze Kopitar, Alex Iafallo) – 3:21 (PP)

2. LAK – Carl Grundstrom (4) – (Trevor Moore, Jaret Anderson-Dolan) – 4:19 (PP)

3. LAK – Trevor Moore (3) – (Sean Walker, Jaret Anderson-Dolan) – 14:11

Second Period

4. STL – Mike Hoffman (8) – (Unassisted) – 16:29

Third Period

5. LAK – Anze Kopitar (8) – (Cal Petersen) – 18:20 (EN)

Los Angeles Kings (11-10-6) vs. St. Louis Blues (14-9-5)

Wednesday, March 17, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. PT

STAPLES Center – Los Angeles, CA

Referees: #10 Kyle Rehman, #6 Francis Charron

Linesmen: #67 Travis Gawryletz, #74 Trent Knorr

Fox Sports West, FOX Sports GO, LA Kings Audio Network

LAK Starters: G Cal Petersen, D Mikey Anderson, Drew Doughty, F Alex Iafallo, Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe

LAK Scratches: Michael Amadio, Dustin Brown, Kurtis MacDermid

STL Starters: G Jordan Binnington, D Vince Dunn, Marco Scandella, F Jordan Kyrou, Brayden Schenn, Vladimir Tarasenko

STL Scratches: Jacob de la Rose, Niko Mikkola, Jaden Schwartz

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185385 Los Angeles Kings Bozak has missed his team’s last 21 games due to an upper-body injury, but Head Coach said yesterday we’re likely to see him return tonight in Los Angeles. Forward Jaden Schwartz, who has also been injured, is traveling with the team but is unlikely to return tonight, 3/17 PREVIEW – PETERSEN/QUICK, LINEUP NOTES, MONDAY while forward Jacob de la Rose is healthy enough to play, but will not MADNESS, REVERSE RETRO, IAFALLO check in tonight.

“It can be frustrating at times, but I’ve dealt with it before,” Bozak said of missing significant time due to the injury. “Take it day by day, stay as BY ZACH DOOLEY FOR LAKINGSINSIDER.COM positive as you can. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel.” MARCH 17, 20210 Following Vladimir Tarasenko, who returned in the last Blues trip to Los Angeles, Bozak marks another of several injured St. Louis players to return to the lineup, with more to come, as the Blues return to full TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: The Kings and Blues meet tonight, in what was strength. originally scheduled to be the second of two games between the two teams this week. Monday’s game was cancelled, due to weather in Monday Madness Colorado, which prevented the Kings from returning home in time. Monday’s situation was unlike what many in this organization have faced More on that below. in their professional careers.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Forward Anze Kopitar leads all Kings skaters with The Kings were supposed to fly out of Colorado after the game on eight points (3-5-8) versus the Blues this season, while forward Dustin Sunday, but that flight home was delayed until Monday afternoon due to Brown leads all skaters with five goals from six games played. Kopitar’s winter weather in Denver. To be specific, the largest amount of snowfall eight points are tied for the most by any player this season, on any team, over a two-day window that the city had on record. versus the Blues. Kings goaltenders have combined to post a 4-1-1 As a result, what was scheduled to be the second half of a back-to-back record against St. Louis, with .925 save percentage and a 2.17 goals set, ending on Monday at home against St. Louis, was postponed by the against average. St. Louis has been led by the duo of David Perron (4-4- NHL. 8) and Ryan O’Reilly (2-6-8), who have each collected eight points from six games against the Kings. The Kings were in the midst of an intense stretch of games, on a crowded schedule, that was originally slated for 13 games in 20 days. KINGS VITALS: The Kings returned to the ice today for morning skate, Had Monday’s game been played, it would have been an immensely an optional skate, with all healthy skaters present minus Drew Doughty. compact six games in nine days, and there’s two ways of looking at that. Of those who entered this morning in question, forward Dustin Brown and From his perspective, McLellan wasn’t looking for a “blessing in goaltender Jonathan Quick were both on the ice, as they work their way disguise”, he was focused on playing Monday’s game, and said that it’s back from upper-body injuries, with both currently considered day-to-day. too much of a hypothetical to discuss whether or not the extra day off Defenseman Olli Maatta also skated after being removed from the NHL’s was helpful or not. COVID-19 list on Monday, and forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan was “I think players want to play hockey, we want to be involved in the game,” present as well, for the first time in a full-contact jersey since he was McLellan said this morning. “Our mindset was to play that game and get injured in Arizona in February. prepared for it immediately after the Colorado match. As a result of the Todd McLellan said this morning that Jonathan Quick will be the backup weather, and not being able to get here, it was cancelled. Is that a goaltender tonight, which means the expectation would be that Cal blessing in disguise? I don’t know, I can’t answer that, it’d be Petersen will make his third consecutive start between the pipes. hypothetical. Sometimes, guys play really well when they’re not feeling good, we could have had a really good game that night back to back.” On the season, Petersen is 1-1-1 against St. Louis, with a .920 save percentage and a 2.34 goals against average. Petersen is coming off of a Forward Alex Iafallo looked at it slightly differently, but was also more in weekend in Colorado where he made 81 saves on 85 shots against in the boat of it not being an outright positive for the Kings, in clearing up just two games played, including a career-high 44 saves in Friday’s their schedule. He felt that the team was pretty upset off of the two defeat. On the season, Petersen ranks inside the NHL’s top ten in save defeats, and could have used that motivation heading into the back-to- percentage, goals saved above average and goals allowed adjusted. back on Monday evening.

So that takes care of one position. If we’re looking at the blueline, all “I guess it could have went either way,” Alex Iafallo said. “Sometimes it’s indications would have Olli Maatta checking back in, after he was good to have a break, but at the same time, we were pissed off from the activated from COVID-19 Protocol on Monday. Maatta was out of the game before. Sometimes, those back-to-backs, they’ll help you out, when lineup, while on that list, in both games in Colorado, replaced by Kurtis you’re pissed off and ready to play the next day and hopefully win that MacDermid. next game.”

Up front is where we will have the most questions. Dustin Brown and Regardless of the viewpoint, the Kings had consecutive days off between Jaret Anderson-Dolan both skated today, with Brown amongst the usual games for the first time this month, and the only time in what was “Top 6” forwards, which had seven players today, while Anderson-Dolan originally scheduled as a stretch of 13 games in 20 days. Tonight, we’ll wore a full-contact jersey for the first time, amongst those in white. see just how beneficial, if at all, the change in plans actually was. McLellan said this morning that Anderson-Dolan is close, and will return The IafalLOW-Down either tonight or on Friday against Vegas, while we did not receive an update on Brown. Speaking of Iafallo, hear from the Kings forward this morning. The Eden, NY native missed his first game of the season on Friday, due to illness, UPDATE – Anderson-Dolan was activated from injured reserve this which snapped the team’s longest active consecutive games streak at afternoon, clearing the way for his return to the lineup tonight. 177 games played. That distinction now falls to Anze Kopitar, at 172 BLUES VITALS: We have not seen any confirmation regarding the consecutive games played. goaltender tonight for St. Louis, so we’ll assume that Jordan Binnington, #19 returned to the lineup on Sunday, tallying an assist, as he took his who has played in four of the six Kings – Blues meetings so far this place on the top forward line. Iafallo talked about his progress back from season, is expected to get the nod again tonight. On the season, an illness, his added motivation in returning to the lineup on Sunday, and Binnington has a .906 save percentage and a 2.81 goals against the better play he saw from the team on Sunday, as opposed to what he average, while against Los Angeles, he has a .907 save percentage and watched on Friday while out of the lineup. a 2.57 goals against average. Reverse, Reverse Expect to see forward somewhere in those lines, however, likely in place of forward Mackenzie MacEachern, who was placed on The LA Kings Reverse Retro jerseys return to the ice tonight for the injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Not necessarily a direct swap, second time this season at STAPLES Center, and the third time in total. in terms of line combinations, but at least in terms of personnel. The Kings previously wore the reverse retros on February 2 vs. Anaheim and February 27 @ Minnesota. The final of four scheduled appearances for the forum blue and gold sweaters will be in approximately one month, when the Kings host Vegas on April 14.

The Kings are 0-1-1 this season in the Reverse Retros, with a 3-1 loss on 2/2 and a 4-3 overtime loss on 2/27. Will tonight get these beautiful sweaters off the schneid? We shall see!

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185386 Minnesota Wild overtime loss to Massachusetts-Lowell on Wednesday in the tournament semifinals..

Wild defenseman Carson Soucy draws one-game suspension Star Tribune LOADED: 03.18.2021

By Randy Johnson

MARCH 17, 2021 — 10:39PM

When the Wild puts its five-game winning streak on the line Thursday night against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver, it will be doing so without one of its top six defensemen.

Carson Soucy was suspended for one game for his hit on Arizona Coyotes forward Conor Garland during Minnesota's 3-0 victory Tuesday night, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday. Soucy, who received a five-minute major penalty for charging, will miss the opener of a two-game series at Colorado.

In explaining its reasoning for the suspension, the player safety department said in a video that Soucy "elevated unnecessarily, launching up and into a check that makes significant contact with Garland's head.''

Soucy also will forfeit one game's pay, $23,706.90, and the money will go to the NHL's Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. The player safety department noted that Soucy had been neither fined nor suspended previously in his 80-game NHL career.

The Wild killed off Soucy's first-period penalty on the way to matching the franchise record with its eighth consecutive home victory.

"It goes by really slow when you're sitting in there [the penalty box] all by yourself and these guys are grinding out there,'' Soucy said, referring to the Wild's penalty killers. "I know [Ian Cole] took one right in the hand, but they sacrificed and obviously did a great job.''

The Coyotes took offense to Soucy's hit, and forward Lawson Crouse grabbed Soucy when he returned to the game, knocked him to the ice and began raining punches on him. Crouse was ejected for instigating the fight, while Soucy received five minutes for fighting.

"I would have liked a chance to be ready for it,'' Soucy said. "I understand he's sticking up for a teammate, but I'm not going to say no. … I would just like him to give me a chance to not be almost changing on the bench, but he's protecting his guy.''

Quick trip, then home

After its two-game jaunt to Colorado, the Wild returns to St. Paul for two games against Anaheim and one against St. Louis in a four-day stretch next week. Those will be the final three home games without fans. Beginning April 5 vs. Colorado, the team can have up to 3,000 in Xcel Energy Center, part of the state's easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Forward Ryan Hartman wants the team to feed off energy from the fans.

"I know the year before I came here, it had a pretty bad record at home (16-18-7 in 2018-19) and that was a big thing that's talked about when I was signing here, was being a hard team to play against at home and making everyone dread coming here to Minnesota,'' Hartman said.

"We've played great, even last year, and through this stretch at the beginning of this year, we've been great at home and we want to continue that."

The Wild is 10-3 at home and 18-8-1 overall. Coach is eager for home spectators to see his team.

"So looking forward to having them even if it's 3,000 or whatever it's going to be,'' he said.

"We're jacked about getting started with them in the building for sure.''

Boldy up for Hobey

Boston College forward Matt Boldy, the Wild's first-round draft pick in 2019, was named one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given to college hockey's top player.

The sophomore leads the top-ranked Eagles in scoring with 10 goals and 20 assists in 21 games after collecting four assists in a 6-5 double- 1185387 Minnesota Wild

Carson Soucy faces hearing with NHL Department of Player Safety

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune

MARCH 17, 2021 — 11:17AM

Carson Soucy was listening as the referees debated whether to toss him from the game for his hit on Arizona's Conor Garland along the boards Tuesday night.

"I would like them to do that on the other side next time so I don't have to hear," Soucy said after the game.

What he ultimately picked up was that he would remain in action but not until he served a 5-minute major for charging – a lengthy power play for the Coyotes that could have erased the Wild's slim one-goal advantage at the time.

The Wild defenseman will have a hearing today with the NHL Department of Player Safety to determine if there should be additional discipline.

The Wild's penalty killers withstood Arizona's pressure to preserve its lead and set up a 3-0 win Tuesday at Xcel Energy Center that tied the franchise record for longest win streak at home at eight games.

"It goes by really slow when you're sitting in there all by yourself and these guys are grinding out there," Soucy said of the penalty killers, who went a perfect 4-for-4 on the night. "I know [Ian Cole] took one right in the hand, but they sacrificed and obviously did a great job."

Once Soucy exited the penalty box, it wasn't long before he was sidelined again.

He was immediately accosted by the Coyotes' Lawson Crouse, with Crouse getting ejected from the game for instigating the fight with Soucy. Although he was on the receiving end, Soucy still had to sit five minutes for fighting.

"I would have liked a chance to be ready for it," Soucy said. "I understand he's sticking up for a teammate, but I'm not going to say no. I know he's protecting his player. I would just like him to give me a chance to not be almost changing on the bench, but he's protecting his guy."

All of this happened while the Wild was up 1-0, a lead center Ryan Hartman supplied less than two minutes into the game. Hartman's goal was a tough blow to a Coyotes squad that had dropped the previous two games against the Wild and three in a row overall.

"We wanted to make it hard on them," Hartman said. "They had some pushes. They had some chances to score, and we let them hang around until the third. We didn't get those goals until late. Would have been nice to score a couple more there early in the first to kind of get them really out of it. But we did a good job."

Next up for the Wild is a visit to Colorado to take on the Avalanche twice.

Although the team has been cruising at home, sitting 10-3 overall after sweeping this five-game home stand, the Wild has been productive on the road.

Before going 1-2-1 on its last trip, the Wild had won four straight games as the visitor.

Star Tribune LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185388 Minnesota Wild

Avalanche play the Wild, aim for 5th straight victory

Staff Report

By The Associated Press

MARCH 17, 2021 — 2:05AM

Minnesota Wild (18-8-1, second in the West Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (17-8-2, third in the West Division)

Denver; Thursday, 9 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Colorado heads into a matchup with Minnesota as winners of four consecutive games.

The Avalanche are 17-8-2 against West Division teams. Colorado is first in the Nhl with 5.7 assists per game, led by Nathan MacKinnon averaging 0.7.

The Wild are 18-8-1 against the rest of their division. Minnesota averages 9.2 penalty minutes per game, the 10th-most in the Nhl. Kevin Fiala leads the team serving 33 total minutes.

In their last meeting on Feb. 24, Minnesota won 6-2. Nico Sturm scored a team-high two goals for the Wild in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Mikko Rantanen leads the Avalanche with 14 goals, adding 16 assists and totaling 30 points. Nazem Kadri has three goals and nine assists over the last 10 games for Colorado.

Kirill Kaprizov leads the Wild with 15 total assists and has 25 points. Mats Zuccarello has two goals and seven assists over the last 10 games for Minnesota.

LAST 10 GAMES: Avalanche: 7-2-1, averaging 3.7 goals, 6.8 assists, 2.9 penalties and 6.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game with an .899 save percentage.

Wild: 7-2-1, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.4 assists, 3.6 penalties and 8.1 penalty minutes while allowing 2.1 goals per game with a .925 save percentage.

INJURIES: Avalanche: J.T. Compher: day to day (upper body), Conor Timmins: day to day (upper body), Dennis Gilbert: out (face).

Wild: Marcus Foligno: day to day (leg).

Star Tribune LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185389 Minnesota Wild And with 6:03 to go, Spurgeon's point shot sailed in to end his 26-game goalless skid and send the Wild to Colorado for its next two games riding an avalanche of momentum.

Wild wins eighth in a row at home, shuts out Coyotes 3-0 "We're happy that things have gone well here so far," coach Dean Evason said, "but it has to continue — not only here, but on the road."

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune Star Tribune LOADED: 03.18.2021 MARCH 17, 2021 — 1:33AM

Without fans filling the arena and providing a lift with their cheers and chants, the Wild has still established a home-ice advantage in St. Paul this season.

This edge is currently at its sharpest after the team blanked the Coyotes 3-0 on Tuesday to sweep its five-game homestand and tie the franchise record for the longest winning streak at Xcel Energy Center with eight straight victories.

But with the way the Wild is executing right now, combining goaltending that's perfect or close to it with an equally airtight penalty kill and timely goal scoring, where the team plays might be irrelevant.

"We're excited to come to the rink every day," Ryan Hartman said. "Every time we're getting ready to gear up for a game, we have the mind-set that we're going to go out there and we're going to win the hockey game."

Kaapo Kahkonen made 31 saves for his second career shutout in his past three starts while posting his ninth consecutive victory. The penalty kill was a superb 4-for-4, and Mats Zuccarello notched the 4,000th regular-season goal in Wild history.

Only four rookie goalies in NHL history have posted longer win streaks than Kahkonen's. His run is also the lengthiest by a Wild rookie and just one shy of tying Devan Dubnyk's 10-game team record overall.

During his 9-0 tear, Kahkonen has stopped 233 of 246 shots for a 1.44 goals-against average and .947 save percentage. His 12 wins this season have tied Darcy Kuemper (2013-14) for the most by a Wild rookie.

"Every time they tell me that I'm playing, I'm just gonna go in and compete against the other team," Kahkonen said.

The netminder had an early lead to work with, as Hartman put a rebound off the end boards behind Arizona goalie just 1 minute, 37 seconds into the first period.

After that, the action turned feisty.

Carson Soucy was assessed a charging major for a hit on the Coyotes' Conor Garland along the boards.

On Arizona's ensuing power play, Kahkonen made five stops — including a slick sliding pad save on Clayton Keller, who was facing an open side before Kahkonen swooped over.

"The guys were doing a great job in front of me, cutting passes and blocking shots," Kahkonen said. "It's almost like I kinda know where the shots are coming from, if there's any."

When Soucy returned to the ice, he was confronted by the Coyotes' Lawson Crouse, who pummeled Soucy with punches.

Crouse was kicked out of the game, getting penalized for instigating, fighting and being the aggressor.

The Wild didn't convert on the power play, going 0-for-3, but the penalty kill again stepped up in the second period and again in the third — weathering a 5-on-3 for 1:09.

"Anytime you have a 5-on-3 and you have to kill a five-minute major, you probably don't win a lot of those hockey games," Hartman said. "We did a good job. It started with Kaapo in net there. He made some good saves and kept us in it there. Guys battled, and we were able to keep them off the board."

The offense reappeared in the third, with Zuccarello's shot at 2:07 from the top of the faceoff circle slipping by Hill, who finished with 23 saves. Zuccarello's goal pushed his point streak and rookie Kirill Kaprizov's to four games. With the assist, Kaprizov continues to lead the Wild and NHL rookies in scoring with 25 points. 1185390 Minnesota Wild

Wild defenseman Carson Soucy suspended one game for high hit

By DANE MIZUTANI | [email protected] | Pioneer Press

PUBLISHED: March 17, 2021 at 3:03 p.m. | UPDATED: March 17, 2021 at 3:03 p.m.

Wild defenseman Carson Soucy was allowed to stay in Tuesday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes despite an elbowing penalty along the boards. But Soucy will miss Thursday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche after being suspended for one game by the NHL Department of Player Safety.

The suspension stems from Soucy’s high hit on Conor Garland. He was assessed a five-minute major for elbowing before returning to the game.

According a video explanation from the NHL Department of Player Safety, the hit was deemed illegal because Soucy “elevates necessarily” and makes “significant contact” with Garland’s head.

The only thing working in Soucy’s favor is that he has never been suspended, or even fined, at any point in his two-year NHL career. More often than not, the NHL Department of Player Safety tries to make an example out of repeat offenders.

Not long after exiting the penalty box, Soucy, 26, was jumped by the Coyotes’ Lawson Crouse near the benches. Both players got five-minute majors for fighting, even though Soucy didn’t throw a punch, and Crouse got a game misconduct for instigating the fight.

It’s unclear who will take Soucy’s spot alongside Ian Cole on the blue line for Thursday’s game, though the likely candidate seems like Brad Hunt. If not Hunt, the Wild could opt to start Matt Bartkowski, who is currently on the taxi squad.

Pioneer Press LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185391 Minnesota Wild

Kaapo Kahkonen, Cam Talbot have been Wild’s dynamic duo in net

By DANE MIZUTANI | [email protected] | Pioneer Press

PUBLISHED: March 17, 2021 at 2:56 p.m. | UPDATED: March 17, 2021 at 2:56 p.m.

Maybe the person most surprised that goaltender Cam Talbot was getting the start for the Wild in last Friday’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes was the man himself. With the way fellow goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen was playing at the time, Talbot said he pretty much assumed the Wild would ride the hot hand.

But coach Dean Evason opted to play the 33-year-old veteran over the 24-year-old rookie.

And how did Talbot respond? With a 25-save shutout to secure the Wild’s 4-0 victory. He followed that up by backstopping the Wild to a 4-1 win a couple of days later.

It was an emphatic reminder from Talbot that he’s still a very solid option between the pipes. For some, that seemed to get lost of late with Kahkonen shining in net.

Not to be outdone, Kahkonen returned to the crease for Tuesday’s game against the Coyotes, and posted a 31-save shutout to lift the Wild to a 3- 0 win.

Asked postgame what his confidence level is in his goaltenders, Evason responded, “As high as you can imagine.” Literally anytime Evason has been asked specifically about Kahkonen this season, he has made it a point to mention Talbot, too. And vice versa.

Which explains why everyone else in the Wild locker room has preached a similar message. They don’t care which goaltender is playing on any given night because they have extreme confidence in both.

In other words, the Wild don’t see their current situation as a goaltender controversy. They look at it like a luxury that can benefit them greatly during a condensed 56-game schedule.

“I don’t see it as competition,” Kahkonen said. “We need two guys to win games since there’s going to be a game every other night. I don’t think that if he plays well I should get extra motivation from that. It’s just great to see teammates playing well. You want everybody to play well so we can win games.”

That’s exactly what the Wild have been doing this season. They are a league-best 12-2-1 since Feb. 18, and their goaltending has been a big reason for that success.

“It’s awesome,” defenseman Carson Soucy said. “It always looks like they are in the right spot before the other team is even shooting. They are always in the right position, not giving up much rebounds, and we are doing our best to let them see the puck.”

The close relationship between the two goaltenders is evident. Just look how fast Talbot raced off the bench to congratulate Kahkonen after Tuesday’s game.

“He’s been unbelievable from Day One,” Kahkonen said. “He’s been in the league for a while and played a lot of games. Looking up to a veteran guy like that is never a bad thing. It doesn’t matter what he did the day before or the night before. He just focuses on the present moment and things like that. He’s been great.”

If Talbot is the perfect mentor, then Kahkonen is the perfect mentee.

“They are not worried about their stats,” Evason said. “They are concerned about the team winning hockey games. It shows a lot of character by both of them.”

Pioneer Press LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185392 Montreal Canadiens The Canadiens have not won in overtime or a shootout this season. Coach Dominque Ducharme said his squad looked poised to change that

on Wednesday before Ehlers put away the game-winning goal. Connor scores twice, Ehlers scores overtime winner as Jets edge “We were just on the verge to build something even stronger there with Canadiens 4-3 the change and fresh guys and attacking guys that are tired. I thought we attacked at the right time,” he said.

Staff Report Despite the final results, Ducharme said pushing for overtime shows that his group is in every game they play. THE CANADIAN PRESS “Obviously we want to win every game. And we want to take those PUBLISHED MARCH 17, 2021 situations,” he said.

UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO “You want to take those chances and get the extra point, for sure. And I think our guys realize where we panic at times and where we get

impatient and where we open the door to the other team instead of Nikolaj Ehlers knows he had a lot of help in securing an overtime win for keeping control.” the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. The Jets open a seven-game road trip Thursday in Edmonton. The Just under a minute into overtime, Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made a Canadiens are heading back to Montreal where they’ll host the Canucks giant save on Montreal Canadiens defenceman . on Friday.

Winnipeg came away with the puck and Ehlers streaked down the ice, firing a shot from the top of the hash marks through the legs of Habs Globe And Mail LOADED: 03.18.2021 netminder Carey Price to seal a 4-3 OT victory for the Jets.

“I already said thank you to [Hellebuyck]. He saved me a little there,” said Ehlers, who also had an assist in regulation.

“But that’s 3-on-3 right there. You get a big chance one way and it either ends up in the net or it’s going the other way for a big chance. Luckily, it went the right way for us tonight.”

Winnipeg (18-9-2) struck early on Wednesday with burying the first shot of the game 50 seconds into the first period.

The early goal gave the Jets the jump they needed, Ehlers said.

“You wish you could start every single game like that,” he said. “A start like that just shows that our leader, our captain, was ready to go. That got us going right off the start and I think that we kept that going throughout the game.”

Kyle Connor added a pair of goals and Pierre-Luc Dubois contributed three assists for the Jets, who were coming off a 4-2 loss to the Canadiens on Monday.

Winnipeg has yet to lose two games in a row in regulation this season.

The stat is a testament to the character in the Jets locker-room, Connor said.

“You get a little bitter, you get a little sour taste if we lose a game and you know the next night that we’re coming out hard,” he said.

Winnipeg had a 3-1 advantage heading into the final frame Wednesday. cut the lead in half 5:58 into the third and Tyler Toffoli forced overtime with 85 seconds left on the clock.

Jets coach said his team has traditionally been strong in third this season, but didn’t move the puck well in the closing period on Wednesday.

“We’ll take the two points. We found a way to win,” he said. “You don’t like to give up the two goals the way we did. But you find that desperation in all these games.”

Toffoli’s late goal came after Montreal pulled Price in favour of an extra attacker.

Toffoli snuck behind the Jets net, accepted a pass from and slammed it in behind Hellebuyck before anyone in a Winnipeg jersey registered his presence.

Phillip Danault added a goal and an assist for Montreal (13-8-8) and Price stopped 26-of-30 shots.

Teams aren’t always going to play their best, but the Canadiens need to find ways to claw out wins, Gallagher said.

“The games where you’re struggling a little bit, we’ve just got to play smarter,” said the right-winger who also notched an assist on Wednesday. “We probably just made some mistakes and if we just simplified our game, gave ourselves some time to get into it, maybe we don’t have to come back from two goals.” 1185393 Montreal Canadiens EDM 36 pts *31 gms MTL 34 pts *29 gms

VAN 32 pts *33 gms About Last Night: The Canadiens still can't win in 3-on-3 overtime CGY 31 pts *29 gms

OTT 23 pts *33 gms Julian McKenzie • Special to the Montreal Gazette So, last night’s liveblog was my last! Publishing date: Mar 17, 2021 As you may have heard, I’m leaving for a new opportunity near the end of

the month. As a result, I’ll no longer be behind the Montreal Gazette We’ve reached the point where overtime (or shootout) for the Montreal liveblog. Canadiens is practically a win for the other team before the puck has And I’ve decided, despite saying otherwise on the latest episode of even dropped. Hockey Inside/Out, that this will be my final About Last Night column as The Canadiens failed to rectify their season-long overtime woes with a 4- well. Now that I know that Erik Leijon will be taking this column over as 3 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets last night in Winnipeg. The well, it doesn’t make sense that we have that awkward overlap. And it Canadiens’ lack of success in overtime has been a discussion point for doesn’t make sense that I try to write my last two columns while being most of the season and last night’s performance did nothing to squash overly preoccupied with the emotional weight of this big change. that narrative. Truth be told, I haven’t really given myself much downtime to celebrate Jeff Petry, who missed a golden opportunity to win the game in overtime the fact that I’m moving on to something new. I’ve found things to do, after taking a pass from Phillip Danault, coughed up the puck after being mostly freelance assignments, to pass the time. swarmed by three Jets in the offensive zone. It led to Ehlers scoring I’d like to take the time to say thank you to everyone who’s chimed in on while having two other players join him on the rush. the liveblog, or About Last Night during my time running both. Filling the Had Petry scored, it might have shut us all up. Surely, some people shoes of the great Mike Boone isn’t easy, but having your support helped weren’t pleased with the Canadiens starting him, Danault, and Paul me a lot! The Hockey Inside/Out community is absolutely amazing, Byron on the ice. The Canadiens started the overtime period with fast passionate, and filled with die-hard fans. I can speak on behalf of the players, but their skill doesn’t quite match up with the Jets’ own. Montreal Gazette and say that we appreciate you whole-heartedly. Thank Especially at 3-on-3 where teams can take advantage of the open ice you for keeping this going. You’ll be in great hands with Erik running the and skate to their heart’s content. show.

You can tell the Canadiens dread 3-on-3 overtime. This team is 0-8 in I’d like to thank Dave Peters, my editor, for pretty much giving me carte games that end beyond regulation. Let Dominique Ducharme, who has blanche in both roles. He’s also given me every opportunity to succeed lost four times in overtime since being named interim head coach, tell despite being a freelancer, while also connecting me to other you how he feels about it. opportunities. I owe him a lot. I’d also like to thank the Gazette web desk and Emma McKay for their help with any technical problems I had with “I wish we had 5-on-5 overtime,” Ducharme told the media late the Liveblog. Wednesday night. Thank you to the Montreal Gazette for helping me fulfill a lifelong dream In a part of the game where skill and skating should prevail, there’s no of mine since I was young. Seeing my byline in this publication is reason why the team can’t start overtime with Jonathan Drouin on the something I’ll keep with me forever. Thank you for allowing me to write ice. Drouin played a great game while forcing turnovers and pressuring here for as long as I could or as long as I was needed. the opposition. If the Canadiens are so worried about having possession, shouldn’t he be a guy you need on the ice in overtime?

If Nick Suzuki’s faceoffs were better, he could have been a lock to start Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.18.2021 overtime at the centre position. But considering that the team has started Danault in overtime on a number of occasions this season to no avail, isn’t it worth giving him or more chances?

Tyler Toffoli was on the ice in overtime, but mainly to “defend” Ehlers before he scored the goal to put the Canadiens out of their misery.

Carey Price will get flack for not stopping Ehlers’ shot in overtime, but the blame shouldn’t fall squarely on him. Price can’t save and score all the goals in overtime. He’d certainly appreciate it if the Canadiens scored first.

Canadiens expected goals for rate at 3-on-3 per Evolving Hockey is a league-worst 32%. They give up a league-high 10.5 expected goals against per 60 minutes.

The toughest part about this Canadiens loss was that it came after a great third period. Montreal found itself down 3-1 but remained persistent and resilient. Toffoli and Brendan Gallagher came alive and scored goals to give themselves a chance. But their overtime loss dashed their hopes.

This year’s Canadiens aren’t good at capitalizing on their opportunities in overtime and it’s high time the Canadiens had it as more of a priority in practice. The Canadiens are fortunate that they can get a point after each overtime loss. But with teams like Vancouver and Calgary within striking distance, the Canadiens will need to find ways to secure that second point.

Jets beat Habs in OT. Ehlers game winner.

Updated North Division standings

TOR 40 pts *30 gms

WPG 38 pts *29 gms 1185394 Montreal Canadiens game and when we don’t we shoot ourselves in the foot. What I want to see from our team is consistency in the system. Doing all those little things that Dom’s asking. It works. We just got to apply it for the next 28 games.” Canadiens battle back late to earn a point, but fall 4-3 to Jets in OT Now there are only 27 games left for the Canadiens to find that consistency.

Stu Cowan • Montreal Gazette If they don’t, they probably won’t make the playoffs.

Publishing date: Mar 17, 2021

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.18.2021 Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry and Jets centre Pierre-Luc Dubois battle for position in front of goalie Carey Price during game Wednesday night.

“Consistency. I think that’s what I’d like to see from the team.”

That’s what centre Phillip Danault said Tuesday when asked what he’d like the Canadiens to show in the second half of this condensed 56-game NHL season.

The only thing consistent about the Canadiens during the first half of the season was their inconsistency after getting off to a fantastic 7-1-2 start. They were inconsistent again Wednesday night, falling behind 2-0 to the Jets after the first period and 3-1 after two periods in Winnipeg. Montreal then battled back late to tie the game 3-3 before losing 4-3 in overtime.

The Canadiens are now 0-5 in overtime this season and 0-3 in shootouts.

Danault, Brendan Gallagher and Tyler Toffoli scored for the Canadiens. Nikolaj Ehlers scored the winner for the Jets only 55 seconds into OT.

The loss dropped the Canadiens’ record to 13-8-8 and they haven’t won back-to-back games since Feb. 2, a span of 19 games. The Canadiens were coming off a 4-2 win over the Jets on Monday night.

The Canadiens got off to yet another slow start Wednesday night and were down 1-0 only 50 seconds into the game when Blake Wheeler scored for the Jets. The Canadiens’ top defence pairing of and Joel Edmundson struggled getting the puck out of their own end and didn’t get much help from wingers Josh Anderson or Jonathan Drouin along the boards. The puck stayed in the zone and Wheeler made the Canadiens pay with his eighth goal of the season on the Jets’ second shot of the game.

The Jets went up 2-0 at 15:46 of the first period when the Canadiens struggled again to get the puck out of their own zone with the third defence pairing of Alexander Romanov and Xavier Ouellet on the ice. The Canadiens messed up what looked like an easy breakout when Romanov gave Gallagher a difficult pass to handle along the boards. Again, the puck stayed in and Kyle Connor ended up scoring his 15th goal of the season.

The Canadiens had a much better start to the second period and Danault cut the Jets’ lead to 2-1 when he scored at the 1:26 mark. It was only the second goal of the season for Danault, but it was a beauty as he broke down the right wing and beat goalie Connor Hellebuyck with a great shot high to the far blocker side.

Connor regained the two-goal lead for the Jets when he scored at 13:42 of the second period. It was his fourth goal in the last two games against the Canadiens and his sixth in six games against Montreal this season.

Gallagher cut the Jets’ lead to 3-2 when he scored at 5:58 of the third period after being reunited with his regular linemates Danault and Tomas Tatar. Danault lost a faceoff in the Jets’ zone, but Gallagher won the battle for the puck and slipped it between Hellebuyck’s legs for his 11th goal of the season. Toffoli tied it 3-3 at 18:35 of the third period with his 18th goal of the season while goalie Carey Price was on the bench for an extra

The Canadiens outshot the Jets 36-30.

This was the final game of a six-game road trip for the Canadiens and they finished with a 2-2-2 record and they are now 8-3-7 on the road this season. The Canadiens’ next six games will be at the , where they have a 5-5-1 record.

“What I like about the team is since Dom (Ducharme) is here the system … everyone buys in,” Danault said Tuesday about the Canadiens’ new head coach, who now has a 4-3-4 record since taking over from Claude Julien. “When we apply that we give ourselves a chance to win every 1185395 Montreal Canadiens Writes Phillip Cantin, the book’s author: “In his own way, Serge was a pioneer. After him, it was inconceivable that a general manager of the Canadiens would not be able to communicate fluently in French. His arrival on the job set a new standard.” Cowan: 'It's an honour' to wear Canadiens sweater, Xavier Ouellet says Savard built two Stanley Cup championship teams as a GM, in 1986 and 1993. The Canadiens haven’t won another Cup since.

Stu Cowan • Montreal Gazette Both of those championship teams included several key francophone players. In 1986 there was , , Claude Publishing date: Mar 17, 2021 Lemieux, Stéphane Richer, and . In 1993, there was Roy, Carbonneau, , , Éric Desjardins, , J.J. Daigneault, Benoît Brunet, Gilbert "I know what has made me successful in this league and it's just to be Dionne and Stéphan Lebeau. solid out there," Canadiens defenceman Xavier Ouellet says. “From my earliest talks with , I told him that it was essential The days of the Flying Frenchmen are long gone, but it’s still something for the Canadiens to have as many players who lived in as very special when a francophone gets to play for the Canadiens. possible,” Savard says in the book. “Reaching that goal quickly became one of my priorities. It’s not just a question of language. But a guy who “It’s an honour, it’s a dream come true,” defenceman Xavier Ouellet said spends the summer in Montreal or elsewhere in the province hears about during a video conference Wednesday afternoon from Winnipeg. “It’s the Canadiens every day. It reminds him of the importance of the team in everything to me … I love it. Every time I get an opportunity to wear the the community. It sharpens his sense of belonging.” jersey and compete out there it’s a dream come true.” The NHL has changed since the days of the Flying Frenchmen with more The Canadiens signed Ouellet as a free agent on July 1, 2018, after he teams and a larger, worldwide talent pool for players. But if a had spent five seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. Since then he has francophone can play — and play well — for the Canadiens, it’s still spent most of his time with the AHL’s and was named the something to be celebrated. team captain.

Last October, after Ouellet had played all 10 games with the Canadiens in the Toronto post-season bubble, the 27-year-old was signed to a new Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.18.2021 two-year, two-way contract. After playing eight games with the Rocket to start this season, Ouellet played his first game with the Canadiens Monday night in a 4-2 win over the Jets and did well enough to keep his spot for Wednesday night’s second game in Winnipeg.

The spot in the lineup opened up after Ben Chiarot fractured his right hand in a fight with the Vancouver Canucks’ J.T. Miller. Chiarot will be sidelined 6-8 weeks following surgery on Monday.

“With time you kind of find out what your game is and what you’re all about,” said Ouellet, who was selected by the Red Wings in the second round (48th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft. “I know what I got to do out there, I know what has made me successful in this league and it’s just to be solid out there. I’m focusing on that and as I play more and feel better plays will open up, maybe. But I’m really focused on what I can do to help this team win.”

Ouellet was born in France when his father, Robert, was playing pro hockey there. One of Robert’s teammates with the Anglet team in France was Dominique Ducharme, who is now head coach of the Canadiens. During the 2001-02 season, Robert and Ducharme became player/coaches for Anglet after the head coach became ill. Three years later, after they had both returned home to Quebec, Robert became an assistant coach under Ducharme with the Joliette l’Action junior Triple-A team.

Ducharme remembers Ouellet attending games and practices in Joliette as a young boy and remains good friends with his father.

“He’s here because he deserves it,” Ducharme said about Ouellet getting another chance with the Canadiens. “He works, he’s a competitor. That’s the NHL. You have to deserve your spot every night.”

There’s extra pressure on francophones playing for the Canadiens, but Phillip Danault says he feels more a sense of pride.

“You’re very proud to play for the Montreal Canadiens as a francophone,” said Danault, who is from Victoriaville. “Obviously, the pressure comes with it. It’s always blown up more, for sure. But I like that part of the game and it gives us an extra challenge.”

In his new book, : Forever Canadien, the Hall of Fame defenceman has a chapter titled A Francophone at the Fore. In it, Savard talks about the pressure he faced when he became the team’s general manager on April 28, 1983, hired by team president Ronald Corey to replace .

“There was a time when no one would have dared to imagine a francophone in this office,” Savard told journalist Réjean Tremblay on his first day on the job in his Forum office. “It was unthinkable. But times have changed.” 1185396 Montreal Canadiens probably just made some mistakes and if we maybe simplified our game, gave ourselves some time to set ourselves into it we don’t have to come back from two goals. But it’s part of the game. We were able to reset, come out for the third period and get a really big point. But you’d like to Canadiens Game Day: Another OT loss for Habs as they fall 4-3 to Jets not be on your heels that much.

“Points are just so critical,” Gallagher added. “You can look at it both ways. Obviously, we score late, we find a way to get a point in a game Stu Cowan • Montreal Gazette that we were down pretty much all game. They scored the first shift. It’s a Publishing date: Mar 18, 2021 big point. And you could look at it the other way — they got one more point than we did. It was a big overtime and they found a way to win the hockey game. So there’s positives, there’s negatives. But as athletes you just got to learn from it and grow. Obviously, we put ourselves in a tough It wasn’t pretty, but at least they were able to get a point. situation. I thought we came out in the third period and played hard and That’s the good news for the Canadiens after Wednesday night’s 4-3 hopefully we can build on that going into the next game.” overtime loss to the Jets in Winnipeg. Some stats The bad news is that the Canadiens are now 0-5 in overtime and 0-3 in The Canadiens outshot Winnipeg 36-30, while the Jets led 33-23 in hits shootuts this season. It only took the Jets 55 seconds in OT to get the and won 54 per cent of the faceoffs. Both teams went 0-for-2 on the winning goal from Nikolaj Ehlers. power play. Canadiens coach Dominique Ducharme started the overtime with Gallagher and Danault both had two points — a goal and an assist each. forwards Phillip Danault and Paul Byron — who have two goals each this season — on the ice with defenceman Jeff Petry. Shea Weber led the Canadiens in ice time with 25:11, followed by Joel Edmundson with 24:09 and Petry with 22:31. Josh Anderson led the The Canadiens had a great scoring chance 44 seconds into OT when forwards with 18:50 of ice time, followed by Jonathan Drouin with 18:29 Danault made a nice pass to Petry, who was streaking toward the net, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi with 17:36. but Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made the save. Petry then lost the puck in the Winnipeg zone while Danault was heading to the bench for a Corey Perry had a team-leading five shots to go along with a nice assist change, resulting in a three-on-one the other way with forward Tyler of Toffoli’s goal, while Weber had four shots. Gallagher and Byron had Toffoli the only Canadien back to defend. four hits each.

Ehlers decided to shoot and beat goalie Carey Price with a quick shot. Danault went 5-5 on faceoffs (50 per cent), Kotkaniemi went 7-9 (44 per cent), Nick Suzuki went 6-10 (38 per cent) and Jake Evans went 2-1 (67 The Canadiens’ record is now 13-8-8 and they remain in fourth place in per cent). the all-Canadian North Division, two points ahead of the Vancouver Canucks. The Canadiens hold four games in hand on the Canucks, but they are only three points ahead of the sixth-place Calgary Flames, who have played the same number of games as Montreal. The top four teams Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.18.2021 make the playoffs.

“I wish that we had five-on-five overtime,” Ducharme said after the game. “Obviously, we want to win every game and we want to take those situations …. I thought we were just on the verge there. We had a great chance, we retrieved the puck. We were just on the verge to build something even stronger there with the change and fresh guys and attacking guys that were tired. I thought we attacked at the right time.

“At the same time, it means that we’re in every game,” Ducharme added about the Canadiens being 0-8 in games that go beyond regulation time. “We want to take those chances and get the extra point, for sure. I think our guys realize where we panic at times and where we get impatient and we open the door to the other team instead of keeping control.”

The Canadiens were losing 2-0 after the first period and 3-1 after the second period. They got goals from Danault, Brendan Gallagher and Toffoli, who scored to tie the game with 1:25 left in the third period while goalie Carey Price was on the bench for an extra attacker.

With 18 goals, Toffoli is now tied with the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid for second in the NHL, trailing only the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews, who has 21 goals.

Terrible start

Blake Wheeler scored only 50 seconds into the game and Kyle Connor made it 2-0 for the Jets at the 15:46 mark. Both goals came after the Canadiens struggled with breakouts from their own zone and lost the puck.

“We’ve played them enough,” Gallagher said about the Jets. “We knew what kind of forecheck they were coming with. They did a pretty good job of executing. But you got to make plays. It’s what it comes down to. Support needs to be there and you have to make plays and execute. They just did a better job of forechecking than we did breaking out. Definitely an area that we weren’t good enough.”

While they started out slow, the Canadiens finished strong, outshooting the Jets 17-10 in the third period while getting goals from Gallagher and Toffoli.

“You’re not always going to be at your best,” Gallagher said. “I think the games where you’re struggling a little bit, I think we just got to play smarter. I thought they were taking it to us, they played well. But we 1185397 Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens sign one-year deal with cryptocurrency trading platform: report

Staff Report

Montreal Gazette

Publishing date:Mar 17, 2021

The Montreal Canadiens have signed a deal with a cryptocurrency trading platform based in Hong Kong, according to the Sports Business Journal.

The one-year deal Crypto.com, the financial terms of which were not disclosed, is the team’s first with a cryptocurrency firm, according to the report. It includes Crypto.com branding on the ice at the Bell Centre.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185398 Montreal Canadiens One of the few times it happened came just past the midpoint of the second period, when the Jets softly dumped the puck in the corner to Carey Price’s right. Price decisively skated out of his net to intercept the puck before it reached the corner, played it behind his own net to a Canadiens’ trade deadline need is glaring but is also a tricky calculation defenceman, and the Canadiens exited the zone cleanly. It was a for Marc Bergevin somewhat risky but perfectly executed play by the Canadiens goaltender. It was far better than anything his defencemen had shown to that point.

Price is often described as a third defenceman, but this might have been By Arpon Basu taking that too far. Still, his initiative was understandable because to that Mar 17, 2021 point in the game, the actual defencemen playing in front of him had generally not been able to execute a proper zone exit. So Price decided to step in.

There are several ways you can interpret Canadiens general manager It almost seemed like a cry for help to his general manager. Marc Bergevin’s words of caution when discussing the upcoming trade deadline. “We’ve played them enough, we knew what kind of forecheck they were coming with,” Brendan Gallagher said. “They did a pretty good job of He pounded home the message Tuesday that his hands are tied by the executing. But you’ve got to make plays. It’s what it comes down to. salary cap, even if they are tied a bit more loosely than he let on. One Support needs to be there and you’ve got to make plays and execute. thing he made clear, however, is that improving this team before the April They just did a better job of forechecking than we did breaking out. 12 trade deadline will take a further investment of assets. That would Definitely an area where we weren’t good enough.” come after an offseason where Bergevin already invested what was previously his most valuable asset, cap space. Chiarot is at least six weeks away from returning and, as Bergevin noted, his eventual return makes the Canadiens’ salary-cap situation more Whenever you make an investment on something, you like to have some complicated in terms of the trade deadline. He said he is not looking for a reasonable assurance that the rate of return will be in your favour. There replacement for Chiarot as a result, but perhaps that is not the right way are no guarantees, but that’s how investing works. It’s about calculated of looking at it. risk. Chiarot, Shea Weber and Joel Edmundson are all defencemen whose Bergevin sounded like someone who was still making calculations. value is at its highest in the playoffs, but the Canadiens need to get there for that value to be, well, valuable. It is understandably a difficult calculation to make with the Canadiens, primarily because of the oversized impact their complete ineptness in The Vancouver Canucks, despite losing twice as often as the Canadiens overtime has had on their season to date. Dominique Ducharme has have in regulation, are suddenly nipping at their heels. Same with the coached 11 NHL games thus far, four of them have gone to overtime, Calgary Flames. Waiting six weeks for Chiarot to return might not be in and the Canadiens have lost all four, including a 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg the cards for the Canadiens. They need help, because if overtime is a Jets on Wednesday. They lost the four games that went to overtime prior weakness – and it clearly is – then avoiding overtime altogether might be to Ducharme taking over for Claude Julien on Feb. 24 as well. the best solution.

Had they won just half of those eight overtime or shootout games, the And in order to do that, a Chiarot replacement seems necessary. Canadiens would be tied with the Jets and Edmonton Oilers for second in the Canadian Division, two points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs with a Because even once Chiarot returns, having another defenceman in case game in hand. Instead, they are six points back of the Leafs. of injury during the playoffs would be prudent. Victor Mete has clearly lost the confidence of this coaching staff, if it was ever there to begin with, With all the improvements the Canadiens have made under Ducharme, and while Xavier Ouellet is a gamer, he has his limits and they came this one aspect of the game that is almost a different sport altogether – shining through in this game, where his pairing with Alexander Romanov three-on-three hockey has nothing to do with how the game is normally was consistently hemmed in its own zone. The pairing of Edmundson played – is sinking not only his team, but the start of his own NHL and Weber was not much better. coaching career in his dream job. “Sometimes we were trying to look too nice,” Ducharme said. “We That has to be frustrating. weren’t doing what we did a bit more in the third period, using the free space behind their defence. We kept it simple, used our speed. In the “It is,” Ducharme admitted. “I wish that we had five-on-five overtime.” first period, there were plays that were too tight to try it tape to tape, and And that’s where it gets complicated for Bergevin. Because in the we had it picked off or the play was killed too often. They took advantage playoffs, which is the time of year and style of hockey this team was of that.” primarily built for, there is five-on-five overtime. The two game situations This is legitimately a dilemma for Bergevin. He has to evaluate his team that have given the Canadiens the most trouble, three-on-three and the based on wins and losses, yes, but also on how it is playing and how that shootout, don’t exist. And as Bergevin makes his calculations as to play might translate in the playoffs. whether this team is worth investing in more than he already has, that has to be a factor. From the very beginning, the playoffs seemed central to how Bergevin went about his offseason. Jake Allen was brought in to make sure Price Because the Canadiens clearly have a principle need, and this game in was fresh for the playoffs. Edmundson was brought in based largely on Winnipeg laid that completely bare. how he had played in the playoffs for both the St. Louis Blues and Even prior to Ben Chiarot breaking his hand on J.T. Miller’s helmet, the Carolina Hurricanes. Josh Anderson was a major reason the Columbus Canadiens needed a puck-moving defenceman. But without Chiarot, the Blue Jackets swept the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round in 2019. need for another defenceman, puck-moving or otherwise, has become Toffoli’s goal-scoring track record was boosted by his status as a Stanley glaring. Cup winner.

The Canadiens can say they showed character in coming back from a 3- One of Bergevin’s favourite lines is that there are players who get you to 1 deficit in Winnipeg to steal a point with a clutch goal from Tyler Toffoli, the playoffs, and those that get you through the playoffs. which they did, but the reason they were in that hole to begin with was He already got the players who might get the Canadiens through the that over the first half of the game, they were completely incapable of playoffs. Now Bergevin needs to go find one who will help his team get exiting their own zone with control of the puck. All three Jets goals in there. regulation time came off plays where the Canadiens had possession of the puck in their own end but handed it back to them.

It was botched zone exit after botched zone exit, and the forwards are The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 not without blame for that. But possession of the puck in the defensive zone rarely led to possession in the neutral zone, and almost never led to possession in the offensive zone. 1185399 Montreal Canadiens Let’s sift through some of what he said to see if we can fill out some of his truths.

“First of all, with the salary cap … there’s no flexibility. So giving up picks Canadiens trade deadline limits: Marc Bergevin told the truth — but not or prospects, you’re bringing salary in while nothing is going out. So it will the whole truth be impossible to do that. You see, yesterday (Monday) we had 23 players on the active roster for the first time and we had $30,000 in space under the cap. So it will be really, really difficult. For me, it will also be important to keep our focus on the short and long-term future of the By Arpon Basu team, so you have to be prudent. We have good prospects who are Mar 17, 2021 pushing, who are coming.”

This is something Bergevin said in response to his first question about the trade deadline, whether he would be willing to part with a prospect or It is always important to remember that Marc Bergevin, like most of his two for some immediate help. Again, not long before Bergevin spoke, fellow NHL general managers, is communicating to two different groups Dubas was asked the exact same question and responded with a very of people when he speaks publicly at this time of the year. decisive “yes.” Bergevin, when asked prior to the last draft about trading prospects or picks, was very open to the idea. But circumstances have First, he is speaking to the public, his team’s fans, and communicating obviously changed for him since then. He’s spent a lot of money, he is what they can reasonably expect from him before the trade deadline. squeezed against the salary cap, and that cap is not likely to move for Next, he is speaking to those fellow general managers around the NHL, the next four years, if not more. and letting them know what his own expectations are for what the Canadiens need and what they are willing to pay. But this answer was also Bergevin’s first answer, and it established the messaging he would pound home throughout the rest of the session. And Bergevin obviously has these conversations directly with his colleagues there is nothing in what he said that isn’t true. But again, there is more all the time, but it’s one thing to hear something as part of a negotiation, truth to be found in there, such as this. and quite another to hear him say it publicly. It might add some legitimacy or at least some context to something Bergevin might be “If the opportunity presents itself to go out and get something that I’m saying privately. convinced will help the team, I’ll look at it. I never said I won’t do anything. But everyone’s always wanted – the fans and you, the media – The message from Bergevin a few weeks away from the April 12 trade that we spend right to the cap, and that’s what we did for all the right deadline was very clear: Money is tight, he will not bend over backward reasons. But it gets tougher and tougher to add to your team. You really to shed money in an effort to do something else, his draft picks and need to be creative, which we can also do.” prospects will not simply be traded for the sake of making a trade. Now this is being more truthful. There are ways for the Canadiens to be So, that’s it then. creative to create space to make a move, but it is limited by the current But that’s never it, and Bergevin never does nothing before the deadline, situation. especially when his team is the least bit competitive. Bergevin shot down a suggestion of using a draft pick or a prospect to At the 2019 deadline, Bergevin was rather conservative but still added act as a sweetener to shed himself of a contract in order to make another depth on defence (Christian Folin) and at forward (Nate Thompson, Dale move. He said he has no dead money on his cap, he likes his players, Weise and Jordan Weal) in minor moves. Circumstances were wildly they are all useful to varying degrees and therefore there is no need to different back then in that the Canadiens were exceeding expectations by use a draft pick for this reason. He almost never flat-out says no to the being in the playoff hunt, they had a ton of cap space, but the team’s mere possibility of doing something. He flat-out said no to this. long-term plan had not come to fruition. So, where can the creativity be found, if that’s not it? Bergevin, at the time, was unwilling to jeopardize that plan for a short- One option would be to make a series of trades. Just as an example, the sighted playoff appearance, and the Canadiens ultimately fell just short. Canadiens could trade Tomas Tatar as a rental, get a draft pick back and Now, the Canadiens have huge expectations, no cap space and the long- even retain some money on Tatar if needed, and then either use that term plan has become the present-term plan. A playoff appearance now draft pick or one or two of the 14 picks they already have in the 2021 would not be seen as short-sighted. In fact, simply appearing in the draft to trade for a defenceman to replace Ben Chiarot or another forward playoffs would be considered a disappointment. to replace, you know, Tatar.

In spite of that, Bergevin’s message to Canadiens fans and his fellow It would be a cap-neutral move, or at least has the potential to be. GMs was that the team’s finances will make it extremely difficult to do But speaking of replacing Chiarot, who is out six to eight weeks with a anything significant ahead of the deadline. He said some version of “I like broken hand, Bergevin was pretty clear on that as well. our team” five times in 40 minutes, driving home the point that if he doesn’t do anything, he is fine with it. “I’m not (looking to replace Chiarot). It’s not long term, he’ll be back, we said six to eight weeks, it’s probably going to be closer to six, hopefully. But we all know he won’t do nothing. The only question is determining … (The injury) really doesn’t change anything for us. We’re really tight what exactly he can do under the limitations he has. against the cap.” Shortly before Bergevin spoke to the media, Toronto Maple Leafs GM In many ways, what Bergevin said is true. But it’s not entirely true, in the Kyle Dubas held his own midseason news conference and was sending sense that yes, they don’t get any useful cap relief due to the fact Chiarot the exact opposite message from Bergevin, about how he would be will return during the regular season. That doesn’t necessarily mean they looking to add a rental, likely at forward and making it sound like he was can’t look for a temporary replacement for Chiarot. about to put the finishing touches on a trade at any minute. The real issue for the Canadiens is that Dominique Ducharme and Luke The Canadiens’ projected cap space as he spoke Tuesday was $30,044. Richardson appear to prefer Xavier Ouellet to replace Chiarot over Victor For the Maple Leafs, it was $29,256. And yet Bergevin sounded like Mete. This means that all three of those guys, Chiarot, Mete and Ouellet, someone being suffocated by the cap, and Dubas didn’t. The difference remain on the active roster (it doesn’t appear Chiarot will be going on is that Dubas has players he would be willing to trade to clear up space – long term injured reserve unless the Canadiens absolutely need it to someone like Alexander Kerfoot seems to be a possibility – while create a bit of flexibility in case of another injury or a needed call-up). Bergevin apparently doesn’t. He likes his team, he said over and over again, and he likes his players. This is the reason the Canadiens had 23 players on their active roster for the first time Monday night, but it also begs the question that if Mete can’t Except if Dubas is willing to significantly improve his team in the coming get in the lineup now, and the Canadiens know they will lose him on days or weeks, does anyone believe Bergevin will sit idly by and do waivers if they tried to sneak him through, why not trade him while he has nothing? He might not be able to do something as impactful, but he can some value? still do something, and while everything he said Tuesday was true, it might not have been the whole truth. Because Mete still represents ideal depth in that he is cheap, he is possibility, and Bergevin can’t, in good conscience, say publicly that he young, he can play both sides of the ice and he is experienced. He is a expects Caufield to walk off campus in Madison and right into the perfect seventh defenceman. Canadiens lineup.

Still, the fact he isn’t playing right now is costing the Canadiens cap But Caufield could be an impactful deadline addition. It’s not like we’ve dollars, but trading Mete wouldn’t exactly solve that problem in the sense never seen college players finish their seasons and walk into the Stanley there is no way you are getting an equivalent player back in return. You Cup playoffs in the past and make an impact, plus the Canadiens would are not getting back a perfect seventh defenceman. have the luxury this season of having some more regular-season racetrack to work with than normal. If Wisconsin were to reach the But what if the Canadiens were to trade Artturi Lehkonen to add a Frozen Four final and Caufield were to sign on April 11, that would mean defenceman? He has clearly fallen out of favour with Ducharme, but is a traveling to Montreal and completing his 14-day quarantine, which would highly useful forward who can kill penalties at an elite level and brings a bring us to roughly April 25, at which point the Canadiens would have ton of speed and energy to the lineup. If there is a defenceman seven games left. Giving Caufield a few practices and then a two-game somewhere in the league who is having as much trouble as Lehkonen to audition wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility, even if the crack the lineup and plays for a team that needs depth at forward, that Canadiens are fighting desperately for a playoff spot at that point, which could be a case of a trade that helps both teams. Lehkonen is a they likely will be. restricted free agent at the end of this season with arbitration rights, but the way this season has gone, he couldn’t really argue for a huge raise Bergevin talked about how much he has appreciated Caufield’s on his next contract. He would be attractive to a lot of teams out there, improvements away from the puck, how he has rounded out his game, and could, in fact, turn into a temporary replacement for Chiarot and but he has no way of knowing whether that can translate to the NHL right improved depth on defence once Chiarot returns. away. Remember, this is a man who loves dealing in guarantees, so he’ll want to see it first. What better way would there be than a mini tryout? “Yes, that’s obvious, but again, when you check the salary cap, you have The reward could be huge. no wiggle room. You hope, but if you lose a centre, you’re in trouble. That’s just reality.” Everything around this trade deadline falls under the umbrella of a season when Bergevin seems to believe everything is up in the air, and This question was based on Phillip Danault getting injured in the first so much relies on the results the Canadiens can produce. period of the game Saturday against the Calgary Flames. He later returned but was a shell of himself, and the Canadiens got a glimpse of He set the bar high prior to the season by displaying an unprecedented what it would look like if one of their top three centres were to be lost for level of confidence in the team he built in the offseason, and much of that a significant amount of time. work has indeed handcuffed what Bergevin can do over the next couple of weeks. Bergevin was later asked about the chances of a money-out, money-in trade being more appetizing in the NHL with finances so tight across the But those expectations, he reiterated Tuesday, have not changed. league. He agreed but added the complications related to the quarantine make it more complicated, especially if a roster player is being traded “We have to make the playoffs; I feel we have a team to make the away to a U.S.-based team and the Canadiens need to wait two weeks playoffs. Then once we get in, I feel anything’s possible,” Bergevin said. for the new roster player to come out of quarantine. “I like our team. Our young players keep progressing; yeah, they have some peaks and valleys, but that’s part of being a young player. But they But the concept of money out, money in does not only apply to trades. It care and they want to do well, so yeah, we have high expectations for also applies to lineup, the roster and the salary cap. This is where using ourselves.” some picks in a trade starts to make some sense, because even if there would be no money going out in such a trade, if the player whom If those expectations are as high as Bergevin says they are, then he has Bergevin were to acquire comes in and replaces a player, then the an obligation to make this team as competitive as possible prior to April replaced player’s money being moved to the taxi squad or the Laval 12. He did a good job laying out all the reasons why that will be difficult Rocket essentially becomes the money-out part of the deal. Tuesday, and anyone expecting a big-ticket item heading to Montreal will likely be disappointed. Take Jake Evans as an example. He started off well, but of late hasn’t had much of an impact in a fourth-line role. In an ideal world, that role But Bergevin also has more wiggle room than he let on. He has would be filled by someone who can win faceoffs consistently, kill possibilities to improve this team, even if it is ever so slightly. Because of penalties and face tough competition on occasion. what he said prior to the season, that the Canadiens “mean business” and can “play any way you want to play” and all that stuff, Bergevin has If Bergevin were to use one of his three third-round picks to acquire such an obligation to explore every avenue he has available to him to give the a player – a pretty high price for a depth centre rental, but Bergevin can Canadiens the best chance to not only make the playoffs, but succeed in afford to pay it – then the calculation of money out, money in is made the playoffs. strictly by comparing what that player makes to what Evans makes. And he has more tools available to him than he might have been willing Evans still being waiver exempt is what makes this a very real possibility, to admit. and it would create a security blanket at the centre position. As it stands, there’s Ryan Poehling and Lukas Vejdemo as options in Laval and obviously Paul Byron and to a certain extent Michael Frolik as options The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 with the big club. Having Evans as the depth option while he plays in Laval would be an upgrade on all of them, while the Canadiens would benefit from a more experienced centre better suited to that role playing for them.

A big-ticket rental might not make sense, but to solve this one specific issue, a lower-profile rental could make a lot of sense. And making the money work shouldn’t be all that difficult.

“Impossible to say as long as the player is not here, whether that’s Cole Caufield, Jordan Harris or another player. There’s a big difference between the NCAA and the NHL.”

Cole Caufield has continued to terrorize goalies at the U.S. college level and is preparing to lead his Wisconsin Badgers into the NCAA Tournament. Once that tournament ends – the Frozen Four final is scheduled for April 10, two days before the deadline – then Caufield is expected to sign with the Canadiens and turn pro.

Again, what Bergevin said is true in that he can’t know whether Caufield could conceivably play in the NHL until he gives it a try, or at least until he auditions with Laval in the AHL. But this is an incredibly enticing 1185400 Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne still going strong, but will need some rest soon

PAUL SKRBINA | Nashville Tennessean

Playing games all the time with his friends is nothing new to the "old man."

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, also a new "old man" — he and his girlfriend had their first child in December — lives for his love of the game.

Rinne, 38, also realizes that playing so much in what very well could be his 15th and final season comes with a cost.

He played in his eighth consecutive game, and sixth in nine days, Monday. It had been three years since he played that many games in a row. His appearances have been out of necessity, with Juuse Saros out. They've also been a product of good timing, with the Predators playing few back-to-backs while Saros has been out.

Still, Rinne had to stop to catch his breath after Monday's 4-1 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"I'm too old for this," he said with a grin.

The tear is wearing on him. While he said he always wants to be playing, he also understands that is not realistic.

Saros, who could return as early as Thursday from an "upper-body" injury, will be a sight for Rinne's sore eyes.

"This is what you want," Rinne said of playing so often.

What he doesn't want is to see his good friend Saros on the shelf for much longer.

"Years earlier I used to play a lot," Rinne said. "There's nothing new with that. But it's a factor when you're getting up in age. ... With Juuse out of the lineup it's been a different kind of workload but it's been so much fun to play.

"At the same time, for Juuse's sake, we all want him healthy."

Rinne said he feels fine physically but some rest soon will be in order.

Rinne is in the final year of his contract. He hasn't ruled out coming back for another season. Still, during a season like this, with postseason hopes all but already dashed, Rinne has shown up to play no matter the circumstances.

"He's an older guy," Predators coach said. "He's really carried the mail."

The results haven't exactly been delivered. The Predators are 2-5-1 in those last eight games he's played. His save percentage is 88.4. His goals-against average is 3.63.

His commitment, Hynes said, is nonstop.

"The other night after a game I came in and did media and (Rinne) was one of the only guys riding the bike after the game," he said. "It's so valuable to have him in and around our team. Here you have a guy who is going to have his (number) retired, he's one of the all-time greats, he's won a Vezina Trophy - the way he goes about his business ... he's a special person."

And, by hockey standards, an old person who will need some rest soon.

Tennessean LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185401 Nashville Predators

The ultimate Predators trade quiz: How well do you know Nashville deadline deals?

By Adam Vingan

Mar 17, 2021

There are 26 days until the NHL trade deadline. But who’s counting?

The Predators are at the center of speculation. Mattias Ekholm is the most sought-after player on the trade market. Mikael Granlund and others could also be on the move in the next few weeks.

Instead of killing time by compulsively refreshing your Twitter feed for updates, why not try this Predators trade deadline quiz? Test your knowledge of past Predators transactions by answering these 15 questions.

Grade yourself on this scale of Homer Simpson quotes and share your scores in the comments section:

0-3 correct: “You tried your best, and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.”

4-6 correct: “If something’s hard to do, then it’s not worth doing.”

7-9 correct: “Facts are meaningless. You can use facts to prove anything that’s even remotely true.”

10-12 correct: “People can come up with statistics to prove anything. ‘Forfty’ percent of all people know that.”

13-14 correct: “I am so smart! S-M-R-T! I mean, S-M-A-R-T!”

15 correct: “NERRRRRRRD!”

The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185402 New Jersey Devils

Binghamton Devils’ schedule again interrupted due to COVID protocols

Updated Mar 17, 2021; Posted Mar 17, 2021

By Chris Ryan

After the Devils dealt with COVID-19 issues at the NHL level in February, the organization’s AHL team is now seeing the pandemic impact its schedule.

The Binghamton Devils’ scheduled game on Wednesday was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns surrounding their opponent, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms — the AHL affiliate of the Flyers.

That postponement came after the AHL Devils had three games postponed last week due to coronavirus concerns within the Binghamton locker room. Last Wednesday’s game against the Phantoms was called off following the first period after a positive test among the Binghamton Devils.

Sign up for Devils Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers

The AHL then postponed two Binghamton games last weekend, where the team was slated to play the and the Phantoms.

Binghamton returned to practice on Tuesday and was cleared to play on Wednesday prior to the postponement.

The AHL was already playing on a condensed schedule due to a late start amid the pandemic. Binghamton has played 10 of its scheduled 34 games so far after starting the season in early February.

With Binghamton playing its season in Newark after being granted temporary relocation for 2020-21, allowing players to jump between the AHL roster, NHL taxi squad and NHL roster with relative ease. It’s also given Devils head coach Lindy Ruff the chance to get a closer look at some of the team’s prospects.

“Every game that I’ve been able to get to here, I’ve gone to,” Ruff said. “It’s been great to watch them play, and they’re in a whole different situation because they hadn’t played a lot of games. They haven’t had the demanding type of schedule. ... They’ve had to deal with time off, like we did with our COVID exposure, but they’re in a little bit different situation. So a lot more practice time. And I think some of that has been really good for them.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185403 New Jersey Devils

After loss to Devils, spiraling Sabres fire head coach Ralph Krueger

Posted Mar 17, 2021

By Chris Ryan

Games between the Devils and Buffalo Sabres are apparently the breaking point for job security among head coaches.

The Sabres fired head coach Ralph Krueger on Wednesday, one day after the Devils handed the Sabres their 12th straight loss with a 3-2 win at Prudential Center in Newark.

One season ago, the Devils fired John Hynes after the Devils lost a 7-2 road game against the Sabres. Ironically, both of those fateful results marked the 26th game on the Devils’ schedule.

Krueger was firmly on the hot seat entering Tuesday’s game with the Sabres spiraling further into the NHL abyss. Buffalo sits in last place in the league with just 18 points through 28 games this season.

His tenure with the Sabres lasted less than two full seasons after he was hired prior to the 2019-20 campaign.

Krueger was seen as an outside-the-box hire. He had only one season of NHL head coaching experience, coming in the lockout-shortened 2012- 13 season with the Edmonton Oilers. He also took a detour into soccer, serving as director and chairman of Southampton from 2014 through 2019.

Krueger made a splash in hockey when he guided to the final of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where Canada prevailed in the best-of-three final series.

The Buffalo News reported Don Granato will take over as the Sabres’ interim head coach. Since Buffalo fired current Devils head coach Lindy Ruff in 2012-13, Granato will be the seventh person to serve as Sabres head coach.

Star Ledger LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185404 New Jersey Devils momentum off it, or we can answer with our own little flurry, and I thought we did. And we got the goal and for us, it was important to keep the momentum away from them and also give us a little bit of momentum.”

Devils’ Mackenzie Blackwood takes step back to top form | 5 Sami Vatanen’s tying goal later in the period tied the game, and the observations from win over Sabres Devils managed to keep the score even before taking the lead for good. Wood scored the game-winning goal on a power play early in the third period, giving the Devils their second-straight game with a power-play score. Updated Mar 17, 2021; Posted Mar 17, 2021 “I thought our fight tonight was strong. They made a push there in the By Chris Ryan third period (too), and we didn’t break,” Wood said. “We stuck to the structure that was in place, and we bought into that. Four lines, six defensemen, Blackwood played well in net, and that’s what it takes to The Devils have struggled historically to win games while wearing retro win.” or throwback sweaters. They’ve also struggled recently to win games at home. Travis Zajac’s wingers continuing to thrive

They managed to buck both those trends on Tuesday. The Devils are still searching for more consistent offense at 5-on-5, at least in terms of converting on chances. The one line that’s been reliable A 33-save performance from Mackenzie Blackwood and a third-period in recent games has featured a pair of rookies and the longest tenured goal from Miles Wood helped the Devils snap an 11-game home losing Devil. streak with a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center in Newark. the game also snapped a six-game losing streak while wearing Travis Zajac, plus first-year wingers Janne Kuokkanen and Yegor throwback jerseys. Sharangovich, generated another goal on Tuesday, with Sharangovich netting his sixth of the season. Kuokkanen had a four-game goal streak Sign up for Devils Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes snapped, though he did pick up an assist on Vatanen’s goal. observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers Over the past five games, Kuokkanen and Sharangovich have combined Here are some takeaways from the game: for seven goals, with Zajac at the center of many of them. He has six assists in that stretch. Digging Mackenzie Blackwood out of his slump Wingers finding success next to Zajac is nothing new. While the center If Blackwood was going to skate off with a win, the Sabres were going to isn’t the same offensive presence he once was earlier in his career, he’s make him earn it in the closing minutes. With Sabres goalie Jonas shown the ability to boost up his wingers in recent seasons, and they’ve Johansson pulled, forward Eric Staal fired three shots on Blackwood, generally been younger players trying to find their footing in the NHL. including two in quick succession, where the Devils goalie lost his stick in between them. Wood has been one of the players to spend time on Zajac’s wing in recent years, and he explained why players such as Sharangovich and Blackwood managed to make all of the stops necessary to notch his first Kuokkanen have been able to establish themselves next to Zajac. regulation win since a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Feb. 18. That game was also the last time Blackwood allowed less than three “He makes the game very easy. Being his line mate in the past, he’s so goals. consistent out there, hence why he’s played 1,000-plus games,” Wood said. “He’s a great guy who makes the game super easy to play with.” “It helps you be confident the next time you’re in that situation, believe that you can close it out,” Blackwood said. “So that was good for The Devils still have a long way to go if they want to finish the season everyone, good for the team, so hopefully that the next time we’re in a with even an average penalty kill in comparison to the rest of the league. situation we just take from that and build off it.” But after bleeding power-play goals to opponents earlier in the season, the team’s penalty kill appears to finally be on track. After winning his first two starts out of the Devils’ COVID-19 pause, Blackwood’s win on Tuesday was just his second in his last 10 starts. After killing both Sabres power plays on Tuesday, the Devils stretched With the team’s condensed schedule, he’s tried to work his way back to their streak to four games without conceding a power-play goal. Since a form without the benefit of much practice. stretch in February where they allowed nine power-play goals in five games, the Devils have allowed just three total in their past 11 outings. Blackwood’s recent record hasn’t only reflected his own play. Breakdowns from the Devils in front of him had only exasperated the Going 29-for-32 on the penalty kill over the past 11 games has boosted situation, making it tough for the team and goalie to both get back on the team’s kill percentage to 71.3, which is still 29th in the NHL. But the track. group seems to have figured out the main issues that plagued it in the early going. When Blackwood returned from his bout with the coronavirus, he said it took time for him to get his breathing back to normal. Even when he was “We have some good chemistry there on the PK right now and everybody playing those early games, things weren’t quite normal. is trusting each other there,” Vatanen said. “Everybody’s doing their own job and trusting your teammate is doing his right next to you there. So I He said those issues are behind him now, though he said he couldn’t use think that’s been a big part, and of course the goalies have made some that as an excuse for anything. But he at least hopes to continue building huge saves on the PK, so that helps a lot too.” back to the stellar form he showed early in the season. Ruff relieved to have good news on Nico Hischier “Coming back from the layoff was just like trying get yourself going, try to feel good again,” Blackwood said. “But last couple of games, I haven’t felt Devils captain Nico Hischier underwent surgery on Monday to repair a bad, I felt pretty normal. But sometimes packs don’t stay out of the net. sinus fracture, which he suffered when a puck struck his visor on Feb. Maybe for a little bit at the start coming back I had a little bit of struggles 27. Hischier is expected to be cleared to play in approximately three and stuff, but as we keep moving forward, I feel better and better.” weeks.

Devils didn’t break after Sabres took the lead If that timeline holds true, the fracture and concussion suffered on Feb. 27 will have cost Hischier approximately five weeks of action. All things The Sabres hadn’t scored a goal in eight periods of hockey before they considered, Ruff saw Monday’s surgery and timeline as good news. tied the game at 1-1 early in the second period on Tuesday. They managed to score another to take a lead 57 seconds later. “We probably got the best news possible with, the fact that it’s like a three-week range when we were week-to-week, versus a scenario that Based on the Devils’ recent struggles, that could have been a turning could have been month-to-month,” Ruff said. point of the game. A lead morphing into a deficit so quickly could have sent the Devils to another defeat, but they managed to right the ship.

“When you have something like that happen, the game can go two Star Ledger LOADED: 03.18.2021 ways,” Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said. “They can build little 1185405 New York Islanders “We’re not asking someone to do anything different, just to maximize their talents,” he said. “Collectively that’s how you have success. I have said this day in and day out through my whole career, individual players will help you win games but teams will win championships. All teams go Islanders’ Anders Lee Out for the Season With a Knee Injury through these types of obstacles. You just have to overcome them.”

By Allan Kreda New York Times LOADED: 03.18.2021 March 17, 2021

Anders Lee, the Islanders’ captain, will miss the rest of the 2021 season with a knee injury, , the team president and general manager, said Wednesday.

Lee, 30, had injured his right knee during last Thursday’s home win over the Devils when he became entangled with the Devils forward Pavel Zacha. Lee is tied with Brock Nelson for a team-leading 12 goals on the playoff-contending Islanders (19-7-4). Lamoriello anticipated that Lee would be ready for next season following his recovery.

“It’s an A.C.L. and that’s as far as I will go,” Lamoriello said in a video news conference. “Doctors are extremely comfortable with 100 percent recovery because of the type of injury that he has.”

He added: “It will not be as bad as a lot of A.C.L. injuries are because there is nothing else damaged.”

Before the injury, durability had been a hallmark for Lee, who signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Islanders in July 2019. He was playing in his 295th consecutive game when he was hurt. Lee, drafted in the sixth round by the Islanders in 2009, has 184 career goals in 520 games.

Lee’s absence creates a dilemma for Lamoriello, who must decide whether to trade for a temporary replacement or stand pat with the current squad, whose 42 points is tied with the East Division-leading Washington Capitals with 26 games remaining in the regular season. The Islanders have a 9-1 record in their past 10 games and have been particularly strong at Nassau Coliseum throughout the season, holding a 12-0-2 record there heading into home games against Philadelphia on Thursday and Saturday.

With Lee on long-term injured reserve, the Islanders will have some salary cap flexibility for the rest of the season and thus the chance to acquire a scoring forward like Buffalo’s Taylor Hall or the Devils’ Kyle Palmieri, who will become unrestricted free agents after the season.

“It certainly changes our focus,” Lamoriello said. “You lose a player like that, the role that he plays — our leading goal-scorer up until his injury. If we can get ourselves better, we will. But we will not do something just for the sake of doing it.”

Lee brings a fierce presence to the lineup, unafraid to place himself in front of an opponent’s net to screen the goalie and take the physical punishment that comes from it. He has thrived on a line with the winger Jordan Eberle and the scoring center Mathew Barzal.

In Lee’s absence, Islanders Coach Barry Trotz had placed the 22-year- old winger Kieffer Bellows into Lee’s spot. Bellows, drafted in the first round by the Islanders in 2016, also has a rugged style of play and scored three goals in two wins over the Devils last weekend.

Lee’s quiet leadership had benefited the Islanders, who have reached the playoffs the past two seasons under Trotz and appear to be poised to make their third consecutive postseason appearance, but this time without their captain. Lee also missed the team’s playoff run in 2016 when he suffered a broken left fibula in a late-season game against the Rangers.

Lee has earned the respect of teammates and Islander alumni alike through his play and organization of charity events. When the Islanders retired the four-time Stanley Cup winner John Tonelli’s No. 27 last year, Tonelli made a point of praising Lee, who continues to wear No. 27 with Tonelli’s approval.

“I consider 27 to be our number,’’ Tonelli said at the time. “It’s not just mine.”

As the Islanders move forward without Lee, Lamoriello maintains confidence in his players, who reached the conference finals last summer. 1185406 New York Islanders

Anders Lee’s season-ending ACL injury changes Islanders’ trade- deadline focus

By Peter Botte

March 17, 2021 | 10:48am | Updated

Islanders captain Anders Lee will undergo season-ending ACL surgery later this week, general manager Lou Lamoriello said Wednesday.

Lee suffered a torn right ACL in the first period of last Thursday’s win over the Devils, and he was placed Sunday on long-term injured reserve.

Lee, who is tied with Brock Nelson for the team lead with 12 goals this season, was re-signed to a seven-year deal worth $49 million in 2019. Lamoriello said the Islanders will look to fill the salary-cap room created by Lee’s injury ahead of the April 12 trade deadline.

“Whatever we can do to make ourselves better, we will be doing that,” Lamoriello said, according to The Athletic. “[The injury] does change our [deadline] focus. If we can get ourselves better, we will. We’re now looking a little different [at the deadline].”

Islanders captain Anders Lee on March 11, 2021, when he suffered a torn ACL that will end his season.

Lamoriello added that the 30-year-old Lee is expected to recover from surgery before the start of next season.

After reaching the Eastern Conference finals last season, the Islanders are tied with Washington atop the East Division with 42 points, though the Capitals have played one fewer game. The Capitals halted the Islanders’ nine-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory Tuesday night in Washington.

New York Post LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185407 New York Islanders

Lamoriello excited to have fans back in Nassau Coliseum on Thursday night

By Neil Best [email protected] @sportswatch

March 17, 2021 12:41 PM

The first step in the return of Islanders fans to Nassau Coliseum came last Thursday, when 1,000 Northwell Health front-line workers attended a game against the Devils as the Islanders’ guests.

The next step comes this Thursday, with 1,391 paying customers expected to watch the Islanders host the Flyers – the first of seven games for which the state-mandated ticket limit of 10% capacity was sold out.

"I’m excited that we have fans coming back," team president Lou Lamoriello said on Wednesday. "I thought it was great to see them in the building [last week], although it was tough for me to see who were fans and who were our [seat-filling] cutouts there for a while.

"I hope that over a short period of time we’ll be able to increase the number of people coming in. But I know from our ticket sales office that whenever season ticket holders were given the opportunity, they sold out all the games they put on sale."

Lamoriello said he has no time frame for when capacity will expand.

"That’s not a decision that we’re involved with," he said. "Certainly, once the state and county increase it, I think it’s exciting for our fans and certainly exciting for our team. We know what the Coliseum does for our team, the way the crowd reacts, and the fans we have are something special."

Adding to the urgency of getting fans back is the fact this is the Coliseum’s final season as the Islanders’ home. Lamoriello said UBS Arena still is on schedule to open this autumn.

"It’s my understanding from all indications that [construction] is on time," Lamoriello said. "Certainly, we had a couple of days of snow earlier, but I’m told that did not get in the way.

"All I can do is rely on what people are telling me, and we will be playing at UBS Arena when it comes fall."

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185408 New York Islanders We have tremendous confidence in the players in this locker room. We have tremendous confidence in the leadership. But you don’t replace Anders."

Isles' Anders Lee done for the season Lee, in the second year of a seven-year, $49 million contract, is one of the league’s most durable ironmen. He played in 295 consecutive game before getting hurt when the Devils’ Pavel Zacha fell over his extended right leg in the first period of a game at Nassau Coliseum. By Neil Best "All teams go through these types of obstacles, and you just have to [email protected] @sportswatch overcome it," Lamoriello said. "You can’t feel sorry for yourself. You just Updated March 17, 2021 5:15 PM have to look forward."

The Islanders have glided through March as one of the NHL’s hottest Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.18.2021 teams, but Wednesday brought news of a significant setback on their hoped-for road to a Stanley Cup.

Anders Lee, the team’s captain, a key goal-scoring winger and a formidable physical presence, is done for the season after suffering a torn ACL against the Devils on March 11. He will undergo surgery to repair his right knee this week.

Team president Lou Lamoriello made the announcement in a video news conference, ending hope Lee might return for the playoffs even after the Islanders had put him on long term injured reserve on Sunday.

The only good news Lamoriello offered is that Lee did not suffer any other complications in his knee and that the team is confident he will recover in time for the start of next season.

Host Andrew Gross discusses the Isles' recent obstacles presented -- Anders Lee's injury, COVID-19 -- plus Andrew's Answers and Dr. Lawrence Rocks on how climate change may affect hockey in the future.

"The doctors are extremely comfortable with 100% recovery, because of the type of injury that he has," Lamoriello said. "The rehab will not be as bad as a lot of ACL injuries are because there is nothing else damaged other than the ACL."

First, there is the matter of this season, in which the Islanders enter Wednesday’s games tied for the most points in the NHL with 42.

The trade deadline is April 12, and armed with $7 million in cap room from placing Lee on LTIR, Lamoriello will be looking to deal.

"It certainly changes our focus," he said. "You lose a player like that, the role he plays, he’s our leading goal-scorer [with 12], certainly until his injury.

"So if we can get ourselves better, we will. We will not do something just for the sake of doing it. But we’re now looking a little different."

Given the expectation Lee will be back and the fact the salary cap will be flat next season, picking up a short-term "rental" would make sense.

"That would be certainly the first focus, but that’s not the only focus," Lamoriello said.

But the dynamics of the trade market are an unknown, given the cap pressures many teams will face.

"You have to think beyond this year when you make a decision," Lamoriello said, "because the cap is going to be flat next year, so any contract you take on that is more than one year is going to disrupt whatever you’re doing next year and will put you in worse shape."

One possible addition that will not require a trade is Anatoly Golyshev, 26, a fourth-round draft pick of the Islanders in 2016 who on Tuesday had his KHL contract terminated.

The 5-7, 187-pounder spent eight seasons in the KHL and had 109 goals and 220 points in 403 games.

Lamoriello said Golyshev wants to play in the NHL and that the Islanders will speak to him now that he is free contractually.

The Islanders had been on a 12-game point streak before losing to the Capitals on Tuesday. Lamoriello said he likes his team as it is and will be "very careful" not to disrupt its chemistry by adding new players.

No matter what he does, he will be unable to replace what has been lost.

"He’s our captain," Lamoriello said of Lee. "He’s our leader, on and off the ice. He’s the voice of the players with the coaches and management. 1185409 New York Islanders would like to do something if we’re capable of doing it early. … There’s a lot of extenuating circumstances that will come into any decision that’s made.”

Five things to know as the Islanders aggressively try to fill the Anders Acting fast may mean cajoling a reluctant GM into making a move before Lee injury void the market has fully taken shape, so that means overpaying a bit, even in a pandemic. If the Islanders aren’t willing to meet selling prices just yet, that’s not too surprising. But, in the wake of a very “meh” 3-1 loss to the Capitals and three straight looming with the Flyers, Lamoriello and the By Arthur Staple Isles will get a sense real quick of whether the current group can put Mar 17, 2021 together a streak like the 16-2-2 run the Isles had heading into Tuesday’s loss in Washington.

Defensive depth is still a target Lou Lamoriello doesn’t make much clear, especially around trades. That made his direct comments on Wednesday all the more surprising. It doesn’t sound as if Noah Dobson’s stay on the COVID-19 protocol list will be lengthy, given Barry Trotz’s uncertainty about Dobson’s status on After announcing that Anders Lee would be having surgery to repair a Tuesday, just 48 hours after he went on the list. If it’s a false positive and torn ACL this week, Lamoriello acknowledged that losing the Isles Dobson is back for Thursday, crisis averted — but also a reminder that captain for the rest of the season has altered his deadline plans. the Islanders seemingly still don’t have faith that Sebastian Aho, who looked OK against the Caps, could be a long-term solution should an “It certainly changes our focus,” Lamoriello said. “You lose a player like injury or COVID-19 situation arise on defense. that, the role he plays, our leading goal scorer. If we can get ourselves better, we will. We’re now looking a little differently.” You’d have to believe Lamoriello had been sizing up the defense market for a depth addition before Lee went down, and nothing’s changed there. Lamoriello didn’t offer any specifics, of course, other than to say “you’re It’s a much thinner market than the forward group — it’s hard to envision always looking for a scoring winger.” Now, armed with added cap space Lamoriello spending big assets to disrupt his top-four defense to make because of Lee’s injury — his $7 million cap hit is now available after he Mattias Ekholm fit when the need at forward is so great — but there are was placed on long-term injured reserve over the weekend — Lamoriello some cost-effective, low-fee (fourth-round pick or so) buys out there, like is on the prowl. Here are five things to look for in the wake of Lamoriello’s the Red Wings’ Jon Merrill or the Ducks’ Ben Hutton, to name two. comments: They could aim really high (), but at what cost? The 2021 first-round pick is most likely in play If Forsberg is indeed available, there’s no question a trade with the For the Islanders to be aggressive, they’ll need to outbid teams looking Predators would pull at least one Islander off the current roster. for help at the same spot — teams like the Maple Leafs, who have more Lamoriello repeated a line he’s said many times before on Wednesday: prospects to offer than the Isles, for instance. In fact, most buyers have a “Chemistry, to me, is as important as anything.” His coach agrees. So deeper pool of prospects to shop around, as the Isles barely even have trading Beauvillier seems like a no-go, even for the likes of Forsberg. what most scouts would term B-level prospects. Samuel Bolduc is one on defense, maybe Simon Holmstrom among the forwards, and that’s about The Ducks’ Rickard Rakell has a year left on his deal at a reasonable it. Grant Hutton grades out well, but he’s already 25. number ($3.78 million per), so that might be an area where the Isles don’t subtract from the current roster and find a fit even beyond this season. So if you don’t have the depth of prospects, you need picks. The Isles But the major hockey trades don’t seem like front-burner options for a have the Avalanche’s second-rounder this year and next from the Devon team that Lamoriello still likes, even without his captain. Toews trade, but not their own second, dealt away last year for Andy Greene. Their first this season will most likely be in the 18-25 range or lower, and draft experts and team scouting directors can barely come to a consensus on the top of the draft, given the limits on games eligible The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 players have played this past year.

Lamoriello didn’t hesitate to deal his 2020 first-rounder when he identified Jean-Gabriel Pageau as a need last deadline. The Islanders would need to package a contract with their 2021 first to get back a player with term, but perhaps a willingness to let go of this year’s first would be a way to include Leo Komarov or Thomas Hickey in a deal and get some cap relief for next season, when Lee will presumably be back and the Islanders will still be in a cap crunch.

All rental options are on the table

As of Tuesday, the Islanders were able to add $5.54 million in full-year cap hits. With a few roster tweaks, they could easily get that to $8 million, or enough to add Taylor Hall, the biggest-ticket forward presumed to be available. Beyond Hall, the biggest cap hit for a pending UFA forward on our Islanders trade board belongs to ($5.5 million).

So Lamoriello already has room to maneuver with 26 days until the deadline. Rentals are the easiest route for the Islanders to take, given the cap situation this coming offseason with new deals needed for restricted free agents Anthony Beauvillier, Adam Pelech and Ilya Sorokin, plus the Seattle expansion draft looming. Spending assets for a forward or two who come off the books after the season just seems the simplest course for Lamoriello to take, and there are seemingly enough impact options already on the market to make that a worthwhile play.

They’re going to act fast, if they can

Lamoriello said time is more of the essence this year, given the COVID- 19 protocols and the glut of games — the Isles have 13 games in 25 days before the deadline, so they would surely love to add a key player as soon as possible.

“Whenever you know you might have a need, you always want to get it done as quickly as you possibly can,” Lamoriello said. “We certainly 1185410 New York Islanders

NEW YORK ISLANDERSIslanders Poised to be Aggressive in Pursuit to Fill Gap Left by Anders Lee Injury | NYHN+

Published 14 hours ago on March 17, 2021

By Christian Arnold

Even before the New York Islanders found out they would be without forward Anders Lee for the rest of the season, general manager Lou Lamoriello seemed poised to make a move before the April 12 NHL trade deadline.

That seems all but certain now with the Islanders needing to fill a major hole in their lineup. And Anders Lee is no easy player to replace on the ice for New York. The Islanders captain not only is tied for the team lead in goals with 12, but he has often been referred to as the heartbeat of the team.

That means Lamoriello will have his work cut out for him as he tries to bring in help to keep the Islanders atop the East Division and the NHL. The team’s current salary cap situation won’t make that task any easier, but placing Anders Lee and his $7 million cap hit on LTIR does give the Islanders a little bit more wiggle room.

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185411 New York Islanders

Anders Lee to Miss Remainder of Season with ACL Injury

Published 18 hours ago on March 17, 2021

By Christian Arnold

Any hope of Anders Lee making a return to the New York Islanders lineup this year was dashed on Wednesday morning by general manager Lou Lamoriello.

The team’s captain and leading goal scorer will undergo surgery this week to fix an ACL injury and will not return for the remainder of the season, Lamoriello said. That timeframe also includes Lee being ruled out for the postseason this year.

“The doctors are extremely comfortable with 100 percent recovery because of the type of injury that he has,” Lamoriello said. “It is an ACL and the rehab will not be as bad as a lot of ACL injuries are, because there is nothing else damaged other than the ACL.”

The Islanders are expecting Lee to be back at full strength in time for the 2021-22 season.

Anders Lee suffered the injury last Thursday against New Jersey when became tangled up with Pavel Zacha in the first period. Zacha fell over Lee’s leg awkwardly as the two fell to the ice and sent Lee grimacing in pain. Lee struggled to get up and was eventually helped off the ice by a team trainer.

News has trickled out steadily about Lee’s condition, first with the team saying he was out indefinitely and then them placing him on LTIR on Sunday. Anders Lee is currently tied for the team lead in goals with 12 through 27 games this season.

The news comes as the Islanders hit a crucial stretch of the season. They have held onto first in the East Division, but their schedule becomes significantly tougher with Philadelphia, Boston and Pittsburgh all in their immediate future.

And now the Islanders will need to find someone to fill the gap of a player that several teammates have described as the heartbeat of the team. However, Lamoriello expressed confidence that the team that they have can step up to the challenge that the current situation presents.

“I think what we have right now is we have balance throughout the lineup,” Lamoriello said. “And certainly the young players that have come in have done an exceptional job. They work very hard and they were ready when the opportunity came.”

An opportunity could come knocking for the Islanders via trade as well as they try to plug the hole left by the injury to Lee. The Islanders were already believed to be buyers as the NHL’s April 12 trade deadline approached.

That could be kicked into high gear now with Lee out.

With Lee on LTIR, the Islanders will be able to go over the $81.5 million salary cap by $7 million, which is Lee’s cap hit. The Islanders utilized this earlier in the year when they placed Johnny Boychuk on LTIR.

“There’s no question that we have cap room,” Lamoriello said. “Whatever we can do to make ourselves better, we will be doing that. It changes our focus. You lose a player like that, the role that he plays — he’s our leading goal scorer… We will not do something for the sake of doing it.”

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185412 New York Islanders

Barry Trotz Unhappy with Mathew Barzal Penalty in Loss to Caps

Published 19 hours ago on March 17, 2021

By Christian Arnold

New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz was not being subtle when it came to the message he was trying to send to Mathew Barzal on Tuesday.

It was a penalty late in the second period that Mathew Barzal took on Tuesday that directly led to a crucial Washington goal in the Isles 3-1 loss at Capital One Arena. A cross-check on Nick Jensen set up to score his 718th goal and put Washington ahead 2-0 with 4:36 left in the second period.

The late second-period penalty clearly didn’t sit well with Trotz, who benched the Islanders best player for the first 8:14 of the final period against Washington. Barzal’s penalty minutes have been a point of contention this season for the Islanders coach with Barzal leading the Islanders in penalty minutes with 32.

“He’s leading our team in penalties right now,” Trotz said. “That should be Matt Martin or Casey Cizikas or someone like that. Barzy should not lead our team in penalty minutes. I didn’t like the penalty and I didn’t like the shift after that. I thought the response, you have to be dynamite and see if I can get this tied up.”

Trotz added: “Absolutely it was a message. He has to fight through all of that stuff.”

Mathew Barzal has been the Islanders’ best player with 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) through 30 games. And the Islanders have worked to get his game to a point where it can make an impact both on the offensive end of the ice and in his own zone.

Barzal has managed to take those steps this season, but at the same time has continued to struggle at times with not taking an ill-timed trip to the penalty box.

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185413 New York Rangers

Rangers beat Flyers 9-0 despite losing entire coaching staff to COVID-19 safety protocols

Staff Report

ASSOCIATED PRESS

MAR 18, 2021 AT 12:14 AM

Mika Zibanejad had three goals and three assists in New York’s seven- goal second period and the Rangers beat the Philadelphia Flyers 9-0 on Wednesday night.

Pavel Buchnevich had two goals and two assists — all in the second period — and Brendan Lemieux, Artemi Panarin, Jacob Trouba and Filip Chytil also scored in the Rangers’ most decisive victory since beating New Jersey 9-0 on March 31, 1986.

Hartford Wolf Pack coach Kris Knoblauch takes over behind Rangers bench after COVID-19 protocols force Blueshirts head coach Davin Quinn and his assistants to miss game against Flyers.

Hartford Wolf Pack coach Kris Knoblauch takes over behind Rangers bench after COVID-19 protocols force Blueshirts head coach Davin Quinn and his assistants to miss game against Flyers. (Bruce Bennett)

Alexandar Georgiev stopped 26 shots for his sixth career shutout.

The Rangers were without head coach David Quinn and assistants Jacques Martin, David Oliver and Greg Brown were due to NHL COVID- 19 protocols. Hartford Wolf Pack coach Kris Knoblauch and associate head coach Gord Murphy, and Rangers associate general manager Chris Drury were behind the bench.

Brian Elliott started in goal for Philadelphia and allowed five goals on 13 shots before being replaced midway through the second period as the Flyers lost for the third time in four games.

Zibanejad scored three consecutive goals in a 10:10 span of the second for his fifth career hat trick. The Swedish center also topped 400 career points.

New York Daily News LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185414 New York Rangers

Entire Rangers coaching staff out against Flyers due to COVID-19 protocols

By DAILY NEWS STAFF

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

MAR 17, 2021 AT 7:41 PM

Talk about a staff infection.

The entire Rangers coaching staff has been ruled out of Wednesday night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers due to the NHL’s COVID protocols.

Head coach David Quinn and his three assistants are out and have been replaced by coaches from the team’s system.

Quinn’s assistants Jacques Martin, David Oliver and Greg Brown have been ruled out.

Kris Knoblauch, head coach of the Rangers’ top minor league affiliate, the Hartford WolfPack, is serving as the Blueshirts’ acting head coach. His Hartford assistant Gord Murphy will coach beside him, along with associate general manager Chris Drury.

The Rangers are expected to have defenseman Adam Fox and forward Pavel Buchnevich back in action after both spent time on the league’s COVID protocol list.

The Rangers went into the game in sixth place in the division, five points behind the Flyers.

New York Daily News LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185415 New York Rangers

Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad breaks out of slump with NHL-record-tying outburst

By Larry Brooks

March 18, 2021 | 2:00am | Updated

When an upper-echelon player’s production is so far off the pale around the midway mark of a season, the advice for him is to forget about chasing numbers because when it’s all said and done, the stats just are not going to line up.

But along comes the second period of a hockey game at the Garden on Wednesday night and Mika Zibanejad would beg to differ.

Because after eight weeks wandering through the wasteland, Zibanejad exploded for three goals and three assists in the Rangers’ seven-goal outburst in the middle 20 minutes of a smashing 9-0 victory over the Flyers to tie the NHL record for points in a period established by Bryan Trottier against the Blueshirts on Dec. 23, 1978.

It was a throwback performance for Zibanejad, harkening back to his five- goal extravaganza against the Capitals at MSG last March 5, which represented the zenith of a 41-goal, 75-point season (in no more than 57 games, no less) that had him on the precipice of above-the-title stature.

But then came this season. Then came the offseason challenges of training in a pandemic. Then came COVID-19 that struck in early January and cost Zibanejad the first week of training camp.

The bench celebrates after Mika Zibanejad’s hat trick.

Then came a season in which the 27-year-old Swede looked like he’d hardly ever been on skates before; a pointed 10-minute benching in New Jersey on March 4; and the first 27 games, in which he recorded a total of three goals and eight assists. Even recently, while the center’s game had improved, there had been one goal (and six assists) over the previous eight games.

Then, Wednesday night.

“Obviously it hasn’t been maybe what everyone expected, including me obviously, but I’ve been trying to just work and trust myself,” said Zibanejad, who scored a shorthanded goal, a power-play goal and a five- on-five goal during the second-period outburst. “For the past week or so, I’ve been feeling better in my game and have been getting a lot of support and all the help I need from the guys on the ice.”

Zibanejad scored the Blueshirts’ sixth, seventh and eighth goals, all against relief goaltender Carter Hart. He scored a breakaway shortie off a deke to the forehand at 8:27, went up top from in close on the power play at 14:29 and then completed the trick by driving to the net from the right side to finish a give-and-go with at 18:37.

“I’ve been just trying to get myself through this. It hasn’t been easy. It is what it is,” Zibanejad said. “But it’s one game. Overall, I’ve been feeling a little bit better the past little bit here. Obviously production is a big part of it.”

Ya think?

New York Post LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185416 New York Rangers “I found out [Wednesday] morning that I was cleared to play,” Buchnevich said. “I don’t know what is going on there, I have the antibodies.”

In contrast to the Rangers, the Flyers were sluggish. Goaltender Brian Rangers wallop Flyers 9-0 without David Quinn, other coaches Elliott was pulled after the Rangers made it 5-0 off Jacob Trouba’s first goal of the season just 7:30 into the second period. Carter Hart, Philadelphia’s usual starting netminder, couldn’t stop the bleeding either as he was lit up for four goals — including all three of Zibanejad’s — on By Mollie Walker 10 shots in the second period alone. Filip Chytil added one more for good March 17, 2021 | 10:29pm | Updated measure in the final seconds of the second period as the crowd at the Garden chanted, “We want 10!”

“I have no words, to be honest,” Georgiev said. “It was sort of surreal.” The Rangers have faced their fair share of curveballs throughout the hectic 2020-21 NHL season, but Wednesday brought a four-seam fastball. New York Post LOADED: 03.18.2021 And the Rangers bashed that 99-mph heater out of the Garden and into the Hudson River.

Roughly 2½ hours before the puck dropped in their rematch against the Flyers, the Rangers announced their entire coaching staff had to enter COVID-19 protocol and was unavailable to participate in the game.

But it didn’t matter who was behind the bench as the Blueshirts clobbered the Flyers 9-0 for their first win over Philadelphia in regulation this season. It was their third shutout of the season, and second in the past three games, while their nine goals counted as a new season high.

The Rangers posted a shutout win by nine or more goals for the seventh time in franchise history and the first time since March 31, 1986. Their seven-goal second period also counted as a single-period season high, which was one shy of the franchise record set in 1971.

Mika Zibanejad beats Carter Hart for one of his three goals in the Rangers’ 9-0 blowout win over the Flyers.

Mika Zibanejad recorded his fifth career hat trick and dished out three assists, while Pavel Buchnevich cleaned up with two goals and two assists.

Alexandar Georgiev pitched his first shutout since his first start of the season, on Jan. 16 against the Islanders, turning aside all 26 shots he faced.

Rangers head coach David Quinn and assistant coaches Jacques Martin, David Oliver, and Greg Brown all were unavailable for the game, so the AHL Hartford staff filled in. Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch and associate coach Gord Murphy found themselves back behind an NHL bench for the first time since they were both fired by the Flyers in 2018-19.

“It’s been busy,” Knoblauch said of how his day had gone after the win, which improved the Rangers to 12-12-4. “I had practice with my team at 10:30 a.m. and I got pulled off about 11:30 a.m. I got the message saying, ‘Call [associate general manager Chris] Drury ASAP.’ And usually when I hear that it’s not good, it’s usually taking players away from our team, but I got the call that said, ‘Just be on standby you might be coaching [Wednesday night].’

“It was confirmed maybe one o’ clock that I was going to coach.”

Knoblauch said he and Quinn exchanged six phone calls throughout the day, but there wasn’t much for the second-year Wolf Pack coach to do because the game plan had already been worked out by the official coaching staff.

The Rangers learned of the situation Wednesday morning. And considering Rangers forward Phil Di Giuseppe has been on the coronavirus protocol list since Sunday, the team wasn’t sure if the game would still be on.

“We found out coach had a positive test,” said Buchnevich, who scored twice in the span of two minutes to open the second period. “Everybody didn’t know what was going on and what was going to happen.”

Placement in the COVID-19 protocol could mean a player or coach was deemed to have had high-risk close contact with someone who did test positive. It could also be for any other precautionary reasons.

But since Buchnevich and Adam Fox were reinstated into the lineup Wednesday following two days in coronavirus protocol, presumably due to false positives, the rest of the team was cleared to play. 1185417 New York Rangers The Rangers also had Drury at their disposal Wednesday. The former Rangers center of four seasons was promoted to associate GM last month after interviewing for the Penguins’ vacant position.

Entire Rangers coaching staff missing Flyers game due to COVID-19 issue New York Post LOADED: 03.18.2021

By Mollie Walker

March 17, 2021 | 5:35PM

The entire Rangers coaching staff is in COVID-19 protocol and was unavailable for Wednesday’s matchup against the Flyers.

Roughly 2 ½ hours before the puck-drop, the Rangers said Hartford Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch, associate head coach Gord Murphy and associate general manager Chris Drury would be behind the bench, because Rangers head coach David Quinn and assistant coaches Jacques Martin, David Oliver, and Greg Brown all were unavailable.

While being in COVID-19 protocol doesn’t necessarily mean they tested positive for the virus, Rangers forward Phil Di Giuseppe has been on the coronavirus protocol list since Sunday, which could mean he did in fact test positive.

Being placed in COVID-19 protocol could mean a player or coach was deemed to have had high-risk close contact with someone who did test positive, or for any other precautionary reasons.

The Rangers canceled their morning skate ahead of Monday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Flyers, presumably due to Adam Fox and Pavel Buchnevich later joining Di Giuseppe on the COVID-19 protocol list — leading to all three getting sidelined.

The team, however, did practice Tuesday.

The entire Rangers coaching staff, including head coach David Quinn, will miss tonight’s game against the Flyers due to COVID-19 protocol.

As of Wednesday, Di Giuseppe was still in protocol. Fox and Buchnevich were taken off and subsequently inserted back into the lineup for the rematch against the Flyers at Madison Square Garden. Considering Fox and Buchnevich were reinstated so quickly, it could indicate they both registered false-positive tests.

Forward Julien Gauthier was scratched while defenseman Tarmo Reunanen was designated to the taxi squad to accommodate Fox and Buchnevich.

Buchnevich’s return to the lineup, reunited him with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad on the “KZB” line. Artemi Panarin, Ryan Strome and Colin Blackwell made up the second line, while the “kid line” of Alexis Lafreniere, Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko got another shot together. Brendan Lemieux, Kevin Rooney and Brett Howden rounded out the lines.

Quinn and his assistants are far from the first NHL coaching staff to go into COVID-19 protocol this season. At the end of January, the entire Golden Knights coaching staff had to go into isolation after one member tested positive.

At the beginning of February, Ralph Krueger, then the Sabress head coach, tested positive and had to enter COVID-19 protocol. And during the Stars’ coronavirus outbreak in January, two staff members tested positive.

Knoblauch found himself back behind an NHL bench for the first time since he served as the assistant coach of the Flyers in 2017-18 and 2018-19. In July 2019, Knoblauch was named the seventh head coach of the Wolf Pack and has since posted a 31-20-11 record in the AHL.

He comes into Wednesday’s game with a combined seven seasons of head-coaching experience in the and Western Hockey League, with two junior-league championships under his belt. The Islanders’ seventh-round pick in the 1997 NHL Draft, Knoblauch led the WHL’s to a championship in his first season as head coach in 2010-11 before winning a title with the OHL’s in his last year coaching juniors in 2016-17. 1185418 New York Rangers

Tarmo Reunanen’s whirlwind first day with Rangers was a success

By Mollie Walker

March 17, 2021 | 4:07pm | Updated

Tarmo Reunanen showed up to practice with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford as usual Monday morning, but noticed that his name wasn’t on the roster.

“I was thinking, ‘What’s going on?’” the Finnish defenseman said Tuesday. “And the head coach [Kris Knoblauch] told me there was a possibility I’d play with the Rangers. So, it was a weird morning but was nice.”

With the Rangers down a defenseman in wake of Adam Fox’s designation to the COVID-19 protocol list, Reunanen was recalled from the Wolf Pack and made his NHL debut in the Rangers’ 5-4 overtime loss to the Flyers Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

It must’ve been a whirlwind of a day, shifting from the mindset of a regular practice in the minors to preparing for the first NHL game of his career. But in Rangers head coach David Quinn’s opinion, the abrupt transition was likely the easiest way for Reunanen to experience his first NHL call up.

“I think that might be the best scenario, just you’ll be told that day you’ll play and you’re not overthinking it,” Quinn said. “I thought he did a good job, I thought he was composed and made good decisions with the puck. Not just [his assist on] the goal, but I thought he did a lot of good things for us [Monday night].”

Reunanen, the Rangers’ fourth-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, was inserted on the third defensive pairing next to Brendan Smith and received a team-low 8:57 of ice time. He registered his first NHL assist on Artemi Panarin’s goal at 8:12 of the second period, sending a cross- ice pass to the star winger to cut the Rangers’ deficit to 2-1.

Tarmo Reunanen skates in his NHL debut against the Flyers.

The 23-year-old may have been competing in his first game with the Rangers, but it didn’t take him long to recognize what (or who) makes the team successful.

“I love to shoot the puck, but I knew that I was going to have two options … to shoot the puck or pass it, and then I had some time to watch who was there and I saw Panarin,” he said of his first NHL point. “I thought that I have only one option and took that pass. Happy to have that goal.”

After bouncing between , the second-highest men’s hockey league in Finland, and SM-Liiga, the top professional Finnish league, to start this year, Reunanen joined the Wolf Pack for his first season in North America. In eight AHL games so far he has registered two goals and three assists.

The Rangers have a relatively deep pool of left-handed defensemen, with players like Yegor Rykov (KHL loan), Zac Jones (NCAA) and Matthew Robertson (WHL) in the middle of their respective seasons.

But Reunanen is regarded as an offensive-minded defenseman, which the Rangers need after they banished Tony DeAngelo until the organization works out a trade or another course of action.

Quinn said he thought highly of Reunanen during training camp, and that evidently stuck with the head coach.

New York Post LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185419 New York Rangers By the way, there are folks who do evaluations for a living who believe Alexis Lafreniere should be a center. Or would that be too much, too soon to put on the 19-year-old?

Rest of Rangers’ season must be all about next season The power play, ranked 27th in the league at 14.1-percent entering Wednesday’s match, has been impotent. Yet Quinn keeps trotting out the same personnel on the first unit — which habitually overstays its welcome — at the expense of Kakko, Chytil and Lafreniere. By Larry Brooks The Rangers need to put Lafreniere in his best position to succeed. March 17, 2021 | 11:48am | Updated Again, maybe it is unfair to hold the team and the 2020 first-overall draft pick to the norm under conditions in which the teenager has not been able to see his parents for months, but this sure hasn’t been what anyone So Wednesday night’s 9-0 explosion of a Rangers victory over the Flyers expected. The question is: Why? Is the organization doing something at the Garden provided an oasis of joy to conclude the first half of a wrong here? season that has been vaguely disquieting. This was supposed to be a building-block year for the Rangers. Not only Goaltending has become a problem area. The first-line center spent the can it still be one, but that is what it must become. The second half of first eight weeks in virtual witness protection. The superstar left wing 2020-21 is all about 2021-22. spent two-plus weeks in self-imposed exile after being hit with politically motivated and unsubstantiated assault charges from over a decade ago before coming back as himself. The team’s most dynamic offensive New York Post LOADED: 03.18.2021 defenseman was expelled for offensive behavior. The pair of marquee kids is nowhere close to meeting expectations that may or may not have been unrealistic. Is everyone having fun, yet?

The NHL point system is designed to create illusionary success. When you say the Rangers are NHL .500 at 12-12-4, that sounds better than pointing out they have won just 12 of their 28 games. The record, though, is not the issue. Would anyone have expected better under the aforementioned issues?

The issue is what appears to be a stalled dynamic. If the Blueshirts appeared to be way ahead of the timetable a year ago, they now seem behind schedule, although there is the school of thought that this season, which is being contested under unique circumstances, represents the often obligatory one-step-back, two-steps-forward portion of the program.

It has been a slog, though, hasn’t it, through the first half? There is no going back. But the mandate now for the hierarchy and the head coach is to ensure that the second-half of the season becomes a runway into 2021-22.

It is always important to compete and there is always a reward of its own in winning (and learning how to win), but accumulating points to try and somehow become relevant in playoff conversations seems way beyond the point at this point. And listen, if Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad — he of the six-point second period on Wednesday — take up residence in the stratosphere, maybe there is a chance at tournament contention organically.

The point is, the rest of this season has to be about next season.

And that, in my opinion, means that is on head coach David Quinn to give more responsibility to guys who will be — or are projected to be — part of the Rangers’ long-term future, even at the expense of players who have performed well and have earned time, but likely won’t be a part of it when the team returns to prominence.

That is going to be on the head coach, but Quinn must have the support of president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton in order to reprioritize the agenda. If this is not an all-in movement, then it will fail.

Here’s what I mean: Ryan Strome has had a pretty decent year. Taken in the context of the two troubling months for both Zibanejad and Panarin, Strome might even be having a better 200×85 season than he did a year ago when posting fancy stats in partnership with Panarin.

But there is little realistic chance that Strome will be here when his contract expires at the end of next season. So perhaps Filip Chytil — who has not been as effective since returning from a broken hand as he was through the first handful of games prior to the injury — should be given the opportunity to play top-six minutes with no-doubt top-six wingers. Or is Chytil, in his fourth pro season, but still only 21 years old, not ready for top-six matchups?

Here is a crazy thought (or not). Coming out of last year’s draft, there was much talk that Kaapo Kakko’s best position might be center. Given the sophomore Finn’s struggles to create offense and get off the wall, coupled with the organization’s issues down the middle, would it be nuts to give him a shot there? 1185420 New York Rangers Zibanejad wasn't the only player to bust out of a slump. On Tuesday, Quinn announced that he would be going to back to

Alexandar Georgiev after two straight starts in which the goalie had to be Postgame takeaways: Mika Zibanejad's hat trick gives NY Rangers pulled early. dominant win on wild day The 25-year-old made 26 saves for the shutout, including a few high- difficulty stops that should help build his confidence back up. The biggest highlight came on a sprawling second-period save on Nolan Patrick, VINCENT Z. MERCOGLIANO | NHL Writer moments before Zibanejad's first goal.

"It’s been a little tough, but it’s part of being a goalie," Georgiev said. "You have to deal with the ups and downs and keep working hard and Of all the wild days the New York Rangers have had in first half of the believe in your game." 2021 season, Wednesday ranks near the top. With Igor Shesterkin missing his seventh consecutive game due to a It started with David Quinn postponing his morning availability with the groin strain, getting Georgiev back on track was almost as important as media, with the team later announcing that the head coach and three Zibanejad snapping out of his funk. members of his staff — Jacques Martin, David Oliver and Greg Brown — would enter COVID-19 protocol and miss the game against the If those two can ride that momentum into the upcoming road trip, which Philadelphia Flyers. starts Friday at 7 p.m. against the Washington Capitals, then the Rangers' chances of making a run will increase exponentially. AHL Hartford coach Kris Knoblauch stepped in to replace Quinn, with Hartford assistant Gord Murphy and Rangers associate general manager 'A night that I'll never forget' Chris Drury completing the makeshift staff. Knoblauch said he didn't know for sure that he would be needed for Then the Rangers proceeded to utterly dominate the lifeless Flyers, Wednesday's game until around 1 p.m. turning in the most lopsided — and surprising — win of the season with a 9-0 beatdown at Madison Square Garden. In fact, the 42-year-old had just finished coaching Hartford's practice in the morning when he got the message from Drury telling him to be on "You get a little shock when you hear that, but you just have to be able to standby. adapt," Mika Zibanejad said when asked about his reaction to the coaching staff news. "I thought our guys did a great job. … We came "It happened very quickly," he said. together as a group and played for each other." By the time he arrived at MSG in the afternoon, he said, "Everything was Their overwhelming effort was aided by the return of forward Pavel planned out." Buchnevich and defenseman Adam Fox, who missed Monday's 5-4 "Quinnie had the pregame all set out for us," he said. "He had a game overtime loss to the Flyers while on the NHL's COVID list. That was the plan, had a video all set up. ... Murph and myself showed up at the game only game they'd miss, with both officially cleared to play roughly two and went through the video – the pregame scout – with Quinnie. We hours before Wednesday's puck drop. (Although Buchnevich said they went over talking points, key things, matchups, all that stuff. So, really, I found out in the morning.) was just following up with the game plan that he set forward. We didn't Buchnevich posted four points, including two goals, while Fox had the really have much time to prepare much or do anything, rather than just primary assist on a heat-seeking pass to Brendan Lemieux for the first implement what they had planned." goal of the game. But the true star of the night was Zibanejad. Knoblauch stuck with the line combinations and special teams units that Mika Zibanejad's slump-busting night Quinn has used in recent games, which were bolstered by the return of Fox and Buchnevich. And he noted an added level of comfort because Last year's leading goal-scorer managed just three goals through the first he already runs Quinn's system in Hartford. 27 games of the season. He doubled that total with a hat trick Wednesday. "It happened two years ago when I first got the job, meeting with Quinnie and laying out the systems and what we're supposed to be doing," he "Obviously, it hasn’t been what everyone expected – including me – but said. "It's very important. The players that get called up, when they come I’ve just been trying to work and trust myself," Zibanejad said of his slow to play with Rangers, there's a lot of pressure on them. And now, if you start. "For the past week or so, I’ve been feeling better about my game. throw in new systems, new terminology, it just confuses them and makes And obviously, I get a lot of support from the guys." it a little harder for them. We want as many players having success with the Wolf Pack, and then when they get called up, being able to contribute All three of Zibanejad's goals came during a runaway second period in as much as they can." which the Rangers (12-12-4) scored seven times. He had one at even strength, one on the power play and one shorthanded in a breakout Knoblauch spoke to Quinn "about six times" Wednesday, but didn't get to performance that also featured a hat trick of assists. have a practice or spend much time with the players before the game.

"He looked like a guy that’s added a lot of confidence and who's playing Everything happened on the fly, with no time for adjustments or very similar to what I recognized from last year," Knoblauch said. "But I contemplation. think a lot of it was just their line having fun right from the start." "Before the game, it was just trying not to complicate things," Zibanejad Despite the frustration of his first half and the sense of relief he must said. "There wasn’t a lot of information or a lot of talk. Just go out and have felt from the six-point night, Zibanejad didn't let much of it show play. Trust that we have what it takes to win hockey games." after the game. That's probably the most important lesson here — less thinking and more He knows a strong second half will mean much more than one game, no simplifying seemed to work out pretty well for the Rangers. The second matter how outstanding it was. But he's got to start somewhere. period, in particular, looked like the most fun they've had all year. (And who could blame them with seven goals in 20 minutes?) "The expectation is always higher (because of last season)," he said. "But if the puck doesn't want to go in, it doesn’t want to go in. I've been Players make a much bigger difference in wins and losses than coaches trying to get myself through this. It hasn't been easy, but it is what it is. do. And when your lineup is mostly healthy, your goalie makes key saves It's one game, but I feel like the game has just overall been feeling a little when needed and your best players play like your best players, good bit better for the past little bit here. Obviously, the production is a big part things tend to happen. of it when you get the ice time I've been getting and the role that I have. But as long as we keep winning, I’m happy." With that said, Knoblauch deserves credit for bringing a calming influence on a hectic day. I asked the 42-year-old to describe his Artemi Panarin, Jacob Trouba and Filip Chytil also scored, with Panarin, emotions once things settled and he found himself as a head coach on Trouba and Ryan Strome each notching two points in the game. an NHL bench for the first time.

Alexandar Georgiev's slump-busting night "When the game started, there's some nerves," he admitted. "There's definitely some excitement, but then you've got to get in game mode, or coach mode, when you call that first line, that first change. It's certainly a night that I'll never forget."

Bergen Record LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185421 New York Rangers

NY Rangers coach David Quinn and staff enter COVID-19 protocol; two players come off list

VINCENT Z. MERCOGLIANO | NHL Writer

Good news was quickly followed by shocking news for the New York Rangers on Wednesday evening — and then an equally shocking result.

Moments after the NHL released its COVID-19 list for players, with forward Pavel Buchnevich and defenseman Adam Fox being cleared after a short two-day stint in protocol, the team announced that head coach David Quinn and his staff would enter COVID protocol in accordance with the league's "additional health and safety guidelines."

ARTEMI PANARIN: Keeps focus on team in first public comments

TAKEAWAYS: Rangers show resiliency but ultimately come up short

Buchnevich and Fox were available for Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden — a dominant 9-0 win — but Quinn and assistant coaches Jacques Martin, David Oliver and Greg Brown were not.

New York Rangers coach David Quinn, middle rear, speaks to players during a timeout in the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against … Show more

AHL Hartford head coach Kris Knoblauch took the reins in Quinn's absence, with Hartford assistant Gord Murphy and Rangers associate general manager Chris Drury on the bench serving as assistants.

Knoblauch didn't know for sure that he was going to coach Wednesday's game until early that afternoon.

"It’s been busy," he said. "I had practice with my team. We were on the ice at 10:30 (a.m.) and got pulled off by 11:30. I got a message saying, ‘Call (Drury) ASAP,’ and usually when I hear that, it's not good. It's usually taking players away from our team, but I called and he just said, ‘Be on standby. You might be coaching tonight. We’ll let you know.’ That was 11:30 and I think was confirmed maybe 1 o'clock that I was going to coach tonight."

No one could have predicted what happened next, with the Rangers manhandling the Flyers for their most lopsided win of the season.

"When the game started, there's some nerves," Knoblauch said. "There's definitely some excitement, but then you've got to get in game mode, or coach mode, when you call that first line, that first change. It's certainly a night that I'll never forget."

Knoblauch, 42, has coached the Wolf Pack for the past two seasons, accumulating an overall record of 34-25-6-5. He said he packed enough clothes to join the team on the upcoming road trip, if necessary, which begins Friday at 7 p.m. against the Washington Capitals.

Wednesday's game marked the official halfway point of the NHL's shortened 2021 season for the Rangers, who have dealt with an endless news cycle through their first 28 games.

Multiple players have appeared on the COVID list, including a lengthy stay for Kaapo Kakko from late February into early March. There have also been injuries to key players in Filip Chytil, Jacob Trouba and Igor Shesterkin, who missed his seventh consecutive game Wednesday with a groin strain.

Then there have been polarizing moments, most notably a Jan. 30 postgame altercation between Tony DeAngelo and Alexandar Georgiev, which led to DeAngelo being waived; and a Russian tabloid story featuring uncorroborated assault allegations against Artemi Panarin, which led to a 17-day leave of absence for the star forward.

Bergen Record LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185422 New York Rangers first goal of the season, Zibanejad scored three straight to make it 8-0. Filip Chytil made it 9-0 just before the period ended.

Brian Elliott, the Flyers’ starting goaltender, was pulled after Trouba’s Mika Zibanejad nets hat trick as Rangers erupt in 9-0 win over Flyers goal, which came at 7:30 of the period. But the first shot that Carter Hart faced was a shorthanded breakaway by Zibanejad, who had time to fake to the forehand, fake to the backhand, and then come back to the forehand and tuck it behind the sprawled-out goalie at 8:27. By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinSNewsday Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.18.2021 Updated March 18, 2021 12:01 AM

Roughly two-and-a-half hours before the scheduled faceoff for their St. Patrick’s Day showdown with the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden Wednesday, the Rangers announced that their entire bench coaching staff — head coach David Quinn and assistants Jacques Martin, David Oliver and Greg Brown — would be unavailable for the game due to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

Maybe the staff should take a night off more often.

With Hartford Wolf Pack coaches Kris Knoblauch and Gord Murphy, and Rangers associate GM Chris Drury behind the bench for the Rangers, Mika Zibanejad exploded for three goals and three assists, and Pavel Buchnevich, who came off the team’s COVID-19 list and went right into the lineup, had two goals and two assists, as the Rangers thoroughly embarrassed the Flyers, 9-0 in front of a national TV audience.

Zibanejad’s six points in the period tied an NHL record held by former Rangers coach Bryan Trottier, who had six points for the Islanders in the second period of a 9-4 win over the Rangers on Dec. 23, 1978.

"It’s been a different, different year — a different season,’’ said Zibanejad, who doubled his season goal total with his fifth career hat trick. "Obviously, not just with no fans and the way things are right now, [but] just around the world as well. So, a lot of a lot of firsts this year. Obviously you get you get a little shock when you hear [the coaching staff is out], and you just got to be able to adapt. And I thought our guys did a great job.’’

The nine goals were a season-high for the Rangers, who split the two- game series with the Flyers and reached the halfway point of the 56- game season with a record of 12-12-4. Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, who had been pulled from each of his last two starts, made 26 saves to earn his second shutout of the season.

The announcement that the Rangers coaches were out came at around 5 p.m., the same time as Buchnevich and defenseman Adam Fox, who both had missed Monday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Flyers after being placed on the NHL’s COVID list that day, were officially removed from the list.

But the Rangers knew much earlier that something was possible. Quinn had a pregame Zoom chat with the media scheduled for 11:30 a.m., but that was abruptly changed, and pushed back to the evening. At around 11:30, while he was on the ice for practice with Hartford, Knoblauch said he got called off the ice and told to talk to Drury, who generally serves as the Wolf Pack GM. Drury alerted him to the fact that he might have to coach the Rangers game, and it was confirmed about 1 p.m.

"I rush home and pack, you know, initially it was going to be one game, and they’re like, ‘Well, you might be going on the [upcoming] road trip,’’’ Knoblauch said. "And then you’re packing extra. So really, you didn’t have much time to think about it.’’

Knoblauch said the game plan had been put together by Quinn and his staff, so there was relatively little prep work for he and Murphy to do.

"When the game started, there’s some nerves, there’s definitely some excitement,’’ he said. "But then you’ve got to get in game mode, or coach mode when you call that first line, that first change. Yeah, it’s certainly a night that I’ll never forget.’’

Fox got the Rangers started when he drove down the right wing and sent a cross-ice pass to Brendan Lemieux for a tap-in goal that put the Rangers up 1-0 at 7:05 of the first period. Artemi Panarin made it 2-0 at 14:47 of the period, and the Rangers were well on their way.

Buchnevich scored the first two goals of what would be a seven-goal second period for the Rangers, and then, after Jacob Trouba scored his 1185423 New York Rangers

Erin Goal Bragh! Kevin Rooney finishing chances for Rangers

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinSNewsday

Updated March 17, 2021 4:40 PM

Kevin Rooney has a green suit, which he has been wearing all week, he said, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. And certainly, the Rangers forward planned to be rocking that suit again Wednesday, when he reported to Madison Square Garden for the Rangers’ game against the Philadelphia Flyers, which represented the midpoint of the 56-game season for the team.

Rooney, a free-agent import who played last season for the Devils, has proved to be a nice pickup for the Rangers. The fourth-line center and reliable penalty killer scored his fifth goal of the season in Monday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Flyers, giving him more goals than he had (four) in 49 games last season for the Devils. It’s one less than his career high of six, with the Devils in 2018-19, and, going into Wednesday’s game, it was two more than Mika Zibanejad's total.

"With New Jersey not making the playoffs [in 2019-20] I had a lot of time in the offseason, and it's something I really focused on,’’ Rooney said of his increase in goal-scoring. "Last year I really felt I became an NHL player, and I was getting tons of chances, especially later in the year in New Jersey. I just wasn't finishing them.

"And I liked the way I was playing,’’ he said. "And for me, it's always about chances. If you're getting your chances, eventually they'll go in. And I spent a lot of time this offseason working on some things to help me finish a little bit more.’’

The work seems to have paid off. Rooney’s shooting percentage of 19.2 entering Wednesday (five goals on 26 shots) was third on the team, behind Chris Kreider, who had a team-leading 14 goals (on 58 shots, for 24.1%) and Colin Blackwell (six goals on 29 shots, 20.7%). In 25 games, with an average of ice time of 12:34, Rooney had five goals and three assists, with a plus/minus rating of plus-4.

The Rangers signed Rooney, 27, to a two-year, one-way, $1.5 million contract in October because they believed their penalty kill needed some help, and Rooney had been a solid penalty-killer with the Devils. In looking at his options, the Rangers made sense to Rooney because he also believed he was a fit as a penalty-killer who could add to the team’s depth at the center position.

The 6-2, 190-pound Canton, Massachusetts, and Providence College product got COVID-19 at the start of training camp, but nevertheless managed to impress coach David Quinn enough to earn a lineup spot on opening night. And he seemingly has locked down that spot. Entering Wednesday, Rooney had played in 24 consecutive games, with the two games he missed the result of being shaken up by a blindside — and borderline dirty — hit from the Islanders’ Ross Johnston in the season opener.

So, even as Quinn began to rotate some bottom-six players out of the lineup recently, when some of the injured/COVID unavailable/leave of absence regulars began returning, Rooney has remained a staple on the fourth line. He and Brett Howden have formed a partnership up front as the second duo of penalty-killing forwards — behind the first pair of Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich — on a unit that, with an 85.6% kill rate, was fourth-best in the league entering Wednesday. And Rooney had the team’s only shorthanded goal.

At even strength, Rooney has been one of the team’s energy guys, who does a host of little things the Rangers need.

"I always want to be a consistent player, and I'm not going to let my foot off the gas,’’ Rooney said. "I want to keep helping this team. Any which way possible.’’

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185424 New York Rangers Quinn canceled his Wednesday morning media zoom chat, at which time he surely knew about being listed.

Being on the COVID-19 list doesn’t necessarily mean there were positive Rangers pour it on vs. lifeless Flyers despite coaching staff placed on tests. Those who have an inconclusive test, or a false positive, or are in COVID-19 list the line of contact tracing — along with those who do indeed test positive — can find themselves on the list.

Adam Fox and Pavel Buchnevich, who missed Monday’s game and By Rick Carpiniello Tuesday’s practice, were cleared to play Wednesday. Phillip Di Giuseppe was not. The returns of Fox and Buchnevich should have had more of an Mar 17, 2021 impact on the game than the coaching shuffle.

If, however, Quinn and company are out for a longer period of time, that It was always going to be a bizarre, even if not unprecedented, game for could change things significantly — the voice, the message, et cetera. the Rangers, and that was before the scoring started. This is not unprecedented. In January, the Vegas coaching staff was on Rangers coach David Quinn and his assistants Jacques Martin, Greg the COVID-19 list and GM Kelly McCrimmon and Vegas’ AHL coaches Brown and David Oliver were all placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol worked a game against St. Louis. list during the day Wednesday and unable to coach the Rangers’ And it’s certainly not the first time a Rangers head coach has missed a beyond-belief 9-0 win over Philadelphia at the Garden. game. Yes, that’s not a typo. 9-0. Mika Zibanejad continued his climb back to In December 1979, Fred Shero fell down a flight of stairs and broke his being himself — only this time he took a leap with three goals and three ribs. Mike Nykoluk, the assistant coach/assistant GM coached a couple assists in an NHL record-tying (with Bryan Trottier) second period. of games. This was right around the time of the Shoe game “To start off, it’s been a different year, a different season, not just with no at the Garden. (Ironically, Wednesday marked Quinn’s 180th game as fans and the way things are right now around the world as well,” Rangers coach, tying Shero for 13th on the team’s all-time list). Zibanejad said. “A lot of firsts this year. So you get a little shock when In 1986-87, Tom Webster suffered from inner-ear problems that you hear that, and you’ve just got to be able to adapt. And I thought our prohibited him from flying and ultimately forced him to resign. The combo guys did a great job. … We came together as a group and played for of assistant coaches Wayne Cashman and Eddie Giacomin took over each other. coaching duties for multiple games. “As a group, you come together. Before the game, it’s just, you try not to Bryan Trottier was suspended in 2002, and assistant coach Jim complicate things. There wasn’t a lot of information or a lot of talk. It was Schoenfeld stepped in to coach. just kind of, ‘Go out and play’ and trust that we have what it takes to win a hockey game.” In 2009, John Tortorella was suspended for a playoff game — he tossed a water bottle at a fan in Washington — and Schoenfeld handled the It won a complete blowout as the Rangers’ AHL head coach Kris head-coaching duties. Schoenfeld, infamously, was suspended for a Knoblauch and assistant Gord Murphy were called up to handle the Devils playoff game in 1988 (“Have another doughnut”) and Lou bench, with help from Rangers’ associate GM (and Hartford GM) Chris Lamoriello coached against Boston. Drury. During the regime, a couple of times assistant coach Rangers goalie coach Benoit Allaire was not on the list. Knoblauch and Scott Arniel handled Vigneault’s media duties, but I don’t believe Murphy previously served on the Flyers’ coaching staff. Vigneault ever actually missed a game. Knoblauch practiced with Hartford at 10:30 a.m. and was pulled off the Fortunately in the modern NHL, their minor-league affiliates really are ice and told to ‘call Drury, ASAP.’ developmental teams. So, as Reunanen said the day after his NHL debut “Usually when I hear that, it’s not good,” Knoblauch said. “It’s usually Monday, the transition was fairly seamless because the Wolf Pack plays taking players away from our team. But I got the call to just be on the same system. In terms of the way they play, Knoblauch wouldn’t standby, ‘You might be coaching tonight, we’ll let you know.’ I think it was have to adjust much, and the players wouldn’t need to adjust much to confirmed at 1 o’clock that I was going to coach tonight.” him.

Hectic? You bet it was. He was told to pack for a road trip, too, because So after the last game, I began a new category for these things, called of the unknown surrounding Quinn and the Rangers headed to Zibane-jectory, because I’ve certainly noticed over the past few games, Washington for games Friday and Saturday. maybe even more, that the old Zibanejad was resurfacing. That the trend was upward. “It is bizarre, but everything was all planned out,” said Knoblauch, who spoke on the phone to Quinn half a dozen or so times during the day. So, I swear that this is what I had written BEFORE the second period: “Quinny had pregame all set out for us. He had a game plan, had the Zibane-jectory: So Brian Boucher on NBC was the second person I’ve video all set up. Before the game started, Murph and myself chewed up heard mention that Zibanejad changed his training regimen during the the game and went through the video with the pregame scout, with offseason, before he got COVID-19. Of course, having next-to-no Quinny. We went over talking points, key things, matchups, all that stuff. access, it’s been hard to confirm this. But it is interesting, no? Certainly, So really I was just following up the game plan that he set forward. We the virus hurt him. I thought he looked a lot like Zibanejad on Monday, didn’t really have much time to prepare much or do anything rather than and I think his resurgence continued in a big way Wednesday. just implement what they had planned.” He had zero points when I wrote that. Honest. Still, there had to be execution by the players, and by the stand-in coaches. In the second period, he broke the franchise record for points in a period (five by Bill Cook in 1933) and tied Trottier’s NHL record of six, with a “When the game started, there were some nerves,” Knoblauch said. natural hat trick to boot. “You’re definitely excited. But then you kind of get into game mode, or coach mode, when you call that first line, or that first change. It’s certainly “It hasn’t been maybe what everyone expected, including me, obviously,” a night that I’ll never forget.” Zibanejad said after his crazy night. “But I’m just trying to work and trust myself for the past week or so. I’ve been feeling better in my game and I OK, have at it, all you non-silent minority on social media. get a lot of support from the guys on the ice and all the help I need. Before we get to all that silly stuff about the coaching switch, with the way Obviously, it’s nice to get a game like this, but it was first and foremost a the Flyers performed, I’m pretty sure you or I could have coached the really nice team win and the way we played tonight. Rangers and won this game. Maybe not by that score, but a win “Everyone is going to go back to last season and the expectation, nonetheless. The Flyers showed no interest in competing or defending obviously, is higher. But again, if the puck doesn’t want to go in, it doesn’t or, you know, the back half of the ice. None. want to go in. I’ve been trying to just get myself through this and it hasn’t been easy, but it is what it is. It’s one game, but I feel like the game, just overall, I’ve been feeling a little bit better for the past little bit here. The defenseman Travis Sanheim was just dreadful. He and Philippe Myers production is a big part of it, and when you get the ice time I’ve been were on for each of the first five goals, and Sanheim was also on for the getting and the role that I have. But as long as we keep winning, then I’m PPG by Zibanejad, so it didn’t go on his minus-5 ledger. They both happy.” finished minus-6.

Chicken-egg. They will win more if Zibanejad continues to trend upward. 13. Zibanejad, who had 11 points in 27 games coming into the game, got Or vice versa. his sixth of the period and completed a natural hat trick. Kreider’s pass hit Myers’ skate and went directly to Zibanejad, who flicked it inside the right The new temporary coach was impressed. post to put the Rangers up 8-0. Myers, by the way, is the player who “Mika, I think the stat line says enough,” Knoblauch said. “I think he had broke Kreider’s ankle with a shot late last season. six points after 12 1/2 minutes over two periods. He looked like a guy 14. The Flyers had long ago packed it in, paying no attention to details or that’s had a lot of confidence. He looked very similar to the guy I battles, or really anything. Lafrenière sent Libor Hájek in, and he found recognize from last year.” Filip Chytil for another dunk to end it at 9-0.

Thoughts 15.My Great Aunt Tillie Could Have Scored: Well, she might have had a 1. You tend to write off a lot of what happened in a non-competitive game couple if she played against the Flyers in this one. And there’s no way to that snowballed. But one of the things that happened could be significant, pin this on the Flyers goalies. But all of a sudden, for not the first time and that was the play of Alexandar Georgiev, who had been pulled from since 1975, they have a goaltending problem. Not to mention a defense each of his past two starts, then watched third-stringer Keith Kinkaid start problem. two in a row. Georgiev had been giving up too many softies this season. 16. Quinn Bin: Julien Gauthier came out of the lineup after scoring his But in this one, while he wasn’t overwhelmed with work, and he got a ton second career goal Monday — largely because of eight minutes’ worth of of offensive support, he did what he — and earlier this season, Igor careless, arguably lazy, stick penalties he took in that game. Shesterkin — hadn’t done: make saves at big times, and not give up a 17. I wasn’t thrilled with the usual owner/GM move that happened in softie. Buffalo, scapegoating coach Ralph Krueger for having a terrible roster. 2, Just nine seconds in, K’Andre Miller iced the puck. I love those. Then Happens all the time. But I was happy to see that Dan Girardi will Chris Kreider sped in on goal and drew a slashing penalty. Kreider was become an assistant coach there. That should be worth some laughs. then stopped on a shot from the slot from Zibanejad on the power play, And some hockey experience. goalie Brian Elliott barely squeezing the puck to the ice under his pad. My Three Rangers Stars: The Rangers didn’t do much else with the advantage. 1. Mika Zibanejad. 3. Welcome back, Adam Fox. Brendan Lemieux and Brett Howden worked the end boards, and Howden got it to Fox near the blue line. He 2. Pavel Buchnevich. cooked Andy Andreoff, scooted down the right wing, and set up Lemieux for a dunk and a 1-0 lead. 3. Alexandar Georgiev.

4. Laf-Track: Alexis Lafrenière drew a second penalty from Myers, which the Rangers also wasted. After it expired, Lafrenière stole a weak pass The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 from Claude Giroux and walked in, only to have Elliott stab his backhander with his glove.

5. Daily Bread: Ryan Strome lost an offensive-zone faceoff, but Artemi Panarin recovered it with a steal along the wall. It caromed to Strome, who found Panarin cutting toward the net to bury the return pass for a 2-0 lead. Strome has 16 points in his past 14 games. Panarin has six points in three games since he returned.

6. Kakk-O-Meter: Kaap O’Kakko joins my all-time Rangers honorable St. Patrick’s Day list with, among others, John O’Grodnick, Eddie O’lczyk, Reij O’Ruotsalainen and Tarm O’Reunanen. O’Kakko also ripped one off the crossbar at the first-period buzzer. The period was one of defense and caution. The Flyers’ defense was abysmal from that point on.

7. Early in the second period, Ryan Lindgren missed the net with a pair of chances, one from Pavel Buchnevich with a half-empty net. Zibanejad retrieved the puck and got it to Buchnevich all by himself in the high slot for a wrister past Elliott to increase the lead to 3-0. Buchnevich ended with four points, and has five goals and 13 points in his past eight games.

8. Two minutes later, off a steal by Jacob Trouba at the offensive blue line, Buchnevich had a chance to shoot it from the same spot, and this time chose to pass it for either Kreider or Zibanejad moving toward the paint. It never got there, deflecting off a Flyer player’s skate and past Elliott for a 4-0 cushion.

9. By then it was a landslide. Georgiev made a fabulous splitting save on Nolan Patrick during a Flyers power play. After the kill, Zibanejad carried two-on-one, faked a pass to Panarin, freezing the Flyers, and set up Trouba in the high slot for his first of the season to increase the lead to 5- 0.

10. Carter Hart had replaced Elliott at 5-0, and off an Ivan Provorov turnover, Zibanejad skated out for a shorthanded breakaway and a very confident deke and forehand stuff for his fourth goal of the season and third point of the night to put the Rangers up 6-0.

11. Question: How much blood would be spilled at 6-0 in the old Flyers- Rangers days? It’s rhetorical.

12. During a Rangers power play, Panarin set up Zibanejad for another break-in goal and a 7-0 lead. Seven goals on 16 shots. Flyers 1185425 “Those aren’t things you want to see happen to anyone,” alternate captain Thomas Chabot said. “It’s never good. You never want to see a teammate go out that way. (Daccord) was playing well and he had good chance every night. I hope he gets better soon. GARRIOCH: Senators lose yet another goalie to injury — and the game in a shootout “(Gustavsson) played really well for us. He just showed how good he is.”

Joey Daccord left with what appeared to be a left knee injury early in the The Senators lost 3-2 in to the Canucks on Monday. While Ottawa third period of the club's 3-2 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks. completely outplayed the Canucks in that one, Demko shut the door with 44 stops.

Ottawa Senators defenceman Nikita Zaitsev is taken off the puck by Bruce Garrioch Vancouver Canucks centre Tyler Motte in the first period at the .

As for anybody who questioned the decision to acquire Dzingel from the Vancouver Canucks centre J.T. Miller shoots on Ottawa Senators goalie Carolina Hurricanes last month, the move continued to pay dividends. He Filip Gustavsson in overtime at the Canadian Tire Centre. scored his fourth goal in eight games with the Senators when he picked Canucks 3, Senators 2 (shootout) up a Clark Bishop rebound in front and beat Demko with a shot three minutes into the second period to cut Vancouver’s lead to 2-1. The Ottawa Senators had to gut one out Wednesday night. The Senators weren’t the least bit pleased with the officiating after Rookie goaltender Filip Gustavsson saw the first action of his National Vancouver took a 2-0 lead on Horvat’s 15th of the season at 8:24 of the Hockey League career after Joey Daccord left with what appeared to be first period. They felt Chabot had been tripped by Nils Hoglander near the a left knee injury early in the third period of the club’s 3-2 shootout loss to Vancouver blue-line, resulting in a 3-on-1 rush for the Canucks. the Vancouver Canucks at the Canadian Tire Centre. With Nikita Zaitsev sliding to the ice to try to halt the pass, Hoglander With Matt Murray and Marcus Hogberg already on the shelf, there was sent the puck to Horvat and he easily chipped it past Daccord on the major concern in these parts when Daccord had to be assisted off the ice stick side. only 5:07 into the third with the Senators trailing by a goal. He appeared to injure his left leg while trying to move across the crease to make a “I felt like I got the back of my legs taken down,” Chabot said. save and couldn’t put any weight on it. Nothing has come easy for the Senators this season and this night was “It’s an unbelievable turn of events that you have this many goalies out at no different. Only 2:29 into the game, a turnover resulted in an odd-man one time,” Senators head coach D.J. Smith said. “It’s great, and thank rush for the Canucks. Boeser took a pass and beat Daccord on the stick God (general manager) picked up (Anton) Forsberg today. side. He had no chance on that one, and it was the 23rd time this season You go into that game maybe a week ago and you look at the depth chart Ottawa had given up the first goal. and you see how far you are and then all of a sudden you’re in. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.18.2021 “It’s a lesson to everyone that you’ve got to be ready every time because you never know when your chance comes.”

Adam Gaudette scored in the fourth round of the shootout to secure the win for the Canucks.

The Vancouver Canucks’ Adam Gaudette scores on Ottawa Senators goalie Filip Gustavsson in the shootout at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Gustavsson was supposed to start against the on Friday night for the of the American Hockey League, but that won’t be the case now because he could make his first NHL start Monday against the Calgary Flames.

“It was kind of perfect. You don’t have time to think about it, you just jump straight into the game,” Gustavsson said. “Of course, I was very nervous, but after the first shot you’re in the game and then you just do what you’ve done for the last 15 years. I just wanted to feel the first shot. I was still nervous and shaking my legs, but I just tried to play like I was playing in the AHL and back home in Sweden.”

But you have to give the 22-year-old Gustavsson credit because he held strong, stopping all eight shots he faced in the 19:53 he played through the third period and overtime. He did get help from the trainers, too, because he lost feeling in his blocker hand at one point.

“When I get stressed, I can’t get blood into my hand. I can’t feel my fingers at all. We had to get a heat bag and try to get blood into it, so I couldn’t play the puck for the first couple of minutes. Then it was kind of normal,” Gustavsson said.

Josh Norris and Ryan Dzingel scored for the Senators on Vancouver goalie Thatcher Demko, who faced 30 shots, while Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat replied for the Canucks. The Senators also lost centre Collin White to an unspecified injury and there was no update on him or Daccord following the game.

Vancouver Canuck Jake Virtanen and Ottawa Senators centre Colin White fall while chasing the puck in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre.

When Gustavsson left the bench and came into the net, he did get a little help from his friends. Norris tied it up by firing the puck past Demko from the slot at 5:34 of the third period. It was a great blast and it was the second time in as many games that the Senators erased an early two- goal lead by the Canucks. 1185426 Ottawa Senators As reported in this space, UND defenceman Jake Sanderson, the club’s No. 5 overall pick, will also be offered the opportunity to join the club.

SEEING OLD FRIENDS Erik Brannstrom may get a chance to play with Belleville this weekend ... No, they weren’t able to get together off the ice, but Brady Tkachuk and Prospect Shane Pinto a Hobey Baker finalist Josh Norris got the chance to exchange pleasantries with former roommate Quinn Hughes of the Canucks.

Bruce Garrioch Tkachuk lived with Hughes while they both played for the U.S. National Team Development Program for two seasons, from 2015 to 2017. Then, Norris and Hughes were roommates for two seasons at the University of Michigan. Since everything comes full circle, all three are now in the If Erik Brannstrom isn’t going to see action at the NHL level, that doesn’t NHL, while Norris and Tkachuk live together with top pick Tim Stuetzle. mean he won’t pull on a Senators jersey at the Canadian Tire Centre this week. Norris was also with the U.S. team and they spent four years on the same team. Scratched for the fourth straight game as the Senators wrapped up their two-game series against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night, “I had fun with both of them,” Hughes said. “Brady and I had Keith the 21-year-old Brannstrom may suit up with the club’s AHL affiliate in (Tkachuk) living with us as well so the three of us had a lot of fun. We Belleville this weekend with Ottawa heading into a four-day break in the were always up to no good, but it was the same with Josh and I was schedule. fortunate to have both those guys to live with.”

Belleville will host the Toronto Marlies on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday THE LAST WORDS at 3 p.m. The club is short on defencemen and it might make sense to give Brannstrom a chance to play because he can be moved to the AHL The Senators signed forward Angus Crookshank, a fifth-round pick in without waivers. 2018, to an entry-level deal that will kick in to start the 2021-22 campaign. He has wrapped up his college career at the University of It’s a decision general manager Pierre Dorion is likely considering New Hampshire and is set to join Belleville on an amateur tryout after he because Brannstrom has been displaced by teammate Chrsitian completes his 14-day quarantine. Wolanin, who suited up again Wednesday. The Senators want their young players in action and if Brannstrom isn’t in the lineup here he just Crookshank, a Vancouver native, finished with 35 goals and 63 points in has to go down the hall to get a chance to play. 90 games in his career in the NCAA.

“That will be Pierre’s call,” coach D.J. Smith said Wednesday morning. “Angus proved to be a dominant collegiate player,” said Dorion. “We’re “Wolanin has played well. He’s moved some pucks and he’s done some pleased that he’s made the decision to start his professional career, good things.” which is what we believe is best for the next step in his development.”

Smith said when Brannstrom does return to the Ottawa lineup, he has to Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.18.2021 be better defensively. You can’t argue with the slick Brannstrom’s ability to move the puck and it’s easy to see he can play at this level, but the Senators can’t afford to give up Grade A chances.

“It’s the same thing that (Wolanin) struggled with and that’s closing in on guys in the (defensive) zone,” said Smith. “You have to be able to do that to stop (teams from) the cycle in this league. If not, you can spend the entire game in your zone.

“Both of them are breaking the puck out well … but the biggest thing for (Brannstrom) is just learning to stop the cycle. That’s not just him, it’s young defencemen. If you watch Edmonton the other night and how well they defended and stopped the cycle, it held us off the board. That’s what we’re looking for from him.”

MORE HONOURS FOR PINTO

Shane Pinto is having a season to remember in what will likely be his final year at the University of North Dakota.

The Senators’ second-round pick in the 2019 draft was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, which is presented to the top player in the NCAA in the United States. Selected No. 33 overall, Pinto had 15 goals and 30 points in 26 games with UND and last week he was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s player of the year.

A sophomore, Pinto, 20, has scored seven power-play goals and has .620 winning percentage in the faceoff circle. His club won the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Championship with a 5-3 win Tuesday night over the St. Cloud State Huskies. The Fighting Saints will now head into the regional championships in Fargo, N.D., March 26 as the top seed in the round of 16 teams.

Montreal prospect Cole Caufield, a left-winger at the University of Wisconsin, who has 28 goals and 49 points in 30 games this season, is considered the top candidate to win the Hobey Baker. The No. 15 overall pick in the 2019 draft is among the list of finalists that were released Wednesday afternoon.

Once school has wrapped up this spring, Pinto and teammate Jacob Bernard-Docker, the club’s 26th overall pick in the 2018 NHL draft, are expected to sign with the Senators. Both will have to quarantine for 14 days when they arrive in Canada and then a decision can be made on whether they’ll suit up with Ottawa this season or spend time with Belleville. 1185427 Ottawa Senators “I believe he’s starting to do better and he’s getting out on his own,” said Smith. “We’ll get more of an update as we go but he’s certainly getting closer. We’re hopeful he’ll be able to (practice) soon but we’ll just wait on the trainers.” Senators add another goalie to the mix as they claim Anton Forsberg from Winnipeg This may turn out to be a good opportunity for Forsberg, who may actually get the chance to play a game here this year.

The 6-foot-2 Forsberg was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets No. Bruce Garrioch 188 overall in the seventh round of the 2011 NHL draft and spent four years with the organization.

He was the No. 3 behind Connor Hellebuyck and Laurent Brossoit in Anton Forsberg is getting a chance see the country in the all-Canadian Winnipeg so Forsberg never even got the chance to play for the Jets. He division this season. spent last year in Carolina’s organization and suited up for three games With top goaltender Matt Murray listed as week-to-week with an with Hurricanes while also seeing time with Chicago’s in undisclosed upper-body injury and Marcus Hogberg’s recovery from a Rockford. lower-body injury coming along slowly, the Senators claimed the 28-year- That’s why the decision to carry three has been tough on some goalies. old Forsberg off waivers before they faced the Vancouver Canucks on Teams don’t want to risk losing a good goalie moving them to the taxi Wednesday night at the Canadian Tire Centre. squad and that’s why Forsberg hasn’t suited up this season. He’s on a To make matters worse, the club lost Joey Daccord early in the third reasonable one way deal at $700,000 this season so teams don’t mind period against Vancouver. carrying that salary.

It’s the third time this season Forsberg has been claimed off waivers. If all the Senators’ goaltenders eventually get healthy, Dorion will have First, he was picked up by the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 12 after options. Teams gearing up for the post-season will want to have depth in signing with the Edmonton Oilers in October and attending the club’s net and the Senators will have some to offer up if teams call. camp. Then, three days later on Jan. 15, he was picked up by the Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.18.2021 Winnipeg Jets after they lost Eric Comrie to the New Jersey Devils.

The Jets decided to slide Forsberg through waivers Tuesday, but Ottawa decided it might make sense to bring an insurance policy in with a four- day break in the schedule before they host the Calgary Flames next week. He became expendable in Winnipeg because the Jets reclaimed Comrie on waivers Feb. 18.

No, Forsberg won’t be available to suit up until he has completed a seven-day quarantine and has passed four tests for COVID-19, but it does allow general manager Pierre Dorion, goalie coach Pierre Groulx and the organization to make a decision on Filip Gustavsson when everybody is healthy.

The hope was Forsberg would arrive in Ottawa late Wednesday from Winnipeg so that he could begin his testing and quarantine.

“On account of recent injuries, Anton’s acquisition provides us with depth and stability at the goaltending position,” said Dorion. “He’s a goaltender who’s athletic and positionally sound. His addition should prove beneficial for us.”

Of course, the real concern has to be Murray’s health. He was brought in from the Pittsburgh Penguins to help stabilize the net and had struggled before he was injured.

Gustavsson, 22, dressed as the backup to Daccord for the second straight game while Kevin Mandolese was brought back from Belleville to be available in case of emergency. Daccord left the game early in the third with a left leg injury and, as a result, Gustavsson made his NHL debut against the Canucks.

There’s really no telling when Murray is going to be back from the injury he suffered before the club’s 4-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. He indicated to Daccord before that game that he would try to take warmup, left about five minutes into the session and hasn’t been seen since.

He wasn’t on the ice for the morning skate Wednesday and there’s no timetable for when he’ll be back.

“With four days off between games here, we’re looking to get (Murray) on the ice here shortly,” coach D.J. Smith said before facing the Canucks.

The expectation is when Hogberg, who has missed 14 games and hasn’t played since he left in the first period of the club’s 7-3 loss to the Leafs at on Feb. 18, is given the clearance by doctors to play he’ll likely get a conditioning start with Belleville. That would make a lot of sense with the club playing out of Ottawa this season.

Smith indicated Hogberg is making progress. He was on the ice before the club’s morning skate and there’s hope he’ll be able to begin skating with the team soon. 1185428 Ottawa Senators 52.16 210

157 What should the Senators do with Mike Reilly: Trade before deadline or re-sign? 57.22

38

By Ian Mendes Mar 17, 2021 50

43.18

The last three NHL trade deadlines have been nerve-wracking The above table illustrates Reilly’s ability to have a positive impact on the experiences for Ottawa Senators fans. game from a possession standpoint since joining the Senators midway through last season. Those high danger numbers, in particular, are In 2018, just weeks after the club announced they were pivoting to a interesting because they put Reilly in line with some other elite complete rebuild, the rumours around reached a fever pitch defencemen in the game. Over the past two seasons combined, here are at the trade deadline. When the deadline passed, Senators fans the five-on-five high danger CF% for these four blueliners: collectively exhaled in relief when their captain wasn’t traded. In hindsight, it turned out to just be a brief relief as Karlsson was moved to Cale Makar — 55.34% San Jose a few months later. Dougie Hamilton — 57.01% The following year, the Senators went right to the wire before trading Mark Stone to the Vegas Golden Knights, a lopsided transaction that is Shea Theodore — 57.19% still an open wound in this market. Jeff Petry — 57.22%

Last season, fan favourite Jean-Gabriel Pageau was shipped off to the That’s some impressive company. And yes, Reilly would have logged Islanders — the final big piece jettisoned from Ottawa’s roster during fewer games and minutes than those four players, but we’re talking about their rebuilding phase. a 60-game, 1,000-minute sample size for Reilly in Ottawa. That’s almost Those previous deadlines were stress-inducing for Senators fans, but a full season’s worth, so it’s not insignificant. they also served as significant tests for Pierre Dorion’s ability to operate The natural inclination would be to think Reilly is getting some favourable under duress. The general manager was under tremendous scrutiny to deployment this season to aid his solid underlying numbers. But so far in maximize the return on superstar assets and there was palpable tension 2021, Reilly is seeing the fewest number of offensive zone starts in his in this marketplace as those trades were executed. six-year NHL career.

While those previous trade deadlines had the equivalent pressure of a And based on percentages, he’s getting the fewest offensive zone starts university final exam on Dorion’s shoulders, this one in 2021 feels more of any defenceman in Ottawa this season: like a high school pop quiz. Sens 5-on-5 defence deployment There’s nothing franchise-altering about the trade deadline in 2021 for the Senators. There is no fan favourite on the trade block or an impact Mike Reilly player who could be moved before April 12. 30 Still, the trade deadline represents an opportunity for Dorion and the Senators to manage their assets ahead of the Seattle expansion draft. In 40 the weeks ahead, we’ll look at how the Senators could handle their 84 players and draft picks in advance of the trade deadline. 69 We’ll lead off with Mike Reilly, a defenceman who has suddenly forced his way into Ottawa’s top four on the blue line. 36.7

Between now and April 12, there are three paths the Senators can take Nikita Zaitsev with the 27-year-old defenceman. 32 1. The case for a contract extension 62 At the start of the season, it was easy to simply dismiss Reilly as a disposable asset. For many, he was viewed as a placeholder 132 defenceman on the left side until Christian Wolanin and Erik Brannstrom 98 were NHL-ready. And since he’s a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), the preseason line of thinking was that Reilly would be moved 38.75 along at the deadline to a team searching for a little mobility on their blue Thomas Chabot line. 29 But more than halfway through this season, it’s become clear that Reilly has gained the trust of coach D.J. Smith. His play has forced either 68 Brannstrom or Wolanin to be a healthy scratch on a consistent basis over the past six weeks. Reilly has taken himself from a bubble player to a 132 trusted part of Smith’s top four on the back end. The fact that we’re even 95 entertaining the notion of bringing Reilly back is a credit to how well he’s played this season. 41.72

Reilly has logged nearly 1,000 minutes at five-on-five for the Senators in Artem Zub his 60 games with the club and his underlying numbers (via Natural Stat Trick) are good: 23

Mike Reilly at 5-on-5 in Ottawa career 30

938:18 72

990 41

908 42.25 Braydon Coburn 11 101:34

18 45.0

36 357:07

19 50.48

48.65 On the flip side, Reilly has played more than 100 minutes this season without Zub as his partner (103:33) and during that time, he’s compiled a Erik Gudbranson 56.54 CF%.

32 I don’t want this to get too bogged down in numbers but simply put, Reilly 56 has had a good season for the Senators, regardless of his partner. And given that he’s turning 28 this summer, there is a legitimate case to be 84 made for giving him a contract extension. He’s under 30, has around 250 games of NHL experience and he clearly has the trust of the coach. 59 Before we close out the case for keeping Reilly, let’s use Dylan DeMelo 48.7 as a cautionary tale on how the Sens should proceed. Last season, the Josh Brown Senators traded DeMelo to Winnipeg for a third-round selection, a move that significantly weakened the right side of their defence. They 10 subsequently spent two assets — a fourth-round pick in 2020 and a fifth- round pick in 2021 — to acquire Josh Brown and Erik Gudbranson to fill 13 the void on the right side left by DeMelo. 26 The arrival of Zub certainly helped bolster the right side, but in hindsight, 11 it feels like the Senators would have been better off keeping DeMelo. In the big picture, they lost DeMelo, a fourth-round pick and a fifth-round 54.17 pick and acquired Brown, Gudbranson and a third-round pick.

Christian Wolanin If Ottawa trades Reilly before the deadline, only to turn around and go shopping for a veteran defenceman in the offseason, it could negate the 12 return they receive on the deadline trade. 19 The caveat in all of this, of course, is that the contract extension for Reilly 34 would have to be reasonable. It shouldn’t go beyond two years in term and a raise that would put his contract in the neighbourhood of $2 million- 15 $2.5 million AAV seems about right. He’s currently making $1.5 million, 55.88 so he’s likely due for a raise based on the season he’s having.

Erik Brannstrom Maybe the best possible outcome could be to ink Reilly to a one-year extension and then revisit his standing on the blue line before next year’s 14 trade deadline. He could be the perfect bridge on the left side until the younger defencemen are ready to play big minutes at the NHL level. 26 2. The case for a trade right now 34 Let’s fast forward to the start of the 2022-23 NHL regular season, which 16 is only 18 months away.

61.9 Picture what Ottawa’s starting lineup should be on opening night and you There is also a train of thought that suggests Reilly is simply riding the can envision a left side of the defence that features Thomas Chabot, coattails of Artem Zub, who has suddenly become a fan favourite in Jake Sanderson and Erik Brannstrom. All three are highly touted by the Ottawa. Zub’s insertion into the lineup coincided with some better organization and in a dream scenario, this is exactly what the opening defensive play from the Senators. Ottawa has been closer to a .500 team night lineup will look like in October 2022. with Zub in the lineup (9-13-1 record) than they were without him (1-7-1 So where does that leave Reilly? record). Either he’s the seventh defenceman in Ottawa or he’s playing for another And while Zub deserves a ton of credit for help stabilizing the back end, organization. If the Senators somehow convince Sanderson to leave it’s a little disingenuous to suggest he’s carrying the defence pairing with college this summer, that timeline could be fast-tracked to as early as Reilly by himself. A look at Reilly’s three most common partners this October 2021. season shows Zub and Nikita Zaitsev have better underlying numbers when they’re paired with Reilly than with someone else: As mentioned above, Reilly is having a standout season and this could be the perfect time to maximize the return. Acquiring Reilly from Montreal Nikita Zaitsev for a fifth-round pick and minor leaguer Andrew Sturtz in January 2020 69:45 was one of Dorion’s better under-the-radar moves in his Ottawa tenure.

61.87 An educated guess suggests Dorion could get a return that’s better than a fifth-round pick for Reilly at the deadline, especially since he’s a 484:52 pending UFA with a very low cap hit of $1.5 million. Reilly could be a sought-after commodity and if Dorion can get something comparable to a 46.63 third-round pick, he would be wise to strongly consider that option. It Artem Zub would be a great example of asset management in taking a fifth-round pick and improving it over the course of 15 months. 231:04 The prospect cupboard is looking a little bare at the AHL level now, so 51.4 this could be an excellent time to try to flip Reilly out for a draft pick or maybe even a young prospect who could slide into Belleville next 94:12 season. 49.45 The benefit Dorion has this summer — as opposed to last year when he Erik Gudbranson parted ways with DeMelo — is that the Seattle expansion draft is looming. The Senators could be in an advantageous spot to make a deal with a club that has protection issues ahead of the expansion draft. St. Louis, Colorado, Minnesota and Carolina are often mentioned as teams that might have to expose NHL-calibre defencemen in the draft, so Ottawa might be wise to take a predatory approach with one of these clubs.

They could potentially land an upgrade on Reilly using this method and it’s certainly an avenue they should be aggressively pursuing. Teams need to submit their protected lists for the Seattle expansion draft on July 17, so the Senators would still have more than three months to potentially engineer a trade along these lines if they move Reilly at the deadline.

In addition to the expansion draft, the Senators can potentially use the flat cap landscape to their advantage. Last summer, Colorado GM Joe Sakic landed Devon Toews because the Islanders were in cap trouble and had to trade the 26-year-old left-shot defenceman in the prime of his career. With the flat cap and financial struggles around the league, there could be more teams in a similar spot this season — forced to give up key assets because they cannot afford them. Whether or not that is a palatable situation for the owner in Ottawa remains to be seen, but it could present another alternative for landing a left-shot defenceman who could play 20 minutes a game next season. If Ottawa is willing to spend the money, they should be able to upgrade their blue line this summer with a savvy move or two while trading Reilly before the deadline.

If the club believes that Brannstrom is ready to take that step into becoming a legitimate second-pairing defenceman next season, it would likely mean a lesser role for Reilly if he’s still around in the 2021-22 season.

If that’s the case, the time to maximize his value would be right now when Reilly is playing top-four minutes in Ottawa and having a solid campaign.

3. The case for standing pat

This is probably the least likely option to transpire, but it’s one that also needs to be discussed as a potential path for Dorion.

What if we get close to the April 12 deadline and the offers coming in for Reilly are underwhelming? The Senators shouldn’t just give him away for the sake of it. The club could always use the lukewarm trade market for Reilly as an indication to his camp for what they might expect if they decide to test the free-agent waters in the summer.

If the trade offers aren’t fantastic, there’s simply no need to rush into any decision with Reilly.

Perhaps the front office will still need the final 16 regular-season games after the trade deadline to get a firm handle on what they think of the left side of their blue line.

Those games could be a huge audition for Wolanin and Brannstrom to assert themselves into the starting lineup for next season. If those players don’t meet the expectations, the club may want to circle back to Reilly and offer him a short-term deal before the free agency period opens July 28.

It’s hard to imagine a terrible situation unfolding with Reilly in the weeks ahead. The only miscalculation would be if he somehow parlayed this season into a contract lasting more than two seasons in Ottawa.

But given the crop of defencemen on the way, it’s virtually impossible to see that scenario playing itself out.

For once Ottawa fans should be able to enjoy a trade deadline without any of the headache and stress they’ve experienced in previous years.

And if Dorion can do something positive with Reilly, it might actually make trade deadline day enjoyable again for Senators fans.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185429 Philadelphia Flyers The Flyers performed like the 1974-75 Capitals. The Caps went 8-67-5 that season.

While the Rangers were without their coaches, they did get Adam Fox Flyers trounced by NY Rangers, 9-0, as Mika Zibanejad ties NHL record and Pavel Buchnevich (two goals, two assists) back from the COVID-19 with 6 points in ONE period protocol list. Both missed Monday’s 5-4 Flyers overtime win.

The first period was evenly played, but the Rangers built a 2-0 lead as they capitalized on Flyers mistakes and their goalie, Georgiev, made a Sam Carchidi handful of key saves.

Brendan Lemieux got behind Connor Bunnaman and took a goal-mouth feed from Fox and tapped the puck past Elliott with 12:55 left in the first. The defense had more breakdowns Wednesday night than rush hour on Fox threaded a perfect pass to Lemieux, a fourth-liner who scored for the the Schuylkill. first time in 19 games. Goalie Brian Elliott, who could have sued for nonsupport, allowed five Artemi Panarin, who has six points in the three games he has played goals and was pulled for the second straight game as the Flyers were since leaving the team for personal reasons, finished off a two-on-one embarrassed on national TV. with a one-timer from the left circle, giving the Blueshirts a 2-0 lead with The New York Rangers, feeding off repeated odd-man rushes, erupted 5:13 to go in the first. lost a board battle in the defensive for seven second-period goals and thrashed the Flyers, 9-0, at Madison end to put the sequence in motion. Square Garden. The Flyers continued to get outworked early in the second period and it The Flyers set a dubious franchise record by allowing seven goals in a led to two goals by Buchnevich in a two-minute span, giving the Rangers period. a 4-0 lead. They scored the four goals on 12 shots.

Mika Zibanejad had three goals and three assists in the second period as In other words, you can understand why the Flyers began the night 25th the Blueshirts ended the Flyers’ string of five straight wins at the Garden. out of 31 NHL teams in goals allowed per game (3.27). Zibanejad tied an NHL record with six points in a period, matching the “The effort has got to be better,” Giroux said. “It’s not one or two guys. It’s Islanders’ Bryan Trottier in a 9-4 win over the visiting Rangers on Dec. everybody has to be better. ... It’s unacceptable. There needs to be an 23, 1978. answer [Thursday].” “Embarrassing to be playing on the ice with the way we played,” captain The Flyers will try to rebound Thursday against the Islanders, who will be Claude Giroux said after the most decisive shutout road loss in franchise hungry after losing two games to Philly earlier this season. history. “We didn’t help our goalies at all. Not much more to say. We know we have to wake up. The good thing is we have a game Godspeed, Mr. Hart. [Thursday].” Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 03.18.2021 New York Rangers' Mika Zibanejad (93) celebrates his third goal with teammates during the second period of a 9-0 win over the Flyers. He equaled an NHL record with a six-point period. Read moreBRUCE BENNETT

On St. Patrick’s Day, the Flyers should have felt green with envy over how the Rangers were the hungrier, more assertive team.

“We couldn’t defend and couldn’t make a play,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “... Nothing about this game was any good. We’re going to throw it out and get ready for the next one.”

The Rangers outworked the Flyers, won more board battles, and took advantage of several defensive miscues as they built a 9-0 lead in the first two periods, scoring the five on Elliott on 13 shots, and four on reliever Carter Hart on 10 shots.

Defenseman Phil Myers and Travis Sanheim were each minus-6.

“I’ve got to be a lot better. I was on the ice for a lot of goals against,” Sanheim said. “Obviously, I’m not doing my job. I have to take ownership of that and go from there.”

While the Flyers were on a power play, defenseman Ivan Provorov lost the puck inside the offensive blue line, leading to Zibanejad’s shorthanded breakaway goal on the first shot Hart faced. That made it 6- 0 with 11:33 left in the second, at which point the Flyers looked disinterested.

Fact is, they looked disinterested for most of the first two periods.

Earlier, Alexandar Georgiev, who was pulled from his previous two starts, robbed Nolan Patrick from point-blank range while the Flyers were on a power play. A short time later, defenseman Jacob Trouba scored from the right circle -- his first goal in 45 games -- to make it 5-0.

That was followed by three straight goals from Zibanejad.

New York’s entire coaching staff missed the game because of the COVID-19 protocol. Their replacements included Kris Knoblauch (acting head coach) and Gord Murphy, two former Flyers assistants who usually coach for Hartford’s AHL team.

“I’m sure it’ll be different not having their coaches,” Flyers center said before the game, “but ultimately, it’s how you perform on the ice.” 1185430 Philadelphia Flyers The entire Rangers coaching staff was unavailable for Wednesday’s game because of the COVID-19 protocol, but two of their top players -- winger Pavel Buchnevich and defenseman Adam Fox -- came off the COVID list. Kris Knoblauch, the coach of the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in After grueling recovery, Flyers’ Oskar Lindblom ‘needs a reset’ and is Hartford and a former Flyers assistant, served as the Rangers’ head among several lineup changes coach Wednesday. Gord Murphy, another ex-Flyers assistant, was one of his assistants. ... James van Riemsdyk began the night leading the

team with 13 goals and 29 points in 26 games. His 1.12 point-per-game Sam Carchidi average is a career-best pace. ... Joel Farabee’s 11 even-strength goals were tied for third in the NHL heading into Wednesday. ... The Phantoms’ home game Wednesday with Binghamton was postponed because of the AHL’S COVID-19 protocol. No makeup date was set yet. With his team starting a five-games-in-seven-days stretch, Flyers coach Alain Vigneault made several lineup changes Wednesday against the Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 03.18.2021 New York Rangers.

They didn’t work. The Flyers were spanked, 9-0, their worst shutout road loss in franchise history.

Some of the lineup changes were made to get a player like Oskar Lindblom a much-needed rest. Some were made because Vigneault didn’t like the recent play of right winger Nic Aube-Kubel and defensemen and Nate Prosser. The latter two players were each minus-3 in the Flyers’ 5-4 overtime win Monday against the Rangers.

Center Connor Bunnaman, left winger Andy Andreoff, and defensemen Robert Hagg and Erik Gustafsson entered the lineup.

Flyers left wing Oskar Lindblom skates past Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron on Friday, February 5, 2021 in Philadelphia.

In other moves, Nolan Patrick went from third-line center to fourth-line right winger, and Michael Raffl moved from fourth-line center to third-line left winger. Claude Giroux shifted from left wing to center on the third unit.

Lindblom, 24, has two goals and seven points in 23 games and has struggled to regain his form after missing most of last season as he battled a rare bone cancer. He scored a goal in each of his first two games this season, and is goal-less in his last 21 games.

The Sweden native was tied for the Flyers’ lead in goals last season -- 11 tallies in 30 games -- when he was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma.

He has also gone through what Vigneault has called a “mild” battle with COVID-19 this year.

“I had a good conversation with Oskar this morning, and I believe he needs a reset,” Vigneault said before Wednesday’s game. “I love the young man, but right now his game and his energy level is not where it needs to be. So we’re going to do a small little reset here with him. It’s obviously challenging for him right now; it’s challenging for Patty.”

He was referring to Patrick, who missed all of last season because of a migraine disorder.

“Usually, a player that misses training camp, for whatever reason, a lot of those guys have a tough time coming back in and finding their game. It takes them a while,” Vigneault said. “Let’s just imagine with guys like Oskar and Patty and how difficult it must be for them, and in Patty’s case, missing more than a year. And in Oskar’s case, going what he went through and missing almost a full year.

“We definitely believe in Oskar. We definitely believe in Patty,” Vigneault said. “Sometimes, you have to reset, physically and mentally, and that’s what we’re doing at this time with Oskar.”

The Flyers haven’t used the same 18 skaters in consecutive contests since Games 1 and 2 of the season.

Goalie Brian Elliott started Wednesday before being yanked in the second period. Carter Hart is expected to get the call Thursday against the host Islanders.

The Flyers are in a stretch in which they play eight straight games against the three New York-area teams: four against the Rangers, three against the Islanders, and one against the Devils. They entered Wednesday with a 6-0-1 record against those teams this season.

Entering Wednesday, had six goals and 18 points in his last 14 games since returning Feb. 7 from a rib injury. He had at least a point in 13 of those 14 games, including the last five contests. 1185431 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers face the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, and that’s good news for Philadelphia

Sam Carchidi

The Flyers apparently like the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.

They will aim for their sixth straight win at the World’s Most Famous Arena on Wednesday when they face the New York Rangers in a nationally televised 7:30 p.m. matchup.

Overall, the Flyers, who scored a 5-4 overtime win Monday over the host Rangers, are 11-2-1 against the Blueshirts over the past three-plus seasons, including a 2-0-1 mark this season. (The loss was a 3-2 shootout at the Wells Fargo Center.).

Here are their five straight wins in Midtown Manhattan: 5-4 (overtime); 5- 3; 3-2 (shootout); 1-0; and 7-4.

They haven’t lost at the Garden since a 5-1 defeat on Jan. 16, 2018. In that game, the Flyers took a 1-0 lead on a goal scored by Jordan Weal (remember him?). Radko Gudas and Wayne Simmonds had assists.

New York then scored five straight goals — two by Rick Nash — against Brian Elliott, who was relieved by Michal Neuvirth over the final 20 minutes.

Elliott will start Wednesday, and Carter Hart will get the call Thursday against the Isles.

Hart played better than his deceiving stat line in Monday’s win.

Last year, the Flyers were 3-0 against the Rangers, only the second time in franchise history they had a perfect points percentage in a season against New York, joining the 1984-85 team that went 7-0 in the season series.

Wednesday is Game 2 of a stretch in which the Flyers play eight straight games against the three New York metro teams — four against the Rangers, three against the Islanders and one against the Devils.

The Flyers (14-9-3) are 6-0-1 against those teams this season.

Claude Giroux needs two goals to pass Simon Gagne for ninth on the Flyers’ all-time list, and two power-play tallies to pass Eric Lindros for eighth in franchise history.

Goalie Alexander Georgiev will get the call Wednesday for the Rangers. He has been pulled in each of his last two starts, a 5-1 loss to the Penguins, and a 4-0 defeat to the Bruins.

Overall, Georgiev is 4-2-2 with a 3.33 GAA and .887 save percentage. He is 1-0 against the Flyers this season with a 1.85 GAA and .909 save percentage. His career numbers against the Flyers: 2-3 with 2.39 GAA, and .918 save percentage.

Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers’ No. 1 goalie, has been sidelined by a groin strain.

The Flyers are 15th in the 31-team NHL in even-strength play, outscoring opponents, 68-64. The top three teams in that category are Vegas, Minnesota and Tampa Bay. … Flyers center Kevin Hayes has six points in six career games against his former team. … Artemi Panarin, who had three points Monday, has 24 points (7-17) in 17 career games against the Flyers. … The Flyers’ record vs. the Rangers in franchise history: 133-123-37-10.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185432 Philadelphia Flyers Hart shows improvement Hart really couldn’t be blamed for much of the Rangers’ three-goal

onslaught in the second period. What we learned from Monday’s Flyers 5-4 OT win over New York Panarin scored on a missile from the left circle, Colin Blackwell Rangers connected off a two-on-one pass from Panarin and Julien Gauthier blew past Shayne Gostisbehere in a span of 7:04.

Wayne Fish But Hart didn’t crumble and allowed only one more goal the rest of the way.

“(I) definitely feel better," Hart said. “There are still a lot of areas I’m Even when the Flyers lost their grip on a 2-0 lead Monday night, they working at. But it’s nice to get back in the win column. That’s a huge win. didn’t lose faith in their system. It’s a step in the right direction."

After falling behind the New York Rangers, 3-2, and later, 4-3, the Flyers Added Voracek: “It’s always a good thing when your goalie has a great stuck to their belief that they were, as several personnel pointed out on game and Carter had a great game. He keeps working, he’s going to turn Sunday, “trending in the right direction." it around. He’s too good a goalie not to get any bounces, any luck. We knew he was going to come around and he made a great save at the Staying with the game plan paid off as they scored a tying goal on a beginning of the third on (Chris) Kreider." power play by Claude Giroux early in the third period and then got the game-winner in OT from Jake Voracek for a 5-4 victory at Madison Can this win give the Flyers confidence? Square Garden. “We need to win," Vigneault said. “But we have to find a way to play 60 The triumph broke a two-game Flyers’ losing streak and moved them to minutes." within one point of Boston, which lost to Pittsburgh in regulation time, for the final playoff spot in the East Division. In addition to Giroux and Voracek, Vigneault had to be pleased with the play with what is considered the team’s top line. Farabee’s goal was his Voracek’s timely play typified the Flyers’ character effort. 12th of the season (11 equal strength, which stand among the league leaders). Sean Couturier assisted on the Flyers’ first two goals, and The veteran, gassed from being on the ice for nearly two minutes, James van Riemsdyk kicked off the scoring with his team-leading 13th jumped the route when Ranger goaltender Keith Kinkaid attempted a goal. long clear to forward Artemi Panarin. By the numbers Voracek rushed in, deked Kinkaid halfway to 33rd Street and pushed the puck into the net, giving the Flyers their fifth straight win at MSG dating Couturier has 19 points in 14 games since returning from injury on Feb. back through 2019. 7. During that span, he has posted 1.31 points per game, which is ranked fifth in the NHL over that period. ... Kevin Hayes thought he scored a go- How important was it to get this win and validate their contention that ahead goal with 3:05 to play in regulation time but the goal was they had been heading “the right way" despite having lost five of their last overturned on an offside call. ... Over his last 12 games, Giroux is seven games? winning face-offs at a rather startling 67.2 percent. ... The Flyers kept “A hundred percent," said Joel Farabee, who scored a critical power-play their streak alive of not losing three straight games in regulation time goal to make it 3-3 late in the second period and also shook off a dating back through 2019. blistering shot off his foot late in the first. “We had dropped a few to Burlington County Times LOADED: 03.18.2021 Washington. It was not where we wanted to be but like we stuck with it.

“Jake and ‘G’ really stepped up for us and they were a big part of why we won."

The Flyers are scheduled to get a well deserved day off on Tuesday as they prepare for another game at the Rangers on Wednesday night. At least they head into that tilt with some confidence.

Voracek’s goal caused an explosion on the Flyers’ bench, as much relief as joy. The Flyers needed this one.

“I was dead," Voracek admitted. “Panarin was tired, too. I got a bounce there, I knew I had some time. It (the goal) was a pretty good feeling."

Coach Alain Vigneault sounded satisfied with his team’s performance.

“Our team played an excellent first period," he said. “I don’t know what happened in the second. In the third, the power play was huge for us and the penalty kill came up big, got the job done."

Why teammates stuck up for Giroux

Giroux took a questionable knee-to-knee hit from Brandon Smith late in the second period. Nolan Patrick quickly skated over to confront Smith and when things got physical, Voracek jumped in.

That was a good “team" moment. By that, we mean players having each other’s backs.

Giroux appreciated the support.

“I got hit, Nolan got in there and then Jake," Giroux said. “You know, we have each other’s back."

Giroux shook off the hit and came back to stand out in the third.

“You don’t want to see a captain get hit like that," goaltender Carter Hart said. “That’s how we are as a team, everybody has each other’s back. When someone gets hit like that, the boys are going to step in. That was great to see." 1185433 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers hit rock bottom with 9-0 drubbing by Rangers

By Rob Parent

The Flyers have been less than mediocre on the ice for the past few weeks. Their play has looked decidedly less than so-so since a four- game COVID layoff in February, though according to head coach Alain Vigneault it was recently "trending in the right direction" ... even if the results honestly indicated otherwise.

Regardless of your critical point of view, no one, certainly not the easily impressed Vigneault, could have imagined the implosion that occurred Wednesday night in Madison Square Garden.

Mika Zibanejad clocked a hat trick and added a trio of assists — a six- point second period for him — to lead the Rangers to a stunning, 9-0 victory over a Flyers team in complete chaos.

Had they called the game after the first two periods, which any and every player would have voted for if given the chance, the final score would have been the same.

"We couldn't defend and couldn't make a play," subdued Zoom subject Vigneault said afterward. "We, uh, got truly embarrassed. So we'll go to Long Island and try to get ready for tomorrow."

Yes, as if this hadn't been bad enough, the Flyers get to play the New York Islanders, better known as the team that ended their playoff ride last summer, tomorrow night and Saturday.

That should be a fun visit.

"The whole part of our game was bad tonight," Vigneault said. "We'll have to move on."

Hockey players are trained to have short memories. But what happened Wednesday was closer to devastating trauma than disappointing loss.

"It was embarrassing to be playing on that ice tonight the way we played," Claude Giroux said. "We didn't help our goalies at all and there's not a lot of words to say. We know we have to wake up ... we have a game tomorrow."

Oh, and speaking of trending, the Flyers are 6-7-1 in their last 14 and sinking fast.

"We lost a lot of battles the way we played," Giroux added. "We didn't play the way we wanted to. I don't know what to tell you. The effort has to be better. Not one or two guys, everybody has to be better. That's all I have to say."

Maybe the Rangers had something to do with it, too. After all, they were playing freestyle, as in, without their coaches. Head coach David Quinn and his entire assistant coaching staff were kept out of the game due to COVID protocols. Replacements were minor leaguers Chris Knoblauch, the Hartford Wolf Pack's head coach, and assistant Gord Murphy, along with assistant general manager Chris Drury.

Knoblauch and Murphy used to be Flyers assistants. Drury was a standout player. Maybe they're magicians, too.

Not so magical were Flyers goalies Brian Elliott, and his replacement Carter Hart, both of whom were riddled by the Rangers, mostly because the Flyers exhibited no interest in playing defense.

Pavel Buchnevich had two goals and two assists, again all in the second, for the Rangers. Brendan Lemieux, Artemi Panarin, Jacob Trouba and Filip Chytil also scored. It was the Rangers' most decisive victory since beating New Jersey 9-0 on March 31, 1986.

Delaware County Times LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185434 Philadelphia Flyers Suffice it to say the decisions didn't help the growing goal-prevention problem the 2020-21 Flyers are staring down 27 games into the season.

The Flyers collectively were a mess Wednesday night. From the forwards Defensive help? After 9-0 loss, who knows if Flyers will be buyers of any to the defensemen to the goalies. kind The team's young defensive pair, which has a ton of promise, had a night to forget. Philippe Myers and Travis Sanheim were both a minus-6. By no means was it just those two players. by Jordan Hall The Flyers embarrassed themselves as a team.

"It was embarrassing to be playing on that ice tonight," Claude Giroux Nobody would blame if he threw his phone into the said. "The way we played, we didn't help our goalies at all. ... We know Hudson River on Wednesday night and laughed at the thought of looking we've got to wake up. for defensive help. "Everybody knows that's not acceptable. There needs to be an answer Does this team deserve to be a buyer of any kind at the April 12 trade tomorrow." deadline? • Brian Elliott yielded five goals on 13 shots before being pulled in the It feels like a fair question after the Flyers lost embarrassingly, 9-0, to the middle stanza. Rangers at Madison Square Garden, where the 1,723 fans started to chant "we want 10" late in the third period. Carter Hart came in and permitted four goals on 16 shots.

All nine of New York's goals were scored before the final stanza. The The Flyers play Thursday and neither goalie will be fresh. nine goals are the most surrendered in an NHL game this season. The New York goalie Alexandar Georgiev made 26 saves for the easy last time the Flyers allowed nine or more goals in a game was Oct. 27, shutout. 2011 — a 9-8 loss to the Jets. • The Flyers play the second game of a back-to-back situation when they Hard to believe. visit the Islanders on Thursday (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP). They then face the "We got truly embarrassed," Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault said. Islanders again on Saturday (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

The Flyers (14-10-3) have been exposed so far in March. They're 3-6-0 New York announced on Monday that its captain Anders Lee will in the month and have allowed 42 goals (4.67 per game). Over their first undergo season-ending ACL surgery. 18 games prior to this month, the Flyers went 11-4-3 and allowed 52 The Flyers should look like gangbusters from puck drop. goals (2.89 per game). Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.18.2021 After they missed Monday night's game because of the NHL's COVID protocols, Pavel Buchnevich and Adam Fox returned to the lineup for the Rangers (12-12-4), who had 12 different players record a point.

New York was missing head coach David Quinn and its entire coaching staff because of the league's COVID protocols. Former Flyers assistant coach Kris Knoblauch filled in for Quinn. Knoblauch is the head coach of the Rangers' AHL affiliate Hartford. Gord Murphy, Hartford's associate head coach and an ex-Flyers assistant, as well, was also behind New York's bench.

They enjoyed a cakewalk.

• The question is no longer do the Flyers need defensive help.

They clearly do.

The question now is how much help and will it ultimately be worth the sacrifice to get it?

Starting Thursday, the Flyers have some serious proving to do to management over the final eight games of March.

This will go down as one loss but it could mean a whole lot more in the grand scheme of things.

• Mika Zibanejad had a hat trick and six-point night. Buchnevich had two goals and two assists.

"There's not much to say," Vigneault said about the message at second intermission with a 9-0 deficit. "It's a question of pride and good leadership and move on from there."

The Flyers have given up four hat tricks this season in 27 games. They gave up one all of last season in 69 games.

The Flyers allowed a combined six goals to the Rangers all last season through three matchups.

Matt Niskanen is no longer here and he was essentially replaced by committee, including the addition of Erik Gustafsson, but it's still difficult to comprehend why the club has taken such a sizable step back from a goal-prevention perspective.

• Vigneault decided to sit Shayne Gostisbehere and Nate Prosser after the club was once again leaky defensively in Monday night's 5-4 OT win, particularly in the second period. 1185435 Philadelphia Flyers • On the back end, Shayne Gostisbehere and Nate Prosser will come out of the lineup for Robert Hagg and Erik Gustafsson, both of whom sat the previous two games.

Flyers make multiple lineup changes up front and on back end Gostisbehere and Prosser had rough games defensively on Monday night. Prosser's stay in the lineup was likely to be short, but the decision to sit Gostisbehere is interesting. Among all NHL defensemen since Feb. 24, Gostisbehere ranks first in shots with 38 and is tied for first in goals by Jordan Hall with five.

"There were a couple of other occasions where Shayne had tough nights When the Flyers (14-9-3) play the Rangers (11-12-4) on Wednesday defensively that we still gave him the opportunity to come back the next night, they'll aim for their first consecutive wins since the end of February. game and play, but it's been a trend here defensively," Vigneault said. "He can be better than he has and we have some options. Let's get into the essentials for the game: "Gus and Ghost sort of play the same type of game — puck-moving, When: 7:30 p.m. ET defending is something that they have to stay on top of and both guys can play the power play." Where: Madison Square Garden • Since the start of last season, the Flyers are 5-0-1 against the Rangers, Broadcast: NBC Sports Network outscoring them 26-15. Live stream: NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com and the NBC Sports Tonight is a good opportunity for the Flyers as the rest of the East MyTeams app Division is idle (aside from the Rangers, of course). • The Flyers on Wednesday afternoon recalled Andy Andreoff and The Flyers are three points back of the Bruins and six points back of the Connor Bunnaman from the taxi squad. Both will enter the lineup in place Penguins. Boston has played one more game than the Flyers, while of fourth-liners Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Oskar Lindblom. Pittsburgh has played three more. Aube-Kubel and Lindblom did not see much of the ice in Monday's 5-4 • Pavel Buchnevich and Adam Fox are off the NHL's COVID protocol list OT win over the Rangers. Aube-Kubel played only 5:16 minutes and and will play against the Flyers. Lindblom only 7:53. Aube-Kubel played 25 seconds in the third period, while Lindblom did not have a shift in the final stanza. Rangers coaching staff, including head coach David Quinn, out tonight vs. Flyers because of COVID-19 protocol. AHL Hartford coach (and Lindblom is working his way back to form after being diagnosed with former Flyers assistant) Kris Knoblauch will coach, with Hartford Ewing's sarcoma in December 2019 and missing the remainder of the assistant Gord Murphy and Rangers assistant GM Chris Drury also on 2019-20 regular season. He completed his radiation treatments in July the bench and returned to the Flyers' lineup in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs for Games 6 and 7 of the second round. — Adam Kimelman (@NHLAdamK) March 17, 2021

"I had a good conversation with Oskar this morning and I believe that he Projected lineup needs a reset," Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault said Wednesday before the game. "I love the young man, but right now, his game and his Forwards energy level, what it seems to be, is not where it needs to be. So we're James van Riemsdyk-Sean Couturier-Joel Farabee going to do a small, little reset here with him." Scott Laughton-Kevin Hayes-Travis Konecny Vigneault didn't rule out the possibility of Lindblom or Aube-Kubel reentering the lineup Thursday. Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Jakub Voracek

Aube-Kubel has shown some inconsistency in his game after winning a Andy Andreoff-Connor Bunnaman-Nolan Patrick full-time job last season, starting with his call-up in December 2019. Defensemen "It's inconsistency and it's something that we're bringing up with Ku," Vigneault said. "Consistency with the puck, consistency sometimes with Ivan Provorov-Justin Braun some reads. But also finding his way — way too often — in the penalty Travis Sanheim-Philippe Myers box on plays that he shouldn't. Robert Hagg-Erik Gustafsson "We see a big, strong-skating, right-hand, powerful winger there that's got to find a way to put it together. That's what we're trying to do and Goalies that's what he's trying to do; he's got real good intentions, but for tonight, we feel this is the way to go." Brian Elliott

Both Aube-Kubel and Lindblom are 24 years old. Carter Hart

"For Ku, he's got ups and downs," Flyers assistant coach Ian Laperriere Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.18.2021 said Tuesday as the team had the taxi squad players and extras skate. "He's playing great games and other games he seems to lose his focus. That's something that we work on, I work with him pretty much every day, try to keep him focused. It's part of being a young guy, too. Ku's a young NHL player, he's got ups and downs like every young guy out there, he's learning from it every day.

"For Oskar, you talk to Oskar, he knows that he wants to do more, he wants to do more to help the team. Personally, I'll give him a longer break for what he's been through last year. Knowing what he's been through, he couldn't train, he lost muscle mass and even the training he did during the break, it's not enough [time] for what we went through.

"The good thing with both of those guys — they know. They're not in denial, they know that they need to be better, they know they want to be better and that's half of the battle for me. When guys are pushing back and think they're playing well and they're not playing well, it's a big problem. But those two guys know exactly where they stand. They put the work in every day and they'll do that today to get themselves better and back on track." 1185436 Philadelphia Flyers It's looking more and more like the Flyers need help on the back end after losing Matt Niskanen to retirement in the offseason. Perhaps a more realistic acquisition could be Jamie Oleksiak.

Prospect's 'NHL-quality release,' D-man trade option, more in 3 Flyers The Stars have a lot of games in hand but are 9-9-7 in a top-heavy thoughts Central Division. Oleksiak is a 28-year-old on the final year of his contract with a reasonable rental cap hit of $2,137,500, per CapFriendly.com. He has goal-prevention ingredients with a 6-foot-7 frame, disruptive reach and physicality. He covers ground because of his length and quality by Jordan Hall skating stride for a player his size. He also brings toughness and likes to drop the gloves when needed.

The Flyers' important New York road trip continues Wednesday night at In Dallas' run to the Stanley Cup Final last season, Oleksiak had nine Madison Square Garden. points (five goals, four assists), 40 shots, 65 blocked shots, 117 hits and a plus-11 rating over 27 games. Acquiring Oleksiak might cost the Flyers At 14-9-3, the Flyers remain a work in progress. The club is 3-5-0 a mid-round draft pick. through a 17-game March slate and has allowed three or more goals in all eight of those games. Fletcher and Stars general manager linked up for a trade in June 2019 when the Flyers acquired Tyler Pitlick. Maybe they'll do business As the team searches for consistency and its identity, let's get into our again. latest three Flyers thoughts. 3. There goes that Cam 1. 'NHL-quality release' Flyers prospect Cam York may have played his last game at Michigan. Wade Allison must've been pretty jacked up for his debut with AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley. Not only was it his first game at the pro level, but it The Wolverines could earn an at-large bid Sunday when the 16-team was also his first game period since March 7, 2020 — his senior night at NCAA Tournament is revealed. If Michigan doesn't hear its name called, Western Michigan — as the coronavirus pandemic ended any shot at a the sophomore York could be set to sign his entry-level contract and turn playoff run. pro.

Allison also missed the chance to play in the Flyers' January intrasquad "I think if you asked him, he would want to turn pro tomorrow," Flahr said game at the end of training camp. Allison's camp was cut short two days after the Flyers drafted York. "He's going to a good program at Michigan, before the game because of an ankle injury. Allison started camp but was we'll take it year by year. I don't see him as a four-year guy, let's put it nagged by the injury and underwent surgery in late-January. that way."

The 23-year-old winger did not waste time showing his strengths in his The 2019 first-round pick accomplished quite a bit this season. As the first taste of the pro ranks. He scored a goal in the Phantoms' 4-1 win U.S. captain, York won a gold medal at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Sunday over Hershey. The marker came off his impressive shot. Allison Championship. He then won Big Ten Defenseman of the Year on plays a power-forward style and can score around the net. He also has Tuesday. that shot, which makes him a well-rounded winger with intriguing bottom- Many believed York would be a quick riser. He appears ready for the six potential. next step: Allentown. Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr was in Hershey at the Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.18.2021 Giant Center for the Phantoms' game Sunday.

"He was excited to get going and I thought he played well," Flahr said Monday to NBC Sports Philadelphia. "He scored a goal displaying his NHL-quality release and played a sound game overall. His role, ice time and production will all increase as he gets his legs under him, gets adjusted and finds a general comfort level out there. Overall, it was a positive first step and I know he was excited to get into game action."

Allison has dealt with his share of injuries since being selected by the Flyers in the second round of the 2016 draft. He had to recover from a torn ACL in which he suffered during his sophomore season when he put up 15 goals and 15 assists in 22 games before the injury. When he's healthy and himself on the ice, you notice him.

Prior to training camp, the Flyers believed Allison had a chance to crack their roster at some point this season. He got a later start but now his pro career is underway and he's vying for a shot with the Flyers.

2. Big trade target?

In his latest 31 Thoughts piece Tuesday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the Predators are asking suitors to pay a high price for Mattias Ekholm and he's "not convinced Philadelphia is going to do it — not certain they feel this is the year to pay the cost."

Ekholm is a top-pair type of defenseman with the ability to play big minutes. He's considered one of the prized attractions ahead of the April 12 trade deadline. As Friedman noted, Ekholm won't come cheap. If the Flyers shell out the package to land him, they'd then risk losing him in the July expansion draft (protecting him would come at the expense of a young player) as Ekholm has one more year on his contract.

Chuck Fletcher can still be proactive at the deadline without reeling in the big fish. There's no way the Flyers' general manager won't seek and find ways to improve his club, especially if it's in contention. Last season, he made improvements at the margins to a team that earned the right to have additions without major sacrifices. 1185437 Philadelphia Flyers There’s an argument to be made that if the Flyers return to the ice on Thursday and wallop the New York Islanders, this game can easily be put in the rearview mirror. And perhaps it could. The Flyers wouldn’t be the first team to rebound from a demoralizing defeat; the 2018 Can the Flyers fix this? Season is on the brink after getting ‘totally Washington Capitals, for example, lost 7-1 to an awful Chicago embarrassed’ by the Rangers Blackhawks team in the midst of an eight-game losing skid and still managed to win the Stanley Cup a few months later. But trusting the

players to rise to the challenge was already tried once by Vigneault this By Charlie O'Connor Mar 17, 2021 week, when he pumped their tires in the media and banked on them making him look like a genius. Instead, they made him look the fool.

“There’s not much to say. It’s a question of pride and good leadership,” It’s a proclamation that has the potential to stand as one of the biggest Vigneault stated in his most pointed message of the evening. misreads of a team’s play in recent Philadelphia sports history. Vigneault is far from blameless here. In the end, it’s his job as head On Saturday night, in the wake of yet another frustrating loss, coach to get the most out of his players and to ensure that 9-0 losses Philadelphia Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault sat at his table, faced the don’t happen. His move to swap four new players into his lineup (and camera and told the media and the fans that he believed his team — 2-5- switch goaltenders) after a victory was the kind of unorthodox decision 0 in March — was actually “trending in the right direction.” A day later, he that makes a coach ripe for criticism when the end result is an utter even doubled down on the sentiment. disaster of a game. After a season in which seemingly every button he pressed was the right one, this year he and his coaching staff just can’t After a historically embarrassing 9-0 defeat to the New York Rangers on seem to lead their team to play consistently sound, winning hockey. Wednesday night, he almost certainly wishes he hadn’t. But the bulk of this group has looked this bad in pre-Vigneault times, as “No doubt that we weren’t good tonight,” Vigneault noted. “We couldn’t well. In fact, Wednesday’s game was extremely reminiscent of the defend and couldn’t make a play. Got totally embarrassed.” western Canada road trip in December 2018, a trip that saw the Flyers There was no trending in the right direction Wednesday night, unless lose all semblance of defensive structure and allow 22 goals across four that’s in reference to the dramatic increase in raw Twitter mentions consecutive losses — a trip that ended, of course, with the firing of head involving the Flyers’ once-illustrious brand, now relegated to snarky jokes coach . from rival fan bases and fuming diatribes from their own diehards. On the To be clear, there’s no expectation that Vigneault will or should be fired, ice, however, the Flyers weren’t trending at all. In fact, they were barely just a year after helping the team to the sixth-best record in hockey and moving. to within one win of the final four in the playoffs. But that road trip was the The first period was just a run-of-the-mill disappointing start, a last time it felt like there was real pressure upon the Flyers’ brain trust to manageable 2-0 deficit frustrating mostly because the Flyers put do something, to react in some sort of tangible way that acknowledged themselves in position to require yet another March comeback. But this the gravity of an increasingly broken-looking situation. time, there wasn’t one coming. Instead, the Rangers treated the Flyers In a sense, that will be the most fascinating takeaway from this debacle: like an ECHL club, though perhaps a team from that currently paused What will the Flyers do in response to it? league could have hit the Madison Square Garden ice for the first time in over a year and delivered a less humiliating performance. It truly was that There really isn’t a large enough sample from the Chuck Fletcher-run, Ed bad. By the end of the seven-goal destruction of a second period, the Snider-less Comcast Spectacor-overseen Flyers to know how fans Flyers were skating with an intensity more appropriate for a leisurely should expect them to respond to a public implosion on this level. The weekend hangout at a public rink than an NHL game. Had the Rangers aggressive Snider-run Flyers would likely announce a major shake-up not clearly let up in the third, they could have scored two touchdowns. trade or a significant firing by noon Thursday. The patient - era organization would simply stay the course, confident in the “It’s embarrassing to be playing on that ice tonight, the way we played,” a soundness of their overarching plan and process. The Fletcher regime, at demoralized Claude Giroux acknowledged minutes after the final buzzer. least so far, has largely charted a middle path between the two “We didn’t help our goalies at all.” approaches. Now, we get to see what that “middle path” might look like The defensive issues had been building for a while. Particularly over the after a 9-0 thrashing on national television. past four weeks, the Flyers had been especially prone to glaring If their response is simply to hit the ice on Thursday with the same breakdowns in coverage, and those unsurprisingly reemerged personnel in a show of trust in the group’s inherent mental fortitude, that Wednesday night. But the Flyers’ fight hadn’t been in question, even as says something. If they bench a key player or two, that says something. If the execution remained flawed. All of their losses since the disaster at they quickly up their offer for a game changer on the trade block, that Lake Tahoe had been competitive, and comeback attempts were the says something. If they ship out a player to shake up the locker room, nightly norm. This one was different. The first four Rangers goals came that says something. And if they go nuclear and make dramatic, shortly after a lost 50/50 puck battle; the final two resulted at least in part wholesale personnel or coaching changes, that certainly says something. due to nonexistent backchecking. This time, the Flyers players simply rolled over and died. Regardless of what happens both on and off the ice over the next 24 hours, we’re about to learn a lot about the players on the Philadelphia And now, they have to face some extremely tough questions. Flyers. We’re about to learn a lot about the coaches. We’re about to learn Vigneault’s “trending in the right direction” rhetorical gambit from the a lot about the front office. And ultimately, we’re about to learn if they weekend, in a way, was a bet on those players. That’s not to say that he truly think that as a team and organization, they’re really trending in the lacked basis for his claim. The Flyers’ underlying numbers since right direction. returning from their COVID-19 pause in February were truly quite strong, The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 comparable to their five-on-five results from the team’s breakout 2019-20 second half. But to frame the narrative in the way Vigneault did, it essentially served as an implicit promise to everyone — the media, the fans, even his bosses — that a turnaround was looming. If the process instead collapsed to match the already-underwhelming results, Vigneault would look like he was in denial, incapable of recognizing just how bad things were getting. After all, how could a team go from trending in the right direction on Sunday to losing 9-0 against a non-playoff team on Wednesday?

“Don’t really have an answer for you,” Vigneault admitted when asked. “Nothing about this game was any good. We’re gonna throw it out, get ready for the next one.”

But will they be ready? 1185438 Pittsburgh Penguins If the Penguins can win with what they have, fine. But Hextall shouldn’t make any major trade for the benefit of right now, because right now doesn’t offer enough promise.

Mark Madden: Penguins shouldn't make big trade chasing faint Stanley That holds even if injury seems to dictate, like if Evgeni Malkin and Teddy Cup hopes Blueger are both out long-term. The Penguins have little depth. Significant man-games lost could devastate. But future can’t be sacrificed to salvage a first-round elimination.

MARK MADDEN | Wednesday, March 17, 2021 11:50 a.m. Joseph did OK this season in his first 16 NHL games when injuries ravaged the Penguins defense corps. But he is in the minors because

Hextall thinks that’s what’s best for his development. When a GM talks Sports teams are generally contending or rebuilding, or at least leaning about development, he is playing the long game. toward one or the other. Very rarely does a team truly middle the Rutherford likely would make a trade for right now. Not Hextall. His difference. patience will serve the Penguins well. As the NHL season opened, the Penguins seemed to lean toward The fans won’t be happy if Hextall stands pat. The locker room might be rebuilding. But their recent uptick in results has fueled optimism. So has annoyed. the mediocrity displayed by all of the East division’s teams when they’re not playing Buffalo or New Jersey. But it’s the right thing to do. To take risk, reward must be a more realistic possibility. I feel the Penguins’ championship window has closed. But I felt that way in 2016, too, and the Penguins won Stanley Cups that year and in ’17. Tribune Review LOADED: 03.18.2021 But those Cups materialized because then-GM Jim Rutherford made five impactful trades that transformed the team into the NHL’s fastest and made the entire league lean on speed. (The NHL is now trending toward heavy, which isn’t necessarily good for the Penguins.)

Current GM Ron Hextall can’t do what Rutherford did in ‘16. He doesn’t have the trade capital.

The Penguins’ 2021 draft has been gutted: Their first-, third-, fourth- and sixth-round picks are gone. Their system is bereft of big-time prospects beyond defenseman P.O Joseph.

Hextall says restocking the Penguins system is a priority, so trading more draft choices seems very unlikely — unless a realistic championship opportunity presents itself.

That brings up the danger of the false dawn. Like if you won six straight.

The Penguins are playing well. If that continues, Penguins fans will want Hextall to make the team-altering deal they’ve come to expect since then-GM got , and Grant Jennings from Hartford in advance of the Penguins’ first Cup in ’91. Rick Tocchet, Kjell Samuelsson and Ken Wregget in ’92, in ’09 … it became a tradition.

Up till then-GM got via one of way too many trades in ’13, throwing an already-loaded team out of whack. But that’s forgotten, because it ruins the tradition.

But, as noted, Hextall doesn’t have the trade capital unless he deals established players — like Patrick did in ’91 and’92.

Anyway, to assume the risk of almost any significant trade — especially one that sacrifices still more future assets — Hextall and ownership would have to feel the chance of a legit payoff is well above average. The bare minimum would seem a trip to the semifinals.

Right now, that doesn’t seem realistic.

But it doesn’t seem impossible, either.

The temptation is contained therein.

Hextall probably could trade Joseph for an established player. Buffalo’s Eric Staal is being bandied about on Twitter because he’s a name, has a vague Penguins connection as the brother of ’09 Cup champion Jordan, and he still is decent.

On the negative side, Eric Staal is 36, has 10 points in 27 games, and if he is so good, why is he on the Sabres in the first place?

Joseph is only 21 and will be in the Penguins’ top pair for years. That’s far too big a price. So is any draft pick above the fourth round and perhaps any draft pick, period. So are forwards Samuel Poulin or Nathan Legare, overrated as prospects by the fan base but still promising.

Trading for a third-line veteran offers no guarantees. Last season, the Penguins traded for Jason Zucker and Patrick Marleau. All it got them was being eliminated by the No. 24 seed. 1185439 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins assign Josh Maniscalco, Radim Zohorona to Wilkes- Barre/Scranton

SETH RORABAUGH | Wednesday, March 17, 2021 10:31 a.m

The Penguins assigned defenseman Josh Maniscalco and forward Radim Zohorna from their taxi squad to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Additionally, forwards Anthony Angello, Frederick Gaudreau and Colton Sceviour were each assigned from the NHL roster to the taxi squad.

The transactions are tied to the team’s day-to-day management of the salary cap.

Maniscalco, 22, is a first-year professional. In two AHL games this season, he has no points. He is in the first year of a three-year entry-level contract with a salary cap hit of $853,333.

Zohorna, 24, is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s leading scorer this season with nine points (three goals, six assists) in 11 games. He is signed to a one- year entry-level contract worth $792,500

Angello, 25, has appeared in 10 NHL games this season and has one goal. He is in the first year of a two-year contract (that is two ways for the first season) with a salary cap hit of $725,000.

Gaudreau, 27, was recalled from the taxi squad on Tuesday. In six AHL games this season, he has four points (one goal, three assists). A free- agent signing this past season, he is signed to a one-year, two-way contract with a salary cap hit of $700,000.

Sceviour, 31, has appeared in 21 games this season and has three points (two goals, one assists). He is in the final year of a three-year contract with a salary cap hit of $1.2 million.

The Penguins have a scheduled day off on Wednesday.

Tribune Review LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185440 Pittsburgh Pengui Statistically speaking • The Penguins led in shots, 35-33.

• Penguins forward Sidney Crosby and Bruins forward Nick Ritchie each Empty Thoughts: Bruins 2, Penguins 1 led the game with five shots.

• Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy led the game with 30:16 of ice time Seth Rorabaugh on 33 shifts.

• Defenseman Kris Letang led the Penguins with 28:11 of ice time on 27 shifts. Observations from the Penguins’ 2-1 loss to the Bruins: • The Bruins controlled faceoffs, 32-23 (58 %). First things first: There was no real update after the game on Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin, who left in the first period after being hit by Bruins • Bergeron was 14 for 21 (67 %). defenseman Jarred Tinordi. • Crosby was 15 for 26 (58 %). As Malkin tried to play a puck out of the right corner of the offensive • Penguins defensemen Brian Dumoulin, Chad Ruhwedel, Letang, and zone, he was just flattened on a big body check. In the process, their Tanev as well as Bergeron, forward Charlie Coyle and defenseman right knees collided and Malkin was hobbled. Steven Kampfer each led the game with two blocked shots. He retreated to the dressing room and returned a little bit later for a shift • Vladar made 34 saves on 35 shots. on a power-play opportunity but didn’t stay long. His night was over pretty quickly. • DeSmith made 31 saves on 33 shots.

His departure was coupled with the absence of Teddy Blueger who was Randomly speaking scratched with an undisclosed injury that coach Mike Sullivan termed as “longer term.” • The big story of this game was Tanev dropping Tinordi with a big hit at 12:57 of the second period that led to Tanev getting a five-minute major As a result, the Penguins were left with Evan Rodrigues, Mark Jankowski for boarding as well as a game misconduct. and Sam Lafferty as their second-, third- and fourth-line centers, respectively, for most of this game. As Tinordi (6-foot-6, 205 pounds) dumped a puck into the offensive zone from the center red line, Tanev (6-foot, 180 pounds) delivered a check That’s clearly not a tenable situation, at least not for a team professing to that sent Tinordi stumbling into the boards at the visiting bench like a harbor hopes of contending for a Stanley Cup. crash-test dummy. With his right leg pinned under him, Tinordi slammed into the boards with his left elbow first then with something of a flat-back Any kind of long-term absence by Blueger alone would be difficult for the drop. As play was halted, Tinordi laid on the ice and required attention Penguins to contend with. But Malkin? Ouch. from an athletic trainer. Forward Jared McCann appears to be close to a potential return and he He eventually recovered to his skates and made his way to the dressing could reasonably replace Malkin to some degree as the second-line room with assistance. He did not return. center, to say nothing of Blueger on the third line. Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy did not offer an update on his status but But obviously, the Penguins’ center depth has taken a hit. labeled Tinordi’s condition as “not great.” General manager Ron Hextall has previously indicated he is not Officials reviewed the hit and upheld the call on the ice. The Penguins, interested in dealing away a future asset for a rental player on an particularly Tanev, objected to the call, but his night was over as well. expiring contract. If that stance changes in light of Malkin’s injury (coupled with Blueger), that remains to be seen. • By the strictest interpretation of the rule, the call seemed legit.

Regardless, the Penguins are clearly a lesser team at the center position The rule, as written: currently. boarding “We’re going to do the best we can with what we have,” Sullivan said via video conference. “That’s what we did (Tuesday). We had a short bench Really, what Tanev did is explained in the first sentence: for quite a long time (Tuesday). We moved people around to try to keep “A boarding penalty shall be imposed on any player who checks or everybody involved. We’re trying to spread the workload as best we can pushes a defenseless opponent in such a manner that causes the because we’re playing a lot of games in a short period of time. That, in opponent to hit or impact the boards violently or dangerously.” and of itself, is a challenge.” Add in the fact that the rule allows for a lot of judgment by the on-ice What happened officials and there’s not really a lot of room to object on Tanev’s behalf.

The Bruins took a lead 3:20 into regulation with a power-play goal. Bruins That said, it’s nearly impossible to say the application of this rule is forward Brad Marchand gained the offensive zone on the left wing and consistent. Crosby made that very clear in his postgame comments (see zipped a cross-ice pass to the right wing for forward David Pastrnak below). streaking up the ice. Facing minimal resistance, Pastrnak attacked the net and tucked a smooth backhander through goaltender Casey Frankly, Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese delivered what appeared DeSmith’s five hole for his 13th goal of the season. Marchand and to be a somewhat worse hit against Sabres forward Dylan Cozens on defenseman Matt Grzelcyk had assists. Thursday in a similar area of the ice that escaped penalty (minus a fighting major he received after dropping the gloves with Sabres The Penguins tied the game, 1-1, at 15:22 of the first period. After forcing defenseman Colin Miller in the aftermath): Bruins defenseman Jakob Zboril into a turnover in Boston’s slot, Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen settled the puck on the left half wall. If you want to say Tanev didn’t deserve a major and a game misconduct, Surveying the zone for a moment, Kapanen shuffled a forehand pass to that’s fine. But what he did was boarding by the letter of the law. the front of the crease for Rodrigues, who re-directed the puck on net. Goaltender Dan Vladar, making his first career start, made the save but • This is a crusade this author has been waging for many years, but the allowed a rebound in the blue paint that forward Brandon Tanev cleaned NHL should make on-ice officials available for comment with independent up with a forehand shot for his seventh goal. Assists went to Rodrigues media after games to explain calls or judgment that have a considerable and Kapanen. impact on the game. By rule, every player and coach are supposed to be available to explain the game. Why aren’t the officials? They are The Bruins reclaimed a lead, 2-1, at 7:07 of the third period. Settling a participants in the game as well. puck at the left point of the Penguins’ zone, Zboril fed a pass to forward Trent Frederic rushing into the zone. From the high slot, Frederic floated Major League Baseball, the NBA and NHL all make their in-game officials a wrister past a screen by Pastrnak that sailed by DeSmith’s glove hand available to comment to some degree. Why doesn’t the NHL? for his fourth goal. Zboril and forward Patrice Bergeron collected assists. If NHL officials can wear microphones for league-produced or - • Crosby reiterated his point when asked about it again: sanctioned documentaries such as HBO’s “24/7,” they are fully capable of explaining why they called a major penalty in a scenario that calls for “If they’re going to err on the side of protecting us, I don’t think I’m ever their judgment. going to argue that as a player, especially with Tinordi being hurt and seeing him go in awkwardly. I get it. It’s just understanding that. You see • The Penguins offered a pretty honest effort in this despite quite a few some hits throughout the league, especially in the first half of the season impediments with the absences of Malkin, Blueger and Tanev. They here, it’s hard as a player to know. We look at a hit and think, ‘Oh, that’s maintained pressure in the offensive zone and pressured Vladar quite a a suspension,’ and it’s not. Or we think it’s a penalty and it’s not. Then bit. If not for a handful of stunning saves by Vladar, this is a different you see a hit like (Tanev’s), you don’t expect a five-minute major and it game. ends up being one. I think it seems like it’s a little gray right now.

• In reality, this became a goaltending duel between DeSmith and Vladar. “Again, I’m never going to argue with them protecting us because I think Both goaltenders were tuned in during this game. that’s what they’re trying to do. But I think that it’s important that we understand that.” • The Penguins’ penalty killers — minus Blueger and Tanev, mind you — did a marvelous job on that five-minute major following Tanev’s penalty. • Sullivan on the hit: They limited the Bruins to four shots with all that extended time and really seemed to create some momentum after that. “I didn’t get much of an explanation (from officials). My thought on it was I think (Tanev) plays the game hard. He was trying to finish his check. • Jankowski actually generated his own breakaway towards the end of (Tinordi) was a long way from the boards. It’s unfortunate how the the kill and was robbed on a blocker save (and a post). A goal there circumstance evolved. But the player was a long way from the boards on gives the Penguins a lead and PPG Paints Arena’s roof might have lifted the initial contact. I just think (Tanev) was trying to finish his check.” off by the emotion generated by the handful of fans on hand. • Sullivan on Crosby’s point of there being confusion as to what is legal or • The Penguins’ fourth-liners — or at least the fourth-liners before all the illegal with hits: injuries and absences took effect — offered some strong contributions individually. Sceviour was all over the offensive zone and created “There’s a lot of latitude for the discretion of the referee. I think they’re chances down low. He might have had a goal were it not for Vladar trying to err on the side of caution to protect the players. I think we would robbing him with a ridiculous stick save on a goalmouth scramble. all agree that’s the right way to go. But there’s a lot of latitude and there’s a lot of referees’ discretion in those types of circumstances.” Angello and Jankowski even generated a few chances as well. • DeSmith professed optimism after the game: • Angello was the “designated sitter” for this game as he served Tanev’s major penalty as well as a bench minor for too many men on the ice. “Everyone knows we’ve been playing really well. We played well that game. There was a lot of adversity, a lot of things happened. Losing • With Blueger sidelined, the Penguins brought Lafferty back into the some guys and things like that. Everybody knows we played hard and lineup after being a healthy scratch for five games. It would be a stretch everybody is staying positive. We’ve been on such a good run, we’re not to say he distinguished himself. He logged 12:00 of ice time on 19 shifts going to let this affect us.” and had no shots on three attempts. He recorded a game-high six hits, a blocked shot and was 3 for 8 (38 %) on faceoffs. • Jankowski on his breakaway:

There appears to be an opportunity for Lafferty with Blueger, and “On that breakaway, I just poked it by their (defense) and then wasn’t possibly Malkin, sidelined. He needs to do more to take full advantage of sure if their goalie was going to come out. He stayed in so I had the it. opportunity. I tried to go quick shot, low blocker. It just nicked his pad or something then the post. I just thought I’d try to get him with a quick shot, • The Penguins’ six-game winning streak was snapped. low blocker there.”

• Malkin’s eight-game scoring streak was snapped. • Vladar on his save against Sceviour:

• The attrition of playing almost every other day is really starting to show. “It was just a lucky save. It probably happens once in a 100 times. I’m really thankful that this just happened today. I don’t think you can really • With Blueger sidelined, forward Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust, Malkin and practice that. It’s just big luck. I’m really happy that it happened today.” Tanev are the only members of the Penguins who have played in all 29 games this season. • Vladar on the significance of winning his first career start:

Historically speaking “Just the happiest guy in the world right now. It was always my dream to play in the NHL. I got an opportunity and I won. There hasn’t been a • Blueger had the team’s longest active streak of consecutive regular better day for me hockey-wise. I really appreciate that the coaches gave season games played at 116. Forward Bryan Rust now has that me a chance.” designation with 70 games. • Vladar was so refreshingly earnest after the game. He spoke to the Publicly speaking guidance he has received from veteran Bruins goaltender Jaroslav • Crosby is soft-spoken and very reserved on most matters, particularly Halak: the rules or the officiating. “Jaro on the bench, honestly we didn’t even talk about hockey. We were On Tuesday, he cleared his throat. just talking about random stuff. He told me, ‘Hey, 12 minutes left, then we’ll have some fun on the plane.’ I feel like I’m trying to learn that it’s not It wasn’t quite Mario Lemieux calling the NHL a “garage league” in 1992, just 24/7 hockey. You show up for a game, you do your best, you want to but Crosby made his concerns very clear when discussing Tanev’s hit on win. Then when you get a chance to kind of leave your brain and just Tinordi: think about something else. It’s really nice. Jaro just does that really well. I think I have a lot of things that I can learn from him, not just on the ice, “I hope Tinordi’s OK. He went in pretty awkward. But I don’t think there off the ice too.” was any intent. I thought he hit him clean. He hit him timely as far as the puck being there. (Tinordi) did go in awkwardly so you never like to see Tribune Review LOADED: 03.18.2021 that. But I didn’t think it warranted a five-minute (major penalty). The (referees) are out there, they’re trying to protect us and keep us safe. I get it. I can see them trying to do that. But I didn’t’ see it that way. Unfortunately, we had to go down. We got a big (penalty) kill there. I hope he’s OK.

“I hope as players, we get some clarity on what’s a good hit and what’s not. It’s tough to really gauge when you’re out there. I know it’s fast but right now, it’s really hard to know what is in fact clean and what’s not. And when you’re out there playing, it’s important that you do know that.” 1185441 Pittsburgh Penguins

What's new with the New Jersey Devils, the Penguins' next opponent?

Adam Bittner

The Penguins will face the New Jersey Devils in a three-game series that begins Thursday at the Prudential Center in Newark. Here are five things to know about the East Division foe.

Their penalty kill is pretty awful — The unit was actually pretty respectable last season, shutting down opposing power plays at a robust 82.4% rate. That mark ranked seventh in the league, but 2021 has been an entirely different story. Entering Wednesday, the Devils were third from the bottom in the category with a kill rate of just 71.3%. Only Detroit and Nashville are worse. Granted, the Penguins haven’t been a whole lot better at 75%, but their power play should have an easier time than it’s had with Boston (89.3%), the New York Rangers (85.6%) and Washington (80.9%). All of their units rank in the top 10, combining to present the Penguins with very difficult sledding in 16 of their 29 games so far. At least on paper, New Jersey looks like a needed breather.

Pavel Zacha is leading the way, but... — Unlike some of the other breakout performers the Penguins have faced in recent weeks, the 23- year-old Czech isn’t on pace for any eye-popping totals. With 17 points in 26 games, he projects to about 36 over the full 56-game schedule, which would clear his career high in 65 games last season by just four points. Still, that’s been enough for him to pace the Devils in scoring. And that newfound spotlight hasn’t appeared to suit him very well. He has just three points through nine games in the month of March, and he’s a minus-9 after he was at plus-1 through the first two months. To make matters worse, he’s a bit banged up now, too, after he was slashed in the 3-2 win against Buffalo on Tuesday. Coach Lindy Ruff gave him a maintenance day on Wednesday, so his status will be worth monitoring in the hours before the game Thursday.

Where have you gone, Kyle Palmieri? — The Devils’ leading scorer the past two seasons has not been himself so far in 2021, with just four goals and eight assists in 25 games. And three of those goals came in a two- game span in mid-February. Otherwise, he’s been almost a complete non-factor, with just one goal and two assists in New Jersey’s past 13 games. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Devils have regressed from their already-modest offensive numbers from last season. So far in 2021, they’re 26th in goals per game at 2.50. That’s down from a No. 24 ranking with 2.68 goals per game in 2020. That sure looks like a team that’s missing a key contributor’s production, even if no one was ever going to confuse him for Connor McDavid.

Mackenzie Blackwood has taken a step back — The 24-year-old goalie has been a source of optimism for this club over the past couple of years. His numbers in a fairly large sample size last season were pretty great, as he posted a .915 save percentage and 2.77 goals against average in 47 games. He’s now lost a bit of that momentum, with marks of .903 and 3.05 in 15 contests that were interrupted by a stint in COVID-19 protocol limbo. Those numbers put him 34th and 37th, respectively, among goalies with at least 10 games played. And like many of his teammates, his production has struggled in March. He’s 1-4 with an .863 save percentage and has allowed an average of 3.8 goals per game.

Post Gazette LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185442 Pittsburgh Penguins top-six center when injuries struck. But it was a big ask. He’s never scored 10 goals in a season.

That said, one could make the case that Rodrigues is the best candidate Penguins’ center depth under the microscope with Evgeni Malkin, Teddy to fill in for Blueger on the third line, with Jankowski remaining the fourth- Blueger injuries line center.

Jankowski, to this point, has underwhelmed. It is hard to go unnoticed when you are 6-foot-4. But that has been the case most games. His lone Matt Vensel point in his last 24 was an empty-netter up in Buffalo. And with Jankowski on at 5-on-5, the Penguins have earned just 39.2% of the high-danger

chances, per Natural Stat Trick. Near the end of another eventful offseason in Pittsburgh, former Pittsburgh’s options beyond Rodrigues and Jankowski are scarce. Sam Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford used the little financial wiggle Lafferty has experience at center but he’s another bottom-sixer who has room he had left to fill out his forward group with a trio of veterans who disappointed. Josh Currie is a fringe NHLer. And Radim Zohorna is a big had experience playing center. boy with intriguing skill but the Czech Republic product is still getting Jared McCann was retained as a restricted free agent despite a long used to the North American game. scoring drought. And Mark Jankowski and Evan Rodrigues each took If Malkin joins Blueger on the shelf for an extended period, that could one-year deals for the league minimum. Now they may be asked to take encourage the front office duo of Ron Hextall and Brian Burke to add on key roles for the Penguins. another capable center. But the recent streak gave the Penguins a little It is fair to question if they are capable. But these are the guys they’ve cushion in the standings. So those two may continue to take a wait-and- got. see approach with their new squad.

The Penguins lost two of their top three centers in the back-to-back In the meantime, now would be a good time for McCann, Rodrigues and games against the Boston Bruins. Teddy Blueger did not suit up Tuesday Jankowski to prove to the Penguins that they can be counted on for this because of an upper-body injury that coach Mike Sullivan said would playoff push. keep Blueger out “longer term.” Then Evgeni Malkin was knocked out of Post Gazette LOADED: 03.18.2021 the 2-1 loss with a lower-body injury.

Late Tuesday, Malkin’s injury was still being evaluated. That he tried to return to the game, taking one shift, gives hope that it won’t sideline him too long.

But at the very least, the Penguins could be without both Malkin and Blueger in the short term, starting with Thursday’s game against the Devils in New Jersey.

Both of those centers provide great on-ice value, but in vastly different ways.

After a disappointing and puzzling 20-game funk to open 2021, Malkin has probably been the team’s best skater in March and a catalyst for the six-game winning streak that the Bruins snapped Tuesday. His swagger and scoring touch were back during an eight-game point streak that saw him produce a dozen points.

Blueger, meanwhile, has developed into a fine third-line center. Sullivan counts on his line to grind down top forwards and keep them off the scoresheet. And Blueger has showed up there more often, too, with 15 points through 28 games.

The Penguins do not presently have an ideal option to slot into either center spot, not to mention replace their important contributions on special teams.

Obviously, Malkin would be the tougher player to replace if the Penguins do not have encouraging news for Sullivan to share after Thursday’s morning skate.

McCann, when healthy, would make the most sense to fill in for Malkin in the middle of the second line. Out since March 7 with an upper-body injury, he resumed skating in recent days and could be cleared as early as Thursday.

McCann was thrust into that role last season under similar circumstances. In the majority of the 28 games that Sidney Crosby missed, he centered the second line. He tallied eight goals and 16 points over that span with a plus-2 rating.

But then he succumbed to a year-long slump, was a healthy scratch for a playoff game and started 2021 off on the wing. Only recently and briefly did McCann resemble the scoring threat we saw in the first half of 2019- 20. Then he got injured.

That’s a long-winded way of saying that the 24-year-old is a total wild card.

The other alternative to replace Malkin is the guy who did it against Boston.

That would be Rodrigues, a right-handed jack of all trades and master of none. During his days in Buffalo, he was at times asked to line up as a 1185443 Pittsburgh Penguins “But it all depends on how they travel, too,” he said. “I think it’s a little bit of a moving target. I know of some guys going from one team straight from essentially their plane or bus to another team, and it’s easy that way; other times, a guy has got to travel and it’s different. There are Penguins trade deadline confidential: What you should know about their different criteria for different situations.” plans If any of that strikes you as confusing, take comfort in knowing you’re not a GM weighing the value of adding more unknowns into a season full of more than any in the league’s history. By Sean Gentille and Rob Rossi Mar 17, 2021 4. Not enough assets

Cap space is an asset on its own; we already went over why it’s If you’re a Penguins fan, and you’re excited about the NHL trade something the Penguins lack. Beyond that, they have a roster full of deadline, go right ahead. You should be. players they either shouldn’t or can’t move. We’re a few weeks out, and your team is playing as well as it has all Tempting as it is to concoct an “all our bad players for your good ones”- season. The goalie looks right. The Hall of Fame centers look right style blockbuster, that’s not how any of this works. It’d be great if moving (though that comes with a bit of an asterisk after Evgeni Malkin left out spare parts like Sceviour and Riikola, or finding someone willing to Tuesday’s game against the Bruins). “What does this team need?” is an absorb Matheson’s deal, were a viable option to make the 2021 roster understandable question as April 12 approaches. Eat up those trade better, but it’s not. You can’t sell what nobody will buy. rumors; they taste great. The Penguins’ prospect pool is No. 29 in The Athletic’s rankings and led But as you do, it’s worth remembering a few things about this particular by Sam Poulin, who projects as a solid NHL player but also couldn’t deadline. Things have changed, at home and abroad, that could make it make Canada’s World Junior roster. Beyond that, what is Hextall a little … less eventful than what you’ve come to expect. supposed to do? Trade Bryan Rust? Rutherford already sent out their 1. Under new management first-, third- and fourth-round picks for 2021. Is Hextall, leader of all those successful drafts in Philly, really willing to wait until Round 5 to make his In a different world, this would be a precursor to more moves, not fewer. first pick as Penguins GM? Hell, Penguins fans lived in it for a while; it felt like Jim Rutherford shipped out James Neal before he got keys to his office. As it stands, The cupboard isn’t completely bare, but it’s depleted enough to be a though, Ron Hextall and Brian Burke have been on the job for five weeks major hurdle for improving the roster today, tomorrow and in a few — and exciting as it may have been to witness the Mark Friedman wire weeks. transaction, caution is clearly their default mode, at least for the time 5. Too many needs being. That’s based on a few things, not the least of which being Hextall’s run with Philadelphia and his recent assessment of his team to The The Penguins have won six of their last seven games, 14 of 22 since Athletic. This is not a man who is predisposed to shake-up moves, nor is Rutherford’s resignation, and are one of only 12 clubs with a points it a roster in need of (or built for) anything big, at the moment. It’s a percentage above .600. Pretty good under any circumstances, but change, maybe, for people who got used to the Rutherford way, but it’s especially considering the consensus view that they lack several also reality. elements presumed necessary to lock down a playoff spot, let alone go on a deep run in the postseason. 2. Cap strapped For instance, the Penguins need a top-six left winger as insurance for Another major element of the Rutherford way, at least over the past few Jason Zucker, who is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury. Even if years: hemorrhaging cap space. Now, Hextall and Burke are left holding Zucker returns before and/or for the playoffs, could he help the Penguins the bag, and it’s not pretty. It’s not just that the Penguins are on track to more as the primary offensive presence on a third line — similar to Phil have less than $1 million in deadline cap space, it’s that there’s no Kessel on the famed HBK Line in the 2016 playoffs — than as the other skeleton-key fix to the problem. guy with Evgeni Malkin and Kasperi Kapanen? No one move can save them; it’s been several drops in the bucket — Also, it’s tough to look at the Zach Aston-Reese/Teddy Blueger/Brandon $500,000 extra here, some retained money there — that turned into Tanev line without wondering how much better the Penguins might be if it several million in wasted space. Nick Bjugstad and Jack Johnson are were their fourth line. And with Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith having making more than $3 million between them not to play here. Marcus played in all of one postseason game between them, a veteran goalie Pettersson’s big deal started this season. Rutherford signed him to an would seem to be of interest to a GM who won the Trophy extension worth $4.025 annually to theoretically save money on the back as a goaltender. end, rather than a cheaper bridge deal that’d bank space early. Whatever you think of Mike Matheson’s contract, it was acquired along with Colton We haven’t even discussed the impact a grittier forward might have on Sceviour, a $1.2 million fourth-liner whom they’ve already tried to waive. these Penguins. (Where have you gone, Patric Hornqvist? Our city turns Juuso Riikola is a $1.15 million defenseman without a place in the lineup. its lonely eyes to you. Woo woo woo.) That’s about $6 million flushed with varying degrees of disregard. 6. The second pandemic problem: Finances It didn’t need to be this way … but it is. And Rutherford’s exit came before the check was due. Ownership has not handcuffed Hextall by denying him from adding to the payroll. He is even free to manipulate the cap — and thus spend more 3. The first pandemic problem: Canada actual money than the upper payroll limit — by taking advantage of the long-term injury designation and/or burying a veteran salary on the taxi Hextall has already said his expectations are low for heavy action during squad. None of this should qualify as a surprise, as the Penguins have the trade deadline period. If he’s proven correct, a usual benefit to the been a so-called cap club dating to the 2007-08 season. But just NHL likely will have become a detriment. A large chunk of the league’s because Hextall is free to operate as though revenue forfeiture due to the hockey-related revenue (HHR) is generated by the league’s seven pandemic hasn’t hampered the Penguins doesn’t mean he isn’t an Canadian franchises and its Canadian TV deal with Sportsnet. And the exception around the NHL. temporary creation of an all-Canadian North Division generated considerable enthusiasm among all hockey fans early in the season. But All franchises have absorbed financial blows over the past 12 months; with only six points separating the second- through sixth-place North many clubs are believed to be low on cash. A GM able to operate free of clubs and Canada’s COVID-19 restrictions — far more stringent than financial constraints should be able to capitalize on the less fortunate those in America — the Penguins are unlikely to do a deal with a among peers. But that presumes GMs of financially strapped clubs view Canadian team. this season as anything other than an aberration and won’t instead hold firm for when the league returns to normal operating procedures next The restrictions appear to be the biggest obstacle. Hextall said any season. player from a Canadian team acquired by the Penguins would be unavailable for a week. Financial hardship as a great equalizer might mean there isn’t a market of any advantage to a buyer or seller. 7. Bad timing

Timing is everything, and the Penguins’ recent return to contender status might not mean much to a new management tandem eyeing an opportunity to reshape the franchise over the next two offseasons. Only nine current players are under contract into the 2022-23 season. With the CBA allowing clubs and players to negotiate new contracts only in the final year of current deals, the Burke/Hextall Era could conceivably consist of two stages: this season, and everything that follows.

Whether they make the playoffs and go all the way, get bounced in the opening round or miss out on the postseason party, the Penguins are in a rare position during the Crosby/Malkin Era — considerable change is possible. Not rearranging with some swapping, as Rutherford did during recent postseasons. Not tinkering, as Rutherford’s predecessor, Ray Shero, made a habit of doing in his final few offseasons. Rather, the Burke/Hextall tandem has been presented a rare chance to remake the Penguins to their liking by merely allowing current players to play out their contracts and freeing up cap space. Or, they could make trades with cap space in mind.

However they go about it, there has to be a temptation to target cap space as the preferred asset — and begin going about that process this offseason. And if that is their leaning, why would Burke and Hextall make trades now that could complicate life later? Yeah, we can’t think of a good reason, either.

8. Good chemistry

It’s easy to forget, because it feels like it happened five years ago, but the 2020 deadline was more trouble than it was worth for the Penguins.

The three forward acquisitions — Patrick Marleau, Conor Sheary and Evan Rodrigues — were busts on their own; they combined for six points in 23 regular-season games, then flat-lined with the rest of the roster in the Toronto bubble. That wasn’t their fault, necessarily. They just didn’t fit, especially after the stoppage. Rodrigues, for one, couldn’t regularly crack the game-day roster. Before the moves, Dominik Kahun, specifically, had started to show some chemistry with Evgeni Malkin. More generally, it created a line-blender situation that didn’t work out for anyone. “Let the coach figure it out” is a cop-out.

These Penguins aren’t perfect — but there’s also no need to tempt fate all that much, especially when three lines are generally functioning well, and Zucker, at some point, figures to return to the equation. Adding one guy? Sensible. Turning over a quarter of your forward lineup? More trouble than it’s worth, even if Hextall were so inclined.

9. The third pandemic problem: Playoffs

Stop if you’ve heard this one before: “Get in, and you have a chance.” Ah, yes — that old chestnut, also known as Song of Delusion. Except that Stanley Cup winners in 2016 (Penguins) and 2019 (Blues) and the 2020 runner-up (Stars) were nearly buried during regular seasons preceding their runs.

So, there’s something to be said for GMs buying into the adage that anything can happen once the season is condensed into a tournament of best-of-seven series. Plus, let’s be real; hockey is a business, and home playoff gates are big business. Four to six home playoff games can be the difference between breaking even or making money for a franchise. Well, back when buildings were mostly filled, anyway. They haven’t been in a while because of COVID-19 rules. Even easing of restrictions allowing for more fans to attend games won’t bring clubs near a break- even point.

There is an outside chance arenas could be at or above 50 percent capacity at some point during the playoffs, but that dangling carrot won’t benefit nearly enough teams to change the general view that reaching the postseason will only add to financial losses on the ledger. Which is not to suggest that every owner wouldn’t want to win the Cup. But it’s a cold truth that exists in this weird season — pushing to make the playoffs won’t make sense (or cents) for a majority of NHL clubs.

Realizing as much, GMs of teams on the bubble probably won’t be under as much pressure to sell as the trade deadline approaches. That could mean a lot of GMs, such as Hextall, a would-be buyer, are left looking for deals nowhere to be found.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185444 Pittsburgh Penguins which is why a middle-round pick may do the trick. Glendening is also money on the faceoff dot (he’s at 66% this season).

We like that Detroit has been scouting in Pittsburgh, and we like Penguins Trade Talk: Circling Potential Targets, Bottom-6 Help Glendening’s fit with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Bobby Ryan: The RW exploded for six goals at the beginning of the season but has been ice-cold for weeks (months?). Playing in Detroit Dan Kingerski tends to suppress everyone. He’s on a one-year, $1 million deal after becoming a free agent. Ryan can play both sides and could be an

offensive boost on the down lines or top-six filler. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ rapid burn through the East Division over the Ottawa Senators: past 15 games has shown the Penguins strengths and weaknesses. Both are quite evident, just as the obvious lack of moveable assets. The Ryan Dzingel: The pending free agent is fast, tenacious, and likely Penguins won’t be shopping on the top shelf for any help at the April 12 affordable. Very affordable. He’s shown long stretches of solid bottom- NHL trade deadline. line production in the NHL but has scuffled this season. Carolina traded him back to Ottawa, but the Senators have no use for a pending UFA. No, we’re looking down where stores stock the generic saltines. The Penguins don’t need more generic. Instead, they’ll be looking for a player Oh, and Austin Watson who can add more than some jam on the fourth or two who can add some salt into the lineup from a bottom-six role. line. Watson can also throw down and be responsible in his own zone.

But on the generic cracker price tag. Penguins Trade Potentials, The Rest:

Tuesday dealt the Penguins another setback as third-line center Teddy We’ll probably update the list with a few more as we get closer to the Blueger was deemed out “longer-term,” which could be a few weeks or deadline or players become available. much longer. Erik Haula: The Nashville Predators center was available for the On Thursday, we expect to find out more about Evgeni Malkin, who was Penguins taking on the free-agent market but signed a well-below market also injured on Tuesday. If he suffered a serious injury, that could change value one-year, $1.75 million deal with Nashville. Haula is a lefty (not a everything. deal-breaker, but not ideal) who doesn’t have much jam but is 56% in the faceoff circle. E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Cody Eakin: The last poor soul left in Buffalo won’t have to turn off the Now… lights. They’ve been off as the Buffalo Sabres have reached a dark place. If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve seen the game-by-game scouting list. Eric Staal doesn’t fit, but how about a 29-year-old center who was an A couple of teams have popped up a few times, but none more than the important part of the Vegas Golden Knights run to the Stanley Cup Final assistant GM of the Detroit Red Wings, Pat Verbeek. in 2018? Eakin is a hard-nosed competitive player that would fit Sullivan like a glove. Given Detroit’s disappointing position at the bottom of the standings again, the Red Wings can pick their return; they could snag younger NHL Eakin has a few 40-point seasons on his resume. He’s a lefty, but this players, picks, or more picks. season he is at 58% on the faceoff circle. He’s the type of go-getter the Penguins could use. The invigoration after driving down I-79 may help, On Sunday, Pittsburgh Hockey Now examined the plausible Penguins too. trade offerings. It’s slim pickings. And a reminder to fans, this isn’t NHL 21 or fantasy hockey. Big deals often take months or more. GM Ron Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 Hextall hasn’t yet been on the job for two months.

But at least the “trade Malkin!” talk has died an ignominious defeat. Right now, we’re considering the Penguins trade bait as the 2022 second and third-round picks. Maybe, just maybe Marcus Pettersson, but that’s a reach until the offseason.

As a reminder, as we hear the Penguins engage other teams with interest, we’ll report it. This is about circling the Penguins’ needs and potential fits. Specifically, we’re focusing on the Penguins’ need for bottom-six forwards and a fourth-line center at a trade price they can afford.

(I feel that disclaimer is necessary, so I don’t see my name plastered over the internet rumor boards as reporting a trade is coming!)

In terms of salary cap space, it appears the Penguins have socked away about $3.7 million with their injuries and daily shuffling, according to CapFriendly.com.

And, one more note, NHL teams have reached the 50% phase in which an acquiring team is only hit with half of the cap hit. At the NHL trade deadline, that number will shrink to about 25%.

Pittsburgh Penguins Potential Trade Targets

No, we didn’t include or Eric Staal because we don’t believe either is a good fit. Staal isn’t a bottom-six center. Sutter is expensive and does not seem to be a Mike Sullivan player. Nor is he a physical player.

And, if Calgary falls out of the playoff race, we would put Sam Bennett at the top of the wishlist, but we’re not there yet.

Detroit Red Wings

Luke Glendening: A swift right-handed center with a bit of sandpaper, defensive responsibility, and an affordable $1.8 million AAV contract that expires this season. Glendening doesn’t exactly fill the score sheet, 1185445 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Partnering To Distribute Gear To Young Players

By Shelly Anderson

Families in the general Pittsburgh area who have been impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic and who have young hockey players in their household will be able to apply to receive equipment through a partnership involving the Penguins.

The Equipment Relief Program aims to distribute about $20,000 worth of gear to about 100 children in the Pittsburgh region.

Born of the pandemic that has affected the country for more than a year, the giveaway is a partnership among the Penguins, the Penguins Foundation, the NHL, the NHL Players Association and DICK’S Sporting Goods.

It’s not the first time young players in the area have benefited from the generosity of the team. Center and team captain Sidney Crosby for many years has been the name behind a learn-to-play program for youngsters that includes equipment and, at times, a chance to skate with Crosby.

Here is Wednesday’s news release from the Penguins:

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Penguins Foundation, in partnership with the NHL, NHLPA and DICK’S Sporting Goods, are offering hockey equipment to select families throughout Greater Pittsburgh that have been financially impacted by COVID-19 through an Equipment Relief Program.

Approximately 100 children across our region are set to receive equipment from this program with approximately $20,000 worth of equipment to be given out by the Penguins.

Select local families who have been financially impacted by COVID-19, with players ages 12 and under will be offered up to four pieces of equipment of their choice (shin guards, hockey pants, skates, shoulder pads, elbow pads, helmet or gloves). Equipment is limited to CCM sizes youth and junior only.

To apply for the program, visit here. Applicants will receive more information from the Pittsburgh Penguins with next steps, if your application has been approved.

The NHL’s Learn to Play (LTP) and Hockey Equipment and Membership Relief Program (HEMRP) have joined forces to donate upwards of $1 million in hockey equipment and memberships to help get kids back on the ice and support families within the hockey community across the United States who are facing financial challenges due to the ongoing pandemic.

The Hockey Equipment and Membership Relief Program includes a donation of 3,500 sets of equipment, which will be distributed to League’s U.S. Clubs and Learn to Play’s affiliates, while the memberships will be administered and distributed through USA Hockey.

Since the NHL’s Learn to Play program’s inaugural 2016-17 season, over 100,000 children have participated league wide. Along with an increase in physical fitness, children who participated in the program saw their academic testing skills increase by up to 40% and reported stronger social connections, self-esteem and aptitude for celebrating diversity.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185446 Pittsburgh Penguins DeSmith played very well. Surprisingly well, actually. He made the key saves and kept the Penguins in the game despite a bevy of high-danger chances.

Penguins Report Card: Penguins Battled, That’s the Good News Mark Jankowski: ?

I’m at a loss. Between you and me, he had energy and some purpose to his game, but it was a flatline offensively. By Dan Kingerski Colton Sceviour: A

The Penguins fourth-liner also had some jump and a little offensive “It was a tight and intense hockey game,” was how Pittsburgh Penguins spark. He was playing well in the offensive zone, moving well, and center Sidney Crosby described the slobber knocker that was the getting good looks. Sceviour lacks the finish to be anything more than a Penguins v. Boston Bruins at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday night. fourth-liner, but he did a pretty good job on Tuesday. He had four shots Boston got one more goal when Trent Frederic whipped a shot through and two hits. traffic in the third period, and Boston ended the Penguins’ six-game winning streak 2-1. Sidney Crosby: A

The game was a slog. A battle. A 200-foot grind. Crosby fought through a sea of Bruins, including multiple-time Selke trophy-winning defender Patrice Bergeron. Crosby was tied for the team The game is difficult to grade because the Penguins were missing Evgeni lead with five shots. He had two takeaways and won a majority of his Malkin for most of the game, and Teddy Blueger joined the injured list draws. “longer-term” before the game. Presumably, Blueger will go on LTIR soon. Without their second and third-line centers and Jared McCann still Boston packed the box so tightly that I’m not sure a 105mph Zdeno on the IR, the Penguins lineup was gutted. Chara slapshot on fire could have cleared space.

If you want the full Pittsburgh Penguins game story, here is the recap Kris Letang: B+ peppered with some analysis. Letang had only two shots get through traffic, but Boston blocked three. And, here is the Tinordi hit on Malkin which touched off everything. He had four giveaways, but none became harmful. Letang also had two takeaways and six hits. He was all over the ice. If there was one player The Penguins put forth a valiant effort, but they didn’t have enough who had a good shot at getting the puck into the dirty areas, it was offensive might to get a second goal against Boston. Not with Patrice Letang. Bergeron defending the Crosby line, and not with Mark Jankowski as the second-line center. Mike Matheson: B+

We’ll get to Jankowski in the report card, but the Penguins’ inability to The Penguins coaches gave him a bump up to the top pairing multiple score was underscored in the second period when Colton Sceviour times. Matheson had a few bobbles with the puck as he tried to escape dropped the puck to Jankowski in the LW circle. With a prime scoring the Boston forecheck, but his mandate was clear: provide offense. He chance, Jankowski shot the puck softly into Boston goalie Dan Vladar. couldn’t find it either but note that Matheson got the tap.

Xs and Os Anthony Angello: A

Tactically, the Pittsburgh Penguins always had one Bruin in front of them I have questions about whether Angello is quick enough for the NHL and one Bruin beside them. ALWAYS. Boston plays an extraordinary game but there is no question he is a noticeable presence. He is fighting defensive game, and they were absolutely on red alert with a rookie for a job and fighting hard. As a winger, he’s largely dependent on a goalie making his first start. center to get the puck to the net or distribute it. He also has to improve his net-front presence–but he’s clearly making an effort. His game is Boston’s puck pressure is impressive. They don’t break. The Penguins noticeable for good reasons. He got a couple of whacks on the doorstep skated with the puck, but they were rarely on the rush with an advantage. on Tuesday night. Those will eventually go in, probably. At best, the Penguins breakout created a three-on-two with a hard backchecking Bruins forward. *Sorry for the shortened and rushed (and late) report card. Too many stories following the game, including Sidney Crosby’s low-key callout of The Penguins were ill-equipped to win anyway, but Boston wasn’t going the NHL. to allow a second goal, come hell or high water. Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 The Penguins will have to learn how to play the grittier game beneath the dots against Boston. The Penguins didn’t lack for effort, but they lacked a bit of know-how. They played high in the zone and tried to work it low, with moderate success. The Penguins managed a fair amount of pokes at Vladar, but not enough Grade A chances. They certainly didn’t make him move laterally (the amazing stick save on Colton Sceviour notwithstanding).

The Penguins didn’t scramble the Boston defense with shots, nor did they get enough screens to take away Vladar’s eyes. Chalk it up to inexperience in that type of game.

When the Penguins got at Vladar down low, they nearly scored, but it’s a unique mindset to get to the net and bulldoze whatever is there consistently. It’s an intricate game requiring as much skill as the pretty puck work around the zone.

The good news is–the Penguins battled. The bad news–Boston outmuscled them in two games. In a playoff series, the Bruins showed they would have the advantage. Can the Penguins handle seven games of this? Jarry stole Game 1. Injuries may have cost the Penguins Game 2, but don’t bank on Boston being so inept offensively for much longer.

Pittsburgh Penguins Report Card

Casey DeSmith: A 1185447 Pittsburgh Penguins Scary sight here after Tinordi slams into the boards. pic.twitter.com/PZSf7Hne90

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) March 17, 2021 Crosby Calls on NHL for Clarity of Illegal Hits After Tanev Misconduct Perhaps a little parsing of Crosby’s language is warranted.

If you’re going to protect the players, great. Protect them. Issue penalties. By Dan Kingerski Issue supplemental discipline. But don’t decide games with a heavy penalty after equal hits have received nothing or a simple minor penalty.

The NFL adopted the “Defenseless Receiver” penalty so cornerbacks Pittsburgh Penguins star center and the longtime face of the NHL, Sidney and safeties could no longer get their licks on receivers not braced for Crosby is calling on the NHL for clarity. contact. Such a penalty would be heresy in NHL quarters. The league has done a marvelous job of cleaning up the game. Enforcers whose One month ago, Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson plastered sole job is to fight another enforcer have vanished. Fighting is down. Pittsburgh Penguins center Mark Jankowski with a t-bone hit near the red Cheap shots and aggressive stick fouls are way down, too. line, which sent Jankowski into the boards and onto the injury list. Last week, Penguins winger Zach Aston-Reese caught Buffalo Sabres rookie It’s not a conversation in which fans will get to participate. Still, it surely is center Dylan Cozens with a similar open-ice hit which flung Cozens time to define clean and illegal far more closely than the current and awkwardly into the wall and injured Cozens. loose, individual interpretations.

And on Tuesday night, Penguins winger Brandon Tanev saw his chance “I think it’s important that we understand that,” Sidney Crosby concluded. to inflict a little pain on Boston Bruins defenseman Jared Tinordi after Tinordi crunched Penguins star center, Evgeni Malkin, earlier in the The game’s leader made a necessary and reasonable request. If the game. Tanev whizzed along the red line and nailed Tinordi on a similar league doesn’t hop-to, more players will have to say the same because if perpendicular angle. Tinordi slammed into the wall, left the game, and they don’t, more players will leave in the same. Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said he’s unlikely to play on Thursday. Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 Three similar hits. Three injuries.

Wilson’s hit on Jankowski was a bit late, so Wilson received two minutes for the lateness but was otherwise unpunished.

Aston-Reese was not punished with a penalty or additional action.

Brandon Tanev received a five-minute major and a 10-minute game misconduct.

“I didn’t think he had any intent there. I hope Tinordi is OK; he went in pretty awkward, but I don’t think there is any intent. I thought he hit him clean,” Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. “He hit him timely, as far as the puck being there.”

Hockey, specifically the NHL, has a little caveat amongst its guardians. Players are to protect themselves. In the parlance of our times, it’s a bit like victim-blaming. Jankowski was accused of admiring his dump-in too long and thus not braced for Wilson’s thump. Some quickly pointed out that Tinordi held his pose after firing the puck into the offensive zone.

But three hits. Three wildly differing penalties. Three players out of the lineup.

If you’re confused, you’re not alone. The face of hockey and a captain of Team Canada, Crosby would also like some clarification. Can anyone explain just what is legal and illegal?

“I hope (Tinordi) is OK. I hope as players we get some clarity on what’s a good hit and what’s not,” Crosby said. “It’s tough to really gauge when you’re out there. I know it’s fast, but right now, it’s really hard to know what is, in fact, clean and what’s not. And when you’re out there playing, it’s important that you do know that.”

For Sidney Crosby to broach a controversial topic, you know it’s serious. The longstanding vanguard of the hockey flame, passed to him by the all- time greats Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, avoids newsmaking opinions on controversial or frivolous matters.

Crosby puts hockey first. But this time, Crosby put a serious matter on the NHL doorstep like he’s fed the puck to so many linemates before. And like so many of those soft passes, it is a perfect setup. Without being confrontational or bombastic, Crosby has officially raised the issue.

What are the rules??

“If they’re going to err on the side of protecting us, I don’t think I’m ever going to argue that as a player, especially with Tinordi being hurt … I get it,” Crosby said. “And I think you see some hits throughout the league and especially in the first half of the season here. It’s hard as a player to know. We look at a hit, and we think, ‘oh, that’s a suspension.’

It’s not (a suspension), or we think it’s a penalty, and it’s not. And then you see (the Tanev hit and penalty). You don’t expect a five-minute major … I think it’s just it seems like it’s a little gray right now. And, you know, again, I’m never going to argue with them protecting us because I think that’s what they’re trying to do.” 1185448 San Jose Sharks “I know I was in a scrum a couple times, but it was actually official first fight, so it’s nice to get it behind me. It’s nice, especially against Vegas. I wish I did a little better job. I was exhausted after the shift, but I’ll take it. Who knows, maybe now I get in more fights. But if something happened What Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl said about their fights vs. Vegas to teammates, I want to be there. Doesn’t matter who it is, and I like Golden Knights (Couture) stepping up against Marchessault. We got our (teammates) back, which is huge, I think we were struggling a little bit (with that) last

year. But this is a little different team I feel right now. and We just have to By CURTIS PASHELKA | PUBLISHED: March 17, 2021 at 11:44 p.m. | just play like last the five games, and I think we do a better job than UPDATED: March 18, 2021 at 12:21 a.m. before.”

So many crazy moments in the rivalry. Was this one of the craziest?

It was as about as disappointing a loss as the San Jose Sharks have had “It’s a little different because we (haven’t) beat them yet, which sucks this season. because I love playing against this team and I love to beat them. It’s for sure tough because we’re (0-4-1) against this team, but I think we’ve The Sharks played arguably their best second period of 2021, scoring actually played really three good hockey games. We lost in overtime and three straight goals to take a two-goal lead in their game with the Vegas lost two games here where we deserved the two points. This is just Golden Knights on Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena. tough.”

But the Golden Knights answered with four straight goals of their own MARIO FERRARO over a span of eight minutes and six seconds in the third period. An goal with 4:06 to go in the third period wasn’t enough, as What was going on with Marchessault the whole night? the Sharks lost 5-4 to finish their road trip with a 2-2-0 record. “Just compete, just battle. Just competing, both teams want to win and With the loss, the Sharks remained eight points back of the St. Louis we were getting physical there, battling hard and emotions get involved. Blues for fourth place in the West Division. The two teams play each It was a good thing with (Couture) to step in there and the third, and other Friday and Saturday night at SAP Center. Tommy to stand up for ourselves and our team. Just compete level and battle.” The weirdest part was not only seeing Tomas Hertl fighting Mark Stone, and Logan Couture fight Jonathan Marchessault, but also seeing a tough How did you feel about your game, your goal? guy like Ryan Reaves score for the Golden Knights. “I definitely felt pretty good. But at the end of the day, I gotta be better in “I don’t know if it’s April Fools or St. Patrick’s Day when you see Reaves the third, we all, collectively, we all have to be better than the third. It scoring and Couture and Hertl and Stone fighting,” Golden Knights coach stings, it sucks. things. In the moment, obviously, I was fired up, we had Pete DeBoer said. “It definitely wasn’t a typical game, but it was really to lead. We’ve just got to do a better job of holding that lead and myself hard-fought. They’re obviously a desperate team.” included, I’ve got to do a better job and be more dialed in for the third. It sucks, it stings. But we’ve got to put this behind us and move forward. Here’s what the Sharks were saying after the game. Did the too-many-men call change the momentum? LOGAN COUTURE “Those are tough penalties to take, but it’s part of the game, it happens. I On why he fought Jonathan Marchessault in the third period. think that we should have a little bit better response, but give them a little bit of credit. Their power play came in strong and they came with a lot of “He was chasing (Kevin Labanc) around asking if he would fight him, so I heat, and we’ve just got to be ready to be a little bit more disciplined and told him that I would fight him.” be prepared to play the same way in the third. On if he feels the Sharks have narrowed the gap with Vegas since the “It was tough, that penalty but it was still a 3-2 game after that, that season started? momentum is difficult to handle. But there’s things that we can do in the “Moral victories suck. But yeah, we played better. Should’ve won tonight. future to maybe keep battling back and stay positive and keep going.” Gave away points. Sucks to have to take away moral victories when you RYAN REAVES need to win, should have won and were in a position to win in the third period.” On the fights

Was the too-many-men call in the third period the momentum shift? “Stony’s the captain of our team for a reason, he does stuff like that and gets the boys going. So my hat’s off to those guys for leading the way “So much happened in that period, I can’t even recall what happened in and as well it’s good to get that one (goal).” order, so I’m not sure.” Special to score your first goal against the Sharks and to do it at a critical What was said in the locker room between the second and third periods? time? “Just continue what we were doing. We knew they were going to push. “Anytime you do anything against the Sharks, it’s fun. It’s no secret I hate Stick to our game, which we did not do, stay out of the box, which we did every one of them over there, so anytime I can do anything like that it’s a not do, play in their end and shoot on Fleury, which we didn’t do. So, got good time.” away from what we wanted to do.” What was the difference in the third period? TOMAS HERTL “We came into the locker room knowing that we know how to win games, On his fight and it seems like they don’t really right now. When we come into a third “I saw Timo get hit from behind. I thought it was Glass, but it wasn’t, so I period like that down, up, doesn’t matter, we know we have a chance to knew it was Stone. I just tried stepping up for a teammate.” come back or put the nail in the coffin. I think we came out with a little bit of emotion, obviously, two big fights by guys who don’t fight a lot and that Is the culture starting to change in terms of guys sticking up for each definitely added to the emotion, got the bench up a lot. I mean, it’s gonna other and playing more as one? happen in a rivalry game, we don’t like each other there’s going to be “I think so. I think everybody’s in the same boat, and I think lately we’ve swings like that, but at the end of the day, we know that we can win any been playing pretty good hockey. It was a tough two losses, but I like our game, doesn’t matter at what point.” last five games. If we play like that and play together like one team, it’ll What was it like seeing Marchessault and Stone fight? be more fun than just looking for the points and get whatever. Just played together like a team and we will win some games, but it was a tough two “It’s fun, but it’s nerve-wracking for me. I don’t really like Stony and losses in Vegas because I think we played pretty good hockey.” Marchy and those guys fighting. Those hands aren’t made to fight, they’re made to dance, they’re supposed to be soft. So I know they’re Thoughts on your first fight? gonna be sore tomorrow, every time guys like that fight, they always come up to me like, ‘I don’t know how you play like this.’ But, again, unbelievable job by those two.”

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185449 San Jose Sharks a .932 save percentage and 2.16 goals-against average in five games this month.

“(Dubnyk’s) given us some good starts of late and I thought he really Third period meltdown costs Sharks in heartbreaking loss to Golden battled hard last game,” Boughner said Wednesday morning. “He made Knights some big saves when it was 2-1 to keep us in it and try and let us tie that game up.

“I just like his compete. I think against Vegas, you need to fight in net. By CURTIS PASHELKA | PUBLISHED: March 17, 2021 at 9:42 p.m. | They do get second and third opportunities, they are very offensive, UPDATED: March 17, 2021 at 10:23 p.m. especially below the tops of the circles off the rush, and you’ve got to stay with it. You’ve got to compete, you’ve got to fight in that crease and

(Dubnyk’s) done a good job of that lately.” Just when it felt like the San Jose Sharks’ rivalry with the Vegas Golden San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 03.18.2021 Knights couldn’t get any crazier than it already was, the third period of Wednesday’s game between the two teams began.

Both Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture got into fights, dropping the gloves with Mark Stone and Jonathan Marchessault, respectively. It was Hertl’s first career NHL fighting major, as he got into it with Stone right in front of the Sharks’ net after Stone crunched Timo Meier along the wall in the neutral zone.

But most importantly, the two-goal lead the Sharks had at the start of the third period disappeared, as Cody Glass, Nicolas Hague, Ryan Reaves and Alec Martinez all scored in a span of 8 minutes and 3 seconds to put the Golden Knights ahead by two.

Evander Kane got one goal back with 4:06 left in regulation time, but the Sharks couldn’t get any closer in a 5-4 loss to Vegas at T-Mobile Arena.

“It does sting,” Sharks coach said. “We pissed away a couple points there.”

The fights showed how the Sharks have come together as team over the last two months, but also left them without their top two centers just as they were trying to stay tied with the Golden Knights. Meier was also called into concussion protocol after the hit from Stone.

Couture said he fought Marchessault after the Golden Knights forward challenged Kevin Labanc.

“Moral victories suck. But yeah, we played better,” Couture said. “Should’ve won tonight. Gave away points. Sucks to have to take away moral victories when you need to win, should have won and were in a position to win in the third period.”

The goals by Glass and Martinez came on the power play, as Martinez’s goal with 5:14 left in the third period gave the Golden Knights a 5-3 lead. Glass’ goal at the 6:43 mark of the third came just five seconds after a too-many-men call on the Sharks, as he cut San Jose’s lead to 3-2 and opened the floodgates for his team.

“They didn’t have much going on the first six, seven minutes of that period and we had a horrible, horrible too-many-men call,” Boughner said. “We had six guys on the ice and the two players that were supposed to change for each other, they’re both next to each other on the ice, so it’s just a complete … for me that’s a difference in the game.

“We gave them momentum and when (Vegas) gets momentum, it doesn’t take them much.”

The Sharks had their best second period of the season to take a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes.

Matt Nieto, Mario Ferraro and Kevin Labanc also scored in the second period as the Sharks put themselves in a position to beat the Golden Knights for the first time this season. Ferraro’s goal, his first of the season, came on a wraparound as he picked up a loose puck behind the Golden Knights net, swung around and beat Marc-Andre Fleury.

Vegas coach Pete DeBoer went back to Fleury on Wednesday even though the Golden Knights got back Robin Lehner back after he had missed the last five-plus weeks with concussion symptoms.

It not hard to see why.

Fleury entered Wednesday’s game with a 3-0-0 record and a .973 save percentage against the Sharks this season. That included a 23-save performance Monday in a 2-1 win by the Golden Knights, who, with the victory, improved to 4-0-0 against the Sharks this season.

Boughner started Dubnyk for the fifth time in six days. Dubnyk made 34 saves Monday and entered Wednesday’s game with a 2-2-1 record and 1185450 San Jose Sharks Gabriel had boarded Alex Tuch in the second period of that game in San Jose, and fought Reaves at the start of the third period.

“He likes to lay hits and not answer the bell for them, so I don’t know,” Sharks’ Kurtis Gabriel looks for “pound of flesh” tonight vs. Golden Gabriel said of Reaves. “I guess kudos to them, they won the game. But Knights the game within the game, he lost that one. He made a hit on with Mario Ferraro and I didn’t like it, and he didn’t want to answer the bell.” San Jose Sharks winger will play tonight, was upset by hit from Max Pacioretty on Monday at T-Mobile Arena Gabriel said he fought Nicolas Deslauriers last Friday when the Sharks played Anaheim right after he crunched defenseman Jacob Larsson against the boards in the Ducks’ zone.

By CURTIS PASHELKA | PUBLISHED: March 17, 2021 at 12:20 p.m. | “That’s usually how it goes,” Gabriel said. UPDATED: March 17, 2021 at 1:04 p.m. The Sharks are looking for their first victory against the Golden Knights this season. John Leonard will step into the lineup for Rudolfs Balcers, who suffered an upper-body injury Monday and is considered day-to-day. Kurtis Gabriel plainly said he wants revenge. Goalie Devan Dubnyk will make his second straight start for the Sharks The San Jose Sharks forward left no doubt Wednesday morning that he’s and his fifth in six games. looking for payback after he was upended by a hit from Vegas Golden Knights forward Max Pacioretty two days earlier. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 03.18.2021 “Ready to go after that dirty hit, and I really didn’t appreciate that,” Gabriel said.

With just over five minutes left in the first period of Monday’s game between the Sharks and Golden Knights, Gabriel was skating toward the puck, which had been flipped into the neutral zone by Ryan Donato.

Pacioretty, as he was skating toward the Golden Knights bench for a change, stepped into Gabriel’s way and knocked him off his skates. Gabriel landed on his hip, which caused him to miss most of Tuesday’s practice.

“I was maybe 40 feet from the puck,” Gabriel said. “I just tried to keep my speed out of the zone, trying to get up as an F1 on the forecheck, and their player decided to step in my way and plant himself. I’m all for guys holding guys up, but you can’t plant yourself like that on an unsuspecting player. I went flying and fell right on my hip, so that’s a dirty play in my opinion.”

Not sure what that was… but we play on… #SJSharks #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/allfQDzgen

— TEAL TOWN USA – A San Jose Sharks Podcast (@TEALTOWNUSA) March 16, 2021

The Sharks cried out for a penalty on Monday’s play, as Gabriel got up with his arms raised looking for a call, but none was forthcoming. The Sharks felt there should have been a few more penalties assessed to the Golden Knights in the game, which they won 2-1. San Jose has one power-play Monday, as Pacioretty was called for interference with 26 seconds left in the third period.

Wednesday’s game in Las Vegas starts at 7 p.m.

Earlier Wednesday, Sharks coach Bob Boughner said he wasn’t sure if Gabriel would be able to play, saying he would know more after the team went through an optional practice at T-Mobile Arena. But Gabriel said his hip was feeling good enough to play.

“The adrenaline’s going during the game, so it didn’t hurt then,” Gabriel said. “It’s always the next day that it tightens up. You get the anti- inflammatories in you, and you get a little excited and it’s feeling much better today.”

As a member of the New Jersey Devils, Gabriel received a one-game suspension in March 2019 for boarding the Philadelphia Flyers’ Nolan Patrick, who had to leave the ice and enter concussion protocol. Gabriel was not considered a repeat offender at the time.

“I’m a guy that hits everybody, but cleanly,” Gabriel said. “I’ve only had the one suspension in my life, obviously on Patrick, which was a hockey play gone wrong, didn’t mean to do that. So I’ll be looking for a pound of flesh tonight.”

Although it’s highly unlikely that Gabriel will fight Pacioretty, there’s a chance he tangles again with Ryan Reaves.

Before the incident with Pacioretty, Gabriel had words for Reaves, who leveled Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro with a hard but clean hit along the boards in the Golden Knights zone. Gabriel and Reaves fought once earlier this season, on March 5 at SAP Center. 1185451 San Jose Sharks ROCKIN’ ROBIN Vegas goaltender Robin Lehner returned to the lineup to backup up

Fleury for the first time since Feb. 7. Lehner revealed after the team’s Vegas scores 4 straight in 3rd, rallies past Sharks 5-4 morning skate the upper-body injury that caused him to miss more than a month was a concussion. The 12-year veteran said it was the third concussion of his career. Lehner has had stops in Ottawa, Buffalo, New York with the Islanders and Chicago before landing in Las Vegas last Associated Press season.

ROSTER SMOOTHIE LAS VEGAS (AP) — Ryan Reaves broke a tie during a run of four DeBoer scrambled his lineup when he was forced to scratch regulars straight Vegas goals in the third period and the Golden Knights rallied to Chandler Stephenson and Alex Tuch, plus Nic Holden. Carrier, who was beat the San Jose Sharks 5-4 on Wednesday night. scratched from Monday’s game, returned to the lineup. Tomas Jurco Reaves, who had a goal nullified earlier in the game when William Carrier made his team debut for the Golden Knights. was called for goalie interference, deflected Tomas Nosek’s shot past ST. PATRICK’S DAY Devan Dubnyk to give Vegas the lead with his first goal since March 3, 2020. San Jose’s Patrick Marleau continued his trek for several milestones over a 23-year career. The 41-year-old forward has skated in 1,750 NHL “Anytime you do anything against the Sharks, it’s fun,” Reaves said. “It’s games, currently third-most in history, and is only 17 games behind no secret I hate every one of them over there.” Gordie Howe (1,767) for the all-time record. He remains one goal from Cody Glass, Nicolas Hague and Alec Martinez also scored over a tying Mats Sundin and Joe Nieuwendyk (564) for 23rd on the career list. roughly eight-minute span when Vegas erased a 3-1 deficit. The Golden UP NEXT Knights improved to 13-1-3 in 17 regular-season meetings with San Jose, including 5-0-0 this season. San Jose: Opens a two-game series at home on Friday vs. St. Louis

Shea Theodore also scored for Vegas, and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped Vegas: Opens a two-game series in Los Angeles on Friday vs. the Kings. 29 shots while making his 17th start in 18 games. Fleury earned his 482nd win and is two victories shy of Ed Belfour, who ranks fourth on the San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 03.18.2021 NHL career list.

Matt Nieto, Mario Ferraro, Kevin Labanc and Evander Kane scored for the Sharks. Dubnyk made 32 saves.

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) jumps out of the way as Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague, not pictured, scores on San Jose Sharks goaltender Devan Dubnyk (40) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in Las Vegas.

It was certainly an uncharacteristic stat sheet for both teams, considering this rivalry generally finds Reaves and Kane chirping at one another, if not dropping the gloves. Instead, Vegas captain Mark Stone and assistant Jonathan Marchessault fought San Jose’s Tomas Hertl and captain Logan Couture, respectively.

“I don’t know if it’s April Fools or St. Patrick’s Day when you see Reaves scoring and Couture and Hertl and Stone and (Marchessault) fighting,” Vegas coach Peter DeBoer said. “It definitely wasn’t a typical game. It was really hard-fought. They’re obviously a desperate team. They don’t want to go 0-5 against us, they’re fighting for a playoff spot. They threw a real good game at us and it took us 40 minutes to kind of get involved.”

Theodore extended his point streak to five games with a missile from the point in the first period, but the Sharks took control in the second period.

Nieto, playing in his 499th career game, backhanded the puck to the top shelf for his fifth goal of the season, tying it at 1. Less than two minutes later it was Ferraro burying the puck with a swift wraparound into the net, giving San Jose its first lead over the Golden Knights in more than 13 periods this season. Labanc extended San Jose’s lead by two goals when he caught Fleury out of position and banked the puck off the netminder for his sixth goal in the last 10 games.

Vegas began its comeback on its fourth power-play opportunity. Off a faceoff win five seconds into the power play, Glass punched home a rebound from Theodore’s blast to get the Golden Knights within one. It was Glass’ fourth of the season — all during a power play. Shortly after Stone and Hertl dropped the gloves, Hague one-timed a laser with a slap shot through traffic from the top to tie it.

A little more than two minutes after Reaves' go-ahead, Martinez extended it to 5-3 with a power-play goal just before the advantage ended.

Kane, who also had two assists, got his 12th goal of the season on a power play. Kane has a point in nine of his last 12 games.

“I take some great things out of both games,” San Jose coach Bob Boughner said. “We’re trending in the right direction, but this really stings right now.” 1185452 San Jose Sharks

Boughner says Hertl's first NHL fight showed 'character' in loss

BY KATIE WOO

From an outside perspective, it didn't appear there could be much to be happy about after a disastrous meltdown from the Sharks in the third period of their eventual 5-4 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.

After entering the start of the final period with a 3-1 lead, San Jose surrendered a whopping four goals in a chaotic third stanza. The Vegas quartet of Cody Glass, Nicolas Hague, Ryan Reaves and Alec Martinez all scored over a span of just over eight minutes. Evander Kane was able to get one back for the Sharks, but it wasn't enough, and the Sharks sputtered, losing both games to their rival at T-Mobile Arena.

The wild third period featured five goals in total and two fights, one between Logan Couture and Jonathan Marchessault and the second with Tomas Hertl and Mark Stone.

Now Couture and Marchessault drop the gloves pic.twitter.com/TGyyaxpH1i— Sharks on (@NBCSSharks) March 18, 2021

However, it was Hertl's tussle with Stone that stood as coach Bob Boughner's biggest takeaway, as it served as Hertl's first career NHL fighting major.

Hertl sticking up for his teammates after a big hit to Timo pic.twitter.com/KuywAdNzI6— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) March 18, 2021

After Stone laid out Timo Meier with a big hit, Hertl fired back with a vengeance, a response that thoroughly encouraged Boughner.

"That's great character," Boughner said to reporters during a postgame video conference. "Him being in a leadership group, taking care of any teammate, not just his lineman, those are important things that are team builders throughout the season. That's going to help, even though it stings tonight to lose.

"We've been working a lot on culture. ... These guys have a lot of care for each other, they're playing together, forming a brotherhood. I think that was the right thing to do at the right time."

After being upset by his team's lack of response against Vegas in January, the Sharks' response Wednesday signifies a turn in the team's character, at least according to Boughner and Hertl.

"I think so," Hertl said. "I think everybody's on the same boat."

"I like our last five games of hockey," he added. "If we play like that and play together like one team ... it'll be more fun."

While moral victories won't gain you points in the standings, the Sharks seemingly have shortened the gap between themselves and the Golden Knights. While the end result was far from ideal, Boughner will still chalk up the series as a step up the ladder.

"We played hard," he said. "We stuck up for each other. That's what I ask of this team, that's what I ask of these guys."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185453 San Jose Sharks

Report: Sharks goalie Dubnyk would accept trade to contender

BY ALEX DIDION

The Sharks acquired goalie Devan Dubnyk in a trade back in October, but as the team once again appears destined to miss the postseason, he could be on the market.

Dubnyk's contract is expiring at the end of the season, and although he has a 10-team no-trade clause in his deal, he "certainly would waive" it for the right organization if the Sharks elect to move him before the April 12th trade deadline, TSN NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun reported on Wednesday.

“He’s an [undrafted free agent] at the end of the season, I think the Sharks are going to look to go a different route in terms of their goaltending in the offseason, so Dubnyk will be available in all likelihood before April 12th,” LeBrun said on TSN Insider Trading (h/t NHL Trade Talk). “He’s got a 10-team no trade list, but I think for the right contender and right fit, he would certainly waive.”

Dubnyk has played in 14 games (10 starts) for the Sharks this season while platooning with Martin Jones, posting a 3-6 record and a .908 save percentage. He was acquired by San Jose in a trade with the Minnesota Wild before the 2021 season, as the Sharks sent a fifth-round draft pick in exchange for the 34-year-old.

The Sharks have young netminder Alexei Melnichuk waiting in the wings with the Barracuda, so moving on from Dubyk if a team wants to trade for him might make sense, especially given that the Sharks (11-12-3) are not in contention for a spot in the playoffs at this stage of the season.

Standing in second-to-last place in the Honda West Division, the Sharks might be looking at a rebuild after two brutal seasons in a row. Perhaps Dubnyk won't be the only player who gets shipped off to a contender before the upcoming NHL trade deadline.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185454 San Jose Sharks — TEAL TOWN USA – A SAN JOSE SHARKS PODCAST (@TEALTOWNUSA) MARCH 18, 2021

Less than four minutes later, Logan Couture went at it with Marchessault. Sharks playing more as a team, but ‘moral victories suck’ The Sharks captain later explained that Marchessault was trying to goad Kevin Labanc into a fight, so Couture offered himself up instead and Marchessault accepted.

By Kevin Kurz Ferraro said: “We’re getting physical out there and we’re battling hard, and emotions get involved. It was a good thing Cooch stepping in there in

the third, and Tommy standing up for ourselves and our team.” The loss itself was downright brutal. A 5-4 defeat in which the Sharks Still, a win eluded them. Rather than secure what would have been one blew a two-goal lead in the third period to their biggest rival in the Vegas of their best victories of the season and coming home from a four-game Golden Knights on Wednesday should serve as a reminder that even road trip with six of a possible eight points, the Sharks instead managed though their overall game is trending in the right direction, any talk of this to beat just the lowly Ducks twice at the Honda Center. Anaheim might team making a playoff push this season is a bit dunderheaded. be the only team in the West Division that, top to bottom, has a weaker But there was still plenty to like about the game from a Sharks overall roster. perspective. Really. Couture, naturally, was not pleased with the result even though the In a “reset” season, which this can now officially be termed after general Sharks have seemingly narrowed the gap between themselves and the manager ’s comments last Friday, there are certain things elite Golden Knights since the first couple of times these teams met this the front office would surely like to see that showed up on the T-Mobile season. Vegas is now 5-0 against the Sharks, including Monday’s 2-1 Arena ice. win.

There was young cornerstone defenseman Mario Ferraro continuing to “Moral victories suck,” Couture said. “But yeah, we played better. Should make noticeable strides. Ferraro was outstanding, scoring his first goal of have won tonight. Gave away points. Sucks to take away the moral the season and assisting on another, and scooting around the ice with victories in a game like this when you need to win, should have won, and his boundless energy while registering four hits, too. were in a position to win in the third period. Shitty feeling right now.”

“He was a warrior,” coach Bob Boughner said. “Played great offensively Adding insult to injury is that it was Ryan Reaves who scored the goal in and defensively.” the third period that gave Vegas a 4-3 lead that it would not relinquish. Once Hertl, Couture and Meier were off of the ice — Meier for There was rookie John Leonard not letting a healthy scratching in the concussion protocol — the Sharks just didn’t have the horses left to previous game get to him. Leonard registered three shots on goal, and prevent Vegas from putting the finishing touches on its comeback, which his strong shift in the offensive zone led directly to Ferraro’s goal, on began with an irresponsible too-many-men penalty by the Sharks that which he earned the primary assist by firing a shot off the post that resulted in a power-play goal by Cody Glass at 6:43 of the third. Ferraro gathered behind the net and tucked behind Marc-Andre Fleury in the second period to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead. “We pissed away a couple points,” Boughner said. “The game got emotional and intense and physical, and I didn’t mind that at all. I thought Leonard didn’t play in the first Vegas game on Monday due to Boughner we did a good job sticking up for each other. Those are the things we preferring to dress what he called a “heavier” lineup. It’s likely that the want to keep doing. … (But when Vegas gets) momentum, it doesn’t take rotation of young players in and out of the active lineup will continue with them much.” the rigorous schedule of at least four games a week from here until the end of the regular season on May 8. That will be a lesson the Sharks will have to file away until April 19, the next time they meet Vegas. Until then, they will try to keep their heads But Leonard understands. above water. That looks like it’s going to be an increasingly difficult task, but it’s at least easier than it was probably a month ago. “I’m just trying obviously to improve every day and be more consistent, better on the walls on breakouts, make sure I get everything out, stronger “If we play like that, play together like one team, and just (have each in the O-zone below the circles, and hold on to pucks a little bit longer,” other’s backs) it will be more fun than just looking for the points and Leonard said on Wednesday morning, before doing just that later in the getting whatever,” Hertl said. “Just play together like (a) team and we will evening. win some games. But it’s for sure a tough two losses in Vegas because I think we played pretty good hockey.” But perhaps most importantly, there was a sense of togetherness for the Sharks that was missing in the first part of the season and all of last The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 season. It’s an aspect of their game that has gotten incrementally better over the past few weeks, and finally reached a crescendo on Wednesday.

That includes Tomas Hertl’s first career NHL fight in the third period. Hertl — who took responsibility for being one of the players who didn’t stand up to Vegas’ Jonathan Marchessault after the Golden Knights forward twice drilled Radim Simek, injuring the defenseman on Feb. 13 — caught Mark Stone hammering Timo Meier face-first into the glass out of the corner of his eye in the third period. Despite being winded at the end of his shift, Hertl grabbed the Vegas captain, and although no direct punches were landed by either player, the point was made.

“I tried to just step it up for (a) teammate,” Hertl said.

Bob Boughner approved.

“That’s great character,” the coach said. “I think those are important things that are team-builders throughout the season. And that’s going to help, even though it stings tonight to lose. We’ve been working a lot on our culture as we’ve talked about (often), and I think that these guys have a lot of care for each other, they’re playing together, they’re forming a brotherhood, and I think that was the right thing to do at the right time.”

HERTL VS STONE. #SJSHARKS | #VEGASBORN PIC.TWITTER.COM/IV6PVSYNZI 1185455 San Jose Sharks but on exit, Couture swoops in and his line batters Hague and Whitecloud until Labanc scores. That’s serving things up for the next line.

Again, I like Leonard's (43) patience. Doesn't force forehand when he Game Notes #27: Sharks Go Off Rails, Lose 5-4 to Golden Knights gets the puck, it'll probably get blocked, manages to get a surprising backhand off pic.twitter.com/zMikg4HJcC

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 18, 2021 By Sheng Peng Seconds left, behind Dubnyk, good anticipation by Erik Karlsson to take away what Cody Glass was going for.

Minute in, Nieto ties up Hague, frees up Meier to take it from corner to PERIOD 3 front. Solid start for Nieto in elevated role again. 2 minutes in, loose puck in middle of high slot, Gambrell does nice job of Erik Karlsson then steps in front of Jurco along wall, Vegas reporters say, picking 2 Golden Knights so Marleau can pick up puck unbothered. “Whoa, looks like the old Erik Karlsson.” That is the first fight of Tomas Hertl's career. Took exception to Stone #VegasBorn reporters in pressbox: "Whoa, that looks like the old Erik hitting Meier Karlsson." pic.twitter.com/hSCZsop050 — Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 18, 2021 — Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 18, 2021 Karlsson needs to make a better play there, has chance to clear, too soft Dubnyk needs to stop that, but Meier and Hertl and Knyzhov also had a pass out. I’ve liked his skating tonight, his defending has been decent, good chances to get it out. but his touch with the puck has been very off.

8 minutes in, brilliant Karlsson cross-slot pass. Labanc sticks out a dangerous leg that Marchessault trips on. Marchessault lands into Couture. It’s a gutter war out there. 10 minutes in, that’s a tough stretch pass by Burns, there’s a Golden Knight clearly in front of target. That looks like an easy let’s play it safer That was a dangerous trip by Labanc. Labanc lucky to not get called play. — Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 18, 2021 Gambrell takes it to the net, draws a penalty on Roy. Karlsson and Labanc having fun playing catch. Clever jam by Donato on Fleury, might This fighting spirit by #SJSharks is (genuinely) great, but they need have surprised vet goalie for a sec. Good PP from both units, generated another goal more than they need another fight a lot of chances. — Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 18, 2021 7 minutes left, good stick check by Vlasic in corner, puck into netting, Okay, it’s now 5-3 Vegas. Wow. Okay, first, I love Hertl standing up for San Jose Sharks needed a break. Next shift, Knyzhov does a great job of Meier. That’s outstanding. You see something, step up. However, it gets bodying off hard-charging Stone. But Labanc takes a delay of game, messy after that. I know Marchessault is a rat, but is a 3-3 game the time another big PK. for payback? Did something more happen than the usual with Except for William Karlsson chance (off post?), strong Sharks PK. Good Marchessault? And seeing red is emotion, which can be good, sure, but it in-zone and NZ work. also could lead to a lack of discipline, such as the ensuing Labanc trip on Carrier. 5 minutes left, good work down low by Burns, Ferraro, Hertl. San Jose Hockey NowLOADED: 03.18.2021 3 minutes left, sweet Donato deflection off Simek shot. Great forecheck shift by Handemark, Gabriel, and Donato.

Tough Karlsson stretch pass there leads to Knyzhov penalty. A couple Golden Knights between Karlsson and target. I’m generally supportive of Karlsson and Burns freelancing when they want, but when a Golden Knight is standing where target is, maybe think twice.

Gotta solve Fleury: Per Natural Stat Trick, San Jose Sharks 8-4 Scoring Chances at 5-on-5, 3-2 High-Danger. We’ve heard this story: Good Sharks period at 5-on-5, but can’t score.

Per SPORTLOGiQ: San Jose has 7-2 Slot Shots on Net advantage, All Situations. Fleury.

PERIOD 2

5 minutes in, that backhand pass up middle by Nieto, intercepted, is a no-no.

But a minute later, outstanding down-low work by Meier, Hertl, and Nieto. Bottle that up. Probing until someone gets open.

Outstanding patience from Nieto, Hertl, Meier: Multiple puck touches, probing for a breakdown, which happens when Nieto circles from high to low, nobody picks him up pic.twitter.com/nswL1CEE5d

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 18, 2021

It's been a long time since #SJSharks have held a lead over Marc-Andre Fleury: A 2-1 OT victory in Nov. 2019, when Peter DeBoer was still San Jose's head coach

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 18, 2021

Carrier barrels into Dubnyk, absolute right call to wave that off.

Labanc goal started by Karlsson and Knyzhov taking puck from Reaves behind Dubnyk, Gabriel draws in forechecker, then passes it to Donato. Donato does phenomenal job winning puck race on forecheck. Hague beats him to puck, but Donato ties him up. Vegas regains possession, 1185456 San Jose Sharks time to get to work.’ And that’s when we came back and won, which I think was massive.”

BARRACUDA FINALLY BEAT CONDORS Merkley on Sommer, Cuda Played Skater Short for Game Because of After losing their previous four matchups against the Condors (9-6-0-0), App Mistake the Barracuda (6-4-4-0) never trailed in a 4-3 win inside SAP Center Wednesday night.

By Brian Truong Goaltender Josef Korenar made 37 saves, denying many high-danger chances to snap Bakersfield’s league-leading nine-game winning streak.

The Barracuda got out to a second period 2-0 lead with goals from Since the beginning of March, the Barracuda have had 29 roster Kellman and Jeffery Viel. transactions due to the San Jose Sharks recalling and reassigning players. It’s the second most roster moves of all AHL teams this month, Bakersfield scored early in the third period, but Jacob Middleton retrieved behind the Ontario Reign’s 48 transactions. his blocked shot off the boards and tucked in his first goal of the year.

“We haven’t had the same lineup, I don’t think, for two games in a row all oh my god Jake Middleton what even pic.twitter.com/xDsCOsn0IB year,” head coach said. — Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) March 18, 2021 The trend continued into this week’s back-to-back games. Last night, Set up by crisp passes from Kellman and Russo, Joachim Blichfeld Stefan Noesen and Joel Kellman returned to the Barracuda. Tonight, scored his team-high ninth goal for a 4-1 lead with 9:36 left in the third Steenn Pasichnuk made his AHL debut, replacing Jake McGrew. period. The constant cycle of players through the San Jose Sharks’ system has But just like the previous two games, Bakersfield threatened to overturn created unique situations for Sommer. He’s played a non-traditional the third period lead. Within a minute of Blichfeld’s goal, the Condors lineup of 11 forwards and seven defensemen five times this season. He’s scored two goals in 28 seconds to cut the Barracuda lead to 4-3. The even gone with the rarely-seen 10-8. Barracuda survived a late barrage by the Condors, earning their first win “With eight [defensemen] in the lineup, we were kind of short on over Bakersfield this season. forwards,” Sommer said. “We had guys that were kind of banged up, Korenar is now 3-0-2-0 with a 2.75 GAA and 0.918 save percentage. He guys called up, and some guys that aren’t quite ready yet to go in.” and Alexei Melnichuk have been splitting time starting for the Barracuda On Mar. 5, Robbie Russo played on the second line and Karlis Cukste and sitting on the San Jose Sharks taxi squad. made his AHL debut on the fourth line. While neither defenseman had The Barracuda travel to play the Henderson Silver Knights for back-to- any professional experience playing forward, Russo added two power back afternoon games Saturday and Sunday. play assists and Cukste tipped in a goal. San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 “It just gave them an opportunity to go in and get some ice time,” Sommer said. “That’s what it’s all about right now. It’s just playing.”

Defenseman Karlis Cukste scores first goal in Barracuda debut while playing as a forward. Tipped in Christian Jaros' shot. pic.twitter.com/U6tw7icdpl

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) March 6, 2021

The constant line shuffling led to an error that left the Barracuda short a player on Saturday. The game was paused 15 seconds in and after discussions between the referees and coaches, Brinson Pasichnuk had to leave the eventual 4-3 overtime loss. Sommer said they had forgotten to add the rookie defenseman to the roster.

“This new app [the AHL] sent out, you don’t do paper [rosters] anymore,” Sommer said. “We thought we had him on the app, and I guess we didn’t.”

Digital lineup submissions seems like one of the relatively small changes prescribed for playing through a pandemic. Sommer mentioned that he missed the feeling from meeting and talking with players face-to-face.

“We don’t have a lot of meetings, because it’s all done on Zoom,” Sommer said. “The only time we really see [the [players] is on the ice, as a coaching staff.”

Sommer, known for his bolo ties and cowboy aesthetic, also couldn’t take the Barracuda on his usual team-bonding camping trip this season. He’s had to settle for making the most of the limited time he gets with the team.

“I think the biggest thing is just going to the rink in a good frame of mind and being positive,” Sommer said. “Not really getting down on guys, but make it into a fun experience, because that’s the only time we really see them.”

“[Sommer] is realistic and honest,” Ryan Merkley said. “He keeps it pretty loose, but he lets us know when it’s time to get going.”

Merkley brought up Sommer’s calm reaction to the Barracuda’s lackluster first period performance on Feb. 28. Returning from a 13-day break due to five straight games being postponed, the Barracuda helped the Ontario Reign to score three goals in the opening period.

“I really liked how he came into the room,” Merkley said. “He came in, ‘It’s been two weeks off, boys. So obviously it’s been a little rough. Now it’s 1185457 San Jose Sharks “[Gabriel’s] just like how he is in the interviews,” Merkley said. “Likes to have fun, keep the mood loose. He’s a great guy to look up to off the ice. Treats his body well. He’s been awesome, it’s been lots of fun.”

Ryan Merkley on First Pro Goal, Living with Kurtis Gabriel BARRACUDA GIVE UP THIRD PERIOD LEAD, AGAIN

While the Barracuda (5-4-4-0) were finally able to score first, it ended with another overtime loss to the Condors (9-5-0-0) Tuesday night. It was By Brian Truong also the Barracuda’s first game inside SAP Center since March 7, 2020.

Blichfeld’s power play goal was his team-leading 11th point of the year, assisted by Merkley and Alexander True. After Bakersfield tied the game Playing in their fourth straight game against the same opponent tonight, later in the second period, Sasha Chmelevski cleaned up a rebound to the are still looking for their first win of the season regain a 2-1 lead. against the Bakersfield Condors. good morning Josef Korenar had a great game yesterday “I think we need to have better starts, obviously,” defenseman Ryan pic.twitter.com/7hUlK9f7fd Merkley said before Tuesday’s game. — Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) March 17, 2021 The 20-year-old has helped his team with just that, scoring the Barracuda’s first goal on Saturday and assisting on the opening goal last But in a repeat of Saturday’s loss, the Barracuda faltered late in the third night. However, those two games showed a “better start” alone isn’t period. The Condors tied the game with 3:30 left and scored in overtime enough. Bakersfield recovered from back-to-back third period deficits to for their 10th consecutive win. Goaltender Josef Korenar stopped made win in overtime. 34 saves in the loss.

The Condors have been the Barracuda’s most common opponent so far The Barracuda and Condors re-match again Wednesday night. this season, and a sure source of frustration. San Jose suffered its first shutout loss of the year to the Condors Mar. 3, then lost back-to-back San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 games in Bakersfield Mar. 12-13.

Through their first three matchups, Bakersfield was always the first to score.

“They’re a good, solid, older team,” Merkley said. “You can’t be digging yourself into a hole every time.”

Merkley opened the scoring Tuesday night by setting up Joachim Blichfeld just seven seconds into a power play.

Joachim Blichfeld opens the scoring on the power play. Assists for Ryan Merkley & Alexander True pic.twitter.com/AEIHdrplgI

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) March 17, 2021

With defenseman Nick DeSimone up on the San Jose Sharks taxi squad, Merkley is now enjoying the responsibility of running the first power play unit. He was with Blichfeld, Joel Kellman, Alexander True, and Jayden Halbegewachs Tuesday night.

“When he goes up to the Sharks, that’s where he’s going to play,” head coach Roy Sommer said. “So they want to see him in that role as much as possible. And actually, man, he’s got high-end offensive skill.”

After only recording two assists through the first eight games, Merkley now has five points in five games, four assists and his first professional goal. On Saturday, he carried the puck behind Bakersfield’s net and chipped a backhand shot off the goalie to tie the game.

Ryan Merkley's first professional goal. Also has five assists this year. #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/9zpxBdjY5Z

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) March 14, 2021

“I think I faked a pass to [Blichfeld], tried to buy myself some space and time,” Merkley said. “I knew if I was going to go around the net, the goalie would bite and go to the far post. So I just tried to stop up quick and bank it off him.”

And while his offense is heating up, the San Jose Sharks’ 2018 first round draft pick said his main focus has been defensive play.

“Taking away gaps and time, working back for my partner — the basics,” Merkley said. “I’m trying to get that down one hundred percent. I think it’s gone well, it’s getting there. It’s just getting used to the pace and size of these guys.”

Merkley has raved about his experience of staying with Brent Burns and former Shark Curtis Brown during training camps. Now in his first full season in San Jose, the 5’11” Merkley lives with teammates Kurtis Gabriel (6’4”), Zach Gallant (6’2”), and Brandon Coe (6’4”).

“Some big boys in the house,” Merkley said. “A lot of eating … a little grappling and wrestling, it’s fun.”

Gabriel was called up to the NHL Mar. 2 and quickly endeared himself to the San Jose Sharks with both his fighting words and fists. 1185458 San Jose Sharks Sharks to know that someone’s going to fight for you for just about any reason.

SPORTLOGIQ PRE-GAME STAT OF THE NIGHT Game Preview/Lines #27: Gabriel Calls Out Reaves, Doesn’t Like The Golden Knights’ fifth-ranked PK is intimidating. As I noted in my last Pacioretty’s “Dirty Hit” Game Preview, they’re top-five in the NHL in a whopping six SPORTLOGiQ micro-stat categories – basically, there’s no obvious weakness in this unit. By Sheng Peng But regardless, a key vulnerability stands out that the San Jose Sharks may be able to take advantage of tonight: Vegas is just 20th in the NHL in Short-Handed % of Defensive Zone Rebounds Recovered. Basically, if Kurtis Gabriel is certainly doing his part to keep the San Jose Sharks- you manage to get a shot through – and that’s the big challenge – you Vegas Golden Knights rivalry going. This morning, he challenged Ryan stand a good chance of getting to the rebound first. Reaves and commented on Max Pacioretty’s “dirty hit.” San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 Also, if San Jose manages to get a power play tonight, how will they beat the vaunted Vegas penalty kill? SPORTLOGiQ identifies a key vulnerability.

SAN JOSE SHARKS (11-12-3)

Projected lines for tonight's #SJSharks game. Leonard in for Balcers. Dubnyk in the net. pic.twitter.com/joDSFSucWv

— Locked on Sharks (@LockedOnSharks) March 17, 2021

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS (19-6-1)

Morning Skate Report: Robin Lehner reveals he had a concussion

WHERE TO WATCH

Puck drop is 7:00 PM PT at T-Mobile Arena. Watch it on NBC Sports Bay Area, AT&T Sportsnet, or NHL.tv.

MORNING SKATE

Kurtis Gabriel, as usual, wasn’t mincing any words today.

First, Gabriel confirmed that he’s playing tonight. This was in question after Gabriel stepped out for practice yesterday, then immediately stepped off. He did not return to practice.

“Ready to go after that dirty hit,” Gabriel said. “I really didn’t appreciate that. I’m a guy that hits everybody, but cleanly. I’ve only had the one suspension in my life, obviously on Patrick, just a hockey play gone wrong, didn’t mean to do that.”

Gabriel (29) was referring to this Max Pacioretty (67) hit — audio left in on purpose:

“Puck squeaked out to the neutral zone. And their d-man was pulling the puck back for a long re-group. I was maybe 40 feet from the puck. I just tried to keep my speed, get up as a F1 in the forecheck and their player decided to step in my way, plant himself,” Gabriel noted. “I’m all for guys holding guys up, but you can’t plant yourself like that. An unsuspecting player, I went flying and fell right on my hip. That’s a dirty play, in my opinion.”

For what it’s worth, this Pacioretty pick is not that dissimilar to his Mar. 5 hit on Logan Couture:

If you had Pacioretty and Couture as the first tussle tonight, good on you for a lot of money.

Golden Knights are going on the power play for this.#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/keDJbB7B1p

— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) March 6, 2021

“I’ll be looking for a pound of flesh tonight,” Gabriel said.

But will Gabriel be looking for it from Pacioretty…or Ryan Reaves?

The shift before Pacioretty’s under-handed play, Reaves (75) appears to hit Mario Ferraro (38) hard (but cleanly) – regardless, Gabriel challenges the Vegas strongman:

“He likes to throw hits and not answer the bell for them. I guess kudos to them, they won the game. But the game within the game, he lost that one. He hit Mario Ferraro; I didn’t like it,” Gabriel offered. “He didn’t want to answer the bell. I made a hit in Anaheim and Nic Deslauriers wanted me to answer the bell. So it’s just usually how it goes.”

On the one hand, Gabriel must be careful about drawing an extra penalty on plays like that. On the other hand, it must feel good for the San Jose 1185459 St Louis Blues It became 2-0 Kings only 58 seconds after Doughty’s goal, when Grundstrom used Vince Dunn almost for leverage, pushing off on the Blues defenseman behind the St. Louis net and then spinning around to the front and whipping the puck past Jordan Binnington. Blues come out flat as can be in 4-1 loss to Kings Things stabilized for a while. But then Sean Walker skated around Hoffman down right wing, and from down low slid a pass into the middle for Trevor Moore for a tip-in goal to make it 3-0 with 5:49 left in the first Jim Thomas As O’Reilly put it, no matter what happens in practice: “You have to do it

in the game. And it starts with myself a bit too. I think I kinda started slow LOS ANGELES — As the Blues began the second half of the season and soft. Gotta find a way to forecheck better and be heavier. If I’m doing Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings, the message from coach that, that can help lead the way and spark something. Craig Berube to his team was crystal clear: Playoff hockey starts now. “So I think it’s a lot of self-evaluation. . . .We have to look at how do we If that’s the case, it wasn’t the optimum start to the “postseason.” Playing have jump, how do we start clear and fast and intense?” one of their worst opening periods of the season, a brutal start doomed In Game 1 of what is now just a five-game trip due to Monday’s the Blues n a 4-1 loss to LA at Staples Center. postponement against LA, the Blues welcomed Tyler Bozak into the It took the Blues more than eight minutes to get their first shot on goal, lineup after a 21-game absence. and by that time they were down 2-0. “First game back after being out that long,” Berube said. “It’s fast out A mere 11 days earlier in this building, the Blues jumped to a 3-0 lead there. So he looked like I thought he would look to be honest with you. just 11 minutes 5 seconds into the contest. The Kings chipped away, He did a pretty good job though. He’s a smart player. And he knows how however, and ended up winning 4-3 in overtime. The Blues haven’t been to be in position and do things like that. But it’ll take a few games for him the same since, now in a 0-2-3 tailspin starting with that contest. to get up to speed.”

This time around the Kings jumped to a 3-0 lead just 14 minutes 11 Centering a third line that included Hoffman and Sammy Blais, Bozak seconds into the game. Could the Blues turn the tables and rally for a played 14:30, which included power play and penalty kill duty. win? There was an unexpected lineup surprise on defense, with Jake Walman Nope. And despite some brief momentum following a Mike Hoffman goal replacing Niko Mikkola on the third pairing. There was no injury issue late in the second period, it wasn’t really close. The Blues never really with Mikkola; he was a healthy scratch. It was only Walman’s fourth NHL mounted a push in the third period before Blues killer Anze Kopitar game, two of which he was used at forward. scored a long-distance empty-net goal with 1:40 left. “Just a different look,” Berube said. “Wally’s got good ability with his “They get a good bounce on the power play, ends up on a guy’s stick and skating and he’s got a good shot. I thought Wally played a really good then they had a guy (Drew Doughty) with a one-timer from the top of the game.” slot,” Hoffman said. “So there’s not too much you can do about that. In the grand scheme, the lineup changes didn’t help. At 14-10-5, the “And then after that I think they got the momentum, gotta couple of lucky Blues remain in fourth place in the West Division with 33 points, but LA breaks - off one our skates and into the net. Before you know it we’re (12-10-6) is now just three points back and has one game in hand on the down 3-0. It’s a tough mountain to climb, especially against a defensive Blues. team like that.” “We’re looking to make up more ground,” David Perron said. “That’s how That’s one way to look at it. Coach Craig Berube had a slightly different I see things. You wanna get those (injured) guys back, but you want view. them to get comfortable, you want them to play their game. And then you want to take another level probably as a team in many ways.” “We weren’t on our toes,” Berube said. “They were quicker than us. They wanted it more in the first period. That’s the game.” Wednesday wasn’t that night.

He then elaborated. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.18.2021

“They were a lot quicker than us in the offensive zone,” Berube continued. “We didn’t kill any plays. The front of our net was soft. Letting guys beat us back to our net. Just things like that.

“The PP goal (by Doughty), that shot should be blocked. The other two goals (by Carl Grundstrom and Trevor Moore), just getting beat to our net. They were more hungry around the net than we were.”

The Blues have talked about the importance of getting off to better starts. But it keeps happening.

The opposing team has scored first in 18 of 29 games this year. In the past three contests, they’ve been outscored by a combined 6-0 in the opening period.

“It was very slow,” Ryan O’Reilly said. “We just didn’t start with the urgency we needed. We weren’t quick enough. We weren’t physical in D- zone. Just weren’t sharp to go. And that’s what killed us.”

In practice Monday and Tuesday, the Blues worked on defensive zone exits, emphasized being stronger defensively at the net front, and tougher along the walls. They emphasized the important of a strong forecheck. But none of that translated over to game night, which is puzzling.

“It is (puzzling), because I thought we had two great days of practice,” Berube said. “A lot of good things. And then we come out flat like that. Just not doing the job. Guys aren’t doing their job. Guys are not competitive enough in certain situations and just structurally not doing what they’re supposed to do.” 1185460 St Louis Blues Ellis shares the Quebec League career shutout record with Phillippe Cadorette, who compiled his 17 shutouts from 2011-16, playing for two teams over that span.

Blues notebook: Foes are making it tougher for Kyrou Blue notesTo stay salary-cap compliant when moving Bozak from long- term injured reserve to the active roster, the Blues moved defenseman Colton Parayko (back injury) from “regular” injured reserve to long-term list. The move was made because players on IR count against the cap; Jim Thomas but players having long-term status don’t.

• Blues head athletic trainer Ray Barile worked his 2,000th NHL game LOS ANGELES — Young Jordan Kyrou entered Wednesday’s game with Wednesday. the Los Angeles Kings tied for fourth among Blues goal-scorers, with • The Blues are off Thursday, then play their sixth back-to-back of the eight. But with only one goal in his last 10 contests. season Friday and Saturday in San Jose against the Sharks. Make that one in his last 11, as he did not score in the Blues’ 4-1 loss to St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.18.2021 the Kings.

It’s inevitable that all players have ups and downs over the course of a season, especially 22-year-olds still establishing their footprint in the NHL. But there’s probably something else at play here. Namely, opposing teams now are aware that Kyrou is someone who can hurt you if you’re not paying attention.

“Teams are gonna defend him better,” coach Craig Berube said. “They’ve watched him produce early on in the season. Everybody understands what kind of player he is now. The speed and ability. So he’s gotta raise his level of intensity, I think, and raise his battle level.”

“It’s all about skating for Jordan, and when he’s skating — with and without the puck — he’s a dangerous player. He’s just gotta simplify and get back to skating. He’s gotta understand that teams are gonna check him tighter and he’s gotta win those one-on-one battles more. And he’s gotta get to the net more and get pucks to the net more with bodies.”

Without a doubt, Kyrou rates as the Blues’ most-improved player midway through the season. Factor in his 13 assists, three of which have come over those past 11 games, and his 21 points ranked fourth on the team through 28 games.

Kyrou would like nothing better than to have a strong second half, for the team and personally.

“Gotta get back to doing like the little things, I think, and just being more competitive out there,” Kyrou said. “Just playing a bit harder and the other things will start to come around again.”

Joshua staysEven with the return of Tyler Bozak, plus a now-healthy Jacob de la Rose, rookie forward Dakota Joshua remained in the lineup Wednesday for the Blues. The situation probably changes Friday, against San Jose, when Jaden Schwartz is scheduled to return. But Berube likes what he’s seen in Joshua, 24.

It’s a feel-good story that the Blues have enjoyed.

“He’s a guy who, he kinda plays the game the right way and definitely slides right into Blues hockey,” Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo said. “He’s an older guy. You don’t see that as much every day.

“It’s awesome. He’s created a lot of good energy for our group and good feel, so guys couldn’t be happier for him. He’s doing a great job.”

De la Rose, who had missed the previous seven games with a lower- body injury, was available to play against the Kings, but Berube opted for Joshua instead.

Record for EllisBlues goalie prospect Colten Ellis tied a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League record with his 17th career shutout in Wednesday’s 5-0 victory for the Charlottetown Islanders over the . He stopped 18 shots in a game that actually began Tuesday but was halted because of bad ice conditions.

There was a rut in the ice at Eastlink Centre, Charlottetown’s home arena on Prince Edward Island, so the game was stopped early in the third period Tuesday and completed Wednesday.

It was the sixth shutout of the season for Ellis, who is 18-1 with a 1.90 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.

Ellis, 20, was a third-round pick (No. 93 overall) by the Blues in the 2019 draft. He signed a three-year entry level contract with the Blues on March 1, which kicks in next season. 1185461 St Louis Blues amazing. Most of those early goals have been the result of turnovers or gaffes that have put him in a tough spot, but those are the saves a goalie has to make to give his team a jolt. It's way too soon to give up on him, but he needs to find a way to get through the opening minutes. Blues' Mike Hoffman falling short in scoring, ice time and - it seems - his coach's confidence on defense Q: I’m a fan of Klim Kostin. He’s big and can skate. That said, shouldn’t we pump the brakes on expectations for him, especially this year?

A: Certainly what he can do for the Blues this season should be viewed Jim Thomas with caution, since he won't be around for much of it. I believe the next round of KHL playoffs start (Thursday), and they play every other day. So

Kostin couldn't be in St. Louis playing for a month (after quarantine), As the Blues work through a recent slump, fans bring their questions which leaves about three weeks of the season, and then he would have about the lineup, roster moves and expectations for the team. Here are to adapt to playing on smaller ice. He might find his niche on the third the highlights from the weekly chat. line, but he's also someone who could plug in as a power forward on a top line, digging pucks out of corners. Maybe not all the time, but he can Q: Has Mike Hoffman been as good as expected? Does he fit this team? play there. It will be interesting to see how he looks in the NHL after what Would you bring him back? Armstrong has said was a successful season in the KHL.

Knights Blues Hockey Q: If the Blues continue to see Good Zach Sanford, are the top two lines Jaden Schwartz-Brayden Schenn-Vladimir Tarasenko and Zach Sanford- A: Seven goals in 27 games is essentially a 21-goal pace for 82 games, Ryan O'Reilly-David Perron? And how does the third line shake out? which would be his low for an NHL season. So to that end, a bit disappointing. His shot totals were way down from the end of February Blues vs. Golden Knights on before getting a boost in the last Vegas game. Craig Berube said Hoffman wasn't getting to the tough spaces to get the puck and get A: Sanford fits in the top two lines only as long as he's producing or when shots. Hoffman is a volume shooter. When he's getting five or so shots a someone else isn't. When Robert Thomas comes back, giving the Blues game, that's when he's scoring goals. four centers in O'Reilly, Schenn, Tyler Bozak and Thomas, someone is heading back to the wing, most likely Bozak. I think Thomas was at his If the Blues could bring him back, sure, but that's going to be very hard to best this season when Bozak was on his line, so those two probably stay do. The Blues would have to clear cap space, and he would have to take together, especially since the Blues need someone who can win faceoffs. a lot less money than he's probably going to get on the market. If the Blues could get him back for $4 million, he'd be worth it, though that When the Blues signed Mike Hoffman, I don't know that would also mean he probably had a bad year, relatively speaking, and was envisioning him as a third-line forward, but that's how it's shaken out. demand for him was low. If he's making $6 million or so, the Blues can't In any case, I wouldn't get married to any particular combination of lines. fit him in. Craig Berube is going to rearrange them all season to keep things moving. Follow-up: With regard to Mike Hoffman’s diminished production, couldn’t it have to do with him not being in the best position to succeed. The Q: The Blues when skating five on five have been steadily declining in quality and quantity of his minutes have been lacking. both plus-minus and zone time. Are the only chances for improvement for Colton Parayko to return or to trade for a defensive upgrade? A: Hoffman's ice time has been all over the board -- 11:47 in the first Vegas game, 17:58 in the second -- so that's certainly been a limiting A: Parayko coming back, being healthy and playing at his best is factor, and he's averaging 15:38 per game, which is on track to be his certainly the simplest way to improve the team five on five. When lowest since his first full NHL season. He's also been on the second Parayko is at his best, he makes an awful lot of troubles go away. He can power-play unit a lot, which puts him on the ice for maybe 30 seconds skate his way out of a lot of jams, but we haven't seen that this season. out of two minutes. Hoffman loses a lot of ice late in the game if the Don't underestimate the importance, though, of some of the forwards Blues are ahead, when Craig Berube shortens his bench and goes with coming back. Tyler Bozak and Jaden Schwartz (Ivan Barbashev, too, more defense-minded players. But that's part of the reason for less ice though he's a ways off) have a strong defensive presence, and in late- time; Berube doesn't seem sold on Hoffman on defense. More ice time game situations, Craig Berube turns to them a lot. could certainly help his offensive game, though you can't say he hasn't Q: Interesting to hear Craig Berube say the team is not playing the kind had chances. Just not an every-game basis. of defense he expects. Might some of that be because of Jay Q: What moves or trades need to happen when the Blues presumably Bouwmeester's absence? become healthy in the coming weeks? A: Subtract Bouwmeester and , and those are two big A: If you're asking what needs to happen cap-wise, there's a lot of moves holes to fill. That was a formidable pairing back in the day. The on paper, as well as call-ups being sent back to the taxi squad or Utica. replacements for them have in effect been Justin Faulk and Torey Krug, The Blues will be a little bit over the cap, $700,000 or so, when Tyler who are more offensive-minded defensemen. The absence of Colton Bozak comes off long-term injured reserve, but they can get around it by Parayko -- not at his best while skating injured -- was another problem. moving Colton Parayko onto LTIR until Jaden Schwartz gets back, and I remember being in Columbus a few years back and talking with Darren then they can send other guys back down to open needed space. Dakota Pang about who on the Blues might be a Hockey Hall of Famer, and the Joshua and Nathan Walker will be headed back to Utica or the taxi squad answer was the best candidate might be Bouwmeester. He's a lot to soon. Or the Blues can activate Jacob de la Rose and then put him on replace. Nikko Mikkola might get toward that level at some point, but the taxi squad. obviously not yet. Health issues aside, the Blues were going to have to If you're asking from the point of view of making the team better for the replace Bouwmeester sometime. Even if he hadn't had his heart episode stretch drive, probably nothing since the Blues don't have the cap space last season, there was no guarantee about this season. to add a player. If the Blues were to make a deal, it would be for a draft Q: What are the chances Jaden Schwartz will re-sign? pick or a prospect, but no one who would figure in this season. (Barring something really strange happening.) Assuming the Blues are adding A: I think the Blues are going to do everything they can to re-sign players rather than subtracting, it will be a matter of making the existing Schwartz. The flat cap may keep other teams from throwing too much components play their best. money at him, so if he gets a raise from the $5.35 million he's making now, it won't be a huge one. It's a two-way street: Schwartz has to want Q: What are your thoughts on Ville Husso? to return, the Blues have to want him back, and the sides have to have a Blues vs. Golden Knights number they both like, or as Doug Armstrong has said, makes them both uncomfortable. I think there's a good chance he re-signs, maybe 75 A: He's got the potential to be good. I've seen him play some great percent. games in the preseason. And he's shown in the second and third periods of games that he can make big saves. I don't know that I've seen Q: What to make of Vladimir Tarasenko's return? something like what he goes through at the start, though. Six goals given Knights Blues Hockey up on one of the first three shots he's faced, three on the very first. That's A: The Blues have yet to win since Tarasenko returned to the lineup, though that's not Tarasenko's fault. I think he gave the team a morale boost when he came back, just as they'll get a boost (Wednesday) from Tyler Bozak and potentially Friday from Jaden Schwartz. That alone is worth something to the team, which has been going through a long slog of one bit of bad news after another. I also thought his play would be somewhat like you see when a player is called up from the minors: a big jolt of adrenaline in his game at the start, and then things die down after a few games. If that's going to happen, this is about the time for it. Tarasenko’s minutes have been high, and he had five shots on goal last game, so he's not afraid to shoot.

I've never expected him to be 100 percent this season, so if you're looking for classic Vladi Tarasenko, I'd wait for next season (or late in a long playoff run). So far, though, he's been good considering all the circumstances that have been going on. The next few weeks will be telling because it's when that adrenaline will be wearing off and the drag of getting his body pounded for the first time in a year and a half starts to settle in.

Q: Are the rules on players interacting with one another (i.e., the ban) away from the rink the same at home as on the road?

A: The rules essentially are stay to yourself. Players can get together on the road in designated lounge areas, but not in their rooms. The league came down heavily on Washington when the Capitals were caught having done that. Players can't go to other players' homes to visit. Torey Krug said a week ago that the first thing he'd like to do when things get back to normal is have a big barbecue at his house, not just for teammates, but for assorted family members who have had kids who he hasn't been able to meet. Doug Armstrong talked about this a while ago, too, about how tough it must be for people like Krug's family; at least Krug gets to go to the rink every day and see teammates. His wife is at home with their kid and isn't even supposed to go out grocery shopping. The league's rules may be severe, but the league really doesn't want teams being unable to play games because of a COVID outbreak.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185462 St Louis Blues Kopitar has three goals and five assists in the six games against St. Louis this season. Linemate Dustin Brown has five goals against the Blues, two which came on the power play.

(Updated) Blues Game Day: Bozak moved to active roster, Paryako goes “There’s not a ton of space out there against this team,” Bortuzzo said. to long-term IR “They’re very structured through the neutral zone, keep it tight defensively. I think if we can kind of start to come in waves and put a little pressure on their defensemen with our forecheck, that’s when we’re at our best.” Jim Thomas KILLING TIME

The Blues arrived in LA on Sunday. It’s now Wednesday. Following Los Angeles – The Blues officially removed center Tyler Bozak from the Monday’s postponement, after the Kings got snowed in in Colorado, the long-term injured reserve (LTIR) list, clearing the decks for his return to Blues finally get to play a game. the lineup in Wednesday’s 9 p.m. (Central) contest with the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. “We got some good practice time in which is important,” Berube said. “There’s not a lot of time for practice (usually), and we got a couple good Bozak has missed 21 of 28 games this season due to a concussion. days of practice in. I’m happy about that but I’m sure we’re all ready to Veteran David Perron said Bozak does “a lot of little things that maybe play the game.” goes unnoticed at times. I mean, just like his faceoff ability. Even on the And with COVID-19 protocols remaining in place, there wasn’t much the power play, just taking sticks, getting body positions on guys - it opens up Blues could do with the extra time caused by the postponement. seams, things like that.” “Not a lot going on,” Bortuzzo said. “Lot of eating out of boxes and stuff Perron said Bozak is expected to go right back to one of the middle like that. Playing cards. Doing some reading. Going for walks. spots, or “bumper” positions, on one of the power play units. “Fortunately, we got a tight-knit group here, everyone’s kinda hanging out Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo pointed to some of the intangibles that with each other. And having time to bond and hang out. That’s kinda how Bozak brings. we’ve been passing time.” “He’s huge in our locker room,” Bortuzzo said. “Makes it very comfortable Ah, the not-so-glamorous life of a professional hockey player during a for guys. Kinda keeps it light but at the same time is a tremendous pandemic. competitor.” “Yeah, it’s a season like no other,” Bortuzzo said. “Fortunately, we got To make room for Bozak’s return under the salary cap, defenseman some nice weather here. You can get outside, eat your meals Colton Parayko was shifted from the “regular” injured reserve list to LTIR. outside. Soak in some sun. Not quite pool weather, but nice to sit around The salary of players on regular IR still counts against the cap; that’s not nonetheless and soak in some vitamin D.” the case for those on LTIR. Wednesday’s paperwork leaves the Blues BLUES’ PROJECTED LINEUP with $4.757 million in salary cap room according to CapFriendly.com. Since Parayko counts $5.5 million against the cap, the Blues would have (Local COVID protocols prohibited media from attending clear about $750,000 of additional cap space when (or if) Parayko practice/morning skates, so there’s some guesswork involved here.) returns to the active roster this season. Forwards Berube said Jaden Schwartz will not play tonight; it will be his 15th game missed since being sidelined with a lower-body injury Feb. 12 against Sanford-O’Reilly-Perron Arizona. The target date for his return remains Friday against San Jose. Blais-Schenn-Tarasenko Jacob de la Rose, who has missed seven games with a lower-body Kyrou-Bozak-Hoffman injury, is healthy and available to play tonight. But Berube said de la Rose will not be in the lineup; the coach continues to like what he sees Clifford-Sundqvist-Joshua from Dakota Joshua, so Joshua will play against LA. Defensemen KINGS 7 Krug-Faulk The Blues are 2-3-1 against Los Angeles this season, splitting a pair of overtime games here just 1 ½ weeks ago. On March 5, Mike Hoffman Dunn-Scandella smashed a slap shot from the right circle for his second overtime game- Mikkola-Bortuzzo winner of the season in a 3-2 Blues win. Goalie Perron scored both regulation goals for St. Louis, including one with 43.5 seconds left to tie the game at 2-2. Goalie Ville Husso made his second Binnington start in five days and his third appearance in a week. KINGS’ PROJECTED LINEUP The next night, the Blues jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first period, but couldn’t hold it. Adrian Kempe’s goal at the 1:45 mark of OT gave LA a 4- (From @mayorNHL) 3 win, spoiling Vladimir Tarasenko’s season debut and marking the first Forwards time all season the Blues lost a game after leading by at least two goals. Iafallo-Kopitar-Brown The Blues are expecting more of the same tonight. Kempe-Vilardi-Carter “Just the way that they play neutral zone,” Perron said, referring to LA’s 1-3-1 system. “We know how tight they are. It’s tough to create any odd- Athanasiou/Anderson-Dolan/Grundstrom man rush, and definitely when we have a chance to move it up quick in Moore-Lizotte-Wagner the neutral zone, not let them set up in their formation, then that’s something maybe we look to do.” Defensemen

On the other side of things, Berube said: “They’re a good rush team, Anderson-Doughty especially the (Anze) Kopitar line. He’s involved in I think like 41 percent of their scoring, so we gotta do a good job on Kopitar and obviously Bjornfot-Roy (Drew) Doughty, too. They’re very good players and do a lot of good stuff Maatta-Walker for their team.” Goalie

Petersen BLUE NOTES

During the Blues’ current four-game losing streak (0-3-1), Justin Faulk is minus-6 and Torey Krug is minus-5.

In Saturday’s 5-1 loss to Vegas, Perron had his eight-game point streak snapped (5 goals, 5 assists) and Brayden Schenn had his seven-game point streak snapped (3 goals, 5 assists).

Blues head athletic trainer Ray Barile will work his 2000th NHL game tonight.

Hoffman is one shy of 200 career assists.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185463 St Louis Blues Blues center Tyler Bozak returned from long-term injured reserve after missing 21 games since Jan. 26 with a concussion. The 34-year-old veteran played 20 shifts and took nine faceoffs.

Doughty, Kopitar lead LA Kings’ 4-1 rout of slumping Blues PASSING WAYNER

Doughty’s power-play goal was his 64th, passing Wayne Gretzky for ninth place in Kings history. Doughty has played 408 more games for LA BY GREG BEACHAM AP SPORTS WRITER than The Great One.

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LOS ANGELES-Drew Doughty, Carl Grundström and Trevor Moore Blues: At Sharks on Friday. scored in a dominant first period, leading the Los Angeles Kings to a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night. Kings: Host Vegas on Friday.

Moore had a goal and an assist for his first multipoint game of the Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 03.18.2021 season, while captain Anze Kopitar scored an empty-net goal from the opposite goal line and added an assist. Cal Petersen made 19 saves to end his five-start losing streak for the Kings, who looked sharp in just their third win in 10 games.

Los Angeles and St. Louis were scheduled for two consecutive games at Staples Center this week, but Monday's game was postponed after a blizzard stranded the Kings in Denver, where they had just lost back-to- back games to the Avalanche.

“The Colorado trip, it was hard on us,” Los Angeles coach Todd McLellan said. “A lot of things happened on that trip with illness, the storm, with us not playing very well (and) losing both games, and then spending that extra day there didn’t help. I thought our leaders did a tremendous job.”

Mike Hoffman scored and Jordan Binnington stopped 20 shots for the well-rested Blues, who have lost five straight. Despite having the previous three days off, St. Louis got off to a timid start and failed to earn a point for only the second time in nine games.

“We can’t be turning on each other, getting negative,” Hoffman said of the Blues' slump. “Otherwise it can go south real quick. This group is good enough that we can work our way out of this, but we've got to stay positive and keep working."

Los Angeles won for the fifth time in seven meetings this season with its West Division rivals.

Doughty got the Kings started 3:21 in with a shot from the slot on a power play for his seventh goal of the season and the Kings' 26th man- advantage goal in only 28 games. Kopitar got an assist for his 20th power-play point of the season, second-most in the NHL.

Just 58 seconds later, Grundström charged the net and stuffed a shot past Binnington to end his 14-game goal drought.

“I think it’s been a point of emphasis for us lately,” Moore said of the Kings’ outstanding start. “A couple of good shifts led to that drawn penalty, and then our power play has been good all year, and we cashed in.”

St. Louis didn't record its first shot until 8:03 into the first period, and Moore ended his 11-game goal drought late in the period.

“It was really slow,” captain Ryan O’Reilly said of the Blues' first period. “We just didn’t really start with the urgency we needed. Again, we just weren’t quick enough. We weren’t physical. D-zone, we weren’t sharp to goal, and that’s what killed us. We did some good things in the second and the third, but our hole was too deep there. Yeah, we beat ourselves.”

Hoffman scored on a long, deflected shot through traffic late in the second period, but the Blues mounted little offense.

Kopitar sealed the win by shoveling a backhand from the deep corner of the Kings' end into St. Louis' empty net with 1:40 to play.

JAD'S BACK

Jaret Anderson-Dolan had two assists in his first appearance since Feb. 18. The Kings' 21-year-old forward had been out with an undisclosed injury, but he jumped right back in on a line with Grundström and Moore.

“I felt good,” Anderson-Dolan said. “Just trying to get the physical part out of the way and throw a couple of hits. To get your timing back, you can’t really simulate that in practice. I felt pretty good for being out for a while, but a long way to go to get to where I want to be.”

BOZAK BACK 1185464 St Louis Blues That’s been a trend for weeks, particularly five-on-five. In the Blues’ first 17 games this season, they had 37 goals for and 29 goals against; in their last 12 games they have 18 goals for and 29 goals against.

Will the return of Jaden Schwartz and other injured Blues be enough to “Guys aren’t doing their job, just not competitive enough in certain save them? situations and structurally not doing what they’re supposed to do,” Berube said, repeating a similar synopsis from previous losses.

The losing skid comes when the club is excited about several key players By Jeremy Rutherford Mar 17, 2021 returning to the lineup.

It was Vladimir Tarasenko last week, Bozak on Wednesday, perhaps Jaden Schwartz on Friday and Robert Thomas soon. The Blues are getting healthy, but will it matter if they can’t play defense? “It’s always hard when you lose that many guys,” the Blues’ David Perron They got Tyler Bozak back for Wednesday’s game against Los Angeles, said before Wednesday’s game. “You’re never trying to make excuses but with a 4-1 loss to the Kings, their winless skid stretched to five games and all that, but just the number of guys was a lot and there’s still a few (0-2-3), and they’ve given up 18 goals in those five games. more to come back even after those guys,” After the Blues’ 5-4 overtime loss to Vegas on Friday, Craig Berube Bozak was activated from Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR), and to lamented his team’s lack of awareness in its own zone. After a 5-1 loss to make room for him, the Blues moved Colton Parayko’s $5.5 million cap the Golden Knights the next night, he was harping on the lost board hit to LTIR, according to Capfriendly.com. battles. The veteran center was back in the lineup for the first time since Jan. 26, When Monday’s game against LA was postponed, Berube was asked when Vegas’ Mark Stone dropped him to the ice with a questionable hit. about the ongoing defensive issues. Were they physical? Were they The NHL’s Player Safety department didn’t issue any supplemental mental? discipline to Stone, saying it was the subsequent fall, not the hit, that “I think it’s a combination of a few things for sure,” he said, getting a little caused what Bozak confirmed was a concussion. huffy. “I’m not going to get into all of them because there’s no reason for The 34-year-old center said he wasn’t happy with the hit but didn’t want that. I get you guys want to know every little reason why and all that. I to debate the league about the lack of a suspension. After taking his time understand that part of it, but I’m not going to sit here and explain every returning, he just wants to move forward. little part of it. The bottom line is that we have to do better. OK? We got to be better defensively.” “I made sure I was ready and did the process,” Bozak said. “The staff here was great to me and helped me get back. It can be frustrating at Then Wednesday came, and they weren’t better defensively. Even times. I’ve dealt with it before, though, so you know you’ve just got to remotely. take it day by day, stay as positive as you can, and there’s always light at LA scored twice in the first 4:19 of the game, and later in the first period the end of the tunnel.” for a 3-0 lead, and all three goals were more examples of the problems Bozak played 14:30 in his return Wednesday, and in a sign of his that continue to plague the team. rustiness, the winner of 55.2 percent of his faceoffs in the first seven “(Los Angeles) wanted it more in the first period – that’s the game,” games of the season won just two of nine. Berube said. “They were a lot quicker than us defensively. We didn’t kill “He was fine,” Berube said. “First game back, after being out that long, any plays, and then in front of our net, we’re soft, letting guys beat us it’s fast out there, so he looked like I thought he would look. He did a back to our net.” pretty good job, though. He’s a smart player, and he knows how to be in The first of LA’s three goals Wednesday came on the power play, yes, position and do things like that. But it’ll take a few games for him to get but it was another example of the Blues’ lack of authority in front of their up to speed.” own net. BOZIE'S BACK! HEAR FROM HIM AND CRAIG BERUBE IN TODAY'S The Kings’ Adrian Kempe appeared to get away with a trip on Robert @PAPAJOHNS_STL GAMEDAY REPORT. Bortuzzo, but then Kempe’s teammate, Jeff Carter, managed to box out PIC.TWITTER.COM/EIVMVXBDUP both Justin Faulk and Bozak. Carter kept plugging away on goalie Jordan — ST. LOUIS BLUES (@STLOUISBLUES) MARCH 17, 2021 Binnington, who wasn’t aware that the puck popped back out to the high slot, where Doughty got off the shot. The same will probably apply for Schwartz when he makes his expected return on Wednesday. Brayden Schenn and Bozak were the forwards on the PK, and after collapsing on the play, neither were able to get in the way. The left winger had two goals and nine points in 14 games before leaving with the oblique injury. What the club misses when he’s out of the lineup “The PP goal, that shot should be blocked,” Berube said. — and it’s been apparent in his absence — is his determined style of The next two LA goals, by Carl Grundstrom and Trevor Moore, were both play. five-on-five. “He’s been a staple in this organization for quite some time,” Berube Grundstrom made it 2-0 just 58 seconds after Doughty’s goal. said. “It’s hard to find a harder worker out there. In my opinion, he makes our team go, like with his energy and work ethic, skating and tenacity.” The Kings had the puck at the point and Tobias Bjornfot put it on net. Watch how Grundstrom gave Blues defenseman Vince Dunn a shove, Thomas, who’s been out since Feb. 6 following thumb surgery, is with the keeping him out of the play, and how Bortuzzo trailed Moore across the team in LA and could also be available soon. seam, taking himself out of the play. Another injured player who was available Wednesday was center Jacob With no help from the Blues forwards, Grundstrom waltzed in front and de Rose, but with the way call-up Dakota Joshua has performed, de la tucked the puck around Binnington. Rose was a healthy scratch

On the third goal, the Kings’ Sean Walker breezed around the Blues’ Asked if he’s liked Joshua’s performance through eight games, Berube Mike Hoffman, and as Walker curled to the net, Moore skated to the replied: “Yes I have.” front. Joshua has just one point — the goal he scored in his first NHL game The Blues’ Torey Krug didn’t do much in the way of boxing out against Anaheim — but he’s playing sound structurally and he’s playing Grundstrom. In the meantime, neither Faulk nor Bozak could prevent hard physically. Moore from finding room and getting a piece of the puck. “He’s a guy who plays the game the right way and definitely slides right Berube said the Kings’ second and third goals were “just getting beat to into Blues hockey,” defenseman Robert Bortuzzo said of the 24-year-old our net. They were more hungry around our net than we were.” center. “He’s an older guy. You don’t see that as much every day. (But) he’s created a lot of good energy for our group and good feel. Guys couldn’t be happier for him.” Joshua was taken by Toronto in the fifth round of the 2014 NHL Draft, but while playing at Ohio State University, he never signed with the Maple Leafs. The Blues worked out a trade with them, and he turned pro, playing the 2019-20 season with their American Hockey League affiliate and even spending 20 games with their ECHL affiliate.

He was not invited to the Blues’ main training camp in January and was assigned to the AHL. But with injuries besieging the Blues, he was summoned to St. Louis.

“It’s crazy how all that happened with them having so many guys (out), but I’m just thankful that I got the opportunity,” Joshua said.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound forward turned some heads with his hit on Vegas’ Ryan Reaves, a former Blue, over the weekend. Many don’t want to see him come out of the lineup, which he got a kick out of.

“That’s cool to hear and I’m just going to keep working hard and whatever comes my way, just be ready,” he said. “I hope that’s the case. I don’t really think about that on a daily basis because playing in the NHL is so hard to do. But yeah, I would like to think that I had a good showing for myself whether I stay on the team or go back next week.”

It is hard to do, just like the rest of the Blues are proving right now.

They dropped to 2-4-1 against LA this season and are now just three points ahead of the Kings (33-30), who have one game in hand.

“There’s no tricks or magic that’s going to get you out of this hole,” Berube said. “You’ve got to come together as a hockey team on the ice. You’ve got to be able to work together out there and do it together. That’s the key.”

The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185465 St Louis Blues Where’s your stick at? After every session, Kostin got up and told the coach, “Thank you!”

“Like I did him a big favor,” Hartley said, laughing. Klim Kostin’s KHL coach sees a bright NHL future developing for the Blues prospect: ‘He can be a game-changer’ The teaching points led to points in Avangard’s games.

On Jan. 13, Kostin was supposed to be with the Blues for their season- opener in Colorado, but because of visa issues trying to return to North By Jeremy Rutherford Mar 17, 2021 America, the Blues decided to keep him overseas.

That same night, he had an assist in a 5-3 loss to Torpedo, and over the was pumped. next 11 games, he’d post 12 points (five goals, seven assists).

The former NHL coach, now behind the bench for Avangard Omsk of the A lot of Avangard games are televised in Russia, so St. Louisan Chris Kontinental Hockey League, found out from his general manager in Wideman, a defenseman who played four seasons in the NHL (2015- September that Blues prospect Klim Kostin might be added to the roster. 2019) before signing with Torpedo this season, was able to watch Kostin ahead of time. Then on the ice against him, he said Kostin was as The KHL season was already underway, and with the NHL not scheduled advertised. to resume until January, the Blues wanted Kostin to get some playing time with Avangard. The plan was for him to return to St. Louis when “He was a beast, like absolutely a beast,” Wideman said. “There’s not a training camp started. ton of guys in (the KHL) that finish checks like he does. It takes a lot of effort to get to somebody and then finish their check, but he definitely “I knew he was a first-round pick of St. Louis,” Hartley told The Athletic made that a point. from Russia on Tuesday. “I said, ‘Yeah, let’s go!'” “And then he obviously found his scoring touch there.” Kostin was officially assigned to the KHL on Sept. 22, and when he arrived, Hartley saw a look that perhaps explains part of the reason we Kostin looked like the player Wideman envisioned him becoming when haven’t seen more of the 6-foot-3, 212-pound forward in St. Louis since they skated together with a group of fellow NHL players two summers he was taken No. 31 overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. ago in St. Louis, gearing up for the 2018-19 season.

“As soon as he came in, I sat with him, and I could tell that he was a “I remember a big, skilled guy with a good shot,” Wideman said. “And I young man that was looking for direction,” Hartley said. knew nothing about him — I didn’t know what round he was picked in. But I was like, ‘Wow, this guy’s got a chance to be a player.'” It’s not that the Blues haven’t been giving Kostin direction. They have. But it’s a difficult transition for an 18-year-old European trying to make it Kostin would spend that season and the next with San Antonio, the in the NHL. As someone who was a head coach in the league for 13 Blues’ AHL affiliate at the time, scoring 23 goals and posting 54 points in years with Colorado, Atlanta and Calgary, Hartley knows how hard it is. 114 games with the Rampage. He got called up to the Blues for a four- He’s had some of the same heart-to-heart talks with Kostin that the Blues game stint, in which he scored his first NHL goal, but he was have had. subsequently sent back to the minors.

“I said, ‘You want to play in the NHL? You need to understand the Now it was all coming together for him with Avangard. game,'” Hartley said. “You look at his size. I told him, without talking to Why? the Blues, ‘This is certainly one of the main reasons they made you a first-round pick. We just need to put your game back on track. I’ll open “Skating, skating,” Hartley said. “Like gosh, when he gets skating, you the door to you, but we have some work to do, and it’s got to be a two- just can’t stop him. Many times, I talked to him about being a Ryan way street.’ And gosh, he’s been amazing.” O’Reilly, a Ryan Reaves — those big bodies that once you get them going, you just can’t stop him. Especially now with the new rules — no Kostin, 21, got off to a slow start with Avangard — OK, a really slow start hooking, no interference — you get those big bodies moving, they — but he has turned it up so much that without even registering a point in basically become unstoppable.” a five-game conference quarterfinal series win over Avtomobilist, Hartley called him a “key factor for us.” The No. 2-seeded club has moved onto The first game against Torpedo was on an NHL-sized rink (200 feet by the conference semifinals of the Gagarin Cup playoffs and will open 85 feet), but the rematch on Feb. 20 was on a Finnish-sized rink (197 against Metallurg on Thursday. feet by 92 feet), and once again Wideman was matched up against Kostin. After netting two assists in his 2021 season debut with Avangard, Kostin went 18 games (Sept. 27-Dec. 10) without a point. “I had a lot of shifts against him, and, I mean, he must have hit me like eight or nine times in the game,” Wideman said. Hartley didn’t know what the Blues had seen, or not seen, from Kostin the past couple of years in the American Hockey League. But what he Kostin finished the game with seven official hits, but that wasn’t all — he noticed was similar to what the club had been saying. also scored in overtime of a 3-2 victory.

“He’s a good skater, and he needs to use his size, finish his checks on As Hartley recalls, it was the first time this season that he used him in the forecheck, go at the net,” Hartley said. “I just tried to make him OT. understand how to read the game, how to read certain situations and to get him to understand that if he wants to be an NHL player, he has to be “He was playing so well, as soon as regulation time was over, I told him, a north-south player. It’s not by a lack of desire. Sometimes it’s just ‘You know what, I have this feeling in me that you’ve got the winner!'” understanding the situation, understanding your own situation as a Hartley said. player, and understanding also what the team needs from you. Wideman nearly gave Torpedo the sudden-death victory at one end.

“There are many kids, they want to play a certain way. They want to “I was probably like an inch away from scoring the game-winner, and the emulate their idols who have been stars in the NHL, rather than just goalie poked it and sent (Kostin) on a breakaway,” he said. focus on their own strengths. So what I’m trying to sell to Klim on every day is to be a north-south player. Work your lane. Whatever moves in Late in his shift and from inside his own blueline, Kostin raced with the your lane, use your body, use your strength, use your speed. This kid puck, fending off Torpedo’s Urakov Kirill on the way to the net. can move. He can be a game-changer.” “Gosh, Klim just manhandled that guy,” Hartley said. “He won the battle The two watched video together on the TV in Hartley’s office after every and put in a perfect shot.” game. Every shift, one by one. Some nights, they were in there for an hour, as Kostin was peppered with teaching points. «НЕ МЕШАЙТЕ МНЕ ПОБЕЖДАТЬ, СУДАРЬ» PIC.TWITTER.COM/I2SKBTY4KT Look at your body position. — ХК АВАНГАРД (@HCAVANGARDOMSK) FEBRUARY 20, 2021 How did you react there? Wideman could only watch. “It was really nice, and he gave me a nice minus, too,” the defenseman “I really believe that Klim found another side of Klim Kostin as a player joked. and also as a young man,” Hartley said. “I can’t tell you how proud I am to be around him. He’s a quality young man and just needed a little In 43 regular-season games this season, Kostin had seven goals and 18 direction. Hopefully it’s a great investment for the future for himself and points. But after his slow start, much of that came in the past 16 games. for the Blues. I really believe in Klim as a player. There’s still some “I call this ‘the switch,'” Hartley said. “You have to find the switch, and you learning to do, but the progress, the improvements that he’s shown, are have to put it on.” amazing.”

Kostin averaged 16:10 of ice time in the first round against Avtomobilist, The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 and he may not have had any points in the five games, but he did have 24 hits.

“He played real hard,” Hartley said. “He played well.”

Kostin had 10 of those 24 hits in Game 4, but there was a scary moment when he attempted a hit on Avtomobilist’s Alexei Makeyev and it went awry. Makeyev ducked the check, and Kostin came up lame.

“I was very worried,” Hartley said. “He fell very awkwardly in the board.”

THIS DOES NOT LOOK GOOD FOR #STLBLUES KLIM KOSTIN.

WENT TO MAKE A CHECK, THE AVTO PLAYER AVOIDED IT.

LEFT SHOULDER INJURY.

KHL PIC.TWITTER.COM/9MA76F5C27

— HERE'S YOUR REPLAY (@HERESYOURREPLAY) MARCH 8, 2021

Kostin was down on the ice briefly and looked to be favoring his left shoulder. That was the fear, but it wound up being a rib-cage injury. He finished the game and played about 10 minutes in Game 5, closing out the series.

“He might have missed one or two shifts, but he came back and he was good to go,” Hartley said. “He’s back to 100 percent. It was just minor.”

Hartley gave the Blues the good news, as he’s done all season, providing Tim Taylor, the team’s director of player development, updates on Kostin’s progress.

“I call or I text with Tim Taylor quite a bit,” Hartley said. “I want the young man to succeed. He’s such a good kid.”

After playing his first season in Russia this year, Wideman can’t fathom what Kostin has been going through the past three seasons in North America.

“I was so fortunate (with Torpedo),” he said. “Our three coaches all had NHL experience. They all spoke really good English. A handful of the support staff spoke English. I just truly cannot imagine what it’s like for a European player to come over (to the U.S.) and not know the language. I have so much respect for those guys, and for the rest of my career, if I ever can go out of my way to help any of them, I will go above and beyond because it is very difficult.”

Kostin is now familiar with the language and the culture here, and while his recent success has come in the KHL, Wideman believes it will translate when the Blues prospect returns. People have the impression that the Russian league plays a majority of its games on Olympic-sized ice rinks, but he says that’s not the case.

“There’s no Olympic-sized ice in the KHL,” Wideman said. “There’s a handful of Finnish-sized rinks, which is a little bit bigger than the NHL surface, but a lot of these new arenas are NHL surfaces. It may not be as physical as the NHL night in and night out, but it’s a no-space game against those teams.

“I thought in the two games that we played him, and what I had seen later in the season, he’s going to be a really, really good player in the NHL, in my opinion. It’s a long road to get it done, but he seems like he’s well on his way.”

The Blues will leave Kostin in the KHL until his season is over, and then perhaps try to bring him to St. Louis. The Gagarin Cup final is scheduled to end no later than April 30, after which the Blues would have five games remaining in their regular season. He would have to get his visa approved, and after traveling to St. Louis might need to quarantine before being permitted to play.

It hasn’t been ideal for the Blues not having Kostin this season, especially with the long list of injuries. But perhaps everything has worked out for the best. 1185466 Tampa Bay Lightning “I’ve seen that kid get a lot of points, and some big ones,” Cooper said. “So 500 points for (anyone) — first of all, 500 games, is a lot, 500 of anything is quite a milestone. And how apropos that it comes off a one- timer from Stammer, his buddy. So, it’s pretty cool how it all played out.” Lightning’s Victor Hedman separates himself at his position Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 03.18.2021 On Tuesday, he became the first defenseman in franchise history to reach 500 career points.

By Eduardo A. Encina

TAMPA — Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman might be having his best season yet, and that’s saying something given the consistency the consensus Norris Trophy contender has shown in recent years.

Tuesday, Hedman celebrated a major milestone. His assist on ’ power-play goal in the third period of a 4-3 victory over the Stars gave Hedman 500 career points. He became the first defenseman and just the fifth player in team history to reach that mark.

Over the past five seasons, no NHL defenseman been more productive offensively than Hedman. His 0.85 points per game since 2016-17 is higher than than any other player at the position. His 27 points this season lead all defensemen.

Whether it’s quarterbacking the power play, jumping into a play or setting up a teammate, Hedman’s offensive mindset is rare for a defenseman. He continues to make a huge impact defensively, as well.

“I don’t know how to say it, but Heddy in the last few years has really grown into a complete player,” Lightning coach said. “And to me, he’s one of the best, if not the best defenseman in the league. And he shows it night in and night out at such a tough position to play. And to watch these guys hit milestones, it’s really gratifying.”

After coming up empty during Monday’s loss to Nashville (of his seven shots, two missed the net and two others were blocked), Hedman joked that he went into Tuesday’s game looking to contribute more as a distributor.

“Looking at the last game, I felt like it wasn’t going to be from a goal,” Hedman said with a . “So it’s a good thing I passed the puck (Tuesday).”

With the Lightning nursing a one-goal lead midway through the third period, Hedman flipped a backhand pass to Brayden Point from the near boards just inside the blue line. Point skated toward the slot, drawing attention from the Stars’ penalty killers and passed to Stamkos in the left circle.

Stamkos turned down a shot, flicking the puck back out to Hedman at the point, and Hedman returned a touch pass to Stamkos for a one-timer that beat Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger top shelf.

ONE-TIMER!

Steven Stamkos finds the back of the net off a pass from Victor Hedman! Heddy now has 500 career points!

Watch the Bolts FOX Sports Go: https://t.co/0eJ6abNKzc #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/dvtoiDrnYy

— FOX Sports Bolts (@FOXSportsBolts) March 17, 2021

“Obviously, good things happen when you’re trying to find 91 (Stamkos) for a one-timer,” Hedman said. “And we had a lot of good looks on that power play, we got some zone time, and it felt like it was just a matter of time before we scored. It was a good play by Pointer, first of all, he gave it to Stammer, he gave it to me and I gave it straight back to him.

“It means we’ve been going at it for a long time to get that milestone, but it means a lot,” Hedman continued. “It’s very special, and it’s one of those things that you don’t really pay attention to until it’s close. It’s one of those things that I put pressure on myself ... to be one of those guys that produces offensively.”

Hedman became the 11th active defenseman to accumulate 500 career points and the fourth quickest active defenseman, needing just 790 games to reach the milestone. Only four other Lightning players — all forwards — have more points than Hedman: Marty St. Louis (953), Vincent Lecavalier (874), Stamkos (859) and Nikita Kucherov (547). 1185467 Tampa Bay Lightning I’m terrible with TV shows. I’ll start something but won’t finish it. When I do turn on TV, it’s usually NHL Network. I’m pretty boring. One show I actually liked was a season of “Prison Break.” I also watched “Game of Thrones,” it was one of the few I finished. It was too good, I was hooked. Lightning road trip diary: NHL travel isn’t what rookie Cal Foote expected It’s been a whole year now just quarantining, staying alone and stuff. Mentally, I feel like a lot of the guys, if not everyone, has gotten used to it. Pretty much everyone was in the bubble. They were in there for the By Joe Smith Mar 17, 2021 longest time and had success. They know how to handle this, and they are guys that us young guys can look up to and ask for advice.

Throughout the season, Lightning players will periodically give The It’s been a different year, but you make the most of it. I went on a couple Athletic‘s subscribers an inside look at what life is like on the road in walks in Chicago just to get fresh air and explore. I went with Ross, 2021. COVID-19 protocols have made a significant impact on travel, with “Gibby” (Chris Gibson). It’s such an awesome place, but you can’t really players and staff being told not to leave the hotel other than for practices go and enjoy it. and games, leading teams to find unique new ways to bond and kill their Maybe next year. boredom. Blake Coleman wrote the first entry last month, talking about the team’s party and more. When we’re home, I live in an apartment on Harbour Island. It’s a great spot, you can walk to the rink from there. I’ve been there since the end of In this month’s diary, rookie defenseman Cal Foote provides a different January. It’s always a great feeling when the team tells you that you can perspective. Foote, son of former NHLer , has developed move out of the hotel — you’re staying. I haven’t done a lot of decorating into a regular on the blue line. He’s used to riding buses in the AHL the yet, just have all the furniture and things you need. past couple years, but the NHL road trips so far have not been what he likely expected. Foote takes us through his routine, from listening to My parents came into town for my debut, which was special. It’s tough dance music to walks in the Windy City and FaceTimes with family. because I couldn’t see them face to face. But it was still nice to have them here. I didn’t know what to expect for road trips this year. The only NHL trips I had been on were during preseason, to either Nashville or Carolina, and The way you have to look at it is that every day in the NHL is a good one. it was a quick day trip where you didn’t stay over. This year, it’s pretty similar to juniors and the AHL where you’re in the hotel, but it’s different The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 because there are no roommates and you can’t hang out with guys in rooms other than during meals.

In the AHL, we pretty much bussed everywhere other than Charlotte, so it’s pretty cool to be able to go on a charter, my first time doing that. That definitely feels pretty special. And for a guy my size (6-foot-4), it’s a huge difference. You don’t have to show up to the airport until 30 minutes before, every seat is first class. You definitely feel fortunate.

I used to hear my dad tell stories about traveling in the NHL. He was the guy that played cards and would say it’s usually a time for the team to bond and grow together. It’s tougher for us because we can’t hang out or go to a nice restaurant or lunch on off days. Unless you want to go for a walk, that’s all we can do.

Right now, I’m sitting in the same row as fellow rookie Ross Colton. I usually listen to music and play some games on my phone. It depends on the day, sometimes I’ll put on some country, other days it’s more pop or dance. I’ll just make a playlist from Apple Music. Or I’ll play card games on my phone, recently it’s been euchre, sometimes it’s poker, but usually against the computer.

The team lounge or meal room is mostly where guys hang out. There’s usually 2-3 guys at each table, it’s pretty spread out with social distancing. Each place has a TV going. We’re always wearing a mask unless eating or drinking. Sometimes I’ll sit with the rookies, sometimes I’ll mix it up.

My favorite meal I’ve had so far is when we had chicken marsala in Chicago. I haven’t done UberEats yet, but I know guys can order out as long as it’s contactless delivery.

The team meal room at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit. (Courtesy of Lightning)

There’s a players lounge, which has a bunch of TVs. Some guys play cards or video games. I haven’t hung out there much, I usually go from the meal room straight back to my room and hang out.

I like to nap on most days, especially on game days. On off days and practice days, I usually FaceTime a lot of people. One is my brother, Nolan (former Lightning first-rounder now with Devils AHL team). We talk at least once a day, a couple times a day. His schedule is pretty similar to mine. I’ll call my parents every night to say hi to them. I’ll check in with some old teammates and good friends.

Nolan is in Binghamton, it’s exciting to see him play pro this year. He’s playing well. He just needs to build his confidence up, and it would be cool to see him play in some NHL games this year. I’m just really proud of him. Sometime we start talking hockey but we talk about literally everything, from old memories growing up playing together, stuff from the summer. 1185468 Tampa Bay Lightning chase another championship. It’s one thing to be a Stanley Cup winner, it’s another to be a two-time Stanley Cup winner.”

There’s a certain mindset that’s needed. There are some teams who win LeBrun: Can the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups? Their own the Cup that you can just tell the following year they’re still living off that GM, and the last GM to do it, think so glow. The same hunger isn’t there. The willingness to sacrifice at that level just isn’t quite high enough.

“You have to remember how hard it is to win and also remember that you By Pierre LeBrun Mar 17, 2021 have to work to get your breaks,” Rutherford said. “That’s what Tampa has been doing. I like how Tampa has played, coming right out and being

one of the top teams all year long. They’re all business.” There are moments that stay with you. So far the required buy-in is there from Tampa Bay. One of them is watching the Pittsburgh Penguins win their second “We’re a team that legitimately aspires to winning a championship this consecutive Stanley Cup in June 2017 and leaving the rink that night year and that’s what we’re chasing right now,” said BriseBois. “We’re thinking this: Will a team ever do it again? trying to secure a playoff spot, that’s the first step towards winning a The Penguins, of course, are the only back-to-back champs in the NHL’s Stanley Cup is making the playoffs.” 15-year salary cap era and there’s a reason for that. And there are other incentives. For starters, winning a Cup in a bubble The cap has spread out the talent throughout the league. The parity has with no fans wasn’t a normal experience. never been greater. You can make strong cases for 6-8 teams to win it “Our families weren’t there, our owner wasn’t there, our fans weren’t all, if not more some years. there, we didn’t get to bring the Cup home in the offseason to our It’s damn hard to win it once, never mind twice in a row. hometowns. There were a lot of things that were different,” BriseBois said. “Those are all added incentives to work on trying to win another Between the ability to keep your core roster intact and those same one.” players finding the energy levels to go deep twice, it’s beyond difficult. The fact of the matter is, when BriseBois paid high prices a year ago at Can the Tampa Bay Lightning pull it off? We asked the man who was GM the trade deadline for Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow, he had two of that back-to-back champion in Pittsburgh. playoff runs in mind with those moves, not one. Both those players are signed through the end of this season and that was the point of it all. “What you look for is whether they have enough juice, do they have enough energy to do it two years in a row, and do they want to do it?” Which is important to remember because the Bolts are totally capped out Former Penguins GM Jim Rutherford said Tuesday. “If you’re a GM or a now and figure not to be too busy ahead of the deadline this time around. coach, those are the things you’re always watching. Are they going to get worn out or not? There’s the obvious, too, do they have the players, the “We did our shopping a year ago,” BriseBois said, not that he’s not pieces still to do it? The answer to that is, yes they do. making calls. “Your work is never done, but our ability to do anything is severely compromised by the fact we don’t have any cap space. We “They have the best goalie in the league, they have the best defenseman made decisions in the offseason and we went into the season knowing in the league. And they have a number of impact players that you need to full well that these were the players we were going to have. And I like step up in critical times of a game. And they have the supporting cast.’’ these players. They’re a good group of players. I have total faith in them. And I knew I wouldn’t have any cap space for us to do anything to correct So, in short, it’s a thumbs up from Rutherford. course in-season.” Rutherford also thinks highly of Tampa Bay GM Julien BriseBois and Unless, as BriseBois noted, the Lightning have another long-term injury head coach Jon Cooper, another reason he’s a believer. before the deadline which obviously they hope isn’t the case. But that’s There are few GMs in the league more well-read than BriseBois, who the only way to free up cap space. devours books of all kinds and pours over data looking for any edge. No “We also knew that our late-season addition would be (Nikita) Kucherov question he’s examined Pittsburgh’s back-to-back feat to glean any info joining the team at some point during the playoffs,’’ BriseBois said. he can. Indeed, the return of Kucherov will be huge. They’ll finally have Kucherov “I think the only trait that matters is that both years when Pittsburgh won, and Steven Stamkos in the lineup at the same time, the Bolts captain they were a really good team with really good players,’’ BriseBois said missing out on the Cup run last summer albeit for one rather famous this week. “So are we right now. So was St. Louis last year and the year return in the final which lasted 2:47 over five shifts and produced a goal. before, and so was Washington the year they won and the year after.’’ In the meantime, BriseBois will keep an eye on things heading into the Someone recently asked BriseBois why he thought it was so hard to win April 12 deadline but it’s going to be mighty tough. back-to-back titles. Anything would have to be cap dollar out, cap dollar in. Which isn’t “I said ‘Well, it’s really hard to win the first one.’ The odds are against you impossible but it’s atypical of the trade deadline when sellers normally to win the first one to begin with and now you’re asking the same don’t take back much on the cap. Hence the word sellers. I mean, when organization to beat the odds twice.” contenders are adding, they tend not to want to lose any roster players But the Bolts are well-positioned to do it. They’ve stormed out of the but simply add to it. So under that scenario, the cap won’t let Tampa do gates. They look as confident as ever. that.

It reminds me so much of the Penguins in 2016-17 trying to defend their And teams in this new flat cap environment are holding their cap space title. They truly believed all season long they could repeat. like never before. It’s a new reality out there right now during this pandemic year. “Oh, we felt it all year,’’ Rutherford said. “We felt strong about our team. We came off from that Cup run in ’16 with high confidence. We were able Plus, it’s not always a given that adding at the deadline is the right move. to keep most of the players for ’17. But it’s harder to win. It’s harder to “When you bring in a player at the deadline, you don’t know how long it win every game. Everybody wants to beat the Stanley Cup champs. will take for the chemistry to come together,” BriseBois said. “We were That’s going to be the test for Tampa. But they have the group that’s somewhat struggling with consistency after the deadline last season. capable of doing it.” Everybody is trying to figure out where they now fit. The pause was good It’s two-fold. Do you have the players still, and do your players have the for us last spring. Will probably be even more of a challenge in this same hunger? Checkmark on both for the Lightning. environment with all the limitations on interaction amongst players. The use of multiple locker rooms and buses, etc.” “You want to be a team that believes it has a chance entering the season,’’ BriseBois said. “From my conversations with various players As our Lightning beat writer Joe Smith examined last weekend, the leading up to training camp, to a man, everyone seemed really hungry to Lightning will once again have salary cap gymnastics to perform this summer. Which is fine. Those are the headaches GMs can live with if it means contending.

Or in Tampa Bay’s case, perhaps winning back-to-back Stanley Cups.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185469 Toronto Maple Leafs

Vancouver Canucks claim former Toronto Maple Leafs winger Jimmy Vesey

THE CANADIAN PRESS

The Vancouver Canucks have claimed winger Jimmy Vesey off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 27-year-old Vesey has five goals and two assists in 30 games with Toronto this season.

Vasey signed a one-year, US$900,000 deal with the Leafs prior to the season.

The American spent last season with Buffalo after the Sabres acquired him in a trade with the New York Rangers, where Vesey started his NHL career in 2016.

The Canucks say Vesey is expected to join the team Wednesday in Ottawa.

Globe And Mail LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185470 Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto hosts Calgary after Hyman’s 2-goal game

By The Associated Press

Calgary Flames (14-13-3, sixth in the North Division) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (19-9-2, first in the North Division)

Toronto; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: The Calgary Flames visit Toronto after Zach Hyman scored two goals in the Maple Leafs’ 4-3 loss to the Senators.

The Maple Leafs are 19-9-2 against division opponents. Toronto has scored 102 goals and is fifth in the league averaging 3.4 per game. Auston Matthews leads the team with 21.

The Flames are 14-13-3 against division opponents. Calgary ranks 23rd in the Nhl with 29.9 shots per game and is averaging 2.7 goals.

In their last meeting on Feb. 24, Toronto won 2-1. recorded a team-high 2 points for the Maple Leafs.

TOP PERFORMERS: Mitchell Marner leads the Maple Leafs with 28 assists and has 39 points this season. Nylander has seven goals over the last 10 games for Toronto.

Johnny Gaudreau leads the Flames with 12 goals and has 24 points. Dillon Dube has four goals and five assists over the last 10 games for Calgary.

LAST 10 GAMES: Maple Leafs: 5-5-0, averaging three goals, 5.5 assists, 2.6 penalties and 7.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game with a .911 save percentage.

Flames: 5-4-1, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.2 assists, 3.3 penalties and 8.6 penalty minutes while allowing 3.4 goals per game with an .883 save percentage.

INJURIES: Maple Leafs: Rasmus Sandin: out (foot).

Flames: Joakim Nordstrom: day to day (lower body).

Toronto Star LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185471 Toronto Maple Leafs participate in an ongoing slow build. The veteran likes of and Zach Bogosian, now playing on short-money, one-year deals, aren’t guaranteed to be Leafs beyond this season.

The time has come for GM Kyle Dubas and his Leafs to seize the day, The time is now. It’ll be 17 years this spring that the Leafs last won a and not just talk about it playoff series. Outside of , the chairman of the board who’s owned a piece of the team since the mid-1990s, nobody else involved in the club is culpable for the shameful length of that streak. Still, it’ll be seven years next month that was named By Dave Feschuk president of the Leafs; Dubas was brought aboard as Shanahan’s protégé only a few months later.

Maybe it’s just talk. Maybe it means nothing. But there were moments in So, seven years. Nearly two quadrennials. The bulk of a decade. And Kyle Dubas’s midseason meeting with the media this week when the over those eons, Toronto’s NHL team — no matter the well-financed Maple Leafs general manager didn’t seem to fully grasp the urgency of sophistication of the program and the high-mindedness of the process — the situation. has won precisely nothing of significance, unless you count the and the draft lottery. Never mind a Stanley Cup. Never mind an Sure, he said plenty of the right things — things that could make a fan Eastern Conference championship. The Leafs haven’t won a playoff believe he’s willing to do what’s necessary to maximize his team’s series. There are only four other NHL teams that have achieved exactly chances in this year’s post-season. Dubas was unequivocal about his as much over that span. When you’re on a list with Buffalo, New Jersey, willingness to part with a top prospect if means improving his here-and- Florida and Detroit — well, you need to get off that list, pronto. now roster. That’s a no-brainer, really, at a moment when Toronto’s best young players are well into their primes. He was convincing, too, in Fans can only hope the folks running the Leafs grasp the urgency of that arguing how adding a rental player or two might be the best route to situation. Dubas can insist he’s above reacting to “short-run results.” This improving the team in the flat-cap NHL, especially when you consider the city certainly isn’t. And neither should it be. Toronto’s hockey faithful have Maple Leafs will need to navigate the expiring contracts of players like been experiencing nothing but small sample sizes of playoff failure for Zach Hyman and Frederik Andersen in the coming off-season. There are most of two . They’re not looking to be sold a grand vision for those who listened to all that and proclaimed Dubas “all in” on this annual NHL domination — although, hey, they’d happily accept its season. eventual culmination. They’re at the point where they’d celebrate like socially distanced hooligans if they were given even a smidgen of long- Which, in the city currently home to the longest playoff-series win drought overdue proof that the Shana-plan isn’t a top-heavy experiment in salary- in Canada, is precisely the fashion in which any rational executive would cap mismanagement gone awry. If that proof doesn’t arrive in the coming be playing his cards as he approaches these pandemic playoffs. weeks, mind you, they’ll also be demanding change more drastic than an incumbent GM swapping out depth players. Still, for all that, Dubas, in a 40-plus-minute chat session, also lost the plot more than once. He took umbrage to a reference to the title of the In other words, it’s wonderful that Dubas wants the Leafs to be good Amazon docuseries currently chronicling this season. It’s called “All or “year after year,” so long as he understands it’s crucial they’re good this Nothing.” And Dubas seemed to frown on the notion that this season year. This is not about the long run. This is about a one-off. This is about should be viewed in such gauche absolutes. circumstances conspiring to see Toronto staring down its best chance at a relatively long playoff run in recent memory. So maybe it’s not quite “All “I know there’s a lot of talk about winning a playoff round or bust, or or Nothing.” Maybe it’s cliché to declare oneself “all in.” Here’s what’s for winning a Stanley Cup or bust,” Dubas said. “I think those can be very sure: The Leafs are a long way past the point of proclaiming big-picture day-to-day type endeavours. I think especially in this role, (the vision) has progress in the program after another early playoff out. Short-run results, to be more long term. Can’t get caught up in how the short-run results to the contrary, only matter more when they’ve been this long in coming. impact that. It’s about trying to build a program that can lead to a team that has a high-level performance every single year.” Toronto Star LOADED: 03.18.2021 The goal, Dubas said, is high performance, “year after year.” To which any reasonable fan might counter: Having success “year after year” would be ideal, Kyle. Build us that dynasty, sure. But given the, er, humble recent competitive history of the franchise, how about let’s start with getting four wins in a single playoff series. Park the “year after year” talk, in other words, and focus on squeaking by the Flames or the Jets or the Canadiens in a best-of-seven. Oh, and let’s do everything humanly possible to make sure that happens in May of 2021.

This year is unlike any other Dubas will likely experience as a GM, not only because of the ongoing global health crises but because of the nature of the gift-wrapped opportunity. Nothing in the NHL is easy. But given Toronto’s place atop the all-Canadian division, it’s hard to imagine the Leafs will be gifted an easier road to the NHL’s final four anytime soon. Assuming the divisions return to their usual alignment next season, this is probably the only spring the Leafs will get a break from the annual early-round playoff inevitability of facing the likes of the Lightning and the Bruins.

So enough blather about sticking to “the process.” Enough talk about building “the program.” Given the circumstances, this is about seizing the moment. Alas, the more you heard Dubas talk on Tuesday, the more it became clear he sees things differently.

“I know that people on the outside and media and others —- and I totally understand why — have something in mind about what they expect from the group. That’s part of doing the job here. I completely understand that and accept it,” Dubas said. “But for me, in this position, my focus has to be on the long run and building a program that can reach our objective.”

Long-term high performance is great. A winning performance in the post- season’s first round is non-negotiable. Fans can only hope Dubas understands this.

You know his players do. Joe Thornton, age 41, certainly didn’t come here for the long run. Wayne Simmonds isn’t sacrificing his body at 32 to 1185472 Toronto Maple Leafs take a turn for the worst,” Simmonds said. “Everyone has their head on straight. We’re focused on what we need to do.”

Still, there’s a palpable sense of excitement around Galchenyuk because Alex Galchenyuk joins Maple Leafs’ taxi squad, inches closer to game- of what many think he can be. He went to the Marlies for his first games day roster in the minors after 557 games as a pro.

“In terms of how he’s handled himself with the Marlies in this time to rebuild himself, he’s just been terrific. He’s really worked hard,” Keefe By Kevin McGran said. “For a guy that’s never played in the American Hockey League to go down and work the way that he has, can’t say enough about him.

“We’re thrilled to have him and thrilled with how he’s conducted himself It appears Maple Leafs forward Alex Galchenyuk comes with his own to date. The organization has put a lot of time and effort into him and he’s rooting section. The former 30-goal scorer has fallen on hard times, but received it very well … It’s a credit to how motivated he is to get this those he has played with only say good things. right.” “We’ve been very impressed with him, he was a huge addition to our Galchenyuk had two goals and six assists in six games. group,” Marlies captain Rich Clune said. “He’s in the gym a lot. He’s a lot of life on the bus, a lot of life in the room. He has made some amazing “It was great for me to go down there and play a lot of games because, plays and elevated our team. over the last month, I didn’t play that much,” said Galchenyuk. “(I could) get my legs moving and get my game back to where it needs to be, get “I hope that whatever his personal goals are, I’d love to see him achieve my timing and work hard on my game. those. I can’t say enough good things about him.” “It was a great opportunity for me to go there and prepare for what’s Galchenyuk got a wee bit closer to his goal of getting back to the NHL ahead of me here.” the Leafs recalled him from the Marlies on Wednesday, added him to their taxi squad and had him skating with and William Toronto Star LOADED: 03.18.2021 Nylander.

“I don’t have enough time to sit here and tell you how great of players they are and how good it is to practise with them and hopefully get a chance to play with them on a line,” Galchenyuk said. “Such high-skilled players and they seem to make those crazy plays with ease.

“For me to play with those guys, I need to come in and get to openings on the ice and use my shot, and also find them (with passes). It’s a huge opportunity for me.”

The 27-year-old Galchenyuk was once a big-minute, big-goal shooter in his early days in Montreal, and he was asked if he could be that again.

“Yeah, for sure,” he said. “One of my biggest strengths in my game is my shot, and I need to use it well.”

It’s not guaranteed that he’ll play Friday when the Leafs host Calgary. But that’s how it looked after a day of roster upheaval:

The Leafs recalled Galchenyuk, forward Alexander Barabanov and defenceman Timothy Liljegren to the taxi squad, sending Calle Rosen and Kenny Agostino back to the Marlies.

Wayne Simmonds worked out with the fourth line and appears ready to return from a broken wrist, while backup goalie Jack Campbell looks ready to return from a nagging leg injury.

The Leafs lost winger Jimmy Vesey on waivers to the Vancouver Canucks.

Being on the taxi squad allows the players to practise with the NHL team, and get paid like they’re NHLers. But their salaries don’t count toward the salary cap because, as far as the paperwork is concerned, they are still in the AHL.

If the Leafs activate Simmonds off long-term injured reserve and officially call up Galchenyuk, they will be tight to the salary cap with 12 forwards, six defencemen and three goalies. They’ll fit, but the team would require waivers to move any of those roster players to the taxi squad or the Marlies.

Barabanov does not require waivers to go back and forth from the Leafs to the taxi squad. They could easily play Barabanov and leave Galchenyuk on the taxi squad or in the minors for the foreseeable future, especially if they think they’ll be adding a player via a trade.

“As for Galchenyuk, we wanted to bring him here and have him involved and utilize the fact that we’ve got a rare opportunity to get some practice time and have him around and with our group,” Leafs coach said. “I haven’t made any determinations in terms of what we’ll end up doing as we get into the game.”

The return of Simmonds and Campbell should be enough of lift when the team faces the Flames on Friday and Saturday.

“We know we’re in a little bit of slump here but, at the same time, you can’t get too down on yourself because that’s when you see things really 1185473 Toronto Maple Leafs

Five Maple Leafs prospects that could be attractive on the trade market

By Kevin McGran

Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas made it abundantly clear this week that would move a top prospect in order to land a player, even a rental player, who would help his team in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Captain John Tavares welcomed that news.

“Obviously, we have high aspirations,” Tavares said. “Management’s obviously going to be doing their job and doing everything they can to improve the team when and if they, you know, feel it’s necessary.”

Dubas would also like to move sooner, rather than later, to give any newcomer more time with the team in the run-up to playoffs, given the player might have to spend 14 days in quarantine if crossing the border is involved.

Dubas is not shy about moving prospects the Leafs have spent time developing. The Los Angeles Kings seem well outfitted with former Leafs prospects Trevor Moore (two goals, seven assists) and Carl Grundstrom (three goals, three assists), acquired in separate trades for Jake Muzzin and Jack Campbell. And Dubas has traded first-round picks to try to gain an advantage: One accompanied Patrick Marleau to Carolina to create salary-cap space; another accompanied Grundstrom to L.A. in the Muzzin deal.

So who is likely to be peddled? Here is a look at the Leafs top prospects.

Nick Robertson: The crafty, speedy forward looks like a more complete version of Andreas Johnsson. If goal-scoring is valued, then he’s the Leafs’ most valuable prospect despite being a second-round pick in 2020. He has two goals and seven assists with the Marlies and was recalled Wednesday to the Leafs’ taxi squad. Marlies coach calls him “tenacious” with “how hard he hunts the puck down, takes away time and space and forces the opponents into bad decisions or turnovers. And then when the game transitions, he has the ability to attack the net, to get to the inside, and obviously everybody knows how well he shoots the puck.”

Timothy Liljegren: The right-handed shot on the blue line has taken a while to develop since the Leafs chose him in the first round in 2017. He has a goal and six assists with the Marlies, and seems to have taken a leap, according to Moore. “He logs so many minutes for us. We use him a lot of situations. We really rely on him. He starting to add layers to his game, starting to attack more. He’s not just a perimeter player. His ability to attack to the middle of the rink and carry the puck from the top of the circle to the top of the circle in transition is very impressive.” Like Robertson, Liljegren is now on the taxi squad.

Rasmus Sandin: The 2018 first-rounder is injured at the moment, and it could take a while for the defenceman’s broken foot to heal, which may limit teams that would otherwise love the puck-moving left-hander. In an ideal world, Sandin would be heir apparent to Morgan Rielly, who will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2022. But his path to an NHL roster spot has been restricted. He played five minutes of one NHL game this season, and had an assist. He broke his foot blocking a shot in the first AHL game this year.

Rodion Amirov: The 2020 first-rounder had nine goals and four assists in 39 games with Ufa of the KHL. That league tends not to give teenagers much of a look, but the 19-year-old forward has proven to be a valuable asset. He had a terrific world junior tournament (two goals, four assists) and was MVP of the Karjala Cup in Finland before Christmas playing on Russia’s national team.

Filip Hallander: The Swedish centre became a Leafs prospect in the Kasperi Kapanen trade. A Penguins second-rounder from 2018, Hallander is scheduled to join the Marlies once his SHL season is over. He had 12 goals and 10 assists for Lulea. He’s not a first-liner, but does project to be a middle-six forward and scouts are impressed with his backchecking ability.

Toronto Star LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185474 Toronto Maple Leafs “As much as you might think that’s the way it should be, unfortunately it’s not the way that it always is. It’s a credit to how motivated he is to get this right. It makes you want to give him the opportunity.”

LEAFS NOTES: Simmonds keeping his wits, Galchenyuk takes another Galchenyuk skated on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander at step and Campbell is close practice on Wednesday. Joe Thornton was back with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, while Zach Hyman returned to the third line with Alex Kerfoot and Ilya Mikheyev. The fourth line had Pierre Engvall between Simmonds and Jason Spezza. Extras were Travis Boyd and Alexander Terry Koshan Barabanov.

“We haven’t made any determinations in terms of what will we’ll end up For Wayne Simmonds, the mental challenge in coming back from a doing (with Galchenyuk and whether he plays this weekend),” Keefe broken wrist has been on par with the physical recovery. said. “We think he’s a guy that can produce offence if he gets an opportunity to score. He can also make plays.” The Maple Leafs winger, out since Feb. 6 when he was hurt in a game against the Vancouver Canucks, on Wednesday practised fully with his CAMPBELL CLOSE teammates for the first time on his road back. Would backup goalie Jack Campbell be ready to play on Saturday, “It sucks when you get hurt,” Simmonds said. “I felt like I was starting to assuming Frederik Andersen will be in net versus Calgary on Friday? get into a little bit of a groove. It’s hockey, sometimes people get hurt, so Campbell, out with a lower body injury since Feb. 27 (an aggravation of that was unfortunate. one he suffered on Jan. 24), again was a full participant in practice. “I’ve tried to get in with the boys as much as I possibly could over the “It’s really looking that way,” Keefe said. “He skated (Tuesday) as well past four or five weeks, just to keep my sanity and try to add a little bit to and on both days, the feedback has been that those have been his best the group.” days. Simmonds scored two goals that night against the Canucks, giving him “We’re trending in the direction of him being available on the weekend, five in six games prior to being sidelined. but we won’t know until we get through through another day (Thursday). Coach Sheldon Keefe said last week the Leafs “have really missed “It has been one of those things (that the medical staff) thought a few Simmonds” and that there was a different feel around the team without days off might do the trick to get him back, but it has just lingered and Simmonds on the bench. hasn’t healed. I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as a setback, but more “I think the boys have done a pretty good job of being lively,” Simmonds as a nagging thing.” said. “I’m one of the guys who likes to speak a lot, I enjoy the interaction Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.18.2021 with my teammates, it’s fun. I don’t want to say it’s a good thing that he said that because you’d like the bench to be lively. Minus one guy, I don’t think it should make that much of a difference.”

Simmonds couldn’t say whether he will be in the lineup on Friday or Saturday against the Calgary Flames. If not, we would expect him to play next Thursday, when the Leafs play in Ottawa.

“You want to be cognizant that you can make every single movement that’s required and not jump into it too quickly,” Simmonds said. “Because if not, you’re going to leave the team shorthanded with a guy who’s not necessarily being used the way he should be used.

“It’s just making sure I can handle my own area, whether that’d be shooting or playing with pucks on the wall and with confidence and especially in front of the net.

“I’m trying to figure out where I am in all those aspects before the weekend. If they allow me to go, maybe I’ll be able to go, but for now, we’re just playing it by ear.”

GALCHENYUK IS GAME

Alex Galchenyuk has passed the first part of his test in resuming his career in the National Hockey League.

After recording eight points (two goals and six assists) in six games with the Toronto Marlies, Galchenyuk, acquired from Carolina on Feb. 15, was summoned to join the Leafs taxi squad.

“I feel really comfortable here in Toronto and I give a lot of credit to the organization,” Galchenyuk said. “The time they put in to work on me and get my game back to where it needs to be, it’s amazing. I really appreciate it and I’ll keep sticking to it and do my best.”

Galchenyuk’s stint with the Marlies was his first in the American Hockey League during his pro career. Taking into account his inability to keep an NHL job in recent seasons, it was required. Since the 2017-18 season, his last of six with the Montreal Canadiens, Galchenyuk has been employed by Arizona, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Ottawa, Carolina, and now Toronto.

“He has been humble going down for guidance, having never played in the American Hockey League,” Keefe said. “We’re thrilled with how he has conducted himself. The organization has put a lot of effort into him and he has received it well. 1185475 Toronto Maple Leafs There are more immediate concerns. When last we saw the Leafs, a determined comeback against the worst team in the North, the Ottawa Senators, fell a goal short on Sunday night.

KOSHAN: Confidence high in Maple Leafs room, no matter if trade The rest this week should serve the Leafs well, but no one would expect comes Sutter’s Flames to arrive in Toronto and let the Leafs have their way.

“Whatever it might have been that has caused us to dip a little bit, whether it’s fatigue, execution, habits or mental mistakes,” Keefe said, Terry Koshan “between the practice time and the rest, our perspective is those things should be fixed and we should be back to playing our best. That’s what

our expectation is.” Rugged Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno is among the Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.18.2021 players linked the Maple Leafs in trade speculation.

If Kyle Dubas is able to get his hands on a player, preferably a top-six forward prior to the National Hockey League trade deadline, go ahead and do it.

And if not, the Maple Leafs are fine with what they have now.

As much as they would welcome any addition made by their general manager before April 12, that was the Leafs message emanating from the dressing room on Wednesday as the club returned to practice following two full days off.

“When it comes to adding people, that’s really not our business,” defenceman Morgan Rielly said after the team’s workout at the . “Our main focus has to remain on the ice and here at the practice rink and making sure we’re doing what we have to do in order to prepare to play the best we can.

“He’ll take care of the rest. If he adds someone, that’s great. If not, we have all the confidence in the world with the group we have in our room right now.

“We’re not thinking that the sky is falling (with five losses in six games), but we’re preparing to change the narrative a little bit.”

Despite the skid, with the lone victory coming in overtime against Winnipeg last Thursday, the Leafs remain atop the North Division with 40 points. A second day of practice on Thursday will serve as further prep time for a two-game set on Friday and Saturday at Scotiabank Arena against the Calgary Flames, who won their first three games under new coach Darryl Sutter before playing Edmonton on Wednesday night.

All the while, Dubas, who made it clear during his mid-season availability with media on Tuesday that he wants to supplement his forward group, continues to seek a trade partner.

The Leafs could get goalie Jack Campbell (out since Feb. 27 with a lower-body injury) and winger Wayne Simmonds (out since Feb. 6 with a broken wrist) back this weekend. They lost forward Jimmy Vesey to Vancouver via waivers on Wednesday, and reassigned forwards Alex Galchenyuk and Alexander Barabanov and defenceman Timothy Liljegren to the taxi squad. Sent to the Toronto Marlies were forward Kenny Agostino and defenceman Calle Rosen.

Galchenyuk skated on a line with captain John Tavares and William Nylander at practice, though coach Sheldon Keefe would not commit to using Galchenyuk against the Flames.

There’s no doubt that Galchenyuk would be a nice story if he makes something of this opportunity with the Leafs, considering his wandering through seven NHL clubs in the past four seasons.

Dubas wants to make a bigger splash.

When the GM says he is willing to put one of the Leafs’ top prospects on the table (we just don’t think it will be Rasmus Sandin), he has a player of some significance in mind, and acknowledged that going the rental route is possible.

Among the players linked to the Leafs in speculation are Eric Staal and Taylor Hall of the Buffalo Sabres, Mikael Granlund of the Nashville Predators, Kyle Palmieri of the New Jersey Devils and Nick Foligno of the Columbus Blue Jackets. All are unrestricted free agents this summer and would fall into the rental category.

“We all believe in and trust Kyle and the whole organization to do everything they can to give us the best opportunity to win and have success and compete for the Stanley Cup,” Tavares said. “That comes into focus at different points, knowing moves can be made.

“We just believe in our group in the locker room.” 1185476 Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs' forward depth takes a small bump with loss of Vesey to Canucks

Terry Koshan

Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe would have preferred to still have Jimmy Vesey as a depth option at forward.

Instead, Vesey was headed up the 401 on Wednesday to Ottawa to join the Vancouver Canucks, who claimed him from the Leafs off waivers.

“Putting him on waivers, it’s a difficult decision,” Keefe said. “It didn’t work out for him here the way that we thought it might, but he does have a lot that he brings to a team. We would have liked to keep him.”

After signing a one-year, $900,000 US contact with the Leafs in October, the 27-year-old Vesey was unable to get comfortable in Toronto despite playing in all of the Leafs’ first 30 games. Vesey couldn’t take advantage of a prime opportunity — he started the season on the second line with captain John Tavares and William Nylander — and eventually found himself on the fourth line.

Vesey averaged 11 minutes seven seconds of ice time, 10th among Leafs forwards, and had five goals and two assists.

Roster flexibility under the hard cap forced the Leafs’ hand with Vesey.

“It creates some challenges,” Keefe said. “Your lineup is pretty much set, so you need to create some flexibility, you have to expose some players.

“The system gives players these opportunities to go to teams that might have a different chance for them.”

Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185477 Toronto Maple Leafs Andersen is having his worst season in Toronto, but before fans run him out of town, ask yourself if who you’d rather have as a replacement. Aside from Tuukka Rask, whom the Leafs cannot afford, the best of the free agent options are Philipp Grubauer, David Rittich and Petr Mrazek. TRAIK-EOTOMY: Can the Maple Leafs afford to bring back Zach Hyman Do you see any of them leading this team to a Stanley Cup? … In an — and should they? effort to keep abreast of what’s happening outside the North Division, Dubas said that a staff member has drawn up a schedule of games to

watch every week. No word on whether he’s blocked off an additional Michael Traikos four hours on Thursday to watch ‘The Snyder Cut’ of HBO’s Justice League … The next 11 games will tell Dubas a lot about what he needs to do at the trade deadline. He needs to know if this team is the one that lost five of its last six or the one that won seven of eight earlier this month Maple Leafs’ Zach Hyman celebrates with teammates after scoring a … The hit that Pittsburgh’s Brandon Tanev delivered on Boston’s Jarred goal on Oilers’ goaltender Mikko Koskinen in Edmonton on March 1, Tinordi on Tuesday was indeed a violent collision. But it wasn’t worthy of 2021. a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct. We’ve become so Article content concerned with player safety that on-ice officials no longer know what is and isn’t a legal bodycheck anymore. Just because a player suffers a It was a week ago when TSN’s hockey panel tried to answer the question concussion or an injury does not mean the hit was dirty. of who was the Toronto Maple Leafs’ third-most valuable forward after Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH

The options were John Tavares, William Nylander and … Zach Hyman? Taylor Hall was likely the saddest to see Ralph Krueger get fired on Wednesday. Krueger, who coached Hall for the 48-game lockout- At least one panellist chose the latter. That’s how valuable the heart-and- shortened season in 2012-13 before being replaced, was the main soul grinder has been to the team this year, something GM Kyle Dubas reason why Hall signed in Buffalo. Hall believed in the team. But he reiterated in his mid-season state of the union address on Tuesday when believed even more in his former coach. “I’ve often wondered how things he praised the Hyman’s “work ethic and leadership and character.” might be different if Ralph had stayed head coach in Edmonton,” Hall The question is, how much are those intangibles worth? wrote in an open letter to fans on NHL.com in October. “In a way, I guess I’m about to find out” … In hindsight, imagine what could have been had At the beginning of the season, you would have put Hyman’s value Hall signed with the Bruins? … Don Granato will be Jack Eichel’s fourth around $4 million. But since then he has scored 10 goals in 19 points in coach in six seasons in Buffalo. How many coaches does the Sabres 28 games and added a pair of hands to his unique skill set. He’s also captain have to burn through before he starts shouldering some of the become the team’s Mr. Fix It, a winger who can kick-start a struggling blame? … Three games in, Darryl Sutter looks like he’s just what the line and produce just as easily with Matthews and Marner as with Pierre Flames needed. Sometimes, a coach is made for a market and for a Engvall and Ilya Mikheyev. team. Makes you wonder why the Sabres didn’t try to hire Lindy Ruff when he was available a year ago … If the Islanders end up with Hall, he That’s likely worth another $1 million (or more on the open market), would have the highest cap hit on the team. If the Leafs get him, he putting Hyman somewhere in the $5- to $6-million range. would be fourth-highest … Mark Stone, who no one is talking about as a Can the Leafs afford to pay that? Should they? Hart Trophy candidate, leads all scorers with six goals and 16 points in eight games this month. Right now, he’s my favourite to become the first If the salary cap were rising, the answer would be yes. But the cap isn’t winger since in 2002-03 to win the Selke Trophy. going up anytime soon and the Leafs already have more than $40-million dedicated to Matthews, Marner, Tavares and Nylander. The challenges HERE’S ONE FOR YOU become greater when you consider that Frederik Andersen is also a free The question on every GM’s mind heading into the trade deadline: What agent at the end of the year and will be also asking for around $5 million is the value of a first- or second-round pick in a year when scouts have in salary. A year later, Morgan Rielly’s contract expires. no idea of who is going to go where? “Good luck coming up with a list In other words, something has to give. And for the Leafs, it probably this year,” said North American Central Scouting’s Mark Seidel. “You won’t be a No. 1 goalie or a No. 1 defenceman. could have a guy in the fourth round that others have in the first round. In 29 years of doing this, I’ve never been this unsure. This is a year where if You can’t have five forwards taking up more than 50% of the cap. Not I’m going to give up picks, I’d do it.” … As of today (and it could change unless you’re going to trade Rielly or go with a goalie tandem of Jack once the OHL resumes or after the Under-18 world championship), Campbell and Michael Hutchinson. Seidel has defenceman Brandt Clarke ranked No. 1 overall. But Seidel will have to trust his memory on why. The Nepean, Ont., In the salary cap world, you don’t mind paying for skill, for difference- native is currently playing in Slovakia, where he has six goals and 12 makers, for guys who can score goals. But Hyman isn’t that. He’s a points in 25 games for Nove Zamky Mikron HC … Jim Rutherford told complementary piece of the puzzle. He kills penalties, he finishes checks The Athletic this week that before leaving as the Penguins GM, he tried and he grinds. Few others do that on this team. desperately to bring back Marc-Andre Fleury in a trade in hopes of And yet, it might be easier to find a replacement for Hyman than it is for improving the team’s goaltending. As good as Fleury has been this year, Andersen or for Rielly in a couple of years. it turns out Pittsburgh didn’t need him. Since Rutherford left, the Penguins are 14-8-0 with Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith posting a Remember: Hyman has played roughly the same number of games as combined .922 save percentage … Enough with the reverse retro Matthews and Marner, but he’s not the same age as those two. He will jerseys. All of them look awful. be 29 at the end of this season. That’s a year older than David Bolland was when the Leafs acquired him from the Blackhawks and then HOW DO YOU CLEAN UP THE MESS IN BUFFALO? watched as his wheels fell off. Where do the Buffalo Sabres go from here? How long before Hyman also loses a step? How long before he’s It’s a question without an answer. incapable of playing anywhere else but the third line? What an embarrassment this team has become. What a mess they’ve Can you afford to have a third-line winger making $5 million? made for themselves. I’m not sure anybody within the organization knows That’s what you have to ask yourself if you’re the Leafs. It’s not what how to clean this up — or where to even begin. Hyman is today, it’s what he will be in two years. By then, maybe Nick After firing head coach Krueger on Wednesday following a 12th straight Robertson is doing the things that Hyman is doing. And he’s doing it for a loss, what’s next for the last-place team in the NHL? Do they now trade quarter of the cost. away Hall and Eric Staal? Do they cut ties with Eichel? It just hammers home how important it is for the Leafs to take advantage Is it time to tear it all down and start all over again? of a window that could be closing more quickly than anyone realizes. If so, would you trust GM Kevyn Adams, who has zero experience, to be TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT the one making the deals? I don’t know the answer. No one does.

This is going to be the 10th straight season that the Sabres have missed the playoffs. During that span, they have had eight top-10 picks, including the No. 1 and No. 2 overall selection. That should have been good enough to turn the team into a playoff contender.

Instead, it’s as if they’ve been spent the selections on magic beans.

This team looks a lot different had they chosen Leon Draisaitl over Sam Reinhart in 2014. Or had they picked Mikhail Sergachev and Nick Suzuki rather than Alex Nylander and Casey Mittelstadt in the 2016 and 2017 drafts. Go one step further and picture Buffalo with Mitch Marner (rather than Eichel) and Quinn Hughes (rather than Rasmus Dahlin).

That has to be the hardest part for Sabres’ fans to accept. All of this — trading away Ryan O’Reilly, allowing Robin Lehner to walk away, not hiring a coach or a GM who knew what they were doing — could have been avoidable.

Ownership created this mess. And, unless something changes from atop, it’s going to be ownership that ends up making an even bigger mess before this gets cleaned up.

DUBAS AND LAMORIELLO COMPETING AGAIN

Three years after winning a bidding war for John Tavares, the Toronto Maple Leafs could be once again in competition with the New York Islanders for the services of a top-six forward.

It’s unclear whom either team is targeting. But with the trade deadline three weeks away, it appears that Toronto’s Dubas and New York’s Lou Lamoriello could be in the market for something similar.

The Leafs are looking for a winger, preferably someone with a little bite to his game, who can play alongside Tavares and William Nylander. The Islanders, who announced that captain Anders Lee is undergoing season-ending surgery to repair an ACL, need someone who can score.

“Whatever we can do to make ourselves better, we will be doing that,” said Lamoriello, who has the cap space to replace . “We’re always trying to find a scoring winger, even without Anders’ situation. If we can, we will.”

Here is a look at three potential targets that the Leafs and Islanders could be targeting. And with both teams leading their respective divisions, don’t be surprised if this isn’t the last time they go head-to-head this year.

Taylor Hall, LW, Buffalo

It’s been an awful first-half to the season for Hall, who has just two goals and 16 points in 28 games. But put him on a better team and there’s no reason why he can’t return to his MVP form from three years ago.

Mikael Granlund, LW, Nashville

Granlund has five goal and 10 points in 26 games, but it’s his versatility that makes him a very attractive option at the deadline. He can play centre or on either wing, he can play on the power play and the penalty kill, and he can be moved up or down in the lineup.

Kyle Palmieri, RW, New Jersey

Could Palmieri be this year’s Blake Coleman? The 30-year-old, who has four goals and 12 points in 25 games, might not be a 30-goal scorer anymore. But he plays the type of energy-infused game that any championship team could use.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185478 Toronto Maple Leafs development staff, he’s still in the middle of a playoff run and there’s no need for him to return to North America this season. I’d rather see him start in Newfoundland next season in the ECHL and work his way up.

Maple Leafs prospect stock report: Who’s up, who’s down with trade talk Veeti Miettinen, 19, forward, St. Cloud State heating up Miettinen has had one of the most impressive seasons of any Leafs prospect, seamlessly adapting to a new continent, new league and new style of play, while becoming more of a direct player than a perimeter By Joshua Kloke Mar 17, 2021 one. He scored 10 goals and 22 points in 21 games and racked up the accolades, including NCHC Rookie of the Year and being named to the

NCHC’s Second Team All-Conference. St. Cloud State lost the NCHC Kyle Dubas has rarely been as blunt as he was on Tuesday afternoon. championship game on Tuesday but could still qualify for the NCAA During a mid-season media availability, he was asked whether he would tournament. consider moving a top prospect to improve his team right now. Miettinen needs to round out his game. Some regression next season “Yes,” he answered abruptly, without any follow-up. wouldn’t be surprising. But with the strength of his hockey IQ alone, he’s shown he can adapt to new situations on and off the ice, an important No way to misinterpret that. tool for any Leaf prospect.

The Maple Leafs boast one of the deeper prospect pools in the NHL, FIRST CAREER @NCAAICEHOCKEY GOAL ALERT buoyed by a very strong 2020 draft in which they added highly-skilled players at every position. And it’s for that reason that Dubas likely feels VEETI MIETTINEN (@MAPLELEAFS) STEALS THE PUCK AND he can flip one, or perhaps a few, highly-touted prospects and not see SNIPES IT FOR HIS FIRST GOAL WITH @SCSUHUSKIES_MH. the entire pool dry up too quickly. #LEAFSFOREVER PIC.TWITTER.COM/EF0SGHHYF0

With the trade deadline less than one month away on April 12, this — J.D. BURKE (@JDYLANBURKE) DECEMBER 7, 2020 edition of The Athletic’s Maple Leafs prospect report looks at how the Teemu Kivihalme, 25, defenceman, Toronto Marlies stock of some of the Leafs’ better prospects have been trending as of late, and the likelihood of some of them moving on. He’s looked more comfortable making creative passes to set up his forwards, while also showing a propensity to use his strong skating to Stock Rising attack the goal compared to his AHL rookie campaign. His five goals are Timothy Liljegren, 21, defenceman, Toronto Marlies tops among all AHL defencemen.

I think Liljegren could be an NHL defenceman right now. I’m just not sure “He’s thriving offensively right now,” said Marlies head coach Greg if he can be a defenceman with the Leafs right now. Now in his fourth full Moore. season with the Marlies, Liljegren has added plenty of defensive tools to Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, 20, forward, Toronto Marlies his game. Despite not having played for nearly a year, he hasn’t missed a beat in 10 games this season, using his brain in the offensive zone to Even with his leg injury, the playmaker fared well in his first pro season, both find dangerous passing lanes and shoot the puck far more than ever logging third-line minutes on loan to the KHL’s Torpedo, and looking before. He’s become a dominant AHL defender in transition, even if you capable of sticking with the pace of play. With two goals and six points in allow for the fact that his stride has to improve. But I’ve had some scouts 17 games, and more tenaciousness, we are starting to see more of what wonder if the constant questions that come with being a Leafs first-round he can be as a pro. His season ended with a first-round playoff exit and pick may have led Liljegren to question himself at the NHL level. he’s since returned to Toronto. He can begin practicing with the Marlies after his quarantine ends on March 27. Given Moore’s propensity to give Perhaps the Leafs see him as part of their top six next season should highly-skilled players a look as soon as they’re available, I wouldn’t they lose a defenceman in the expansion draft. But another possibility is expect him to sit in the press box for long. that a team at a different stage of its competitive window sees value in giving him NHL minutes today. That’s why, despite another strong AHL Axel Rindell, 20, defenceman, Jukurit (Finland) season, a change of scenery for Liljegren is an option. One of the top rising prospects on this list. In his second Liiga season, Nick Robertson, 19, forward, Toronto Marlies his 22 points in 39 games are one off the Jukurit team lead despite having played fewer games than the team leaders. He’s making fewer Robertson has battled injuries and hasn’t been in the Marlies lineup since risky moves with the puck and trying to beat the opposition 1-on-1 in Mar. 3. But in his 10 AHL games, he has looked more than up to the task favour of smart, effective passes. Jukurit will likely miss the playoffs and of logging heavy minutes and playing on the power play, registering two his season will end in mid-April. goals and nine points. This shouldn’t be surprising given he looked mostly capable of playing on an NHL fourth line in his five NHL games. “He’s taken steps towards being one of the best offensive defencemen in As such, I’m wary of any trade that includes him. our league,” said Jukurit assistant coach Teemu Suokas. “He showed some highlights last season, but it’s not once in a while, it’s every game Roni Hirvonen, 19, forward, Assat (Finland) he creates something.” We’re seeing a real evolution in Hirvonen’s game this season. He’s , 27, forward, Toronto Marlies producing more (0.3 PPG in 2019-20 vs. 0.43 PPG in 2020-21), perhaps expected given that he’s logging almost two more minutes per night in his Gaudet deserves praise for transforming his game this season as a 27- sophomore Liiga season. He’s executing with more speed and year-old, going from a bottom-six energy player to the Marlies leading eagerness to attack the goal. And he’s developed a nasty edge to his scorer with 13 points in 14 games. For a player of his age to still be as game that overshadows his 5-foot-9, 172-pound frame. curious about areas for improvement, it’s hard not to believe Leafs management isn’t taking notice. He leads all Assat players with 52 penalty minutes. His growing ability to win battles has impressed some scouts. I don’t know if we’re in “pest” “He’s a student of the game, and he’s definitely asked the right territory yet, but the different tools in his game would make him attractive questions, especially right after shots where he wished he had scored or to the Leafs organization, or others, next season. His contract is up at the got a great opportunity,” said Moore. end of this season and Assat looks likely to miss the Liiga playoffs. Filip Hallander, 20, forward, Lulea (Sweden) Filip Kral, 21, defenceman, HC Kometa Brno (Czech Republic) It’s been a good mid-season turnaround for Hallander. He had previously Kral has quietly put together an impressive first professional season. He said the trade from Pittsburgh to Toronto caused him to lose focus. He logged the highest ATOI of any regular Kometa defenceman (20:57) and was playing timid, quickly dishing the puck off instead of taking on while he was never billed as an offence-first player, his nine power-play defenders. But after seeking the counsel of his coaches and agents, he’s points, also tops among regular defenders, display some growth. He’s regained his form and has become far more involved in offensive play, improved his defensive positioning and has become more of a physical using his skill to create scoring chances near the goal. His ice-time and presence near the goal. Though his progression has to impress the Leafs possession stats are up this season. He got his first call-up to the Swedish national team and he’ll play for the Marlies once his SHL averaged just 6:01 of ice-time per game. He’s under contract with Sibir season ends. My sense is the Leafs see a lot of value in him long-term. next season. A season split between the KHL and VHL makes sense. According to his coach Dmitry Gogolev (through a translator), Stable stock Ovchinnikov developed an intensity this season that could push him up Topi Niemela, 18, defenceman, Karpat (Finland) the ranks. “He is always tuned in to win, to fight. He worries about every game. Sometimes it hinders him, his emotions are overwhelming. He Niemela has the tools and upside to eventually contend for an NHL roster gets upset when he was given an inaccurate pass, or did not score. We spot. His blend of puck movement, scoring and smart defensive talk a lot about this and he understands it.” coverage at the world juniors was a pleasant surprise and saw him named the tournament’s best defenceman. But this season with Karpat, Stock Falling his second full professional season, he’s dealt with three separate Rasmus Sandin, 21, defenceman, Toronto Marlies injuries that have caused him a ton of frustration. This has nothing to do with his talent. Should he remain a Leaf after the The concern here is that he hasn’t been able to build on his strong deadline, I fully expect him to play far more of a regular role with the showing at the world juniors and that his development has been paused Leafs next season. with repeated injuries. Niemela told The Athletic after the injury that he felt the game before he was injured was his best game of the season. But it’s hard to consider this anything but a frustrating season for Sandin. He’ll be back in time for the Liiga playoffs. He also re-upped on a one- He spent time on the outside of the lineup looking in to start the Leafs year extension with Karpat. There’s still more power and strength to add season, and when he was finally given an opportunity on Feb. 8, he to his game, but there are also optimistic signs for his long-term logged just five minutes. Upon being returned to the Marlies, he suffered prospects, which could make him an attractive trade chip. a foot fracture in his first game and is still weeks away from returning. It adds up to a grand total of two disappointing appearances in the past Mac Hollowell, 22, defenceman, Toronto Marlies year.

Had this list been written a few weeks ago, Hollowell would have gotten a Rodion Amirov, 19, forward, Salavat Ufa different label, but after going without a point in his first nine games, Moore continued to dole out big minutes and Hollowell has five points in If we’re ranking Leafs prospects on raw skill alone, Amirov might be at his past five games. the top of the list.

Artur Akhtyamov, 19, goalie, Irbis Kazan Everyone in Russia I’ve spoken to about Amirov insists he has the potential to make the jump to North America eventually, but that he didn’t Akhtyamov put up some intriguing numbers in three different Russian make the necessary steps in his defensive game in the KHL this season. leagues this season, including three games in the KHL as a teenager You could argue he wasn’t given enough opportunity to do so, as he was with a .904 save percentage. But those numbers dipped in the VHL relegated to the bottom six for a team focused less on developing players playoffs, where he posted an .891 save percentage over three games. this season and more on contending. As such, his defensive errors were He’s currently backstopping his MHL club, Irbis Kazan, into the second glaring. He’s learned to attack different areas of the ice off the rush, but round of the playoffs with a .939 save percentage so far. Ufa assistant coach Viktor Kozlov told The Athletic that he hasn’t seen Joey Anderson, 22, forward, Toronto Marlies much change in his game at club level after a decent showing at the world juniors. His playing time has dropped in the KHL playoffs so far, as There have been signs of improvement in Anderson’s skating since being has his production. assigned to the Marlies. It’s believed Amirov wants to make his way to North America sooner “The work I’ve done with (Barb Underhill), working on my skating has rather than later. If you’re the Leafs, you undoubtedly want him in your made a huge impact on me,” said Anderson. “It’s been a night and day development program. He could end up being an important piece of the difference, compared to when I got here.” Leafs’ puzzle when cheaper contracts are needed, and an impact player even sooner with a change of scenery outside Ufa. But so far in the KHL He’s looked more nimble and more eager to use his energetic style of playoffs, he’s been ineffective, which has his stock trending in the wrong play to create offence, in addition to disrupting the opposition. I doubt he direction. gets a look with the Leafs this season, but he could be in the mix for a fourth-line role next season. Nick Abruzzese 21, forward, Harvard

William Villeneuve, 18, defenceman, Saint John Sea Dogs We won’t know for some time how much losing an entire season at Harvard and then recovering from hip surgery will end up impacting Despite a season of stops and starts, Villeneuve has still managed to Abruzzese’s development. He remains a perfect fit for Dubas’s Leafs, transform his game with the help of the Leafs development staff. Drafted eventually: smarts for days and an ability to make high-end players as an offence-first defenceman, Villeneuve’s production has dropped (0.9 around him better. PPG in 2019-20 vs. 0.44 PPG through 18 games this season), but he’s becoming far more well-rounded. If you don’t believe that a year without game action can hurt a 21-year- old, then you probably don’t agree with this assessment. But Abruzzese His focus with Leafs director of player development Stephane Robidas was considering playing in Europe, only to take the year to rehab. The has been on improving his puck retrievals and zone exits. Sea Dogs good thing for Abruzzese is that his best attribute, his brain, has assistant coach Stefan Legein has seen a serious difference. remained active. He’s been studying video of his games, looking for ways “He’s making decisions that he wouldn’t have made a year ago, and to improve. we’re getting out of the zone with ease. It’s something he’s starting to do But the reality is that there were forwards ranked lower than him, on both almost every time. When you watch NHL games, he’s starting to make mine and Scott Wheeler’s prospect rankings, who have made strides in plays those defencemen are making. Not the fancy, high-end ones, but their game this season. the simple five-foot pass to his centremen instead of trying to hold on to the puck and beat the fore-checker.” Adam Brooks, 24, forward, Toronto Marlies

CAMERON MACDONALD (2021) CURLS BEHIND HIS NET TO Brooks admitted Tuesday that over the last two weeks, he “hasn’t been GENERATE SPEED AND #LEAFSFOREVER PROSPECT WILLIAM very good.” And the stats back that up: despite getting plenty of playing VILLENEUVE HITS HIM IN STRIDE WITH THE PERFECT STRETCH time, he’s gone pointless in his past four games. He said he needs to be PASS TO OPEN THE SCORING FOR THE SEA DOGS. more engaged in plays to return to being the player that flirted with a PIC.TWITTER.COM/D4WSRL5H3J Leafs lineup spot last season.

— NICK RICHARD (@_NICKRICHARD) MARCH 15, 2021 “You have to look yourself in the mirror and come to that realization,” said Brooks. “For me, I know there’s more to give. I need to be more engaged Dmitri Ovchinnikov, 18, forward, Siberskie Snaipery (Russia) in battles. This is a league where everyone’s fighting to get to the next Though his season ended without a playoff run, Ovchinnikov produced level. If you’re not engaged every game, you’re going to stand out like a as expected for a player of his skill and scoring ability, averaging 1.28 sore thumb.” points per game in the MHL, Russia’s junior league. That production Mikko Kokkonen, 20, defenceman, Jukurit (Finland) didn’t translate to his 16-game stint with the KHL’s Sibir, but he also After emerging as a driving force on and off the ice for Liiga’s Jukurit, I had high expectations for Kokkonen entering this season. He looked like he was on a path to becoming a reliable, bottom-pair NHL defenceman.

“We can play him in every situation,” said Jukurit assistant coach Teemu Suokas.

Despite being voted one of Finland’s best players by his teammates at the recent world juniors, Kokkonen’s play didn’t especially stand out. He’s said he wanted to add more offence to his game in the hopes of becoming more well-rounded. And while he’s seen an increase in his playing time, from 18:57 last season to 21:49 this season, as well as an increase in offensive zone starts, his offensive numbers have decreased. He has zero goals and seven assists in 42 games.

“He supports the rush well and joins the rush, and that’s how he can get more points,” said Suokas.

His offensive numbers shouldn’t be the sole indicator of how he drives play, as he’s often the player who begins with the first pass out of his own zone thanks to his strong defence. But more improvement was needed this season in the offensive zone.

You could argue his development is holding steady, but I have high expectations for a player of his poise and maturity.

Mikhail Abramov, 19, forward, Victoriaville Tigers

Abramov has had to endure multiple quarantines due to COVID cases within the Tigres. The stops and starts have impacted his play. He was not in game shape to start this recent six-game stretch, leaving him unable to dominate offensively in the way he normally does. He had two goals and five points in those six games.

“He knows that he needs to be better,” said Tigers head coach Carl Mallette.

Mallette pointed out that as a result of only playing 20 games this season, the team has instead had multiple, skills-focused training camps. Abramov’s stride has gotten more explosive, and his shot has become more powerful. He just needs those tools to produce more.

“Now can he be better 1-on-1, with his puck protection and his d-zone coverage? It’s all about teaching that during games,” said Mallette.

Joseph Woll, 22, goalie, Toronto Marlies

Dubas admitted Woll’s development has been “squeezed a little bit” this season, as he’s spent more time than anticipated on the Leafs taxi squad with Jack Campbell’s injury. Woll’s only played one game for the Marlies this season – a 4-3 win in which he stopped 31 of 34 shots. Not a great start to the season for the Leafs’ top goalie prospect, who desperately needs to overcome his poor rookie AHL season.

Justin Brazeau, 23, forward, Toronto Marlies

Jeremy McKenna, 21, forward, Toronto Marlies

In their rookie AHL seasons, neither of the prolific junior scorers have seen their scoring prowess translate into production. McKenna has not scored in seven games and Brazeau has just two goals in 11 games.

Moore wants to see Brazeau move to the net more often and force defenders to stop his 6-foot-6, 226-pound-frame. He wants McKenna to develop more consistency but likes how quickly he can use information in a game.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185479 Toronto Maple Leafs Deal for him and the Leafs have another top-six forward for next season as well as this one.

Two, consider what superior linemates would do for him, likely John The Maple Leafs’ top 10 trade deadline targets: Taylor Hall, Eric Staal, Tavares and Nylander. Tanner Pearson and more At 6-foot and almost 200 pounds, Rakell is bigger than Alexander Kerfoot, and a slippery skater with better hands who can and will shoot the puck. By Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle Mar 17, 2021 He’s among the league leaders in shots this season and due some better shooting luck (6 percent).

It could happen any day now — right this minute even. This post could Playing with a passer like Nylander may unlock the goal scoring Rakell even be outdated before you read it. Which would be a shame. brought earlier in his career. Maybe not 30 goals but the next tier below. The Leafs would also get him for two possible playoff runs, securing a Will the Leafs pull off a trade that boosts their odds of bringing a long- top-six winger just in case Zach Hyman departs as a free agent. awaited Stanley Cup back to Toronto? Siegel’s No. 3 target: Filip Forsberg Who might they be after? Forsberg’s appeal is pretty obvious: He can score. We know based on GM Kyle Dubas’ comments the Leafs are after forward help. That’s where we’ve set our sights here with our top 10 And for a team that’s lacked punch beyond the Auston Matthews-led first trade deadline targets. unit at times, Forsberg’s sniping abilities would be helpful. Plug him onto a second line with Nylander and Tavares and the Leafs are that much While it’s possible the Leafs bring in a defenceman, more than likely that scarier up front, with three 30-goal scorers playing together. would be a player on the margins, i.e. another depth option for a deep playoff run. Forsberg can really shoot the puck.

We’re factoring in fit, talent and cost in our choices. He’d also give the Leafs another playmaker in the top six, a clear upgrade over Kerfoot, Thornton or Simmonds. Siegel’s No. 5 target: Matt Nieto Predators GM has said that Forsberg won’t be traded. But Nieto isn’t the sexiest name on this list. And he’s not a top-six solution. with the right push — a blend of help for the present (Kerfoot?) and future But Nieto is versatile and experienced and would bring energy to the (Nick Robertson?) — maybe he can be persuaded. bottom six. He’d fit as another speedy, responsible player on the third Forsberg is under contract for one more season, which would mean at line with, say, Pierre Engvall and Ilya Mikheyev. least two playoff runs with him in Toronto. That said, his $6 million cap hit The Sharks have used him at times on their second line when injuries would be a tough squeeze for the Leafs. struck. It wouldn’t hurt for coach Sheldon Keefe to have a similar option. But if they can make it work somehow, Forsberg would deliver a real Nieto would be more trustworthy than Jimmy Vesey and Travis Boyd. He punch to the Leafs attack, particularly at playoff time. He has 26 goals in could be on the ice protecting a late lead in a playoff game. 65 career postseason games. William Nylander, Joe Thornton, Wayne Simmonds, Vesey, Boyd and Siegel’s No. 2 target: Taylor Hall Jason Spezza are not getting the call in those moments. That’s a long list, and that matters. Remember the infamous Game 3 against It’s time for Taylor Hall to play some meaningful hockey. He’s been in the Columbus last season? league over a decade now and suited up in a mere 14 playoff games — most of them coming with Arizona in last year’s bubble. Nieto (No. 83) is also pesky, drawing a penalty here with quick feet attacking the net. Hall would be quite the upgrade to the Leafs’ top six — more so than any other name on this list. Imagine the damage he could do with Matthews His resume also has playoff experience (55 games), including 14 games and Mitch Marner? But I’d like to see him join forces with Tavares and for Colorado last season, averaging nearly 13 minutes. Nylander. His speed and offensive instincts would spice up that line in a Another PLUS: Nieto is an effective penalty killer, leading all Sharks way that someone like Kerfoot cannot. forwards in shorthanded ice time this season. It’s easy to imagine Tavares, rather than Sam Reinhart, cashing in this Watch here as he disrupts the Anaheim power play with mobility and a Hall dish. good stick. Hall’s wheels create openings like that as well as a lot of power plays: Would adding him be a bit boring? Yeah. But boring is good sometimes. He’s among the league leaders in penalties drawn 5-on-5 so far this The Leafs could use Nieto on their struggling PK. season, just shy of Connor McDavid and Brady Tkachuk who lead the pack. At worst, he’s more depth up front. If injuries happen, the Leafs are going to have to turn to Nic Petan, Alexander Barabanov and (maybe) Nick Keefe could construct quite the lineup with Hall aboard. Robertson. 1 Nieto is cheap (with a $700,000 cap hit) and would presumably not Zach Hyman require a significant asset to land from a rebuilding squad in San Jose. Auston Matthews Siegel’s No. 4 target: Rickard Rakell Mitch Marner There’s buy-low potential here for the Leafs. 2 A few years have gone by since Rakell – somewhat in Orange County obscurity – put together back-to-back 30-goal seasons for the Ducks. He Taylor Hall did that damage with end-of-prime Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry while shooting the lights out (16.5 percent). Getzlaf has tailed off, Perry is gone John Tavares and the shooting numbers have normalized — which has meant more William Nylander ordinary production for Rakell. 3 He’s on pace for the equivalent of a 17-goal, 54-point season right now and remains one of the Ducks’ few threatening offensive forces. Ilya Mikheyev

What’s intriguing about Rakell is two-fold. One, he’s under contract for Pierre Engvall next season for a reasonable $3.78 million on the cap. He’s not a rental. Wayne Simmonds 4 Staal would also be an affordable rental. His $3.25 million cap hit is very reasonable given the minutes he can log. And the acquisition cost from a Joe Thornton Buffalo team that’s clearly going to be selling should be reasonable.

Travis Boyd The big problem?

Jason Spezza Staal has a no-trade clause where he can list 10 teams he doesn’t want The real challenge in getting a deal done for Hall is making the money to go to. That list would have had to have been provided prior to the work, which is no small task. He has an $8 million cap hit this season season, but it’s pretty clear Staal doesn’t have a lot of interest in sitting with free agency ahead this summer. Can the Leafs entice the Sabres to around in a quarantine situation for two weeks. My suspicion is he would retain half of that money? What’s that sweetener? Is Buffalo interested in have had the Leafs on that no-trade list for that reason alone. Kerfoot for the next two seasons to make the deal work? There seems to be a lot of fire to the notion of Staal going back to the Rest assured, Hall would be interested in coming to a team with Cup Hurricanes, too, if you talk to other teams around the league. If you’re aspirations. betting on who’s going where, that’s the top option for Staal for sure.

He would be a big swing for Dubas. But big swings often clear the bases, But the Leafs should at least be on the phone to the gong show down the don’t they? QEW.

Siegel’s No. 1 target: Alex Iafallo Mirtle’s No. 4 target: Bobby Ryan

One player I’d be trying to get from L.A. is Adrian Kempe. He’s slick and Ryan would be a depth acquisition at this point in his career. But he’s had swift, only 24 years old and signed for another season after this one at a decent season in Detroit — with 13 points in 28 games on a very the low price of $2 million (and a RFA after that). But I can’t see why the overmatched roster — and his salary is so modest ($1 million) for a rental rebuilding Kings would want to give him up. that you could even just stash him on the taxi squad without a penalty on the cap. So we turn instead to another intriguing player: Alex Iafallo. Now that it’s clear the Jimmy Vesey experiment hasn’t worked out – he’s There’s lots to like about the 27-year-old, a pending UFA with a mild on waivers as of this writing – Ryan could be an upgrade in terms of $2.42 million cap hit. He’s competitive, playing with the kind of tenacity offensive ability on the third or fourth line. He also has some upside on and enthusiasm the Leafs want in their lineup. He’s also quick with the power play, as he’s still a strong shooter. moderate skill (including six goals and 17 points so far this season after 17 and 43 last year), conscientious defensively and versatile. And, as you can see below, has some nice hands.

The Kings play him on their No. 1 line, No. 1 power play and No. 1 BOBBY RYAN ALMOST SCORES A GOAL OF THE YEAR penalty kill. He’s averaging 20 minutes a game and would be another CANDIDATE. #LGRW PIC.TWITTER.COM/UNDUU3YQKI reliable late-game option for Keefe. — RYAN HANA (@RYANHANAWWP) FEBRUARY 12, 2021

Iafallo is the ideal complementary winger, as he’s shown he can fit in well Ryan would also be a really inspirational addition, given what he’s been around good players with his wide range of skills. He’s been dynamite through. with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown on L.A.’s formidable top unit this season and would slot in nicely with Tavares and Nylander if the Leafs He’s not exactly what the Leafs need but not a bad fallback option if they were to bring him in. aren’t able to land an impact top-six winger, either. He had a big postseason for Ottawa a few years back that showed he’s able to rise to He also wouldn’t be out of place with Matthews and Marner with his the occasion in big moments. speed and knack for hunting down loose pucks in the corners. That would allow Hyman to prop up the third line again. Iafallo could move up And the acquisition cost is likely minimal. and down the lineup in a fashion similar to Hyman. Mirtle’s No. 3 target: Tanner Pearson That’s Iafallo (No. 19) coming over to pry a puck loose in the corner. Someone a little higher up the rental food chain would be Pearson in And winning another puck battle here along the boards to set up Kopitar. Vancouver. One advantage with dealing with another Canadian team would obviously be to get around the border and 14-day quarantine Not flashy but feisty and effective. issues.

The Leafs would surely use Iafallo on the PK; the Kings have one of the Pearson is on a contract ($3.75 million cap hit) that the Leafs should be better penalty kills in the league and Iafallo is a large part of it, typically able to accommodate on their budget. And he isn’t likely to break the joining Kopitar right out of the gate. Iafallo also fills the bumper role on bank in terms of prospects or picks required to acquire him, either. the L.A. power play and could slip in there for the Leafs if needed. The scouting report on Pearson from our Canucks columnist Thomas It’s possible the Kings, in the playoff hunt, will have no interest in dealing Drance is that he’s a complementary middle-six winger you can play Iafallo given how large his role has become. Undrafted out of the against tough competition. He’s not a huge play driver from a possession University of Minnesota-Duluth, Iafallo has improved every season. But in standpoint, but he can finish opportunities well. their current rebuilding state maybe there’s a future piece (a pick or a prospect) that entices them to move on. In an ideal world, he’s probably on your third line.

Dubas and Kings GM have been frequent trading partners, The Canucks aren’t fully out of the playoff race yet — 10 percent chance! combining on deals that netted the Leafs Jake Muzzin and Jack — and they’re making noise about trying to re-sign Pearson. Campbell. If that falls through, however, he would be a decent fit for what the Leafs Iafallo is not going to cost as much as Forsberg and Hall, which, when are looking for. combined with the fit, gets him the top spot on my list. Mirtle’s No. 2 target: Kyle Palmieri Mirtle’s No. 5 target: Eric Staal I’m a very big fan of Palmieri. Of anyone on this list, he probably fits what Frankly, I think Staal would be perfect for what the Leafs need. He’s that the Leafs need the best. big, two-way centre that would instantly make the third line far more effective, even against top teams. An excellent defensive player who can mesh well with top centres and has a lethal shot? Sounds pretty, pretty good. Yes, he’s old (at 36) by NHL standards, but he still has a lot of game, as he produced at a nearly 60-point pace last season in Minnesota. (Would He doesn’t miss many of these — and he could probably pile up a lot of a Grumpy Old Men line of Thornton-Staal-Spezza not be fun to watch on them playing with Tavares and Nylander. the power play?) Palmieri is yet another rental player on our list, and his $4.65 million cap And he’s battle tested in the playoffs, albeit it’s been a while since he had hit is wholly reasonable. a long run. He would likely cost a late first-round pick plus potentially a middling prospect, given he’s been a 25-goal guy for years. (With this season a rare exception given his shooting percentage is half of what it normally is.)

Betting on him to regain his scoring form feels relatively safe, given Toronto’s talent level compared to who he’s playing with in New Jersey.

The tough thing with Palmieri is he does have an eight-team no-trade clause, which I have heard basically reads “No Canada.”

There would have to be some convincing done on the Leafs part to get him to waive that in order for a trade to go through. And the hassle of crossing the border and going through the quarantine process isn’t one that a lot of veteran players are looking forward to right now.

That will likely make it harder for the Leafs to pull off the deal compared to some teams in other divisions.

Mirtle’s No. 1 target: Mikael Granlund

Yes, yes, I know you’re tired of hearing about Granlund and the Leafs at this point.

His name has been in rumours for more than a month now, and the Predators haven’t made any gains in a bid to get back in the playoff race. They look, very much, like they’re going to be sellers.

I’m bringing Granlund back up again here because I think he remains the most probably acquisition for Toronto. The Leafs front office has liked him as a player for a long time and looked at signing him in the offseason. He fits what they need. He fits their cap situation. He won’t cost a bundle in assets.

Plus, you know, he can do this onto the stick of Matthews or Tavares.

THIS PASS FROM MIKAEL GRANLUND PIC.TWITTER.COM/HGDQS1DJEV

— FOX SPORTS (@PREDSONFSTN) MARCH 12, 2021

My guess is Granlund is who ends up in Toronto here in the coming weeks.

But it was fun going through some other names here, wasn’t it?

Honourable mentions: Nick Foligno, Adam Henrique, Darcy Kuemper, Mattias Ekholm, Jamie Oleksiak, Dmitry Kulikov

The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021

Vegas Golden Knights San Jose established a physical tone in a high-paced first period and 1185480 dished out hits in all three zones trying to slow the Knights.

The Sharks had a 14-6 advantage in scoring chances, according to Golden Knights rally with 4 goals in 3rd period to beat Sharks NaturalStatTrick.com, but the Knights broke through for the first goal. Max Pacioretty tracked down a long rebound along the left-wing boards and circled back toward the point, where he teed up Theodore for a one- By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal timer at 3:45. March 17, 2021 - 9:39 PM Theodore extended his point streak to five games, and Pacioretty has seven points (two goals, five assists) in his past four outings. Updated March 17, 2021 - 10:31 PM

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.18.2021 Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner (90) plays against the St. Louis Blues in an NHL h ... The Golden Knights absorbed the San Jose Sharks’ best punch Wednesday — figuratively and literally. When it came time for the Knights to fight back in the third period, they had too much firepower for their rival. Alec Martinez’s power-play goal with 5:14 remaining proved to be the winner, and the Knights scored four times in a fiery third period to beat the San Jose Sharks 5-4 at T-Mobile Arena. “I think our group has a confidence in what we do,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “I think we’ve done it enough that we know if we can get a certain amount of pressure on the other team at the right moments of the third, then we have a chance to grab the momentum. And that momentum is 10-fold at home with the crowd starting to get into it and the building starting to rock.” The Knights won their fourth straight overall and improved to 13-1-3 in the regular season against San Jose, including 5-0 this season. Ryan Reaves notched his first goal of the season to break a 3-3 tie with 7:33 remaining when he deflected a shot by Tomas Nosek. Cody Glass and Nic Hague also scored in the third period, which saw Mark Stone and Jonathan Marchessault each involved in a fight that ignited the announced crowd of 3,473. “I think we came into the locker room knowing we know how to win games, and it seems like they don’t really right now,” Reaves said. “We came out with a little bit of emotion, obviously two big fights by guys that don’t fight a lot. That definitely added to the emotion and got the bench up.” Shea Theodore finished with a goal and two assists, and Tomas Nosek added two assists. The Knights played without key forwards Chandler Stephenson and Alex Tuch, each of whom were considered game-time decisions. William Carrier returned after a four-game absence, and Tomas Jurco appeared in his first NHL game since Nov. 6, 2019, and it took until the third period for the Knights’ offense to get cranked up. “We talked at the end of the second that we hadn’t done a good enough job getting inside at their net to score and hadn’t done a good enough job keeping them outside at our net from scoring,” DeBoer said. “Really, it was as simple as that.” Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury started for the 17th time in the past 18 games, but didn’t get much help in the second period when the Knights were outworked below the hashmarks on three goals. Matt Nieto tied the score at 1 when he was parked in front and redirected Timo Meier’s pass at 6:21. Defenseman Mario Ferraro put the Sharks ahead 1:36 later on a wraparound, the Sharks’ first lead over the Knights in five meetings. The Knights appeared to tie the score with nine minutes remaining in the second when Reaves jammed home a loose puck. But Carrier interfered with Sharks goalie Devan Dubnyk moments before, and the goal was disallowed after a video review. San Jose took advantage of the break, pinning the Knights in their own zone for a lengthy shift. Kevin Labanc batted in Evander Kane’s pass for a 3-1 lead at 15:07 of the second. Kane finished with a goal and two assists, and Ferraro had a goal and an assist. “I’m really proud of our guys, how they banded together,” Martinez said. “In order to be a successful team, you have to be able to score by committee, you have to have team toughness, you have to be able to stick up for each other. I’m really proud of the way the guys did that tonight.” 1185481 Vegas Golden Knights LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.18.2021

Robin Lehner says ‘stigma around mental health is insane’

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal March 17, 2021 - 1:07 PM Updated March 17, 2021 - 7:25 PM

Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner said Wednesday the upper- body injury that caused him to miss more than a month was a concussion. Lehner said it was the third concussion of his career. The goaltender hasn’t played since Feb. 7 and didn’t practice again with the Knights until Monday’s morning skate. Lehner said it’s a frustrating injury because symptoms can come and go. There’s not a clear timeline for recovery. The fact that it isolated him from his teammates when they’re already more separated because of COVID- 19 protocols also made it tough, he said. Even more difficult for Lehner were the whispers he heard around the NHL about his injury. He has been open about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse, and he thought he needed to be transparent about his concussion to prevent speculation. “The stigma around mental health is insane,” Lehner said. “I think I should get the benefit of the doubt from it because I’ve been honest with it. If I would have those issues again, which are not happening, I would be honest about it. “It’s unfortunate. It’s unfortunate because a mental health problem is no different than a knee problem or a shoulder problem or something like that. It’s treatable, except the stigma makes it harder for people who struggle with mental health stuff.” Lehner was at the morning skate Feb. 11 but did not dress for the game that night. He said he didn’t pass concussion tests and was sent home. His symptoms got worse afterward. He said he couldn’t even follow how the team was doing at first. Lehner returned to group activities March 10 when he started practicing with the Silver Knights. The organization plans on easing him back into action. Lehner did not dress for Monday’s game against the San Jose Sharks at T-Mobile Arena. He backed up Marc-Andre Fleury on Wednesday against San Jose. Lehner said he appreciates the Golden Knights’ patience. General manager Kelly McCrimmon said concussions are different from any other injury and take time to recover from. “All you can do in those situations is support the player any way possible,” McCrimmon said. “Make sure as an organization the player knows he’s got full support, that there’s no pressure being put on the player.” Lehner is 3-1-1 with an .890 save percentage and 2.96 goals-against average. He signed a five-year, $25 million extension with the Knights in October after being the primary starter during their run to the Western Conference Final. He hasn’t had much of an opportunity to build on that success but hopes his time is coming. “I feel pretty good on the ice,” Lehner said. “I feel ready, but whenever the team needs me to play, I’ll do my best and try to get back to where I need to be to help the team win.” Pietrangelo on LTIR Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo was placed on long-term injured reserve Wednesday, according to the website CapFriendly. Pietrangelo hasn’t played since blocking a shot against the Sharks on March 6. He will be eligible to return March 31 against the Los Angeles Kings. DeBoer said Wednesday that Pietrangelo is out for the “forseeable future,” but added the team is hopeful he won’t be a long-term absence. Pietrangelo has 10 points in 18 games his first season with the Knights. Vegas Golden Knights Then again, legends are made in the playoffs, and Fleury’s season will 1185482 ultimately be judged on how he performs with stakes at their highest. And don’t doubt his postseason odds—he has amassed a long track record of success there, too. At age 36, Golden Knights’ goalie may be playing the best hockey of his career Two playoff runs, in particular, have defined Fleury’s greatness to this point. The first came in 2008, a year before his famous buzzer-beating save on Nicklas Lidstrom to win the Penguins the Cup. Pittsburgh lost to Detroit in the ’08 Stanley Cup Final but got there on Fleury’s back. The By Justin Emerson (contact) then-23-year-old put up a .938 save percentage in the Eastern Thursday, March 18, 2021 | 2 a.m. Conference playoffs and tallied more shutouts (3) than losses (2). He was solid in the final with a .923 save percentage, but the Red Wings’ dominance proved too much to overcome. Marc-André Fleury has been a major factor in the Vegas Golden Knights’ A decade later, Fleury turned in a performance Golden Knights fans will success through the first two months of the season, helping carry the never forget, going 12-3 against LA, San Jose and Winnipeg in his initial team to a first-place start through 26 games in the NHL’s realigned West postseason with Vegas, posting a .947 save percentage, four shutouts Division. and less than two goals per game. When fellow goaltender Robin Lehner went down with an unspecified Fleury was the best player on the ice almost every night, carrying the injury last month, the onus fell on Fleury to play a lion’s share of the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final. It was objectively the most games. Many expected him to succeed, but few could have predicted spectacular run of his career. he’d succeed on this level. He still has work to do to separate this as his best-ever season, but he The 36-year-old has thrust himself into the conversation for the Vezina should at least get the opportunity. The Golden Knights are the current Trophy as the league’s top goalie, one award Fleury hasn’t captured Stanley Cup co-favorites (alongside Tampa Bay and Colorado), and sit during his storied, 17-year NHL career. He has started 20 of the Golden atop the West Division. Knights’ first 26 games, winning 15 of them behind a .936 save percentage and 1.77 goals against average—one of the best stretches of That positioning is in large part a testament to Fleury, both his ability to his career. overcome adversity and to continue playing near his peak late into his career. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Fleury essentially lost the job last summer, when Lehner started 16 of the Knights’ 20 playoff games and then signed a five-year extension, becoming Vegas’ presumed goalie of LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 03.18.2021 the future and present. Fleury’s days in Vegas looked numbered during an offseason filled with trade rumors—and a perception that his best days were behind him. He has responded by looking perhaps better than he ever has. “I feel like I came into this season and put all that stuff behind me and I just played my best,” Fleury says. “I know I don’t have that much time left, and I just wanted to make sure I do my best to enjoy it and be helpful to my team.” Last season was tough on Fleury for a number of reasons. He started off strong as one of the best goalies in the league, but then tragedy struck when his father died from lung cancer in November 2019. Fleury posted an emotional win against Chicago in his first game back from a short leave but plummeted from there, finishing the season with a .905 save percentage, his lowest in a decade. That surely informed the Golden Knights’ decision to acquire Lehner at the trade deadline, and for the rest of the regular season, the two goalies split time before Lehner assumed the starter’s role in the playoffs. The pair returned to splitting duties for the first 10 games this season before Lehner’s injury put Fleury back in the spotlight. And he has been nearly unbeatable ever since—at least on the ice. Fleury and the Golden Knights received a major scare on March 11, when he tested positive for COVID-19. A day later, the entire organization exhaled when it was determined to be a false positive, allowing Fleury to return without missing any games, maintaining his momentum. If he can carry his current save percentage through the full season, it will mark the lowest of a career likely to propel him into the . “It’s pretty remarkable,” says Vegas forward Reilly Smith, a four-year teammate of Fleury’s. “I think it shows the character he has. From Day 1 that I’ve been able to play with him, he shows up to the rink every day with a big smile on his face, happy to be there.” So, is this the best Fleury has ever looked? It’s close, even though he has put together several terrific runs over the years. During a 10-game stretch in 2012-13 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, for example, Fleury posted a .950 save percentage. In 2007-08, it was .944 during his last 21 games, though he missed a large portion of the season with injury. Similarly, he started his Golden Knights tenure with a .946 save percentage in 16 games before missing a month with injury. Even if this year’s number—again, .936 at press time—isn’t quite as elevated, considering the offseason circumstances and in-season durability demands, there’s a good case to be made that this is the best Fleury has ever looked. 1185483 Vegas Golden Knights The story of the first period was how physical it was. The Golden Knights and Sharks ended the opening 20 minutes with

Vegas up 1-0 at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday, but it remains to be Thrilling 3rd period lifts Golden Knights over rival Sharks seen if the rest of the game will play out like the first. We'll start with the goal. By Justin Emerson (contact) Shea Theodore doesn't wind up for slap shots often but when he does they can be deadly. He kept a Sharks clearing attempt in the zone and Published Wednesday, March 17, 2021 | 3 p.m. after sending it back in deep, Max Pacioretty returned it to Theodore, who blasted a one-timer by Devan Dubnyk 3:45 into the period for a 1-0 Updated Wednesday, March 17, 2021 | 9:40 p.m. Vegas lead. The period also set the stage for what could be a spicy game. It was a The Golden Knights gave up three straight goals in the second period physical 20 minutes, with Radim Simek's big hit on Ryan Reaves Wednesday to lose their lead over the Sharks. Then they scored four catching the attention of the Vegas bench. It will be something to watch straight goals in the third to get it back. the rest of the game. Vegas electrified the T-Mobile Arena crowd with goals and fights and Perhaps the added physicality was part of the reason for the penalties, everything that makes a rivalry great. Ryan Reaves gave the Golden with officials looking to simmer tensions before the ignite. The teams Knights the lead and Alec Martinez made it stick as Vegas downed the combined for four penalties in the period (though one was a delay of San Jose Sharks 5-4. game), with the Golden going for 0-for-2 on the power play and the Sharks going 0-for-1. Vegas will have 45 seconds of carry-over power- Down 3-1, a Vegas power play started it all. It lasted just five seconds, as play time. Cody Glass crashed the net and poked in the second goal of the game. Nicolas Hague was next, winding up and blasting a slapshot into the net San Jose led in shots on goal 11-10 in the first period. to tie the game. Lehner nears return as Golden Knights take on Sharks Then came Reaves. He had a goal disallowed in the second period due Robin Lehner is dressed for tonight's game and will back up starter Marc- to goaltender interference, but would not be denied with 7:33 left in the Andre Fleury. It is the first time Lehner is healthy to play since Feb. 7 game, redirecting a Tomas Nosek shot from the high slot and into the before suffering a concussion. net. It was his first of the season, and it gave the Golden Knights a 4-3 lead. Pre-game Nosek dished out another assist on a power play, feeding Martinez for It was a welcome sight to see goalie Robin Lehner return to Golden the Golden Knights' fourth goal of the period and fifth of the night. It held Knights practice on Monday, and even more so to see him activated form up as the game-winner, even after Evander Kane scored on the power long-term injured reserve on Tuesday. play to bring the Sharks back within a goal at 5-4. Lehner revealed today it was a concussion that kept him out of action for Tempers also spilled over in the third period with both teams' captains more than a month and said he is ready to return to action. He could dropping the gloves. First it was Mark Stone having a go with Tomas dress as soon as tonight, when the Golden Knights take on the San Jose Hertl, then Jonathan Marchessault danced with Logan Couture. Sharks at 7 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena. The Sharks took a 3-1 lead into the second intermission, capitalizing on a "I feel pretty good on the ice, but we'll see what the best time is and what poor defensive frame from the Golden Knights. Vegas was unable to they decide," Lehner said. "I feel ready, but whenever the team needs keep the Sharks away from its own net, and San Jose scored three goals me to play, I'll do my best and try to get back to where I need to be to that came from a total of 22 feet out. Matt Nieto, Mario Ferraro and Kevin help the team win." Labanc all scored for the Sharks. Lehner last played on Feb. 5, a 5-2 home win against the Kings. He was It erased a first-period lead for Vegas, courtesy of a Shea Theodore scheduled to start on Feb. 9 and arrived at the arena to play, but he was slapshot. He finished with three points on the night. a late scratch and has not been seen with the Golden Knights until Monday. He was assigned to AHL Henderson on a conditioning loan last Vegas led in final shots on goal 37-33. week, a sign that his return was imminent. He did not play for the Silver Golden Knights allow 3 goals, fall behind Sharks Knights. The Golden Knights have controlled the season series with the Sharks, Amid whispers that he was not truly hurt, Lehner said he felt it was but San Jose bit back in the second period Wednesday. important to set the record straight and say his injury was a concussion. Vegas allowed three goals in the middle frame, and fell behind 3-1 at the Coach Pete DeBoer called Lehner a game-time decision if he dresses second intermission at T-Mobile Arena. tonight as the starter or backup. Marc-Andre Fleury was the first goalie off the ice, a good indicator he will start. In Lehner's absence, Fleury has The Sharks had a strong start to the second period and were rewarded started 16 of Vegas' 17 games and won 11 of them with a .934 save early. They had been buzzing in the Vegas end, and after the Golden percentage. Knights failed to clear the puck, Timo Meier centered it to a waiting Matt Nieto, whose redirect tied the game 1-1 at the 6:21 mark. Whether he plays tonight or not, Lehner's return offers a respite for Fleury and a return to the goalie tandem Vegas envisioned when the San Jose continued to live in front of the Vegas crease, and capitalized season began. on another opportunity not long after the first goal. John Leonard started by ripping the puck off the iron, which pulled Marc-Andre Fleury across "To have two guys with their pedigree holding down the back end like the crease to the right post. It exposed the left side, allowing Mario that is huge," forward Keegan Kolesar said. "I thought the guys that did Ferraro to complete a wrap-around and give San Jose a 2-1 advantage. come in, whether it be Logan Thompson or Oscar Dansk, did a great job, but to have guys with their pedigree and their status in this league and That marked the first time in five games this season the Golden Knights what they've done, it's reassuring for sure." trailed the Sharks. Lehner started five games before his injury, going 3-1-1 with a 2.96 The Golden Knights initially got the goal back almost right away, but after goals-against average and .890 save percentage. a quick review the goal came off the board. Ryan Reaves was credited on the ice with his first of the season, but officials ruled it was made Lehner isn't the only injury question mark. Chandler Stephenson, who possible by William Carrier's goaltender interference. missed Monday's game, and Alex Tuch were not at practice and listed as game-time decisions. If they cannot go, Cody Glass is expected to play Instead, the Sharks kept to their formula and added another before the again in Stephenson's spot on the top line, and Tomas Jurco could make period ended. Zach Whitecloud and Nicolas Hague were trapped on the his team debut in Tuch's place. ice for a long shift that lasted 1:37, and the Sharks crept closer and closer to the blue paint until Kevin Labanc put home a rebound to make it 3-1. LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 03.18.2021 San Jose led in shots on goal 27-21. Physical 1st period ends with Golden Knights on top Vegas Golden Knights involved to know that Lehner’s absence might stretch longer, and that if it 1185484 did they simply were protecting Lehner and making sure he was 100 percent ready to play when he eventually returned. Golden Knights’ Robin Lehner discusses his concussion and frustrations Lehner also was going through all of this in the midst of a global over ‘stigma’ pandemic while the outside world wondered about his absence. “I think the hardest part for me, like everyone is experiencing with the whole COVID isolation and all of that stuff, it’s been frustrating and it’s By Jesse Granger mentally taxing for a lot of people in the world right now,” Lehner said. “You add on a concussion where you get even more isolated than you Mar 17, 2021 already are and it can be difficult.” And while Lehner said the mental-health issues he’s dealt with in the past Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner spoke publicly for the first time had nothing to do with his time away, he said they were certainly on his in more than a month Wednesday morning, saying he has missed the mind. last month of action due to a concussion. “I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t play a part with a concussion,” he said. It had been a while since we’d seen Lehner, but during his time away “Some of the symptoms with concussions can be similar to other nothing changed. He sat down at the press conference table, looked symptoms that I’ve gotten before. But as I said, I have an incredibly good directly into the camera and spoke from the heart, the way he always team on my side, with this team and my psychiatrist. We’ve done all the does. With a candid approach, he sought to end weeks of ambiguity right things.” surrounding his absence. And while the NHL’s secrecy around injuries hasn’t changed, Lehner “Injuries are tough but concussions, for me personally, are the toughest says the internal dealings regarding concussions have improved to get through because they’re so inconsistent and it goes back and dramatically just in the last few years. forth,” Lehner said. “I’m really happy I’m doing great right now and back “On the plus side, the league has gotten a lot better with them,” Lehner with the team.” said. “This team has been great and been doing all the right things and Lehner said he suffered the third concussion of his career and that it giving me all the tools necessary to have a safe and speedy recovery. So hasn’t been easy missing games over the last month. He said he decided I definitely appreciate that compared to my first concussion that I had in to speak about his recovery largely because he wanted to squelch any Ottawa.” possible speculation that there might have been off-ice issues. In 2015, Lehner suffered a concussion while playing for the Senators. A “Yeah, I did hear it,” Lehner said of the rumors. “That’s the only reason year later he told The Athletic’s John Vogl – then writing for the Buffalo why I’m telling you guys that I had a concussion right now. It’s the nature News – how difficult the experience was. of society. I said this many times before, without going on a rant, the “It was the worst time of my life,” Lehner said in 2016. “I had migraines stigma around mental health is insane. for not a day, I had it for months. I laid in my bedroom for probably one “I think I should get the benefit of the doubt from it because I’ve been and a half months. honest with it. If I had those issues again, which are not happening, I “The concussion, it changes a lot of things in your head. I had a hard would be honest about it. It’s unfortunate because a mental health time waking up in the mornings. I had a hard time finding energy in my problem is no different from a knee problem or a shoulder problem or life. It’s just so many different symptoms.” something like that. It’s treatable, except the stigma makes it harder for people who struggle with mental health stuff.” Lehner’s review of how the Golden Knights handled this concussion was exemplary. Lehner has been an open book about his struggles with mental health. He indicated that if NHL teams shared his mindset, his past month away “It can be frustrating for an athlete at times, to sit out,” Lehner said. “You from the rink likely would’ve been a lot easier. try to rush back in, it’s just the nature of being an athlete. But they really take your health first here, and they do the right things. I’m very happy “That’s why I’m honest and saying I had a concussion,” Lehner said. with how it’s gone. I’m just happy that I’m doing better, because it’s not “Teams usually don’t say those things, but I thought it was important to easy to get through those concussions sometimes.” say that, because I’ve heard those rumors that, ‘Oh, maybe he’s back at rehab, or whatnot,’ but it is what it is.” He has been skating with the Golden Knights since they returned from their long road trip this week. Prior to that, he participated in several It remains unclear when Lehner might have suffered a concussion. On practices with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights as he got back up to Feb. 11, he was scheduled to start his sixth game of the season as the speed. He’s inching closer to returning to game action. Golden Knights hosted the Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena. He was a last-minute scratch, and Marc-Andre Fleury filled in with Oscar Dansk “Now I feel pretty good,” Lehner said. “I feel ready to play. It’s a good serving as his backup. Following that game, coach Peter DeBoer said mental boost for me to be around this great group of guys again.” that Lehner “tweaked something this morning at morning skate” and that the team was “hopeful that it was minor and that he was going to be able DeBoer said Lehner will be a game-time decision to serve as Fleury’s to come to the game at night and not have any issues, and that didn’t backup on Wednesday night and that he’s close to playing soon. turn out to be the case.” “We’re relying a lot on a veteran guy like that to let us know how he’s As usual with the NHL when it comes to injuries, the language is feeling, and he’s feeling good right now,” DeBoer said. incredibly vague. And while the word “tweak” can mean a lot of things, it’s Lehner’s press conference was refreshing and cleared up a lot of easy to see why there was so much confusion surrounding Lehner’s questions that have swirled for the last month. He’s certainly happy to be sudden absence, and his subsequent month away from the team. back on the ice with his teammates, and they’re happy to have him back. “With concussions, you don’t really know with the symptoms, and I kind “It’s awesome,” forward Jonathan Marchessault said. “Obviously, he’s an of felt OK but then I didn’t pass some of the tests and had to go home amazing goalie and really happy. With that kind of injury, sometimes you and it just kept getting worse,” Lehner said, describing that night. “It’s not never know when you’re going to come back. But he’s been battling hard the first time. This is my third (concussion). You can’t compare them. off the ice and it showed today. He came on the ice and he was great as They’re all so different. That’s what is tough about concussions. usual. We got a little bit of a reality check to remind us how big he is in Symptoms are different and you can feel good one day, or good in the net and how hard he is to score against. So it was actually awesome to morning then it comes back at night. It’s a very frustrating injury that you see him on the ice.” have to deal with.”

Concussions are accompanied by widely varying recovery paths and timeframes. Other physical injuries can vary in recovery time, but not The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 nearly in the same way concussions do. The initial public statement that Lehner “tweaked something,” and the subsequent update the next day that he was “day to day and progressing in the right direction” likely led fans to believe he’d be back relatively soon. When he wasn’t, that caused speculation about what was actually holding him out. It’s not that the team was intentionally misleading. At the time, they likely thought he would be back soon. But it might have been helpful for all Vegas Golden Knights The Golden Knights are now 5-0 against the Sharks, with Fleury 1185485 improving to 16-5 on the 56-game schedule. After 27 games, the VGK have a sparkling 20-6-1 record. Golden Knights Make Sharks Green With Envy With Overpowering Third Period: VGK 5 San Jose 4 On St. Patrick’s Day Wednesday LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 03.18.2021

By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com

The Vegas Golden Knights were missing two of their top forwards — Alex Tuch and Chandler Stephenson — for a St. Patrick’s Day showdown with the San Jose Sharks Wednesday. The offensive firepower was lacking in period one, but the Knights relied on two reliables this amended 56-game pandemic season — defenseman Shea Theodore powering home a laser shot from the point and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury shutting down the opponent. Fleury entered the game with a glittering save percentage of .936, allowing a measly 1.77 goals a game. The Knights led, 1-0 after one period. During the warmup skate, the Golden Knights donned green jerseys, which were sale with the proceeds going to the Golden Knights Foundation. Take a look. Lots of fans came ready in green. Under the COVID-19 protocols that allow 20 percent fan attendance capacity in the venue, fans have designated times for entering the building. San Jose’s Matt Nieto, sitting uncovered in front of Fleury, took a pass from Timo Meier and re-directed the puck up and over Fleury to knot the game at one about six minutes into the middle stanza. It’s a tight game with 13:13 left in period two. The Sharks struck again. This time, Mario Ferraro notched the goal and the San Jose club led, 2-1, about eight minutes into period two. The Sharks called for goalie interference when the Knights’ scored 11 minutes into the period and the refs agreed that VGK’s William Carrier was draped over Sharks goalie Devan Dubnyk. The score remained, 2-1, in favor of the Sharks until San Jose scored again to go up by two goals. Kevin Labanc was credited with the score. The Sharks led, 3-1, and were taking over control of the game midway through the second period. After two periods, Sharks 3 Knights 1 The Knights picked up the juice in period three to tie the game at three. First, the VGK capitalized on a too-many-men-on-ice penalty on the Sharks to cut the deficit to one when Cody Glass did some dirty work in front of Dubnyk to steer in a power-play goal to make it, 3-2, Sharks. Then, the Original Misfits line of Marchessault-Karlsson-Smith pressured the Sharks with Marchy feeding Nic Hague with a center-point blast that beat Dubnyk. It was Sharks 3 Vegas 3 midway through period three. The period also featured two fights — Mark Stone vs Tomas Hertl and Jonathan Marchessault vs Logan Couture. The Knights kept the juice going with Ryan Reaves tipping in his first goal of the season to give VGK a 4-3 lead. VGK scored its fourth goal of the period when defenseman Alec Martinez took a pass from Tomas Nosek and made it, 5-3. Then things got very interesting when Evander Kane scored a power play goal with Keegan Kolesar in the box for hooking. The VGK lead shrunk to 5-4. But the Knights held on after getting 16 shots on goal in period three. Final score: Vegas 5 San Jose 4 “These are emotional games,” Martinez said of the Sharks-Knights rivalry games. Vegas Golden Knights doesn’t matter,” Reaves said. “We came out with a little bit of emotion. 1185486 It’s going to happen in a rivalry game. We don’t like each other. There’s going to be swings like that, but at the end of the day, we know that we can win any game.” Role Reversal: Ryan Reaves scores clutch goal while teammates brawl

Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 Published 16 mins ago on March 18, 2021 By Danny Webster

Five minutes, 44 seconds. Two fights, three goals. Ryan Reaves had the most important subplot in that stretch. It just wasn’t in the realm you’d think. Reaves scored his first goal of the season at the right time, a tipped shot at 12:27 of the third period to overcome a two-goal deficit and eventually a 5-4 win for the Vegas Golden Knights over the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday. “Any time you do anything against the Sharks, it’s fun,” Reaves said. “It’s no secret I hate every one of them over there.” It was his first goal in over a year; you’d have to go back to March 3, 2020 to find the last time the Golden Knights’ enforcer found the back of the net. “It’s been a long time since last season,” Reaves said. “I’ve struggled a little bit this season. I haven’t been playing my best hockey, trying to dig my way out of the hole and help the team.” Normally, the clutch goal would be provided by the big-name players. Say, Mark Stone and Jonathan Marchessault for example. Not on this night. While Reaves was completing the Vegas comeback, Stone and Marchessault were serving five-minute majors for fighting. Stone and Sharks forward Tomas Hertl dropped the gloves at 7:11 of the third, 28 seconds after Cody Glass started the comeback on the power play to make it 3-2. Almost four minutes later, Marchessault got into it with Sharks captain Logan Couture, 55 seconds after Nicolas Hague tied it 3-3. Consider, if you will, the words from San Jose forward Kurtis Gabriel before the game where he called out Reaves and laid out a plan that hits were coming. Reaves and Gabriel have already gone at it once this season, and No. 75 is not normally one to back down from a fight. “Reavo’s worked really hard,” said Pete DeBoer. “With all the distractions of the antics of their guy [Gabriel] through the first couple of games, I thought he did a good job keeping his focus and playing hockey. He was obviously a much more important part of the game than Gabriel was.” Instead, it was Reaves watching on while his captain and resident spider monkey went fisticuffs instead of himself. “It’s fun, but it’s nerve-wracking for me,” Reaves said. “I don’t really like Stoney and Marchy and those guys fighting. Those hands aren’t made to fight; they’re made to dance. They’re supposed to be soft. I know they’re going to be sore tomorrow. Hats off to those two. Unbelievable job. That’s why they’re leaders on this team.” This topsy-turvy night wasn’t just about the fighting. You look at the score sheet and see the goals came from three defensemen, a fourth-line forward, and a 21-year-old center who’s main goal in life is to score power-play goals. It was a night filled with drag-em-out brawls at an Irish pub on St. Patrick’s Day with green beers flying everywhere. “I don’t know if it’s April Fools or St. Patrick’s Day when you see Reaves scoring and Couture, Hertl and Stone fighting,” DeBoer said. “It definitely wasn’t a typical game, but it was really hard-fought.” The Golden Knights trailed 3-1 after two periods; all three goals allowed were in the blue paint, coming off rebounds and second chances. Vegas likely didn’t need the physicality aspect to spark the comeback, but it didn’t hurt. Glass’ goal came five seconds into a power play in a game where the Vegas power play was mostly a dud (2-for-5) until the third period. It didn’t hurt on this night, and the Golden Knights have a four-game winning streak in their back pocket for their troubles. For one night, Reaves gets to play the hero while keeping his hands clean. “I think when we came into the locker room, knowing that we know how to win games … when we come into a third period like that, down, up, it 1185487 Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas Golden Knights Sink Sharks on Four-Goal Third; Win 5-3

Published 1 hour ago on March 17, 2021 By Tom Callahan Ryan Reaves Vegas Golden Knights

Ryan Reaves scored his first goal of the year and the Vegas Golden Knights tallied four times in the third period, needing every one of them in a 5-4 win over the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night. The VGK entered the third period trailing 3-1 before ripping off four straight goals from Cody Glass (PP), Nicolas Hague, Ryan Reaves and Alec Martinez (PP). Despite a late power play goal from Evander Kane, the Golden Knights were able to fend off the Sharks at the end with the goalie pulled for the extra attacker. Shea Theodore opened the scoring at 3:45 of the first period, but the Sharks would register the next three goals. Matt Nieto, Mark Ferraro and Kevin Labanc helped San Jose build the lead through the end of the second period. Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves in the winning effort while Devan Dubnyk took the loss for the Sharks with 32 stops. Tom’s Takeaways: It wasn’t a 60-minute effort for the Vegas Golden Knights, but the third period was definitely the best hockey they played all night. In fact, the VGK struggled in the first two periods to generate on a consistent basis and made mistakes that led to Sharks goals. That said, this is a veteran team that simply doesn’t panic. Already this season we’ve seen them come from behind without a hint of worry. Tonight was another example. Marc-Andre Fleury got the start tonight, and Robin Lehner backed him up. It was Lehner’s first game since February 7th after coming off LTIR because of an upper body injury. Expect Lehner to get one of the next two starts. It’s nice to see the defense scoring again, contributing three goals on the night. Vegas has a lot of talent and firepower on the blue line, and seeing those D involved on the offensive side of the coin again reminds you of that. The VGK converted twice on the power play in the third period, going 2- for-5 in the game. Ryan Reaves scored his first goal of the season while Jonathan Marchessault and Mark Stone sat fighting majors in the penalty box. Role reversal? After the game Alec Martinez quipped that ordinarily he’d say that’s a crazy situation but given the way things have gone for everyone in the last calendar year, that happening is “right on par” with the world we live in.

Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 Vegas Golden Knights professionals, we find a way. We gotta make sure to be consistent on the 1185488 ice.

“The biggest thing right now is to get the most sleep possible.” When they’re not on the ice, biggest thing hockey players need is sleep Rainone said it wouldn’t shock him to see coach Peter DeBoer give his players more maintenance days as the playoffs approach, and if a sizable lead in the West Division is well in hand, that healthy scratches Published 12 hours ago on March 17, 2021 for some of the top-tier players would make sense. By W. G. Ramirez Vegas “It’s not a bad idea so they can recover,” Rainone said. “They need to rest, without a doubt. Just get as much recovery as they can in between and not be doing anything else out of just recover. Make sure they’re Sleep deprivation can take its toll on the normal human being and have eating really well every few hours, make sure they’re hydrating really an ill-effect on both the mental and physical aspect within the normalcy of well, and making sure they’re getting plenty of sleep.” any day. For professional athletes, it’s a viable commodity toward a recovery Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 process that prepares them to perform at a peak level every time they step on the playing surface. During a truncated season, NHL teams are being forced to play every other night even after returning from a long road trek. And for players with full families, and exuberant little ones who can’t wait to see their fathers upon returning from a 10-day trip like the Golden Knights just experienced, sleep can be hard to find. “It’s not easy with the family dynamic,” Vegas coach Peter DeBoer said. “God bless our players’ wives because I think they do a phenomenal job of trying to help in that area.” Of their first 26 games, the Golden Knights played every other night over their first seven games – from Jan. 14 through Jan 26 – before being shutdown when their coaching staff and Alex Pietrangelo were placed on the NHL’s COVID protocol list. Upon returning on Feb. 5, the Golden Knights have played every other night 13 times and played back-to-back three times, covering 19 games in a span of 39 days. After playing Feb. 16 in Las Vegas, they were off for three days before the trip to Lake Tahoe to play Colorado, which was a promotional event that tugged at them leading up to the game on Feb. 20, and it was back to every other night – if not back-to-back – since then. “It’s a little bit harder than usual,” Vegas forward Tomas Nosek said. “Everyone has the same kind of schedule, so we can’t complain about it. We have to deal with that and try to get as much sleep as I can especially on the road, with two kids now at home. It is what it is. I have no problem. I can sleep when they sleep, my kids. I know it’s harder but it is what it is and we have to deal with it.” Certified athletic trainer Joe Rainone, who has worked with dozens of professional athletes who visit Tim Soder Physical Therapy in Las Vegas and recently completed a continuing education unit on sleep and recovery, said while most people try to sleep 8-10 hours to recover all the time as part of their normal routine, professional athletes have to improvise at times to meet a grueling schedule like NHL teams are enduring this season. Rainone added that many times people think they can make up for lack of sleep on the backend of a long weekend or two-day binge that finds them averaging 3 or 4 hours of sleep, and then one night with 8, 9, or 10 hours. “You really never recover until you get yourself into a cycle,” Rainone said. “It’s just like working out. If you workout once a week you’re not gonna get in shape. You need to do it consistently and sleep is kind of the same way. That’s a big part of the recovery is sleep. “What they need to do is when they’re not playing, or practicing, or whatever they’re doing, just to make sure that they’re getting plenty of rest and not doing anything outside of that, which makes it really difficult for players that have families.” Robin Lehner revealed Wednesday he suffered a concussion earlier this season, Alex Pietrangelo is gone for the foreseeable future, Chandler Stephenson and Alex Tuch were not on the ice for morning skate, and coach Peter DeBoer said they’ll be gametime decisions. Not that any of those four examples have anything to do with sleep, but Rainone did say when you play a sport like hockey and you don’t have the proper time to fully recover and have to perform nightly or every other night, you will see an increase in injuries. “It’s hard to get some good workouts in, so when there’s a day you can actually get a good workout in you have to take advantage of that, but also you have to mix in rest,” Vegas forward said Jonathan Marchessault said. “You come back from a road trip, it’s late, you don’t fall asleep. Obviously, it’s hard at home when you have all the kids and everything. (Sunday) I wanted to wake up with the kids and see them, it’s been 10 days. It’s a battle of organizing your schedule a little bit, but we’re Vegas Golden Knights Tomas Jurco could be an option to replace Tuch if he can’t go. With 1185489 William Carrier likely returning, it could be Keegan Kolesar with Nosek and Roy. Patrick Brown could center the fourth line for the fourth consecutive game. Morning Skate Report: Robin Lehner reveals he had a concussion

Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 Published 13 hours ago on March 17, 2021 By Danny Webster Robin Lehner Vegas Golden Knights

The reintegration of Robin Lehner into the Vegas Golden Knights lineup could be sooner than we thought. Lehner revealed that a concussion is the reason why the goalie has been out of the lineup for the past month-and-a-half. He’s been taking part in morning skate the past few days, and Pete DeBoer said he is a game- time decision. “You can feel good one day, or feel good in the morning and it comes back at night,” Lehner said. “It’s a very frustrating injury you have to deal with. On the positive side, the league has gotten a lot better with them, and this team has been great. We’ve been doing all the right things, and they’ve given me all the tools necessary to have a safe, speedy recovery.” It’s not a certainty that Lehner will be available tonight against the San Jose Sharks, but he did follow Marc-Andre Fleury off the ice at morning skate while Oscar Dansk remained with the rest of the team. Lehner has not made an appearance since Feb. 9 and has not started since Feb. 7. Lehner said this was his third concussion, first since his days in Ottawa. What was once considered a “tweak” at the beginning of it turned into an episode that saw Fleury start 16 of the next 17 games for the Golden Knights. The goalie, who signed a five-year, $25 million extension with Vegas in the offseason after being acquired in a trade with Chicago last February, is 3-1-1 in five starts this season. “I feel ready, but whenever the team needs me to play, I’ll do my best and get back to where I need to be to help the team win,” Lehner said. “I couldn’t follow the team much in the beginning, but the last couple of weeks, we’ve played great. Flower’s been amazing, and it’s good to see our team having success.” It’s a rarity for players to reveal they’ve suffered a concussion unless it’s blatant. Look back to 2017 when Fleury was concussed four games into the Golden Knights’ inaugural season, and that turned into a two-month process. Lehner felt it was important to make it known that a concussion was the reasoning behind his absence. There was speculation from the outside, and none coming from this site, that Lehner wasn’t actually injured. “Everyone deals with [mental health], I don’t care what anyone says. Everyone deals with it at some form or another during their life. Right now during COVID, a lot of people do,” Lehner said. “That’s also why the stigma is hard for the progress of people getting better, because people have to hide it before people talk and say these things. I think I should get the benefit of the doubt because I’ve been honest with it. “If I had those issues again, which are not happening, I would be honest about it. It’s unfortunate because mental health problems are no different than a knee problem or a shoulder problem, or something like that. It’s treatable, except the stigma.” Nevertheless, it will be good for the Golden Knights to have their elite goalie tandem back, if in fact it’s tonight against the rival Sharks. The Golden Knights are looking for their fourth consecutive win and extend their lead in the West Division. The Minnesota Wild are still two points behind after a 3-0 victory Tuesday against Arizona. “I think he’s ready to reintegrate and back up, and start to play here real soon,” DeBoer said. “There are logistics with long-term injuries that aren’t in my department that goes into some of that, but he’s real close.” There could be challenges along the way for Vegas. Alex Tuch and Chandler Stephenson are game-time decisions with undisclosed injuries. Cody Glass replaced Stephenson as top-line center on Monday, but where Tuch slides in is a question mark. As to who replaces Tuch, that throws a wrench into the momentum the third line generated Monday. That group of Tuch, Tomas Nosek and Nicolas Roy was by far the best trio in terms of possession (21-12). Only thing they didn’t do was score. 1185490 Vegas Golden Knights

Robin Lehner Closer To Vegas Golden Knights Return

Published 16 hours ago on March 17, 2021 By Tom Callahan Robin Lehner Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights have activated goaltender Robin Lehner off of the Long-Term Injured Reserve list (LTIR), clearing the way for his return from an upper body injury sustained in early February. Lehner, who signed a five-year, $5M AAV deal with the VGK, has not played since February 7 when he allowed three goals on 32 shots in a victory over the Los Angeles Kings. He has struggled overall this season but still has a 3-1-1 record to go with a 2.96 GAA and an .890 save percentage. Whether or not this most recent injury was related to his off-season shoulder surgery, there’s no arguing that Lehner did not get off to the best start this season. He struggled with puck tracking and rebound control at times. Lehner also appeared to be playing a bit farther out of his crease than in the past. For a goaltender who normally relied more on reaction time than cutting down angles, it seemed an odd transition. Either way, Robin Lehner has now had a substantial amount of time off due to the injury. Perhaps the break will serve as a reset button for him, a fresh start to get back to the form that earned him that contract in the first place. Lehner did spend a week with the Henderson Silver Knights on a conditioning assignment but did not appear in any games. As a result of activating Lehner, the Vegas Golden Knights had to reassign five players to the taxi squad: Cody Glass, Nicolas Hague, Dylan Coghlan, Patrick Brown and Logan Thompson, who had been backing up Marc-Andre Fleury. It remains to be seen whether the extra time to heal and get healthy will be a boon to Robin Lehner, but certainly Fleury getting some rest is welcome so he doesn’t burn out. Head coach Pete DeBoer has already said he wanted to return to a rotation while Lehner was out, so expect the starts to go back-and-forth unless the situation warrants otherwise.

Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 03.18.2021 Washington Capitals “Obviously a solid shot. I always tell him just shoot the puck and you 1185491 never know what’s going to happen,” Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said. “I think right now he’s on a hot streak and he looks good and it’s good for us.” With Tom Wilson out, Daniel Sprong is making the most of his opportunity with the Capitals But, there are some glaring areas Sprong needs to work on. He identifies his play along the boards as one — working on making the right read, when to kick the puck back or get it out of defensive zone, By Samantha Pell winning the puck battles in the offensive zone and working to get in front of the net. The biggest thing? Improving his play in the defensive zone. March 17, 2021 at 5:38 p.m. UTC “I am an offensive guy that can put points on the board,” Sprong said. “I have pretty good size and I can use my physical game. I am a fast skater Daniel Sprong is still trying to figure out what happened in Anaheim. He and I can make plays. I think I am definitely an offensive guy that could had 14 goals in 47 games as a 21-year-old after he was traded to the help win games.” Ducks from Pittsburgh during the 2018-19 season. He felt confident, ready to start building on his time in the organization Washington Post LOADED: 03.18.2021 the following season. Then, he was hit with the unwanted truth: He wouldn’t make the team out of training camp. He was placed on waivers and reported to the Ducks’ American Hockey League team in San Diego, still shocked by the move. He had a bad start, he said, because of his confusion over the demotion. “That was more on myself, trying to process what was going down and kind of being frustrated,” Sprong said. “But I think I grew as a player there and got stronger mentally. Working on little parts of my game and going up, playing really well and then being told I was going to Washington and then the whole covid thing happened. “Last year was kind of a season to forget.” Sprong was traded to Washington in February of last year for defenseman Christian Djoos. He had a goal and an assist in eight games with the Ducks this past season and 11 goals and 16 assists in 39 games with the . “I wanted to prove myself this year and have a bounce-back year and show everyone that I am an NHL player and that I can be an everyday player,” Sprong said. “It’s been great here and I’ve been enjoying my time. I love it here.” Sprong, who turned 24 on Wednesday, is making the most of his limited opportunity in Washington. He was recently inserted into the lineup after Tom Wilson was suspended for seven games for boarding on March 7. Washington is 6-0-0 since Wilson has been out and Sprong has three goals in five games. He has six goals in 18 games this season and is averaging 10:28 of ice time. When Wilson is eligible to return to the lineup Saturday against the New York Rangers, the team will have to decide whether Sprong will slot out again — or whether they will make room for the winger. “I think the coaches have things, areas that they want him to be more consistent in,” Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan said when asked whether Sprong deserved a full-time role. “Obviously he’s got a shot that can score goals. This is a good opportunity for him to establish himself and hopefully he takes advantage of it while he’s in there.” Sprong wants to prove he can be an everyday player in the NHL, but understands there is little room for him in the Capitals’ lineup. Sprong was originally thought to be Washington’s 12th forward headed into the season. But Conor Sheary, who signed with Washington in December, ultimately gained favor. Sprong went into the NHL’s playoff bubble in Toronto this past year with the Capitals. He didn’t see any game action but was able to gain valuable practice time with teammates — and spend time with Ilya Kovalchuk, his idol growing up. “Just talked there, nothing too crazy,” Sprong said. “Was nice just being on the ice with him.” Sprong has slotted in at various points this season because of injuries and suspensions, but not solely for his on-ice play. “This team is trying to win hockey games and if I am in the lineup I am going to do everything I can to help the team win,” Sprong said. “If I am out of the lineup I just have to wait for an opportunity to get put back in.” Sprong’s powerful, heavy shot is one of the biggest selling points of his game. He worked on it at an early age, with the help of his dad, who also played hockey. Sprong’s dad was his trainer growing up and the two practiced religiously in their backyard. Sprong put on his first pair of skates when he was 3½ years old growing up in the Netherlands and went to Montreal to further his hockey career at age 7. 1185492 Washington Capitals

Behind Alex Ovechkin's goals, the Capitals are rolling in the East Division

By Andy Kostka - The Washington Times Wednesday, March 17, 2021

After Nicklas Backstrom detailed all that teammate Alex Ovechkin has meant to the Washington Capitals over the years — especially highlighting the Russian’s goalscoring prowess — Ovechkin pretended to wipe a tear from his eye. “The way he shoots the puck, the way he scores, the way he plays the game is just fun to see,” Backstrom said Tuesday. “As a teammate, you’re just enjoying every moment.” Backstrom wasn’t being overly effusive. It’s hard, after all, to overstate Ovechkin’s impact. While the legend’s season got off to a slow start — he was sidelined for four games due to coronavirus protocols — Ovechkin has become the driving force in Washington’s run to the top of the East Division, as he has been for so many years. With his fifth goal in his last six games, Ovechkin tallied score No. 718 of his career — putting him in sole possession of sixth place on the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring list. Only Wayne Gretzky required fewer games to reach that milestone than Ovechkin. But even with that accomplishment, and praise from Backstrom that brought a mock-tear to his eye, Ovechkin isn’t bogged down by those heady numbers during his team’s torrid run. “It’s history, it’s pretty good numbers and happy to be in that category,” Ovechkin said. “But just move forward. You know, it’s done, how I say, it’s history. It was very good match, big points and obviously big numbers.” Ovechkin’s season sputtered out of the gate when he and three teammates landed on the NHL’s coronavirus protocols list. He had scored one goal in his first four games, then missed his team’s next four contests. When Ovechkin returned in late January, he had trouble finding his usually reliable form. His first game back, he notched two points against the Boston Bruins, then tallied two goals and two assists in a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Feb. 7. But over his next 11 games, Ovechkin lit the lamp just twice. “The beginning of the year probably just wasn’t perfect for him,” coach said. “You know, with coming in late like we did to start the season, and then with him getting hooked up in quarantine, probably just wasn’t the right start. But through it, he was still generating offense and generating opportunities.” The Capitals were competitive, even without Ovechkin’s goals, hanging around the top of a tight division. With five goals in his last six games, though, Ovechkin is looking more like the elite player he’s been for most of his career. And Washington has won its last six games, including Tuesday’s victory against the New York Islanders, a stretch in which Ovechkin has tallied six points. Beyond that, the Capitals have lost just once in their last 11 contests, vaulting them to a tie with the Islanders atop the East Division. Ovechkin is a major part of that charge. “Now, it seems like [his shots are] finding the back of the net a little bit more,” Laviolette said. “I think the more you get into a rhythm, the more touches you get, guys that make plays and score goals, they need to find that rhythm and score goals and get the touches. And so, for me, certainly has been a big difference. The results have been a big difference, I think, in the last few weeks, where you see the opportunities going in the net.” The Capitals continue the season with a pair of back-to-back games against the New York Rangers on Friday and Saturday. If their winning streak will continue, Ovechkin will likely have a lot to do with it — chasing down Marcel Dionne, the fifth-leading scorer in NHL history, with each goal Ovechkin scores. “We’ve seen him do it year after year,” Backstrom said. “It’s just so impressive.”

Washington Times LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185493 Washington Capitals

Capitals to wear and auction green warmup jerseys by Ryan Wormeli

Fans may be used to seeing the Capitals rock the red, and occasionally blue and white to complete the American color set, but green is definitely a new look. But that's exactly what Washington will be doing ahead of Friday's game against the Rangers. The Caps will be wearing special "Go Green" warmup jerseys to benefit Leveling the Playing Field. The auction, which includes the limited edition autographed green jerseys, sticks wrapped with green tape and green Capitals pucks, is open now and will wrap up at 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 25 according to the team. Leveling the Playing Field is an organization "focused on delivering the opportunity to enjoy the mental and physical benefits of youth sports to underserved children," according to a statement released by the Capitals. Since 2013, LPF has distributed more than $7 million worth of equipment to more than 1,000 schools and youth programs in the Washington, D.C, and Baltimore, Md., regions." The red-hot (green-hot?) Caps will face off with the Rangers at 7 p.m. on Friday night.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185494 Washington Capitals

Trotz on Ovechkin's milestone goal: 'I wish I was not here' by J.J. Regan

Alex Ovechkin scored goal No. 718 on Tuesday in a 3-1 win over the New York Islanders, putting him one ahead of for sixth place on the all-time goals list. Barry Trotz was Ovechkin's head coach for 185 of those 718 goals but was not all that thrilled at being on the receiving end of the milestone marker on Tuesday. Trotz was the head coach of Washington for four seasons from 2014 through 2018 when he helped lead the team to a Stanley Cup championship. When asked after the game if it was fitting he be on hand for Ovechkin passing Esposito since he was Ovechkin's former coach, Trotz said, "I don’t know if it’s fitting. I wish I was not here, put it that way." Download and subscribe to the Capitals Talk podcast Ovechkin's power play tally in the second period put Washington up 2-0 and proved to be the game-winner as the Caps snapped the Islanders' nine-game win streak. With the win, Washington pulled into a tie with New York for first place in the East Division. None of that was all that thrilling for Trotz. But, when taking a step back, Trotz did acknowledge that he still cheers for his former player pretty much every other night. "I do recognize his greatness and the milestones," Trotz said. "I cheer for him, no question. Just not when he plays against us.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.18.2021 Winnipeg Jets quickly stripped of it by the pesky Montreal winger who beat Hellebuyck 1185495 through the five-hole.

Winnipeg spent the rest of the period hanging on for dear life, with Toffoli Jets bounce back with 4-3 OT win somehow being left all alone by Morrissey at the side of the Jets net to take a pass from Corey Perry for the equalizer with Price pulled for an extra attacker. Mike McIntyre "I don’t think that’s prevalent in our game. We’ve been a really, really strong third-period team but we didn’t move the puck and they’re a real good team in terms of getting on top of you. I thought we made good Nikolaj Ehlers went from potential goat to hero in the blink of an eye. decisions in the first period about when to make a play and when not to make a play. We came off those good decisions," Maurice said of how The flashy Winnipeg Jets winger scored 55 seconds into overtime the script got flipped for the final 20 minutes. Wednesday night to give his club a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. It came shortly after a missed defensive assignment led to a point-blank "Part of it was their aggressiveness. We had a lot of icings there in the Jeff Petry scoring chance, which Connor Hellebuyck turned aside. third period and I thought we had places for plays to make. But I haven’t found that to be part of our game or a third-period theme at all for our "I already said thank you to Bucky. He saved me a little there," a team. We’ve been pretty strong in the third and we’ll take the two points, sheepish Ehlers said following the game. "I mean, I should have had it, find a way to win." but that’s three-on-three right there. You get a big chance one way that usually ends up either in the net, or it’s going the other way for a big After Hellebuyck stopped Petry in overtime, Dubois won a puck battle chance. So luckily today it went the right way for us." with him and fed a streaking Ehlers, who buried his 15th of the season. Dubois finished the night with three assists. Just like that, the Jets stayed true to recent form by following up a disappointing result with a positive outcome. But this latest bounce back "You know what, to be honest, I think I played like (expletive) today. My effort required more work than probably should have been the case — linemates were playing a really good game, but as a line, it’s been and nearly slipped out of their hands entirely. working really well," said Ehlers. "It’s three guys with a lot of speed and we try to use that as much as possible. We’re shooting pucks and they’re Winnipeg started the third period up 3-1 and seemingly with the game in going in for us right now, so that’s very exciting." control, only to sit back far too much and surrender a pair of goals, including the tying tally by Tyler Toffoli with 1:25 left in the final frame. Hellebuyck made 33 saves for the victory. Price stopped 26 pucks in a losing effort. But they managed to pull victory from the jaws of defeat, improving to 8- 0-1 this season following a regulation loss. That shows an impressive The Jets headed straight from the rink to the airport after the game to fly ability to quickly turn the page when things don’t go their way and is a big to Edmonton, where they’ll begin their longest road trip of the year tonight part of why they’re now 18-9-2 on the year and just two points behind with the first of two straight meetings against the Oilers. Winnipeg will Toronto for first place in the all-Canadian division. then move on to Vancouver for two games, followed by three straight in Calgary, before returning home at the end of the month. "Not losing two straight is just a testament to the leadership, kind of character we’ve got in the locker room. You get a little bitter, a little sour taste and everybody, if we lose a game, we know that next night we’re Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 03.18.2021 coming out hard," said forward Kyle Connor. Montreal falls to 13-8-8. Three of those overtime losses have come to the Jets, who are 6-1 in the three-on-three session. Winnipeg was burned by some defensive sins on Monday night in a 3-1 loss to the Habs to kick off their quick two-game series. Yet it was some timely aggression from the blue-line that paid dividends in the rematch 48 hours later. All three Jets goals in regulation came off plays in which Montreal looked like they were about to get the puck out of their own zone, only for Jets defencemen to quickly turn it back the other way. The first, by Derek Forbort, happened on the opening shift. The veteran picked the right time to pinch, keeping the play alive and feeding captain Blake Wheeler who fired a shot past Carey Price. The goal, Wheeler’s eighth of the year, came just 50 seconds into the game. "You score on the first shift, as a team that’s always nice. You wish you could start every single game like that. But you know what, a start like that just shows that our leaders and our captain was ready to go," said Ehlers. Forbort did it again later in the period, allowing the line of Ehlers, Connor and Pierre-Luc Dubois to cycle the puck down low. Ehlers tried to pass to Dubois in front of the net, but the puck went off his skate and directly to Connor, who basically had an open net at that point. Montreal cut the deficit in half 1:26 into the second period as Phillip Danault beat Hellebuyck with a snap shot. Defenceman got caught out of position on the play, showing there’s also a risk to the potential rewards. But Winnipeg restored the two-goal lead at 13:42 after Josh Morrissey stopped a Montreal clearing attempt and got the puck to Dubois, who fed Connor for his second of the night and team-leading 16th of the year. Connor also had both goals in Monday’s loss to the Habs, and he scored twice against Montreal in a 6-3 victory on Feb. 25. All six snipes have come against Price. "There’s a time and a place for (pinching). I thought, for the most part we had it pretty good. I liked what our forwards did on a lot of those pinches. I think that it’s an area that we can exploit a little bit more," said Jets coach Paul Maurice. Brendan Gallagher brought Montreal within striking distance when he scored off a scrambled face-off, which Adam Lowry actually won, at 5:58 of the third period. Lowry got the puck back to Neal Pionk, who was Winnipeg Jets "I think his strengths are he’s a smart player, reads the play really well, 1185496 knows where to be in the right spots. He’s a big body, too, and controls pucks.” — Kyle Connor Dubois making an impact But if Dubois is up for the task, and can continue to develop chemistry with his line, there’s a real chance this trio can — and should — be among the top in the NHL. Jeff Hamilton "They’re two guys that can shoot, that can pass, that can skate. They’re two players that have creativity. We’re still getting used to each other. As a centreman I’m still trying to get used to their habits and supporting Pierre-Luc Dubois entered Wednesday night’s tilt against the Montreal them," Dubois said. "But two great guys and great teammates also, so Canadiens on a scoring low. they’re easy to talk to. I think as the season goes on and if we keep playing together we’ll just become better together and we’ll just read off With just two points in his previous nine games, it wasn’t exactly the kind each other even better." of production that screams elite NHL centreman. Only compounding the issue was the fact that prior to going dark, the 22-year-old Winnipeg Jet Given what Paul Maurice had to say earlier in the day — and after what had started to heat up, including three goals and five points in two games was seen through three periods Wednesday – it sounds as though while playing on the wing. Dubois will get his wish. As for the points, or lack thereof, it’s not an issue the Jets bench boss is spending much time thinking about. A couple games later, Dubois returned to his natural position up the middle, this time flanked by wingers Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor. "I’m aware of the numbers and then do you ask yourself, ‘Do you care?’ Grouped with arguably the Jets’ two best scorers, one would have And what I mean by that is is there a problem with the number as it thought Dubois was well equipped to hit another streak. relates to the way the line or the team is playing? And for me, there isn’t. It almost doesn’t matter if the line’s scoring or those guys are scoring on Instead, he went cold. At least on the score sheet. the power play, it’s the good feeling about how the wingers feel and they both like playing with the guy," Maurice said. But Dubois doesn’t see it quite that way, even if he’s brutally honest with himself. He said he’d like to make a bigger impact on the scoreboard, but "The fact that he doesn’t have numbers, and then there’s the great big that doesn’t mean he isn’t trying — or making an impact. number over here that’s way more important, Winnipeg Jets wins and losses, so then I would say it’s not a concern for me. We’re going to give "Hockey is a lot more complicated than points and stuff like that. I’m this lots of time. We think there’s a lot there and probably the definitely not where I know where my game can be. I’m not hiding that only...Pierre-Luc would be aware of that number and want to contribute either. I know I can be a lot better and in a lot of aspects," Dubois said more but I like what him in that hole does for our entire group." following the morning skate.

"It’s hard to just play defence. It’s hard to just play offense. But it’s even harder to do both and that’s what I’m trying to do out there. It’s one game Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 03.18.2021 at a time, it’s doing video, it’s talking to line mates and teammates and the coaching staff, trying to get adjusted as much as I can.” — Pierre-Luc Dubois "It’s face offs, it’s D-zone, it’s coverage, it’s offensive zone, being in their zone, it’s dominant possession. It’s everything that contributes to the player I know I can be. It’s hard to just play defence. It’s hard to just play offense. But it’s even harder to do both and that’s what I’m trying to do out there. It’s one game at a time, it’s doing video, it’s talking to line mates and teammates and the coaching staff, trying to get adjusted as much as I can." On Wednesday, Dubois was back at it, finishing with three assists, two coming goals from Connor, and the other to Ehlers on the final dagger in a 4-3 overtime win over the Canadiens. Dubois took position in front of the net on the first goal, acting as a screen before tipping a puck off an Ehlers shot that bounced to a wide- open Connor for an easy tap-in. Then, with the puck on his stick in the high slot, Dubois make a quick move on Montreal’s Nick Suzuki before firing a shot on Carey Price, only for Connor to pounce on the rebound for his second of the night. Finally, Dubois drew the lone assist on Ehlers’ overtime winner, with Ehlers doing most of the work, flying up the ice before beating Carey Price with a low shot. While neither goal will find itself on a highlight reel, they both showcased the kind of hockey IQ and strength that the Jets were drooling over when they traded for Dubois, sending away Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic to Columbus. It’s also the reason why his linemates are eager to play with Dubois. "His game has grown definitely since he’s come with us, just getting familiar playing with a couple different lines. He’s been on wing, now centre. Like you said, for seven games, but I think his strengths are he’s a smart player, reads the play really well, knows where to be in the right spots. He’s a big body, too, and controls pucks," Connor said. "That’s what we’re starting to learn. We got a little bit of that last game, get the puck behind the net and he really thrives in the offensive zone there, drawing a couple guys to him and making guys miss and getting to the net. That’s what I’ve learned playing with him. That’s his strengths. He wants the puck and wants to be that driver for our team." There’s also the fact Dubois, like all centres, have an added responsibility in the defensive zone. And with Connor and Ehlers not exactly known for their suffocating defence, there’s a cost to picking up the slack. Winnipeg Jets The Jets moved to within two points of the idle, first-place Maple Leafs, 1185497 with one game still in hand, and the Oilers did the same in a later start against Calgary, albeit with three more games played than Winnipeg. Jets escape with another OT win over Habs The Canadiens, 13-8-8, fall five points behind the Jets. For the second straight game the Jets’ top line had a dominant opening shift, and this time it cashed in, just 50 seconds into the night. Paul Friesen The play began when Forbort’s pinch kept it alive and ended by Forbort Publishing date: Mar 18, 2021 feeding Blake Wheeler, who beat Carey Price for his eighth of the season.

“You scored on the first shift… you wish you could start every game like Jets escape with another OT win over Montreal Canadiens. that,” Ehlers said. The Winnipeg Jets began the second half of their season the way they It was the first five-on-five goal by the Jets against the Habs in three played the entire first — refusing to lose back-to-back games in games, and they thought it was so nice they did it twice before the first regulation. period was up. The unusual but effective formula has them poised to grab a share of first Another Forbort pinch, an Ehlers pass hitting a skate in front and place in the NHL’s all-Canadian division when they take on the Oilers in bouncing onto Connor’s doorstep, the net wide open, as Connor rang the Edmonton, Thursday. bell for his 15th. The latest example of Winnipeg’s rubber-band effect was a bounce-back, The Jets lugged that 2-0 lead into the second period and quickly 4-3 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens at home on Wednesday. unloaded half of it, giving up a two-on-one that Phillip Danault converted. Coming on the heels of a 4-2 loss to the Habs on Monday, the win Connor got it back later in the second, beating his man from the side improves the Jets’ record after a regulation loss to a sparkling 8-0-1. boards to the front of the net, where he chipped a rebound past Price. Nik Ehlers scored the winner, but it came only after the Jets coughed up It was another play begun by an effective pinch just inside the Habs’ blue a 3-1 third-period lead. line, this one by Josh Morrissey. Truth is Ehlers could have been the goat instead of the hero, as he A note for the trivia lovers: Connor needs two more goals to pass Dustin allowed his check, Habs high-scoring defenceman Jeff Petry, to get a Byfuglien for ninth place on the career franchise list. Grade-A chance on Connor Hellebuyck on the same shift. Linemates Connor (two goals) and Pierre-Luc Dubois (three assists) had “I already said thank-you to Bucky,” Ehlers said. “He saved me a little big nights on the stats sheet. there. I mean, I should have had it, but that’s three-on-three right there. You get a big chance one way that usually ends up either in the net, or But there’s still room for more connection between the three. it’s going the other way for a big chance.” “It’s still new for us,” Ehlers said. “I haven’t played with K.C. a lot during It was Winnipeg’s third overtime win over the Habs this season and our five, six years together. So it’s new for me and K.C. and obviously improved their overall OT record to 6-1. with Dubie as well, so we’re building and it’s going the right way.” “Not losing two straight is just a testament to the leadership, kind of It’s the second time, of late, that Ehlers has brought down the hammer on character we’ve got in the locker room,” Kyle Connor, a two-goal man for his play, post-game. the second straight game, said. “You get a little bitter, a little sour taste and everybody, if we lose a game, we know that next night we’re coming “I’ve always been this way,” he said. “But I guess the last two times out hard. where I haven’t felt like I’ve played a good game I’ve been in here talking to you guys after. I know when I play well, and I know when I don’t play “We let off the gas in the third period. It could be a function that they’re well. It’s not a secret. I don’t hide from that.” down 3-1 and they’re pushing. They got the D up and they’re pinching on everything. That’s an area that we can work on.” Here’s Maurice on the Dubois-Connor-Ehlers combo: Connor already has four two-goal games this season, three of them “Because we have three really unique players in some ways, it’s going to against Montreal. take them a little time to find each other, to find the rhythm of who’s going to the net. You’ve got both guys on these wings are just shooters and Taking a reasonably comfy 3-1 edge into the third, they allowed the they play their best when they think like that. Probably Pierre-Luc would Canadiens to narrow the gap with a mistake in their own zone, six have recognized that early on and he was trying to make a lot of plays. minutes in. “They’re dynamic with that speed on the wings and with Pierre-Luc’s Brendan Gallagher out-hustled defenceman Derek Forbort to the loose size, we think there’s a lot there.” puck off a faceoff, and when Neal Pionk’s swipe at it failed, it left Gallagher a free shot. It’s been a while since Maurice has had the confidence to employ his fourth line as he did on Wednesday: late in the game, with a one-goal Their lead cut to one, the Jets had their hands full the rest of the way, but lead. were bailed out by Hellebuyck on more than one occasion. “To have a fourth line that can play at the three-minute mark of the third Among his impressive saves was a stop on Corey Perry during a period, with the goalie out and in transition on that shift and were really Montreal two-on-one and some point-blank leather larceny off Joel strong and valuable, that’s held everybody’s minutes,” the coach said. Armia. “So we should have some good legs for (Thursday) night’s game.” The last five minutes had Les Canadiens buzzing, and with 1:25 to go they tied it, Perry feeding an unchecked Tyler Toffoli for his 18th of the season. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 03.18.2021 The Jets haven’t blown many 40-minute leads this season. They’re 9-0-2 when taking a lead into the third. “I haven’t found that to be part of our game or a third-period theme at all for our team,” head coach Paul Maurice said. “We’ve been pretty strong in the third and we’ll take the two points. Find a way to win. You don’t want to give up two goals the way we did but you find that desperation in all of these games.” With an impressive 18-9-2 mark, overall, the Jets hopped a plane to Edmonton after the game, where they start a seven-games-in-12-days road trip on Thursday. That two-game set, Thursday and Saturday, is shaping up as a winner- take-all for first place in the hotly contested all-Canadian North Division. Winnipeg Jets outweigh his poor expected goals differential. He may not be Adam 1185498 Lowry in the defensive zone, but Scheifele scores like Auston Matthews and gets handsomely rewarded for that in Game Score. Pre-trade deadline bang for your buck: How each Jets player’s Another useful stat is penalty differential. Ehlers has drawn a team- performance stacks up with his cap hit at midseason leading 15 minor penalties while taking just one of his own. Winnipeg has scored on roughly one-in-four power plays this year, meaning he has earned the Jets roughly three extra goals just by being so elusive on the ice. Game Score gives this value in a way that point totals do not. By Murat Ates It won’t be a perfect valuation — we have multiple stats and sets of eyes Mar 17, 2021 for that — but Dom’s Game Score will give us deeper insight into Winnipeg’s performance. Winning the Stanley Cup in the salary-cap era is an efficiency contest — Who is helping the most compared to his cap hit? Who is Winnipeg’s a battle between teams to squeeze the most possible value out of fixed breakout star? Its midseason MVP? spending limits. And who isn’t living up to his big-ticket contract? The trade deadline, which this year falls on April 12, is one of the great Winnipeg’s most expensive player is Wheeler, and its best player is tests of how a general manager has fared at this task. Ehlers, but its best bang for the buck comes from a 25-year-old sixth- In the Jets’ best seasons — 2017-18 and 2018-19 — general manager round pick: Mason Appleton. took full advantage of Winnipeg’s cap efficiency to Appleton has turned the corner on so many defencemen and then driven make major upgrades at the deadline. He acquired Paul Stastny in 2018, the puck to the net so effectively that he’s already sitting on a career back when all of Patrik Laine, Nik Ehlers, Kyle Connor and Connor season at 28 games played. Twelve of his 15 points are goals or first Hellebuyck were on entry-level contracts. When Ehlers and captain Blake assists. His defensive impact is strong, he’s drawn four more penalties Wheeler got raises in 2018-19, Cheveldayoff remained aggressive, using than he’s taken and he’s driving to the net like no other Jets player: Winnipeg’s cap-space advantage to add Kevin Hayes. Here’s Appleton last summer, answering my question about how his Other seasons, it’s more complicated. In 2019-20, the Jets held a spot for game appears to be tailor-made for the Stanley Cup playoffs: Dustin Byfuglien and his $7.6 million cap hit just in case he returned, then bolstered the roster at the deadline with Cody Eakin and Dylan DeMelo. “I think playoff hockey is taking hard pucks to the net and getting around This season, with post-trade quarantines factored in, will be more the net and living around the net. Taking those crosschecks and taking a complicated still, as the Jets already have seen, spending half the beating down low. I pride myself in my ability to take a puck to the net off season so far with either one or two of their more valuable assets — a defender’s hip and do different things like that. You don’t always score Pierre-Luc Dubois, or Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic — not in the lineup. in those situations, but your willingness to drive to the back post and try to get that puck on the net is huge. That might not seem like an efficient use of assets, but the result has shown it to be a beneficial inefficiency, at least. The Jets possess the Winnipeg is paying Appleton just $900,000 both this season and next, second-best record in the North Division, Cheveldayoff has roughly $2.8 making him the Jets’ most valuable player per dollar and earning him a million of cap space with which to upgrade the team at the deadline (with spot on Winnipeg’s expansion draft protection list. Bryan Little on long-term injured reserve) and he is building around Mark Scheifele and Dubois, two star centres whose cap hits combine to a Of course, the point of building a roster isn’t to have the highest quality paltry $11.125 million. per dollar — it’s to have the highest quality, total. Imagine: the NHL’s fifth-leading scorer and a 22-year-old power forward That’s why Ehlers ($6.0 million), Scheifele ($6.1 million) and Stastny with size, speed, and hands — and Winnipeg pays less for them than ($6.5 million) should all be applauded. Yes, they get paid big money for San Jose does for Erik Karlsson or Los Angeles does Drew Doughty. driving the Jets’ results, but Ehlers is tied for the team lead in goals and has the fourth-best penalty differential in the NHL, while Scheifele’s 25 Would you trade Scheifele and Dubois for Karlsson or Doughty? primary points prove once again that he’s an offensive superstar. Stastny does everything well and is quietly becoming a terrific centre acquisition I didn’t think so. for the second time in his Jets career. Future trades aren’t going to be any less complicated. Finding the most Meanwhile, pending free agents Mathieu Perreault and Lowry have efficient ones will start with a thorough understanding of a team’s own turned back the clock, excelling in terms of possession while delivering efficiencies and inefficiencies. And though Winnipeg might never again real offence in bottom-six roles. Each player needed a bounce back from enjoy a 100-plus goal season from a forward on his first contract, there is injury-riddled, offensively depleted seasons in 2019-20, and each has still plenty of contract efficiency on the 2020-21 Jets. delivered. Who is overperforming or underperforming their contracts? Andrew Copp rounds out the good news as his early-season scoring To measure that efficiency, I’ve used colleague Dom Luszczyszyn’s flurry while playing with Stastny and Ehlers propels him into top-tier Game Score model. results. Whereas our quarter-season report cards depended heavily on my eye Connor is producing well for his $7.1 million contract — he’s tied with test, with numbers sprinkled in, our look at midseason cap efficiency will Ehlers for first in Jets goal scoring with 14 and sits third on the team with flip the script: numbers first, then our eyes and common sense for 27 points in 28 games. He’s also been on the ice for a lot of expected context. goals against (and a lot of real goals, too). That Connor has been on the ice for seven more goals against than goals for drags his Game Score Which numbers are we talking about? down from excellent to, well, pretty good. Game Score is Luszczyszyn’s attempt to summarize a player’s The most disappointing performance comes from Wheeler, whose performance with a single statistic. Though that’s obviously a difficult feat defensive results — especially during his disappointing, clearly injury- to pull off, it goes deeper than point totals by including: hampered start to the season — remain the worst on the team. • More weight for primary points (goals and first assists) Wheeler was flying in the Jets’ 4-2 loss to Montreal on Monday and helped Stastny and Scheifele dominate Auston Matthews’ line on • Impact on expected goals, both offensively and defensively Saturday, but it will take a long stretch of excellence to erase his early- • Penalty differential season minuses. The numbers make him look worse than he is while his $8.25 million salary makes it difficult for him to excel in a “bang for the • Small adjustments for quality of teammates and competition buck” context. The full write-up is right here. For now, let’s just say that it’s clear that Finally, Dubois has only briefly excelled — mostly during his top-line stint Game Score is more informative than just using goals and assists. as a winger — but I’d preach patience with the 22-year-old star-to-be. That said, this isn’t the Corsi Cup: Results matter. Winnipeg’s defence is a world of mysteries. Primary points get a lot of weight, meaning that a player’s actual on-ice How did Josh Morrissey go from surefire top-pairing defenceman playing accomplishments are a big driver in how he will score. For example, beside Jacob Trouba for two years to Winnipeg’s least cap-efficient Scheifele’s point production through 28 games is enough to completely defenceman this season? (Potential head-trip moment: With the positive numbers on this chart, What does this mean for the Jets ahead of the trade deadline? We’ve bigger is better. All negative game scores per $1 million are bad, but already looked at potential targets to rectify their struggles on defense. they’re worse the closer to zero they get. This is why Morrissey’s GS per Now it’s time for Cheveldayoff to figure out how to bring in a player like $1 million is shown in a more alarming shade of red than Nathan that without creating a larger inefficiency in doing so. Beaulieu’s is.)

It’s true that Morrissey has played with a mix of partners and that none of Nathan Beaulieu, Tucker Poolman, Sami Niku or Ville Heinola has a The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 proven track record against top NHL competition. It’s also true that Morrissey has been well over 50 percent in terms of shot metrics when partnered with Dylan DeMelo. Still, the sheer excellence that was obvious in Morrissey’s game in 2017- 18 and 2018-19 has not been his 2021 norm. He’s been on the ice for the most expected goals — by a mile — and the most real goals among Jets defencemen, while struggling with the puck. Morrissey at his best is dynamic with the puck — not a perennial 40-point player but one who walks the line and distributes the puck with purpose. That dynamism has been missing this season, even if Monday’s power- play pass to Connor teed up an absolute rocket. Logan Stanley shows brilliantly here, posting above-average results on a paltry cap hit and nearly surpassing Neal Pionk for Winnipeg’s biggest value from the blue line. It should be noted that unlike the rest of Winnipeg’s defencemen, Stanley’s minutes have been limited to third-pairing contexts. It should also be noted that Winnipeg has sheltered its third pairing in terms of minutes, matchups and usage in a more severe way than Dom’s model will catch. But none of that erases a simple fact: Stanley has done very well with the minutes that have been given to him. DeMelo looks solid, and Derek Forbort continues to show well despite falling back to earth a little bit after a brilliant start. Poolman has looked terrific against bottom-six opposition but exposed against the North Division’s elite. And Pionk has been Winnipeg’s best defenceman for the second year in a row. He’s the Jets’ offensive leader from the blue line, scoring 23 points in 28 games despite moving off of Winnipeg’s top power-play unit. He’s launched bombs from the second unit while continuing to put the puck through traffic like an elite defenceman and using his quick feet to gap tight. He’s also Winnipeg’s only defenceman to post a positive expected goals differential despite playing top competition with Forbort all season long and has thrown his weight around, leading all Jets players in hits with 81. What a win for Winnipeg’s scouts. Dom’s model doesn’t touch upon goaltending, so we turn to Evolving Wild and expected goals. Hellebuyck was king in 2020, but the NHL’s most exceptional goaltenders in terms of Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) this year are Andrei Vasilevskiy, Marc-Andre Fleury and Thatcher Demko. That isn’t to say that Hellebuyck and Laurent Brossoit haven’t played exceptional games or stretches of games. It’s just that no metric can undo the impact of Chris Tanev’s bouncer from Calgary’s blue line or fully encapsulate the terror of moments like this one: Hellebuyck’s save percentage has dropped from .922 in 2019-20 to .910 this year, and as amazing as his performance was in Toronto last week, he’s allowed three or more goals in 10 of his past 11 starts. Our eyes might tell us he’s been under siege and, of course, they’d be right. Hellebuyck has faced the third-most “expected” goals in the league, per Natural Stat Trick. But that kind of shot quality is actually a greater “opportunity” to post a massive GSAx. And the great Hellebuyckian wall withstood similar battering while leading the NHL in GSAx during his Vezina-winning campaign. I wouldn’t put too much stock into his step back from otherworldly to average. Much of it can be waved away by pointing at plays like the three-on-zero shown above. Meanwhile, Laurent Brossoit has been stellar in six games and change, offering more value per dollar than Hellebuyck in a sample size so small it’s not worth betting on — just worth celebrating. Vancouver Canucks He faced as many as 46 shots and never fewer than 30 in a 5-1-0 run 1185499 heading into Wednesday. He simply stole games and needed some help.

“We can’t keeping relying on him and hoping he’s going to make the save Canucks 3, Senators 2 (SO): Gaudette ends more drama in the twilight — we’ve got to force the issue and score goals,” said Horvat. zone It didn’t take long for Horvat to deliver. His spin-a-rama feed along the wall found Boeser and the winger whipped his 15th goal of the season — tied for fifth in the league — stick side at 2:29 of the opening period. Less Ben Kuzma than six minutes later, Horvat benefited from a cross-ice feed from Nils Hoglander for a two-foot, tap-in for his 13th goal. Publishing date: Mar 17, 2021 The Vancouver Canucks celebrate their win against the Ottawa Senators in a shootout at the Canadian Tire Centre. What do Jimmy Vesey, Bobby Ryan and Mika Zibanejad have in It’s customary for the backup goalie to see the net in back-to-back common? games. The trio has played prominent roles in drama that always seems to However, you have to wonder what may occur Friday and Saturday in surround the Vancouver Canucks when they enter the twilight zone in Montreal in a crucial double-dip against the Canadiens. In pursuit of a Kanata, Ont. From goals to gaffes, and even the slow-moving wheels of playoff position, the Canucks need to sweep the series and their best bet government paperwork approval, it’s never been dull. would be to keep riding Demko. On Wednesday, it was waiver-wire claim Vesey who took centre stage. It If Demko doesn’t have an overtaxing workload in the series opener — came before puck drop and well before the Canucks would blow another and even if he does — he could get the double nod before Braden 2-0 lead. They needed a five-hole shootout effort by Adam Gaudette in Holtby, who’s trying to find his game. As for Wednesday, he knew what the fourth round — the only shooter to connect — to claim a 3-2 decision to expect. for their seventh victory in the last nine games to keep their playoff hopes alive. “That’s a young, skilled group over there that’s playing hard right now and we knew they were going to give us a couple of tight games and they “I have to give credit to Clarky (goalie coach Ian Clark) who gave me a did and it took more than 60 minutes both nights and it’s huge that we got couple of shootout ideas last year that I’ve been working on. I had a the four points,” said Demko, who finished with 30 saves and was perfect move on my mind and I stuck with it and it felt good,” Gaudette said of his in the shootout. first career shootout goal in just his second attempt. “This is a good stretch for myself and the team and I knew I had some “My first one in Washington I just tried to snap it low blocker quick and I good games in me and I just want to keep developing this year.” think I missed the net.” Demko gave ample reason Wednesday to keep the net. The winner came on a night when the Canucks also lost Tanner Pearson to an ankle injury. It showed in the first period. He didn’t flinch on a Chris Tierney breakaway and then gave Tim Stutzle nothing but the crest to shoot at on Vesey got an assist from a COVID-19 safe private driver to get from the power play. He followed with a tough save off Colin White before Toronto to Ottawa in time to beat the provincial quarantine clock. The Ryan Dzingel scored off a rare rebound. Demko then responded by winger took the warm-up, and even though his work permit was filed, it stopping Drake Batherson down low and then again in the shootout wasn’t processed in time. So, Jalen Chatfield took his lineup spot. where he claimed that he might not have got a piece of the puck. but he “We wanted him to play,” said Canucks coach . “A lot of did. hands on deck and working all day to try and get his work permit Demko also got 21 shot blocks in support with leading changed over (as an American). They couldn’t get it done in time. We the way with six. were better tonight than we were on Monday for sure. It was a low-event game and a good win for our team.“ “It’s gutsy — it’s hard to do,” said Demko. “Those guys certainly don’t wear as much gear as I do and when they block shots, it tends to sting There was more high-event drama in the third period. more. It just shows that guys are willing to do what it takes to win. Can’t With the Canucks up 2-1, starting goalie Joey Daccord suffered a left-leg say enough about the D-core and forwards getting in lanes, too. It’s great injury after stopping a point shot. Filip Gustavsson took over and Josh to see.” Norris then immediately beat Thatcher Demko to the glove side. Bo As for Demko, Gaudette has seen this movie before on a different stage. Horvat was then stopped on a breakaway and in overtime, Brock Boeser rang a hot shot off the crossbar before Demko twice denied Brady “It’s awesome,” said Gaudette. “He seems so confident in there and I Tkachuk. knew Thatcher many years ago (NCAA) and I could always tell that he was something special and he’s not only huge for us, he’s going to get “We were definitely better than the other night,” said Boeser, who opened better.” scoring and was denied in the shootout. “We came out and had a much better first period and that kind of set the tone. We’re all kind of checking Green may have put it best about where Demko has been and where out the standings to see where we’re at, but we can’t worry about that — he’s going. just focus on one game at a time. The two games in Montreal are going to be some of the biggest of the year.” “We’ve always had a lot of faith and belief in Demer and he took good strides and played well at the end of the year,” he said. “We’ve got some So were those wild historical losses. guys out and we knew we were going to need some saves. It wasn’t a high-chance game.” On Feb. 27, 2020, Ryan returned from the NHL’s Players Assistance program for alcoholism. The Senators winger responded with a hat trick Ottawa Senators defenceman Nikita Zaitsev (22) is taken off the puck by and fight with Chris Tanev in a 5-2 victory over the Canucks. And on Dec. Vancouver Canuck Tyler Motte (64) in the first period at the Canadian 7, 2014, Zibanejad erased a 3-1 deficit with two goals in 4:46 and then Tire Centre. set up the overtime winner in a 4-3 decision over Vancouver in which the winger had four points. The winger missed the previous 17 games with a high-ankle sprain and his speed, aggressiveness and presence on the penalty are his calling On Wednesday, the added drama was to see if Horvat could help deliver cards. He had a two-goal effort against the Senators on Jan. 27, and got on a promise. The Canucks centre vowed to give goalie Demko the off to a fast start with five goals in his first nine games, but his impact was support he deserved. on the penalty kill Wednesday. Here’s what we learned as the Canucks improved to 15-16-2 on the Reunited with first unit penalty kill partner Brandon Sutter, he played a second stop of their four-game road trip: key role in the Senators going 0-for-2 on the power play and being held to three shots. He also set up Sutter for a short-handed chance in the Ottawa Senators goalie Filip Gustavsson (32) makes a save on a shot second period that sailed wide. from Vancouver Canucks centre Bo Horvat (53) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The efforts were key because the Canucks had but two power plays. On the first, J.T. Miller, who runs the first unit off the half wall in place of the Demko has been under siege, but in his previous eight starts, the starter injured Elias Pettersson, wired a Pettersson-like slapper off the crossbar. had a sparkling 1.73 goals-against average and .943 saves percentage. Motte also replaced the injured Pearson on the power play, logged 20:42 and had four shot blocks. The rookie plays fast and hard and his ability to hound pucks was evident early this season. It paid off on Horvat’s goal. Hoglander went hard after Senators defenceman Thomas Chabot, who was manning the point at the Canucks blueline. Hoglander went leg on leg to strip him of the puck, raced away and slipped a perfect cross-ice pass to Horvat with the skill of a veteran. “It was a good play,” Green said of Hoglander. “He’s a young player and learning the game over here and offensively he does some really nice things. We just have to keep working with him to make sure that he can make those plays and also take care of the other end of the rinks that he needs to be aware of.”

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 03.18.2021 Vancouver Canucks (undisclosed injury). Tyler Motte was also out for the last month with a 1185500 high ankle sprain but was activated before Wednesday’s game.

The Canucks say graduate Vesey’s availability to play Canucks’ newest addition Jimmy Vesey faces race against COVID-19 will be updated once his work-permit status is resolved. clock To create roster and cap space for Vesey and his $900,000 cap hit, Loui Eriksson has been reassigned to the taxi squad, which lowers his cap hit by about $1 million; and Bailey, who has been out since being injured in Patrick Johnston a Feb. 11 game in Calgary, has been moved to the long-term injured reserve list. Publishing date: Mar 17, 2021 Vesey, a 6-foot-3, 202-pound winger, has played five seasons in the NHL and the Canucks are now his fourth team. He won the Hobey Baker Then-Maple Leafs forward Jimmy Vesey (right) works against his future Award as the best collegiate hockey player in the U.S. in 2016 — new teammate — Jayce Hawryluk — during the Leafs’ March 4 game at teammate Thatcher Demko was a runner-up. Adam Gaudette won the Rogers Arena against the Canucks. Vesey was picked up on waivers by award in 2018, making the Canucks the only team in the NHL with two the Canucks on Wednesday. Hobey Baker winners currently on their roster. Such is life in the 2020-21 NHL season that the Vancouver Canucks’ Originally from the Boston area, Vesey has also played for the New York newest addition to the lineup has a metaphorical clock tied to his waiver- Rangers and Buffalo Sabres, with his best campaign coming in the 2018- wire move. 19 season when he potted 17 goals and 18 assists in 81 games for the Rangers. Jimmy Vesey was picked up by the Canucks off waivers Wednesday morning from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Vesey will wear No. 24. Normally that would be a ho-hum move. In hockey terms, it’s a Motte activated worthwhile gamble for the Canucks: Vesey may not be flashy, but he will After spraining his ankle Feb. 6 against Toronto, Tyler Motte returned to slot in on the second or third line — that is, when he gets into the lineup practice in recent days and was cleared to return to action on (Vesey’s work visa paperwork couldn’t be updated in time Wednesday, Wednesday. so the U.S. citizen skated in the warmup but did not play against the Ottawa Senators). In this COVID-19 afflicted season, nothing off the ice is ho-hum. In Vancouver Province: LOADED: 03.18.2021 general, players moving from team to team this season have to serve some sort of quarantine, be it the Canadian government’s 14-day mandate for players and staff arriving from the United States or elsewhere, or the league’s seven-day isolation period. With Vesey’s Wednesday move, he has avoided both. The former, obviously, because he’s already in Canada, the latter, because it’s about a four-hour, 30-minute drive. The league has said that if a player who has been called up or is moving teams can get to his new location in less than five hours by car, he can be exempt from the league’s isolation protocol. “The league’s medical director determined that the player would not need to quarantine given that he is coming from one team ‘bubble’ to another, in the same province — presuming he is driving himself,” Gary Meagher, the NHL’s executive vice-president, communications, said in an email. Vesey started the season in Toronto after signing a one-year, US $900,000 contract with the Maple Leafs in the off-season. But the 27- year-old failed to carve out a definitive role with the Leafs and was placed on waivers after scoring just five goals and two assists in 30 games. Several league sources agreed on his assessment as a “vanilla player” and compared him to Jake Virtanen, saying he’s not as quick as the long- time Canuck but a little more skilled. Vesey has actually scored at a better clip since 2018 than both Virtanen and fellow Canucks winger Tanner Pearson. Not necessarily a slight against Vesey, but yeah this is appropriate. I don’t see any real strengths in his game, and his weaknesses are modest. Just does everything at a low-end NHL level. Don’t expect to notice him much Rhys Jessop, one of those sources, scouted for the Florida Panthers from 2016 to 2020. He called Vesey a “credible” depth player, especially given his reasonable cap hit. “Vanilla player is an appropriate way to describe him, I think. I don’t see any real standout elements to his game. His puck skills and finishing ability are comparable to plenty of other low-end guys. He’s not particularly cerebral. His foot speed isn’t poor but it’s not a strength, and I wouldn’t say he has a standout motor,” said Jessop. “There aren’t many glaring weaknesses to his game either. Maybe some DZ coverage hiccups now and then, but nothing out of the ordinary for a low-end NHL player. “Picking him up is very low risk, very low reward. I get why we’re talking about him, but truthfully this isn’t a move that affects the team in any material way beyond giving Travis Green another warm body he can put in the lineup.” Vancouver was in need of some immediate help up front due to a slew of injuries to forwards Justin Bailey (separated shoulder), Elias Pettersson (upper-body injury), (undisclosed injury) and Antoine Roussel Vancouver Canucks Because of the COVID-19 world we live in, there were a lot of checks 1185501 and balances that had to be done to make sure Vesey could indeed suit up for the Canucks on game day, one of which involved him driving himself to get to the game. The Armies: All the Canucks do is win, win, win no matter what In my head, it’s clear Vesey drove to Ottawa and it basically played out like “John Wick 3.” At one point I am certain he had to steal a horse and avoid a bunch of guys on motorcycles after having just had the most By Wyatt Arndt intense knife fight ever seen on film. Mar 17, 2021 But since it’s John Wick, it couldn’t end nicely, so Jimmy Wick got taken out at the last second to set up the sequel for Friday. Well, well, well, how the turn tables. This is now canon to me. With their second win over the Senators, the Canucks have now won Best ‘Fast and Furious’ pitch seven of their past nine games, and if you’re a fan of miracles, this is Brock Boeser continues to have a fantastic season, as The Flow has exactly how they have to keep playing if they want a shot at the playoffs. once again been unleashed upon the league: If you’re a fan of “anything can happen” in sports, then right now it’s your For a team missing its most dynamic forward in Pettersson, it’s been vital time to sit back and enjoy the ride. Just turn off social media after the for it to have Boeser playing at such a high level. games, watch some “Great British Bake Off,” and get lost in a world of soggy bottoms. That luckiest wrist shot in the league continues to do damage this season, as Boeser now sits tied for third in the league in goals with 15, If you’re like Thomas Drance, my cynical friend, he’s the Paul Hollywood just two behind Tyler Toffoli. of this story, telling you your flavours are off and you over-proofed your bread: Boeser’s play off the puck continues to be as strong as his play with the puck. Here he harasses Thomas Chabot and maintains a small gap with And look, I don’t want to get into a debate of being too positive or too him, which allows him to get a stick on an attempted pass, which causes negative. a turnover: We can all take a five-minute break from screaming at each other in the Once again Boeser has Chabot in his sights, and even though he is comments and on social media about who doesn’t know hockey and is a several steps behind the play, he hustles in and delivers a bodycheck big fat dum-dum and oh, hey, please read my Blogspot on Geocities that separates Thomas from the puck and he gains possession: where I break down why you’re ruining the industry. Please note the Quinn Hughes recovery on the play in which he just Unless you’re Drance defending Dan Cloutier being an above-average managed to fend off a breakaway. goalie, then we’ve got problems. With EP40 out of the lineup, Boeser has felt like the offensive star of this I would hope, though, that we can all agree that while it’s certainly team. Yes, JT Miller is unquestionably the best guy on the team, but delightful to see Thatcher Demko perform the way he has, it’s not crazy Boeser, every time he gets the puck in the slot, it just feels like he’s “the to suggest that trouble could be brewing around the corner. man” for this team right now. If Bubble Buble Bubly Demko falters, the entire house of cards could Best dirty dangles come down with him. Nils Höglander has had a quiet stretch of hockey compared with his start And yes, having a good goalie is part of a hockey team, and a hot goalie to the season, but he is still out here showing he’s like an onion: There has done wonders for many an NHL team over the years. Tim Thomas are layers to his game: going “Space Jam” on the 2011 Canucks remains seared into the brains of everyone. First, the accidentally skate-clipping Thomas Chabot and sending him to the ice, that’s a veteran move. And the Canucks are clearly playing a style of hockey that is more defensive and cautious in nature (hence the second they get a two-goal Second, knowing that half the NHL D-men in the league cannot resist a lead, they drop back into the fetal position) and it’s working for them slip and slide was put to good use as he dropped a quick dangle to get because Demko is playing very well right now. Nikita Zaitsev out of the picture quickly. But there could be games when this team gets blown out if it continues to Thirdly, that pass to Bo Horvat to complete the play. be outshot like it has been. There is a reason there is a desire out there to see what this kid can do If some bad losses start appearing, nobody needs to write a thesis trying in a three-on-three situation. to guess why, nobody should be confused and caught off guard, because the answer will be simple: Demko faltered from the very high standards Best reaction video he is setting right now, and the Canucks simply don’t have the roster Chabot is not impressed with Höglander’s performance. depth to go toe-to-toe with a lot of teams in that scenario. Worst advice Now, that doesn’t mean if you’re a fan of this team you can’t enjoy this run. Hell, I encourage it. If at the end of the day the only stat you give a How dare you suggest a slip and slide isn’t the best way to defend in damn about is two points for winning a game, then you’re one happy hockey? camper right now! The Canucks are doing this without Elias Pettersson. There is definitely some optimism to be had if you want it! Why, right here we have Erik Gudbranson absolutely crushing the vaunted “slide into space” maneuver: I’d also be the first one to eat all the crow if the Canucks ride Demko to an extended playoff run. Please, line up and call me a dum-dum if that Honestly, we’ve seen Tyler Myers get burned on that kind of play several happens. times this year, so there is some amusement at play that Handsome Erik was able to pull it off cleanly. It just feels like this latest winning streak from the Canucks is definitely being played under a banner of “is this sustainable?” which is not an Best set your watch to it unreasonable question to ask. With the Canucks roster depth being tested, and Demko playing so well, After covering an entire management’s regime under the rules of “just and in a league that kind of loves grinding out passive victories, it was no give it time, we have to wait and see,” it’s only fair we do the same with surprise the Gameflow chart from Natural Stat Trick looked like this: this current run. Which is how we ended up hearing a goal horn being smashed like the Best luck of the Irish Senators had just won in triple overtime. The Canucks claimed Jimmy Vesey off of waivers from the Toronto This looks like a bad line change. I can tell from some of the pixels and Maple Leafs on Wednesday, and what is normally a very straightforward seeing quite a few line changes in my time. situation of “player gets claimed, player joins team,” turned into the story Bad line change aside, Myers once again becomes a major talking point of the day. on a two-on-one situation, as he doesn’t slide out of the play, but certainly stops his momentum by dropping to his knee to pledge And in what is becoming a common theme, Bubly Demko trusts his allegiance to his new kingdom of Ottawa. alignments and just absolutely shuts down every shooter Ottawa sends at him: Nate Schmidt, the Nature Boy himself, also makes a risky play by running over to help with Myers’ check and leaves a lane to the net wide Honestly, this is one of the best stretches of goaltending this city has open for two Ottawa Senators. seen in many years. Best question Best news My best guess is they put on some mellow music that takes them The good news is this will hold up for the rest of the season and Thomas completely out of the game. will never ever write anything to say otherwise. I don’t know if it’s too much John Denver or maybe they just put on some Best Gud throwback white noise of rain falling on a tent, but second periods remain an enemy of this Canucks team. This is vintage Gudbranson: Though to be fair, if you don’t get perked up belting out “Country roads, Toss him the puck, have him miss it, turns into a good chance against, take me hooooooooome,” then there is a deeper issue at play. that’s the good stuff right there. Is it Anne Murray? Is she doing this? Do the Canucks need DJ Michael Best at least you tried Del Zotto back to bring the intermission music energy back? Höglander drew a penalty when Gudbranson couldn’t keep up with his Best inevitable conclusion foot speed and I cannot come up with a better explanation than what Ty provided: Once again that goal horn was buzzed tighter than Harman Dayal’s fade, letting the entire world know “no really, we scored.” That is 100 percent someone smashing R1/L1 by accident. Here they just simply outwork the Canucks on the play, cause a bit of On the ensuing power play from that penalty, JT Miller made sure to let chaos in the Canucks defensive coverage, and before you know it, Josh Petey know the boys are thinking of him by clanging the post in his Norris is flicking a surprisingly quick shot past Bubly Demko as Alex honor: Edler plays it overly cautious by sticking too close to his goalie: Best of Dennis Reynolds If ever there was a two-game series that felt destined for overtime each Speaking of Jimothy Timothy, his anger this year has become a central game, it would have been this one. theme, and we recently discovered it’s because he turns into Dennis Best pushback Reynolds when things don’t go his way. The Canucks did finally start playing again once the game was tied up, So we tracked his Dennis moments Wednesday and we had a few of and Bo Horvat continued to lead by example as he almost scored on a them. breakaway before being tripped 13 times and finally drew a penalty: Up first he takes out Artem Zub, because of the implications: The Canucks’ power play could not produce anything, so the game went Then everyone’s favorite target on the night, Chabot, gets his leg swept to extra innings. due to the D.E.N.N.I.S. rules: Best setting the scene Then, Colin White, who at this point knows Dennis is a psychopath, just The Canucks and Senators basically decided to share custody of bails out of a play so he doesn’t have to face the unbridled wrath of overtime, and instead of trading chances back and forth, the Senators Dennis: took the first 2 1/2 minutes and the Canucks took the last half of the No loud f-bombs were uttered this game, but still a solid night from a game. hard-working angry Miller. Neither side scored, but it did lead to the usual question that pops up Best dropping the bass when Jake Virtanen and Brandon Sutter get ice time: Look, if you touch one of Horvat’s kids, he’s going to find you. Still no Hög in overtime. Best drop it like its hot The Ultimate Hype Man is slow playing this one, isn’t he? First off, yes, Tyler Motte’s speed was noticeable on the night (he has Best marketing strategy that Jannik Hansen ability to generate breakaways almost every other Adam Gaudette, batting in the cleanup spot, walked in and opened up game), but I do want to again point out Myers love’ of taking away his big the five-hole before dropping in an explosive and walking away the victor. advantage (his size and reach) by constantly dropping to the ice: Ian Clark, whose job status will be a major storyline this season, has now Like I get it, he’s trying to cut off a pass, and it works here, but man alive upgraded his resume from “Make your goalies into world-beating if that pass gets through, Myers is out of that play and that is a tap-in. I monsters” to “Make your goalies into world-beating monsters and also know a lot of Canucks this year, on the PK especially, seem to drop teach your skaters how to destroy them as well.” down to the ice to cut off the pass down low like that, but it just feels so risky at times. He’s padding that resume, and owner Francesco Aquilini is going to have a PR disaster on his hands if Clark walks at the end of the season. I can’t Best branding wait for the next game when Boeser goes bar down on a shot and gets a I legitimately have nothing to do with this shirt being made, but I can’t say hat trick and he excitedly tells everyone after the game how Ian Clark told no to Canucks Place possibly getting money out of it. him how to shoot the puck harder and more accurately. Also, Anthony Stewart is on board the Bubly train, except there is one Also, much like Kesler/Kessler, Ian’s last name seems to confuse people. problem Clarke vs. Clark still rages on after all these years.

Best response The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 If you don’t give Gaudette a Warzone question after he scores a game winner, then what are we even doing here. Best computer says no Hey, sometimes the people just want to see Demko gifs. Up first we have Tim Stützle being denied: Chris Tierney gets a breakaway? Demko looks bored, quite frankly: Clark Bishop knifes his way into the zone but can’t rook Bubly Demko: Overtime, it was the same story. Brady Tkachuk gets a chance but he has no answers for Demko: Vancouver Canucks Pearson, they at least have competent depth now that can hold the fort 1185502 as a placeholder for the remainder of the season.

Vesey’s a pending UFA but he offers value by simply being a credible How Jimmy Vesey gives Canucks lineup a boost now and could impact NHL winger who bolsters the Canucks’ depth in their pursuit to win trade deadline plans games now while offering utility at the deadline if they sell on other forwards.

By Harman Dayal The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 Mar 17, 2021

With Tyler Motte, Jay Beagle, Antoine Roussel and Justin Bailey all out injured, the Vancouver Canucks desperately needed some forward depth. By claiming Jimmy Vesey off waivers Wednesday, the Canucks addressed exactly that need. It wasn’t too long ago that Vesey was one of the most sought-after NCAA free agents. And while he perhaps hasn’t lived up to the significant hype that followed his entry to the NHL, he’s unquestionably an upgrade for Vancouver’s middle six. This is a creative way for the Canucks to add much-needed help up front as Vesey’s $900,000 cap hit, his ability and that he doesn’t need to quarantine (he’ll drive to Ottawa from Toronto and join the team right away), function as a superior option relative to a call-up from Utica. With 117 points in 334 NHL games, Vesey has produced at a 29-point pace prorated over 82 games in his NHL career. He’s been remarkably consistent with his even-strength production, chipping in between 1.35- 1.65 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five in four consecutive seasons, which is a third-line rate. Vesey’s best attribute is his finishing ability which could offer a decent boost to a bottom six that struggles to chip in with offence. He’s not a volume shot creator but compensates for it with a 12.1 percent career shooting clip that’s comfortably above league average. The Harvard University graduate has scored 16 or 17 goals in three NHL seasons and has done it at an efficient clip — his five-on-five goals rate ranks 143rd among NHL forwards and fifth among current Canucks forwards over the last three seasons. Stylistically, industry observers describe the left winger as a competent bottom-six forward who can step into a middle-six role in a pinch. He could complement a setup man with his shot but carries limited playmaking skills himself because of average hockey sense. The 27- year-old is 6-foot-3, 203 pounds but he’s not a very physical player and could stand to use his size advantage more consistently. Vesey doesn’t really impact the game from a play-driving or two-way perspective in any significant way. He’s not someone you want playing high leverage, matchup minutes but he doesn’t need to be sheltered and you can depend on him for an average 200-foot game. That’s reflected in Evolving-Hockey’s RAPM model which shows a slightly below average defensive profile after accounting for deployment factors like teammate quality. They’re different stylistically but Vesey’s overall impact is comparable in some ways to Jake Virtanen’s. Both players can add even-strength offence at a modest third-line clip, thrive as finishers with below-average playmaking and leave scouts wanting more because of a lack of a clear identity in their game and not using their size enough. Vesey doesn’t have Virtanen’s speed but his two-way profile is more trustworthy. The most important distinction here is cost, considering one is on a $2.55 million cap hit while the other is below $1 million. In all, Vesey doesn’t profile like a world-beater and that’s fine. He was expendable for the Leafs, one of the deepest teams in the NHL, but in Vancouver, one could argue that he immediately becomes the fourth or fifth best winger that’s currently healthy. Vesey would be a solid option to insert in the lineup over Marc Michaelis, for example. It will be interesting to see which line he gets a shot on. He could directly swap into Michaelis’ spot on Brandon Sutter‘s flank but the fit may not be ideal offensively considering the lack of playmaking ability between Vesey and Sutter. He has had cameos with talented top-six centres during his stops in Buffalo (Jack Eichel) and New York (Mika Zibanejad) with modest success so perhaps he’s a candidate to bump up in the lineup if they want to give the top six a different look but he doesn’t belong there long-term on ability level. It’s a worthwhile waiver claim not just because he’s an upgrade on most of what the Canucks have in the bottom six but because of the flexibility he adds ahead of the trade deadline. Vesey is versatile positionally, so if the Canucks decide to be sellers and move on from a player like Tanner Vancouver Canucks Jurmo continues to be overlooked by the Finnish national team at his age 1185503 group and it’s something of a concern that he wasn’t invited to Finland’s U20 training camp ahead of the world juniors. Jurmo’s physical tools and high-end skating ability give him a ton of upside if he can figure out a few Ranking the top 10 prospects in the Canucks’ system 2021: No. 10 to things, but there’s significant skepticism in the industry about his overall No. 6 hockey IQ and his feel for the finer points of the game on both sides of the puck.

Dmitri Zlodeyev, C, Dynamo Krasnogorsk (VHL) By Thomas Drance and Harman Dayal 175th overall, 2020 Mar 17, 2021 5-foot-11, 183 pounds

2020-21 statistics: 19 games, 7 goals, 0 assists, 7 points For many years, the Vancouver Canucks have usually boasted one of the deepest prospect pools in hockey. Dmitri Zlodeyev is a bit undersized for a defensive centre, but at a precocious age, he’s got the work rate, defensive awareness, puck skills That’s changing, though, and rapidly. and faceoff abilities that may give him a shot as dark horse player in the The Canucks made only five selections in the 2020 NHL Draft, with the Canucks system to have an NHL impact down the line. Zlodeyev has first coming in the third round. They’ve also graduated a ton of young split time between the MHL (junior level) and the VHL (second tier) this players onto the NHL roster over the past 18 months, including Quinn season and has performed solidly in both. He likely would’ve made his Hughes, Adam Gaudette, Thatcher Demko, Nils Hoglander, Zack KHL debut this season as well, if not for a series of unfortunately timed MacEwen and Olli Juolevi just since the start of the 2019-20 season. injuries in November and February. High graduation rates and a lack of recent picks have compounded to Zlodeyev’s progress will be worth watching in the 2021-22 campaign, hollow out the middle of the Canucks’ prospect system. There are still a since he could get a long look at the KHL level as a 19-year-old and couple of higher-end prospects in the Canucks’ system and a few other contend for a spot on Russia’s U20 team at the World Junior really intriguing young hopefuls, but things thin out in a hurry thereafter. Championship. While talented young players remain in the Canucks system, this new, 10. Viktor Persson, D, Brynäs IF J20 (J20 Nationell) sparser reality for Vancouver’s prospect pool is sharply reflected in Part 1 191st overall, 2020 of our 2021 midseason top-10 Canucks prospect rankings. 6-foot-2, 192 pounds Honorable mention 2020-21 statistics: 16, games 5 goals, 4 assists, 9 points As we debated, tweaked and discussed our list with industry contacts and amateur scouts, there were a small handful of Canucks prospects Persson was the Canucks’ final pick at the 2020 draft but offers many we seriously considered, but who just missed the top-10 rankings cut. intriguing qualities as a right-shot defenceman that help him eclipse the value of his draft slot in our eyes. The Swede skates well and presents a Jonah Gadjovich, LW, Utica Comets well-rounded set of tools with the puck. Persson isn’t going to wow you 55th overall, 2017 with dynamic, standout traits but he’s an intelligent player with good offensive instincts, particularly when it comes to making the quick read to 6-foot-2, 209 pounds recognize opportune times to jump up in the rush. 2020-21 statistics: 9 games, 8 goals, 1 assist, 9 points With possession, he always has his head up, scanning for options, and is consistently able to make subtle plays to find his teammates in space. Jonah Gadjovich is off to a sensational start in American League Persson doesn’t make the first play that opens up; he’s patient to ensure competition this season, with eight goals in nine games. Gadjovich’s he makes the correct one. That skill set makes him an underrated skating remains a concern — a concern that was apparent at Canucks playmaker despite owning point totals that don’t jump off the page. training camp, which is why we omitted him from the top 10 — but he’s absolutely dominating defenders inside in Utica this spring. The concern that industry observers share is with his defensive play. Persson gets caught out of position from time to time with how often he His play has caught the attention of scouts around the industry, with one activates on the rush or pinches in the offensive zone, which can lead to contact offering up Gadjovich as a player who has shown particularly well the occasional defensive breakdown. That said, because of his 6-2 frame among all AHL players in the early going. If his feet can catch up to his (which he isn’t afraid to use to dish out open-ice hits with) and overall motor, hands and physical dimensions, he could yet be an intriguing intelligence, you can see a case in which he learns to pick his spots player for the Canucks. better and develops into a competent defender. Carson Focht, C, Utica Comets There’s a lot that we like about Persson but it has been a tough year 133rd overall, 2019 developmentally, with circumstances completely out of his control. 6-foot-1, 181 pounds The 19-year-old initially was supposed to come to BC to play for the Kamloops Blazers but the WHL has had significant delays to the start of 2020-21 statistics: 9 games, 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points its season and still doesn’t have every division up and running. In the meantime, Persson stayed in Sweden, where he was off to an Though the counting stats aren’t there through nine games, Carson encouraging start to his season. He was finding his groove with Brynäs’s Focht is off to a solid start to his professional career with the Comets. junior team, playing well enough to get invited to Sweden’s World Junior The detailed checking centre signed an entry-level contract with Championship camp. Persson ended up being a late cut, however, and Vancouver this winter, and while he wasn’t invited to training camp, he because of COVID-19 complications, the J20 league was shut down has the type of game that endears him to coaches, including a level of midseason. defensive awareness that scouts believe projects as NHL-level if he can round out the rest of his game and improve his first step. That’s left Persson in a tough spot. The third-tier HockeyEttan league doesn’t offer enough of a challenge, while in the SHL he’s barely played, Joni Jurmo, D, Kiekko-Espoo (Mestis) even during the four games he’s been in the lineup for. And while the WHL is kicking into return-to-play mode, it sounds like Persson will be 82nd overall, 2020 staying in Sweden to finish out the season. 6-foot-4, 198 pounds Overall, Persson offers a fascinating combination of size, mobility and 2020-21 statistics: 8 games, 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points intelligence in an offensively calibrated package. A normal season with a more appropriate league will reveal a lot about how those tools can Joni Jurmo’s season has been complicated by repeated COVID-19 translate in the higher ranks. outbreaks in Liiga during the fall, which made it difficult for his Finnish team JYP to send him as freely between their U20 squad and their main 9. Arturs Silovs, G, Moose (AHL) squad as they would’ve done in a normal season. He’s been loaned out 156th overall, 2019 to Kiekko-Espoo in the Mestis, the Finnish second division, and by all accounts has fared much better while playing a prominent role at that 6-foot-4, 203 pounds level. 2020-21 statistics: 1 game, 0-1-0, .920 save percentage, 2.07 goals- 215th overall, 2019 against average 5-foot-11, 179 pounds Assessing goaltenders at the NHL level is immensely difficult. Evaluating teenage netminders at the draft and trying to project their NHL odds half 2020-21 statistics: 22 games, 1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point a decade out? Very close to being a crapshot. Costmar’s stock has risen considerably since he was drafted in the The Canucks have an ace up their sleeve with Ian Clark, who played a seventh round just two years ago. In his draft-plus-one season, he crucial hand in drafting Columbus’ rich goaltending pipeline, and they shredded the Swedish junior league with 26 goals and 50 points in just leaned on his and Dan Cloutier’s insight in 2019 as part of the process 29 games. He was one of the top producers in his age category, clearly behind selecting Silovs, after he initially caught the team’s eye with an too good for Sweden’s junior ranks. He’s stalled in the SHL this season outstanding performance at the U18 World Championships. with just a single goal in 22 games, but the fact that he’s already playing games there as one of the youngest members of the 2019 draft class — Silovs has the large frame that clubs look for in the modern NHL and he he doesn’t turn 20 until July — is a promising sign considering how late couples it with explosive athletic ability. Physically, you couldn’t ask for he was picked. better qualities. Goalies drafted this late often only have one of those elements. Then, in January, he opened the eyes of a lot of Canucks fans with a decent showing for Sweden as a middle-six pivot at the World Junior Where he falls short and needs to improve is with a foundational Championship. technique that’s very erratic. The best goalies in the league typically employ quiet, crisp and calm movements on the back of a strong Stylistically, Costmar is a scrappy, skilled centreman with good offensive technical game that relies on quick reads, so they rarely force instincts that power his playmaking. With the puck, he’s not afraid to stop themselves to make difficult saves (think of Thatcher Demko’s recent up and go against the grain to find his teammates. He’s adept at slipping games as an example). Silovs, on the other hand, can be erratic in the into the soft spots in the inner slot and generating chances from in tight, crease and has been widely criticized for making himself look small in net where he scores most of his goals. And while he’s undersized, he’s with a wide stance. competitive in high-traffic areas, always engaged physically and has a pest side to his game. He’s not just talented with the puck; he has One NHL scout who oversees the OHL noted that Silovs was just OK in redeemable qualities without it. viewings last year — he wasn’t able to steal games for the Barrie Colts. That shows up in the numbers as well, as Silovs managed an .891 save To break out in the SHL, Costmar needs to improve the separation gear percentage in 36 games for Barrie. (Keep in mind that only seven OHL in his first two strides. Right now, he isn’t involved enough in transition goalies had a save percentage of .900 or higher.) play and struggles with the pace of the game. If he can add that to his toolkit as he continues developing leg strength, it’d bolster the odds for a This year, Silovs has struggled to get into games. He played half a dozen player who is already skilled and competitive games in Latvia and just one game while on loan with the , where he stopped 23 of 25 shots in a loss. Like many prospects, 6. Jett Woo, D, Utica Comets not only with the Canucks but in hockey as a whole, finding consistent 37th overall, 2018 game time to develop is a challenge amidst the circumstances surrounding the pandemic. 6-feet, 205 pounds Still, the Latvian goaltender remains an interesting prospect because of 2020-21 statistics: 9 games, 0 points his raw talent. Picking Silovs was the club essentially betting on the ability of its development system to create the technical framework in his There was a funny, touching moment at Canucks training camp this game to leverage his size and athleticism into a complete package. January. Jett Woo had been thrust into a scrimmage at his first camp and he’d played well, holding his own in an environment that can be 8. William Lockwood, RW, Utica Comets absolutely cruel to young, inexperienced players. 64th overall, 2016 Veteran NHL players are exceptional players, and at training camp scrimmages, as they look to just feel the puck and get their legs under 5-foot-11, 172 pounds them, they tend to test young talent. And yes, pick on them a bit, to see if 2020-21 statistics: 9 games, 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points they can hack it. William Lockwood checks in at No. 8, largely on the strength of an On this night, Woo was hacking it. He was separating NHL-level players incredible showing at Canucks training camp and on glowing reports from from pucks, moving well, never really under duress. industry sources and those within the organization regarding how he’s And then he drew a penalty. During camp scrimmages, all penalties are performed with the Comets in his first professional season. served as penalty shots, which must be taken by the player who drew the At his first training camp this past January, Lockwood was among the penalty, and with a chase pack of other players permitted to skate after standout performers, not just among young players or prospects but the shot-taker from the blue line. among all players. On the ice with NHL-level players, Lockwood’s speed So, Woo picked up the puck at centre ice, presumably as nervous as stood out, as did a skill level that looked higher than advertised, even if he’d been on an ice sheet since he turned 12, and immediately stumbled. that hasn’t translated just yet into points in the American League. He didn’t lose his footing entirely, but it was enough to compromise his Lockwood turned heads to the point that there was chatter around the chance with five skaters in pursuit. He had to turn the burners on just to organization about how, in a normal training camp environment, he get off a shot attempt, which was easily turned away. would’ve been among the final cuts and in serious consideration for an Back on the bench, several Canucks players gave him a pat on the back. early call-up. Instead, he didn’t even make the taxi squad as the It wasn’t how he’d drawn it up, perhaps, but it didn’t in any way alter the organization chose to prioritize him getting meaningful professional reps fact that Woo made a genuinely positive impression on Canucks coaches in the American League. and management at his second training camp. With the Comets, Lockwood has been a fixture on the penalty kill and Down in Utica, Woo has had an opportunity to play in every situation. has played up and down the lineup, including getting a look with the He’s been a regular on the penalty kill and he’s even seen some time on Comets’ first line with Gadjovich and Kole Lind. Lockwood’s speed, the second power-play unit of late. Since Canucks top defensive physicality and all-around assertiveness have been evident at the AHL prospect Jack Rathbone left the taxi squad and joined the Comets a level. couple of weeks ago, Woo has played on Rathbone’s right side, Most importantly for Lockwood is that he’s stayed healthy. The 2016 spending a ton of time playing behind Utica’s top forwards. third-round pick has battled chronic left shoulder injuries for several The production clearly hasn’t been there for Woo, but those who have years, which is problematic considering the physical nature of his game paid close attention to the Comets suggest that he’s played a steady two- and how he needs to play to be effective. way game despite the lack of production while bringing a consistent There remains significant concern around the industry about whether or physical game on the back end. not Lockwood’s body will hold up to the grind of professional hockey. Woo lost some of his top-prospect sheen over the course of a 2019-20 There’s also a fair bit of appreciation for Lockwood’s character, with close campaign in which he fell out of consideration for Team Canada’s U20 observers noting that he’s the type of player who will empty the tank in team and saw his counting stats fall a bit from what he accomplished in doing everything he can to maximize his potential. 2018-19. Those concerns may well be overblown, since Woo has never 7. Arvid Costmar, C, Linköping HC (SHL) profiled like an offensive defender at the NHL level, and he would hardly be the first defender overlooked by to go on to have a lengthy career. In polling a couple of talent evaluators around the industry, there was a consensus belief that Woo is a relatively safe bet to make it to the NHL as a depth player at the very least, a reflection of his skating ability, average skill level and physical prowess. And the 20-year-old defender, who has played only nine professional games, still has the potential to exceed those expectations.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185504 Websites Mattias Ekholm Ekholm is the belle of the ball at this year’s deadline dance, the most

intriguing asset available given his on-ice value and his likelihood of The Athletic / NHL trade deadline: Analyzing the top available players actually being dealt. His age, the extra year on his contract, and his projected 1.7 wins of value make him awfully similar to Jake Muzzin two seasons ago — though Ekholm is a rich man’s version. Both rugged analytics darlings that can drive play at both ends of the ice, with sneaky By Dom Luszczyszyn good puck-moving ability. Muzzin has been a force for the Leafs, Mar 17, 2021 stabilizing their defence corps and Ekholm can provide a potentially larger impact with the right team. It’s not often a top-pairing calibre defender capable of playing shutdown minutes is available, and that’s the exact type of player that can push a team over the top. He’s just on the The Athletic’s trade board debuted on March 1 and was updated again cusp of the No. 1 defender cutoff (an impressive feat given he doesn’t get on March 12. As usual, I’ll be looking at the numbers behind the names much power play time) on a bargain contract. for the most overhyped day in hockey. The collection of talent available is once again very slim. There aren’t many players available who move the Matt Dumba needle here. Dumba is on the market every season and it seems even more suspect But value in a vacuum doesn’t always translate across teams. Last year’s this year with the year he and the Wild are having. Minnesota has Stanley Cup champions proved the value of a good fit with their expansion draft concerns, sure, but giving up a top pair defenceman acquisitions of Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow, two players who having a career year seems unwise. With Dumba on the ice, the Wild were instrumental to the team’s vaunted third line. Coming in, Coleman have enjoyed a team-leading (among defenders) 62 percent of the was an analytics darling, projected to be worth 1-1.5 wins while Goodrow expected goals as he’s formed an excellent duo with defensive stalwart looked closer to a fourth-line player worth very little. In the playoffs, the Jonas Brodin. The two complement each other extremely well with duo was part of an elite shutdown line with Yanni Gourde that controlled Dumba driving offence extremely well. Giving him up would be a mistake, play with a 57 percent expected goals rate. Together they were worth which means acquiring him would be a big win. 0.84 combined wins in 24 playoff games, or 2.85 over an 82-game season — well above projected. Rickard Rakell That’s why these projections are far from gospel; it’s difficult to know The Ducks’ best forward has two years left on a modest deal and looks to exactly how a player will look in a different context. We can do our best to be a player who can provide a sizeable impact in the right situation. At guess and will come out on the right side of things most of the time, but his peak, he was a strong first-line calibre forward, projected to be worth there’s a wider range of outcomes when it comes to players switching 2.9 wins in 2018, but declined rapidly right after. He’s settled in closer to teams that we need to be cognizant of. the second-line range, but that’s in difficult minutes without much help. On a contender, Rakell has the ability to produce and drive play and The Athletic’s trade board features 29 players, and while there aren’t a maybe even provide first-line value again if the fit is right. He’s had a very huge number of true difference-makers — even if we’re generous with up-and-down season, but a recent hot streak where he put up 12 points the definition — that can change for the better with the right fit. Or for the in six games shows the kind of player he’s capable of being. He’s one of worse with a wrong fit. Every projection has a range of possible four Ducks players who has outscored opposing teams this season. outcomes, one that’s a bit wider when he joins a new team. Here’s what the model thinks about the 29 players on the board, including their Kyle Palmieri projected value as well as their value this season. This has been an awful, no good year for Palmieri. One of the game’s Difference makers most underrated scorers, you wouldn’t know it from his box score this season where he has all of four goals in 24 games. Despite the same Players who can make a sizeable impact on a team’s fortunes, making usual expected goal rate, Palmieri is converting far less frequently at both their roster look a lot more imposing. Can play in the top six or top pair. evens and with the man advantage. He’s scored on over 10 percent of his shots in every season of his career but is at 6.8 percent this season. Jack Eichel That’ll come back around and when it does he’ll be back to being a useful It’s difficult to fathom Eichel going anywhere at the deadline; it seems like top-six scorer. Goals are hard to come by in the playoffs and at his best, more of a draft-day move, if it gets to that point. Eichel deserves mercy, few do it better than Palmieri. but that’s going to be a very hard trade for the Sabres to win. Eichel is Complementary pieces the biggest player on the board and his current projected value likely undersells his franchise-altering potential. He’s having a tough time Players who move the needle in the middle six or on a second pair but producing this season, but so is everyone on Buffalo. His past trajectory not to a large degree. Might not be able to drive a line or pair but can add into the elite tier is a much more likely outcome for any new team to its strength. acquiring him as his current value is significantly dinged up by poor percentages this season. The Sabres are scoring on just 6.7 percent of Mikael Granlund / Eric Staal their shots at five-on-five with Eichel, which is well below his 10 percent Two guys who simply haven’t been the same since being traded away last year and his career average of 8.3 percent. Even that number has from the Minnesota Wild. Perhaps the fit just wasn’t there in Nashville for the potential to be higher in an organization with more offensive help. Granlund or Buffalo for Staal, but it’s difficult to not be concerned with Clayton Keller such a steep drop-off when acquiring either player. A team would have to be damn sure that the decline is a product of the surroundings and not of Keller is an interesting player because he’s not projected to be worth his the player. Staal is 36 so there’s plenty of reason to believe this might contract right now, but has certainly been playing well enough to justify it just be it for him. He has been a below replacement level player this this season. He’s scoring at a 62-point pace with strong five-on-five season for Buffalo with a 43 percent expected goals rate and even more numbers, good for a 2.5-win pace as the most productive player on the dastardly 26 percent actual goals rate. Granlund hasn’t been as bad, but board. I’m not sure why the Coyotes would move on from him now as he he hasn’t been a positive contributor, either. Both players are fine if the starts living up to his promise. Like Eichel, the deadline seems like a price is right and the model thinks a bounce-back is possible, but there’s tough sell for a Keller trade. reason to be wary. Taylor Hall David Savard / Ryan Murray Hall’s drop-off over the last two seasons has been something fierce and Before this season started, both Savard and Murray were considered to he’s fallen further this season after becoming victim to Buffalo Sabres be strong shutdown defencemen, solid No. 3 types. Their numbers have disease. Considering his possession rates remain strong, he continues to both gone down this season and while they’re still considered to be be a strong puck-mover and elite passer, I don’t think he’s the problem. second pairing calibre, their play this season has been below Frankly, the organization might just be cursed. The Sabres generate a lot replacement level. Murray is getting strong results with the Devils, but of chances with Hall on the ice and in the right setup, Hall can thrive. The they seem to be percentage driven with how badly he’s getting talent is still there and even with this down bad season factored in, he still outchanced relative to his teammates. New Jersey’s expected goal projects to be a top-line winger. There’s potential for much more too and differential is 0.37 per 60 worse with Murray on the ice with pain Hall seems like an excellent buy-low option — I don’t think his price tag happening at both ends of the ice. For Savard, the expected results are will ever be lower than it is now. Over the last two seasons, he has 18 still there, but the actual results have plummeted (which is why the model goals on 31 expected goals, something that may just see a market is still fond of his defensive upside). He seems like a better bet for a correction at just the right time in the playoffs. bounce-back as a result of that, but that would be purely in a defensive role. His offence value is in severe decline. Dylan Strome defensive zone on a historically bad team, but part of the reason they’re so bad is because of how ineffective he is in those minutes. Neither With Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach out, this seemed like a prime player is worth the trouble, and that’s before trying to squeeze the cap opportunity for Strome to show his worth in a bigger role. He simply hit. Minute difficulty doesn’t nearly make up for how poor either player’s hasn’t been able to rise to the occasion and could use a change of results are. scenery. After two straight seasons scoring 2.3 points per 60 at five-on- five, Strome is at 0.51 this year, earning a point on just 29 percent of the Brandon Montour / Josh Manson / Marc Staal goals scored with him on the ice. That’s a lot of bad luck at once that’s likely hindering his perception and why the model still believes he can be Three rather big-name defenders, all of whom are more likely to hurt their a solid middle-six contributor. But it is still concerning to see Strome so team than help. Plenty has been written about Staal in the past that any uninvolved on the scoresheet as most forwards usually earn a point on team who willingly trades for his services deserves the punishment. 60-70 percent of the goals scored. It feels like the Blackhawks are selling Montour and Manson are a bit different. Perhaps a serviceable version of low here on a talented young player, but there are flaws in his game that themselves still lies within, but recent results for both paint a grim picture. make it easy to see why they would want to move on. He remains a Montour has been a mess defensively for the Sabres, giving up the worst complete defensive liability and that won’t fly when you’re not producing. expected goals against rate among regulars. Manson can’t stay healthy and in the games he has suited up for this year has looked like a shade Depth adds of his former self. Teams acquiring either would need to be extremely confident there’s enough talent here that they would be positive assets in Players who don’t move the needle much. They can play, but not too far a better environment. Neither has looked the part of late and that carries up the lineup. a fair bit of risk. With both, there may be the temptation to see what they Nick Cousins / Alex Wennberg can do in easier minutes, especially Manson who faces some of the toughest minutes in the league. In his case, he comes out nearly even in Center is always a hot commodity at the deadline. Cousins has on-ice results when that’s factored in, but that’s still not enough to regressed a bit after a strong 2019-20 season, but still drives play well overlook deficiencies elsewhere. For Montour, tough minutes are no enough defensively to be a decent fourth-line addition. Wennberg has excuse and he’d likely struggle regardless of role. bounced back significantly in Florida and is back to scoring at a middle- six rate thanks to his strong passing ability, but his possession numbers The goalies look a bit rocky. They’re right around even, which is well below average Custance and Duhatschek had four goalies on their board, here’s what on Florida. With Wennberg, it’s important to consider his situation with my model makes of them at present time — though that can change at secondary matchups in an easy division playing alongside Jonathan any given moment because goalies are fickle creatures whose value can Huberdeau on most nights. He’s being propped up a bit. change on a whim. Tanner Pearson / Bobby Ryan / Ryan Dzingel Antti Raanta Do you like depth scorers who need to be sheltered and don’t drive play Arguably the best of the bunch. There was a time in his career where at all at five-on-five? Well, then you’ve got options with Pearson, Ryan Raanta looked like a 1A-type who could challenge Darcy Kuemper for the and Dzingel. All three are projected to provide the same value, though starting role. Last season he was solid with a .921 save percentage and Pearson’s value is based partly on the scoring ability he’s shown in the 5.8 goals saved above expected, but he’s dropped off a little this year. past and the fact he plays the toughest minutes. He’s at 1.11 points per He’s still above average and should help any team that needs 60 at five-on-five this season compared to 1.57 last season. Dzingel is goaltending help. similar at 1.21 points per 60 compared to 1.52 the year prior. In the right situations, all three can provide some scoring pop on a third line, but it’s Chris Driedger worth noting Ryan’s price tag. That arguably makes him the most attractive of the three. This one doesn’t make much sense to me because Driedger has been the best goalie in Florida for the past two seasons. If your $10 million Alex Goligoski goalie isn’t going to play the part, it really helps to have a backup who can pick up the slack. Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed 10.4 goals above Goligoski is not nearly the player he once was, but if a team strikes out expected this year compared to Drediger’s 1.1 in four fewer games (it on better defensemen he could be an OK last resort. He plays very tough turns positive when adjusted to 2021 scoring) and has a .905 save minutes for the Coyotes and though his expected goals rate is below 50 percentage to Driedger’s .920. The Panthers need to get their house in percent, it’s higher than the team average. That’s decent for his role and order for the expansion draft, but with the way they’re winning, losing it’s possible that he could show more in a more sheltered role. That’s sort their safety net feels like a risk not worth taking. of what the Islanders banked on last year with Andy Greene and that’s worked out tremendously for them. Goligoski could provide similar value. Jonathan Bernier The issue will be fitting in his $5.5 million contract, one of the most bloated on this list. Considering how bad Jimmy Howard looked last year and how much Thomas Greiss’ game has fallen apart in his first year in Detroit, there Sam Bennett / Jake Virtanen might be a case for Jonathan Bernier as one of the league’s most underrated goalies. Over the last two seasons, he has a .908 save High draft picks being squandered isn’t the end of the world. It happens percentage and has allowed just 1.7 more goals above expected in 61 to nearly every team and is simply the nature of forecasting a teenager’s games. In 51 combined games from Howard, Greiss, Calvin Pickard and next decade of hockey-playing ability. Neither Bennett or Virtanen has Eric Comrie, the Red Wings have a collective .878 save percentage and worked out for their respective clubs and they’re both now 24. Is this it? allowed 52.1 goals above expected. That’s one per game. It’s possible Neither grades out particularly well per GSVA and both have provided the other goalies are just that bad, but Greiss went from average to largely negative value this season. Bennett has a bit more upside in the minus-16 goals in 17 games after changing from the Islanders to Detroit. right role with a past of strong play-driving ability, but the Flames have There might be something especially bad about the defence that public never scored as much as expected with him on the ice and that likely models may miss — and that makes Bernier’s numbers even more eye- correlates with his low production. Virtanen looked like he might be popping. To not drown on this team is an accomplishment. turning a corner last season, but that may have been a mirage as he’s largely regressed this season. He’s been brutal defensively while Elvis Merzlikins chipping in just three goals and no assists in 26 games this season. His projected on-ice numbers are among the worst in the league at both ends Merzlikins had an electric debut for the Blue Jackets; his .923 save of the ice. percentage was right around what was expected of him in 32 games. The sophomore follow-up hasn’t been as pretty as he’s dropped to a .908, Luke Glendening / Brandon Sutter allowing 6.3 goals above expected in 11 games (4.7 if adjusted to 2021 scoring). Of the four goalies available, he’s the only one that’s below Everyone loves a fourth-line shutdown center at the deadline. Personally, average this season. His perception is being partially buoyed by a strong I’d prefer mine to actually, oh I don’t know, do stuff? Glendening and defensive structure. He happens to be the second most expensive option Sutter are both projected to be well below replacement level, meaning of the four with an extra year on his contract, too. The talent is there but they likely hurt their teams more than help. While there was a point in the numbers haven’t been. their careers where they were more useful than given credit for than the analytics crowd suggested, that time is likely gone for the two centers in their 30s. Expect to be outchanced and outscored heavily with either on the ice as neither provides all that much offensively and both are The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 overrated defensively. While Sutter’s expected goals rate is even relative to the team, one has to consider he’s part of the problem in Vancouver, not to mention his strong history of being much worse. In Glendening’s case, his usage is indeed quite difficult playing tough minutes in the Websites Lazar was a first-round pick who’d been hyped as a solid prospect, but 1185505 by 2017 he was spinning his wheels in Ottawa. His name surfaced at the deadline, and reports that the Sens would want a high pick for him were mostly met with eye rolls — this was a guy with one point in 33 NHL The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: The biggest trade involving each games that year. Somehow, Pierre Dorion got the Flames to pay up, Canadian NHL team combo, ranked landing a second-round pick he turned into Alex Formenton. For their part, Calgary got 70 games and three goals out of Lazar. That’s not much, but it’s enough to nudge out a handful of even smaller By Sean McIndoe Sens/Flames trades, like Nick Shore three years ago, Alex Chiasson in 2016 or the big Mark Osiecki/Chris Lindberg blockbuster from the early Mar 17, 2021 ’90s. 18. Vancouver/Winnipeg: Ivan Hlinka for Brent Ashton With less than a month to go until the trade deadline, the seven Do you know who Artur Oktyabrev or Dan Ratushny are? No? Then Canadian teams in the North Division are facing a dilemma. How do you we’re pretty much left with this 1981 trade, which at least features two work around a mandatory 14-day quarantine for players crossing the recognizable names. NHL fans probably remember Hlinka as the future border from the United States? coach of the Penguins, but he was a Czech legend who had a couple of 60-point seasons as a Canuck after the Jets sent his rights to Vancouver Do you make your trades early so that you can still get some use out of a for Ashton, a useful journeyman who was immediately flipped to the player down the stretch? Do you work on deadline day with an eye Rockies for Lucien DeBlois. toward the playoffs, all but writing off the rest of the regular season? Reduce your offers to reflect that change in value? Resign yourself to 17. Edmonton/Ottawa: Ales Hemsky for picks riding out the year with what you already have, flaws and all, because at least those guys are already here? These teams love to get together on classic “let’s remember some guys” deals involving names like Frantisek Musil, Brian Glynn and Eric Gryba. Or maybe, you make the only sort of deal that won’t have to worry about Their most recent deal was Tyler Ennis a year ago, but I’m going with the quarantine. Maybe all the Canadian teams need to figure out a way to Sens’ 2014 deadline pickup of Hemsky, who was in his 11th year in trade with each other. Edmonton. He was OK down the stretch in Ottawa but couldn’t get them into the playoffs before departing as a free agent; the Oilers got a third That’s apparently what they may be doing, according to Craig Custance. and a fifth for him but neither pick has played in the NHL. That could create an interesting dynamic, because the history of all- Canadian trades is a decidedly mixed one. Some teams almost never 16. Ottawa/Winnipeg: Dylan DeMelo for a third trade with each other while others have hooked up on multiple big moves. It’s all over the map. Our only other option seems to be the 1993 Dmitri Filimonov trade, but this 2019 deal was a reasonably decent one that saw the Jets land a That feels like the sort of thing that’s ripe for a ranking. So today, we’re player who remains a key piece. The Senators used the pick on goalie going to go back and find the biggest trade between each of the existing Leevi Merilainen, who Scott Wheeler thought was a minor reach. Canadian teams, a total of 21 possible combinations. Then we’re going to rank them from least to most important. Along the way, we’ll meet a 15. Edmonton/Vancouver: The Canucks get Gretzky’s wingman few of the bigger trades in NHL history, a few more that will trigger an Like most of the Smythe Division rivals, there isn’t as much of a trade “Oh yeah, I remember that one” moment, and some that you probably history here as you might expect. There are a few deals, including the have no recollection of at all unless you were one of the players involved. 2019 Ryan Spooner/ swap, but not many with an impact. I’ll But first, a few ground rules. We’re only looking for trades involving go with a 1981 deadline deal that saw the Oilers send Blair MacDonald to players here, because draft pick swaps are boring. More importantly, this Vancouver for Garry Lariviere and Ken Berry; none of those guys were list is for the seven existing teams only — sorry Nordiques fans, as well stars but they were three decent NHLers and MacDonald was just one as any old-timers hoping for some content. Did I year removed from a 94-point season that demonstrated the life- make this rule specifically so that I wouldn’t have to relive the Wendel changing power of being Wayne Gretzky’s linemate. He couldn’t match Clark trade? I cannot confirm or deny. those numbers in Vancouver, but was part of their surprise run to the 1982 final. Finally, as always, we’re counting both versions of the Jets as one team, and ignoring anyone who wants to get pedantic about franchise lineages. 14. Calgary/Montreal: The mid-game mystery trade (This also makes it possible to do a full list, since the post-Thrashers The teams have a ton of history, including two meetings in the Stanley version of the Jets have yet to make any trades with a few Canadian Cup Final. In terms of trades, not so much, although some interesting teams.) names show up, including and Brian Skrudland, plus the We’ll be digging into the NHL Trade Tracker database, with some 2008 draft floor trade that saw the Habs give up a first for Alex Tanguay support from Hockey Reference. Let’s start with the smallest biggest deal in a move that didn’t really work out for either team. we can find and work our way up. I think this one comes down to the 2012 Mike Cammalleri trade or the 21. Calgary/Winnipeg: Akim Aliu for John Negrin 1982 deal that saw Calgary land . That one probably had the biggest impact since Risebrough stuck around to become This midseason trade from 2012 didn’t get much notice at the time, Flames GM, but the Cammalleri one was so weird that it gets the nod because Aliu had yet to crack the NHL and Negrin had been there for just here. Don’t worry, Calgary fans, Risebrough’s name will come up again three games back in 2009. If you heard about the deal at all, it may have later in this list. been because of a neat quirk: Aliu had previously been loaned to the Flames’ AHL affiliate that Negrin was already playing for, meaning this 13. Ottawa/Toronto: The Leafs escape the contract was technically a case of two teammates being traded for each other. The Leafs and Senators turn out to be a tricky category. We allowed both Aliu would debut for the Flames later that year, and played a total of versions of the Jets to be considered, so maybe we should do that for the seven games in Calgary. Negrin never made it back to the NHL. pre- era Senators and count the King Clancy deal. But that seems like a stretch, and besides, it was more of a sale than a trade, so So why does this deal make our list as the biggest ever player trade let’s pass. The biggest modern trade involving the two teams was the between the Jets and Flames? Because it appears to be the only one. one that landed in Ottawa, but that was a three-way with The original Jets never made a deal with the Flames once they arrived in the Islanders so I don’t think it counts either. Calgary, and this deal is the only one they’ve made since the NHL returned to Winnipeg. I guess when these two teams get together they Instead, let’s go with one of the stranger deals of recent years: The spend all their time talking about hockey not working in Atlanta and none Senators taking Dion Phaneuf’s contract off the hands of the rebuilding of it talking trade. Leafs in 2016. Toronto took on some bad short-term contracts to make it happen, but escaping Phaneuf’s $7 million cap hit through 2021 was a 20. Montreal/Ottawa: Mike Reilly for a fifth crucial step in clearing the decks for what was to come. As for Ottawa, they got one full season of Phaneuf and, probably, a thank you note from The Habs and Senators have apparently only made three player trades Brendan Shanahan. in three decades. We’ve got this one from last year, the Matthew Peca deal or Andreas Dackell for an eighth-round pick. Reilly’s at least a 12. Calgary/Edmonton: The Neal/Lucic trade regular in Ottawa these days, so this one pretty much wins by default. Not surprisingly, the two teams in one of hockey’s most bitter rivalries 19. Calgary/Ottawa: Sens get a second for Curtis Lazar almost never make meaningful trades. In fact, for the first three decades of the rivalry, they never made a trade at all. That streak ended with the exactly what they wanted, with Murzyn and Stern combining to play parts deal in 2010, and there have been a handful of others of 16 seasons with their new teams. The Flames and Canucks wouldn’t since. But with apologies to Ladislav Smid, the clear winner here is the complete another deal until the Markus Granlund/Hunter Shinkaruk swap James Neal-for-Milan Lucic trade from 2019. It was two big names and 26 years later. two very big contracts, but it was an interesting move that gets bonus points for the creative conditions. 5. Edmonton/Montreal: Corson for Damphousse 11. Edmonton/Winnipeg: Manson for Mironov These two teams have hooked up for four deals in the last six years, with the biggest of those being the Habs getting Jeff Petry for two picks at the This 1994 deadline move remains the most recent trade between the 2015 deadline. That one might turn out to be the most important when it’s Oilers and either version of the Jets, but it was a legitimately major deal all said and done, but for now let’s go with a 1992 blockbuster. Montreal that included six pieces. The key was , a tough guy who sent Shayne Corson, Brent Gilchrist and Vladimir Vujtek to Edmonton for could also play and was seen as a transformative piece for the struggling Vincent Damphousse and a pick. Both Corson and Damphousse would Jets. He wasn’t, although he was OK in three seasons before heading to eventually serve as captains for their new teams, and Damphousse Montreal. In return, the Oilers got Boris Mironov, a 21-year-old would also deliver three 90-point seasons in Montreal before being defenseman who stuck around for six seasons, and a first-round pick that flipped to San Jose. Call this one a win for Montreal. year that turned out to be fourth overall but was squandered on Jason Bonsignore. 4. Toronto/Vancouver: The Leafs get their first 50-goal man 10. Montreal/Vancouver: The Canucks find a blue line mainstay The Leafs and Canucks love to get together every few years to swap some random name like or Lonny Bohonos, Jeff Farkas or Josh Leivo. The Habs and Canucks don’t have much of a recent trade history, with But they have made one quasi-blockbuster, the 1980 four-player deal the 2015 Zack Kassian/ deal being the biggest of the cap that sent Tiger Williams and Jerry Butler to Vancouver for Rick Vaive and era. They dealt much more frequently in the Canucks’ early years, Builder Lego Bill Derlago. Williams was an entertaining character who making five trades between 1970 and 1973, mostly involving cash or had 35 goals in his first full season as a Canuck, but the Leafs got the picks. But in terms of impact, the two biggest trades between the two better of the deal when Vaive went on to post three straight 50-goal teams came in the early ’90s, with the Canucks adding a pair of seasons, the first in franchise history. blueliners who’d play key roles in the 1994 run to the final. 3. Edmonton/Toronto: The end of a dynasty One was Gerald Diduck, who came over from Montreal in a midseason trade in 1991 for a pick. But my choice for the biggest Habs/Canucks OK, I swear I didn’t come up with this article idea just so I could make a trade ever is the 1990 deadline deal that saw Vancouver send a second- list where the Leafs held down all the top spots, but man do they like to round pick to Montreal for Jyrki Lumme. The Habs picked Craig Darby, make big trades with their fellow Canadian teams. This one was Cliff who’s probably best remembered for being in the Pierre Turgeon trade, Fletcher’s first significant move as Toronto GM, a seven-player while the Canucks got a defenseman who stuck around for nearly a blockbuster that saw the Oilers get Vincent Damphousse, Peter Ing, decade. Scott Thornton and Luke Richardson in exchange for Grant Fuhr, Glenn Anderson and Craig Berube. 9. Toronto/Winnipeg: Olczyk for Ellett It was a tough one for Edmonton fans to swallow, signalling that the ’80s This 1990 trade was an old-fashioned hockey deal, one that saw the dynasty was being dismantled (which would be confirmed weeks later struggling Leafs move their first-line center for a guy who’d immediately when was sent to New York). But it worked out well slot in as their top blueliner. The Jets gave up Dave Ellett and Paul enough, as Damphousse had a great year before going to Montreal in Fenton to get and Mark Osborne, and it’s not hard to argue the Corson deal we just talked about. As for the Leafs, Anderson was OK that both teams got pretty much what they were hoping for. Ellett was a and they turned out not to need Fuhr as much as they thought thanks to Leaf for seven seasons and played a key role in the Felix Potvin, but they flipped the veteran goalie to Buffalo for Dave resurgence while Olczyk gave the Jets three years of point-per-game Andreychuk, which was a win. I think this one worked out for everyone, hockey before going to the Rangers for Tie Domi. and it’s an easy pick as the biggest Leafs/Oilers trade because this one didn’t happen. 8. Montreal/Winnipeg: The Serge Savard “trade” 2. Montreal/Toronto: Goalie-for-goalie This one’s a bit tricky. Savard was a Habs legend and captained the team for two seasons after their 1970s dynasty ended. In 1981 he No, we’re not going with Courtnall-for-Kordic, but yes, that was still a decided to retire, but John Ferguson was the Jets GM and claimed his good trade for the Leafs. We’re also not doing modern-era deals like former teammate in that year’s waiver draft. Savard didn’t initially report, Tomas Plekanec, Mikhail Grabovski or . And we’re definitely but eventually relented and joined the Jets in December, apparently after not doing the Mats Sundin trade that fell through. the Canadiens forgot to file his retirement papers. Instead, we can do something with these two teams that no other combo Most sources show the Jets sending the Habs a late pick for their trouble, offers us, and reach back to the league’s early days. That gives us two which technically makes this a trade, and if so it’s certainly the biggest real options, including the 1943 heist that saw the Leafs acquire the between the two teams in terms of name value, not to mention the rights to Teeder Kennedy. But there’s an even better option, and it’s the symbolism of a beloved Canadiens captain choosing to leave. 1933 goalie swap that saw the Leafs send Lorne Chabot to the Habs for three-time Vezina winner George Hainsworth in one of the biggest one- (Fun fact: When Savard retired for good in 1983 and wanted to rejoin for-one trades of the NHL’s pre-Original Six era. Chabot would last one Montreal in a front office role, the Canadiens sent a draft pick to year in Montreal before being flipped to Chicago in the Howie Morenz Winnipeg as compensation that turned into Peter Taglianetti, so we deal, where he won a Vezina. Hainsworth was already 38 when he actually have two Habs/Jets Savard deals to choose from.) arrived in Toronto, but gave the team three strong seasons that included 7. Ottawa/Vancouver: The Canucks land Salo two trips to the final. You could make a case for the Alex Burrows trade that apparently had 1. Calgary/Toronto: The Gilmour trade Ottawa players lining up to hug their GM, but I think the 2002 deal that There probably wasn’t a ton of suspense over which deal would land in sent Sami Salo to Vancouver is the clear winner here. It was a rare one- the top spot of this list, and I’m guessing most Flames fans already for-one trade featuring players of similar ages, with holdout Peter tagged out before being forced to relive this disaster yet again. Schaefer coming to Ottawa. The Sens did get a 20-goal season out of Schaefer, but the Canucks saw Salo develop into a long-term piece who This 1992 trade is literally the biggest in NHL history, involving 10 spent nearly a decade in Vancouver and was part of their 2011 run. players, and it altered the course of two franchises. For Fletcher and the Leafs, getting Gilmour (along with useful veterans like Jamie Macoun and 6. Calgary/Vancouver: Murzyn for Stern Ric Nattress) was the key to ending a decade of futility and transforming The biggest Flames/Canucks trade may have been the 1976 deal that the Leafs into contenders. Meanwhile, Risebrough and the Flames gave saw Vancouver give up what would become the eighth overall pick in the up a Hall of Famer for 11 goals from Gary Leeman, and they wouldn’t win draft for Curt Ridley, but that was in the Atlanta days so it doesn’t count another playoff round for 12 years. here. The deal is often ranked as one of the most lopsided in NHL history. Instead, we’ll go with the 1991 deadline deal that wasn’t even the That’s not completely fair, since we tend to forget that Gilmour had forced Canucks’ biggest move of the day, but saw each team acquire a player the Flames’ hand by walking out on the team. Still, it’s impossible to who’d become a mainstay for much of the 1990s. The trade sent argue the profound impact this move had on both teams. defenseman to Vancouver for checking center Ronnie Stern and depth blueliner Kevan Guy, and both teams got pretty much (And if you really want to mess with Calgary and Toronto fans, remind them of the trade the two teams almost made a year earlier.)

The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 Websites There’s a certain mindset that’s needed. There are some teams who win 1185506 the Cup that you can just tell the following year they’re still living off that glow. The same hunger isn’t there. The willingness to sacrifice at that level just isn’t quite high enough. The Athletic / LeBrun: Can the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups? Their own GM, and the last GM to do it, think so “You have to remember how hard it is to win and also remember that you have to work to get your breaks,” Rutherford said. “That’s what Tampa has been doing. I like how Tampa has played, coming right out and being one of the top teams all year long. They’re all business.” By Pierre LeBrun So far the required buy-in is there from Tampa Bay. Mar 17, 2021 “We’re a team that legitimately aspires to winning a championship this year and that’s what we’re chasing right now,” said BriseBois. “We’re There are moments that stay with you. trying to secure a playoff spot, that’s the first step towards winning a Stanley Cup is making the playoffs.” One of them is watching the Pittsburgh Penguins win their second consecutive Stanley Cup in June 2017 and leaving the rink that night And there are other incentives. For starters, winning a Cup in a bubble thinking this: Will a team ever do it again? with no fans wasn’t a normal experience. The Penguins, of course, are the only back-to-back champs in the NHL’s “Our families weren’t there, our owner wasn’t there, our fans weren’t 15-year salary cap era and there’s a reason for that. there, we didn’t get to bring the Cup home in the offseason to our hometowns. There were a lot of things that were different,” BriseBois The cap has spread out the talent throughout the league. The parity has said. “Those are all added incentives to work on trying to win another never been greater. You can make strong cases for 6-8 teams to win it one.” all, if not more some years. The fact of the matter is, when BriseBois paid high prices a year ago at It’s damn hard to win it once, never mind twice in a row. the trade deadline for Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow, he had two playoff runs in mind with those moves, not one. Both those players are Between the ability to keep your core roster intact and those same signed through the end of this season and that was the point of it all. players finding the energy levels to go deep twice, it’s beyond difficult. Which is important to remember because the Bolts are totally capped out Can the Tampa Bay Lightning pull it off? We asked the man who was GM now and figure not to be too busy ahead of the deadline this time around. of that back-to-back champion in Pittsburgh. “We did our shopping a year ago,” BriseBois said, not that he’s not “What you look for is whether they have enough juice, do they have making calls. “Your work is never done, but our ability to do anything is enough energy to do it two years in a row, and do they want to do it?” severely compromised by the fact we don’t have any cap space. We Former Penguins GM Jim Rutherford said Tuesday. “If you’re a GM or a made decisions in the offseason and we went into the season knowing coach, those are the things you’re always watching. Are they going to get full well that these were the players we were going to have. And I like worn out or not? There’s the obvious, too, do they have the players, the these players. They’re a good group of players. I have total faith in them. pieces still to do it? The answer to that is, yes they do. And I knew I wouldn’t have any cap space for us to do anything to correct “They have the best goalie in the league, they have the best defenseman course in-season.” in the league. And they have a number of impact players that you need to Unless, as BriseBois noted, the Lightning have another long-term injury step up in critical times of a game. And they have the supporting cast.’’ before the deadline which obviously they hope isn’t the case. But that’s So, in short, it’s a thumbs up from Rutherford. the only way to free up cap space. Rutherford also thinks highly of Tampa Bay GM Julien BriseBois and “We also knew that our late-season addition would be (Nikita) Kucherov head coach Jon Cooper, another reason he’s a believer. joining the team at some point during the playoffs,’’ BriseBois said. Indeed, the return of Kucherov will be huge. They’ll finally have Kucherov There are few GMs in the league more well-read than BriseBois, who and Steven Stamkos in the lineup at the same time, the Bolts captain devours books of all kinds and pours over data looking for any edge. No missing out on the Cup run last summer albeit for one rather famous question he’s examined Pittsburgh’s back-to-back feat to glean any info return in the final which lasted 2:47 over five shifts and produced a goal. he can. “I think the only trait that matters is that both years when Pittsburgh won, In the meantime, BriseBois will keep an eye on things heading into the they were a really good team with really good players,’’ BriseBois said April 12 deadline but it’s going to be mighty tough. this week. “So are we right now. So was St. Louis last year and the year Anything would have to be cap dollar out, cap dollar in. Which isn’t before, and so was Washington the year they won and the year after.’’ impossible but it’s atypical of the trade deadline when sellers normally Someone recently asked BriseBois why he thought it was so hard to win don’t take back much on the cap. Hence the word sellers. I mean, when back-to-back titles. contenders are adding, they tend not to want to lose any roster players but simply add to it. So under that scenario, the cap won’t let Tampa do “I said ‘Well, it’s really hard to win the first one.’ The odds are against you that. to win the first one to begin with and now you’re asking the same organization to beat the odds twice.” And teams in this new flat cap environment are holding their cap space like never before. It’s a new reality out there right now during this But the Bolts are well-positioned to do it. They’ve stormed out of the pandemic year. gates. They look as confident as ever. Plus, it’s not always a given that adding at the deadline is the right move. It reminds me so much of the Penguins in 2016-17 trying to defend their “When you bring in a player at the deadline, you don’t know how long it title. They truly believed all season long they could repeat. will take for the chemistry to come together,” BriseBois said. “We were “Oh, we felt it all year,’’ Rutherford said. “We felt strong about our team. somewhat struggling with consistency after the deadline last season. We came off from that Cup run in ’16 with high confidence. We were able Everybody is trying to figure out where they now fit. The pause was good to keep most of the players for ’17. But it’s harder to win. It’s harder to for us last spring. Will probably be even more of a challenge in this win every game. Everybody wants to beat the Stanley Cup champs. environment with all the limitations on interaction amongst players. The That’s going to be the test for Tampa. But they have the group that’s use of multiple locker rooms and buses, etc.” capable of doing it.” As our Lightning beat writer Joe Smith examined last weekend, the It’s two-fold. Do you have the players still, and do your players have the Lightning will once again have salary cap gymnastics to perform this same hunger? Checkmark on both for the Lightning. summer. “You want to be a team that believes it has a chance entering the Which is fine. Those are the headaches GMs can live with if it means season,’’ BriseBois said. “From my conversations with various players contending. leading up to training camp, to a man, everyone seemed really hungry to chase another championship. It’s one thing to be a Stanley Cup winner, Or in Tampa Bay’s case, perhaps winning back-to-back Stanley Cups. it’s another to be a two-time Stanley Cup winner.” The Athletic LOADED: 03.18.2021 Websites in. he got a feel for our team and he’s slowly worked his way in and had a 1185507 really good season.”

Edmonton got stellar goaltending from Mike Smith, and some juice from Sportsnet.ca / With elite offence, Barrie becoming a force Oilers have the return of Zack Kassian, who drove the net and backhanded home the lacked since Coffey seventh goal. It was Kassian’s first game back from a broken hand, and Tippett can’t have the bruising right winger back soon enough.

“Big guy, skates well, good skillset," described the coach. “These games Mark Spector@sportsnetspec are going to get heavy and they’re going to get tight. You’re going to want players who play a heavy game, go to the net hard, and win wall battles. March 18, 2021, 2:43 AM When he digs into those we can really use him as a power forward. That’s going to be big in these games that are coming ahead here.” Tyson Barrie was Plan B. Meanwhile Barrie is just becoming comfortable and confident in his new surroundings, as the Oilers open the second half hoping to make a push And the guy that the Edmonton Oilers blew seven pucks past last night in for first place in the North. Calgary? Yeah, he was Plan A. That, of course, is Plan A. Well, this morning Plan B wakes up as the National Hockey League’s leading scorer among defencemen with 28 points, fresh off a four-assist Which means we wouldn’t dismiss Plan B either. night in a 7-3 rout of the Calgary Flames. Not this season. Barrie and partner Darnell Nurse put together six points from the back end as the Oilers restored their seven-point lead over Calgary and crept within two of Division-leading Toronto with an explosive, impressive Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.18.2021 measuring of the Flames, who simply couldn’t handle — or match — Edmonton’s firepower. “Me and Nursey have developed a little chemistry, along with a couple of guys up front,” Barrie said, downplaying the performance. “The points are nice but the wins are the important thing.” Those “couple of guys up front?” You can guess who they might be. Hint: Start at the top of the scoring race and count two players down. Connor McDavid (1-2-3) and Leon Draisaitl (0-3-3) worked Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom — who chose the Flames ahead of the Oilers as a free agent last summer — for the second seven-goal night the Oilers have enjoyed at Calgary’s expense this season. Both Oilers superstars have more assists than any Flames player has points, as the Oilers blew open a 3-1 game after 40 minutes by scoring three times in the opening 5:55 of the third period. “We talked between the second and the third,” Barrie said, “and we wanted to come out and not give them any life. We were expecting more of a defensive grind. We exploded for four goals.” Barrie had three of his assists on an Oilers power play that went three- for-four, as he quickly cements himself as the “offenceman” this franchise has not seen in ages. The Edmonton powerplay, meanwhile, has climbed up to fifth in the NHL, as Barrie gets comfortable in a role that the injured Oscar Klefbom may never see again should the pending UFA Barrie re- sign in Edmonton. “He’s an elite puck-mover and offensive player,” begins Oilers head coach Dave Tippett. “We’ve had some solid defenders, but nobody with the instincts with the puck that he has. When Ken ( Holland, Oilers GM) went out and got him signed, those were the things we expected.” The irony is, of course, that Holland took his cap space and went hard after Markstrom last summer. It was only after Markstrom chose the Flames that he moved on to replacing the injured Klefbom, who effectively worked atop the best powerplay in the past 40 seasons last year. Barrie arrived as a guy trying to prove himself after a difficult year in the Toronto fishbowl. He bet on himself, as they say, and one look at the Oilers' roster made him like his odds that much better. “It’s pretty incredible, the skill we have on this team,” marveled Barrie. “It’s world class — as good as it gets.” Look back through hockey history. Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier had . Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge and Johnny Bucyk had . There was a Coffey for Gretzky and Kurri, Messier and Anderson, a Zubov for Modano and Hull, and even a Letang for Crosby and Malkin. We’re not putting Barrie up those Hall of Fame blue-liners quite yet, but he is that same breed of player when fixed up with McDavid and Draisaitl. And Edmonton hasn’t seen that guy since Coffey himself. “The top offensive players, they love it when they’ve got a defenceman who can make creative plays to find you with the puck. That’s why he’s fit in so well with those guys up front,” said Tippett. “I give him a lot of credit. He’s a veteran guy who came in here and he didn’t want to push is way Websites “We get the puck back and that’s where a bit of panic set in. The (Jets) 1185508 were stuck on the ice for 45 seconds when we started a change, but we should’ve been attacking even more since we had control. I was sending three forwards on the ice on the change, but we got impatient when we Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens leave another crucial point on the board in OT took control and lost the puck.” loss to Jets It gave the Canadiens a 2-2-1-1 record on this road trip, over which they desperately needed to string “a streak of wins together,” as Gallagher put it. Eric Engels@EricEngels The Canadiens are now 13-8-8, clinging to the fourth and final playoff March 18, 2021, 1:41 AM spot of this seven-team North Division. Accumulating even just half the points they’ve left on the board in overtime or the shootout would have them within two points of top spot. Marc Bergevin called the NHL a one-goal league during his mid-season review Tuesday, and then his Montreal Canadiens went out and left one So, they either have to solve this now or find a way to put away games point on the table against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. before they can be decided this way. Or do both. For an eighth time in eight Canadiens games that have gone past the At least the Canadiens feel capable. third period, the outcome was a loss. And it doesn’t really matter that “I think we’re going to keep getting better and better,” said Ducharme. they had a chance to win this one with a 2-on-1 play that Jets goaltender “Every night, I feel confident against any team that if we go out there and Connor Hellebuyck stole away, because if the season ends with this we play the way we can play in our style of play that we can beat anyone. team outside of a playoff position by one point, no one will say it came I have no issue with that.” down to that one time they almost scored. But Ducharme knows that an extra point here or there can make all the Canadiens leading scorer Jeff Petry had the game on his stick when difference. Hellebuyck closed his pads to stifle Wednesday’s overtime opportunity. It was on his stick again when three Jets players swarmed him and forced “I don’t know if someone’s going to run away,” he said. “You look around him into a turnover while his two linemates went for a change instead of the division, competition is (close) every night and it’s hard to tell who’s helping keep the pressure on a Jets trio that was spent. And Montreal going to win. Because you play teams many times in a row it’s tough to coach Dominique Ducharme watched helplessly from the bench as separate yourself, because it’s tough to beat the same team two times Nikolaj Ehlers carried the puck into his team’s zone on a 3-on-1 and and three times in a row. And we can see it everywhere around the drove a third spike through his NHL coaching record in the 3-on-3 period. league, it’s some ups and downs. So I think it’s going to be a sprint for everyone until the end, and I think it’s going to be a dogfight until the Frustrating? end.” “It is,” said Ducharme after the 4-3 loss. “I wish we had 5-on-5 overtime.” At least the Canadiens might have made it to the shootout. After all, they Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.18.2021 were tied 3-3 in 5-on-5 play with the Jets in this one. How the Canadiens got to overtime was emblematic of how they’ve played under Ducharme — inconsistently — with his 3-3-3-1 record since taking over for Claude Julien on Feb. 24 a reflection of it. Phillip Danault, who scored one of their goals in Wednesday’s game, put it perfectly after Bergevin spoke on Tuesday, when he said, “When everyone buys in, and when we apply (our system), we give ourselves a chance to win every game, and when we don’t, we shoot ourselves in the foot.” The Canadiens put a nine millimetre bullet through one on the first shift of the game, allowing Blake Wheeler to open the scoring. They pumped in a couple more flesh wounds before the halfway point, with giveaways the Jets forced allowing Kyle Connor to score two goals. “We’ve played them enough, we know what kind of forecheck they’re coming with,” said Brendan Gallagher of the five meetings the Canadiens had with the Jets prior to this one. “They did a pretty good job of executing it, but you’ve got to make plays. That’s what it comes down to. Support needs to be there and you need to execute. They just did a better job forechecking than we did of breaking out. Definitely an area of the game that we weren’t good enough.” And then the Canadiens went to second intermission down 3-1, patched themselves up and came out and played arguably their best period of the season. Gallagher scored to cut the deficit to one after close to six minutes of pure Montreal dominance. And Tyler Toffoli scored his 18th of the season to tie the game with the Canadiens’ net empty and 1:25 remaining in regulation. They were all desperate, engaged and playing exactly as they want to all the time. “I saw a dedicated team,” said Danault. “A team that was hungry that didn’t accept to lose. The fight, as well, I really appreciate the effort that we all did together. And we all know the Jets are a really good team offensively, and we played really good defensively in the third and didn’t give up anything; we were stronger, we were winning our battles…” And then the overtime boogeyman came out and snatched it all away from the Canadiens. “The first thing was to take possession,” Ducharme said of his strategy in the extra frame. “With a faceoff favouring a lefty, we went with Phil, (and) the speed of (Paul Byron) and (Petry) who skates really well too. We took control, we waited for the right moment, and they gave us a chance to attack on a 2-on-1 and we took it. Websites and getting them quick. I'm just trying to help out in any way I can and 1185509 keep going.

“(I am) just trusting myself, trusting my teammates, trusting in the work Sportsnet.ca / Thatcher Demko's hot play carrying Canucks back into that myself and those guys are putting in. Like I mentioned, we didn't playoff race have a great start to the year, but I think everyone in the room knew that we were capable of getting wins. Obviously, with each win, the confidence is going to get better. And that's where that trust kind of formulates.” Iain MacIntyre@imacSportsnet Sign up for NHL newsletters March 18, 2021, 12:29 AM Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox! He’s on a brilliant run as a goaltender, but Thatcher Demko has a lot to *I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time. learn about this hero stuff. Brock Boeser opened scoring for the Canucks at 2:29 of the first period, When someone is trying to build a statue to you, don’t argue with the hitting his spot stick-side on Daccord after the Senators played their way sculptor and ask him to make you a little shorter. May as well go ahead into a turnover and a Vancouver two-on-one that was started by Schmidt. and tell the artist to narrow your jaw a little, too, wrinkle your brow and put the look of fear in your eyes. Horvat, who passed to Boeser, then made it 2-0 at 8:26, tapping in from a gorgeous feed by Nils Hoglander during a three-on-one. No, no, no. Be big. Be bold. And don’t get in the way of a good story. Senators forward Ryan Dzingel started the comeback three minutes into When it looked to everyone Wednesday, including Sportsnet’s national the second period by scoring on a rebound after a poor Vancouver line broadcast crew, that Demko had made one of the saves of the season on change gave Ottawa an outnumbered rush. Drake Batherson to help the Vancouver Canucks beat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in a shootout, the goalie refused to take credit for it. “We've always had a lot of faith and a lot of belief in Demmer,” Canucks coach Travis Green said of the goalie he started with in the minors. “He “Yeah, I actually don't think I touched that one,” Demko said. “I'd love to took some good strides last year and, obviously, played well at the end of take credit for it. I think it went off the post, but I was just trying to get the year. Probably wasn't as sharp as he wanted to be — we've talked some net coverage. But yeah, if you guys want to write down in your about that — at the beginning of (this season). But I don't think we're articles that I got a piece of that, go ahead.” surprised that he's playing well. He's a good goalie and we believe in So disappointing. And the modest fool said this on Zoom, so his him.” admission is now permanently recorded. Notes: Just as speedy depth forward Tyler Motte returned to the Canucks Anyway, back to the statue. lineup after missing five weeks with a lower-body injury, Vancouver lost winger Tanner Pearson with what appeared to be an ankle injury. . . Thatcher Demko is so good that even when he’s beaten, he isn’t. Despite making the four-hour drive to Ottawa from Toronto after the Canucks claimed him on waivers from the Maple Leafs, forward Jimmy Batherson’s backhand after drawing Demko to the ice did, in fact, tinkle Vesey didn’t play because the team was unable to update his work visa off the post, which allowed Adam Gaudette to win the shootout for the in time. Canucks one round later when he beat fourth-string Ottawa goalie Filip Gustavsson with a five-hole deke as Vancouver completed a ragged two- game sweep of the Senators for their sixth win in seven games. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.18.2021 Starting goalie Joey Daccord, the Senators’ first minor-league crease call-up, left the game at 5:07 of the third period with an independently- sustained lower-body injury. On the next shift, Josh Norris tied the game 2-2 at 5:34 with a quick release from the slot after Canucks defenceman Nate Schmidt was pressured off the puck inside the Vancouver blue line. It was the second straight game the Canucks squandered a 2-0 lead on the last-place Senators – and the second straight they won anyway in extra time because their goalkeeper is about the best in the NHL at the moment. The Canucks’ 7-2-0 run back towards the playoff race in the Canadian division has been funded by Demko, who in his first season as an NHL starter is now 7-1 in March with a .951 save percentage. After Demko was forced to make 44 saves against the Senators in Monday’s 3-2 OT win, the Canucks helped him a little Wednesday by “limiting” Ottawa to 32 shots. But one of those was a breakaway save on Brady Tkachuk with 12 seconds left in overtime. And then, as if on a dare that it couldn’t be done from winning a faceoff in your own zone in the final seconds of OT, J.T. Miller’s unforced turnover gave Tkachuk another great look with two seconds remaining. None of Ottawa’s four shooters beat Demko in the shootout before Gaudette, who has only three actual goals this season, won it with the first shootout marker of his career. “I have to give credit to Clarkie, who gave me a couple of shootout ideas last year that I've been working on,” Gaudette said. “I just had a move in my mind and stuck with it.” Clarkie is goaltending coach Ian Clark, who is not only building Demko into a superior starter but apparently offering shooting tips to the Canucks’ young forwards. But no one is under any illusions about who deserves the most credit for the Canucks climbing within a game of .500, 15-16-2, and having the chance with games Friday and Saturday in Montreal to actually pass the Canadiens on points. “This is obviously a good stretch for not only myself, but the team,” Demko said. “I knew that I had some good games in me and I knew that we didn't have a great start to the year, so we had to start getting wins 1185510 Websites 2. Marc-Andre Fleury, Vegas 3. Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg

4. Semyon Varlamov, NY Islanders Sportsnet.ca / Breaking down the major NHL awards candidates at mid- season 5. Thatcher Demko, Vancouver (surprisingly, his “goals saved above expected” is third-best in the league).

Fleury’s re-emergence as a Vezina candidate for Vegas is a lot of fun, Justin Bourne@jtbourne and the return of Bubble Demko has given the Canucks and their fans March 17, 2021, 1:04 PM hope, rightly or wrongly. All worthy candidates above. One clear leader. CALDER TROPHY We made it! We've arrived at the halfway mark of the 2020-21 NHL We don’t have what I would term a “runaway” for this award at this point, season without complete disaster, as long as you’re willing to look past but there are a handful of worthy nominees. I’ve got it like this so far: that burning dumpster over there with the Sabres logo on it. 1. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota I’m a voting member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, so it 2. Kevin Lankinen, Chicago only makes sense around this time to start considering some front- runners for awards around the NHL. Below are those leaders, with some 3. Kaapo Kahkonen, Minnesota explanation for each below. (I’ve left out the Rocket Richard Trophy and the Art Ross, as the players vote for those with each puck they put in the 4. Tim Stützle, Ottawa back of the net.) 5. Igor Shesterkin, NY Rangers HART TROPHY Kaprizov isn’t the youngest rookie -- he turns 24 this season -- but he has 1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton been the most impactful on a team that badly needed his impact. Kaprizov has breathed a little bit of pop and excitement into a team that’s 2. Auston Matthews, Toronto lacked it for, well, basically ever. Combine Kaprizov with the guy I’ve got third on this list (goaltender Kahkonen), and the two have elevated the 3. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Wild to unexpected heights. 4. Patrick Kane, Chicago The biggest surprise on this list isn’t so much a name on it (Kevin 5. Aleksander Barkov, Florida/Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Lankinen, for example), it’s who isn’t on it. No. 1 overall pick Alexis Lafreniere has had a surprisingly quiet campaign to date, which more Breaking news: The best player in the world in his prime is playing like than anything goes to show just how impressive it is to excel in your first the best player in the world. We’ll keep the conversation about the top season in the NHL (particularly at a young age). Lafreniere is stuck on spot short, as McDavid’s leading the league in points by a sizeable seven points, having gone pointless in his last six outings. margin, which pairs nicely with the eye test of him turning defenders into ghosts any time he’s able to take three unencumbered strides through I have listed three goalies (I bet Shesterkin tops that group by season’s the neutral zone without getting tackled. He leads the league in my own end), and two players I consider must-see TV right now. Stützle is made up “offensive rush” stat: defenders-not-even-able-to-touch-his- absolute fire so far for the Senators. jersey-per-60. Remaining Time -0:50 Beyond that I think Matthews has been an absolute driving force for the Kaprizov skates a lap around entire Coyotes team before scoring division-leading Leafs, a constant threat that makes everyone around him better to a nearly immeasurable degree. Vasilevskiy is the best goalie in NORRIS TROPHY the world, full stop, and is a huge reason Tampa Bay is Tampa Bay yet again. And the Blackhawks are overachieving based on good 1. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay goaltending and Kane continuing to produce like few on earth can. 2. Cale Makar, Colorado Barkov and MacKinnon mostly suffer from lack of exposure. I watch a lot 3. Charlie McAvoy, Boston of Colorado and it’s just constantly apparent how heavily that team’s success is hitched to MacKinnon (who’ve I’ve twice voted as league 4. Jeff Petry, Montreal MVP, seeing him lose to Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl). Barkov is going to come up again in a second here, so maybe let’s get to that. 5. Adam Pelech, NY Islanders SELKE TROPHY This is a bit like the Selke for me -- so hard to know after just 30 games. What I do know is I believe Victor Hedman to be the best defenceman in 1. Aleksander Barkov, Florida the world, and he’s playing like it yet again. Cale Makar and Charlie McAvoy’s selections are at least partly analytically based, partly based 2. A bunch of other players, including: Mark Stone, Brad Marchand, Joel on how important they are to their respective teams, and partly the ol’ Eriksson-Ek, Phillip Danault, Joe Pavelski, , Patrice eye test -- how dynamic and in control of the game they seem every time Bergeron, Ryan O’Reilly, Zach Hyman. I see them play. More than any other award, I believe Selke suffers from small sample In spots four and five, I almost consider those placeholders for a dozen size. Defensive contribution is so tough to measure, as many hockey names right now, but if they’d played just as well for the next 30 games analysts will tell you it’s about doing the “little things” right. And since it they’d lock in those spots. At worst those votes today are honourable takes the consistent application of those “little things” to reveal mentions for players having excellent years who deserve more love. themselves as valuable over a whole season, declaring someone the “best defensive forward in the NHL” after 30 or less games is near Petry has piled up numbers and seems to be tracking to play as much impossible. That list, then, is comprised of those off to a good start TOI as the guy who usually gets the nod in these conversations, Shea combined with those who we know already exhibit those attributes. Weber. And Adam Pelech is in the top-five in the NHL (among D) in expected goals percentage, with his subtle impact constantly tipping the But, this is Barkov’s year to win it for me if he keeps playing like this. He run of play back down towards the opposing goal. He’s a huge reason drives all “advanced” stats in the right direction. The Panthers control the Isles are legitimately as defensively stout as their reputation. roughly two-thirds of the expected goals when Barkov is on the rink, which is pretty absurd. He’s one of the best forwards in defensive impact JACK ADAMS AWARD on the PK. He plays the toughest minutes for the Panthers. As I said, I have him at No. 1, and then like in cycling, a chase group behind. And finally, there’s the Jack Adams Award, another one the writers don’t vote on. A week back I tweeted this: VEZINA TROPHY In retrospect, I probably oversold Colliton (good goaltending can take a This one is heavily influenced by numbers each year, and the PHWA team a long way), and undersold Brind’Amour (the Canes have had a doesn’t vote on it (the GMs, knowers of all things goaltending -- wink, weird, COVID-tinged season and persevered through it all), but the wink -- vote on this one). sentiment mostly remains the same. There’s at least a half-dozen guys in the mix, with no one all that clearly in the driver’s seat. 1. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay (in a landslide) For my own purposes, I’ll note that when it comes down to actual voting time, I’ll be cracking into more video from around the league. There’s no doubt the Canadian Division has sucked up the bulk of digital ink around these parts, and so I’ll be making an effort to ensure I’ve seen every player enough times to be confident in my decision-making.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.18.2021 Websites Looking for a potential blockbuster? Dubas could try to work a multi-piece 1185511 deal with Jarmo Kekalainen that includes right-shot rental defenceman David Savard and/or a Columbus goaltender. We know the Jackets need picks and prospects. Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs' 7 best pure rental forward targets ahead of trade deadline Kyle Palmieri, New Jersey Devils, $4.65 million Something you should know is that William Nylander, a right shot, usually plays right wing but actually enjoys playing the left. So, importing another Luke Fox@lukefoxjukebox top-six righty to play alongside Tavares-Nylander isn’t such a crazy idea. March 17, 2021, 9:10 AM While his numbers have dipped during this contract year, the 30-year-old Palmieri has had five consecutive seasons in which he’s scored between 24 and 30 goals—without a ton of offensive talent on his line. TORONTO – In a perfect world, Kyle Dubas would be seeking to trade The Smithtown, N.Y., native has never played for a Canadian team, and for a player with some term on contract. The new guy would then hop a the Bruins and Islanders and are also said to have some level of interest same-day flight and be ready to pull over his new Toronto Maple Leafs in him. Palmieri holds an eight-team no-trade list. sweater within a matter of hours. And in that perfect world, the annual rise of the salary cap would help accommodate that player’s salary. The Devils and Leafs found common trade ground as recently as 2020, when Dubas sent Andreas Johnsson to Jersey for Joey Anderson. Well, we all know that the world ain’t so. Mikael Granlund, Minnesota Wild, $3.75 million cap hit “It’s a rare time where probably a rental is the better fit,” GM Dubas said Tuesday, surveilling his cap picture and the NHL marketplace. Granlund, 29, is three years removed from his last 20-goal, 60-point campaign and lingered on the 2020 UFA market for weeks before “In the summer, we had to move out some forwards that were good eventually re-upping in Music City for one more year. He has 10 points forwards for us in order to add on the back end. Thus, we feel like that's through 26 games for the Predators and has been given prime offensive an area where we may want to look at a little bit more, but I'm not opportunity. precluding anything at this point. I'd say most of the conversations are focused on forwards right now.” Versatile enough to play centre or wing, and with enough hockey sense to be juggled around the top nine, Granlund is an upgrade on the group. Dubas is all-in on his division-leading Leafs and would prefer to add But how significant? And at what price? ASAP to get a jump on any incoming U.S.-based acquisition’s 14-day quarantine. So, going by his prioritizing of a forward and acceptance of “Granlund has just been OK,” one Nashville-based source reports. the rental route, we’ve set aside the Filip Forsbergs, Rickard Rakells and “Anyone on offence not named Forsberg doesn’t seem to have chemistry Anthony Manthas for now. We made a list. with anyone else right now. Granlund and Forsberg have been the most consistent producers since last January with John Hynes as head Here — in order of cap hit (and headline-making) value — is a look at the coach.” top seven pending UFA forwards on selling teams that Dubas should inquire about. He likely already has. Eric Staal, Buffalo Sabres, $3.25 million cap hit Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks, $8.25 million cap hit Staal’s skill-set and experience as a pure centreman certainly fit the bill, but he too holds a 10-team no-trade list. Staal is reportedly not too keen A big, tough, experienced leader who throws hits, scores goals, wins on a 14-day quarantine in Canada and, while open to shuffling outta face-offs and comes with a championship pedigree. Yeah, we’d say Buffalo, would prefer a U.S. destination. Southern contenders like St. Getzlaf would settle the Maple Leafs’ 3C slot just nicely and strike fear in Louis, Florida and, yes, Carolina could have a leg up on the Leafs here. any club trying to match Toronto up the middle. “We like our team right now. I don't know why we would be looking at There are two massive hurdles here, however: Getzlaf’s cap hit and a full doing too much,” said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour, deferring the no-move clause that allows him to decide where, when or if he leaves his call to GM . “But everybody would want to have that guy family and his chicken coop in sunny California for a few months. around." "I talked to the agent last week. I've talked to Getzy a little bit," said Alex Iafallo, Los Angeles Kings, $2.425 million cap hit Ducks GM Bob Murray, per the Orange-County Register. "I'm tired of hearing this from Toronto anymore, how his name is out there (in trade Do Rob Blake and Dubas strike a match three years in a row? rumours). The only way Ryan Getzlaf would go anywhere is if he came to me and said, 'Bob, can you try and trade me to a contender?' The executives have already orchestrated deadline deals for Jake Muzzin (2019) and Jack Campbell plus Kyle Clifford (2020) in exchange "As for next year, we've talked and we're going to see how he feels after for futures—and now pending UFA Iafallo fits the Leafs’ wish list and their this year. We'll see how his body feels. We'll see how it's going. You price point. know, he may just say, 'I don't want to keep going through this rebuild we're doing here.' But the relationship is wonderful, and he's not going The catch is, Blake has announced publicly he’d like to ink 27-year-old anywhere." left-wing Iafallo to a contract extension. The Kings view him as a top-six asset and have the cap space to get a deal done. Another very complicated deal financially, and another star forward with full control to nix any trade proposal floated his GM’s way. The thing with If Iafallo — 17 points in 26 games, despite starting most shifts in the D- Hall is, who wouldn’t want to jump out of Buffalo right now and suddenly zone — does not put pen to paper by April 12, can Blake afford to let risk join a contender… particularly one so close to family? such a valuable asset walk for nothing during a rebuilding year? Yes, the 2018 Hart Trophy winner’s production has dropped off significantly (two goals, 14 assists), but Hall’s 2.8 shooting percentage is Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.18.2021 almost comically low compared to his career average (10.1 per cent). Imagine what patrolling the left side of Matthews-Marner or Tavares- Nylander would do for Hall’s engagement. Nick Foligno, Columbus Blue Jackets, $5.5 million cap hit It wouldn’t be a stretch to think of Foligno as another Zach Hyman type, only a half-decade older. A Swiss army knife who can complement elite playmakers, play responsible defence and help kill penalties, or drive his own line in the bottom six (see: Columbus vs. Toronto, 2020 bubble), Foligno is precisely the type of fearless character addition that improves your playoff chances. Foligno, 33, has some say in how his contract season ends — a 10-team no-trade list — and the loyal Blue Jackets captain isn’t the type to abandon ship. That said, Foligno does return to Sudbury, Ont., to visit family and friends in the off-season and would have no qualms dealing with the Toronto spotlight. He could always re-sign with Columbus in the summer. Websites “Exciting” is a word that came up frequently in my discussion with 1185512 Emerson, who struggled to find parts of Byfield’s game that haven’t left him impressed. Sportsnet.ca / Quinton Byfield ready to make most of shot in NHL, When pressed, Emerson said it’s Byfield’s skating that’s stood out the whenever it comes most. While he and the Kings knew of his talents before the draft, seeing them first-hand on a daily basis is an entirely different experience.

“His first three steps are absolutely lightning for a big guy and that's when ByMikeShulman you go, 'Holy cow, I've never seen this out of anyone before,’” he gushed. March 17, 2021, 9:27 AM “You're thinking back to every player that's gone through here or gone through the league, you see a guy who's 6-5, 220 and he has this ability out of corners to separate or to get out on plays or to go through the Quinton Byfield is still new to this whole living alone thing, and all the neutral zone. We see glimpses of that, and it just gets us out of our seat hazards that come with it. — it's actually incredible to watch.” For instance, it’s probably not a good idea to eat a steak that’s already It’s also an ability Byfield has had to channel more consciously as he’s been twice frozen and thawed. dealt with tougher competition at the AHL level. “My mom called me one night and I picked up and she said, ‘What am I “Just in transition, being a little bit faster there, because (in the OHL) you making? What am I eating?’ I said ‘The steak,’ and she's like 'Oh, did you could probably burn a lot of guys, (but in the AHL) a lot guys are just as already thaw it?' I said, 'Once before and then I froze it again,' and she fast as you or maybe even a little faster. So you gotta really take what's said, 'Oh, you can't eat that,” Byfield recalled with a laugh. given and use all your options,” he noted. “So that was a close call.” “And then getting zone play, guys are a lot stronger and they're a lot heavier in the corners, so you just gotta be moving your feet and you For the first time in his 18 years, Byfield is on his own without his parents, can't get pinned. Once you get pinned, it's hard to get out of those Nicole and Clinton, or a billet family to lean on while starring for the positions, so you just gotta roll with more deception and move your feet AHL’s Ontario Reign. in the O-zone.” Housed at an L.A. County apartment complex where he’s neighbours Quinton-ByfieldQuinton Byfield is seen here playing with the AHL's with many of his teammates on the Los Angeles Kings’ farm team, the Ontario Reign (Ontario Reign). second-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft is figuring out how to be self- sufficient, while learning the ropes of professional hockey. Though highlights have been hard to come by on an extremely young Reign squad (4-10-2) loaded with high-pedigree prospects, Byfield has Much like off the ice, there have been some stumbles as he’s faced new flashed his quick hands — in particular, his “exceptional” talent for challenges on the ice, but in 16 games for a Reign squad littered with stickhandling in tight or with the puck in his feet — as evidenced by this rookies, Byfield has held his own, notching two goals and seven assists, nasty, between-the-legs power-play feed to Akil Thomas on Feb. 12. good for sixth on the team. “Up in the NHL, we have a problem with making plays in the slot and “That's something I'm proud of: no matter what the score, wherever the shots from the slot, but our minor-league team and Quinton lead in a lot game's going, I think I'm always competing my hardest and just going of these categories on making plays to the slot,” Emerson said. against older guys and trying to impose (my will) as much as I can,” said Byfield. “Here's a guy who's 6-5, a big guy like that, who can skate, but he can also make those little plays. So, again, there's an example of why we get Just six months after he was selected by the Kings, the players taken excited about our club and the future that he will have.” before and after him, Alexis Lafreniere and Tim Stützle, respectively, both have more than 25 NHL games under their belts, prompting some When you add Byfield’s powerful, pro-level shot, which Nelson expects experts to argue he’d be picked third in a redraft. will only get harder and faster, into the equation, you’ve got all the components for a “special” player. It’s easy to forget Byfield — who officially clocks in at 6-4, 215 — was one of the youngest players in the 2020 draft, seven months younger That's without taking into account the early leadership he's shown as the than Stutzle and nearly a year younger than Lafreniere. highest-drafted Black player in NHL history as he's dealt with the burdens that come with being a BIPOC in a majority white sport. But the Newmarket, Ont., native embraces the inevitable comparisons, measuring himself against their accomplishments and engaging in a “He's a person who's ready, willing and he's out there. Again, as an 18- friendly rivalry with his former world juniors teammate, Lafreniere. year-old — that's a lot. Give him credit. I’ve been very proud of him and our whole organization is,” said Emerson. “(Lafreniere) sent me a text after I had my one night I showed up, I guess, at the world juniors — I had six points — he gave me a good *I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time. congratulation text there,” Byfield said self-deprecatingly. While there’s no doubt Byfield’s left a fantastic impression in an extended “We're always excited for each other and I gave him a text after he look that may have never happened without the pandemic, was it enough scored his first goal as well. So we're always just looking forward to to earn him a spot with the big club if and when the OHL — the lone getting the best out of each other. Canadian junior league not to resume play — begins its 2020-21 season? “You definitely want to be in the NHL and as soon as you can get there,” he continued. It’s a conversation the Kings’ brass engages in every day, concedes Emerson, and one that revolves around ensuring a decision that is in “So you're looking at guys that are in your draft year that are up there, Byfield’s best interest and results in him achieving his peak potential. knowing that you really want to be up there as well. So you definitely use that as motivation.” “We want to make sure when we decide to bring him up it's because it's the right situation for him,” said Emerson. This is, after all, the Quinton Byfield whose point-per-game pace of 1.822 last year with the Sudbury Wolves made for one of the best U18 seasons And while protecting Byfield from getting exposed in the NHL is a priority, in the OHL’s modern era. it’s also a priority to get him around potential role models on the Kings, in particular, captain Anze Kopitar, a player he’s often compared to. The Kings, for their part, say they’re fortunate to have Byfield under their direct supervision with the 2020-21 OHL season postponed indefinitely. “It's been phenomenal to watch him throughout his career, but this year it's just amazing what he's doing,” Emerson said of the 33-year-old pivot, “It's been a blessing for us. On our L.A. Kings team, we've got (Anze) who has two Cups and two Selkes to his name. Kopitar, as the No. 1 line centre, we've got Gabe Vilardi, who again is only 21-years old as a No. 2 centre — our centre position on the Kings, “We know that is important for Quinton, and we know it's important for we're doing well up top here — so we're able to kind of have this him to be around that to see that.” development process unfold with Quinton and that's exciting,” said Byfield, for his part, said he trusts the process and he’s grateful for his Nelson Emerson, the Kings’ director of player personnel, who praised experience in the AHL as it’s allowed him to get comfortable in L.A. and Byfield for his coachability. stay focused on hockey. But now he believes he’s ready for the next challenge — playing in the NHL and under the bright lights in Hollywood. “Whenever I get my shot, I'm gonna make the most of it and try to stay up there,” said Byfield.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.18.2021 Websites another indicator that Bergevin’s in win-now mode. Unafraid to make a 1185513 bold deal (or two, or three), it feels like Montreal could be a really interesting team here, especially with Ben Chiarot's injury opening up a spot. Sportsnet.ca / Five potential trade destinations for Predators defenceman Mattias Ekholm The Habs have a ton of draft capital, including a whopping 14 this year — their own first-rounder, two seconds and three thirds, for starters. There’s some uncertainty out there about the true value of 2021 picks, considering the lack of playing time for so many prospects this year. So, Emily Sadler@EmmySadler should Nashville desire 2022 picks, the Canadiens also still own all of March 17, 2021, 11:42 AM their picks for next year. Cap space will be an issue, so Bergevin would need to get creative, especially if he’s to also address some more scoring depth. Then again, when has Bergevin ever been afraid to get creative? The Nashville Predators are open for business, and Mattias Ekholm is Toronto Maple Leafs the most desirable trade target available. They set the asking price for a defender with term when they landed He's a top-four, two-way, puck-moving rearguard that will bring an instant Muzzin from the Kings… Now, can they do it again? upgrade to any contender's blue line, and his contract (he's still under contract for 2021-22, with a $3.75-million AAV) makes him a rare find. General manager Kyle Dubas made it clear Tuesday he’s working the phones and willing to deal top prospects to make this team better in its That affordable cap hit and term is also what’s helping drive up the price win-now efforts — and that he’s looking to act fast, as the mandatory to acquire him. federal quarantine means any deadline deals made on April 12 actually means acquiring a player on April 27 or 28. That's too late. As Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated in Monday’s edition of 31 Thoughts: The Podcast, the Predators are looking for "a (Jake) Muzzin Dubas indicated that a pure rental probably makes the most sense here, kind of package: Two prospects and a first-rounder. And someone's as it requires less salary-cap puzzling for the cap-strapped team, but gonna pay that." considering defence has often been the downfall here, a player like Ekholm could make a massive impact and enable the club to roll out Ahead of the 2019 trade deadline, the Maple Leafs sent prospects Carl three really strong pairings with a stable left-shot D anchoring each. Grundstrom (a 2016 second-rounder) and then-unsigned Sean Durzi (2018 second-rounder) and their 2019 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Philadelphia Flyers Kings in exchange for Muzzin, whose age, role and cap hit at the time were all very comparable to Ekholm. If Ekholm was just a pure rental on an expiring deal, it might be tough to see Philadelphia really going for it with him. While their usual division is So, the price is set. Where to? difficult come playoff time, the re-aligned East is looking even tougher. Do they truly believe this is the year? "Winnipeg, I think, is in. Boston is in. I've had some questions about whether or not Toronto is in,” Friedman said on the podcast. “I’ve heard, Ekholm’s term would see this move make a lot of sense. The Flyers are at times, Montreal is in, but I've also had people tell me that Montreal's building something special with a surge of young talent coming in and a not, so I don't know what to make of that. The other wild card there is star in net, and the addition of a veteran, versatile rearguard to help Philly.” guide things on the blue line would be a worthy investment that doesn’t just help their odds of a run this year but next year, too. There’s no doubt Ekholm is generating a ton of interest elsewhere, too, but let’s start there. Philly’s got a deep pool of prospects and all their top picks for the next few years, which puts them in position to land a big name should they Winnipeg Jets choose to make a deal. With a star-studded group of scorers up front and the reigning Vezina Trophy winner backstopping the club within reach of the North Division lead, the Winnipeg Jets are only missing one piece: another defender. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.18.2021 On the ice, Ekholm makes a ton of sense here. The right-left shot balance might need some adjustments to accommodate another left shot, but the Jets have built their blue line on versatility and that’s what Ekholm brings in spades. Adjustments will need to be made on the payroll, too, as the Jets are ride up against the cap. Free from their usual Central Division neighbours, the Jets have the best shot they’ve had in a long time to make a substantial playoff run, with U.S. Western Conference heavyweights at least two rounds away. However, considering the Predators also reside in that Central Division once they're de-aligned… will GM David Poile really want to sell within the division? Another name that’s been floated here is David Savard, should GM Kevin Cheveldayoff wish to circle back to his Columbus trade partner in Jarmo Kekalainen. Boston Bruins Anyone who thought the Bruins’ blue line would take a step back (guilty!) in the wake of losing captain Zdeno Chara and top-four rearguard Torey Krug was clearly mistaken. Boston currently has the third-best goals against per game (2.33) and has been excellent at suppressing opponents’ shot counts, averaging a second-best 26.9 per contest. So, with a strong defence, do they really need to add? Yes. While bringing in a source of secondary scoring should be a priority in their push for the playoffs, few teams understand better than the Bruins the importance of a solid, deep blue line in the post-season than the Bruins. Ekholm would be a huge add here, and with the window of contention still very much open, bringing in a D-man with a little term extends that even more. Montreal Canadiens A busy off-season of acquisitions checked off multiple boxes and showed us that GM Marc Bergevin isn’t waiting around to win. A mid-season coaching change amid what has been a roller-coaster campaign is Websites Krueger will still collect a $3.75-million salary through 2021-22, as the 1185514 search for his replacement begins immediately. Adams, who will also be hiring an assistant GM, refuses to put a timeline or a list of qualifications on that hire. Sportsnet.ca / Sabres 'open to anything and everything' after firing Ralph Krueger "This is about getting the right person — and it’s critical," Adams said. "I do believe every crisis is an opportunity for positive change."

For an executive who was told to fire 22 staff members upon his own hire Luke Fox@lukefoxjukebox in June, more change is coming. March 17, 2021, 2:18 PM Adams is open for business at the trade deadline, and he noted the volume of calls coming his way.

The GM’s own first two significant acquisitions, Taylor Hall and Eric The Great Pit of Carkoon may be the fictional desert home for the Staal, must be flipped into longer-term assets, and conversations monstrous sarlacc that greedily consumes any living sacrifice dropped regarding potentially waving Hall’s no-move clause have begun. into its gaping maw. "We're open to anything and everything," Adams said. Or Star Wars’ infamous sarlacc pit might well be located out back of the rink, a blaster’s shot away from the KeyBank Center, where the latest The less urgent but more important matter surrounding the rebuild of the victims of the Buffalo Sabres organizational chart can be devoured. rebuild is the future of superstar Eichel, under contract through 2026. His no-move clause, however, kicks in after the 2021-22 season. One by one, new hopes arrive to Western New York. Adams informed his captain of Krueger’s firing Wednesday morning but They come with promise and plans, energy and enthusiasm. did not divulge Eichel’s reaction. The GM also bobbed and weaved when One by one, the results — all that losing — swallows them whole. asked directly about the speculation surrounding Eichel’s future in Buffalo, home of the NHL’s longest playoff drought. Head coach Ralph Krueger and assistant Steve Smith, a pair of fresh casualties, were handed their walking papers by rookie GM Kevyn "From the beginning, one of the things I said was, building a relationship Adams on St. Patrick’s Day morning amidst a 12-game losing trench and with Jack was important. We've spoken at length in the off-season and a dead-last 6-18-4 campaign. into the season," Adams said. "Jack knows my door’s always open. We talk regular." Another reason to day drink in Buffalo. The Eichel issue, much like the Krueger issue, boils down to one thing: "It feels like we're in a very deep, dark place right now," Krueger had said winning. after being shut out for a fourth time during the skid. "And the only way we get into any light is keeping the fight in the team and sticking together. Adams has called for more pride. But can pride exist without wins? We're not going to get any outside help or pity." "Let's not overcomplicate this," Adams said. "We want to be better. We With no experienced president of hockey ops to turn to, we pity the plight have to be better. And we will be better." of Adams here. We do. They better be better. Caught between an ill-advised ownership group (Terry and Kim Pegula) Because it can’t get much worse… can it? and a rookie interim coach (the suddenly promoted Don Granato), Adams put on a brave face and said mostly the right things after Krueger’s dismal record — 36-49-12, with a minus-59 goal differential — forced his hand. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.18.2021 To his credit, Adams did not act like the meme dog with the top hat sipping coffee as the house burns down around him. This is not fine. And the first step to solving the problem is acknowledging how deep the rotten runs. "We have to be better in every single area of this organization. It starts with me. I need to manage better," Adams said. "We need to coach better. We need to scout better. We need to develop players better. We need to practise better. I mean, you name it, we need to do it better. Period." Adams went on: "There has to be a pride that goes with putting on a Buffalo Sabres jersey. There has to be a pride of showing up every day and being a National Hockey League player, of looking around and saying, ‘I'm one of the 700 [or so] to get to do this every day.’ And that has to be something that just is inside you and drives you to be better every single day. To love to look around the city of Buffalo and see Sabres hats and signs and people wearing jerseys — that matters, and that has to be within the DNA of our team." In a month that has also seen Darryl Sutter drive from the farm to the bench, the conclusion of the Krueger experience is both a failure for the out-of-the-box bench hires and another example that coaching can’t solve what ails this roster. Face of the franchise Jack Eichel raved about Krueger in Year 1 of his transition from European soccer back to North American hockey, then put up an MVP-conversation performance in 2019-20. Krueger played an integral role helping Adams recruit fellow ex-Oiler Taylor Hall in the 2020 off-season. But injuries, a harsh bout of COVID, mediocre goaltending, a treacherous East division and multiple cap-crushing contracts conspired to turn a bad team worse. Again, the coach — one Adams maintains the players love and respect (and, yet, did not play hard for?) — takes the fall. The PegulEra began in 2011 and has mowed through six coaches already: Lindy Ruff, , Ted Nolan, Dan Bylsma, Phil Housley and Krueger. 1185515 Websites Goals for: 3.21 per game (10th-highest in the NHL) Goals against: 2.61 per game (9th-lowest in the NHL)

Power play: 22.1 per cent (13th-best in the NHL) Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens mid-season report: Consistency key after turbulent first half Penalty kill: 76.2 per cent (22nd-best in the NHL) Best surprise: Joel Edmundson Eric Engels@EricEngels How many people celebrated when this 27-year-old, whose rights were traded from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Canadiens for a fifth-round March 17, 2021, 10:50 AM pick, signed a four-year, $14-million contract? Bergevin seemed excited to be getting a six-foot-four, 227-pound Stanley The Montreal Canadiens have been hard to get a proper read on through Cup winner who plays like you’d want a player his size to play but also half of this abbreviated season. skates better than most players his size do. The Canadiens were pretty jazzed about it, too. And we agreed with an executive who texted us right They’re a team that won seven of its first 10 games before losing 12 of away to tell us he thought this was a good deal. the next 18. They’re a team that still picked up points in five of those 12 losses but failed to grab a single extra one available in those games. A But several in the analytics community called it a disaster, and fans piled team that had goaltending and identity crises that led to an extended on after Edmundson struggled to adjust to Montreal’s system within his losing spell and several changes to the coaching staff, but one that has first game in bleu, blanc et rouge. been in a playoff spot all the way through. He’s since proven to be a perfect partner for Jeff Petry and is an NHL- They’re good, but flawed. They’re deep at every position, but shallow in leading plus-26 despite matching up nightly against some of the league’s game-breaking talent. best forwards featured in the North Division. This is stuff we knew about the Canadiens going into the season, stuff Edmundson also has a goal and eight points, which puts him on pace to even general manager Marc Bergevin knew when he said prior to the land just four points shy of his career-high of 20 in 68 games last season. start, “We mean business, we’re here to win, and we can play anyway Tyler Toffoli, who signed a four-year, $17-million deal is a close second you want.” in the “best surprise” category. Granted, we knew he’d score goals — it’s He said on Tuesday, during his mid-season press briefing, that his belief why he was signed and what he’s done to great effect throughout his in that statement hasn’t wavered, despite the inconsistency from the nine-year NHL career — but 17 in 28 games has him on pace to surpass Canadiens he’s seen to date. his career-high (31 goals in 82 games in 2016) before he even reaches Game 56. “It did not change,” Bergevin said. “It’s a tough league. Every night it’s a battle, and I expect the same down the road. We have to make the It’s Price, but with a caveat. Because he was sub-.900 in save playoffs. I feel we have a team to make the playoffs. And once we get in, percentage through his first 12 starts, costing Stephane Waite his job, but I feel anything is possible. Like I said, it’s hard. I call it a one-goal league. he’s since posted a .950 save percentage over his last six and appears Every night it’s a one-goal league…” to be heeding the advice of new goaltending coach Sean Burke. He referenced his goaltending duo of Carey Price and Jake Allen as a At least Price turned it around at some point, which is not what you would reason to believe the Canadiens will more often than not allow one less say of the penalty kill. than their opponents. He said that his young centres — Jesperi Granted, the struggles in this department to start can at least be partially Kotkaniemi (20), Nick Suzuki (21) and Jake Evans (a 24-year-old rookie) tied to Price’s early season struggles. — have gone through typical ups and downs but are fighting through them and progressing. And he re-affirmed that expectations for the team But the penalty kill hasn’t improved despite Price’s recent strong play. remain as high as they were at any point over the last three months. And it’s arguably the biggest disappointment, regardless of how good the power plays are in this division, because the Canadiens have so many But Bergevin also essentially said that he doesn’t see much difference players suited to killing penalties who are playing in front of two excellent between the Canadiens and every other team he considers to be good. goaltenders. “I was speaking to another GM who has a very good hockey team, and Ducharme said the strategy, overseen by defence coach Luke he was saying to me, ‘One day we play well and the next day I don’t Richardson, didn’t need to change. But it’s the same strategy that led the recognize my team. I can’t understand how we have such ups and Canadiens to being sub-standard in this department last season and downs,’” he said. “There’s lots of teams going through the same thing. they’ve done even worse there since. Philadelphia has had tough periods, but I think they’re a good team. In general, I don’t know if it’s just the parity but, mentally, certain teams are Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey having a harder time with the bubble and all the Covid restrictions. But, at world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what the same time, there’s 31 teams in the same position. they think about it. “Anyways, we’re not the only team going through it. Even Toronto has Biggest question for the second half: Can the Canadiens prove Bergevin lost five of six and they’re a very good hockey team. We look just at the right? Canadiens, and me too, but I’m also trying to evaluate what’s going on around the NHL and there’s a lot of things that look the same.” Provided they stay relatively healthy, the Canadiens have a chance to prove they’re exactly who Bergevin said they were before this season got Now it’s time to see if his team can differentiate itself. underway. With the exception of Ben Chiarot, who will miss the next six weeks as he Assistant captain Brendan Gallagher said over the weekend that he recovers from a fractured right hand, the Canadiens are healthy. There’s believes they’ll do it. a chance they’ll be bolstered ahead of the trade deadline, if Bergevin can clear enough cap space to fill some key needs. They’ve also found their “I wouldn’t be playing if I don’t believe that we can eventually be a footing in the new system Dominique Ducharme has installed since Stanley Cup champion team,” he said. “Every single year I talk to you taking over as head coach for Claude Julien three weeks ago. guys, that’s the goal. Have we had better chances in the past? I don’t know if we have. I think this might be — depth-wise, talent-wise — the And if the Canadiens are who Bergevin believes they are, it’s time for best team I’ve been able to play on. And I’ve played on some really good them to show it. teams that went deep in the playoffs and kind had what it took… “What I want to see from my team is consistency in the system,” said “For me, when I look at this roster, there’s really no excuse for us to not Montreal centre Phillip Danault, who may as well have been speaking for be competing for the ultimate prize at the end of the year. I have a lot of Bergevin, Ducharme, the rest of the coaches, his teammates and all confidence in this group, I have a lot of confidence in the players we have Canadiens fans when he spoke on Tuesday. “Doing all those little things to get the job done. And I think what gives me that confidence is we have that Dom’s asking — it works. So, just gotta apply it for the next 28 a lot of guys that, when we go through tough times, respond the right games.” way. And we’re going to deal with a lot more of it as the season goes on. When you look at the character of this locker room, I really have a strong Key team stats belief in it and hopefully I’m right.” Team Record: 13-8-7, (3rd in points percentage in the North Division)

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185516 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Penguins' Burke: Tanev ejection was 'a clean hit all day long'

Mike Johnston@MikeyJ_MMA March 17, 2021, 4:25 PM

Pittsburgh Penguins team president Brian Burke didn’t agree with the major penalty and game misconduct handed out to forward Brandon Tanev during Tuesday’s 2-1 regulation loss to the Boston Bruins. Tanev was assessed a five-minute penalty for boarding and was tossed from the game midway through the second period for delivering an open- ice hit that resulted in Bruins defenceman Jarred Tinordi sustaining an upper-body injury. Burke, who was hired by the Penguins in February, was a guest on Tuesday's edition of , where he discussed the play with former colleagues Jeff Marek and Justin Bourne. “If I were still working for Sportsnet, I would have the same view,” Burke said. “If I were working for the Boston Bruins, I would have the same view. That to me is a clean hit. “I don’t understand the major penalty. I don’t understand the minor penalty. It’s way far away from the boards. It’s not one of those ones where you’re close enough to the boards and far enough away that you’re like, ‘Geez you can’t hit the guy there, you gotta let up.’ It’s a chest-to-chest hit. There’s no shove. There’s no high stick. There’s no elevation. That’s a clean hit all day long for me. It’s not even a minor penalty.” Burke was not in attendance at Tuesday’s game but was watching on TV and thought the major penalty would be overturned following a review. But that didn’t happen. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby spoke to reporters and expressed some confusion over how the game was called. “I hope as players we get some clarity on what’s a good hit and what’s not,” Crosby said during in his post-game media availability. “It’s tough to really gauge when you’re out there. I know it’s fast, but right now, it’s really hard to know what is in fact clean and what’s not. And when you’re out there playing, it’s important that you do know that.” Prior to Tanev’s hit on Tinordi, Evgeni Malkin was on the receiving end of a Tinordi check that resulted in Malkin leaving the game, yet no penalty was called. “I don’t think (Tanev) had any intent there,” Crosby said. “I hope Tinordi’s OK. He went in pretty awkward. But I don’t think there was any intent. I thought he hit him clean. He hit him timely as far as the puck being there. (Tinordi) did go in awkwardly, so you never like to see that. But I didn’t think it warranted a five-minute (penalty).” Tanev scored his team’s lone goal prior to his ejection. “That’s a clean hit and I’d say the same thing if it was my player that got hit,” Burke added. The Penguins have gone 13-5-0 since the team hired Burke and new general manager Ron Hextall roughly five weeks ago.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.18.2021 1185517 Websites 1. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay (in a landslide) 2. Marc-Andre Fleury, Vegas

3. Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Sportsnet.ca / Breaking down the major NHL awards candidates at mid- season 4. Semyon Varlamov, NY Islanders 5. Thatcher Demko, Vancouver (surprisingly, his “goals saved above expected” is third-best in the league). Justin Bourne@jtbourne Fleury’s re-emergence as a Vezina candidate for Vegas is a lot of fun, March 17, 2021, 1:04 PM and the return of Bubble Demko has given the Canucks and their fans hope, rightly or wrongly. All worthy candidates above. One clear leader. We made it! We've arrived at the halfway mark of the 2020-21 NHL CALDER TROPHY season without complete disaster, as long as you’re willing to look past We don’t have what I would term a “runaway” for this award at this point, that burning dumpster over there with the Sabres logo on it. but there are a handful of worthy nominees. I’ve got it like this so far: I’m a voting member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, so it 1. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota only makes sense around this time to start considering some front- runners for awards around the NHL. Below are those leaders, with some 2. Kevin Lankinen, Chicago explanation for each below. (I’ve left out the Rocket Richard Trophy and the Art Ross, as the players vote for those with each puck they put in the 3. Kaapo Kahkonen, Minnesota back of the net.) 4. Tim Stützle, Ottawa HART TROPHY 5. Igor Shesterkin, NY Rangers 1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Kaprizov isn’t the youngest rookie -- he turns 24 this season -- but he has 2. Auston Matthews, Toronto been the most impactful on a team that badly needed his impact. Kaprizov has breathed a little bit of pop and excitement into a team that’s 3. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay lacked it for, well, basically ever. Combine Kaprizov with the guy I’ve got third on this list (goaltender Kahkonen), and the two have elevated the 4. Patrick Kane, Chicago Wild to unexpected heights. 5. Aleksander Barkov, Florida/Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado The biggest surprise on this list isn’t so much a name on it (Kevin Breaking news: The best player in the world in his prime is playing like Lankinen, for example), it’s who isn’t on it. No. 1 overall pick Alexis the best player in the world. We’ll keep the conversation about the top Lafreniere has had a surprisingly quiet campaign to date, which more spot short, as McDavid’s leading the league in points by a sizeable than anything goes to show just how impressive it is to excel in your first margin, which pairs nicely with the eye test of him turning defenders into season in the NHL (particularly at a young age). Lafreniere is stuck on ghosts any time he’s able to take three unencumbered strides through seven points, having gone pointless in his last six outings. the neutral zone without getting tackled. He leads the league in my own I have listed three goalies (I bet Shesterkin tops that group by season’s made up “offensive rush” stat: defenders-not-even-able-to-touch-his- end), and two players I consider must-see TV right now. Stützle is jersey-per-60. absolute fire so far for the Senators. Beyond that I think Matthews has been an absolute driving force for the Kaprizov skates a lap around entire Coyotes team before scoring division-leading Leafs, a constant threat that makes everyone around him better to a nearly immeasurable degree. Vasilevskiy is the best goalie in NORRIS TROPHY the world, full stop, and is a huge reason Tampa Bay is Tampa Bay yet again. And the Blackhawks are overachieving based on good 1. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay goaltending and Kane continuing to produce like few on earth can. 2. Cale Makar, Colorado Barkov and MacKinnon mostly suffer from lack of exposure. I watch a lot 3. Charlie McAvoy, Boston of Colorado and it’s just constantly apparent how heavily that team’s success is hitched to MacKinnon (who’ve I’ve twice voted as league 4. Jeff Petry, Montreal MVP, seeing him lose to Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl). Barkov is going to come up again in a second here, so maybe let’s get to that. 5. Adam Pelech, NY Islanders McDavid makes insane no-look between the legs pass on Draisaitl's hat This is a bit like the Selke for me -- so hard to know after just 30 games. trick goal What I do know is I believe Victor Hedman to be the best defenceman in the world, and he’s playing like it yet again. Cale Makar and Charlie SELKE TROPHY McAvoy’s selections are at least partly analytically based, partly based on how important they are to their respective teams, and partly the ol’ 1. Aleksander Barkov, Florida eye test -- how dynamic and in control of the game they seem every time 2. A bunch of other players, including: Mark Stone, Brad Marchand, Joel I see them play. Eriksson-Ek, Phillip Danault, Joe Pavelski, Anthony Cirelli, Patrice In spots four and five, I almost consider those placeholders for a dozen Bergeron, Ryan O’Reilly, Zach Hyman. names right now, but if they’d played just as well for the next 30 games More than any other award, I believe Selke suffers from small sample they’d lock in those spots. At worst those votes today are honourable size. Defensive contribution is so tough to measure, as many hockey mentions for players having excellent years who deserve more love. analysts will tell you it’s about doing the “little things” right. And since it Petry has piled up numbers and seems to be tracking to play as much takes the consistent application of those “little things” to reveal TOI as the guy who usually gets the nod in these conversations, Shea themselves as valuable over a whole season, declaring someone the Weber. And Adam Pelech is in the top-five in the NHL (among D) in “best defensive forward in the NHL” after 30 or less games is near expected goals percentage, with his subtle impact constantly tipping the impossible. That list, then, is comprised of those off to a good start run of play back down towards the opposing goal. He’s a huge reason combined with those who we know already exhibit those attributes. the Isles are legitimately as defensively stout as their reputation. But, this is Barkov’s year to win it for me if he keeps playing like this. He JACK ADAMS AWARD drives all “advanced” stats in the right direction. The Panthers control roughly two-thirds of the expected goals when Barkov is on the rink, And finally, there’s the Jack Adams Award, another one the writers don’t which is pretty absurd. He’s one of the best forwards in defensive impact vote on. A week back I tweeted this: on the PK. He plays the toughest minutes for the Panthers. As I said, I have him at No. 1, and then like in cycling, a chase group behind. In retrospect, I probably oversold Colliton (good goaltending can take a team a long way), and undersold Brind’Amour (the Canes have had a VEZINA TROPHY weird, COVID-tinged season and persevered through it all), but the sentiment mostly remains the same. There’s at least a half-dozen guys in This one is heavily influenced by numbers each year, and the PHWA the mix, with no one all that clearly in the driver’s seat. doesn’t vote on it (the GMs, knowers of all things goaltending -- wink, wink -- vote on this one). For my own purposes, I’ll note that when it comes down to actual voting time, I’ll be cracking into more video from around the league. There’s no doubt the Canadian Division has sucked up the bulk of digital ink around these parts, and so I’ll be making an effort to ensure I’ve seen every player enough times to be confident in my decision-making. Let us know in the comments below who you think deserves more love for these awards, and enjoy the season’s second half!

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.18.2021 Websites Marchand turns 33. There aren’t going to be many more kicks at Lord 1185518 Stanley’s can with this core as currently constituted.

Then there is a smaller list of “soft” buyers searching for specific needs: Trade Bait: Examining the NHL’s buyers and sellers ahead of Edmonton Oilers: In need of either a scoring left winger or a second- TradeCentre pairing left-shooting defenceman, but the Oilers are not interested in rentals and not willing to move draft picks. Tough spot. By Frank Seravalli Calgary Flames: GM has been seeking an impact right- shooting winger for months after trying Josh Leivo and Dominik Simon, TSN Senior Hockey Reporter but the prices are high, and the Flames have their work cut out for them in the standings.

Washington Capitals: Rather than nibble around the edges with depth The list of potentially limiting factors ahead of the National Hockey forwards or defencemen, the Caps are keeping an eye on their young League’s April 12 trade deadline is not a short one. There are salary cap goaltending. Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek have carried the ball, but constraints, budgetary influences and, yes, quarantine restrictions – all of they have a combined zero playoff starts between them. which could curtail the action. Pittsburgh Penguins: Pittsburgh’s goaltending has improved in recent Then there is the market itself. weeks, so it’s possible new GM Ron Hextall targets forward depth help – As one GM asked this week: How many teams are actually buying? with little interest in moving future assets. Turns out, the number of firm buyers seems to be down this season. St. Louis Blues: The Blues have a chance to soon look like a different The reason could be any one of the above. It could also be the pure team. Vladimir Tarasenko is back, Jaden Schwartz, Robert Thomas, intra-divisional play format, which has created a clearer dichotomy of Tyler Bozak, Colton Parayko and Ivan Barbashev are all working their teams than the usual conference format. way there. They might not need anyone. Or it could be that without fans in most buildings, there is limited financial Tampa Bay Lightning: “We have literally zero cap space,” GM Julien incentive for GMs to pull off a trade that might win an extra round. BriseBois said recently. And it might be more difficult if Nikita Kucherov is healthy before the season ends and the Lightning must find a way to fit In most years, an extra round of home games could mean anywhere him into the cap in order to be able to use him for the playoffs. from $4 million to $10 million in additional revenue on the bottom line. Managers aren’t facing the same pressure, and that means more teams Neutral Trade Deadline Teams: Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild, than usual are neutral on the deadline – neither buyers nor sellers. Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers. With that in mind, here is our list of buyers: Sellers: Ottawa Senators, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, Arizona 1. Toronto Maple Leafs: GM Kyle Dubas hopes to make a trade ASAP? Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Check. Willing to trade a top prospect? Yep. Would prefer a rental Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks. player? Indeed. Primary goal: A middle-six forward? Yes, the Leafs check all of the classic buyer boxes as they attempt to make hay in a So, who is available? unique year before some roster surgery is required with Zach Hyman and Here is TSN Hockey’s latest Trade Bait board, which always seeks to Frederik Andersen as pending free agents. blend a player’s prominence with his likelihood of a trade. 2. Winnipeg Jets: GM Kevin Cheveldayoff also wasn’t shy this week in hiding his intention to add to the Jets. He’d prefer a rental defenceman, primarily for Expansion Draft considerations. The thinking is that TSN.CA LOADED: 03.18.2021 Winnipeg is in need of a shut-off valve, a blueliner who can break up the cycle and get the puck quickly to the high-octane forwards that fuel the Jets. 3. New York Islanders: The Islanders were looking for help before announcing captain Anders Lee would miss the remainder of the season on Wednesday with a torn ACL. Now GM Lou Lamoriello confirmed they would be aggressive with $5.5 million in LTIR space: “We’re always trying to find a scoring a scoring winger, even without Anders’ situation. If we can, we will.” 4. Carolina Hurricanes: The red-hot Canes are third in the Central and fourth in the entire league in points percentage. What most people don’t realize about Carolina, which made three deadline day deals last February, is that they are more open to change and more eager to sniff around for opportunities to improve than most. 5. Vegas Golden Knights: The Golden Knights have proven to be the gold standard in the West Division through the first half of the season. They’ve got the second-best goal differential in the league, a great goaltender, and they pack a scoring punch. The only area Vegas seems not quite up to Stanley Cup standard is down the middle. 6. Colorado Avalanche: It’s been an odd, injury-filled year for one of the Stanley Cup favourites. It’s difficult to imagine GM Joe Sakic not pulling the trigger on a trade between now and April 12, particularly in net, to help support Philipp Grubauer in case of another untimely injury. We shall see. 7. Philadelphia Flyers: This is the season that the Flyers were supposed to take the next step. Right now, they’re on the outside, looking in at a playoff spot. GM Chuck Fletcher seems smitten with a defenceman (Mattias Ekholm?) to properly replace Matt Niskanen. It’s a delicate dance in the East, where the line is so thin between missing and potentially reaching Round 3. 8. Boston Bruins: The Bruins are blurring that same line as the Flyers, both competing for the same spot. It’s been a transition year on the backend in Boston, but this is the final year of David Krejci’s and Tuukka Rask’s deal, Patrice Bergeron turns 36 in the summer, and Brad Websites Vancouver on Feb. 6, and Wednesday was Simmonds’ first practice 1185519 since the injury.

Keefe had Simmonds slotted on the fourth line with Pierre Engvall and TSN.CA / Galchenyuk appears close to making Maple Leafs debut Jason Spezza, but the jury is still out on his weekend availability. “I think when you come back from a wrist injury, you want to be cognizant that you can make every single movement that's required,” Simmonds By Kristen Shilton said. “[If you] jump into it too quickly you're going to leave the team short- handed with a guy who's not necessarily being used the way he should be used. Making sure I can handle my own area [is key], whether that's TORONTO — Alex Galchenyuk isn’t looking for guarantees from the shooting or playing pucks on the wall with confidence. If they allow me to Maple Leafs on when he might finally step into the lineup. But if go, maybe I'll be able to go but for now we're just playing it by ear.” Wednesday’s practice was any indication, the veteran winger is close to Simmonds had been steadily building momentum prior to getting hurt, his Toronto debut. recording five goals in six games (including two on the night on his Toronto recalled Galchenyuk from the AHL Marlies just before injury). Through the Leafs’ first six games of the season, Simmonds had Wednesday's session began, and coach Sheldon Keefe slotted him zero points. directly on to the Leafs’ second line with John Tavares and William His return could also be a boost for Toronto’s lagging power play. Since Nylander. Simmonds has been out, the Leafs are 11th overall with the extra man Galchenyuk has been primarily in the American Hockey League since (22.9 per cent), compared to second overall (38.5 per) in the 12 games Toronto acquired him via trade with Carolina on Feb. 15, and the when he was dressed. In a net-front role, Simmonds has added three promotion was a testament to his hard work. goals this season on the power play. “He's been very humble going down, [especially] for a guy that's never “I felt like I was starting to get into a little bit of a groove there,” played in the AHL,” Keefe said to reporters on a post-practice Zoom call. Simmonds said. “It’s hockey; sometimes people get hurt, so that was “The staff down there, they can't say enough good things about how he's unfortunate. But I think the boys have done a pretty good job of being handled himself and put the work in and how he's engaged with all the lively. I’ve tried to get in with the boys as much as I possibly could over other players. We’re thrilled to have him, and thrilled with how he's the last four or five weeks here and mix it up, just to keep my sanity [too], conducted himself. The organization has put a lot of time and effort into and try to add a little bit to the group as well.” him, and he's received it very well.” Toronto has another day of practice scheduled for Thursday before Keefe noted players don't always take well to minor-league stints, but Keefe has to make any decisions for Friday’s game. In addition to seeing Galchenyuk seemed to relish the reset. how Simmonds’ wrist is feeling, the status of goaltender Jack Campbell will also have an impact on the Leafs’ roster plans. In recent years, the 27-year-old has been through a host of ups and downs. Drafted in the first round, third overall, by Montreal in the 2012 Campbell originally injured his leg in a start on Jan. 24, and then re- NHL Entry Draft, Galchenyuk enjoyed six productive seasons with the aggravated the issue in his first game back on Feb. 27. The netminder Canadiens before being traded to Arizona in June 2018. One year later, hasn’t suited up since due to the nagging nature of the problem, but he was moved to Pittsburgh, and in Feb. 2020 was traded to Minnesota. there’s a possibility he’ll be ready to play in the second half of the Leafs’ back-to-back on Saturday. Galchenyuk signed as a free agent with Ottawa in Oct. 2020, only to be traded once again on Feb. 13 to Carolina. The Hurricanes subsequently Getting any injured bodies back would be a boost for Toronto. The Leafs placed Galchenyuk on waivers, then orchestrated a trade that sent him to entered this four-day break from game action on a two-game losing Toronto for Yegor Korshkov and David Warsofsky after he cleared. streak, and are 1-5-0 in their past six. Despite Galchenyuk having 557 NHL games under his belt, with 136 Keefe gave his group Monday and Tuesday off to rest, and let them know goals and 321 points to his credit, the Leafs didn’t rush him into service. now is the time to work. He was first assigned to work with their skill coaches, including skating “I'm certainly hopeful that [the down time is] going to do a great deal to consultant Barb Underhill, before beginning a six-game stint with the reset the group,” Keefe said. "The expectation is whatever it might have Marlies. been that has caused us to dip a little bit here – whether it's fatigue, Galchenyuk shone there on the team’s top line with Nic Petan and Alex execution, habits, mental mistakes, whatever it is – between the practice Barabanov, recording two goals and eight points before Wednesday’s time, and the rest, our perspective is that those things should be fixed, recall. and we should be back to playing at our best.” “I'm happy that I kept progressing with each game,” Galchenyuk said of his AHL play. "It keeps getting better and better. I played a lot of ice time, TSN.CA LOADED: 03.18.2021 played in a lot of different situations, and I haven't done that in a year or so. To go down there and find my game and to bring it here, that was huge for me.” It could also be big for Toronto’s forward depth, which took a hit on Wednesday when Jimmy Vesey was claimed off waivers by Vancouver. The Leafs were looking for some cap and roster flexibility when they put Vesey on the wire, and according to CapFriendly have now freed up approximately $333,519 in space ahead of the April 12 trade deadline. General manager Kyle Dubas spoke with media on Tuesday, making it clear that Toronto is ready to deal, with “most of the conversations focused on [acquiring] forwards right now.” Before any moves get made, it would make sense for the Leafs to take a look at what they potentially have in Galchenyuk, who is playing on a one-year, $1.05 million contract. Already the club has gone out of its way to make Galchenyuk feel part of the team. “I'm really comfortable here in Toronto and with the organization,” he said. “The time they're putting in to work on me and get my game back where it needs to be, it's amazing. I really appreciate it and I'm just going keep sticking to it and do my best.” As Galchenyuk eyes his opportunity in the Leafs’ lineup come Friday or Saturday against Calgary, Wayne Simmonds is nearing a return from injury. It’s been nearly six weeks since the winger broke his wrist against Websites but the Islanders overall are still in great shape to make the playoffs 1185520 again. – Evans

Stanley Cup winner USA TODAY / NHL second-half predictions: On trades, MVP, Stanley Colorado Avalanche: The Avalanche, who are in third place in the West Cup winner Division, are one point out of second place and three points back of first- place Vegas. They are in third mainly because the second-place Wild have surprised. Colorado, my preseason pick for the Cup, is still Jimmy Hascup dangerous. – Hascup USA TODAY Avalanche: I, too, had them as my preseason pick. The Avs have also been hurt by injuries to Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. MacKinnon is back, Makar is trending that way and goalie Philipp Grubauer was just The shortened and more compact 2021 NHL season has made mid- named player of the week. – Brehm March the halfway point. Golden Knights: Vegas was my pick to win it all before the season and to As of this writing, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals, this point the Golden Knights have given me no reason to waver on that Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights were leading their prediction. The Knights are balanced on offense, but it's on defense divisions. The Buffalo Sabres (16 points) sit at the bottom of the league. where they've been most impressive. Thanks to the re-emergence of Marc-Andre Fleury, who has a league-high four shutouts and leads the Connor McDavid (53 points), Auston Matthews (21 goals), Marc-Andre NHL in both save percentage and goals-against average, the Golden Fleury (.936 save percentage) and Andrei Vasilevskiy (18 wins) lead the Knights have allowed the fewest goals in the league. – Evans league in their respective categories. Next coach to be fired But as teams and players get more acclimated to COVID-19 protocols and intra-division play, what will happen in the second half? USA TODAY San Jose Sharks' Bob Boughner: The problem with the Sharks is that Sports' NHL experts make some predictions on a variety of topics. they don't seem to have a clear plan for their direction. They are not good enough to contend yet they have a mix of youth and veterans. A poor Winners and losers:What stood out in first half of NHL season second half could mean Boughner takes the fall. – Hascup Biggest name to be traded Anaheim Ducks' Dallas Eakins: They're in the bottom five in goals, goals against, shots and power play. Plus, they're 4-10-3 at home and have Sabres center Eric Staal: In the final year of his deal and with 10 points in two wins in their 10 games. – Brehm 28 games, the 36-year-old could be a perfect center for a contending team that is looking for depth down the middle and playoff experience. – Arizona Coyotes' Rick Tocchet: As has been a theme in Tocchet's Jimmy Hascup tenure, the Coyotes struggle to score and their playoff hopes are dimming after four consecutive losses, two coming via shutout. This is a Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm: Nashville may choose to move franchise in need of a reset so the Coyotes — who hired a new GM in him for assets to help them in the upcoming expansion draft. He'll be September — parting ways with Tocchet would hardly be surprising. – attractive because he is signed through next season as a reasonable Evans $3.75 million cap hit. The Predators could get a nice return for him. – Mike Brehm Bold prediction Sabres winger Taylor Hall: This marriage is not working for either side. See below. – Hascup The 2017-18 NHL MVP and former No. 1 overall pick has just two goals in 28 games but it seems impossible for the 29-year-old to have fallen Connor McDavid will get 100 points: It will be tight. He's on pace for 96, that far off the cliff. A free agent again this upcoming offseason, Hall will and he has only two games left against the Ottawa Senators (whom he surely be itching to prove his worth on a contending team to boost his has 16 points against in seven games). But he also has put up good own stock. For the Sabres, getting literally anything for Hall before he numbers against the Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks and Flames. (likely) walks is essential to helping this long-term rebuild. – Jace Evans Another PLUS: Coach Dave Tippett likes to put McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together at times, and their chemistry is tremendous. – Brehm Team that will improve in standings the most Flyers will miss the playoffs: One good team is going to miss the playoffs Dallas Stars: They have played the fewest games (25) in the NHL in the East Division this year and I think it will be the Flyers. Currently in because of two pauses, so they have the most upside to gain in the the fifth spot, Philadelphia has been hampered by a familiar problem: standings. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Stars rank among the top poor goaltending. Carter Hart has significantly regressed, sporting an third in expected goals for percentage and puck possession. Good things .884 save percentage, and veteran Brian Elliott hasn't entirely been able could be on the way. – Hascup to pick up the slack with a .904 save percentage of his own. – Evans Calgary Flames: Their early season play didn't seem to match their talent MVP winner level. But that changed when coach Geoff Ward was fired and Darryl Sutter was hired for a second stint. The Flames are playing better Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane: I know this is a crazy answer defensively, important in a division with high-powered players. They because I expect the Blackhawks to fall in the second half. But if they should rise to a playoff spot. – Brehm remain a playoff team, which is entirely possible in this weird season, Kane, whose 42 points rank third in the NHL, will be the primary reason. Boston Bruins: A small regression was probably expected after the – Hascup Bruins lost a number of pieces from last year's Presidents' Trophy- winning team. Still, it's a bit of a surprise to see this team in fourth in the Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid: The winner is often the East Division. But good news is on the horizon: Boston has yet to play league's top scorer who makes the playoffs. If McDavid finishes with 100 the Buffalo Sabres this season. Eight contests against the league's worst points, he'll satisfy both parts and win his second Hart Trophy. – Brehm team (in addition to four more against the dreadful Devils) should send McDavid: McDavid is starting to open a decent lead in the points race, the Bruins shooting up the standings in a hurry. – Evans seven points clear of teammate and reigning NHL MVP Draisaitl and 11 Team that will drop in the standings the most ahead of third-place Kane. He's also experiencing the best goals-per- game showing of his career, tied for second in the league with 17 tallies. Chicago Blackhawks: While their 14-11-5 record has been among the Edmonton's captain is the best offensive player in the game and the best early surprises, it has come with a goal differential of -6 and driving force for a seemingly playoff-bound Oilers team that frankly isn't underlying metrics that don't point to a dominant team. – Hascup all that good beyond their dynamic duo. – Jace Evans Toronto Maple Leafs: They're not as formidable with Matthews playing through an injured wrist. They won't drop out of the playoffs, but they could lose the division lead. A lot depends on GM Kyle Dubas, who said USA TODAY LOADED: 03.18.2021 he'd be willing to trade a top prospect for help. – Brehm New York Islanders: A recent nine-game winning streak was impressive, but it should be noted that seven of their wins in that run came against the Sabres and Devils. The Islanders won't see either of those cellar- dwelling teams again until the final four games of the season. More losses seem in their future facing stiffer competition on a nightly basis, Websites The NHL worked out a seven-year deal in which four of the next seven 1185521 Stanley Cup Finals will air on ABC, and ESPN will become the primary cable and streaming partner starting in October. That will give extra exposure to hockey, especially important with NBCSN going away. The USA TODAY / NHL winners and losers from first half of season league will later announce a second broadcasting partner in the United States.

Loser: Dallas Stars Mike Brehm Their grade would be an incomplete. It's tough enough for a Stanley Cup USA TODAY runner-up to do well the following season. But the Stars have had to deal with bad luck, too. Their first four games postponed by COVID-19 and four were moved back because of power outages in Texas. They have During the early part of the 2021 NHL season, COVID-19 dominated the plenty of games in hand, but they will need a long run to make the headlines. playoffs. Alexander Radulov's return from injury will help. Thirty-five games were postponed, and there were 59 players on the Winner: Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews COVID-19 protocol list on Feb. 12. He was generating Hart Trophy buzz when he scored 18 goals in his first But things have turned around, with no recent COVID-related 18 games. Then he suffered a wrist injury on Feb. 24 that cost him two postponements and the list in the single digits. Fans are returning in games. He went through a five-game goal drought as the sore wrist limited numbers to many U.S. arenas. affected his shot before he got three goals in two games, including an overtime beauty. He'll continue to need to adjust his game because the "We’ve been on this every day with the medical experts and enhancing Maple Leafs are 1-5 when he doesn't get a point. our protocols, and it’s gotten us to a better place," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. Losers: North Division coaches That has allowed the focus to be back on the ice. Who are the winners Canadian teams aren't allowed to have fans yet, so there's extra and losers of the first half of the NHL season? pressure to make the playoffs. This season's only two coaching changes took place in the division with Dominique Ducharme replacing Claude Winner: Vegas Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury Julien in Montreal and Darryl Sutter returning for a second stint in Calgary after Geoff Ward was fired. The Golden Knights held on to both of their high-priced goalies, and Fleury outplayed 2020 acquisition Robin Lehner early. He took off when Winner: Minnesota Wild rookie Kirill Kaprizov Lehner was hurt. Fleury is in the running for the Vezina Trophy with a 1.77 goals-against average and .934 save percentage. The Kontinental Hockey League player showed he was worth the wait when he scored three points in his NHL debut, including an overtime goal Loser: Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart after a steal. His speed, anticipation, moves and shot have made the He was in the Vezina Trophy equation entering this season after Wild fun to watch. The Calder Trophy is his to lose. recording 24 wins, a 2.42 goals-against average and a .914 save Loser: New York Rangers rookie Alexis Lafrenière percentage in 2019-20. But his struggles (3.62, .884) have been puzzling. He was lit up by the Boston Bruins in the Lake Tahoe game. In The expectation was the No. 1 overall pick would have more than four a start against the Buffalo Sabres, he was pulled after giving three goals goals and seven points after 27 games. But dominance in the juniors on eight shots. He made a couple big saves late in the Flyers' 5-4 doesn't always translate to immediate NHL success. This year's top overtime win against the New York Rangers on Monday. "I definitely feel rookie scorers, Kaprizov, 23, and Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stützle, better, but I still have a lot of areas I need to keep working at," he told 19, played against older players overseas before joining the NHL. reporters. "It's just nice to get back in the win column." Lafrenière, 19, is getting chances, but it could take time. New Jersey's Jack Hughes, the 2019 No. 1 overall pick, is improved this season after Winner: Florida Panthers being limited to seven goals in his first season. They had the pieces with three-time Stanley Cup-winning coach Joel Quenneville, two-time Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, star forwards Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau and former USA TODAY LOADED: 03.18.2021 No. 1 overall pick Aaron Ekblad. They just needed time to jell. Newcomer Patric Hornqvist has provided gritty scoring and former American Hockey League standout Carter Verhaeghe was a good pickup. Chris Driedger's strong play in net gave Bobrovsky time to get back in form. Loser: Buffalo Sabres A mess that can't be explained solely by their COVID-19 pause. A team with Jack Eichel, Taylor Hall, Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal should be scoring more than a league-worst 2.07 goals per game. Those four, who combined for 85 goals in 2019-20, have totaled eight, three less than leading scorer Sam Reinhart. . And now Eichel is out for "the foreseeable future." The result is an 11-game losing streak, a league-worst 6-17-4 record and a frustrated general manager Kevyn Adams. Winner: New York Islanders Coach Barry Trotz recently passed 1,700 career games, which speaks to his long-term success. The Islanders have followed up a berth in the Eastern Conference final with a nine-game winning streak to the top of the East Division. Trotz has the team playing crisp defense that has helped Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin combine for five shutouts. The offense took a while to get on track but has taken off, including a goal of the year candidate by Mathew Barzal. Loser: Washington Capitals' Tom Wilson Wilson lost more than $310,000 in pay when he was suspended for seven games for a hit that sent Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo to an overnight stay in the hospital. He had reformed his game the past two years, but now he'll have to watch the level of his physical play because any further suspension in the next 18 months will carry a higher per- game cost. Winner: NHL broadcast deal