SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 01/17/19 Chicago Blackhawks 1126323 Anaheim Ducks vs. : Thursday preview 1126357 'It's time for me to get a win': Blackhawks' 1126324 Ducks reacquire Derek Grant, add Michael Del Zotto in ready to defeat brother Ryan for 1st time separate trades 1126358 'Shows how old I am': Brent Seabrook's 100th NHL a 1126325 Ducks deal Pontus Aberg to Wild for prospect as roster bright spot in a dismal Blackhawks season makeover continues 1126359 Blackhawks let loose at before 1126326 Andrew Cogliano on being traded by the struggling Ducks: facing Rangers ‘It’s a harsh reality’ 1126360 Young Blackhawks star DeBrincat flirts with 40-goal season 1126361 Former Blackhawks champion Brandon Bollig 1126327 Coyotes register statement win over Sharks in national TV announces retirement game 1126362 Blackhawks prospects Evan Barratt, Ian Mitchell 1126328 Why Coyotes rookie Conor Garland should be your new nominated for Hobey Baker Award favorite player 1126363 Dollars and sense: 10 years ago, ESPN 1000 surprised 1126329 Arizona Coyotes execute rare goaltender, skater double Dan McNeil with a last call at the Afternoon Saloon save 1126364 Blood, sweat and fears: The art of the screen, as told by 1126330 Guys without goals: A tale of three Coyotes forwards, defensemen and goalies Colorado Avalanche 1126331 Bruins fall to Flyers 1126365 Matt Duchene lifts Senators over Avs in first game against 1126332 Could the Bruins afford asking price for Flyers’ Wayne Colorado Simmonds? 1126366 A conversation with Avalanche prospect Tyler Weiss 1126333 David Backes forced to deal with being a healthy scratch 1126367 Observations from Avalanche’s disappointing 5-2 loss in 1126334 Why Bruins fans should keep an eye on Flyers forward Ottawa Wayne Simmonds 1126368 Avalanche head home after tough trip in Canada, losing to 1126335 Bruins notebook: Jake DeBrusk accepts challenge to play Ottawa to a higher standard 1126369 AVALANCHE Brutal effort in Ottawa brings back the 1126336 Power play outage for Bruins in loss to Flyers anxiety to Jared Bednar and Avs fansAdrian Dater 1126337 Bruins pregame notes: B’s look to rebound in Philadelphia 1126370 Avs-Sens player grades: Avs roll over 1126338 18 years later, Jillian Dempsey still connected with Bruins 1126339 Talking Points from the Bruins' 4-3 loss to the Flyers 1126340 David Pastrnak sets new goal-scoring mark for Bruins 1126371 Top line on points-scoring tear under 23 1126372 Joonas Korpisalo on roll in goal during Jackets' win streak 1126341 Highlights from the Bruins' 4-3 loss to the Flyers 1126373 With Artemi Panarin and the Blue Jackets rolling, the 1126342 NHL trade rumors: Bruins among teams interested in ‘conversations’ are about to get real 1126343 Losing Colby Cave on waivers 'a loss for the Bruins organization' 1126374 A dream brought to life: After multiple open-heart 1126344 ‘Helping people is my new purpose’: Kevin Stevens’ long surgeries, young Stars fan gets the chance to hit the ice w journey continues 1126375 Stars forward Jason Dickinson set to return from back injury against the Kings 1126376 Are the Mavericks giving up on Dennis Smith Jr. too soon? 1126345 Sabres roar back to beat the Flames behind Jack Eichel's Depends on what they get in return OT winner 1126377 5 things you may not know about Stars forward Andrew 1126346 The Wraparound: Sabres 4, Flames 3, OT Cogliano, including some NHL history he made as a 1126347 Sabres Notebook: Nathan Beaulieu reportedly requests rookie trade 1126378 After multiple open-heart surgeries, 10-year-old’s wish to 1126348 HarborCenter execs resigned after alleged sexual play against Stars comes true harassment 1126349 Sabres' Tage Thompson 'taking steps' in latest stop of his Detroit Red Wings hockey journey 1126379 Red Wings' Jeff Blashill expects Filip Hronek will play on 1126350 Sabres at Flames: Five Things to Know trip 1126351 ‘He drives our team’: How a gassed Jack Eichel energized 1126380 Red Wings set high asking price for Gustav Nyquist, the Sabres Jimmy Howard 1126352 Numbers game: Why the Sabres wear those digits on their jerseys 1126381 Edmonton Oilers beat Canucks on Chiasson’s shootout Flames winner 1126353 Canucks Post Game: Markstrom’s statement, Boeser’s 1126382 Elias Pettersson was only a cheerleader against , Sutter survives, Del Zotto dealt, Hockey Talks Edmonton Oilers 1126354 Willes: Fistfight against Oilers felt like Canucks’ biggest 1126383 Goalless Tobias Rieder hopes to follow Zack Kassian and game in years Milan Lucic and end his offensive funk 1126355 Canucks trade Del Zotto to Ducks, making room for Pettersson’s return Florida Panthers 1126356 Gearing up for a Cup run: potential trade 1126384 Open for business: Panthers need to deal as season targets fizzles out Los Angeles Kings 1126385 Ilya Kovalchuk's spirits and productivity have been lifted 1126420 Sean Couturier, Carter Hart were key in Flyers' comeback with the Kings win over Bruins 1126386 What we learned from the Kings’ 3-2 shootout loss to the 1126421 Big defenseman Phil Myers making impression on Flyers’ Wild GM 1126387 TEACH ME (FEAT. DREW DOUGHTY): DEALING WITH 1126422 Flyers' Dale Weise clears waivers; Carter Hart to make 4th THE MEDIA straight start as Bruins visit 1126388 WAKING UP WITH THE KINGS: JANUARY 16 1126423 Couturier's hat trick leaves Bruins baffled as Flyers win. 4- 1126389 GOOD MORNING, DALLAS 3 1126424 Parent: Fletcher's lack of words doesn't mean he won't Minnesota Wild soon act for Flyers 1126390 Fourth line not an afterthought for Wild 1126425 With back-to-back wins, are Flyers finally starting to 1126391 Wild-Anaheim gameday preview mature? 1126392 Wild trades Justin Kloos to Anaheim for Pontus Aberg 1126426 Flyers 4, Bruins 3: Sean Couturier records first career 1126393 Wild trade for Anaheim’s Pontus Aberg, sending Justin regular-season hat trick in win Kloos to Ducks 1126427 Flyers vs. Bruins: Live stream, storylines, game time and 1126394 Wild’s Eric Staal finally smiling after ending 9-game more scoring drought 1126428 Selke battle for Sean Couturier, Patrice Bergeron goes 1126395 Paul Fenton makes his first NHL trade, and it’s somebody way back he knows well 1126429 Flyers vs. Bruins: Game 47 preview, line combos, broadcast info Montreal Canadiens 1126430 Top 20 Flyers prospects: Breaking down the forwards’ 1126396 Canadiens forward Paul Byron gets three-game strengths, weaknesses with the brain trust suspension for charging 1126397 Stu Cowan: Jesperi Kotkaniemi has shot at a longtime Canadiens record 1126431 Penguins trade Derek Grant to Anaheim for forward 1126398 Analyze This: Kotkaniemi shows poise, control of future Joseph Blandisi elite centre 1126432 'Dinosaur' defensemen like Brooks Orpik survive in NHL 1126399 Wayne Thomas was watching live on TV as his former by adapting student nearly wiped his name from the Canadiens record 1126433 Analysis: Why bottom-dwelling Coyotes could mean boo trouble for Penguins 1126400 How moving to the Canadiens penthouse has brought the 1126434 Loss to Sharks shows how far Penguins have left to climb best out of Jonathan Drouin 1126435 Tristan Jarry's NHL path is unclear, but he's keeping his 1126401 Melnick’s GBU: What do Cape Cod, tequila and Antti 'attention' in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Niemi have in common? 1126436 Derick Brassard: ‘I’m going to try to be more involved’ 1126437 Penguins deal Derek Grant back to Anaheim; Is Derick Brassard next to go? 1126402 Predators don't need some big trade to win a Stanley Cup 1126438 ‘Helping people is my new purpose’: Kevin Stevens’ long 1126403 Predators' Pekka Rinne: 'I just have to be better' journey continues 1126404 Viktor Arvidsson is the Predators’ most irreplaceable player 1126439 Takeaways: Timo Meier’s frustration boils over as Sharks winning streak ends 1126405 Devils' winning streak ends in Columbus as goalie 1126440 Sharks winning streak ends with loss to Coyotes Korpisalo leads Blue Jackets to 4-1 win 1126441 Sharks’ seven-game winning streak snapped 1126406 ‘There’s a lot to like’: Marian Studenic’s dynamic skills 1126442 NHL trade deadline: Doug Wilson says Sharks' moves could lead to another Devils late draft success must strike right balance 1126443 Sharks vs. Coyotes live stream: How to watch NHL game online, on NBCSN 1126407 Isles' Jordan Eberle concentrates on his play, not contract 1126444 Sharks vs. Coyotes watch guide: Projected lines and situation defensive pairs 1126408 Islanders have a shot at first in St Louis Blues 1126445 For Blues, refs keep getting in the way 1126409 Rangers will play it cautiously with Kevin Hayes’ return 1126446 Preview: Blues at Boston 1126410 Kevin Shattenkirk’s revival could hasten his Rangers exit 1126447 Bigger role has brought big results for Perron 1126411 Ex-NHL enforcer John Scott escapes plunge into icy lake 1126448 Sundqvist looks good, Sanford iffy for Boston 1126412 Paul Giamatti snuggles up to mystery woman at Rangers 1126449 Hochman: Remember when Blues' Perron was a healthy game scratch? Berube pushed right button 1126413 Rangers forward Kevin Hayes not likely to play until after 1126450 River Walk: Blues assistant GM says Kyrou was ‘walking the All-Star break on air’ in San Antonio 1126414 Behind the save: Evaluating Alexandar Georgiev’s survival through the Rangers’ tough season 1126451 Consistency isn’t quite on target for the Lightning NHL 1126452 Lightning-Stars: Rewinding Tampa Bay’s third shutout 1126415 Berube’s Blues playing well enough to make run at 1126453 Lightning bounces back, shuts out Stars playoffs 1126416 GARRIOCH GAME REPORT: Best week of his life continues; Duchene gets 3 points against Avs 1126417 Senators' Ryan finding his place and peace of mind 1126418 Ottawa won Wednesday. But could Colorado win big over the long haul? 1126419 Christian Wolanin an example of work being done by Belleville coach Troy Mann Toronto Maple Leafs Websites 1126454 Is this Maple Leafs’ slump a sign they’re not built for a long 1126485 The Athletic / Projecting the strength of each country in a playoff run? 2020 World Cup of Hockey 1126455 Thursday NHL preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa 1126486 The Athletic / Five candidates the NHL team Bay Lightning | The Star should consider for their front office 1126456 Cure for Leafs’ holiday hangover well within reach | The 1126487 The Athletic / Former NHLer John Scott ‘glad I’m still alive’ Star after falling through ice on lake 1126457 Maple Leafs shake up lines ahead of visit to first-place 1126488 .ca / Canucks, Oilers each have upside to reach Lightning | The Star playoffs 1126458 GAME DAY: Maple Leafs at Lightning 1126489 Sportsnet.ca / Sabres deliver wake-up call to powerhouse 1126459 LEAFS TAKE 3: Yes, it’s time for struggling Leafs to put Flames up or shut up 1126490 Sportsnet.ca / 31 Thoughts: Buyers, sellers emerging 1126460 A glance to the past could help Maple Leafs’ immediate ahead of NHL Trade Deadline future 1126491 Sportsnet.ca / Paul Byron suspension could've been 1126461 Babcock reverts to past as Leafs try to climb out of worse but still hurts Canadiens struggles 1126492 Sportsnet.ca / Takeaways: Nugent-Hopkins giving Oilers 1126462 Q&A: on his Speedo, travel guitars and true one-two punch at centre three secrets about the Goat 1126493 Sportsnet.ca / 20 NHL trade candidates: Who will stay, 1126463 Philanthropy is up next for Leafs’ Zach Hyman — and he’s who will go? just getting started 1126494 Sportsnet.ca / Skidding Maple Leafs shake up top lines 1126464 Grappling with attention, sushi with friends and so, so ahead of game vs. Lightning much soccer: A week in the life of Morgan Rielly 1126495 Sportsnet.ca / Daniel Winnik on salute-gate: 'I just remember us being really pissed off' Canucks 1126496 Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' McDavid isn't the first NHL great to 1126478 Willes: Fistfight against Oilers felt like Canucks’ biggest endure early team struggles game in years 1126497 Sportsnet.ca / How NHL playoff picture would look under 1126479 Canucks trade Del Zotto to Ducks, making room for different formats Pettersson’s return 1126498 Sportsnet.ca / Senators still dealing with ramifications of 1126480 Oilers 3 Canucks 2 (SO): Chances aplenty in back- Matt Duchene blockbuster and-forth affair 1126499 Sportsnet.ca / Ex-NHLer John Scott on frozen lake 1126481 Ben Kuzma: Speed, skills are good, but can Canucks win accident: 'I'm glad I'm still alive' in long run with Goldobin? 1126500 Sportsnet.ca / NHL Power Rankings: What Does the 1126482 All signs point to Pettersson returning from injury for Coach Say? Edition weekend action 1126501 TSN.CA / NHL, NHLPA abandon plans for 2020 World 1126483 Canucks Game Day: Will there be a flu factor in Oilers’ Cup of Hockey visit? 1126502 TSN.CA / Gardiner understands why fans reached ‘boiling 1126484 Canucks' Elias Pettersson ‘feeling good’ after knee injury, point’ not quite set to return 1126503 TSN.CA / Matthews reunited with Hyman, Nylander at Leafs practice Vegas Golden Knights 1126505 TSN.CA / Countdown to TradeCentre: Kapanen, Johnsson 1126465 NHL, NHLPA abandon staging World Cup in September available? 2020 1126506 USA TODAY / Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury gets caught 1126466 Golden Knights among NHL leaders in goal posts hit building snow wall in crease 1126467 Golden Knights’ Marchessault, wife, reveal gender for 4th child 1126468 Five candidates the Seattle NHL team should consider for 1126472 Wheeler 'all about winning' their front office 1126473 Hellebuyck happy with state of his game 1126474 Brossoit’s play has created a dilemma for Jets coach Washington Capitals Maurice 1126469 Amid disappointing downturn, Capitals still pointing to 1126475 JETS SNAPSHOTS: Jets and Predators look to be on positives collision course for playoffs again 1126470 The Caps will honor Barry Trotz with a video tribute during 1126476 JETS GAME DAY: Jets must stay disciplined in second Friday’s game meeting of the year with arch-rival Predators 1126471 'Dinosaur' Orpik adapts to keep up with today's faster 1126477 Analysing the Jets defensive structure, potential PP game adjustments and clues about the team being ‘all-in’

SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1126323 Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Ducks vs. Minnesota Wild: Thursday preview

By LOS ANGELES TIMES STAFF

Anaheim Ducks vs. Minnesota Wild: Thursday preview

When: 5 p.m. PST.

On the air: TV: Prime Ticket; Radio: 830.

Update: The Ducks made their second trade in three days, acquiring center Justin Kloos from Minnesota in exchange for left wing Pontus Aberg. Kloos, 25, had 12 goals and 30 points in 34 games for the of the this season. Aberg, 25, had 11 goals and 19 points in 37 games for the Ducks this season, but was a healthy scratch the last four games. The Ducks also placed Jakob Silfverberg and Ryan Kesler (lower-body injuries) on injured reserve and assigned Patrick Eaves to the team’s AHL affiliate in San Diego on a long-term injury conditioning loan. They recalled right wing Troy Terry, left wing Max Jones and defenseman Andrej Sustr from San Diego and reassigned right wing Kiefer Sherwood and defenseman Jake Dotchin to the Gulls.

LA Times: LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126324 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks reacquire Derek Grant, add Michael Del Zotto in separate trades

By Elliott Teaford PUBLISHED: January 16, 2019

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Ducks general manager Bob Murray worked the late shift Wednesday night, re-acquiring Derek Grant from the Pittsburgh Penguins and adding Michael Del Zotto from the in separate trades as he continued to alter the course of the struggling team.

Murray sent center Joseph Blandisi, 24, to the Penguins to get Grant, 28, who had a breakout season with the Ducks in 2017-18 before signing with the Penguins as a free agent last summer. Blandisi had been playing with the , the Ducks’ AHL team.

Grant, a well-traveled center, set career highs last season with the Ducks with 12 goals, 12 assists, 24 points and 66 games. He had two goals and five points in 25 games this season for the Penguins, who signed him to a one-season, $650,000 contract last July 19.

In addition, Murray acquired Del Zotto from the Canucks in exchange for defenseman , 29, who also had been playing with the Gulls. Del Zotto, a 28-year-old defenseman, has played 589 games in the NHL with the Canucks, Rangers, Predators and Flyers.

The Ducks also sent a seventh-round pick in the 2020 draft to Vancouver.

Earlier in the evening, Murray sent left wing Pontus Aberg to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for center Justin Kloos, a 25-year-old prospect who scored 30 points in 34 games in the AHL this season.

On Monday, the Ducks traded iron man left wing Andrew Cogliano, 31, to the Dallas Stars in exchange for center Devin Shore, 24.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126325 Anaheim Ducks “I don’t know if we’re gripping our sticks too tight, but no one has the confidence to beat their guy out there,” Rakell said. “You’re not getting any odd-man rushes. You’re not beating your guy to create scoring Ducks deal Pontus Aberg to Wild for prospect as roster makeover chances. You wait for them to make a mistake and maybe you get a continues scoring chance off that.

“A lot of times I think you’re just waiting for them to make a mistake and you’re in a defensive position all the time to prepare yourself to defend, By Elliott Teaford |PUBLISHED: January 16, 2019 and they’re always on the right side of the puck too.

“You’re not beating anybody, so it’s hard.”

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Ducks general manager Bob Murray continued his Orange County Register: LOADED: 01.17.2019 midseason roster overhaul on Wednesday when he traded left wing Pontus Aberg to the Minnesota Wild for center Justin Kloos, a 25-year- old prospect who scored 30 points in 34 games in the AHL this season.

In addition, the Ducks placed Ryan Kesler on injured reserve and sent him back to Anaheim to have his unspecified lower-body injury re- evaluated by the team’s medical personnel, after he was hurt in the second period of a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.

Jakob Silfverberg also was placed on IR after he suffered an apparent leg injury when Detroit’s Mike Green tumbled over him in an awkward first-period collision along the boards. Silfverberg’s status for Thursday’s game against the Wild was uncertain.

Murray made a flurry of moves to bolster the Ducks, whose franchise- record losing streak was extended to 12 games (0-8-4) with the loss to Detroit. Three players were recalled from the San Diego Gulls of the AHL and three were re-assigned to the minors.

The Ducks recalled forwards Max Jones and Troy Terry and defenseman Andrej Sustr from the Gulls and sent defenseman Jake Dotchin and forwards Patrick Eaves and Kiefer Sherwood to San Diego. Eaves (broken rib) was sent to the minors on a long-term injury conditioning loan.

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Terry was the Gulls’ co-leader with 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) in 32 games after the Ducks re-assigned him Oct. 19, earning rave reviews that included a top-5 ranking among affiliated prospects by TSN, the Canadian sports network.

Jones had 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) in 32 games after he was sidelined for training camp and the start of the regular season because of a hand/thumb injury. Jones was ranked 50th in the same TSN rankings that placed Terry among the best of the best prospects.

Aberg scored 11 goals and 19 points in 37 games after the Ducks claimed him on waivers from the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 1. But he was scoreless in seven consecutive games before Coach Randy Carlyle scratched him for the past four contests, including Tuesday.

“Looking for a competitive spirit,” Carlyle said Tuesday. “Looking for somebody who’s going to get inside. We know he’s got a skill-set and can score goals. To me, it’s more about him getting inside and being first on the forecheck when it’s his turn to be first. First on the backcheck.

“His overall compete has to go up. Too much on the perimeter.”

Kloos signed a two-year, $1.85-million free-agent contract with the Wild on March 29, 2017, after a stellar four-year career at the University of Minnesota. He scored 63 goals and 150 points in 155 games with the Gophers, serving as from 2015-17. He played one NHL game with the Wild.

On Monday, the Ducks traded iron man left wing Andrew Cogliano, 31, to the Dallas Stars in exchange for center Devin Shore, 24.

WHAT’S WRONG?

Rickard Rakell tried his best to explain the Ducks’ lack of scoring during their skid, their inability to pad leads and hold them, to strike back when an opponent erases one of their rare advantages and to withstand and overcome the slightest turn of fortune.

Ducks Q&A with Elliott Teaford: Who would replace Randy Carlyle as coach?

It’s a confidence thing at this point. Or, more to the point, a lack of confidence thing. 1126326 Anaheim Ducks the guys get out of it (Tuesday). I do. I really hope they do. Because I don’t think they deserve it.”

An early morning call from the boss can stir some nervousness in any Andrew Cogliano on being traded by the struggling Ducks: ‘It’s a harsh employee. Like others who have gotten that call and didn’t immediately reality’ answer, it at least provides a moment to brace for potential bad news. “When you see his name, he’s not calling to say, ‘Good job last night,’” Cogliano said. “I kind of just sat up. Turned the light on. And it’s like, ‘All By Eric Stephens Jan 16, 2019 right, get this call over.’”

It was no light moment for this boss. His winger had played in every game he was eligible to participate in. In all, it’s 584 through the grinding DETROIT – Monday was not going to be much different than any other regular seasons and another 64 playoff battles over six consecutive day spent on the road for Andrew Cogliano, and being a guy who wants springs. Most of them involved high-quality minutes doing the kind of a regular routine and thrives on it, that would be just fine with him. work that’s not glamorous but essential for teams to win. All of them The Ducks arrived at their downtown hotel at 1:30 a.m. after making their involved commitment and dedication of the highest order. way east from Winnipeg, where they would take an 11th consecutive “As much as some of us may sound like we’re heartless, last night was defeat. Cogliano’s plan was simple: Get as much rest as he could. Grab not very good,” Murray said. “Let’s leave it at that.” a quick bite in the morning. Get on the bus for a practice on the off-day at Little Casears Arena. Not long after the short life-changing conversation, Cogliano broke the news to his wife, actress Allie Bertram. Change often comes when you It was an optional workout but Cogliano has never seen it that way. least expect it. The two are expecting a girl in February, their first child. Unless they’re scheduled in advance, there are no days off. He has always loved to skate. It is part of his preparation for the next game and Sitting in the terminal allowed him the time to reflect. there has always been the next one for him in the NHL, save for the only two missed that remain a sensitive and controversial subject one year “With Bob, he just explained he appreciated my professionalism,” later. Cogliano said. “Appreciated what I brought for the last of years. And I think there’s a sense from him that he wants to go in another But as the afternoon arrived in the Motor City, Cogliano was quietly direction in terms of bringing some younger players in. I wouldn’t say sitting alone inside the North Terminal at Detroit Metro Wayne County rebuilding, but retooling in a way in terms of players. Airport. Here he was killing time before having to board a flight to Dallas. Never did make it to practice. And him missing practice is as rare as “I don’t necessarily disagree, to be honest with you.” missing a game. There were some layers to this deal. There is a financial element. “We had an 11:30 bus,” Cogliano said, recalling a day that’ll be imprinted Cogliano just started a three-year extension he signed in January that will in his mind. “We didn’t get in until late. I had my alarm set for 10:30. I pay him $3.25 million in each. Shore inked a new two-year deal that has woke up around 9:15. And then, all of a sudden, I saw my phone kind of a $2.3 million average annual value, giving the Ducks an extra $950,000 light up. I looked over and got a missed call from Bob. in cap savings along with a year of roster flexibility.

“For a minute, I didn’t get a voicemail. Then I found out my voicemail was There is a practical element. Cogliano is 31. He still has the wheels that full and maybe that’s why I didn’t get one from him. But I texted him and are the critical part of what makes him effective on the ice. But his said, ‘You want me to call you?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ And that was it.” offense, which never advanced beyond modest over 12 seasons, completely dried up. His goal Sunday on a shot Jets goalie Connor Bob, of course, is Bob Murray, Anaheim’s general manager. And he has Hellebuyck should have stopped was just his third of the season. It didn’t had to watch the Ducks blunder through their worst stretch on the ice help that longtime linemate Ryan Kesler has been a shadow of what he since he grabbed the big chair in November 2008 after Brian Burke once was. willingly gave it up. Murray is, on the surface, the opposite of Burke. Stay under the radar. Work in the background. Keep the public comments to a Shore is 24. He has gone 26 games without a goal. He doesn’t have the minimum. separation speed that is Cogliano’s calling card. But he has a larger frame, logs a lot of time in -killing situations and is seen as But with speculation about Randy Carlyle’s immediate future running someone that has more offensive upside, whereas the smaller Cogliano more rampant with each defeat, Murray stepped out and said, “At this has already reached his ceiling. Murray has tried other moves to inject time, I am not considering a coaching change.” He followed that vote of more offense to his 30th-ranked team, claiming Pontus Aberg right confidence up in a Monday afternoon conference call by referring to his before the season and trading for Daniel Sprong. He likes Shore’s initial statement when asked how long of a leash his embattled coach “hockey brain.” had. “I’m trying to get younger obviously, but we’re also looking for some “And that’s all I’m going to say on that for right now,” Murray concluded. people with a little more creativity,” Murray said. “Because we’re not scoring enough goals. It happened to fall right now.” Cogliano got the message after Murray went public following another come-from-ahead defeat Sunday, a 4-3 soul-crusher to the There is also an element of realization. Back in June, the very first piece I Jets. His team played well in many facets of the game that would result in wrote for The Athletic following my official introduction was that the wins on most nights. He also did his part, contributing his first goal since Ducks should no longer be portrayed as a Stanley Cup contender after Dec. 2. their stinky showing in a first-round broom job by San Jose.

But when you don’t win for a month and your coach is still backed by the That has certainly come to pass. Even as they incredibly still sit in GM, the message becomes crystal clear. If someone must head out the position to grab a wild card spot, the Ducks are among five teams making door when it comes to addressing a long losing streak – and, in this a slow crawl toward the two at stake. As bad as Anaheim has been since particular case, the worst in Ducks history – the good bet is a player goes winning 11 of 13, Edmonton, Colorado, Minnesota and Vancouver have first. also hit enough potholes to let early disappointments St. Louis and Arizona back into a mix more rotten than royal. That player was Cogliano, whose highly respected eight-year run with Anaheim ended when Murray traded him to the Stars for versatile But Murray has no illusions about what the Ducks are at this point. forward Devin Shore. They’re not good enough. Can they beat Calgary, San Jose or Vegas in a playoff series? Nashville? Winnipeg? It would be a major upset if they “It’s a harsh reality,” Cogliano said, sitting down with The Athletic outside did and their GM knows it. The Ducks are edging more in a direction like his gate. “I didn’t expect it to happen probably. But when you think about Los Angeles and Chicago, the teams they battled for supremacy in the it, being a realist which I am, we’ve lost 11 in a row. What else is Bob West from 2013-15 but never got the Cup that the Kings and Blackhawks going to do, when I think about it? won. “He made it clear (firing Carlyle) wasn’t going to happen. And to be Hence, it was time to break off a core piece that was part of their run of honest as players, when you see that, you say, “OK, something else is tremendous regular-season success. And the Cogliano deal may only be going to give here.” It’s too bad we’ve been on this run and I really hope the beginning. “This is all about us,” Murray said. “I’m not here to just try to make the the news. As he said his farewells to teammates, the winger told them of playoffs every year. You can do that, and you can maybe push it. I’d like the time he was dealt to Anaheim and that Oilers GM Steve Tambellini to get back to where we’re a team that if we get into the playoffs has a didn’t immediately tell him where he was headed. chance to win. And right now, this team – I said it earlier – I don’t believe this group, the way we’re playing, has a chance to win. “I’ve been here for a long time,” he said. “I think (Bob and I) have a good relationship. But sometimes they forget to tell you where you got traded “It’s time for changes.” to. I was kind of waiting to see where. And he finally said Dallas.

There was an element of holding his younger core to the fire. Murray did “It’s a short conversation but also you can feel there’s a genuine respect identify them by name but pointed at “some of our mid-20s guys” that between each other. And there’s a genuine respect for what I’ve done for haven’t stepped to the forefront during their horrific losing streak amid the the team and what they’ve done for me.” transition that’s underway from the Ryan Getzlaf-Ryan Kesler-Corey Perry era of contention. He talked about Jakob Silfverberg, a potential The Stars’ situation isn’t a whole lot better than what he has been dealing unrestricted free agent, being one of the few who have stood up. It isn’t with. There was the front office blow-up on stars Jamie Benn and Tyler hard to decipher that he’s looking at a posse that includes Hampus Seguin that shook the entire hockey world. There is a first-year coach in Lindholm, Cam Fowler, Rickard Rakell and Josh Manson. Jim Montgomery offering up blunt criticism about his inability to change his team’s culture. But they do sit in playoff position. And the boss said he’s been talking with other GMs and won’t stop speaking with them. Makes sense. Silfverberg is an obvious trading chip That was one of the reasons GM Jim Nill went out and added a veteran if it comes to that, although Murray said he would take a shot at re- who is accustomed to winning – at least until this rapid downturn – and signing the quality two-way right wing before it comes to that. Perhaps he raising his game when it comes to the postseason. One can certainly isn’t the only one. argue that Cogliano’s greatest moment with the Ducks came two years ago when he helped get them over their massive Game 7 hurdle by Cogliano was not the problem. He wasn’t playing up to his previous scoring the tying goal to help secure a second-round triumph over standards as an elite penalty killer and a forward you could count on for Edmonton. about 15 goals. But he was just a sacrificial lamb, a player who could be moved more easily because he had a contract that was more appetizing Cogliano said he has spoken with both Nill and Montgomery. His sense than others on the roster. is that he could be deployed throughout Montgomery’s lineup. But he also recognizes that their thought process might also include helping “When you lose 11 games in a row, you know something’s going to Benn, the Stars’ captain, and augmenting their leadership group. happen,” Rakell said. “That’s why he’s the general manager. He’s going to make some kind of moves when it’s clearly not working for us. Yeah, I “I think they’re looking for a little bit more of a direction that way,” he said. don’t know what to say. It’s hard. You expect it but you don’t really know “And I think for my career, I’ve brought that in terms of being a good where it’s going to be at. professional and showing guys ways in terms of how to prepare and play and be a good pro.” “It’s not like everybody in here does not care. And you can’t play scared of getting traded. But you have to buy into that something’s got to change He learned about that early in his career. He took advice from veterans and it’s mostly on the ice. We’ve got to play better for sure.” who came before him. Former teammates like Shawn Horcoff implored him to do things that a team would always want. And he truly applied that There are tougher questions to deal with and Rakell knows it. That’s what philosophy when arriving in Anaheim, where he reshaped his game, losing does. That’s when there is a trade deadline five weeks away. changed his mindset and focused on the defensive side to team with Especially when you’re living on the downslope. Kesler and Silfverberg in forming an impressive checking and puck possessive trio that was leaned on at both ends of the ice. “Obviously everybody’s thinking about something,” said the Ducks’ left wing, the two-time 30-goal scorer who has just six in 34 games. “Not that His great speed disrupted power plays. Even though he was never a he was going to get traded but you knew something was going to natural finisher, Cogliano still scored 16 shorthanded goals to tie Paul happen. Hopefully we can get things turned around. Otherwise, it’ll Kariya for the all-time Ducks record. And it is his feeling that “three- probably keep happening.” quarters of the league” need to focus on the little things in the game to stay relevant and have long careers. It has already happened for Cogliano. And when a trade goes down, there’s often no chance to part gracefully. The move comes quickly. “You have to bring something to the table that a team can have every Particularly when that move happens while on the road. You gather the single night,” he said. “And honestly the biggest thing that I feel is the personal items you have, grab your equipment and head off to the new most important for this league and everyone talks about it, is consistency. locale. There aren’t many situations like what Jean-Sebastien Giguere I always felt I was a consistent player. Offensively, was it always had in 2010 when he was embraced by Ducks teammates on the ice consistent? No. But it isn’t for a lot of guys. How I approach it and how I before leaving a practice in Tampa after the club had dealt him to think back on things here, even this year, I have zero doubts with how I Toronto. prepare and how much effort and heart I put in the game.

Cogliano got to meet up with a few Monday. Good-byes were said to “People could say whatever they want about my certain skill set. They Getzlaf. Fowler. Manson. Nick Ritchie. Other teammates sent along their could harp on this and that and everyone has flaws in their game. But no best wishes through text messages. The feeling of no longer being on the one can ever take away my preparation and how I come to play. And ice and in the room with them had yet to sink in. Eight years of memories how much effort and really time I put into the game. That didn’t change started to flow as he sat alone. this year. I know offensively it hasn’t been great this year and there’s been struggles. But at the end of the day, I say to myself, ‘Have I really “The good times,” Cogliano said. “The playoff runs. The big games we’ve been in a major position to provide offense?’ Not really. played in and the winning. It was fun. You think about those moments. Those haven’t hit me yet. I’ve been here for a long time and the more I “Not everyone’s going to be in those roles. And when you’re not, you think about it, I’ve known just this team. I don’t know much else. I played have to do things that help the team.” in Edmonton, but I was really young at that time. I feel like over the last eight years, I’ve done the same thing every day. Over the last eight seasons, the Ducks played just two games without him. Ironically, Monday’s trade came exactly one year to the day that he “Over the course of eight years, it gets to be a little bit tedious at times. was banned from playing. Those two were the ones he was suspended But those are the moments that sink in. And to be honest, I think (about) for as a result of a hit to Kings center . It was certainly late, really good relationships, if not amazing relationships with the guys on and Kempe’s head snapped back. But there were many – from fans to the team. There are best friends that now play on the Ducks that are current and former players – who felt the hit was not enough to warrant going to remain my best friends. And those are the guys … it’s tough. more than a fine, which would have kept his consecutive games streak at 830 alive. “It’s funny how the game works. People don’t understand it. I think people think when guys get traded, there’s more that goes into it. And there George Parros, a former enforcer with the Ducks who was very popular really isn’t. You get traded, you say bye and you’re gone.” with the fanbase, suddenly became persona non grata as he handed out the suspension in his role as the NHL’s discipline chief. Had Cogliano not Thinking about his trade conversation with Murray, Cogliano chuckled been held out, his streak would be at 914 games. It would have tied him and realized that it wasn’t easy for his soon-to-be former boss to deliver with Garry Unger for second all-time and put him within striking range of surpassing Doug Jarvis as the league’s ultimate iron man. Jarvis played in 964 straight contests.

As much as he didn’t like to talk about the streak, Cogliano was hurt by it ending in that manner. He hadn’t missed a game since making the Oilers’ opening night roster in 2007. He stayed in the lineup and never brought up the injuries and ailments he pushed through over the years. He was especially proud that no coach saw fit to sit him out as a healthy scratch.

And it is moments like the one when numerous fans showed up at Honda Center in the Ducks’ next game with signs reading #831 that will stick with him. It is why he continued to talk about the organization in the present tense.

“It’s nothing but appreciation,” Cogliano said. “I feel like I’ve always tried to honor the Ducks organization and the fans with a good work ethic. Doing things the right way and showing up to work every day. And I think when you do that, with fans, they want to see that. They want players like that. I felt like I had a lot of support from them and I really appreciate it.

“That’s the saddest part for me and I don’t think that’s hit close to home yet for me. It just hasn’t. Because I know I’ve created a good niche for myself in Anaheim and I did. I had a lot of support from the fans and I really appreciate it. My time there, I have nothing but amazing things to say about the team and the organization and the fanbase.”

The winger understood that he was an older player on a franchise that needs to get younger. He had prepared his mind for a trade that one day could happen. Maybe more at the deadline next month or during the summer but he was honest with himself. Changes would be made and a bad losing streak only accentuated the possibility.

But it was still a shock to others.

“He’s always been a presence around our locker room,” Rakell said. “One of the funny guys. You’re always laughing when you’re with him. Such a great guy. You always see him. … Yeah, it’ll be different for sure. I think everybody in here will miss him. He was liked by everybody.

“It is a weird feeling because he’s been here for such a long time. He’s been here for the entire time I’ve been here. Yeah, it’s going to be weird for some time. Close friends have been traded before so it’s nothing new really. But we’re going to miss him for sure.”

Said Getzlaf: “Cogs has meant a lot to this team for a long time. He did a lot of things on and off the ice for this group. We wish him nothing but the best.”

On a personal note, Cogliano was a nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy by the Anaheim chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association on multiple occasions and became a finalist for the award in 2017. The winger in each occasion personally thanked me and other beat reporters who regularly cover the team, either in person or through a text message.

Some time after giving his airport interview and making that flight to Dallas, Cogliano wanted to make sure this message was included in anything that was going to be written about him.

“I thank Bob and his staff for giving me an opportunity from Edmonton and bringing me to a winning team,” he wrote in a text. “I will always be grateful for that and appreciate it.”

An exit as classy as his time in residence.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126327 Arizona Coyotes “But there’s a long way to go. … It’s a great win and I’m proud of the guys, but tomorrow we have to come back and have a good practice. We’ve got another good team coming in Friday night.”

Coyotes register statement win over Sharks in national TV game Richard Morin covers the Coyotes and Diamondbacks for azcentral sports. He can be reached at [email protected] and by phone at 480-316-2493. Follow him on @ramorin_azc. Richard Morin, Jan. 17, 2019 Den’s digest

The score: Coyotes 6, Sharks 3. The Coyotes may not get many chances to play nationally televised games, but they made the most of a rare opportunity in Wednesday’s 6-3 The streak: W1. win over the San Jose Sharks at . The record: 21-22-3, 7th in Pacific.

This being just the second and final national game for the Coyotes, who The 82-game pace: 37-39-6, 80 points. were also featured on NBC Sports Network on Oct. 16 in Minnesota, it felt like a statement game for Arizona to put together such a solid effort The player: Christian Fischer. against a Sharks team built for a long playoff run. The moment: Mario Kempe’s sliding save in the second period, taking For a banged-up Coyotes team that is awarded little national exposure away and entered the game with a lackluster 8-12-2 home record, Wednesday was a good choice for a strong performance that was in many ways an what would have been a Sharks goal. accurate representation of their best selves. The number: 80 -- The percentage of games the Coyotes have won “It was a great team effort,” Coyotes forward Christian Fischer said. “It when Lawson was a nice little touch that it was an NBC game and we’re obviously a Crouse registers a point (eight wins, two losses). market that doesn’t get showcased too much. I thought we did a nice job showing who we are. That’s a perfect win for who we’re trying to be as The quote: “It was a great team effort,” Coyotes forward Christian Fischer the Coyotes.” said. “It was a nice little touch that it was an NBC game and we’re The Coyotes struck first when Lawson Crouse skated up the left wing obviously a market that doesn’t get showcased too much. I thought we and let go of a soft wrist shot that Sharks goaltender Aaron Dell was did a nice job showing who we are. That’s a perfect win for who we’re unable to . The goal was Crouse’s seventh of the season and came trying to be as the Coyotes.” -- Coyotes forward Christian Fischer on the Coyotes’ first shot of the night at 2:31 of the first period. View from the press box: While the Coyotes are still just five points from Richard Panik gave the Coyotes a two-goal lead when he intercepted a the bottom of the Western Conference standings, they end Wednesday pass from Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, whose team was on the night just four points out of a playoff spot. Given their seemingly power play, and skated all alone down the middle of the ice and beat Dell untenable injury situation, it’s remarkable how this team has continued to with a bar-down shot at 4:39 of the first. stay afloat. Panik’s goal was the 12th shorthanded tally for the Coyotes this season, Song of the night: “Don’t Make A Sound” by Transit. good for the second-most in team history. Their 12 shorthanded goals rank second in the NHL this season behind the Calgary Flames (14). Arizona Republic LOADED: 01.17.2019 But the Sharks, who wound up seeing the end of their seven-game win streak, would half the deficit by the end of the first period when Kevin Labanc beat Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper to make it a 2-1 game at the first intermission.

Fischer returned the Coyotes’ two-goal advantage when a wraparound attempt bounced off the skate of Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson and deflected past Dell for the goal at 5:05 of the second period. The goal was Fischer’s 11th of the season, which tied Brad Richardson for the team lead.

Coyotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson joined the fun with a shot from inside the blue line that beat Dell through a screen consisting of both Fischer and Karlsson. The goal was Ekman-Larsson’s 108th of his career, which tied Teppo Numminen for most among defensemen in Coyotes/Jets franchise history.

Although Evander Kane and Logan Couture scored the next two goals of the game to make it a one-goal game with less than five minutes left in the third, the Coyotes potted a pair of empty-netters to finalize a 6-3 decision.

“We had a lot of guys contribute tonight,” Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said. “I don’t think there was a passenger tonight. I think everyone contributed something to help us win this game, and it’s all hands on deck against that team. Obviously they’re a Cup favorite, so it was nice to win that game.”

For a team that is often an afterthought for national media, the Coyotes can at least take some pride in how they performed against a quality opponent on home ice Wednesday.

“It’s nice to get on national TV,” Tocchet said. “Obviously the Sharks are the marquee, right? But I like that we’ve got some guys from Tucson and some guys scratching and clawing to stay in the league. We’ve got a bunch of injuries, but it shows if you work hard do the right things, good things can happen. 1126328 Arizona Coyotes After the Oilers had tied the game, Garland used another appendage to put the Coyotes ahead for good in the third period. With Arizona on a power play, ripped a shot wide and the puck returned to Why Coyotes rookie Conor Garland should be your new favorite player the front of the net and bounced off Garland's skate as he drove hard at the crease, giving him his second goal of the night — and his second game-winning goal of the season.

Richard Morin, Jan. 16, 2019 “It’s hard to do, don’t get me wrong, but you see Conor Garland smiling after the game,” Tocchet said of Garland’s willingness to drive to the net.

“Yeah, he’s got 10 stitches but he’s smiling. That’s going to the net and Coyotes fans, meet Conor Garland. If he's not already your new favorite he wins us the game because of it. There’s a reward because of it and player, he might be soon. it’s nice to see.”

Need one player to watch during games for entertainment? But Garland, a former fifth-round pick, isn’t just a poster boy for a league whose forwards continue to grow smaller and skate faster. He embodies Garland is your guy. those things, sure, but Garland’s hard-nosed game features what is becoming a lost art in today’s NHL. Looking for a new jersey? He’s a player after his coach’s own heart, as Tocchet boasts his fair Go for Garland. share of scars from hard-earned goals from his own playing days. Tie game and need to score by any means necessary? “Do you see this face?” Tocchet joked when asked if he’s scored in Got to be Garland. similar ways. “I’ve got a million. I’m deadly 3 feet in.”

In less than six weeks since making his NHL debut, the Coyotes’ 22- Conor Garland gathers the puck in front of the net before scoring on the year-old rookie has already begun capturing the hearts of hockey fans in Devils during a game Jan. 4 at Gila River Arena. the Valley with his hard-nosed style of play and penchant for scoring For as much success Garland has had driving to the net and working in unorthodox goals. the dirty areas of the ice, one would think the rookie has always played Coyotes forward Conor Garland celebrates his second goal of the night this way. against the Oilers during a game Jan. 12. That couldn’t be further from the truth. A fiery competitor with a diminutive frame, Garland has all the makings of As an amateur and during his first few seasons with the Coyotes’ AHL an Arizona fan favorite. affiliate in Tucson, Garland was a perimeter player who had no interest in He’s the type of player who doesn’t need a stick to score goals. The type sacrificing his body in front of the net. But that changed when the goals of player who seems to bleed as much as he sweats. The type of player stopped coming. whose work ethic can and does have a positive impact on his “I was never really a player who went to the net,” Garland said. “In juniors teammates. and my first couple years of pro, I was someone who just relied on my “You look at his goals and he’s 6-7 feet from the net,” Coyotes head skating and skill to make plays. I was on the perimeter, outside of the coach Rick Tocchet said. “The puck is going there and it’s going off crease and never really wanted to go in there and work.” whatever body part, and they’re laughing about it but he’s doing a nice Crediting a sobering conversation with the Roadrunners coaching staff job of going to those areas and getting rewarded. We have some guys on last season to his resurgence as a player, Garland saw immediate results our team that have to take a page out of that. … Conor Garland is a good after he began engaging in the dirty areas. Given the way it's continued story for guys to understand. That’s something we’ve preached around to work at the NHL level, Garland doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon here, but now it’s just a matter of doing. — and fans should be happy with that. “... Anybody who comes to the game and sees some small kid winning “I just want to work hard every game, compete and try to win every battles, going to the net, getting hit, getting up and scoring a goal — how game,” Garland said. “If they (the fans) appreciate that and they like that, could you not love that?” it’s something I’m going to keep doing no matter what. … It’s way more Given recent events, one could say Garland (eight goals in 11 games) exhausting and it’s hard work. has provided a face-lift to a Coyotes team fighting for a playoff spot amid “It’s not as fun as playing on the outside and throwing sauce, but I want an ever growing list of injuries. to be in the NHL and I want to be here forever. I’ll keep doing what I have Garland scored twice in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Edmonton to give him to do.” his second two-goal game over a three-game stretch. On a night where Arizona Republic LOADED: 01.17.2019 the Coyotes were visitors at , even Garland probably didn’t envision himself being the most productive Con(n)or on the ice (See: Edmonton Oilers, Connor McDavid).

If Tocchet and his staff had given Garland directions to “use his head” more, Garland took the assignment too literally — as the rookie scored his first goal of the game courtesy of a puck that deflected off the side of his face and into the net.

Garland, who immediately fell to the ice as blood rushed out of his face, didn’t even realize he had scored the go-ahead goal until he was on his way to the training room. He received several stitches and was back on the bench before the period had ended. The goal went viral during and after Saturday’s game, and even made major network TV highlight reels during a weekend dominated by the NFL playoffs.

Conor Garland has a cut tended to after deflecting a shot into the net during a game Jan. 12 against the Oilers.

“I had a lot of texts,” said Garland, whose eye swelled so bad after the game that he did not have full vision when he woke up Sunday morning in Calgary. “I don’t have Twitter or anything, but people told me it was all over (social media). I saw it enough. I knew it was kind of going around there, but we played the next day.” 1126329 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes execute rare goaltender, skater double save

BY KELLAN OLSON

The double save in hockey is one of the sport’s greatest moments of pure skill when a goaltender stops not only one premium scoring chance but another right after.

As far as a double save involving two different players, though, we haven’t seen that too many times.

The rare event occurred in the second period of the Arizona Coyotes’ matchup with the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night.

With the Coyotes up 4-2 in the second period, San Jose had the puck logged in Arizona’s end in the corner. In what can occasionally happen on those scrums behind the net, the puck deflected out into a dangerous space.

That space was the left side of the net, where Sharks leading goal scorer Joe Pavelski was waiting.

Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper was able to make the miraculous play on the first shot at goal for the save, but the net was still wide open because of the recovery he was forced to make.

That’s where Coyotes forward Mario Kempe came in, sliding across the crease to block the shot like a goal-line clearance in soccer.

WHAT! HOW DID THIS PUCK NOT GO IN!@dkuemps35  pic.twitter.com/Xmo5lzashS

— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 17, 2019

Perhaps the craziest moment in the sequence is when Kempe is facing the direction of the second attempt on goal. His face was fully exposed, and his teammate Conor Garland knows a thing or two about what can happen in those situations.

Kuemper and Kempe with a pair of stops. #OurPack pic.twitter.com/1KsvaOJ9Vm

— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) January 17, 2019

The madness briefly paused there before the puck wound up behind Kuemper, and with Kuemper still fully laid out on the ice, a pass was made to Joe Thornton with a wide-open net in front of him.

Somehow, there was still no goal for the Sharks when Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski was able to make a defensive play on Thornton and prevent his shot from getting anywhere in the net.

A goal during that sequence would have been two unanswered for the Sharks and the double save undoubtedly gave the Coyotes back some momentum.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126330 Arizona Coyotes Last goal: 2018 KHL playoffs.

Season in summary: Lyubushkin played in only 13 of the Coyotes’ first 32 games. There was an expected adjustment to the smaller ice surface in Guys without goals: A tale of three Coyotes North America and greater pace of play in the NHL. The Coyotes liked Lyubushkin’s physical play, his ability to close out checks in the defensive zone and his mobility for his size, but they wanted him to work By Craig Morgan Jan 16, 2019 more on his gaps and his play with the puck.

“He’s gotten better,” Tocchet said. “I didn’t like his game in Calgary (Sunday). I don’t know if he was tired. I didn’t like his gap. That’s his big Nobody is chirping Niklas Hjalmarsson in the Coyotes dressing room. Not thing. If his gap isn’t there then he struggles, but his outlet passes have yet. really improved from training camp until now; making that good first pass. The longer that round number hangs in his goals column, however, the He’s really done a nice job. That’s just from developing him, practicing, less likely it is that the veteran defenseman will escape the notice of his video and him kind of absorbing it. His gap control is huge for him in teammates. being able to defend skating forward. If he can do that he can be a real good defenseman for us.” “If it’s Game 50 and there’s still a zero there I might get some jabs,” Hjalmarsson said, smiling. “I would love to score one and I am definitely While Lyubushkin said it is too early to evaluate his season, based on his due. I am not too happy about. Obviously, scoring goals helps winning, games played, he has seen improvement. but it’s not like I’m staying up late thinking about it. As long as I feel I am “It seems to me that I became a little faster on the ice,” he said. “It is playing my game and contributing in other areas, I am fine with it.” always pleasant to score a goal, but for me the team results are more Hjalmarsson’s game and history are working in his favor. He has been important.” the Coyotes’ most consistent defenseman this season, his work and Kevin Connauton playing habits are above reproach, he is an alternate captain and he has those three Stanley Cup rings to flash from his 10 seasons in Chicago. Stats: no goals, five assists, 18:56 average ice time. Who’s going to rib that résumé? Last goal: April 4 at Calgary. All the same, Hjalmarsson doesn’t want to be the last guy without a goal, and the company he is keeping is growing smaller by the day. Season in summary: Connauton has had to adjust to a new role this season. He is taking only 35.8 percent of draws in the offensive zone Fellow defensemen Kevin Connauton and Ilya Lyubushkin are the only compared with 46.5 percent last season, and he is third on the team in other Coyotes without goals this season. Recent acquisition Jordan Weal average penalty-kill time at 2:42 vs. 34 seconds last season. Even so, a had three goals with the Philadelphia Flyers and career-low 40.3 percent of his shot attempts are getting through to the call-up Laurent Dauphin has played only one game so he gets a hall goal this season, per hockeyreference.com, which partially explains his pass. drop-off from 11 goals last season.

It’s logical that defensemen would be the last guys to score, given their “Opportunity is everything,” said Connauton, who hadn’t played the past roles and positioning on the ice, but all three players said they have five games entering Wednesday but is healthy after missing a couple never played a full season, at any level, without scoring a goal, so this is games with a lower-body injury. “Coming out of the lineup a couple times kind of a big deal. is frustrating. I want to be playing. I think I have been playing well and should be playing, but all I can do is focus on the right things, come to “My expectations are still high of what I can bring offensively — maybe the rink and look to get better each day. breaking pucks out cleanly and moving through the neutral zone and getting shots through,” Connauton said. “I’m getting a lot of shots, but “I am always demanding more of myself. You never come out of the sometimes the result is out of your control so I think it’s important to lineup complaining or pouting. You have to strive to get better. My focus on the process. If you’re doing it right, the results will start to turn in mentality stays the same whether I’m out or in.” your favor.” Tocchet acknowledged that Connauton’s absence from the lineup isn’t The three remaining Coyotes without goals offer three different tales this entirely of his doing. season. Here’s a look at each one. “The other guys have been playing pretty well,” Tocchet said. “We’re IN THAT STORY JUST PUBLISHED AT @THEATHLETICAZ, THREE winning some games. We’ve defended well so it’s not so much that we’re CURRENT COYOTES WHO HAVE PLAYED MORE THAN ONE GAME upset with him. (Lyubushkin) has played pretty well for us, Oesterle is THIS SEASON HAVE NOT SCORED A GOAL. WHO WILL BREAK THE scoring goals and you’ve got the veteran guys. It’s tough to get in the DROUGHT FIRST? lineup. Other guys are a little ahead of him. Unfortunately, he had that injury and you just don’t make changes to make a change. — CRAIG MORGAN (@CRAIGSMORGAN) JANUARY 16, 2019 “(Connauton) has been a little inconsistent this year. He hasn’t played Niklas Hjalmarsson like he did the second half of last year, taking the goals aside. For me, if Stats: 45 games, no goals, four assists, team-high 95 blocked shots, he’s defending well and he’s making smart plays, that’s when he’s team-high 3:14 average ice time on penalty kill. effective.”

Last goal: March 5 at Edmonton. Connauton believes he has made strides in that area.

Season in summary: Hjalmarsson’s 2017-18 season was marked by “I’m super confident in the way I defend,” he said. “D-zone coverages struggles on and off the ice, leading him to declare that he had and going back for pucks are some of my best attributes. I just have to something to prove this season. He has proved plenty. He has been the keep doing it. I’m happy with the way I have been PK’ing this year, too. reliable, shutdown defenseman that he was in Chicago because of It’s slightly different, but I’m always looking to contribute in all parts of the excellent gaps, stick positioning and a continued willingness to sacrifice ice.” his body to block shots. Like his counterparts, Connauton said he isn’t overly focused on the lack “Whether we’ve asked him to kill a penalty or shut down a (line), he just of goals. has a workman-like attitude,” coach Rick Tocchet said. “He comes to “I don’t read too much into it,” he said. “It’s one of those things that can work every day. He’s pretty well been solid every game. I don’t think change on a dime and you can start heating up. If you catch yourself there’s games where you can say he’s been bad. The consistency is focusing on it then it works against you and it can go in the other something our young guys have got to learn from Nik. The leadership of direction; you start gripping your stick too tight and overthink things when that is really important.” you have the puck. I’ll just continue doing what I do.” Ilya Lyubushkin The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 Stats: 26 games, no goals, two assists, 13:39 average ice time, team- high 3.6 hits per game. 1126331 Boston Bruins Only 5:32 into the second, another Boston turnover between the blue lines, another Philly goal. Couturier provided the shot, a slap from the right wing circle that came off the mid-ice transition.

Bruins fall to Flyers Couturier was back for a double helping, his 18th goal this season, only 1:15 later on the power play. Zdeno Chara and Brandon Carlo were the only two Bruins back as another misplay of the puck by the Bruins had By Kevin Paul Dupont the Broad Streeters racing in on Halak with a 4-on-2 break. Couturier rushed to the top of the blue paint and made the easy forehand tap-in of

a Wayne Simmonds pinpoint feed. PHILADELPHIA — Strong out of the gate, weak in the middle, and Couturier ripped home a slapper with 4:07 left, a clear-view shot that wobbly to the finish line, the Bruins Wednesday night frittered away an whistled low by Halak on the glove side. early 2-0 lead over the Flyers and stumbled their way to an unkempt 4-3 loss at the Wells Fargo Center. “If I make that save, it’s 3-2,” said a sullen Halak, 0-2-0 in his last two starts. “If we tie it at the end it’s a different game. But 4-2, it’s tough . . . a After early strikes by David Pastrnak and newcomer Peter Cehlarik (two two-goal deficit. I wasn’t happy about the goal — needed one big save in goals in his 2018-19 debut), the Bruins quickly gave up goals to Oskar the third and I wasn’t able to do it.” Lindblom and Sean Couturier (twice) to fall behind, 3-2, early in the second. The bright note was Cehlarik, tipping home a shot for his second of the night, with Halak out of the net for an extra skater. Couturier, the Flyers’ leading goal scorer, then wristed in his third goal of the night with 4:07 left to cap his third career hat trick — and the win. “He was excellent,” said Cassidy, who brought up Cehlarik from the minors on Tuesday. “He probably wonders why we didn’t call him up a “Call it that they were more opportunistic, or goaltending was better at long time ago.” their end,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. “It can be summed up either way, but that ended up being the difference in the game. I think they Boston Globe LOADED: 01.17.2019 were a little better than us in both areas.”

The loss, their second in a row (0-1-1), dropped the Bruins to 26-16-5. They’ll be back to work Thursday night at the Garden to face the St. Louis Blues. It also was the second time in less than a month that the Bruins took a 2-0 lead in the first and stumbled to a defeat (similar to the 2-0 lead they held Dec. 23 at Carolina, a 5-3 loss).

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Amid the loss, the Bruins were handed a prime opportunity to pull even, if not re-establish the lead, when Flyer center Jori Lehtera was tossed out for a five-minute boarding major on Ryan Donato late in the second period. The Bruins began the night with a power play that had been a blistering 15 for 44 (34.1 percent) over the last month. Suddenly the 3-2 Flyer lead seemed vulnerable.

But the Bruins made an eyesore of the outsized power play, constantly failing to set up effectively in the offensive zone and work the puck around the PK box or find passing lanes. Instead, their forwards repeatedly looked to lug the puck directly toward the net, or shoot up high, leading to repeated easy clearings for the Flyers. The few chances they put on net (three total), had no one following up with a shot.

“We took a lot of shots from the top, which is not our power play,” said a frustrated Cassidy, going through a litany of typical Boston PP methods that failed to develop. “It was befuddling. We tried to address it, but players see what they see and you have to trust them . . . I just didn’t like our shot selection at all.”

“It’s a big swing in the game,” said Torey Krug, the club’s PP quarterback. “I think they get a little bit of momentum, feel good about themselves after killing it off. I think we have to take better advantage of it. I think we got a little bit frustrated and away from what we do best.

The Bruins appeared on an easy cruise to victory with their pair of goals in the opening 10 minutes of the first period.

Pastrnak slammed home his team-high 27th goal, set up Torey Krug for a power-play strike from his office, low in the left wing circle only 4:39 in the first. Only 4:33 later, Cehlarik cashed in from the opposite circle, snapping in a cross-slot feed by Jake DeBrusk. Dave Krejci picked up the second assist, giving the No. 2 line three points only a half-period after taking their first shifts of the season.

But trouble soon arrived, brought to the Bruins doorstep by . . . the Bruins.

Guilty of unfocused and undisciplined play all over the sheet, much of it in the neutral zone, the Bruins gave up a goal (Lindblom) in the first and then two more in the second, only to see the Flyers take the lead, 3-2, only 6:47 into the middle period.

Lindblom’s strike came at 12:44 of the first, connecting from the left wing circle on a rush that began with the Bruins losing possession in the neutral zone. It’s one thing to fight the tide, something else to cause the tide. 1126332 Boston Bruins Backes slimmed down some 10-12 pounds in the offseason, hoping to add a half step to his game in a league that seems to gain a full step every season. He hasn’t been behind plays as much as he’s been out of Could the Bruins afford asking price for Flyers’ Wayne Simmonds? synch, his hands and puck/situational reads not what they need to be when riding with Krejci and DeBrusk.

“I think you can always do more,” said Backes, asked by a Globe reporter By Kevin Paul Dupont what else he could do, given his earnest attempts over the summer to increase his speed. “I don’t see where I am taking shortcuts by any

means.” PHILADELPHIA — Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds leads most informal Shooting woes polls on the most-likely-be-dealt list as the Feb. 25 trade deadline approaches. The Bruins outshot the Flyers by a whopping, 42-19. It was the sixth time in the last 10 games that they reached the 40-shot plateau. They stand 2- Simmonds, 30, is second among Flyers goal scorers after Wednesday 3-1 in those six games . . . The Bruins will not work out in Brighton night’s 4-3 win here against the Bruins (his 15 trailing Sean Couturier’s Thursday morning and instead report to work late in the afternoon at the 19) and he is typically good for 25 goals and 55 points per season. His Garden . . . David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron each finished with five long-term contract set to expire June 30, he also is on target to become shots on net . . . Sean Couturier scored on three of his five shots on an unrestricted free agent July 1. Jaroslav Halak. The Bruins are desperate to find Krejci an upgrade at wing, be it left or Moore sits again right, and Simmonds is a 6-foot-2-inch righthanded shot who is comfortable on both sides. Given his straight-ahead style, he likely would Defenseman John Moore was scratched from the Boston backline for a line up on the right side (as Rick Nash did a year ago) and DeBrusk on third straight game. Moore’s play has been fine, but improved health the left side. among the blueliners has left Cassidy with a rare surplus of defenders, including Moore and Steve Kampfer. The cost to acquire Simmonds: higher than any Bruins fan would want. The Flyers will want a first-round pick in the deal, with a prospect or two Boston Globe LOADED: 01.17.2019 added. The Bruins have the prospects, more than they’ve had in years, but GM Don Sweeney likely would find it impossible to part with the first rounder again after surrendering one a year ago in the Nash deal.

Backes takes a seat

Not far down the street from the historic Liberty Bell, nearly within hearing distance of where America’s independence first rang, the career bell began to toll here Wednesday morning for David Backes.

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The proud Bruins forward, veteran of 896 NHL games, was a scratch (coach’s decision) for the first time since he became an everyday player in 2006-07, his spot in the lineup taken by AHL call-up Peter Cehlarik for the game here vs. the Flyers. Cehlarik scored twice Wednesday.

All new territory for the 34-year-old Backes, who was held off the scoresheet again Monday night (vs. Montreal) and has delivered a meager line of 4-8—12 in his 38 games this season.

Unsurprisingly, the ever-classy Backes was unflinchingly pleasant and accommodating upon meeting with the media after his near hour-long morning skate at the Wells Fargo Center. He said he preferred to frame the disappointment as an opportunity to reset, yet acknowledged his new assignment was a blow to his ego.

“It’s a . . . it’s a kick in the bag, but . . . ,” he said, choosing his words carefully, “. . . are you going to sulk and cry, or are you going to take it as a challenge to reset, get your butt going? If this means I sit tonight and I am fresh against my old squad tomorrow, then maybe we’ll find a silver lining there and we can be a big contributor tomorrow night.”

The St. Louis Blues, a team Backes captained for years prior to signing with the Bruins as a free agent in July 2016, face the Bruins Thursday night at the Garden. Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy sounded as if he is planning on putting him back in the lineup after a one-game respite, but made clear that he had not made up his mind.

“Tough decision, obviously,” said Cassidy, acknowledging the angst around informing the likes of Backes it was time to take a seat. “Veteran guy . . . brings a lot to the table, intangibles . . . but it’s a back-to-back and I am sure he will get back in there tomorrow. I never like to promise things, but . . . ”

The move was made, in part, to get a look at Cehlarik as the latest candidate to help wring dependable, consistent scoring out of a No. 2 line centered by David Krejci. Backes lined up with Krejci and Jake DeBrusk again Monday, in the 3-2 overtime loss to the Habs, but Cassidy early in the second period began an unremitting — and unproductive — series of changes to both the second and third lines.

When the night was over, Backes had logged a paltry 11:40 of ice time, triggering the call to AHL Providence for the 23-year-old Cehlarik to drive the hour north to the varsity. 1126333 Boston Bruins start doing some simple math and, you know, a bag skate and a little bit of a rest maybe was in the cards — and here we are.”

Cassidy said he talked with Backes last week about taking a different, David Backes forced to deal with being a healthy scratch faster approach to practices, adding that he has witnessed Krejci improve his play this year by adding pace to his workouts.

By Kevin Paul Dupont “Listen, he wants do the right things,” said Cassidy. “And sometimes it’s just a matter of repetition. Practice habits every day, working on it, changing your mind-set.

PHILADELPHIA — Not far down the street from the Liberty Bell, nearly “I think with David over the years, he was a physical, rugged player. So hearing distance from where America’s independence first rang, the practice was more to reset, recharge the batteries, give the body some career bell began to toll here Wednesday morning for David Backes. rest.”

The proud Bruins forward, veteran of 896 NHL games, was a scratch The NHL of today, said Cassidy, is “less physical” and a sport with “less (coach’s decision) for the first time since he became an everyday player contact,” and while not everyone (read: old schoolers) might find that to in 2006-07, his spot in the lineup taken by AHL call-up Peter Cehlarik for their liking, everyone has to keep pace with the traffic on the autobahn. the faceoff vs. the Flyers. “So that was kind of the message to him,” said Cassidy. “You have to All new territory for the 34-year-old Backes, who was held off the change how you view your practices and your pregame preparation, in scoresheet again Monday night vs. Montreal and has delivered a meager terms of getting going quicker and sooner. Because that is how the line of 4-8—12 in his 38 games this season. game’s evolved.”

Unsurprisingly, the ever-classy Backes was unflinchingly pleasant and It’s a different game, a different world, and Backes acknowledges the accommodating upon meeting with the media after his near morning reality. His No. 42 sweater put in mothballs for a night here, he has been skate at the Wells Fargo Center. He said he preferred to frame the told he has to do something about it. disappointment as an opportunity to reset, yet acknowledged his new assignment was a blow to his ego. “That’s part of the adaptation to the new NHL,” he said. “You know the younger, faster, more-speed emphasis type of league. Rather than the “It’s a . . . it’s a kick in the bag,” he said, choosing his words carefully, station-to-station, we’re going to tell you what we’re going to do, and “but are you going to sulk and cry, or are you going to take it as a we’re just going to do it harder than you and good luck stopping us. challenge to reset, get your butt going? If this means I sit tonight and I am fresh against my old squad tomorrow, then maybe we’ll find a silver “So, adapting and getting pace up. And some of that is foot speed, per lining there and we can be a big contributor tomorrow night.” se. But at 34, am I all of a sudden going to turn into Jake DeBrusk-type speed? I think that is a fallacy, if you are hoping for that. The most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. “But predictability among linemates . . . I think when I was playing with a The Blues, a team Backes captained for years before signing with the more simple, straight north-south type of line that is predictable, then you Bruins as a free agent in July 2016, face the Bruins Thursday night at TD can anticipate and get going. It gives the appearance you are playing Garden. Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy sounded as if he is planning on with a ton of pace, quickness, and speed. It is more perception, I think, putting Backes back in the lineup after a one-game respite, but made it but some of that come from predictability.” clear Wednesday morning that he had not made up his mind. The Bruins in 2016 signed Backes to a five-year, $30 million deal. Come “Tough decision, obviously,” said Cassidy. “Veteran guy, brings a lot to the end of this season, after three years’ service, he will have collected the table, intangibles. But it’s a back-to-back and I am sure he will get all but $8 million of that guarantee, positioning him and the club for a back in there tomorrow. I never like to promise things, but . . .” relatively inexpensive buyout (not including his remaining $4 million in signing bonuses) if that were general manager Don Sweeney’s decision. The move was made, in part, to get a look at Cehlarik as the latest candidate to help wring dependable, consistent scoring out of a No. 2 line Boston Globe LOADED: 01.17.2019 centered by David Krejci. Backes lined up with Krejci and Jake DeBrusk again Monday, in the 3-2 overtime loss, but early in the second period, Cassidy began an unremitting — and unproductive — series of changes to both the second and third lines.

When the night was over, Backes had logged a paltry 11:40 in ice time, triggering the call to Providence for the 23-year-old Cehlarik.

Backes slimmed down some 10-12 pounds in the offseason, hoping to add a half-step to his game, in a league that seems to gain a full step every season. He hasn’t been so much behind plays as out of synch, his hands and puck/situational reads not what they need to be when riding with Krejci and DeBrusk.

“I think you can always do more,” said Backes. “I don’t see where I am taking shortcuts by any means.”

Part of it, said Backes, “is a little bit of fit” issue. The Patrice Bergeron No. 1 line, with Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, is one of the NHL’s top-producing trios. The Noel Acciari No. 4 line, with Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner the shooters, “has really come a long way,” acknowledged Backes, “and has been an important factor in us winning games, especially in the last little while.” The College Line, with Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson between Ryan Donato and Danton Heinen, has showed signs of traction.

To summarize: Cassidy doesn’t want to fudge around with any of the other lines. Backes might be a good fit with Acciari & Co., but even with new analytics, a three-man line can’t accommodate four forwards. Unless the upcoming MIT Sloan Conference provides some magical math. Until then, if Backes can’t make it work on the No. 2 line, Cassidy will keep churning for answers.

“And I was trying to fit with Krech and JD, and it wasn’t phenomenal, by any means,” Backes noted. “Now they’re going to try Peter there. So you 1126334 Boston Bruins ■ Assists: Giroux 36, Jakub Voracek 26, Couturier 19.

■ Goaltending: Carter Hart (4-5-1, 2.69 GAA), Mike McKenna (0-1-0, 4.21 GAA). Why Bruins fans should keep an eye on Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds ■ Head to head: This is the second of three meetings. The Bruins won the first, 3-0, in Philadelphia on Oct. 25.

■ Miscellany: Because of injuries, the Flyers have used seven goalies By Kevin Paul Dupont this season; No. 1 goaltender Brian Elliot (lower body) has been out since November, but could return this month . . . The Flyers have won two of their last three, stopping a streak of eight straight losses from Dec. PHILADELPHIA — A quick sprint to the south end of Broad Street, where 27 to Jan. 8 . . . Philadelphia allows the third-most goals per game (3.57). the Bruins Wednesday night will face the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Boston Globe LOADED: 01.17.2019 ■ Keep an eye on veteran Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds, who leads most informal polls on the most-likely-to-be-dealt list as the Feb. 25 trade deadline approaches.

Simmonds, 30, is second among Flyers goal scorers this season (his 15 to Sean Couturier’s 16) and he is typically good for 25 goals and 55 points per season. His long-term contract set to expire June 30, he also is on target to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

The Bruins are desperate to find David Krejci an upgrade at wing, be it left or right, and Simmonds is a 6-foot-2-inch righthanded shot who is comfortable on both sides. Given his straight-ahead style, he likely would line up on the right side (as Rick Nash did a year ago), with Jake DeBrusk on the left side.

The cost to acquire Simmonds: higher than any Bruins fan would want. The Flyers will want a first-round pick in the deal, with a prospect or two added. The Bruins have the prospects, more than they’ve had in years, but general manager Don Sweeney likely would find it impossible to part with the first-rounder again after surrendering one a year ago in the Nash deal.

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■ Look for Peter Cehlarik to line up on Krejci’s left side here, following his surprise callup Tuesday from AHL Providence.

Cehlarik, 23, was called up for brief stints the past two seasons, showed some promise, but was shipped back to the WannaB’s when his fight for pucks and play along the wall didn’t improve. He has a chance to stay now but he must engage fully — an issue this season for the likes of Danton Heinen, Ryan Donato, and others.

There’s no doubting the skating and stick skills of many of the Bruins’ young forwards, but their spotty shift-to-shift “battle” level has made for what Sweeney recently labeled as an ongoing “audition” on lines two and three. It’s getting late in the season for rehearsals.

Jaroslav Halak will get the start tonight in Philadelphia.

■ Jaro Halak will be in the Boston net, opposed by Carter Hart, the rookie tender called up amid the Flyers’ freefall, which this season has claimed the jobs of GM Ron Hextall and coach Dave Hakstol.

Hart (4-5-1) was a second-round pick in 2016, the first goalie selected in that draft.

Halak (13-7-2), with only one start since Jan. 3 (a 4-2 loss to the Capitals) has moved more to his expected backup role recently with Tuukka Rask’s improved play. Rask (4-0-1 in his last five starts) will start Thursday night at the Garden and is likely to go again Saturday night against the Rangers — Boston’s last game until Jan. 29.

■ Coach Bruce Cassidy will announce his starting lineup after the morning skate. It’s likely defenseman John Moore, scratched the last two games, will be back on the job, provided Cassidy follows his pattern of not wanting to keep anyone too long out of the mix.

Moore’s play has been fine, but improved health among the blue liners has left Cassidy with a rare surplus of defenders, including Moore and Steve Kampfer.

Flyers at a glance

■ When, where: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.

■ TV, radio: NBCSN, WBZ-FM (98.5).

■ Goals: Sean Couturier 16, Wayne Simmonds 15, Claude Giroux 14. 1126335 Boston Bruins “Whenever you have some sort of injury scare it takes some space in your head,” he said. “You go around the room, everyone has some sort of ailment. If you don’t you’re either very lucky or not battling very hard. Bruins notebook: Jake DeBrusk accepts challenge to play to a higher We have a lot of guys battling. It’s really just a matter of trying to play standard through all these things.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 01.17.2019

By MARISA INGEMI | January 17, 2019 at 1:20 am

PHILADELPHIA — With one goal over the past five games, Jake DeBrusk is in a minor rut.

There’s plenty of other issues to pick apart in the Bruins lineup, but Monday night it was DeBrusk’s turn.

“I don’t think he was – the standard we expect out of him I don’t think has been there enough lately, period.” coach Bruce Cassidy said at the time. “He’s been told that. We want him to play his way out of it. I thought in the third period there were some positives, so hopefully that gets him going into the next game.”

With 18:05 played, DeBrusk saw the ice more than he had since Dec. 1, but before that in Toronto on Saturday his 12:06 was his lowest all season.

Yo-yoing between the second and third lines the past two contests, DeBrusk has taken the hint, even before Cassidy was far more blunt about it.

“I think he’s right, I hold myself to that standard as well,” he said. “You don’t like to talk about what he said, but in a sense it’s just a matter of playing my game, helping this team out as much as I can. I see it, I have high expectations as well. I think it’s a good thing if your coach has high expectations to call you out like that, it means he knows you’re better.”

Those expectations include for DeBrusk to be an offensive force for a team that’s struggled to produce secondary scoring. He’s had his spurts, with four multi-goal games, in a season where he’s missed time, like seemingly everyone in the lineup.

Now fully healthy, there’s not much excuse not to execute, and it’s something DeBrusk understands fully.

“I agree with him, it’s just a matter of going out there and doing it,” DeBrusk said. “I didn’t mind how I ended last game, that’s more my style. I just have to do it consistently.”

Backes scratched

With Peter Cehlarik‘s recall before Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to the Flyers, David Backes found himself scratched for the first time in 12 years.

While there’s a good shot he’s back in the lineup on Thursday night against his old team, St. Louis, he’s taking the whole thing in stride and as an opportunity to get better.

“You have a couple of options in how you react, cry and moan and go into shell, or work your butt off and find your spot back in the lineup,” he said. “The latter obviously has a lot more appealing outcomes.”

Backes had scored a single tally with five assists over his past 15 games.

Cehlarik scored a pair of goals in Wednesday night’s loss.

McAvoy feeling good

It’s been a roller coaster of late for Charlie McAvoy. With a heart ailment less than a year ago, a concussion, and then an infection this season, he’s battled to get back into the lineup.

Three games in from the latest issue, he doesn’t feel any limitations.

“The first couple games you kind of run on energy and emotion because you’re so excited to be back, then after that it’s getting into a rhythm,” he said. “You start to feel normal. It’s been a very weird year for me. Putting together a string of games here, or a string of games there, for me I’m not trying to look any further than the one right in front of me, but at the same time it will feel really good to put together double-digit games.”

With 19 games played this season, McAvoy has put together stretches of seven, 10, and now three games. While at times there’s that lingering doubt after “not feeling eight” and concern about it happening all over again, McAvoy feels 100 percent and is just hoping to stay on the ice. 1126336 Boston Bruins Couturier netted his hat trick with 4:07 to play, sealing Halak’s fourth straight game of allowing at least four goals.

Cehlarik made it a one-goal game with 1:06 left with an extra attacker on Power play outage for Bruins in loss to Flyers the ice, but the final goal from Couturier already sealed the Flyers win.

Bruins blow lead, don’t convert on final chances The Bruins outshot the Flyers 40-18, their sixth game over their last 10 with at least 40 shots.

By MARISA INGEMI | PUBLISHED: January 16, 2019 The Bruins have a quick turnaround with a home game against St. Louis Thursday night.

Boston Herald LOADED: 01.17.2019 PHILADELPHIA — The Bruins had lost just three times in regulation when scoring the first goal entering Wednesday night, but added another one to the list against the Flyers.

The Bruins actually scored twice in the first 9:12 of the contest and continued to dominate in the chances department, but the Flyers scored the next four to take a 4-3 victory.

“They finished some plays, when we did break down, they were good opportunities, some odd-man rushes,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “They went in, they found a way in.”

It’s the Bruins’ first back-to-back defeats since Dec. 23 and 27, coming on the heels of a loss Monday night to Montreal.

Philadelphia struggled to contain the Bruins early, but the Bruins fell into the same mistakes, allowing the Flyers to break into their offensive zone with ease.

“They made some good plays on goals,” goaltender Jaroslav Halak said. “….If I make a save, it’s 3-2 we tie it at the end and it’s a different game.”

A power play goal, just the fourth allowed in the Bruins’ last 37 penalty kill situations, buried them in the second. While the Bruins scored a power play goal early in the contest, it was with the man advantage where they were failed the most; they drew three straight penalties between the end of the second and the third, including a five-minute chance, and didn’t take advantage.

“We took a lot of shots from the top, which is not our power play,” Cassidy said. “We generally look bumper and close on that to (Patrice Bergeron) and the seam, which we scored on earlier and had movement. … That was befuddling to me as well.”

Torey Krug connected with David Pastrnak for the sixth time this season 4:39 into the first for a power play tally to put the Bruins ahead 1-0. Krug stretched a pass to the opposite wall, where Pastrnak was waiting right under the faceoff dot and sent it into the empty net.

Peter Cehlarik took a boarding call 1:25 into his season debut, but his redemption arc wasn’t an extended one. He extended the Bruins lead to 2-0 with 10:48 left in the frame, lifting a shot past Carter Hart’s glove off a feed from Jake DeBrusk along the left wall.

“Makes us wonder why we didn’t call him up a long time ago,” Cassidy said.

The fast-and-loose defensive effort from the Flyers rubbed off on the Bruins later on in the period. After allowing a couple of quality chances, including an acrobatic pad save from Halak to turn one aside, Oskar Lindblom had room to cut the Bruins lead to 2-1 with 7:16 left.

Jakub Voracek wound up from on top of the right circle with 14:28 to go in the second. Sean Couturier, posted up behind Matt Grzelcyk, deflected it off the shaft of his stick to tie it 2-2.

Bergeron sat for a trip with 13:50 left in the second, and 37 seconds later, Couturier had his second goal. He left the puck underneath the blueline for Wayne Simmonds, who slipped a pass through the Bruins defense for Couturier to tap it on at the top of the crease.

The Bruins went on a five-minute power play with 3:12 left in the second off a Jori Lehtera boading of Ryan Donato. Lehtera slammed a defenseless Donato into the boards, sending the Bruins forward to the locker room for the rest of the frame with a bloodied face. He returned for the third period.

After failing to convert, the Bruins got another chance on the man advantage with a too many men call going against the Flyers with 16:21 left in the third. They managed to combine for five shots over the seven total minutes of power play time, and didn’t produce on a third crack at it with eight minutes left. 1126337 Boston Bruins

Bruins pregame notes: B’s look to rebound in Philadelphia

By MARISA INGEMI | January 16, 2019 at 12:59 PM

PHILADELPHIA — The Bruins have played a game of musical chairs with their lines all season, and heading into Wednesday night’s contest with the Flyers, they’re doing so again, with the intention of unsettling as little as possible.

Peter Cehlarik, freshly recalled from Providence with 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points, will slot right into the second line on the left of David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk.

The odd man out, with his first healthy scratch in 12 years, is David Backes.

“Worst thing as a coach I’ve always found is telling players they’re not in the lineup or they’re going down to the minors,” said head coach Bruce Cassidy. “The ones going down to the minors are a little different, they’re younger and sometimes it’s just part of the business. This one’s one of the more difficult ones. He’s a guy who’s been a captain in the , a good soldier, he’s played for a long time in this league.”

With one goal in the last 15 games (he’s added five assists), Backes has struggled to get going and finding a place in the lineup. He was skating alongside Krejci and DeBrusk the past few games, but just wasn’t able to keep up.

“That’s part of the adaptation of the new NHL,” said Backes. “The faster, younger, more speed emphasis type of league now rather than the station-to-station, I’ll tell you what we’re gonna go and we’re just going to do it harder than you and good luck stopping us, the way it was in years past.”

Cehlarik has some experience with Krejci and DeBrusk in a limited capacity, and the Bruins hope that can spark some secondary scoring that has severely lacked for the bulk of the season.

“We played a few games together,” he said. “I was with (DeBrusk) in the last year. I feel comfortable, going to try to bring my game.”

Game Notes

After missing Tuesday’s practice with an illness, Chris Wagner is back in the lineup and healthy. DeBrusk also said he was good to go after missing ice time yesterday.

Jaroslav Halak (13-7-2, .924, 2.39) returns to the net after Tuukka Rask started the previous two contests. Halak’s slowed down since his torrid start to the season, having allowed five, four, and four goal totals over his last three starts. An opportunity against a struggling Flyers team might be the perfect fix.

About the Flyers

The Flyers (17-23-6) have won two of their last three games, with their latest victory coming on Monday night, 7-4 against the Wild.

Claude Giroux‘s 50 points, 36 of them assist, pace the scoring for the Flyers. Sean Couturier leads the way with 16 goals.

Philadelphia’s 130 goals are the seventh-fewest in the NHL, and 164 goals allowed are the fourth most. The Flyers have struggled all year in net, with goalies averaging an .882 save percentage, the worst in the league.

Since being recalled, Carter Hart has posted a .913 save percentage and 2.70 goals against average over 10 starts.

In net isn’t where the woes end for the Flyers, though. Their 13 percent power play is the second lowest in the league and their 76.1 percent penalty kill is the fourth worst.

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18 years later, Jillian Dempsey still connected with Bruins

By MARISA INGEMI | January 16, 2019 at 7:15 am

There are several reasons the new partnership between the Bruins and makes a lot of sense, but none might be simpler than it was destined to be.

Jillian Dempsey, the Pride captain and NWHL’s third all-time leading scorer, has been connected to the Bruins long before last week’s announcement.

“The year was 2000, I was nine years old, and there was a newspaper contest,” said the Winthrop native. “I submitted a name. A ton of other kids probably did too. Mine got picked, they liked it, so I named him Blades.”

Yes, that Blades, the Bruins mascot.

Blades was on scene for the Pride’s 5-4 win over Minnesota last Saturday night, with a sellout crowd where more than 900 individual tickets were sold after season tickets.

The mascot was a part of the ceremonial puck drop, along with Bruins forward Joakim Nordstrom and former Bruin Jay Miller.

Dempsey, as captain, took the faceoff.

“It’s funny now when people find out,” she said. “Whenever I see Blades, it’s like, ‘hey!’ It was just a random contest I happened to win.

“There was a whole event where they announced who won, the top 10 (contestants) were there (at a Bruins game). There was a follow-up game I could invite family and friends and we had a suite to watch the game.”

Dempsey went on to play for Harvard where she finished ninth in program history in points. Prior to that, she skated with the United States U-18 team, and played for the Rivers School in high school. In 2009, she was a winner of the Boston Bruins John Carlton Award, awarded to the top male and female hockey players in high school or juniors in the state.

Her hockey history began long before with the random chance to be connected to the Bruins forever.

“I remember thinking the name Blades, it was so great,” said Dempsey. “There’s a blade on the stick, and the skate. I was nine years old. Looking back it’s funny I came up with the name and it worked and it stuck.”

Now a professional hockey player in Boston, Dempsey’s carved her own path to having a legacy in pro hockey. She was named the Pride captain last season after the departure of eight players to the U.S. National team for the Olympics, and took over centering the top line.

The team’s offensive leader and a two-way forward, she’s essentially been the Pride’s backbone, especially with a lot of young players this season.

“It starts with leadership with players like Dempsey and (Gigi) Marvin,” said Pride head coach Paul Mara. “The veterans who have been here and have done all this, they’ve helped the rookies we’ve brought in.”

Maybe even more ironic than being a part of the Pride at the time they partnered with the Bruins, Dempsey played her first couple of professional seasons with the Canadian Women’s Hockey League with the Boston Blades (now in Worcester).

No matter what team she plays for, it seems the name follows Dempsey.

“We won the (Clarkson) Cup in the second year of the CW, it’s funny how it all connects.”

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Talking Points from the Bruins' 4-3 loss to the Flyers

By Joe Haggerty January 16, 2019 10:42 PM

Talking points from the B's loss to the Flyers. . .

GOLD STAR: Sean Couturier scored three of the four goals for the Flyers, and was right in the middle of everything while playing a strong 200-foot game for Philly. The eventual game-winner was both a good, strong wrist shot from the left face-off circle off the rush, and it was also an incredibly soft goal allowed by Jaroslav Halak. Couturier finished with the hat trick and a plus-1 rating in 22:18 of ice time, five shots on net and 13-of-23 face-off wins in an impressive all-around game for the Flyers. The Flyers' best players were the game’s best players on Wednesday night and it was as simple as that, and Couturier was the best of the best.

BLACK EYE: It looks like the spaced out appearances and the natural ebb and flow to the season have caught up to Jaroslav Halak, who struggled with four goals allowed on 18 shots in Wednesday night’s loss. Halak has now allowed four goals in three of his last four games and is sporting an .861 save percentage over that time span. He's really come crashing back down to Earth after his great start to the season for the Bruins and tonight’s loss to the Flyers was another example. The final goal allowed to Couturier on a wrist shot from the face-off circle was the backbreaker that made it a two-goal game. Halak had a couple of pretty good saves mixed in, but he looked like he was fighting the puck for most of the night while picking up his third loss in his last four starts.

TURNING POINT: The Bruins looked like they kicked back and relaxed after taking an early 2-0 lead in the first period. They got lax on defense, their power play lacked urgency when they had a couple of chances to do damage with it, and as a team they barely reacted when Jori Lehtera clobbered Ryan Donato from behind at the end of the second period. It’s a couple of times now this season that the B’s looked like they stopped playing after taking an early lead, so that’s something they’re going to need to work on for the future. Considering the opponent and the circumstances of the game, this loss to the Flyers was one of the worst ones in a while for the B’s.

HONORABLE MENTION: A great start for Peter Cehlarik scoring in the first period of his first game with the Bruins this season. It was a pretty perfect setup from Jake DeBrusk cross-ice to Cehlarik, who buried the shot into the vacant portion of the net with Flyers goaltender Carter Hart going side-to-side with the moving puck. Cehlarik also had a boarding penalty on his first shift of the game, but at least he’s trying to get involved physically. Cehlarik couldn’t get off another shot on net through the rest of the two periods and had a giveaway to go along with a takeaway and a blocked shot. Cehlarik then added a second goal around the front of the net in the late moments of the third period. He certainly did his job with the two goals and wasn’t a liability at all for the Bruins, so Cehlarik certainly merits a longer look on the David Krejci line after his debut.

BY THE NUMBERS: 121 – the number of goals scored by David Pastrnak prior to his 23rd birthday after tonight’s first period power play strike, which ranks as the most goals scored in franchise history by a player 22 years old or younger.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Makes us wonder why we didn't call him up a long time ago." – Bruce Cassidy to reporters about Peter Cehlarik’s two-goal performance in his first game since getting called up to the Bruins.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126340 Boston Bruins

David Pastrnak sets new goal-scoring mark for Bruins under 23

By Dave Green January 16, 2019

There's no doubt about it: The future is bright for David Pastrnak. And the present isn't bad either.

Pastrnak scored his 27th goal of the season Wednesday night, giving the Bruins an early 1-0 lead over the Flyers.

. @ToreyKrug knows PASTA is best served with a side of SAUCE!

Presented by @HockeyvilleUSA pic.twitter.com/H8E52O7ZL8

— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 17, 2019

It was also the 121st goal of the 22-year-old's career, more than any young player in franchise history.

David Pastrnak is the first player in @NHLBruins franchise history to record 121 career goals prior to this 23rd birthday. #NHLStats #BOSvsPHI pic.twitter.com/54yToKzX3E

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 17, 2019

And since his 23rd birthday isn't until May 25, he'll have plenty of time to pad that lead over Pederson.

Pastrnak's goal was also his league-leading 13th power play tally of the season, breaking a tie with Tampa's Brayden Point.

After a torrid start to the season, the All-Star's pace has fallen off slightly, so he'll need to light the lamp more frequently if he's going to become Boston's first 50-goal scorer since Cam Neely 25 years ago.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126341 Boston Bruins Down by 2 the Flyers have come back to tie it

5:32 Couturier (17)-Sanheim,Voracek#NHLBruins- 2#LetsGoFlyers- 2 pic.twitter.com/JKRD1KOxAR Highlights from the Bruins' 4-3 loss to the Flyers — Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) January 17, 2019

FLYERS STEAL THE LEAD By NBC Sports Boston Staff January 16, 2019 10:13 PM Wagner and Kuraly get caught after a break and Sean Couturier once again delivers for the Flyers

FINAL SCORE: Flyers 4, Bruins 3 6:47 Couturier (18)-Giroux,Simmonds #NHLBruins- 2#LetsGoFlyers- 3 BRUINS RECORD: 26-16-5 pic.twitter.com/MWLZkBBCO6

FROM JOE HAGGERTY: — Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) January 17, 2019

1. I know JFK is a young player just figuring it out, but you really shouldn't LEHTARA GETS 5 MINUTES FOR BOARDING DONATO need somebody to tell you to have the back of your linemate when he Jori Lehtera gets a 5 minute game misconduct after this violent hit on gets drilled from behind into the boards. He was literally right next to the Ryan Donato. Donato has gone to the locker room with a bloody nose play & didn't do anything besides put his arm around him for about a half- #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/kQgJlh2oY5 second. The play was Jori Lehtera drilling Ryan Donato from behind into the side boards and dasher while bloodying him. Donato left the ice and — Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) January 17, 2019 went back to the dressing room for repairs and Lehtera was slapped with a five minute major for boarding, and once again the Bruins didn’t do FLYERS TACK ON THEIR FOURTH much of anything to an opponent taking liberty with them. Flyers only have 4 shots in the third and 18 shots in the game but Sean 2. The Bruins also coughed up a one-goal lead in that second period by Couturier has a hat trick giving up a pair of goals. The more egregious of the two was a power 15:53 Couturier (19)-Provorov,Lindblom#NHLBruins- 2#LetsGoFlyers- 4 play goal where Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner got caught deep in the pic.twitter.com/ulDX2OpOYS offensive zone after going on a two-man shorthanded rush that got knocked away into the corner. The Flyers quickly transitioned the other — Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) January 17, 2019 way and the play ended with a Sean Couturier goal right in front. Perhaps CEHLARIK SCORES HIS SECOND OF THE GAME a little more conservative PK work from the fourth line duo of Kuraly and Wagner might be called for the next time around. Peter Cehlarik making an immediate impact in the NHL scoring his 2nd of the night! 3. A great start for Peter Cehlarik scoring in the first period of his first game with the Bruins this season. It was a pretty perfect setup from Jake 18:54 Cehlarik (2)-Marchand #NHLBruins- 3 #LetsGoFlyers- 4 DeBrusk cross-ice to Cehlarik, who buried the shot into the vacant pic.twitter.com/eM2221Db6b portion of the net with Flyers goaltender Carter Hart going side-to-side with the moving puck. Cehlarik also has a boarding penalty on his first — Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) January 17, 2019 shift of the game, but at least he’s trying to get involved physically as UP NEXT well. Cehlarik couldn’t get off another shot on net through the rest of the two periods and had a giveaway to go along with a takeaway and a THURSDAY: vs Blues, 7:00 p.m. (NESN) blocked shot. He certainly did his job with the first-period goal and wasn’t a liability at all for the Bruins, so Cehlarik certainly merits a longer look on Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.17.2019 the David Krejci line after his debut.

4. It looks like the spaced out appearances and the natural ebb and flow to the season have caught up to Jaroslav Halak, who struggled with four goals allowed on 18 shots in Wednesday night’s loss. Halak has now allowed four goals in three of his last four games and is sporting a .861 save percentage over that time span. He's really come crashing back down to Earth after his great start to the season for the Bruins and tonight’s loss to the Flyers was another example. The final goal allowed to Sean Couturier on a wrist shot from the face-off circle was the backbreaker that made it a two-goal game.

BOX SCORE.

HIGHLIGHTS

KRUG TO PASTA

47 ➡️ 88 #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/zm9uiS33Kh

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 17, 2019

CEHLARIK'S 2ND CAREER GOAL

Welcome back, Peter.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/G2Am5YPurt

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 17, 2019

FLYERS GET ON THE BOARD

The Flyers have been knocking on the door and they get on the board through Oskar Lindblom

12:44 Lindblom (5)- Giroux,Provorov#NHLBruins-2 #LetsGoFlyers- 1 pic.twitter.com/kIC0gV71M8

— Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) January 17, 2019

TIED GAME 1126342 Boston Bruins

NHL trade rumors: Bruins among teams interested in Micheal Ferland

By Nick Goss January 16, 2019 5:56 PM

The NHL trade deadline isn't until Feb. 25, but the rumor mill is already churning.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Micheal Ferland is one of the players to watch as the deadline approaches. He is in the last season of his contract and will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in the summer. The 'Canes are seven points out of a wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference entering Wednesday's games, so there's still a chance for them to get in. However, if they fall any further and/or get the sense Ferland won't re-sign, trading him becomes the best option.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, in his "31 Thoughts" column Wednesday, listed several teams interested in Ferland, and the Boston Bruins are among them.

4. The list is longer, but Boston, Edmonton, Pittsburgh and Vancouver are among those interested in Micheal Ferland.

Ferland has tallied 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 39 games this season. He posted a career-high 21 goals last season.

The Bruins definitely need another forward. However, a top-six forward is the most pressing need up front for the B's, and Ferland isn't that type of player. He would be better suited on Boston's third line, where he could provide scoring depth and a physical presence at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds.

Bruins general manager Don Sweeney gave up a first-round pick as part of the trade that brought top-six winger Rick Nash to Boston before last season's trade deadline. The trade ultimately didn't work out due to injury, but it was worth the risk since the B's looked like a Stanley Cup contender. Ferland would be a nice addition for the Bruins, but giving up a first-round pick to get him would be a steep price that's not worth paying.

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Losing Colby Cave on waivers 'a loss for the Bruins organization'

By Joe Haggerty January 16, 2019 3:14 PM

The Bruins were pleasantly surprised by the performance of Colby Cave after calling him up from Providence a couple of months ago.

The 24-year-old center was clearly not a scoring machine with just a goal and five points in his 20 games with the Bruins, but Cave had shown good hustle, a non-stop work ethic and never seemed like his NHL moment got too big for him. Those are all impressive traits for a player going through it for the first time at the NHL level, and that’s probably why Cave didn’t make it through after being placed on waivers by the Bruins this week.

Cave was claimed by the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, as it was current Oiler GM Peter Chiarelli who signed him in Boston as one of the last things he did before getting fired a couple of weeks later. Clearly the Bruins were hoping that Cave would get through waivers to clear the way for him to be sent back to Providence after a number of healthy scratches, but Bruce Cassidy also wished the young forward good fortune in the Western Conference.

B's trade winds may be stirring

“I’ve got a fondness for him. I had him down in Providence too, and I’ve always got a fondness for the guys that pay their dues in the American League,” said Cassidy. “Now he gets an opportunity somewhere else. It’s a loss for the Bruins organization because he’s an asset, but it’s a great day for the person."

“It’s a mixed bag, but I’m happy for him right now because I hope he gets another opportunity to play there. Who knows how it will play out? [But I hope] he gets a chance to extend his career in the NHL. As far as the player goes, he’s a good kid that works hard and is a solid depth player. He’ll probably have a better opportunity there than he was getting here recently.”

With young prospects like Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and Trent Frederic poised to get extended looks as bottom-6 centers at the NHL level, it was clear that there wasn’t going to be much of a future for Cave with the B’s no matter how much he was liked by the coaching staff. But the Bruins also lose a player for nothing that could have served as good organizational depth if injuries crop up for Boston in the second half of the season.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126344 Boston Bruins Stevens, who is under no legal requirement to make such speaking engagements, opens up about his desire to help addicts near and far. He speaks of his website, of his weekly radio show and many other ‘Helping people is my new purpose’: Kevin Stevens’ long journey endeavors. continues Ever modest, Stevens doesn’t share how he regularly goes above and beyond.

By Josh Yohe Jan 16, 2019 “He does the most amazing things,” Wilson said. “Not too long ago, we found out that a politician’s son in Massachusetts has been dealing with a serious drug problem. Heroin addiction. So, do you know what Kev does now? He meets the kid all the time at Dunkin’ Donuts, and they just BOSTON — Kevin Stevens gazed out the window on a chilly December sit there and talk about life. He does stuff like this a lot. That’s the thing afternoon, the lunch crowd at Port 305 having cleared. All that remained about him. He truly cares about people. And he wants to help that kid so in the restaurant a few miles south of Boston were some background badly. He knows he has the power to make a difference.” Christmas tunes, a larger than life figure in Penguins history, a couple of tears and hope. Wilson has always been close with her younger brother but has taken a more active role in his life during the past couple of years. When Stevens Stevens is many things. He’s a Penguins’ icon, an addict, a father, an ex- was at his lowest point, when the addiction had wreaked havoc and husband, a boyfriend, a son, a brother, and one day at a time, a success nearly ended him, Wilson always told him that he would figure life out, story. that his purpose would eventually surface. One question still haunts him. One day, a couple of years ago, it happened. If you would never have touched cocaine, how many Stanley Cups would When a federal judge spared Stevens jail time for selling Oxycodone in the Penguins of the early 90s had won? the New England area, where opioid use has become an epidemic — he “Christ,” the big man mumbles, shaking his head. “We should have won was convinced he would do at least a couple of years of hard time, but more than two, I’ll tell you that. I try not to think about it, because a lot of letters from the likes of Mario Lemieux made quite a difference on it was my fault. But of course I think about it. Fuck. If I think about it too Stevens’ behalf — he was jolted by a revelation. much, it drives me nuts. We should have won four or five Cups. I should His big sister’s voice was in his head. have scored 600 goals. I should have been a Penguin forever. It would have been nice. But I’ll never get that chance again.” “He looked at me out of the blue and said, ‘Now I know why God put me here,'” Wilson said. “Helping people is my new purpose.” Stevens’ life isn’t without purpose, however. He had a choice after being involved in a federal drug bust a few years ago: Long for the old days Reliving how different, and how better, his life could be, inspires Stevens and fall farther into the pit of addiction while being haunted about the in his daily helping of others. He always speaks of the past before he can dynasty that never happened, or put his legendary determination to good process his present and future. use and save lives. With his big sister watching his every move, Stevens tells police officers “I remember telling Kev, ‘God gave me breast cancer and he gave you a story that’s never been told from his playing career. addiction,'” said Kelli Wilson, who serves not only as Stevens’ oldest sister but also the most important person in his life. “You fight, or you Stevens was traded from the Penguins to his hometown Bruins in 1995. don’t. And I’m so proud of him. He chose to fight, and he’s doing so much The trade was executed by Craig Patrick partially for financial reasons, good for so many people.” as the Penguins were cash-strapped and dishing out huge money to retain Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr. It is a Wednesday, and Stevens’ day begins early. It’s just before 9 a.m. and he’s standing in the banquet room at Disch’s Restaurant in his Penguins special assignment scout Kevin Stevens launched the Power hometown of Pembroke. Forward Foundation last year. (Courtesy of Kelli Wilson)

The Chief of Police Association from the South Shore of Boston has Patrick wanted Stevens to be the third piece that would be retained for gathered for its monthly meeting, and Stevens is the guest speaker. With the long term, even if it would require serious monetary maneuvering. sweat on his forehead, Stevens slowly sips on a drink before speaking to Stevens still holds a Penguins’ record with 17 goals in one postseason. the gathering of police officers. He made a prediction for the ages when the Penguins trailed the Bruins, 2-0, in the 1991 Wales Conference final. “Kev always gets so nervous,” Wilson said. “But, he always speaks from the heart. No notes. No speech writer. It’s just him.” He was that team’s heartbeat.

Stevens is introduced and recounts his life story, the one in which most “Like Kev always would say,” Wilson said, “‘I always said the things that hockey fans are now exceedingly familiar. Mario wanted to say.’ But it wasn’t Mario’s personality to talk a lot. So Kev did the talking for him.” • Norman Rockwell neighborhood growing up in Pembroke Patrick never wanted to part ways with the game’s best power forward. • Becomes a star power forward for the Penguins and wins the Stanley Cup twice “He was such of a great player,” Patrick said. “And such of a great teammate. Of course, we wanted to keep him as long as we could.” • Starts doing cocaine in 1993, which triggers his free fall into addiction Stevens, though, had other ideas and told the police officers about this • Life goes downhill, highlighted by numerous drug-related arrests journey in great detail.

In 522 career games as an all-star left winger with the Penguins, Kevin His problems with substance abuse started on March 4, 1993. Two Stevens had 555 points. (Allsport) nights earlier, Lemieux had done the unthinkable, returning to the NHL on the same day of his final cancer radiation treatment. The night before Stevens, to this day, is always the most popular person in a room. a game in New York, a stranger offered Stevens a vial of cocaine in a Feeling nervous, he resorts to humor when his speech begins. Manhattan club. “I’m getting a little uncomfortable looking up and seeing all of you cops He accepted. everywhere,” he said. “I used to see you guys all the time. I used to think you lived at my house.” Stevens liked adult beverages during the early stages of his career but had never used drugs. Everyone laughs. Even his old high school principal, David Gavigan, has decided to take in Stevens’ speech. “I took the coke and did it in the bathroom,” he said. “I just did it. I don’t even know why. And my life was never the same again.” “Kevin’s a good person,” Gavigan said. “Always was.”

Everyone is still laughing at Stevens’ one-liner, but then the big man turns serious. Stevens started looking for more cocaine — and found it — not long after There is something oddly entertaining about the show even if the format returning to Pittsburgh. When the Stanley Cup playoffs began that spring, is hardly set in stone. the drug was on his mind as much as winning a third Stanley Cup. “Well, I’ll say this,” Penguins assistant general manager Bill Guerin said. “It’s scary,” he said. “If I had started doing cocaine at 18, I know I never “I challenge you to find anyone who doesn’t like Kevin Stevens. Good would have even played in the NHL.” luck with that. He’s dealt with a lot and has made mistakes, but you’ll never find anyone who doesn’t like him. Ever.” Stevens’ play began to decline in the spring of 1993, and everyone attributes this to his brutal injury on May 14, 1993. His infamous collision Stevens’ larger-than-life personality comes through in his radio show, with Rich Pilon turned into a catastrophic injury, and the Penguins’ mini- even if years of being humbled and shamed are also evident in his tone. dynasty ended a couple of hours later. If someone needs help, Stevens essentially serves as the middle man. Stevens’ face was literally demolished, his only memory of that night It’s why the program exists. Stevens, better than most people, realizes coming from a hospital bed, where nurses placed a radio beside his bed. that reaching out for help is extraordinarily difficult for addicts. Barely awake, he can still hear Mike Lange’s call of David Volek’s overtime goal in his head. “Kev always says that he’ll keep doing it forever if it helps just one person,” Wilson said. “But it’s doing a lot more than that. We’ve already That injury, though, didn’t do the damage, Stevens insists. helped five people get into rehab who came forward. It’s been incredible.”

“That’s not why I wasn’t the same player after that,” Stevens said. “It was It’s now become commonplace for people suffering with addiction to the addiction. It was always that.” come forward because of Stevens. About a year ago, a woman struggling with drug problems in Pittsburgh watched an interview with As Stevens explained during his speech, his loyalty to the Penguins was Stevens on KDKA-TV and decided to check into rehab the following day. unwavering even if a certain request would indicate otherwise. “I know what it’s like to get sucked in by it,” Stevens said. “I told Craig to trade me,” Stevens said. He’s the focal point of the Power Forward Foundation, which serves as Why? an avenue for addicts to get help. Many members of the foundation, Stevens had it all in Pittsburgh. He would have received a wealthy, new including Crosscheck cohosts Alyssa Horton and Willy Drinkwater, have contract, he could have played a handful of seasons on Lemieux’s left dealt with addiction. Joe Diaz, the website and graphic designer, wing and was among the most beloved figures in franchise history. connected with Stevens at an AA meeting.

“I didn’t deserve to play with Mario anymore,” Stevens explained. “I knew Andy Bernstein and Stevens’ sisters — Wilson and Kim Froh — also are I was on the wrong path. I knew I was never going to be that player part of this group that seems to share a rare bond. They are all in again. So I told Craig to trade me to Boston. Mario was so great, those attendance during the radio show, after which Stevens approaches all of Penguins teams were so great. I didn’t want to embarrass them.” them with an envelope with a holiday gift.

Stevens later recalled the situation in great detail. “He’s the best,” Bernstein said. “He really is.”

“We had lost three years in a row in the playoffs,” Stevens said. “Mario The affection for Stevens among this group is impossible to ignore. So, was hurt and not playing much, and the Penguins didn’t have a lot of too, is his dedication to helping others. money. (Patrick) wanted to keep me. But I said, ‘No.’ It was right in the “I always ask him if it’s too much,” Wilson said. “Keep in mind, he’s in his middle of the addiction. It was starting to grab me a little bit, and I knew it. 50’s now. He’s got a 3-year-old boy at home. He’s a scout for the I knew I wasn’t really going to be the same player.” Penguins. He drove three hours each way last night to scout a game. He never was, of course. Playing on a team of future hall of famers, He’s an extremely busy man. I always ask him if there are too many Stevens didn’t feel like himself any longer and didn’t feel like he belonged speaking engagements, too many radio shows, if he needs a break.” in Pittsburgh. Stevens just shakes his head.

“If I could do it all over again, I would have stayed,” Stevens said. “Trust “I need to stay busy,” Stevens said. “Too much down time, and I get in me, if I wasn’t dealing with addiction then, I would have stayed in my own head.” Pittsburgh forever. But I was getting to be out of control. I didn’t even know what was going on. I didn’t realize I was an addict, even though I All of this raises a question: Is Stevens really clean? was. But when I was doing drugs then, the drugs were all I could think about.” Stevens looks you in the eye when the question is asked.

Stevens gets emotional when thinking of his days with the Penguins. “I am,” he said. “For 2 1/2 years.” When he considers how many Stanley Cups those teams should have Are some days still a struggle? Does temptation remain? won, tears form in his eyes. “I don’t know if I’d say it’s a struggle, if that’s the right word,” Stevens “It’s not that I wanted to leave,” he said. “Trust me, I never wanted to said. “But it’s a daily thing for me, a battle. I need to stick with my leave. To this day, I love Pittsburgh so much. I love the Penguins. I loved program. I need to be sober, you have to understand. If I’m not sober, I those teams back then. Great friends. I loved everything about being a don’t have anything. I don’t have a family. I don’t have hockey. It’s the hockey player. But the addiction was chipping away.” most important thing in my life. Without it, I can’t function. So, the busier I Addicts have a way of hiding their habits, and Stevens was no different. am, the better I am, the happier I am.”

“I never knew,” Patrick said. “I would have loved to have kept him. I still Wilson keeps the closest of tabs on her brother and said the past two thought he was a great player. I didn’t see much decline in his game. He years have been different, that his federal bust changed his life for the was still a great power forward. But he was ready to go.” better.

When Stevens’ speech to Boston police officers was over, he was ready “I actually sleep at night now because I know he’s clean,” Wilson said. “It to go, too. used to be that I’d only sleep well when he was in rehab because at least I knew he was safe then. I think my mom gets a little upset still when she More work remained. goes a few days without hearing from him. But in general, we’re all doing better because we know he’s better. There’s Kevin, and then there’s Stevens hosts a weekly radio show and called Crosscheck Radio and, on Kevin on drugs. They’re two different people. And I feel like I have my this day, he makes the drive north to Quincy for the taping. The show, brother back. It’s a good feeling.” which is now available on Pittsburgh airwaves and the IHeartRadio app on Saturday mornings, is uniquely Stevens. This doesn’t mean he’s out of the woods, of course.

He speaks of addiction, sports, and everything in between during the 60- “I think every day is still a struggle,” Wilson said. “His priority is sobriety. minute program. Stevens often hosts a guest who has been impacted by Every day. Relapse is expected. It’s part of his disease, part of the the perils of addiction. He encourages callers to come forward and share progression. But it also doesn’t have to be that way. And he’s been their stories. In between, he talks hockey or whatever else is on his mind. incredible.” Stevens said he is happier now than he has been in years. As he eats a fish sandwich at Port 305, his entire life flashes before his eyes. Penguins special assignment scout Kevin Stevens and his mother, Patricia. (Courtesy Kelli Wilson) • He is surrounded by his support group, people who have become his best friends in his fight against addiction. “I still have certain days when (temptation) is there,” Stevens said. “But, I’ve got a routine now. I’ve had it my whole life, as an athlete. And I have • Above the table is a television with a hockey game playing from the it now. I need it. I need to go to my meetings. I started going to them previous evening. The Yale-UMass game is airing, and Luke Stevens, his when I got sober in the first place. And I need to be around my family and 21-year-old son, scores a goal for Yale in the second period. Everyone at friends. They’re great people, and I’m very lucky.” the table cheers. Stevens grins. He was there the night before and is grooming his son, a fifth-round pick of the , for the If Stevens needs any motivation to stay clean, he considers all of his NHL. failures. He blew millions of dollars, lost friends, lost a marriage, damaged his relationship with his children and probably cost himself an • Stevens always brings conversation back to his girlfriend, Fallon, and invitation to the Hockey Hall of Fame. their three-year old son, Hunter. He does so continually during lunch.

Stevens places family before hockey, make no mistake. But he still • When he’s not talking about them, he’s talking about Pittsburgh and the bristles when speaking of his career. Penguins.

Numbers don’t lie: In the three seasons before Stevens started using “We all used to live in Mt. Lebanon by the Galleria,” he said. “I always cocaine, he produced 149 goals, 320 points and 564 penalty minutes. smile when I think about those times. We were so great.” The numbers, during a time when goal scoring was starting to decline following the freewheeling 80s, speak for themselves. He was hockey’s His former teammates are still talking about him, too. One night earlier, greatest power forward, a 50-goal machine who stood up for Lemieux at Stevens had dinner with his old linemate, Rick Tocchet. all times. “Kevin Stevens is one of my favorite teammates ever,” Tocchet said. “A Lemieux, incidentally, missed more than 100 games during those three generous, funny person. And he’d give you the shirt off his back if you seasons. needed it. He still has those same qualities today.”

“Kevin wasn’t a creation of Mario,” Patrick said. “He was an all-time great This properly summarizes Stevens in the eyes of so many. He is a good power forward for a period of time.” man who has done bad things. To this day, he is beloved by all of his old teammates and essentially everyone who comes into contact with the Even now, Guerin, himself no slouch of a power forward, shakes his gentle giant. head. Stevens knows everyone is rooting for him. It seems to pressure and “I was coming into the league when he was at his best,” Guerin said. “I inspire him all at the same time. had a thing in New Jersey where I was told to watch the player on the other team I wanted to emulate. When we played Pittsburgh, I watched “Life isn’t so bad, though,” he said. “I can wake up whenever I want now, Kevin. He was incredible. So big, so fast, such a great player. He did it and I’m going to feel good. I’m not thinking about pain pills. It’s nice.” all.” It represents a start. Stevens doesn’t seem totally happy, but he is on his In those three seasons, from 1990-1993, he scored 149 goals. Then, he way. That purpose he discovered remains. did cocaine for the first time. In the following nine seasons, he scored “He wants to help people, especially young people, and athletes,” Wilson 134 goals. said. “He’s spoken to more than 2,000 people in the past six months. “I look at those numbers all the time,” Stevens said. “It’s no different than That’s a lot of people. And he’s so, so committed to helping as many a lawyer or a doctor, I guess. If they’re addicts, their production is going people as he can. He always says, ‘Kel, I can do this. I can do this.’ The to drop off, too. You know, I didn’t do a drug until I was 28. Not one. fact of the matter is, he’s a very good man with a very bad disease. Honest to God. It occurs to me that, if I had started doing drugs when I People who know him will tell you, if they could have one thing of Kevin’s, was 18 instead, I’d have never even played in the NHL. It’s scary when I it would be his heart. Not his athletic ability. Not his money. But his heart. think of it that way.” He’s a giver.”

Stevens will never score those 600 goals. He will never be inducted into He learned to love himself before he could help others. While the pain of the Hall of Fame. He will never skate around with the Stanley Cup for the his mistakes remains, Stevens’ resolve burst through his eyes the way third time. The thought of it all brings tears to his eyes, but then he his chest once burst through his No. 25 jersey. The guy who protected focuses on how lucky he really is. Lemieux, and who made an iconic guarantee, and who was the voice of a great team in Pittsburgh sports history, still has a pulse. He is still alive. He isn’t in jail. His relationship with his children has improved greatly. He is employed. His relationship with his ex-wife, When his support group leaves after lunch is complete, each of them Suzanne, has probably never been better. hugs Stevens and says “I love you” to him.

“She’s an unbelievable mom,” Stevens said. “My older kids, you know, He says it back. that (relationship) could have gone downhill. But it hasn’t. We’re good The big man has a soft spot. now. Suzanne deserves a lot of credit for that.” “Does he ever,” Wilson said. “He knows how much these people care Then, there is his sister, Kelli. about him. And he knows how much all the old Penguins and how much “Boy am I lucky,” Stevens said. “She’s a very positive person, and I need Pittsburgh cares about him. He gets choked up. He’s more sensitive than that. She’s helped me so much. You don’t even know.” people think. He was a train, right? Like Mike Lange always called him, the R.T. Express. But he’s so sensitive, so full of kindness. He’s just His oldest sister has been through a lot. Through it all, she has trying to put his life together. He is trying so, so hard.” maintained a belief that her famous brother would overcome all of his demons. The restaurant is now empty, and Stevens is sitting at a table by himself. The drugs are on his mind, and hockey, and all the money he lost, and One day at a time, she sees him getting there. his children, and the Penguins, and Pittsburgh.

“I used to send my parents to Florida in the winter just to get them away His eyes become teary as he looks at Dorchester Bay. from all of the madness,” she said. “I admit that I enabled him for a long time without ever realizing it. Kev would ask me for money, and I’d give it “Best days of my life were in Pittsburgh,” he said. “God I miss that place. to him. Eventually, I had to start writing checks to Comcast instead of just Fuck. I loved playing for that team so much. It’s nice to be in the giving him money, because I didn’t realize where the money was going.” organization again, I’ll tell that. And it’s nice to be living again.”

Stevens takes the staff of his nonprofit group to lunch after his radio He will always have his memories, but it seems Stevens, one day at a show. time, is embracing his new role. He’s no longer a superstar, even if his name will always pop up in Penguins’ record books. Now he’s just a 53-year-old man putting his life together and trying to save the world, one person at a time.

“I’m happy about it,” Stevens said, offering a shy grin. “I really am.”

He walks to his car but then remembers more work remains in the radio studio. Stevens hustles back to the studio. He’s in a rush to get home to Hunter and Fallon, after all.

Life doesn’t always present us second chances, and he doesn’t seem interested in failing again. The man who was always at his best when the Penguins trailed in a series seems to know a thing or two about comebacks.

“I think he’s really turned the corner,” Wilson said. “He prays to God every day — as we all do — that he’s going to keep getting better.”

Stevens emerges from the studio and heads home as the New England sun begins to set, another productive day in the books.

“I want this,” he said. “I want to be good.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126345 Buffalo Sabres Hanifin answered with his slap-shot goal to tie the score. Ullmark was brilliant from start to finish. He stopped Garnet Hathaway on a first-period breakaway, made an acrobatic glove save to rob Michael Frolik in the Sabres roar back to beat the Flames behind Jack Eichel's OT winner second and made two saves on to help kill a penalty later in the period.

Despite the shot totals, the Sabres entered overtime with momentum. Lance Lysowski | Published Thu, Jan 17, 2019 Eichel, who had zero points in his previous five games, hit the post with a backhanded shot 34 seconds in. The Flames charged up the ice but did

not get a shot on goal. CALGARY -- Jack Eichel would not be denied. His Buffalo Sabres With the Flames clearly tired and his teammates headed to the bench for teammates felt the same way from puck drop Wednesday night in a line change, Eichel noticed Flames defenseman Mark Giordano was Scotiabank Saddledome. gassed. Eichel seemed to carry the puck in slow motion before scoring With the puck on the blade of his stick and the game on the line, Eichel the game-winner. passed over a line change and skated slowly through the neutral zone. It was his 16th goal of the season and his two points give him 51 in 44 He then picked up his pace into the right faceoff circle and fired a wrist games, making him the third-fastest player in franchise history to reach shot over David Rittich's shoulder. 50 points in a season. Only two players had a minus rating against the That goal 1:10 into overtime gave the Sabres a 4-3 win over the Western Flames, while seven different players had at least one point. Conference's top team, the Calgary Flames, and snapped a three-game "For us, this is a game we should use moving forward as kind of a losing streak. Eichel's 16th goal of the season drew Buffalo to within two building block of what we can do every night to give ourselves the best points of the second wild-card playoff spot, but it meant so much more to chances to win," Eichel said. all involved on the visitors' side. Buffalo News LOADED: 01.17.2019 After allowing seven goals two days earlier and winning only six of their previous 21 games, the Sabres realized the type of performance it will take for them to beat the NHL's best in the season's second half.

"We really had the mindset we were going to win no matter what," Eichel said. "When that’s going down the bench and the whole team is feeling that way it’s a good feeling. It definitely helps you."

The Sabres, now 24-17-6 with 54 points, had lost seven of their previous nine and no longer hold a playoff position. Following their 7-2 loss in Edmonton, they arrived in Calgary determined to find a solution.

Buffalo did not have an immaculate performance against the Flames (30- 13-5). The Sabres were outshot 12-3 in third period and overtime, but they scored on all three of those shots. Rasmus Dahlin and Jake McCabe had third-period goals to erase a deficit, only for Calgary to tie the score with 's with 8:26 left in regulation.

The Sabres' penalty kill went 1-for-3 and they led for only 38 seconds. However, they played an outstanding defensive game, led by Linus Ullmark's 30 saves. Buffalo finished its checks and made it difficult for Calgary to find room around Ullmark.

None of Calgary's three goals were the result of an odd-man rush. Johnny Gaudreau scored with 0.5 seconds remaining in the first on a power-play rebound to make it 1-0, and Matthew Tkachuk made it 2-1 when he deflected a pass into the net at 6:49 into the third period.

The Flames were ranked second in the NHL in goals and owned a plus- 40 goal differential this season, including plus-37 in the third period.

"We played to what our standard is," Sabres center Evan Rodrigues said. "We got away from it obviously the last month or so, but I think that’s the type of game we have to play. We have to play defense first and get on top of guys."

The Sabres had more shot attempts through two periods and more score chances. Eichel hit the post on a breakaway 19 seconds into the game and later missed the net on an open chance from the slot.

Finally, after a failed power play, the Sabres broke through when Casey Mittelstadt sprung Rodrigues for a breakaway, and Rodrigues tucked the puck between Rittich's legs to make it 1-1 at 9:45 into the second period.

"I just liked the response from our guys," coach Phil Housley said. "If you went right up and down our lineup everybody contributed. Obviously Linus made some key saves for us, but we had some really good looks starting right off the bat."

Since their 10-game winning streak ended Nov. 29, the Sabres struggled when trailing in games. Jeff Skinner said Tuesday he noticed their confidence had waned in such situations. When Calgary took the lead on Tkachuk's third-period goal, Dahlin answered 45 seconds later when his one-timer slap shot was deflected over Rittich's glove.

Less than three minutes later, Kyle Okposo screened Rittich and Jake McCabe's wrist shot hit the back of the net for a 3-2 lead.

"It just seemed like we weren’t going to be denied," Eichel said. 1126346 Buffalo Sabres Next: The Sabres are scheduled to practice Thursday in Vancouver ahead of a Friday night game against the Canucks.

Buffalo News LOADED: 01.17.2019 The Wraparound: Sabres 4, Flames 3, OT

Lance Lysowski | Published Thu, Jan 17, 2019

CALGARY -- This was the response coach Phil Housley wanted from the Buffalo Sabres. After allowing seven goals in an embarrassing loss to Edmonton, his players unleashed one of their finest efforts in weeks Wednesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Backed by two third-period goals, the Sabres stunned the Western Conference's best team, the Calgary Flames, with a come-from-behind, 4-3 overtime win. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak and was Buffalo's seventh win in 22 games.

Jack Eichel won the game 1:10 into overtime with his 16th goal of the season.

The Sabres (24-17-6) are only two points back of Pittsburgh for the second-wild card spot. Rasmus Dahlin and Jake McCabe scored to erase a one-goal deficit and gave Buffalo a one-goal lead. Matthew Tkachuk made it 2-1 with his power-play goal at 6:43 into the third.

Evan Rodrigues scored a second-period goal for the Sabres to tie the score, and Linus Ullmark made 30 saves in net. Johnny Gaudreau broke a scoreless time as time expired in the first. David Rittich made 19 saves for Calgary.

The Flames failed to win their sixth straight game but remain atop the Pacific Division with a 30-13-5 record.

Record pace: With an assist on Dahlin's goal, Eichel reached the 50- point mark in his 44th game. Only two players in franchise history -- Pat LaFontaine (27 games in 1991-92) and Rene Robert (41 games in 1972- 73) -- have reached 50 in fewer games.

Tough bounce: With Jason Pominville in the penalty box, the Flames' top power-play unit charged up ice with time expiring and center Elias Lindholm's shot from the right point bounced off Ullmark and defenseman Zach Bogosian.

Gaudreau was there to shoot it into the open net with 0.5 seconds left in the first period for 1-0 lead and his 28th goal of the season. Calgary was 13-1-1 this season when leading after the first period.

Eichel's first: Eichel was unable to capitalize on two chances in the first period, including only 20 seconds in when he hit the post on a breakaway. The Sabres' captain also missed the net from the slot when he corralled a loose puck.

Sabres answer: The Sabres' second-period power play was a mess. They did not have a shot on goal and Rasmus Ristolainen nearly turned the puck over at the blue line for a second consecutive game.

However, they finally broke through after the penalty expired. Casey Mittelstadt sprung Rodrigues for a breakaway with an outlet pass, and Rodrigues capitalized by tucking the puck between Rittich's legs to make it 1-1 with 10:15 left in the second period.

Rodrigues' rise: Rodrigues has only four goals this season, but he has scored in consecutive games. He has four points in his last five games. Mittelstadt, meanwhile, recorded his first assist in seven games.

Ullmark's second: Ullmark was outstanding in the second period after he made an ugly mistake only seconds in. He turned the puck over behind the net and had to hurry back to the crease, where he made a glove save on Michael Frolik. Ullmark also helped kill a penalty with two saves on Lindholm.

Lineup: Coach Phil Housley chose to put Lawrence Pilut back in the lineup and scratched Nathan Beaulieu, who reportedly requested a trade Wednesday after playing only three times in the past 14 games. Beaulieu did not participate in warmups. Matt Hunwick and Remi Elie were also healthy scratches.

Defenseman Travis Hamonic and winger James Neal were out for Calgary. 1126347 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Notebook: Nathan Beaulieu reportedly requests trade

Lance Lysowski | Published Wed, Jan 16, 2019

CALGARY – Nathan Beaulieu's time with the Buffalo Sabres could be coming to an end.

Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reported Wednesday night that Beaulieu, a 26-year-old defenseman, requested to be traded ahead of a game against the Calgary Flames in Scotiabank Saddledome. Beaulieu was a healthy scratch has played only three of the Sabres' past 14 games.

He struggled in Buffalo's 7-2 loss in Edmonton on Monday and was replaced in the lineup by 23-year-old defenseman Lawrence Pilut. The Sabres have eight healthy defensemen on their roster, and Beaulieu has essentially been jumped on the depth chart by Pilut.

Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill declined to comment on Lavoie's report, and Beaulieu was not on the ice for warmups Wednesday night.

Beaulieu, drafted 17th overall by the Canadiens in 2011, was acquired by the Sabres in June 2017. He had one goal among nine points and a negative-19 rating last season but has been in and out of the lineup during his second year in Buffalo.

Beaulieu, who practiced with the team Tuesday in Scotiabank Saddledome, has three goals among seven points in only 26 games. In addition to being a healthy scratch, Beaulieu missed time with an upper- body injury.

He is making $2.4 million in the final season of his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Sabres could be equipped to handle his departure. Matt Hunwick, who returned from injury in Boston on Dec. 29, has been a healthy scratch for 12 consecutive games and is under contract through next season.

Pilut, who signed an entry-level contract with the Sabres in May, has proven capable of playing in the NHL. He entered Wednesday with one goal among five points and a plus-5 rating in 14 games since his promotion from Rochester.

Pilut was selected to the AHL All-Star Classic after playing only 16 games with the Amerks, though his 22 points led the league. Additionally, the Sabres have Brendan Guhle in Rochester and Casey Nelson could return soon from an upper-body injury. Nelson has missed the past 18 games, but he had five points and a plus-6 rating in 22 games prior to the injury.

It's the second time this season a player has wanted to leave the Sabres. Patrik Berglund was suspended for failure to report before his contract was terminated.

•••

Former Sabres Matt Ellis, Craig Rivet, Andrew Peters, Patrick Kaleta, Brian Gionta and Michael Peca were among the coaches announced for the 2019-20 Junior Sabres 9U-18U teams on Wednesday.

•••

The NHL and its players' association have abandoned the possibility of holding a World Cup of Hockey in 2020. The league's deputy commissioner, Bill Daly, told NHL.com there were concerns about the event because of "labor uncertainty."

The current collective bargaining agreement following the 2021-22 season, but the two sides can reopen negotiations in September 2019, which could lead to the CBA expiring following next season.

Buffalo News LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126348 Buffalo Sabres Fattey referred questions to his attorney R.J. Friedman of Hamburg.

"He is aware of the rumors and from day one has denied any allegations regarding any sort of sexual harassment," said Friedman. "PSE did their HarborCenter execs resigned after alleged sexual harassment due diligence and did speak to Nik about the allegations, which he denies."

Jay Tokasz , and Dan Herbeck Friedman said Fattey developed a "spotless reputation" in his 14 years in the hockey community and is now pursuing another opportunity.

He also said his client's departure from PSE was unrelated to the The unexpected resignations earlier this month of two Pegula Sports and allegations that surfaced. Entertainment executives followed an internal investigation into whether the two men sexually harassed female employees after a holiday party in "He had been thinking about it for a while. I know the optics really don't December, according to four sources. look so great, but it is unrelated," said Friedman.

Michael Gilbert, senior vice president of administration and general The resignations of Gilbert and Fattey came on the heels of the manager of HarborCenter, and Nik Fattey, vice president and director of departure last spring of Russ Brandon, who was the top executive at hockey at HarborCenter, joined a group of about two dozen male and PSE under Terry and Kim Pegula, owners of the and Buffalo female PSE employees at Mulligan’s Brick Bar on Allen Street around Sabres. midnight on Dec. 16, after the company holiday party inside the Marriott Brandon, who as managing partner and president of PSE ran day-to-day HarborCenter had ended, two of the sources said. operations for the Bills and Sabres and other sports franchises owned by At Brick Bar, Gilbert and Fattey focused their attention on two young the Pegulas, resigned following an internal investigation into allegations women who work as servers at (716) Food & Sport, a PSE-owned bar of inappropriate relationships with female employees, sources told The and restaurant inside HarborCenter, the two sources said. News at the time.

Fattey, through his attorney, denied that he had sexually harassed or Kim Pegula took over as chief executive officer and president of PSE behaved inappropriately with any woman. when Brandon left.

Gilbert did not return two voice messages left on his cellphone. Russ Brandon resigns from Bills, Sabres after internal investigation

One of the women said Gilbert, 50, made sexually explicit and The woman said she had had little interaction with Gilbert and Fattey inappropriate remarks to her and repeatedly asked her to meet him in his prior to the night they were together at Brick Bar on Dec. 16. She waited hotel room at the Marriott. on them at (716) Food & Sport restaurant a few times and did not have any negative experiences in those instances, she said. She also said she “I just said no, I have no interest. I would turn around and he would did not encounter any problems at the holiday party earlier that night. continue to talk to me,” the woman said. “I don’t know where he got to thinking that I would be interested. I have no idea why he thought he But at Brick Bar, the woman said Fattey also tried hitting on her. He could do that.” quickly got the message that she wasn’t interested and turned his attention to her friend, who also works at (716), she said. She noticed The News contacted the woman when other sources said there was Fattey whispering into the friend’s ear, but she said she doesn’t know more behind the resignations than PSE initially revealed. The woman what he told her. She also said Fattey put his hand on her friend’s agreed to be interviewed on the condition that she not be identified by shoulder and buttocks. name in a story. The woman who described Gilbert hitting on her said that Gilbert, at one The woman said she felt awkward trying to fend off Gilbert’s advances point, gave her his business card. She got up, threw the card on the floor without angering him, because he ultimately wielded control over her job and went outside to call her boyfriend, she said. When she came back at the restaurant. inside, her friend was crying.

“I think he was trying to use that power,” she said. A co-worker who was at Brick Bar with the two women said that they were both visibly upset after Gilbert and Fattey left to get something to The woman, who is 23, described the interaction as "creepy" and "gross." eat. “He’s like twice my age,” she said. “They were offended,” said the co-worker. “The girls they were doing this Another source who was in Brick Bar at the time confirmed substantial to were young and appalled. These girls were just crying at the end of the portions of the woman's account, although the source also acknowledged night.” that she could not hear what Gilbert said to the woman. The woman who said Gilbert made sexually harassing remarks to her Longtime Sabres exec Mike Gilbert, HarborCenter VP Nik Fattey resign said she did not report the incident to managers.

As general manager, Gilbert was responsible for all aspects of the “I didn’t think it would be taken seriously, because often times, it’s not,” operation of HarborCenter, which also houses two ice rinks, a hotel, a she said. Tim Hortons and a handful of small shops. He and Fattey, 39, who also But two days after the party, she received a phone call from the PSE served as general manager of the women's hockey team, human resources office, she said. were the two highest-ranking PSE executives at HarborCenter. “They called me and then I met them in person,” she said. She met again Gilbert served in a variety of roles with the Sabres in 21 years with the with them about two weeks later. organization. He was the team's longtime director of public relations and its most prominent media contact before becoming a vice president in She said the human resources people apologized to her for what 2011. He took on the new responsibilities with HarborCenter in 2016. happened, but did not tell her who made the complaint or what would happen with Gilbert or Fattey. Gilbert also helped the lead the organization's effort to bring the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship to Buffalo last year, but the event She said she later learned that a male co-worker who had witnessed how was criticized for thousands of empty seats at KeyBank Center. Before upset she and her friend were at Brick Bar filed a complaint with his departure, he was a key member of the organizing group for the management. coming NCAA Frozen Four. “He said, ‘I figured you were too scared to say something,’ ” she said. At the time of the announcement, PSE issued a statement that quoted Gilbert as saying, "I believe now is the best time for me to explore some The woman said she was grateful that the co-worker reported the other opportunities in the private sector here in my hometown of Buffalo.” incident and was satisfied with how it was handled by the company.

PSE has not publicly acknowledged Fattey's resignation, but his bio was The human resources office also interviewed other employees who were removed from the HarborCenter website. at Brick Bar following the company holiday party, sources said. “They took it very seriously from the beginning,” she said. Buffalo News LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126349 Buffalo Sabres extremely well. Extremely professional and mature for his age. The way he’s sort of turned it around the last couple of months has been pretty fun to watch."

Sabres' Tage Thompson 'taking steps' in latest stop of his hockey journey Tage Thompson aims to shoot more for Sabres after the holiday break

Entering Wednesday, Thompson had six goals among 10 points with a Lance Lysowski | Published Wed, Jan 16, 2019 minus-10 rating in 39 games. He played second-line right wing alongside Casey Mittelstadt and Conor Sheary Wednesday against Calgary, and plays on the Sabres' second power-play unit.

CALGARY — Tage Thompson knew all about the NHL life before his Thompson is still working to add weight to his 6-foot-6 frame. Only then even began. The Buffalo Sabres' 21-year-old winger learned to skate in will he be able to use size to his advantage. But Thompson is showing the former home arena of the Hartford Whalers, played hockey on frozen why Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill acquired him in the ponds in Alaska and once skipped school as a child to watch the New blockbuster offseason trade. York Islanders practice. Thompson has an electrifying shot and has used his speed to make an Thompson and his family lived in 11 different NHL or AHL cities because impact in transition. He has opened eyes with both as of late, particularly his father, Brent, played 15 professional seasons — including 121 NHL with his five or more shots on goal in three of his previous seven games games — followed by 13 years in coaching, including the past five as entering Wednesday. coach of the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Brent, who's coaching the Islanders' AHL affiliate, spends his few off Yet, Thompson's hockey journey is only beginning, and he is making an days catching up on both of his sons' games and will send a short text impact in his new home. message with observations and critiques.

"I see the steps he’s taking, and he’s taking steps in the right direction," "He’s a huge help," Tage said. "He’s obviously been through it and his father said in a phone interview this week during Bridgeport's road trip knows what it takes to be successful and stay there. He doesn’t want me to Charlotte, N.C. "I do know there’s a huge upside, there’s a lot more he to learn the hard way. He wants me to learn from mistakes he’s made, so can offer. He's still only 21." maybe that way I’ll have a little bit of an easier path and be a little more successful hopefully." Brent, now 48, was a second-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 1989 and played parts of three seasons there before stints with the Calgary is another "home" for Thompson. His grandmother, aunt, uncle Winnipeg Jets and Phoenix Coyotes. Much of his playing career was and cousins were at Scotiabank Saddledome for the Sabres' game spent in the AHL with seasons in Springfield, Mass.; Hartford, Conn.; against the Flames on Wednesday. Brent was born here and spent his Louisville, Ky.; Hershey, Pa.; Loveland, Colo.; and Providence, R.I. offseasons training in Red Bank, which is roughly 90 miles north.

Tage was born in October 1997 when his father was playing for the It's the latest of many surreal moments that seemed impossible to Tage Phoenix Roadrunners of the now-defunct International Hockey League. not long ago. His younger brother, Tyce, was born 21 months later and is now a 19- year-old freshman winger for Providence College. When the family "To be around it our whole lives and being a professional is a dream moved, their mother, Kim, would handle most of the logistics. come true," he said.

Whichever team Brent was joining would recommend youth hockey Buffalo News LOADED: 01.17.2019 programs in the area. Since they did not typically move until August, tryouts had been completed months earlier, so Tage and Tyce would have to skate in front of coaches separately to try to earn a spot.

They never had trouble making a team. In 2010-11, Tage had 52 points in 12 games with his bantam team in Anchorage, Alaska. However, he played only 14 games over the next two seasons because of consecutive knee injuries, including a partially torn ACL and broken leg.

When many young players his age were being considered for the Hockey League junior draft, Thompson was forced to watch and rehab.

"It was definitely bad timing for those injuries, especially those happening back to back," he recalled. "You never want that. … It was a tough couple years for me there. It definitely helped strengthen me mentally, being able to go through something like that. Knowing if it ever happens again I’ll be able to battle through it."

Upon recovering, Thompson was invited to New York's U.S. National Development Program camp but did not make the cut. Weeks later, he received a call asking him to attend their national camp and would lead all players in scoring.

He was invited to join the program and his career took off. Thompson had 32 points in 36 games as a freshman at the University of Connecticut in 2015-16. He was drafted 26th overall by the St. Louis Blues after his freshman season and went pro following his sophomore year.

Thompson split last season between San Antonio of the AHL and St. Louis, with nine points in 41 NHL games. With the organization intent on playing veterans, the Blues traded Thompson to the Sabres to acquire Ryan O'Reilly.

Thompson reunited with one of the many acquaintances he made during his family's travels. Sabres winger Kyle Okposo played for the Islanders when Brent was an assistant coach there from 2012-14. Tage and Tyce would hang out in the locker room after games and watched practices.

"Life definitely comes full circle," Okposo said with a laugh. "It’s been pretty cool to watch him this season. … The season kind of started and he wasn’t playing as much, he was kind of in and out of the lineup. It’s tough for a young player to go through. I think he handled himself 1126350 Buffalo Sabres from us a little bit in Edmonton. We’re going to focus on that because this team is a very high-powered offense."

4. Jack's drought: The Sabres need a big game out of Jack Eichel. He Sabres at Flames: Five Things to Know has only one point in their last nine games, though he missed three-plus games because of an upper-body injury.

Lance Lysowski | Published Wed, Jan 16, 2019 His line controlled play against the Oilers, but they were unable to beat goalie Mikko Koskinen. Prior to the game in Edmonton, Eichel acknowledged that he was not at his best during his first two games back from injury. That's only natural. CALGARY – The road trip does not get easier for the Buffalo Sabres. In fact, their game tonight against the Calgary Flames could be one of the Eichel seems to play his best against top teams and top players. more difficult tests of the season and it could not come at a worse time. Gaudreau is regarded by many as among the top five players in the NHL.

The Sabres (23-17-6) suffered arguably their worst loss of the season "I think just simplify his game," Housley on what Eichel needs to do to Monday in Edmonton when they allowed a season-high seven goals. The score. "Jack is our captain for a reason. He means well. His attentions Flames (30-13-4) are atop the Western Conference with 64 points and are well. He cares about his teammates, he cares about the City of are on a five-game winning streak. Buffalo and wants to win. Sometimes that burden can get the best of him. Simplify his game, take what the game gives him, shoot more pucks, go On paper, it is a terrible matchup for the struggling Sabres, who have to the net – things will happen for him. " won only six of their last 21 games. Puck drop in Scotiabank Saddledome is 9:30 p.m. EST. 5. By the numbers: The Flames are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and matched their franchise record for fewest games to record 30 wins (47 "We know that they’re going to be a very desperate team, not only with games played), a mark previously set in 1988-89 when they won the where they’re at in the standings but the way their last game went Stanley Cup. ... Gaudreau has an eight-game point streak and his 21 against Edmonton," Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk said. multipoint games are 12 shy of the franchise record for most in a season. 1. Lineup: Lawrence Pilut was not a healthy scratch for long. The 23- ... Buffalo leads the all-time series with Calgary, 52-37-18. ... The Sabres year-old defenseman will be back in the lineup tonight after he was are 9-3-1 against the Pacific Division this season. replaced by Nathan Beaulieu against the Oilers. Beaulieu had played Buffalo News LOADED: 01.17.2019 only two of the previous 12 games and it showed.

Marco Scandella remained in the lineup despite his egregious turnover against the Oilers and will skate alongside Jake McCabe. Pilut is paired with Rasmus Ristolainen, while the forward lines did not change from Tuesday's practice:

Sabres’ lines the same as last night:

Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart

Sheary-Mittelstadt-Thompson

Sobotka-Rodrigues-Pominville

Girgensons-Larsson-Okposo

— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) January 15, 2019

Neither defenseman Travis Hamonic nor winger James Neal will play tonight against the Sabres, according to Flames coach Bill Peters. Hamonic has 12 points with a plus-7 rating in 38 games this season, while Neal has struggled with a negative-11 rating and only 10 points.

David Rittich, who is 17-4-3 with a .920 save percentage this season, will start for the Flames.

2. Goalie change: Linus Ullmark will start for the Sabres tonight, according to coach Phil Housley. was pulled Monday in Edmonton after allowing five goals on 12 shots, though Housley gave Hutton a vote of confidence following practice Tuesday.

Hutton has been the victim of bad luck, but he has lost eight of his last nine starts. Ullmark, meanwhile, is 9-3-3 with a .918 save percentage this season. He has started two of the past three games and allowed five goals on 30 shots against Tampa Bay on Saturday.

3. On fire: The Flames rank second in the NHL in goals (173) and have four players with at least 20 goals. Winger Johnny Gaudreau ranks seventh in the league in goals (27, tied), fifth in assists (42) and second in points (69, tied).

He also is surrounded by a strong supporting cast, including Sean Monahan (25 goals), Tkachuk (23) and Elias Lindholm (21). The Flames average only 31.8 shots per game – which ranks 15th – but they have the skill to take advantage of opponents' mistakes. Calgary's 7-1 win over Arizona on Sunday was the Flames' sixth seven-goal game of the season.

Buffalo lost to Calgary, 2-1, in KeyBank Center on Oct. 30.

"They’re playing with a lot of confidence," Housley said of the Flames. "It presents a great challenge for us. Their transition game is one of the best in the league, so we’re going to have to manage that part of our game and we’re going to have to check better. Our attention to detail got away 1126351 Buffalo Sabres The Eichel of old – actually, the Eichel of young – might have been in the wrong frame of mind by the time overtime arrived Wednesday. He rang the post on a breakaway just 25 seconds into the game, then watched a ‘He drives our team’: How a gassed Jack Eichel energized the Sabres wide-open shot from the top of the crease sail over the net.

PIC.TWITTER.COM/FHU7XFYVLD

By John Vogl Jan 16, 2019 — BEN MATHEWSON (@BEN_MATHEWSON) JANUARY 17, 2019

“When you’re getting looks and hitting a post and hitting a goalie’s knob and just missing, sometimes it creeps in and snowballs,” Skinner said. CALGARY, Alberta – Sam Reinhart was halfway over the boards, ready “But you keep sticking with it, keep trying to create opportunities, and to give Jack Eichel a much-needed breather. Then he saw a look in the sooner or later they go in. He did a good job of that, and it paid off for us.” captain’s eyes. The goal ended a three-game losing streak. It added a victory to a long- “I figured something like that was going to happen,” Reinhart said. term slide that included records of 0-3, 1-4, 2-6-1, 3-8-1 and 6-11-4.

Eichel’s scintillating overtime goal not only won the game against It also brought a needed shot of peace to the Sabres’ goal-lacking scorer Calgary, it put a salve on three weeks of snakebites and energized a and the guys who follow his lead. Sabres team that needed the boost. “It just seemed like we weren’t going to be denied,” Eichel said. “We “As a group,” Eichel said, “we probably weren’t the most confident.” really had the mindset we were going to win no matter what. When that’s going down the bench and the whole team feels that way, it’s a good That included Buffalo’s engine. Eichel hadn’t scored since Dec. 27, a feeling and it definitely helps you.” three-week drought that featured three games missed due to injury. He was kept off the score sheet in five straight, an eternity for a player who The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 was piling up points.

“Obviously, you put a lot of pressure on yourself and you want to be a difference maker every night,” Eichel said. “When things aren’t going well, you want to be one of the guys to make a difference. I think that’s a little bit when you start gripping your stick and start thinking about it a little too much.

“Hopefully, that goal can get me going again. It’s just what I needed.”

The impressive part is the goal shouldn’t have even happened.

The center had been on the ice for more than a minute and was simply killing time to allow Rasmus Ristolainen and Conor Sheary to head to the bench. Eichel was next to head off, which prompted Reinhart to throw one leg over the boards.

Instead, the energy-sapped Eichel ran through a few things in his mind and decided to make magic.

EICHEL SEALS IT IN OVERTIME 4-3! WHAT A SNIPE! #SABRES #FLAMES PIC.TWITTER.COM/HXJBB9KYV8

— BUFFALO SABRES PLAYS AND GOALS (@SABRESPLAYS) JANUARY 17, 2019

“I’m gassed,” Eichel said of his slow move through center ice. “I’m just trying to give Risto and Shears an out to try and get off and get new guys out. I think I saw Calgary get two new guys on the ice, and I was noticing that (Mark) Giordano had been out there for a while. He’d been up and down the ice a few times, so for me I just tried to attack him and get a shot on net.”

The shot was Eichel’s 16th goal and 51st point in 44 games. It might have been his biggest. It even lifted weight off Reinhart’s shoulders, who figures the goal will reinvigorate the top line of Eichel, Reinhart and Jeff Skinner.

“We expect a lot of ourselves – and we should – and the team expects a lot of us,” Reinhart said. “We want to be producing. That’s where we feel most comfortable, and it’s just nice to see him get one.

“Hopefully, that just builds all of our confidence because he drives our line, he drives our team. There’s no secret about it.”

It’s certainly no secret to Eichel. The Sabres’ season so far can basically be summed up like this: If Eichel’s line doesn’t fill the net, Buffalo will probably lose. There had been a lot of losing.

“Just missing a few games there, obviously it’s tough,” said Eichel, who was out with an upper-body injury from Dec. 31 to Jan. 11. “I don’t think I was myself the last few nights, and maybe tonight was the night I needed to spark me. I was even kind of fighting it a little bit tonight.

“It wasn’t the first 60 (minutes) that I really wanted. It’s frustrating that you miss your opportunities because you want to make a difference. You want to be a difference maker, but for me it feels really good to get that one. Obviously, it’s been a while since I’ve scored – almost a month – so just getting through that injury and being able to get one, that felt really good for me.” 1126352 Buffalo Sabres No. 23 Sam Reinhart

“Dad wore it.”

Numbers game: Why the Sabres wear those digits on their jerseys No. 24 Lawrence Pilut

“There’s no real meaning behind it. I got it in training camp, and I just kind of stuck with it. I’ve had a bunch of different numbers growing up. I By John Vogl Jan 16, 2019 had 27 when I was younger, then I had 20 with my pro-league team in Sweden, so it’s been a couple different numbers.”

After looking at Sabres jerseys in the stands for four years, Jake McCabe No. 26 Rasmus Dahlin knew his No. 29 was still synonymous with Jason Pominville. So the “When I came to Frölunda I just got it, and then I kept wearing it. They defenseman promptly gave up the number last season when Buffalo just gave it to me, and I still wear it. I’ve played some good hockey with it, reacquired Pominville. The winger proudly put on the only uniform so I stick with it.” number he’s ever worn in the NHL. No. 28 Zemgus Girgensons So why did Pominville first pick No. 29 back in 2003? “I was given it. I played 23 in juniors. I think 28 was (Paul) Gaustad’s He didn’t. number, so I came in and they just gave it to me.”

The equipment manager combo of David Williams and Rip Simonick No. 35 Linus Ullmark doled out the digits when Pominville was called up from the American Hockey League. Pominville was wearing No. 15 in Rochester, and “Well, I wore 30 back home in juniors. That was my number I got Williams pulled out his AHL-to-NHL trick. assigned, then I kept it. I got over here, and Ryan Miller was wearing 30 so I had to wear some other number. They gave me 35, but that didn’t “I would double guys’ numbers because they’re twice as good now,” really bother me at all. I like 35. That was my first number ever, so that Williams said with a smile. actually worked out better than I expected.

He couldn’t fully double Pominville’s 15 because goaltender Ryan Miller “I always liked 35. It was just that I didn’t wear it back home because I had the rights to 30, but Pominville and No. 29 quickly became one of the was assigned 30. I wore 30 in Rochester, but that was because no one franchise’s iconic combinations. was using it when I got there.”

“After my first year, they were like, ‘Do you want to change numbers?’” No. 37 Casey Mittelstadt Pominville said. “I was like, ‘No, I kind of like it,’ so I stuck with it, and it’s been 29 ever since. “Last year, there was a lot of numbers taken, and all the ones I’d ever worn were taken. They gave me my options, and I asked my buddies. I “I’m not going to change now.” don’t know, I just picked 37 and thought it looked nice. That was pretty Here are the back stories for the Sabres, who were asked simply: “Why much it, and now I really like it, so it’s turned out pretty well. do you wear your number?” “I used 11, 20 and 22, and 21 in college but I didn’t really 21. Eleven No. 4 Zach Bogosian would have been my first one, but obviously that’s retired (for Gilbert Perreault).” “I’ve worn it since I was like 6. I just liked the way it looked, I guess, and I just started wearing it. That was it.” No. 40 Carter Hutton

No. 6 Marco Scandella “Oh, I have no idea. No idea. I’ve never cared about numbers. I was 1 growing up and then I was 30 in college, so I was 30 for a long time. “No reason. I just thought 6 looked good.” Then I went to St. Louis and they had a kid that had 30, so they gave me 40 and I just stuck with it. I don’t really get caught up with that stuff.” Former No. 6 Phil Housley No. 43 Conor Sheary “Because it was given to me. I wore 6 in high school, but I had to wear it when I first made the team as a freshman. They gave me No. 6, and it “When I came out of college to Wilkes-Barre, they were just handing out just sort of stuck with me. I’ve been lucky to wear it most of my career.” numbers. It’s the one I got, so I kept it. I wore No. 12 growing up, but that one was taken in college and the pro level, so I just kind of stuck with No. 9 Jack Eichel what was given to me. It’s worked out, I guess.” “I used it when I was younger as a kid. It just seemed like so many good No. 48 Matt Hunwick hockey players, hockey legends wore it – Rocket Richard and all these guys that paved the way in the NHL. It just seemed like a good number. “I chose it this year because it was the number I wore my first year in My dad really liked it, so he pushed it on me as well. Boston. I’ve worn 48 and 22 a lot, and 22 was taken so I went with 48. Nothing too significant. That’s what I was assigned when I went to the “At the beginning of the year, it was cool to pull it on again. Now I feel like Bruins, and I’ve worn it a few times since.” it’s my number again. When I’m signing 15 jerseys, I have to think about it and make sure I put the 1-5 instead of the 9.” No. 53 Jeff Skinner

No. 17 Vladimir Sobotka “I was 23 growing up my whole life, and when I went to juniors, an older guy was wearing it. And 53 kind of looks like 23, so … He was assigned the number when he started with Boston and kept it. “I was 23 ever since I was little. My mom gave me that number, actually, No. 19 Jake McCabe for Eddie Shack. She said when I was in house league I was always “It’s just one of those numbers I’ve liked since I was a squirt. I just kind of waving to her in the crowd, so she gave me 23. I just kind of flipped it in stuck with it. I actually liked 12, but usually it was my brother’s number, junior to 53, and after my first year I just kept it.” and then one of the older kids on the team kept getting it. I was No. 55 Rasmus Ristolainen alternating, so I just stuck with 19 instead.” “When I played my first game in the Finnish league, that was the number No. 21 Kyle Okposo available that was given to me. I wanted to keep it after that. Why not? “I had the choice of 12 and 21 with the Islanders, and I chose 21. Peter It’s a good number. I don’t really have any connection to it, but when you Forsberg was my favorite player growing up.” have it all your career, you want to keep it.”

No. 22 Johan Larsson No. 71 Evan Rodrigues

“My dad wore it. I usually have 12, but when I got here (Kevin Porter) had “My number was 17 all growing up, and then when I signed here, my first it, so 22 is for my dad. It’s nice to honor him and a nice number, I think.” camp it was 71 and I figured it was just 17 backward. It worked for me. Obviously, I scored my first goal in it and made it to the NHL wearing that number, so now I’m kind of ‘whatever’ because 17 and 71 both work for me.”

No. 72 Tage Thompson

“My number in college was 29, and that was always my number. It’s the number I wanted, and obviously Pommer’s got it, so I was going to flip it and go backward with 92. But (Alex Nylander) has got that one, so I figured I’ve always liked the number 7 and did 72 instead. Also, my brother wears 27, so it’s kind of cool that we’re backward. No true meaning to it, but I like the look of it.”

No. 81 Remi Elie

“In juniors I always liked No. 81 and always wore No. 81. I had the chance to pick it here, so that’s why I picked it. I picked it in junior, too, when I was in London and Erie, then when I played in Belleville there was no high numbers, so I was 12. Whenever I have the chance to wear 81, that’s my first number.”

No. 82 Nathan Beaulieu

“I’m a 28 guy. I wore 28 since I turned junior. I’ve always loved the No. 8, and there was a captain the year before I came in so I thought it was a bit much coming in and being a 15-year-old taking that number. So I put a 2 in front of it, and my trainer said, ‘If you turn a 2 up to the side it’s an N, and an N and an 8 is Nate.’ So it’s pretty cool, and I’ve had that forever.

“When I came, Z obviously had 28, so I just flipped to 82.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126353 Calgary Flames “I went wide and he (goalie) didn’t come out and play his blocker side and once again I just missed my shot,” said Boeser. “I’ve been working on it in practice to make sure I’m hitting my spots but maybe it’s a matter Canucks Post Game: Markstrom’s statement, Boeser’s shot, Sutter of not aiming it too much and just letting it rip as hard as I can — I’ve got survives, Del Zotto dealt, Hockey Talks to change something up.”

As for Horvat, the frustration showed with a stick slam and plenty of head shakes. He had three shots and five attempts and plenty of chances to Ben Kuzma More from Ben Kuzma score.

It started early when the centre got a shot away and slid a backhande rebound wide of the open net. It continue on a second-period power play Points to ponder in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Oilers on Wednesday at with the Canucks being outshot 16-6. Horvat got the puck down low and Rogers Arena in which Jacob Markstrom looked like a solid starter, Brock his reverse move to the net was stopped. So was taking a cross-ice feed Boeser looked like he needs to change his shooting angle, from Sven Baertschi early in the third period only to have his heavy looked frustrated and the traded Michael Del Zotto is looking forward to a slapper find the glove of Mikko Koskinen. fresh start: If that wasn’t enough, after was stopped on a breakaway Markstrom makes another statement with 20 seconds left in regulation time, Horvat was stopped on an It wasn’t looking good. overtime breakaway and shootout chance.

The Canucks couldn’t generate any early offence and just when it looked Sutter survives tough shutdown assignment like a power play might generate momentum, the Oilers scored a Brandon Sutter scored in the opening period and also saw a lot of shorthanded goal against the first unit. Alex Edler backed up to such a McDavid on Wednesday. Maybe too much. degree that fourth-line grinder Jujhar Khaira was able to spin, then cut across the slot on Bo Horvat and score his third goal of the season. used two lines against McDavid’s line and Sutter had his hands full trying to stop the dynamo. He tried to stop McDavid on his It could have been the beginning of a long night, but Jacob Markstrom quick-transition goal and saw more of the Oilers captain in overtime. made it more memorable because he did what any starter has to do — he gave his club a chance to win. “McDavid had a couple of rushes where he swings back and grabs the puck and that’s tough to stop,” said Sutter, who played on a line with Yes, there was that ridiculous Connor McDavid goal in quick transition to and Virtanen. “The first half, we had the matchup give the Oilers a 2-1 lead. He put the puck between the legs of Chris against McDavid and I thought we did a pretty good job because he’s Tanev and found the glove side. shifty.” “Eventually, I saw it,” said Markstrom. “It was a quick release through the He certainly was because Sutter reached in vain to try and slow him legs and I got a little handcuffed because I think it (puck) was standing on down in the scoring sequence. edge, too. It was one of those shots that just beats you.” “There’s probably one guy who can do that,” said Sutter. “Our guys were However, there were a number of Markstrom efforts in a 28-save tired and coming off and I got on and got pretty good position on him but performance that has changed the crease dynamic. While we await a was flat-footed. Our gap was pretty good but he comes in and still fires start — especially with the Canucks hosting Buffalo on one. It was a good play and not much you can do. Friday and then Detroit on Sunday at 1 p.m. — keeping pace in the Western Conference wild-card playoff race means playing your hot hand. “Other than that, it was pretty tight checking for the most part and overtime is always a bit of an adventure. It’s fun to watch and a little more Before Markus Granlund scored in the second period to force overtime — nerve-wracking to play.” it was followed by a disallowed power-play goal that was successfully challenged to be offside — Markstrom had to stop Adam The overtime included a rare Chris Tanev rush to the net and a rebound Larsson walking in from the blueline and Colby Cave off a cross-ice feed that dribbled to Sutter, but he couldn’t convert. into the slot. Del Zotto gets wish in trade for Schenn, pick But his best work came in overtime and the shootout. In the extra session, Markstrom stopped Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kris Russell on Seldom-used unrestricted free-agent Michael Del Zotto was the rebound before thwarting Leon Draisaitl on a break. traded to the Anaheim Ducks late Wednesday night for blueliner Luke Schenn and a seventh-round 2020 draft pick. In the shootout, Markstrom was prone and kicked his right skate up at the last second to stop Nugent-Hopkins, denied McDavid the 5-hole, forced Schenn, 29, is also a UFA and split this season between the Ducks (eight Draisaitl wide and got a stick on Khaira’s shot before Alex Chiasson games) and San Diego of the AHL (10 points in 22 games). Schenn has ended the suspense by going glove side high. logged 716 NHL games with Anaheim, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Toronto and will report directly to Utica and is not only a depth option for Boeser in shot shock, Horvat can’t buy goal the Canucks, it opens a roster spot for the expected return Friday of Pettersson from injury reserve. There’s nothing wrong with Brock Boeser’s release. The Canucks will reportedly retain 25 per cent of Del Zotto’s expiring $3 The winger is moving well enough to find time and space and there’s million contract while Schenn was earning $800,000. sufficient velocity on this patented wrist shot but not the accuracy. The problem is you’re hearing too many shots hit the glass or a defenceman’s As for Del Zotto, he played in just one of the last 18 games and was also stick. scratched for eight straight in October. He had but four points in 23 games but never complained. He was often first to the rink and last to On Wednesday, just one shot found the mark, while five were blocked leave the ice after practice. and one sailed wide. It’s far from a panic situation, but with Elias Pettersson sidelined the last four games with a mild knee sprain, Boeser “He’s a good friend of mine and a very popular guy in the dressing room hasn’t been the difference. He has one goal in his last seven games but it’s the crappy part of the business,” said Sutter. “Hopefully, there’s a despite five, six and seven-shots outings. better opportunity for him because the last two months were tough on him when you’re a veteran guy. He battled every night and was a Boeser even had a chance in his sweet spot at the face-off dot and physical player and is very much a professional. passed the puck to Bo Horvat, who has now gone 10 games without a goal. “I also know Schenn very well and he’s a good friend of mine. A big, solid steady guy who keeps it simple and he’ll fit in fine.” “I don’t know if it was a bad pass or hit the ice but it bounced and if it’s clean, that’s a wide-open net and he has a goal,” said Boeser. Hockey Talks: Reducing the stigma of mental health

And in the shootout, Boeser again shot wide. In any year, one in five Canadians experiences a mental health or addiction problem. Seventy per cent of mental health problems have their onset during childhood or adolescence and mental illness is a leading cause of disability in Canada.

Promotion, prevention and early intervention initiatives show positive returns on investment in the health sector.

Hirsch: From struggling stopper to outspoken advocate

Former Canucks goaltender Corey Hirsch struggled with severe anxiety and OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) for much of his life and the veteran of 108 NHL games with three teams has become an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness. Here’s a sample of his struggles and mental-health support:

“When I look back at my situation 20 years ago in the NHL, I felt like I couldn’t tell anybody. I was scared. I thought I would ruin myself and my career. It was the stigma. And it was the way people viewed you. Twenty years later, and it’s just amazing and I never thought we’d get to this place.

“I used to lay in my bed where I could barely get out of bed and tie my shoes and get to practice. To have today, where teams have a full day to talk about mental health, we’re 40 years to late, but we’re here and it’s growing.

“Unfortunately, we’ve lost people along the way, but change is coming and to me it starts with the youth. It’s like going on the ice and not having a stick. You need tools to be able to deal with stuff. It’s about getting the information, getting the tools that when you do get like that, you know what to do — whether it’s mediation or yoga or going for a walk. Whatever works for you.

“Suicide rates for men ages 35 to 50 are off the charts. We didn’t learn in high school how to take of ourselves and now we’re in our 40s and we’re having a problem. We think we have to be macho and be men. My thing is to get information in the hands of our youth today so when things pop over the course of their lives, they have the tools to handle them.”

Gudbranson: ‘It affects everybody at certain points in their lives’

Canucks defenceman Erik Gudbranson understands that professional athletes and anyone striving to achieve a goal in any walk of life can suffer from performance anxiety that can affect mental health. Here’s hit take:

“I think it’s something with communication that can be fixed with relative ease, if you just talk about it and don’t let it fester. The brain is the most powerful organ in your body and it’s alright to not understand what’s going on.

“I’ve had moments where you just don’t know what’s going on. You don’t feel too good about yourself and that’s when you turn to your loved ones and just talk about it. That’s the first step. It’s a beautiful life we live but we’re challenged in many ways. It’s being able to compartmentalize those things for me and to be able to decipher what really affects you on a daily basis.

“When it comes performing, it’s something everybody as to go through. Everybody wants to be successful and do the best they can for the people around you. If you can affect just one person that’s dealing with it and remind them that I deal with it on a daily basis and have been there. Don’t be shy.

“There are seven billion people on this planet and there’s one who is going to listen to you. If we don’t get them the information, we’re doing a disservice to our children.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126354 Calgary Flames “It’s nerve-racking when you’re watching,” continued the Canucks’ centre. “When you’re playing you’re just worrying about your next shift. That’s fun hockey. It’s fun to play. They nailed it when they went to this format.”

Willes: Fistfight against Oilers felt like Canucks’ biggest game in years OK, to reiterate the Canucks lost a point in this game and they’ll be scratching and clawing for everything they can get from now until mid- April. But, given this stage of their development, it still means something Ed Willes to be in a game like this, where every play matters, where there’s a fight for every square inch of ice. They’re facing 34 more games like this from

now until the end of the season and there will be an education in those Vancouver Canucks defenceman Derrick Pouliot (5) knocks Edmonton games for the young players like Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser, for Oilers centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) to the ice during the first period. players who are trying to establish themselves like Virtanen and Ben Hutton and even for Green. There’s a perception the Vancouver Canucks haven’t played a meaningful post-New Years’ game since the first Harper administration. “We’ve talked about it,” Green said. “We had some goals this year. We wanted to be faster. We wanted to be harder to play against. We wanted This isn’t true. It just feels that way. to develop young players and we wanted to play meaningful games in the second half.” In each of the last two years of Willie Desjardins’ reign, for example, the Canucks were three games over .500 in late January before they They’ve got that now with a lot more to come. plunged off the face of the earth. This makes their 28th- and 29th-place finishes all the more impressive. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.17.2019

In the Torts’ tire fire season they were also 10 games over .500 on Jan. 26. So the territory is not unchartered.

But this is also true. There was something about Wednesday night’s contest with the Edmonton Oilers which felt like the Canucks’ most important regular-season game in four years. Maybe this game, and the six-game home-stand which surrounds it, isn’t exactly a referendum on the rebuild and this wasn’t exactly a battle of the titans, but it was significant on many levels.

Just ask Travis Green.

“This is about as meaningful as it gets,” the Canucks’ head coach said in advance of Wednesday’s meeting with Connor McDavid’s Travelling All- Stars. “It’s an exciting game. You want your players to be put into games that matter. We talked about that today. This is a game where you want to play your best.”

OK maybe it wasn’t their best. But it still served a larger purpose.

In an affair that had all the earmarks of a playoff contest, two really average teams fighting for relevance hooked up in a fistfight at The Rog. Alex Chiasson ended a five-round shootout, giving the Oilers a 3-2 win after a wild-west overtime, a final minute in which Jake Virtanen almost got the ending right for the Canucks and 59 minutes of gruelling, smash- mouth hockey.

It was’t always pretty but it was passionate and it exposed something in both teams. For the Canucks, the trick will be playing that game again and again for the next 2 1/2 months and if that doesn’t get them into the playoffs, it will still be invaluable in their development.

“It’s the kind of games every player wants to be a part of,” said Jay Beagle, who saw a lot of McDavid on this night and handled himself admirably. “I love these kinds of games and you love to have those match-ups. It’s what you play for. You play for playoff hockey and the playoff atmosphere. That was tonight.”

And it was the kind of night where a player like Beagle takes a lead role.

The Canucks started slowly, gifting a shorthanded goal to noted sniper Jujhar Khaira in the first, then falling behind 2-1 on a bit of McDavid magic. But, over the final 40 minutes and OT, the home side might have been the better side and might have deserved a better fate.

Ben Hutton had the go-ahead goal called back in the second when the Oilers won an offside challenge. Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen, who allowed two goals on the first seven Canucks’ shots before shutting the door, made a glove save off Bo Horvat, then turned away Virtanen in the final minute. McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were also shut down after McDavid’s first-period goal.

And then there was the overtime.

The party started with Jacob Markstrom closing the door on Kris Russell, followed by Brandon Sutter hitting Darnell Nurse on the skate while staring at an open net, followed by Markstrom stopping Leon Draistaitl on a breakaway following Koskinen stopping Horvat again. I mean, if you sneezed you missed something special.

“An inch away,” Sutter said of his overtime chance. 1126355 Calgary Flames

Canucks trade Del Zotto to Ducks, making room for Pettersson’s return

Harrison Mooney

The Canucks have cleared a roster logjam by shipping the veteran blue- liner to Orange County.

The Vancouver Canucks made a mid-game trade Wednesday evening, swapping blue-liners with the division rival Anaheim Ducks during the third period of their battle with the Edmonton Oilers.

Michael Del Zotto has been sent to Anaheim, the Canucks announced. In return, Vancouver gets former fifth-overall pick Luke Schenn, and a 7th- round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry draft.

The defenceman was spotted outside the Canucks’ dressing room after the Oilers game and said he planned to speak to the media as a group on Thursday. Nonetheless, he was clearly delighted about the move. He’ll likely get plenty of ice time for the Ducks, who have been ravaged by injuries this season and have already gone through 11 defencemen on the season.

Schenn, 29, has 716 games of NHL experience, but has spent most of the season with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, putting up 10 points in 22 games played.

The Saskatoon native will remain in the minors: he will report directly to the , who moved into a tie for first in the North Division with a win Wednesday, despite a defence corps ravaged by injuries. Utica lost for the season last month, and are currently without and as well, so they will welcome a healthy new body on the blue-line.

The Canucks delayed media availability after the game so coach Travis Green could inform his players about the trade.

“I like Delly a lot,” Green told the media afterwards. “He’s a good character leader in our room. It just didn’t work out this year. Bit of a timing thing. We started winning games when he came out of the lineup. I like him a lot, wish him nothing but the best. He’s been a good player for us.”

Del Zotto played all 82 games for the Canucks in 2017-18, but he became a frequent healthy scratch.

His teammates all credited him for his positive attitude even as the scratches started to pile up.

“Always the first guy at the rink,” goalie Jacob Markstrom said, adding that he and Del Zotto had formed a strong friendship.

Del Zotto, who is an unrestricted free agent at year’s end, was expendable. And with Elias Pettersson set to return from injured reserve, the Canucks needed to make room on the 23-man roster.

The hotshot rookie is expected to play on Friday, when the Canucks host the Buffalo Sabres, so a move had to happen before Friday night’s faceoff.

The Canucks will retain one-quarter of Del Zotto’s remaining salary on their salary cap.

For accounting purposes, VAN kept 25 per cent of del Zotto’s salary

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 17, 2019

It was a busy evening for the Ducks, who also acquired Abbotsford-born centre Derek Grant from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a separate trade.

— with a file from Patrick Johnston

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126356 Calgary Flames The Blues are reportedly shopping Vladimir Tarasenko, even though the 27-year-old was considered their franchise forward as recently as last year. The player’s stock has apparently tumbled for a couple of reasons. Gearing up for a Cup run: Calgary Flames potential trade targets First, because the Blues have floundered so badly in 2018-19 and failed to get much traction during his tenure as their “best player” which tends to cause decision makers to take a jaundiced view of guys with big contracts. By Kent Wilson Jan 16, 2019 The second is his underwhelming counting numbers this season.

Typically an elite producer, Tarasenko’s results so far are mediocre given In part one of these two companion posts, we looked at the Flames key his ice time. Glancing at his underlying numbers, we can see why — roster weaknesses and assessed potential solutions. The primary, Tarasenko is suffering from an on-ice shooting percentage of just 6.17 overarching weakness was depth behind the club’s top-end players at this season and a PDO of just over 94. Those are terrible numbers and every position. Calgary has propelled itself to the top of the Western almost certainly due to randomness more than anything given the Conference thanks to elite performances from the guys at the top of the player’s pedigree and resumé, meaning his down season probably isn’t roster, but they also have the weakest bottom-end amongst Cup cause for concern. contenders. Like Stone, trading for Tarasenko will be extremely costly and his cap That leaves the club open to injury risk and exposure by deeper clubs in concerns are just as significant. The player is scheduled to make $7.5 the playoffs. As a result, Calgary will likely be in the market for upgrades million per season on a contract that stretches until 2023. at all levels of the roster — forward, defence and in net. Kevin Hayes Here’s a list of potential Flames trade targets, as well as their impact and Johnny Gaudreau’s right winger from Boston College is in the last fit with the team. season of a $5.175 million contract with the Rangers and is almost Up front: Right wingers certain to be put on the trade market by New York, who is entering a rebuilding phase. I noted in the weaknesses piece that the Flames need at least one more quality right winger to even out their depth up front. The failures of James Hayes isn’t a top-end difference maker like Tarasenko and Stone, but he Neal and Austin Czarnik to be anything more than fourth-liners has left ticks a lot of boxes for the Flames. A left-handed centre who can also the Flames with a gap between the top-six and bottom-six rotation. play the right side, Hayes is also a big body (6-foot-5) and a capable offensive player who has regularly topped 45 points in a second- and The good news is there should be a lot of available upgrades available third-line role. around the trade deadline at right wing. The main questions for the Flames will be cap space and acquisition cost. Hayes could join the Backlund-Tkachuk duo on the Flames second line or he could skate on a third line, either as a pivot or right winger. The list: Familiarity with former teammates is probably overblown as a factor, but it doesn’t hurt that he is known to Gaudreau as well. – Mark Stone Hayes shouldn’t demand the same sort of package as Stone or – Vladimir Tarasenko Tarasenko and his expiring contract gives Brad Treliving more flexibility – Kevin Hayes in the coming offseason.

– Justin Williams Justin Williams

– Micheal Ferland There’s a lot of attention on Mark Giordano and his uncanny denial of Father Time this year. The Hurricanes’ Justin Williams is similarly – Gustav Nyquist ageless. The 37-year-old has already won three Cups and played over 1,200 regular season games in the NHL, but he just continues to play a – Jakob Silfverberg smart, efficient, all-around effective game. – Wayne Simmonds Williams’ point production is down this year, but a big part of that is Mark Stone operating in the bizarre, offence-killing dampening field that has existed in Carolina this year. Otherwise, Williams results are completely above Mark Stone is a bit of a unicorn. He does almost everything well and is board and he brings a wealth of experience with him to boot. the only truly elite, all-around player available on the trade list. He’s also a longshot acquisition because of this. Carolina is busy trying to work themselves back into the playoff race, and if their shooting percentage ever normalizes this year they are a good bet Normally a player of Stone’s calibre wouldn’t be available at just 26 years to be dancing come April. If they fall to the percentages again, however, old, but the Ottawa Senators are a slow-motion disaster and there’s a they are liable to actively shop Williams, who is in the last year of a $4.5 chance he will just not bother to re-sign in the offseason. million per year contract.

Stone would join Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Matthew Micheal Ferland Tkachuk as Calgary’s major heavy hitters and would make the club’s top- six attack fearsome. His addition to the second line with Remember Micheal Ferland? If the Hurricanes are out of the race and and Tkachuk would bump one of or Michael Frolik down the not interested in re-signing him, Ferland could also be put on the trading rotation, giving the team at least three lines that can capably drive play at block. even strength. Considered mostly a product of the Monahan-Gaudreau duo last year, The obstacles to trading for Stone are obviously considerable. The Ferland has flourished with the Hurricane’s top line with Sebastian Aho Senators will ask for a fortune in return, likely starting with the Flames and Teuvo Teravainen as well. An accomplished finisher with a blistering first-round pick and Juuso Valimaki and going up from there. It wouldn’t shot and underrated vision, Ferland can also be a huge difference maker surprise me if a guy like Sam Bennett was also part of the demanded when he is physically engaged. Flames fans who watched him burst onto package, which would somewhat undermine the Flames’ efforts to the scene vs. the Canucks in their first-round playoff series in 2015 can bolster their bottom-six. In addition, Stone is going to cost $8 million or attest to that. more to re-sign, a burden that would throw the team’s internal cap Ferland is also a fearsome fighter, for those who still value that skill, and structure out of whack. Keeping Stone would require the dumping of is of the rare breed of power forward who can both play and chuck other dollars, or choosing him over, say, Tkachuk. knuckles. In the end, Stone might be worth the cost to acquire him and the cap On the other hand, Ferland’s intensity and focus can wander for long headaches it would entail. He’s that good, and his addition would periods of time. When he isn’t fully engaged, he becomes a liability, probably make Calgary a Cup favourite. especially defensively. The fact that he is capable of being a major Vladimir Tarasenko difference maker causes coaches and decision makers to become – Niklas Kronwall frustrated with him during his down periods. – Niklas Hjalmarsson Ferland is familiar with the dressing room and can be a major contributor in terms of scoring and physical play. He can also be a liability and often – David Schlemko struggles to play well when he’s moved down the rotation. Nevertheless, Jake Muzzin he represents an intriguing rental option for a team that would like more size, toughness and scoring on the right side. Drew Doughty gets most of the headlines in Los Angeles, but Jake Muzzin has quietly and efficiently operated in his teammate’s shadow for Gustav Nyquist years. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound defender has scored 40-plus points three Speaking of finishers, the Detroit Red Wings’ Gustav Nyquist has scored times in the last four seasons and is a solid contributor south of the 20-plus goals three out of the last five seasons and is on pace to get redline. Muzzin has reliably driven shots and chances in a top pairing role close to that threshold again this year on a less than impressive squad. over the course of his career and has been one of the bright spots for a lacklustre Kings team this year. In contrast to Hayes, Ferland or Stone, Nyquist is a smaller, waterbug type of player who flits in and out of traffic rather than mixing it up along In truth, Muzzin is a bit of overkill for the role the Flames need. He’s more the boards. He’s an effective offensive contributor and shot driver and he than good enough to anchor the third pairing alongside Rasmus tends to pile up an impressive penalty differential as well. Andersson and could slide up the lineup in case of injury.

Nyquist doesn’t have the same utility as Hayes and he’s not as tough as Of course, this also means that Muzzin will be expensive to acquire, Ferland, but he would give the Flames another above average finisher, especially in a trade market that seems relatively thin when it comes to effectively taking the role that was intended for James Neal. above average defenders. I’d be surprised if the Flames would be willing to part with their first-round pick plus more assets, which is rumoured to Jakob Silfverberg be the Kings’ asking price. On top of that, Muzzin’s contract runs until the end of 2020, with a cap hit of $4 million. There’s almost no chance the Previously a highly useful “everything” player who could be deployed Flames would be able to absorb that extra year. effectively up-and-down the lineup, Jakob Silfverberg has seen his results fall off a cliff for the Ducks this year. A reliable 40-point winger Niklas Kronwall since 2014, whatever malady has infected the wheezing Ducks roster has seemingly gotten into the 28-year old’s bones. Once upon a time, Nik Kronwall was above an average top-four defender. Those days are probably done for the 38-year old, whose As such, acquiring Silfverberg would be betting on a “change of scenery” offence and ability to drive shots for has withered in his autumn years. rebound. If Sifverberg returns to form, he’d give the Flames another That said, Kronwall still has a pretty decent shot suppression impact for Michael Frolik type forward — a guy who can play against anyone while the Red Wings this year and might still have enough left in the tank for driving play and chipping in points here and there. one more deep postseason run.

Unfortunately, there is also the chance that his downturn isn’t merely Unlike Muzzin, Kronwall won’t be quite as in demand and he should be circumstance or team-based, and the player himself has hit some sort of cheaper to trade for. But Kronwall won’t be as capable at moving up the wall. If so, his addition to the roster would mean another guy struggling to lineup should one of the Flames top-four defenders get injured. At least keep his head above water in the Flames bottom-six. Kronwall’s $4.75 million deal ends this year.

Wayne Simmonds Niklas Hjalmarsson

Wayne Simmonds always seems to be mentioned in the same breath as Kronwall’s Swedish countryman Nik Hjalmarsson also doesn’t bring the Flames when it comes to trade rumours. Superficially, it’s easy to see much offence to the table, but the 31-year old’s shot impacts are far more why — a strong net-front scorer and veteran warrior, Simmonds seems favourable across the board. Hjalmarsson was an underrated contributor to be exactly what the Flames need to round out their roster. to the Chicago Blackhawks’ dynasty teams, a defensive specialist who helped shut down the other opposition’s best players. However, Simmonds has been gradually declining for years, with his effectiveness at even strength steadily eroding. He can’t really drive play He probably isn’t that anymore, but on a third pairing Hjalmarsson can be at 5-on-5 anymore and his scoring at even strength has begun to dry up his young linemates’ defensive conscience while playing against third- as well. Simmonds can still do damage on a power play unit as a guy and fourth-line competition. who cleans up rebounds around the net, but he’ll need the rest of the team to get the puck there first. It’s hard to nail a potential acquisition cost for Hjalmarsson. He’s a guy whose stock may rise as the trade deadline looms and contending teams Simmonds still has a high profile around the league and the Flyers may looking for capable defensive depth. look to cash in on his reputation at the deadline. For the Flames, it means the player may not really be what they are looking for and would David Schlemko not be worth the acquisition cost. David Schlemko is familiar with the Flames franchise, having spent the Other notables: Mats Zuccarello, Matt Duchene, Brayden Schenn, Artemi end of the 2014-15 season with the club. A decent scorer in junior and Panarin the AHL, Schlemko has settled into being a serviceable NHL journeyman. The 31-year old isn’t an exciting target, but the puck tends There are other options potentially available in what is a bit of a flooded to go the right direction when he’s on the ice and he can be had for a market for forwards at the deadline. Mats Zuccarello is a guy the Flames song. may have considered a couple of seasons ago, but he’s had a rough go of it this year. The one complication in acquiring Schlemko (who recently passed through waivers) is his contract. The player’s $2.1 million per year deal The other guys listed aren’t right wingers, so they don’t fit the Flames’ extends for one more season, which is a major headache for a team with specific need. Of course, if Matt Duchene, Brayden Schenn or Artemi cap concerns like the Flames. Even if Montreal agreed to eat half his Panarin can be grabbed relatively cheaply (a longshot for all three), then salary in a trade, the additional season potentially makes this move a no they would be worth considering, even if Calgary would “rather” have a go for Calgary. starboard-side winger. Probably avoid: Jay Bouwmeester, Andy Greene The back end: Left-handed defenders There are some other higher profile veterans that may be available at the The Flames have a lot of quality kids in the system, but for now, none of deadline, but they’re mostly guys who have seen their games drop well them can float the third pairing on their own. A long-term injury to Juuso into mediocre or worse territory. Valimaki has also rendered the club’s depth questionable on the starboard side. The search, then, will be for a steady, veteran, left- Former Flame Jay Bouwmeester peaked in his early-to-mid-20s and has handed defender who can drive play in a supporting role. been a slow glide toward retirement ever since. He’s below average by most metrics at 35 and probably won’t be worth the asking price. The list: Andy Greene was a decent top-pairing option for the New Jersey Devils – Jake Muzzin for years, but he has stepped off a cliff in recently. Many of his results are worse than Bouwmeester’s, although the Devils are still rolling him out 2009. It never worked out for Lehner in Ottawa and last summer the against top-line competition due to their lack of other options. Greene player bravely came forward and talked about some personal issues he might prove to be decent at third pairing minutes, though at 36 it might had been dealing with for years. not be worth the gamble. Lehner signed a one-year deal with the Islanders and has put together a In net: The 1B option better than average season for them, managing a .926 SV% in 23 games. David Rittich arguably saved the Flames season. If the young goaltender had not stepped up and capably displaced Mike Smith, Calgary would be Unlike the other goalies mentioned so far, Lehner doesn’t quite have the scrambling to find a starter. same history or resumé, but he is also much younger at 27. Calgary is a team not just in the hunt for an insurance policy this year, but also Instead, they are left only to worry about an insurance policy behind the another puck stopper for next season after Smith’s contract expires. 26-year-old. Smith has been one of the worst goaltenders in the league Lehner could be a guy who fills both needs, assuming he is available at this year and at 36 is not a great bet to meaningfully improve. As such, a the deadline. long-term injury to Rittich would be a disaster and greatly reduce the Flames’ chances of a deep playoff run. Thomas Greiss

That moves their need down from “quality starter” to “capable backup” — Greiss has been a good but not great goalie for a while. He had to wait one who can fill in as a starter in a pinch. until he moved to the Island to get his shot at the starter’s net and he’s mostly been above board for New York since landing there in 2015. The The list: 32-year-old has a solid (but unspectacular) career .913 average and has – Curtis McElhinney split starting duties with Lehner this year. Because he’s older and has lesser results this season, New York may be more interested in moving – Ryan Miller the incumbent over the kid.

– Jimmy Howard The problem with Greiss is that he has another year on his contract at $3.75 million. That seems a bit steep for a guy who would likely end up – Robin Lehner being a backup for Calgary next year. – Thomas Greiss Other notables: Sergei Bobrovsky Curtis McElhinney If Rittich had not stepped up and grabbed the starter’s role, Sergei Normally a 35-year-old career backup wouldn’t be a worthwhile deadline Bobrovsky would be at the top of Brad Treliving’s trade list. The two-time acquisition, but former Flame Curtis McElhinney has had a very Vezina winner is having a down year in Columbus but was one the unconventional career arc. After kicking around the league for years as league’s best netminders over the previous two seasons. He is a good an average puck stopper, McElhinney has been well above average bet to rebound back to above average results at some point. since 2016. Last year, McElhinney enjoyed a career season with the The Blue Jackets are in a playoff race, but the relationship with their Maple Leafs, stopping 93.4 per cent of the shots he faced in 18 games. starter has been strained for a long time now and it’s an open secret that This year, he was plucked off waivers by the Hurricanes and has been the player is poised to flee the franchise as an unrestricted free agent this Carolina’s best netminder with a .921 save rate. summer. As a result, there’s a good chance the Blue Jackets will shop McElhinney is a time tested vet and he knows his role. He also seemingly their starter around the deadline, even if they still have Stanley Cup suffers from some sort of strange Benjamin Button, reverse-aging malady aspirations. because he seems to be getting better with age, not worse. Calgary doesn’t have the same impetus to charge after Bobrovsky with If the Hurricanes aren’t in the playoff picture around the deadline, there’s Rittich establishing himself as an NHLer. That said, if the kid falls apart no doubt they’d flip McElhinney for something. Having been a waiver over the next month or so, it may prod the Flames to knock on Columbus’ claim, any return they can get for him on the market would be found door. It wouldn’t make sense to pay a high rate for Bob if Rittich is still money. operating at a high rate in the final quarter of the season, but Treliving will be much more motivated if the youngster comes tumbling back down Ryan Miller to earth.

Another guy seemingly unaffected by Father Time is Ryan Miller. The 38- The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 year old traded in his starter’s card when he signed with the Ducks back in 2017, but he has been nothing but excellent for Anaheim since donning their jersey. Last season he put up an elite .928 save rate in 28 games and this year he has managed to stop pucks at a .922 clip through 10 games.

Miller was a workhorse starter for years and Vezina Trophy winner in 2010. He has a legit resumé and would be able to spell Rittich if needed or replace him should the rookie wobble or get injured. Of course, the Flames also need the Ducks to miss the playoffs and/or be willing to help the Flames out at the deadline in order to acquire him.

Jimmy Howard

The Detroit Red Wings were ready to move on from Jimmy Howard in 2015 when stellar rookie Petr Mrazek seemed poised to take the starter’s role from the veteran incumbent.

Except Howard battled back and put together a .927 performance the very next season, while Mrazek started to fall apart. A couple years later and Howard is still the Red Wings’ starting goalie, cruising along with a .916 save rate for one of the worst teams in the league.

Howard doesn’t quite have the pedigree of Miller, but he’s an established puck stopper with over 490 games played and a career .915 save percentage. As long as Detroit isn’t asking for the moon in return for Howard, he could be another near-ideal solution

Robin Lehner

Once upon a time, Robin Lehner was tabbed as the goalie of the future for the Ottawa Senators, who picked him in the second round back in 1126357 Chicago Blackhawks

'It's time for me to get a win': Blackhawks' Dylan Strome ready to defeat brother Ryan for 1st time

Jimmy Greenfield

The first NHL game between brothers Dylan and Ryan Strome was played two years ago, when Dylan was with the Coyotes and Ryan played for the Islanders. Big brother Ryan and the Islanders won, 3-2. They met again last season, when Ryan’s new team, the Oilers, faced the Coyotes. Ryan won again, 3-2. Now, for Round 3, Dylan is a center for the Blackhawks and Ryan plays the same position for the Rangers. “He beat me twice, so it’s time for me to get a win,” Dylan Strome said. The Strome brothers — at 25, Ryan is 3 1/2 years older than the 21-year- old Dylan — plan to enjoy a nice dinner with their mother Wednesday night in New York and get in the right frame of mind for Thursday’s game. Ryan, listed at 6-foot-1, 194 pounds, and Dylan (6-3, 200) grew up in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga, Ontario. “Both living our dream,” Dylan Strome said. “You obviously want your family members to succeed and do well, so it’s tough in that sense where I want him to do well. But my focus is here, and I want to do well. It’s weird playing against each other but you got to do it.” A third Strome brother, Matthew, 20, is a prospect in the Flyers’ system. Fun house Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton took advantage of practicing at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday by having a workout that consisted almost entirely of scrimmages. “It’s not often you get to practice in this barn,” Colliton said. “So (it was) fun to get out there and I think it was good. They had energy and hopefully we can carry that into tomorrow.” The Devils bombarded the Hawks 8-5 on Monday, but that score didn’t reflect just how poorly and lethargic the Hawks played. Colliton hoped to reverse that with Wednesday’s practice. “Happy hockey players are good hockey players,” Colliton said. “So let’s get them going. Let’s have energy. It wasn’t the game we wanted, but there’s no point dwelling on it. I think we know that isn’t us.” Getting defensive Colliton defended playing seven defensemen against the Devils, arguing that the Lightning have done it and they have the NHL’s best record. “It’s not that it can’t work,” Colliton said. “I think one of the reasons you dress seven is so you have more options as far as getting five or six going on any given night. (Monday) night we didn't have that. We had fewer than six or five going. But I do think it’s an option to either get guys in the lineup or give them opportunity or create competition. “Whether we go back to it or not (against the Rangers) we haven’t decided.” Chicago Tribune LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126358 Chicago Blackhawks

'Shows how old I am': Brent Seabrook's 100th NHL goal a bright spot in a dismal Blackhawks season

Jimmy Greenfield

Brent Seabrook either was being coy or was genuinely confused why anybody would ask him about scoring the 100th goal of his career. “Is that a big milestone for defensemen?” Seabrook asked. “I don’t know.” Put your money on being coy. But a reporter playing along informed Seabrook that, yes, it is a big milestone. His goal Monday against the Devils allowed him to join Bob Murray and Doug Wilson as the only defensemen to score at least 100 goals while wearing a Blackhawks uniform. “Shows how old I am,” he quipped. Yes, it does. But it also shows how good the 33-year-old Seabrook has been over the course of his 14-year career. When Seabrook scored his first NHL goal against the Blues on Nov. 2, 2005 — an overtime winner — the Hawks were on their way to a 26-43- 13 record. They have had a wee bit of success since then — nine straight playoff appearances from 2009 to 2017 and three Stanley Cup championships — and Seabrook was a huge part of that. Those days are in the past, however, and the Hawks are on pace to miss the playoffs for a second straight season. Seabrook is no longer able to drive possession — his 46.6 Corsi percentage is easily the lowest of his career — and he lost his spot on the first power-play unit. Seabrook was a healthy scratch once last season, but coach Jeremy Colliton hasn’t gone that route yet. “Recently he’s had a pretty good stretch of games,” Colliton said. “Being cleaner with the puck and sharp defensively. We all know what he brings as far as leadership and his pedigree, but we hope he continues to improve and I think he has recently.” Seabrook’s contract is likely to keep him in a Hawks uniform for years to come. He’s signed through 2023-24 with a $6.875 million salary-cap hit and a no-movement clause. It’s hard to imagine the Hawks could find a trade partner anyway with so many years left on his deal. General manager Stan Bowman has said he has not approached Seabrook or any other players about waiving their no-movement clauses. Seabrook wasn’t interested in saying if he would consider such a request. “I don’t think we need to talk about that,” he said. What Seabrook did want to talk about was the possibility of the Hawks making the playoffs. Yes, this season. “I think playoffs are still there,” he said. “Bringing that winning culture back in here and getting on a good run and trying to feel good about our game, that’s a big part about it. By doing that, string together some wins here, who knows what happens.” If that’s going to happen, the Hawks will have to start by beating the Rangers on Thursday at Madison Square Garden. They tried to wipe off the stink of Monday’s 8-5 loss to the Devils — their fourth straight defeat — by scrimmaging three-on-three and then having a lively two-on-two neutral-zone drill during practice Wednesday. “It was a fun practice,” Seabrook said. “Trying to get back to having fun. And when you’re having fun, you’re playing better.” Chicago Tribune LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126359 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks let loose at Madison Square Garden before facing New York Rangers

By Jason Lieseremail

NEW YORK — The Blackhawks had Madison Square Garden all to themselves Wednesday and made a fun afternoon out of it. Jeremy Colliton didn’t see a purpose in hammering the players for their debacle two nights earlier against the Devils. He turned them loose and let them get back to what they love. They worked for about 45 minutes in the empty arena — “It’s not often you get to practice in this barn,” joked Colliton, who was in a surprisingly light mood. Most of the session was spent on three-on-three overtime simulation and some scrappy two-on-two with the nets at the blue lines. He picked drills the players love, and he might know what he’s doing, because the Hawks had the juice they have been missing. They were aggressive and boisterous — a well-timed spark before they come back to this building Thursday to play the Rangers. “Happy hockey players are good hockey players,” Colliton said. “Let’s get them going. Let’s have energy.” That would be much different than whatever the Hawks want to call their effort in the 8-5 loss to the Devils on Monday. They need to come alive immediately, because they’re not even at the All-Star break, and they’re already running out of time to make this season mean something. Their miniscule odds at clawing into the playoffs took a hit as they stumbled through an 0-2-2 week. They’re eight points out of the final wild-card spot, and Money Puck calculated a far better chance of them winning the draft lottery (11.1 percent) than making the postseason (1.96 percent). The Hawks seem undaunted — publicly, at least. They keep saying they have the talent to make a run, but it might be too late by the time they get around to it. Fellow stragglers, like the Devils and Rangers, are the teams they need to feast on, but they haven’t shown the appetite. “It’s urgent all the time in the league now — everything’s so tight, everybody’s so good,” said Brent Seabrook, perhaps inadvertently illustrating the Hawks’ post-dynasty reality. The opponents didn’t always seem so fearsome. “You just got to — we’ve got to be better,” Seabrook continued. “We’ve got to be better from the start of the game right away and try to string some wins together.” His unit needs to lead the way. The offense is adequate, but the team is allowing the second-most shots on goal in the league at 34.9 per game, and many of those are prime looks. Every shooter loves seeing the Hawks, who have given up a league-high 178 goals, come to town. “It’s frustrating,” Seabrook said. “You want to be up in the top 10 in the league in that kind of thing. . . . Just gotta be better at that.” The trouble is, at least for the remainder of this season, they have to figure it out with who they have. It’s hard to imagine the Hawks being a buyer as they approach next month’s trade deadline. Most likely, their defensemen must clean up their own mess. If that’s not possible, the season will stay on its current course. Seabrook has had subpar stretches, but Colliton thinks he has been better lately. Erik Gustafsson can be an asset, but he seems preoccupied trying to score, so Colliton benched him in the third period for not playing defense. The issues go on and on. “Everyone can be better,” Colliton said. “I don’t think anyone’s at their maximum level.” If that’s true, then it might come down to enthusiasm for the job. Colliton seems to see that as a significant portion of the pie chart for the Hawks’ struggles, and a big part of his job is figuring out how to boost them to the requisite effort. He let them have a good time at the Garden. They can return the favor with a lively performance Thursday night. Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126360 Chicago Blackhawks "It's tough for the other teams to defend if we're zipping it around. We're pretty confident right now and we look to keep going with it."

As confident as DeBrincat has become this season, he figures to keep Young Blackhawks star DeBrincat flirts with 40-goal season scoring at fairly consistent rate. Can he hit 40 goals? We'll find out soon enough. John Dietz But no matter what happens, he's certainly opened plenty of eyes around the league and earned even more respect among his teammates.

"He keeps his life really simple," Toews said. "He's really committed to When it comes to impressive achievements in the sports world, many playing the game, to being a good player. pundits would point to a 4,500-yard season by a quarterback, 200 hits or 50 home runs by a player or 2,000 points by an NBA star. "With a lot of guys after (they) have a good first season, it's easy for them to expect the same the next year, and maybe their work ethic falls to the In hockey, anytime someone approaches 40 goals or 100 points, you side. … I don't think you've seen any of that with Alex. better believe players, coaches and analysts all start taking notice. "He's definitely a mature kid and his priorities and his focus are all in the And while almost 20 players are on pace for 40 goals in 2018-19, that right place." milestone has only been accomplished 45 times over the previous 10 seasons, with Washington's Alex Ovechkin doing the honors six times by Daily Herald Times LOADED: 01.17.2019 himself. There's a long way to go this season, but the Blackhawks' Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat both have a legitimate chance to pull off this feat. Kane's done it once before, when he cranked out 46 during his 2015-16 MVP campaign. But not many expected so much so soon from DeBrincat. After all, it was just 16 months ago when we wondered if the 5-foot-7 Michigan native might be better off starting his career in the minors with the Rockford IceHogs. Instead, he led the Hawks with 28 goals, then stayed in Chicago last off- season to work with head trainer Paul Goodman. The results are showing in a big way as DeBrincat has 23 goals and is on pace for 39. "He's got a big heart. He's a good kid," Duncan Keith said in September. "He's a good guy and a good teammate. He cares and he works hard. There's a reason he scored so many goals in junior and he's had success early on in his career. That's not a coincidence." Said Vegas defenseman Nate Schmidt: "You can't really compare anybody to Kane, but he's got a lot of similar tendencies. … You can see his maturity the last year and a half has grown immensely." His game has grown as well. Last season, DeBrincat was often content to find open areas on the ice so he could take advantage of a shot that is extremely accurate and deceptively quick. Now, the diminutive forward is so much more confident with the puck on his stick. He'll weave through traffic. Push the pace through the neutral zone. Fight hard in the corners. Take a hit to advance the puck deeper into the zone. Or make a slick pass to a teammate, as he did Monday night in New Jersey when he threaded the needle to Dominik Kahun in the first period. Kahun didn't score, but that feed was a perfect example of how DeBrincat is turning into a much more complete player. "He's doing a really good job just moving his feet out there and having his head up with the puck, so he's making a lot of plays," said Hawks captain Jonathan Toews. "That's the biggest improvement I've seen." And his shot remains as lethal as ever. It's a lot for defensemen to handle. Schmidt said he likes intimidating young players by getting in their faces until they prove themselves, but he doesn't use that tactic with DeBrincat anymore. "I like to try and stay off him a little -- like at least a stick length and make sure he knows if he does turn, he's going to turn into my stick," Schmidt said. "(Guys like DeBrincat) can spin off you so well. "It's so hard to go in for hits nowadays because when you have players that are smaller, shifty and fast -- you go in sometimes and miss, and all of a sudden they're gone." Much of DeBrincat's production of late has come on a supercharged power play that has scored in six straight games and is 14-for-40 over the last 13 contests. The chemistry between DeBrincat and Patrick Kane is a big factor in the top unit's success. "Obviously that seam play's been working pretty well," said DeBrincat, who was stapled on the third line for much of the season but has earned a promotion to Toews' line the last three games. "We have a lot of different options that we can score on. Kaner's a threat by himself over there, too. 1126361 Chicago Blackhawks

Former Blackhawks Stanley Cup champion Brandon Bollig announces retirement

By Charlie Roumeliotis January 16, 2019

A former Blackhawks Stanley Cup champion has decided to hang up the skates. Brandon Bollig officially announced his retirement in an Instagram post after five seasons in the NHL, three of which came in Chicago. "Thank you to the game of for the wonderful experience, countless memories and valuable lessons," Bollig wrote. "You’ve made me the person I am today and I’ll be forever grateful. I have officially retired." View this post on Instagram Thank you to the game of Ice Hockey for the wonderful experience, countless memories and valuable lessons. You’ve made me the person I am today and I’ll be forever grateful. I have officially retired. A post shared by Brandon Bollig (@bollig87) on Jan 16, 2019 at 4:11pm PST Bollig signed with the Blackhawks as an undrafted free agent in 2010, but didn't make his team debut until the 2011-12 campaign. In three seasons in Chicago, he accumulated 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 125 games and 201 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 24 playoff contests, where he recorded a goal and an assist, and was a part of the 2013 championship-winning team. Bollig was traded for a third-round pick in the summer of 2014 to the Calgary Flames, where he spent his final two seasons in the league. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the San Jose Sharks for the 2017-18 season, but never received a call-up and was later traded to the Nashville Predators organization. Bollig was known for being an agitator and great teammate, sticking up for them on the ice whenever the chance presented itself. But he was also known for being a jokester. So let's never forget the time he tried to imitate Patrick Kane's viral stickhandling video and send him off into the sunset by reliving it: Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126362 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks prospects Evan Barratt, Ian Mitchell nominated for Hobey Baker Award

By Charlie Roumeliotis January 16, 2019 1:45 PM

A pair of 2017 Blackhawks draft picks are up for college hockey's most prestigious honor. Penn State forward Evan Barratt and Denver defenseman Ian Mitchell are among the 81 players nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, which is annually given to the most outstanding player in Division-1 men's hockey. Barratt, a third-round selection (No. 90 overall), is tied for second in the nation with 30 points and fourth with 13 goals through only 19 games. He appeared in seven games for Team USA during the 2019 World Juniors, where he scored a goal and ranked second on the team with 25 shots on goal. Mitchell, a second-round selection (No. 57 overall), leads all Denver defensemen with 18 points and ranks fifth on the team with 0.83 points per game. Two of his three goals this season have been game-winners. Like Barratt, Mitchell also represented his country for the World Juniors. He had three points (one goal, three assists), a plus-6 rating and averaged 15:42 of ice time for Canada. The Phase 1 fan voting period is officially open and will run through Sunday, March 10. The Top-10 finalists will be announced on March 20. From then until March 31, Phase II voting will be open to determine the Hobey Hat Trick, which will be announced on April 4. The winner will be revealed on April 12 during the NCAA Frozen Four Championships in Buffalo, N.Y. Fans can cast their vote at https://www.hobeybaker.com/vote . Dylan Sikura was named one of 10 finalists last season, and was the first Blackhawks prospect to do so since in 2016. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126363 Chicago Blackhawks JIM PASTOR, ESPN 1000 GM: I’m not going to talk too much about specifics, but I think it just got to a point where it got to be a little bit of a destructive relationship internally. I think it reached a point where it was Dollars and sense: 10 years ago, ESPN 1000 surprised Dan McNeil with no longer long-term. It wasn’t going to serve or be as successful as it a last call at the Afternoon Saloon once had. The tensions, like that, were going to be too strong. DANNY ZEDERMAN, executive producer, 2007-09: Toward the end of the show he asked me to get him DannyMac.com. You could tell he By Jon Greenberg Jan 16, 2019 wanted to start marketing himself. You could see the end was coming. MAC: I saw my dismissal coming. I was the only one who saw it coming. The recession, they called it a recession, a depression really. It killed Dollars and sense is a regular column about sports business and media advertising dollars. Even though I hadn’t had any clashes with in Chicago. management for the entire year of ’08, I had a feeling they were not going to pick up my final year, which was scheduled to begin in May of On Jan. 16, 2009, Dan McNeil finished a Friday show with his longtime ’09 and I was right. I was scheduled to go up to a really stupid salary that radio partners Harry Teinowitz and John Jurkovic. They made up the they couldn’t justify with advertising dollars being down. Afternoon Saloon on ESPN 1000, the most successful sports radio show in the city’s history. You throw in the fact I was belligerent with my manager Justin Craig, who was my program director at the time. I gave him a lot of shit. I made his McNeil was the high earner among the three and often, the biggest life miserable. I spoke for everybody in the room, but I was the nasty one. headache for ESPN 1000 management. But he was the straw that stirred When the show needs to be defended, I was the one who defended it. I the drinks on the show modeled after a classic Chicago corner tap. After was the quarterback of the show. And Justin was a very good radio guy the show ended, McNeil was called into a meeting to tell him he was out and still is, but it was his first job as a PD and he was a little overzealous of work with months left on his contract. about pushing corporate stuff and I was very reluctant to have any of The Afternoon Saloon was under new management. that. I didn’t want a guy coming in from Bristol telling us we should be talking to Mike Tirico once a week, or whoever it was. Let us make those It was a seismic event on the Chicago sports radio scene. McNeil was an decisions. If it’s a guy from Bristol who makes sense, fine, like John intern for Chuck Swirsky, a producer for Chet Coppock. He was there Clayton. We liked him. We like information guys, but we didn’t mesh. We when The Score was born and he helped nurse ESPN 1000 into liked each other, we just didn’t mesh professionally. relevancy. Now he was a free agent with just one place to go. They were very aware I was a strong voice in the union, I was anti-Justin As expected, McNeil wound up back at The Score, joining up with Matt and I was scheduled to make eight hundred grand. Instead of paying Spiegel to host a mid-day show. That lasted about five years. Now, he’s that, they paid Carmen whatever they paid Carmen and tried to save back at The Score again, teaming with former Afternoon Saloon intern some money. turned rising star Danny Parkins. Jurkovic and Teinowitz carried on the three-man show, with Carmen DeFalco taking McNeil’s spot, until March PASTOR: He thought it was mostly about the money? I’m not going to 2013. That’s when Teinowitz was unexpectedly let go after a Thursday talk too much about contracts or things like that. Was that part of the show. consideration? I think that’s fair. But also long-term we could sort of see where this was going, but there was no longer, between the three of Jurkovic and DeFalco are still a two-man team for ESPN 1000 in a them, as constructive [of a relationship] as it had once had been. truncated 12 to 2 p.m. spot, while Teinowitz hosts on WGN radio (and occasionally writes for The Athletic). ADAM DELEVITT, producer of Mac, Jurko and Harry, 2001-06 : For money? No. Is that what Mac said? No, not at all. There were so many But no one can argue that Mac, Jurko and Harry weren’t the best trio in times we were close to getting rid of him, but there was a final straw. The town since Jordan, Pippen and Rodman. They won ratings books, made Mac-Mike and Mike thing? That was big. I don’t know if that was the final a ton of money and ate lunches fit for a king’s court. Most importantly, straw, but the nail in the coffin, I think. they entertained listeners during the afternoon for the better part of a decade. There’s something special about a radio show that “takes you McNeil had been writing a weekly column for the Sun-Times and in a home,” particularly in Chicago traffic. Jan. 8 story, he ripped The Score for losing to Mike & Mike in the mornings. He wrote, in part, “it’s nothing shy of embarrassing that With that in mind, last spring, I published an obnoxiously lengthy oral ESPN’s nationally aired ‘Mike and Mike in the Morning’ has become the history of the show, along with a slightly shorter follow-up story. If you highest-rated sports radio program in any time slot in Chicago. They do a haven’t read them yet, well, you’re probably not reading this article. But fine show, but it’s best consumed in markets such as Bangor, Maine, or maybe you came to The Athletic late and if so, go read them now. Enid, Okla., or Salem, Ore. In big towns like ours, local sports talk never should lose to a more vanilla national show. Shame on all of us.” Given the timeliness of the 10-year anniversary, I thought we could re- Needless to say, that didn’t go over well. run the section about the end of the show, which sparked some intense feelings from McNeil after he read it. DELEVITT: “How does a network show beat a local show?” Because they were beating Mike North at the time. “How does that happen?” I’m (All titles are from the Afternoon Saloon era.) like who cares, that’s our station. And he wrote it anyway. I remember THE ACTUAL END when he was writing it, I was like, “Mac, why would you do that? This is your station.” “This is my honest opinion.” By 2008, the economy was taking a turn for the worse and McNeil’s contract and conduct didn’t always line up. On Jan. 16, 2009, the final MAC: That could have had something to do with it as well. I know they show aired unceremoniously on a Friday afternoon. Ben Finfer was at the were not happy about that. It was people see what they want, hear what Cubs Convention. The Obama inauguration was the following Monday. they want. It was more of a shot at The Score than it was at ESPN. In a After the show ended, McNeil was summoned to a meeting with ESPN market this size and as provincial as we are here, how can a station with 1000 GM Jim Pastor and his program director at the time, Justin Craig. a local show not beat Brian Billick talking NFL or Reggie Miller talking about the NBA? I never asked. I kind of take some pride in never asking. MAC: I don’t remember anything from the show because it was a typical NFL playoff Friday show and it was Jan. 16, I think of 2009, they called PASTOR: I vaguely remember it. me in, Jim Pastor and Justin Craig, to talk and I knew I hadn’t said MAC: The contract didn’t end. They paid me for 3 1/2 months. If they anything that would have gotten me suspended that day or that week. As would’ve renewed me to an 8, is that stupid money or what? For talking they call me in, I’m checking, “OK, what did I say?” And Jim said you’ve shit? This was right before the Obama inauguration. I think that was the done a lot of great things both on the air and what your show’s success following week. They told me, “No more.” I accepted it. I didn’t fight them has meant to our sales department. It just can’t ever be underestimated on it. While I liked that show very much, I didn’t disagree with some based on where we were at billing-wise when you guys started compared people suggesting to me it was time to try something new. That’s what I to where we are now. We’ll always be grateful for that, but we’re going to was thinking at the time. let you go. I paused before I said anything. I wanted to get my composure. All I asked was who made the decision and when. PASTOR: I think and I’ve told Mac this on more than one occasion since he’s left too. The type of show he wanted to do, he was better served And Jim told me, “I made the decision a couple weeks ago.” I said OK, being somewhere else too. The ESPN factor. Not about taking shots at have a nice weekend. I didn’t ask why. I didn’t ask when it was effective. I them, but it got to be kind of an angry, I think, intense show that long- assumed I was just going to play out the string of a contract that expired term that I saw more battles than I saw victories. in May. But when I called my agent Bryan on the way home, he said, “No, you’re done.” That’s it. You’re on holiday with 3 1/2 months full I think there were more than a few of us in the building who felt like it was salary but you’re out of work. That was a weird time. time or getting close to it and so, would it have been nicer to tie it up on a neat bow and end it that way? Yeah. But the timing and everything else worked out best this way. Would the show, as successful as it was, work today? That’s a question I posed to several people during my reporting. “I wonder about that,” former Afternoon Saloon producer Ben Finfer said. “I don’t think the show would work now. I think it’s probably just because that whole fraternity house mentality wouldn’t fly as much anymore in this day and age. I don’t think they would get away with as many things as they did back then.” How the heck did they get away with so much anyway? “Bristol was much more tolerant of it than you realize,” Pastor said. “And, in part, because they weren’t listening every day, right? Because if there was ever a line that was crossed or anything, I’m not sure they were always fully aware of it. But they knew the success it was having and the mark it was making in Chicago and for that, they were very proud, because the station really made a name for itself around the show.” Ten years is a long time, longer than the show was on the air, but as the reaction from my original story showed, the show’s memory lives on. The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126364 Chicago Blackhawks Familiarity is crucial for the screener. They know that Brent Seabrook shots tend to start low and rise on their way to the goal, that Gustafsson’s shots tend to stay a little lower and generate rebounds and that Duncan Blood, sweat and fears: The art of the screen, as told by forwards, Keith frequently fires wide, often on purpose, to create action off the end defensemen and goalies boards. Because it’s not just about taking the goalie’s eyes away as he tries to follow the puck. It’s about anticipating where the puck will end up if the Mark Lazerus Jan 16, 2019 goalie manages to make the save. Timing is key, too. Every goalie will tell you the toughest screen to deal with is a “drive-by,” when a forward swoops through the crease at the exact moment a puck is inbound. A perfectly timed drive-by makes it nearly impossible for a goalie to track NEW YORK — Midway through his first-ever NHL period — a game in the puck. which he wasn’t even supposed to play — Carolina Hurricanes goaltender and injury-replacement Cam Ward settled into his net for a “Sometimes, a shooter will say before a power play, ‘I’m gonna shoot Tampa Bay power play. Shortly after the faceoff, Dave Andreychuk — all short side,’ or, ‘I’m gonna shoot far side,’” Strome said. “Then you know 6-foot-4, 220 pounds of him — floated toward the crease and set up how to move out of the way when it comes.” camp. That’s fine for right after a faceoff. But it’s a dynamic sport, constantly in Then he turned around. motion, and most plans go out the window pretty quickly after the first puck battle. That’s where a little institutional knowledge goes a long way. “He’s just staring at me,” Ward said. “I remember thinking, ‘What the Then you get guys like John Hayden, thrust into the net-front role on the heck is this guy doing?’ Back to the play, staring right at me. And he was power play for a handful of games last month, learning on the fly. There a big man.” were at least three times when a Blackhawks shot hit him square in the The Sean Avery rule hadn’t been created yet, and the 21-year-old Ward chest rather than slipped past him and past the goaltender. Not ideal. wasn’t about to hack one of the most powerful players in the league in “It’s just about reading the guys you’re with and developing chemistry the shins or anything. So he leaned to his right, he leaned to his left, he with them,” Hayden said. “Different guys have different shots, so it’s just stood on the tips of his blades to peer over Andreychuk’s shoulder. about learning how the puck comes off different guys’ sticks. It helps over Anything he could do to track the puck around this immovable mountain time.” of a human standing inches in front of his crease. Tipping pucks isn’t easy, either. Hayden grew up watching the Sharks’ Somehow, Ward survived the power play. Joe Pavelski master the craft, and spent the summer working out with the “It definitely threw me for a loop,” he said. Rangers’ , another talented tipper. So after some morning skates, Hayden will stand along the wall at center ice as assistant coach The few square feet in front of a goaltender’s crease is often referred to Don Granato flings pucks his way. Even Jonathan Toews, who has as “the dirty area.” It’s a place where “greasy” and “ugly” goals are scored many of his 310 career goals in that fashion, works on tips during scored. It’s a lawless wasteland where cross-checking isn’t only legal, it’s at least one morning skate a week. If he doesn’t get at least four or five in encouraged. Hell, it’s coached. F-bombs and spittle are hurled in all a row, he’s furious with himself. directions; teeth are dislodged, lost or simply shattered; blood is mixed with sweat and fears. “That says a lot about what it takes to develop that skill,” Hayden said. But there’s a beauty to it, too. An art. There’s the goalie playing traffic Hayden’s turn on the power play didn’t last very long, but as a power cop while contorting his body to keep his eye on the puck, the forward forward, he can still be the screener at 5-on-5 (and coach Jeremy balletically dodging shots while at the same time craftily deflecting them, Colliton still has him in mind as a power-play option moving forward). At the defenseman skating the fine line between clearing out and piling on. 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Hayden is the prototype for that kind of role. He’s sturdy enough to take the punishment and big enough to blot out a From those who make their living in that dirty area, here’s a look at the goaltender, if not the sun. But size isn’t everything in the crease. After all, order amid the chaos, the method to the madness. the Blackhawks have yet to find someone as effective in the low slot as little Andrew Shaw, the (allegedly) 5-foot-11 pitbull who actually relished The screener the insanity and violence of the gig. It’s a mentality as much as a skill. “Sometimes it’s fun. Sometimes it sucks.” — Artem Anisimov Coaches love to say that if you want to score goals, you have to go to the Dylan Strome is tempting fate. He’s talking about how he still flinches too net. But if you want to go to the net, you have to be a little nuts, too. much when a teammate winds up at the point, how he’s glad that he “There are no rules,” Anisimov said. “No rules at all.” doesn’t have to set screens for a Shea Weber bazooka, how Erik Gustafsson is thankfully pretty accurate with his point shots, how he’s Well, there are rules. They’re just rarely enforced, even with a referee had a couple of pucks zip by his ears lately with that telltale whizzing positioned right behind the goal line. sound that lets a forward know he just narrowly avoided certain death. Strome has absent-mindedly knocked on the bench of Alex DeBrincat’s “There are certain teams that take some more liberties than others,” nearby locker stall for luck twice during this conversation. Strome said. “We’ve got some pretty good guys on the half-wall, so a lot of teams focus more on the half-wall guys than the guys in front of the “I’m saying all this stuff, and now I’m probably gonna get hit in the face,” net. That helps. You still get some cross-checks or the goalie gives you a he said, his voice rising as he rapped his knuckles on DeBrincat’s bench. little slash. You’ve just got to stand there and take it. A goal is worth a cross-check.” Strome had just finished telling a story about how a shot off the stick of Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech caught him square in the mouth, The defender somehow knocking back one of his bottom middle teeth, but not out. It’s still there, maybe an eighth of an inch behind all its brethren, a “It’s not fun. I’d rather have the puck.” — Erik Gustafsson permanent reminder of just how insane it is that hockey players, The defenseman patrolling his own goalmouth has all the same things to particularly those who ply their trade in the goalmouth, don’t wear full deal with as the forward — the pucks screaming toward their head, the face shields. unpredictability of the shots, the Lord of the Flies free-for-all nature of the “Yeah, but that was a long time ago. Jeez,” Strome said. He knocked on battle. the bench yet again. But he’s got another problem. He’s in the way too. Uh, that might not be real wood, Dylan. “You don’t want to be the reason the goalie didn’t see the puck,” Connor “Oh,” he said, reaching to knock the wooden back of the stall this time. Murphy said. “And if you are going to get in front of him, you want to make sure you’re doing it with a purpose — you’d better block the shot.” The goalmouth is not for the weak. Physically, you have to stand up to legalized assault, with defensemen driving their sticks into your spine and With Colliton behind the bench, the thought process for Blackhawks skull, and goalies occasionally slashing your ankles. Mentally, you have defensemen has changed. Joel Quenneville wanted defenders clogging to stand tall in the face of rising slap shots and who-knows-where one- up lanes and sacrificing their bodies in order to block shots; there’s a timers. reason the guy adored Niklas Hjalmarsson so much. Colliton is more focused on his defensemen clearing out rebounds. Under Colliton, the “Ah, it’s fine,” Artem Anisimov said. “You need to pay the price. You need primary objective isn’t to block the shot, it’s to box out the forward so the to trust the defenseman, though. Because if the defenseman shoots high, goalie can see the puck. The defenseman should be in position to win I’m going to yell at him.” the race to the rebound. It’s about getting position and lifting sticks as much as it’s about blocking shots and delivering two-handed chops to the highlight-reel saves. The trick is, when you lose sight of the puck, just back of the head. look where everyone else is looking. Ah, there it is. Now, if it’s a sudden one-timer or a quick release from the slot, But as players get bigger, it only gets harder. Some 50 years ago, the defensemen are essentially obligated to get down on one knee and take average NHL player was under 6-foot. Now, the average height is about one for the team. And when the puck is in one corner, the other side’s 6-foot-1. Not surprisingly, goalies are getting bigger, too. Gone are the defenseman will park himself in front of the net. But with wrist shots and days of little Darren Pang bouncing around the crease. Behemoths like blasts from the point? Get out of the way, and take the forward with you. Ben Bishop (6-foot-7), Mikko Koskinen (6-foot-7) and Devan Dubnyk (6- foot-6) are the new norm. Oh, and try not to block the goalie’s vision in the process. “When I broke into the league, I was considered above average for “If our guy’s there, and their guy’s there, it only creates more of a height,” the 6-foot-1 Ward said. “So a lot of the times I would look over screen,” Ward said. “And a lot of the time, it is your own guys (in the screens. I’d rather be on my toes, looking over and then seeing where way). But I can’t fault them for trying to block shots and trying to sacrifice the shot’s going to go and pushing into it. Now, I think I’m below average their bodies to make a big block for me. I’ll never complain about that.” in height, and everybody’s so big out there. So now the play is to stay low He’ll talk about it, though. Correction: He’ll yell about it. Constantly. and take away the low half of the net, because there are a lot of times that you just can’t see the puck.” “Ward is screaming all the time: ‘MOOOOOOVE!‘” Gustafsson said. That’s when you, well, guess. Ward bristles at the word. He prefers “If you ask all these guys, they’d probably say I say ‘MOVE‘ a lot out “anticipate.” But the idea is the same. You have to do some quick mental there,” Ward said with a chuckle. math, extrapolate where the puck might come from based on where it was headed the last time you saw it. Then you move accordingly, “make Carl Dahlstrom said it’s almost like a reflex for Ward at this point. yourself big” in goalie parlance, and pray the thing hits you. “Most times, I don’t know if we’re even standing in his way,” Dahlstrom That worked for Dubnyk on Dec. 27 at the United Center, as he barely said. “He’s just reminding us. ‘GET OUT OF THE WAY!‘ I’m like, ‘I’m not got a piece of a Gustafsson shot from the high slot with a swat of his even in your way.’ I asked him the other game if I was in his way, and he glove. Strome was parked right in front of Dubnyk and couldn’t believe it said, ‘No. I just wanted to remind you in case you were even thinking as he saw the puck deflect up into the netting. about it.’” “Could you see that one?” Strome asked Dubnyk. Every goalie is different, though. Collin Delia doesn’t scream quite as often — so when he does, you know he means it. Corey Crawford on the “A little bit,” Dubnyk replied. other hand? “So I guess I wasn’t doing my job very well,” Strome said. “Just so calm, so chill,” Gustafsson said. “Even if I was standing in front of him and he made a save with his glove, he’s like, ‘Oh, good job there, Words are another weapon in the battle. Defenders trash-talk forwards, Gus, good job.’ Always giving me credit for something I didn’t do. I forwards trash-talk defenders, and goalies trash-talk everyone. actually like it when they scream, because you have so much to think Particularly veterans like Ward, who has been in the league for 13 years about there. If he’s screaming to stay left or stay right, it helps. It’s hard in and has a rolodex of foes. He tailors his chirps to each individual when there. It’s such a fast sport, and you’ve got to be ready for anything.” possible, though he wouldn’t share any of his best ones. Defensemen aren’t exactly helpless. They can do just about anything to “My mom raised me well,” he said. “Gotta keep it PG here.” the offending forward. Gustafsson’s go-to tactic is to jab the blade of his Beyond words, there isn’t much a goalie can do. Officials let most of the stick into the forward’s skate, and simply sweep him out of the battles in front of the goalie go, but the days of Ron Hextall or Billy Smith goalmouth. Craftiness is just as important as strength in that battle. getting away with vicious stick-chops at players’ ankles are long gone. Former Blackhawks forward Dave Bolland would keep one eye on the Though there was the time Ward pounced on a prone Patric Hornqvist — referee, and when he had his head turned for just a moment, Bolland who was in his crease whacking away at a puck that had already crossed would sometimes yank a defenseman’s stick right out of his hands, or the goal line — and punched him in the face with his blocker. hook himself with it to try to draw a penalty. “I used to do that a lot,” Ward said of getting physical. “But at the end of Even the great Nicklas Lidstrom wasn’t above a little sleight of hand. the day, it doesn’t really prevent anyone from standing there. You’re “I met him once back in Sweden and he said you don’t have to be so never going to hit them hard enough. If anything, you’re only making strong, you just have to be smart,” Gustafsson said. “And he was so them angry and making them want to score even more on you. As long smart. When he was boxing out, he would grab his hand to the other as they’re not interfering with me, I won’t interfere with them.” guy’s stick so (he couldn’t tip the puck). There are so many bodies in But if they do, all bets are off, and all rules are out the window. If you there, the ref’s probably not going to see it.” want to score that goal, clear that rebound, or make that save, you’ve got The goalie to be ready and willing to do just about anything. Legal or not, safe or not, sane or not. “It’s not polite in there.” — Cam Ward The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 Never mind hugging the post, cutting down the angle and reverse VH. All the technical stuff in the world isn’t going to make much of a difference if you can’t see the puck. So sometimes, a goalie has to take things into his own hands. Literally. “I played with Mike Smith in Arizona, and he liked us to just let him deal with it rather than create a double screen,” Murphy said. “So he’d just shove you out of the way sometimes.” Focus on the goalie the next time the other team is on a power play or gets set up in the offensive zone at 5-on-5. There’s a desperation to his body language — leaning, twisting, tip-toeing, crawling. As the puck gets whipped around from point to point, it’s continuously slipping in and out of view, darting behind, in front of and in between all the bodies in the way. Remember J-F Berube, who played 13 games with the Blackhawks last season? He used to sprawl out on the ice, peering through legs like a coiled cobra. He looked an awful lot like Jonathan Quick, actually. And for good reason — that’s how the Los Angeles Kings, who drafted Berube in 2009, teach it. “The biggest part is trying not to panic and trying to stay calm,” Berube said. “It’s really about just doing anything you possibly can to find the puck and have your eyes on it. Because the second you lose it, you’re a lot further from the play.” Crawford’s ability to track the puck is one of his best assets, and it’s why he always seems so square to the shooter and rarely has to make 1126365 Colorado Avalanche

Matt Duchene lifts Senators over Avs in first game against Colorado

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OTTAWA, Ontario — Matt Duchene had two goals and an assist in his first game against his former club, and the Ottawa Senators beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 on Wednesday night. Duchene had missed the previous three games due to the birth of his first son. He hadn’t played against the Avalanche since being traded to Ottawa in November 2017. Brady Tkachuk, Mark Stone and Ryan Dzingel also scored for the Senators, and Anders Nilsson made 30 saves. It was Ottawa’s first win at home since Dec. 17. Nikita Zadorov and Nathan MacKinnon scored for the Avalanche, who wrapped up a five-game trip. Semyon Varlamov stopped 26 shots. Duchene put the Senators ahead 4-1 with his 19th goal of the season midway through the third period. Zack Smith had fired a puck that went wide of the net off the back boards, and Duchene picked it up and scored short side. The Avalanche appeared to cut the lead in half minutes later, but it was waived off upon review because the left post was off the mooring. MacKinnon had a power-play goal with four minutes remaining and Varlamov on the bench for the two-man advantage. The Avalanche had another opportunity after Christian Jaros sent the puck over the glass, but Colorado couldn’t capitalize. Duchene scored into an empty net with 1:02 left. NOTES: Nick Paul was a healthy scratch for the Senators. … Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson missed his 11th straight game due to a concussion. UP NEXT Avalanche: Return home to face the Kings on Saturday. Senators: Play at Carolina on Friday night. Denver Post: LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126366 Colorado Avalanche Not since the draft where I shook his hand. I saw him at (development) camp and said hi to him a couple times. I grew up playing against his son (Chase) on the Colorado Thunderbirds. I think he was the coach of that A conversation with Avalanche prospect Tyler Weiss team too. Did you ever have that bizarre moment of, “Wow, I’m shaking Joe Sakic’s hand?” Or because you’ve had so many of those moments, it’s just like By Ryan S. Clark Jan 16, 2019 being around another person. I’ve had a lot of those moments but you’ve been thinking about it your whole life. It’s one of those moments where it’s finally happening when Take a minute or two and step back from the Avalanche’s current you’re meeting some of these guys that you’ve been watching on TV and season. There is a big picture perspective within the organization when it now you’re becoming friends with them and talking with them. comes to using the NHL Draft to fortify the roster in later years to come. Who’s the player you’ve been the most starstruck by? It is entirely possible Tyler Weiss could be one of those players the Avalanche rely upon in the future. The 19-year-old was a fourth-round Probably Joe Sakic. Growing up, me and my brother used his curve. His pick in last summer’s draft. He’s currently a freshman at the University of name was always on our stick. Nebraska-Omaha and has returned to the ice after sustaining a shoulder injury in practice. In your time at the NTDP, you got a chance to see a certain guy named Jack Hughes. He’s a guy people in Denver are talking about. So I wanted The Athletic’s Ryan S. Clark recently caught up with Weiss, where they to ask: how dynamic is he? What makes him so good? What makes him reviewed items such as his transition to the collegiate game and the so different? relationship he has developed with the Avalanche’s front office. Weiss also offered some insight into one of his former National Team Jack, it’s just the way he practices. He works hard every day. His skating Development Program contemporaries in Jack Hughes, the high-end ability is unbelievable. Just the way he trains, he treats himself like a pro. talented forward who could be in play for the Avs in this year’s draft. He’s a one-of-a-kind player and I’ve never seen anything like it. Even in practice, his first day with us he was out there and already the best Let’s start with the basics. How is your first year in college hockey going player. It was pretty crazy to watch. and how has the transition been? Do you ever sit there and think, “Hey, it’d be nice to have Jack here in It’s pretty tough having been on the injury side a little bit. But it’s definitely this system?” Or can you really allow yourself to think like that? faster and the guys are a lot stronger here but I am getting really comfortable with it lately and having a lot of fun. Yeah! He’s an unbelievable player and you could fit him anywhere in the lineup! He’s amazing! With the injury, what happened? Last question: How much have you been able to watch when it comes to It was in practice and it was a freak accident where I just hurt my the Avalanche this year? shoulder. I was out for six weeks. Yeah, it was pretty tough. I watch quite a bit. They’re looking really good. They’re in a little slump Does having a layoff like that, especially as a freshman, mess with you right now. I still think they are one of the top teams in the league. They’re psychologically? in a little slump but every team goes through that. But I think they’ll have a strong finish. It’s pretty tough because I love the game so much that I want to be out there and I want to be with my teammates. Sometimes it’s like I’m The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 missing out. I had a positive attitude and its better now because I am back and I’m happy. As far as the rest of your transition into college hockey, you grew up in Raleigh but where else have you been before you came to Nebraska- Omaha? Plus, what’s Omaha been like? I spent two years in Toronto. I moved away when I was 14 and played with the Don Mills Flyers in the (Greater Toronto Area) for two years there. Then that’s when I went to Plymouth (Michigan) to play two years at (USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program). … It’s pretty nice. It’s a good feeling that you are going to be here for a while. I really like it there too. It kind of reminds me of Michigan a little bit, weather- wise, and it’s a nice city too and a lot of nice people. I’m loving it there. What was it that made Nebraska-Omaha stand out during your recruiting? You know, I just felt like it was a great place for me to develop. The coaching staff here are top line. The guys here too and with the lineup they have and I really like playing with them. There’s also the facilities too. It’s a big barn and they treat you like a pro here. I feel like this was the best place to reach my full potential. Speaking of that potential, what have the last 12 months been like when it comes to going from the NTDP to being drafted by the Avalanche and then enrolling at UNO? I try not to think about it. I try to roll along with it. It’s a long journey but its a fun process. I’ve just tried to enjoy it the whole way. As for the Avs, were they a team you heard from prior to the draft? I had not. I had spoke with 22 teams and Colorado was one I did not talk with. It kind of caught me off guard (when the Avalanche drafted him) but I am super happy that they gave me a chance. What’s been your communication with the organization? (Brian Willsie, who is part of the team’s developmental staff) is always checking up on me. Always asking me how things are. Recently, he’s checking in after every game about how my shoulder is. Have you had a chance to talk with Joe Sakic at all? 1126367 Colorado Avalanche

Observations from Avalanche’s disappointing 5-2 loss in Ottawa

By Evan Rawal - January 16, 2019

Fresh off a huge victory in Toronto, the Colorado Avalanche looked flat all night against a bottom feeding team on their way to a 5-2 loss to the Senators. The loss capped off the incredibly disappointing five game road trip, which saw the Avs finish with a 1-4 record. What did we learn from this game? While the Avs seem to have found some sort of a second line, their bottom six now looks severely depleted. Alexander Kerfoot’s game has fallen off the face of the earth, and in his last four games he’s a -8. Sven Andrighetto has provided very little offense this year, and Tyson Jost fails to make an impact on a nightly basis. Overall, the Avs have gotten some good production from their secondary scoring compared to other teams, but you can kind of see why Jared Bednar kept Soderberg with the safety blankets for so long to help spread things out. Mark Barberio was very important for the Avs last year as a depth defenseman, but has he played a single good game this year? There’s no way he gets into the lineup next game with how he’s looked and a soon to be healthy Patrik Nemeth. Watching Nikita Zadorov blast the puck past the goalie like he did tonight, one has to wonder how he went his first 81 games in an Avs uniform without registering a goal. He now has 10 goals in his last 96 games and Zadorov might be the Avs’ biggest threat to score from the blueline. Tyson Barrie had the type of game that gets fans to call for his head, despite his production. He was a mess defensively and turned the puck over numerous times. It wouldn’t be an Avs game if we didn’t talk about the goaltending. Semyon Varlamov wasn’t the problem tonight but we’re looking at another game where the Avs got less than stellar goaltending, with him only stopping 86 percent of the shots put his way. There has been no consistency in net since the Avs record has gone down the drain and it has to effect the players and how they play in front of them. With their fall from grace beginning after November, the Avs have now gone from having a comfortable gap between themselves and the non- playoff teams, to only have a 3-point lead. Time for the team to buckle down. The Avs now head home to take on the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. The game starts at 1 p.m. MT. milehighsports.com LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126368 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche head home after tough trip in Canada, losing to Ottawa

By Jeremy Jerez January 16, 2019

Matt Duchene. Credit: Marc DesRosiers, USA Today Sports. The Avalanche are in dire need of some home cooking, finally coming back to the Mile High City after going 1-4 on their five-game road trip through the great white north. Matt Duchene scored two goals and added one assist as the Senators beat the Avs 5-2 on Wednesday night. Looking to build off of their impressive win over the Toronto Maple Leafs two nights prior, Colorado was rather slow to start the game against Ottawa failing to record a shot on goal in the opening minutes and losing the first-period shot count 13-8. Semyon Varlamov made a handful of big saves in the first to keep the Avalanche afloat, but Colorado failed to get one past Ottawa’s Anders Nilsson and the first period ended with a 0-0 tie. The Senators hit the ice for the second period looking to take over, and they did, scoring at basically two and three minutes into the period. Brady Tkachuk was the one to open the night’s scoring after he put away a rebound from right in front of Varlamov. The second goal was scored by Mark Stone after he tipped a shot from Cody Ceci that trickled past Varlamov, who even got a piece of the shot. Not long after, at 9:01 to be exact, Ottawa’s Ryan Dzingel added another goal to the scoreboard and, considering the way the Avalanche have struggled lately, Colorado’s confidence was shot yet again. The Senators led 3-0 and were dramatically winning the possession battle. Finally, the Avalanche got on the board; Nikita Zadorov was able to get one past Anders Nilsson for his fourth goal of the year with 1:07 left in the second. Zadorov’s slapshot from the point went top shelf through a crowd and was quite the spectacle, yet the intermission quickly put a damper on any momentum the Avs could build from the Russian bomb. Pouring salt on the Avs wound was former Colorado forward Matt Duchene, who scored two goals and one assist on the night. His first came just under halfway through the third period, putting home a rebound past his old teammate. His second goal would be on an empty- netter to close out the game. Duchene has now scored two goals in each of the two games against the Avalanche this season. Nathan MacKinnon was able to add a late power-play goal — his 27th of the year — with 3:59 on the clock. However, his efforts for a comeback were futile as the game was out of Colorado’s reach at that point, with the Avalanche losing 5-2. After spending five games on the road, the Avalanche will now head home for a much-needed five-game stretch. It all begins with a matinee game Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings, followed by matchups with division foes the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild. In order to avoid further disaster, the Avalanche will have to take care of their home ice and bounce back in the standings. After the Canadian trip which was one of the uglier five-game stretches of the year for the Avalanche, they will now have to prove to the hockey world that they aren’t the sinking ship everyone now considers them to be. milehighsports.com LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126369 Colorado Avalanche

AVALANCHE Brutal effort in Ottawa brings back the anxiety to Jared Bednar and Avs fansAdrian Dater

Adrian Dater

OTTAWA, Ontario - Just when I thought I had something figured out with this team, just when I dared to say this team had some momentum on which to build, just when I dared to predict that prosperity was just around the corner for this team again, the Colorado Avalanche went out and just stunk up the ice at the Canadian Tire Centre Wednesday night in their worst performance of the season. We aren't just back to Square One again with this team, folks. We're at Less Than Zero. The Avs showed tonight that what happened the other night in Toronto was just an aberration, that overall they're just not a very good hockey team right now. After a lazy, incompetent, shockingly brutal 5-2 loss to the last-place Ottawa Senators here, the Avs fell to 2-8-2 in the last 12 games. Am I overreacting? I don't know, maybe. But, wow, that was not what I expected to see tonight. Who is the lottery team, anyway? The Senators, whose first-round pick this year Colorado owns, thoroughly dominated the Avs. Absolutely dominated them. To say the Avs were soft in this one would be an insult to goose feather down. The only checks that seemed to matter to Avs players tonight were ones that say "Pay to the order of..." Wasn't this an Avs team that was supposed to have been fired up again after that comeback win in Toronto? Wasn't this supposed to be a team that really wanted to finish up this cross-country Canadian road trip with a win, then take that five-hour flight home in happy comfort? Wasn't this supposed to be a team that had a little extra motivation, because of that Sens' first-round pick and all? Guess not. Maybe the scariest thing of all for Avs coach Jared Bednar: It seemed like he'd thought his team had turned the corner the other night too, that there could be no way it could play a game like this so soon afterward. He wore a stunned look while facing the media. I asked him: Does it worry you, as a coach, when you don't really know what you're going to get, effort-wise, from your team? "Yeah, of course. Absolutely. No question," Bednar said. "If we're competing the way we need to compete, then sometimes you get the results and sometimes you don't. I feel like we've been getting a little bit of bad luck lately and you're hoping that a game like Toronto turns it around. But the effort part of it's gotta be there first. Tonight, the breakdowns were effort-based." BSN DENVER LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126370 Colorado Avalanche Colin Wilson (C) – Another guy that I simply didn’t notice. He was out there but I didn’t really see anything much from him.

Nikita Zadorov (C+) – That goal was an absolute laser. We always say Avs-Sens player grades: Avs roll over this but if he could find that touch consistently, his game would get to a totally different level. AJ Haefele BSN DENVER LOADED: 01.17.2019

Player grades for Colorado’s loss to the Ottawa Senators. Sven Andrighetto (C+) – I always wonder how a team decides on their designated penalty guy. You know, the guy who sits in the box when they get called for a bench infraction or the goalie takes a penalty? How did Andrighetto become that guy? Is it because he’s fast and they would never use him on the PK so just in case there’s a break opportunity it’s a speedy guy with some offensive ability? Could it really be that simple? Mark Barberio (C-) – I don’t think he’s played very well in any of his games this year. I’m not sure what’s going on with him but even the positives we’ve seen in previous years aren’t showing up the same way. He wasn’t nearly as bad tonight as he was in Toronto but what kind of benchmark is that? Tyson Barrie (F) – This is one of those nights where the roller coaster of Barrie’s game was at its lowest. He was bad defensively and he couldn’t stop giving pucks away on offense. When he’s playing this poorly, rarely do the Avs find any success. The shot metrics are very much in Barrie’s favor but watching him make mistake after mistake was just too much. Matt Calvert (D) – This line was a disaster when the game was still in question. Calvert had an absurd disallowed goal but that was about the only notable contribution on the night. Ian Cole (C-) – Blown coverages on the back of poor communication have become all too common with Cole in the last handful of games, an oddity given how talkative he is on the ice, but another weak game from Cole here. J.T. Compher (C) – I really didn’t notice Compher much at all in this game. I still don’t think he’s a second-line caliber player and relying on him for scoring isn’t going very well. Sheldon Dries (C+) – He hit the post in the first and just about scored. That would’ve been a nice change for a fourth line that hasn’t produced anything positive in weeks. Samuel Girard (D) – When Colorado’s top pairing plays poorly, they pretty much always lose. Girard was a total non-factor tonight. Erik Johnson (D) – After a handful of games where he looked like the good version of EJ we’ve come to expect over the years, Johnson regressed back to the player we’ve seen too frequently this season. He has to be an impact player for the Avalanche to be successful. Tyson Jost (C) – He played, they tell me. But really, I didn’t notice anything good or bad from Jost tonight. He was Just A Guy. Alexander Kerfoot (C-) –Putting Kerfoot with Nieto and Calvert is a surefire way to get nothing from Kerfoot. The coaching staff needs a better idea than this. Gabriel Landeskog (D) – Did nothing offensively and totally lost track of Matt Duchene on the fourth goal against. For a team that has consistently found ways to climb out of holes, that goal served to pretty much wrap this one up and was an uncharacteristically apathetic display from Landeskog. Nathan MacKinnon (C-) – A nice pass so he can register a point but he didn’t come close to playing well. MacKinnon had a fantastic shot for Colorado’s second goal. More of that would have been cool. Matt Nieto (D+) – A little finish would go a long way because Nieto finds himself in some prime scoring areas all too often. Mikko Rantanen (C-) – Garbage time points are just that. Carl Soderberg (C+) – He was the only forward through two periods that seemed engaged at all. He fell off a bit in the third but after all the hard carrying he’s done this week, can you blame him for wearing down? Semyon Varlamov (D) – I don’t really know how to feel about Varly’s game. I didn’t think he was particularly bad tonight but another four goals got by him for some reason or another. Simply put, that just isn’t good enough. He has to be better than he was tonight. The way he played the first goal baffles me and then the fourth goal he just looked slow and unathletic, two things I’ve basically never said about Varly in his entire career. He just doesn’t look like the same kind of explosive athlete he used to be and the effect it’s having on his game is significant. 1126371 Columbus Blue Jackets

Top line on points-scoring tear

Adam Jardy

It wasn’t that long ago that Cam Akinson was producing points at an almost unheard-of clip for the Blue Jackets. Starting Nov. 10 and continuing through Dec. 9, the first-line forward recorded at least one point in 12 straight games, while scoring 13 goals and adding seven assists as the Jackets went 7-4-1. Tuesday night against New Jersey, he scored just 45 seconds into the game to give him a goal in three straight games. This time, though, he’s not the only Jackets player on such a tear. His linemates, Artemi Panarin and Pierre-Luc Dubois, also extended personal point streaks in the 4-1 win against the Devils. Panarin has scored in four straight games, while Dubois has at least one assist in a career-high four straight games. “It feels good,” Atkinson said of seeing his linemates producing. “We’re not satisfied with scoring one goal. If we get one we try to get two, and if we get two we try to get three. We’ve been good at that as of late, and have to continue.” Panarin has five goals and three multipoint performances during the four- game stretch, and he has scored nine goals in the last 12 games. Coach John Tortorella said Panarin, whose contract is up at the end of the season, has not played differently while facing an uncertain future with the franchise. “I just think he enjoys playing, and I believe him: I don’t think he knows what he’s going to do,” Tortorella said. “But we can’t do anything about that. We’re just going to keep going about our business.” Killing it The penalty killing units for the Blue Jackets continue to operate at a high level. After stopping both New Jersey power plays, the Blue Jackets have now killed off 37 of the last 40 opponent advantages, including 16 straight. The last power-play goal scored against the Jackets came last year — on Dec. 31. “I think there’s just more confidence,” Tortorella said. “We’ve won more face-offs. I think we’re aggressive moving as a unit when we have chances to be aggressive.” They also have gotten some clutch goaltending, such as when Joonas Korpisalo came up with a big save early in the second period to keep the lead at 3-0 a moment before Dubois scored to push it out of reach. “Those, you realize afterward that was a bigger save than usual,” Korpisalo said. “Sometimes you have to make those saves.” Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126372 Columbus Blue Jackets

Joonas Korpisalo on roll in goal during Jackets' win streak

By Adam Jardy

The embrace had all the awkwardness of a goodbye on a first date. Skating off the ice after a third straight win between the pipes, Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo headed straight for captain Nick Foligno. It’s tradition for the forward to wrap two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky in a bear hug after a win, but a whirlwind of a week has led to somewhat of a shifting of the tide for the Jackets. At first, Korpisalo said, he and Foligno head-butted each other, resulting in what he jokingly said were concussions for both players — although the goalie shortened the word to “conkies.” After Korpisalo had stopped 29 of 30 shots in a 4-1 victory over New Jersey on Tuesday, Foligno gave him somewhat of a half-hug, half- handshake celebratory greeting. “Today was really bad,” Korpisalo said afterward, shaking his head. “We’re going to figure out something.” If he continues to play well, they’re going to have to. After Bobrovsky stormed off the ice on Jan. 8 when he was pulled in Tampa Bay and was subsequently removed from the team for one game, Korpisalo has primarily backstopped the Jackets to a four-game winning streak. In overtime wins against Nashville and Washington and the victory against the Devils, Korpisalo has stopped 93 of 98 shots (a .949 save percentage) with a 1.62 goals-against average. Faced with a set of circumstances that could sink a team, the Blue Jackets have instead climbed into first place in the Metropolitan Division. Owing to Bobrovsky’s uncertain future with the franchise, coach John Tortorella said before the start of the season that he was going to have to play Korpisalo more than before in order to get a feel for what his role might be. Tuesday night, Tortorella said Korpisalo had earned the start and that he wasn’t necessarily impressed just with what he saw from Korpisalo in the win. “It’s what I don’t see in him; just no extra movement,” he said. “He just looks confident. ... I thought he handled the puck well tonight. Yeah, it’s a 4-1 game, but he’s a big part of why it was a 4-1 game.” Tortorella isn’t committing to one goalie over the other going forward, pointing out that he doesn’t divulge such information in advance. The fact that it’s even a question shows how well Korpisalo has played of late. “I think you could tell with his game he’s playing with a lot of confidence himself,” forward Cam Atkinson said. “I think he’s really taken his game to another level with confidence and how he prepares in practice and battling for pucks in practice. It’s really showing in the games.” Korpisalo described himself as being like any other player in gaining more traction when playing regularly. In 14 starts this season, he is 9-2-2, and in his last five appearances Korpisalo has a save percentage of .957. Against the Devils, Korpisalo credited his teammates for cleaning up loose pucks and getting him clear looks at shots headed his way. There wasn’t one of the 30 shots faced that he didn’t see, Korpisalo said. It’s added to an internal level of calm that Korpisalo said is rising. “We’ve just got to keep working on it more,” he said. “Now it’s showing up in games a little bit. There might be a little bit more there, too.” Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126373 Columbus Blue Jackets It’s why dads like Kyle are having these uncomfortable conversations with their kids.

All of this might be more palatable if Panarin showed outward signs of With Artemi Panarin and the Blue Jackets rolling, the ‘conversations’ are unhappiness. If he Jeff Cartered his way through the season. If his play about to get real and body language screamed “get me the hell out of here.” Instead, Panarin is excelling at a time when his team needs him the By Tom Reed Jan 16, 2019 most. The much-publicized incident with Bobrovsky could have sent the Blue Jackets into a tailspin last week ahead of games against the division-leading Predators and Capitals. But thanks in part to Joonas Korpisalo’s goaltending and Panarin’s clutch goal scoring, the Blue COLUMBUS, Ohio — A friend and former newspaper colleague recently Jackets are rolling. had a serious conversation with his 4-year-old, Blue Jackets-loving son. Off the ice, Panarin remains as playful as ever. A local distillery and Yeah, it was that conversation. The Artemi Panarin conversation. restaurant put up a billboard offering free food and drink for life if he remains in Columbus. Panarin not only acknowledged the gesture, he Like any good father who wants to shield his child from the vagaries of posed for a picture with the sign. the sports world, my buddy Kyle explained to his boy that Sergei Bobrovsky and Panarin — two unrestricted free agents — might be Team president John Davidson recently noted that Panarin’s girlfriend playing their final season in Columbus. It was dad’s attempt to help and Bobrovsky’s wife continue to be active in the community despite their prepare him for disappointment. uncertain futures here. Davidson doesn’t know how their situations play out, but he appreciates the effort being made by those closest to Panarin Keegan is dug in with his Blue Jackets. He owns Panarin and Pierre-Luc and Bobrovsky. Dubois jerseys. Father and son play hockey in the basement. Keegan takes naps just like his heroes on game days to be fresh for that night’s In July, I wrote the Blue Jackets needed to trade Panarin before the action. season if he were unwilling to sign a long-term extension. I still believe it was a mistake to take him into the season, but I also understand the As dad began to lay out the post-trade-deadline scenarios, Keegan other side of the argument. wanted the discussion confined to Panarin. He hates the thought of losing the diminutive dynamo but needs to know what kind of player Panarin has remained healthy and played hard for his teammates. He would be coming back in return. The kid — I’ll remind you, Keegan is 4 hasn’t been a distraction. Keeping him on the roster, however, has years old — referenced the Brandon Saad deal that delivered Panarin in limited the number of suitors willing to trade for him as a rental. It’s also the first place. evolved into a buyer’s market with a handful of high-profile UFA forwards (Mark Stone, Matt Duchene, Jeff Skinner, Wayne Simmonds) potentially If you think such a talk is tough on hockey fathers in central Ohio, just available to contending teams ahead of the trade deadline. imagine the conversations in the executive offices of Nationwide Arena. Jarmo Kekalainen is no 4-year-old, but months of uncertainty Given his track record and current form, Panarin is the most attractive surrounding Panarin’s future have been akin to a bogeyman in the player of the bunch. He likely will net a late first rounder and a package of bedroom closet and under the bed. prospects. If Kekalainen can get a deal that includes a future second-line center — always a projection, of course, — that’s a hard trade to pass And here it is, about a week before the Blue Jackets’ general manager up. The Blue Jackets aren’t playing for a Stanley Cup until they find a reportedly will sit down for a serious discussion with Panarin’s agent, and legitimate second-line center. The core of this team is young enough to the winger is playing his best hockey of the season. In fact, he’s playing wait for another season or so to let that prospect grow into the role. as well as almost any forward in the NHL. But what makes the Panarin situation so fascinating is you can make a He was excellent again Tuesday night, registering a goal and an assist, case for keeping him through the end of the season. Maybe, they can win in a 4-1 victory over the Devils at Nationwide Arena. Panarin has five the division and avoid the Penguins and Capitals in the first round. goals during the team’s four-game win streak, including two overtime Maybe, they can earn a favorable matchup and win a playoff series for tallies against the Predators and Capitals. Tuesday night’s triumph the first time in franchise history. moved the Blue Jackets into a virtual first-place tie with the Capitals in the Metro Division. Is that enough to potentially risk losing Panarin over the summer for nothing? It depends on your view of what constitutes real progress for the Since Dec. 13, Panarin has collected 11 goals in 15 games — tied for organization. fifth-most in the league during that span. The Blue Jackets’ top line, which includes Panarin, Dubois and Cam Atkinson, is fueling a 12-3-1 And what if the Blue Jackets reached the conference finals? Would that run. be enough for Panarin to commit to the club long term? While the recent team-imposed, one-game suspension of Bobrovsky In the fall, I had a conversation with one of his former teammates. He seems to reflect a player at odds with his organization and circumstance, loved playing with Panarin, and believes the winger sincerely likes Panarin appears to be gliding through the season care free. Because he Columbus. gives few English interviews, the media doesn’t know what he’s thinking or saying unlike Bobrovsky and others. “Bread was a great teammate,” the player said. “He is a difference maker on a team that needs more difference makers. But at the end of the day, I Coaches and teammates, however, have seen no significant change in think Bread wants to be a rock star in a bigger market.” Panarin, who ranks tied for 18th in the league in scoring with 52 points. I don’t envy Kekalainen. It would be a much easier decision if the Blue Atkinson entered last season without a deal beyond the 2017-18 Jackets had face-planted and crumbled under the weight of distractions. campaign. He later acknowledged how much it weighed on his mind. It hasn’t happened and that’s a credit to Tortorella and every player in that locker room. “You don’t see that (with Panarin),” said Atkinson, who’s developed tremendous chemistry with his fellow winger just as Patrick Kane did with The Blue Jackets are soaring and, if they can get Bobrovsky back on his Panarin in Chicago. “Every guy is different. Every guy goes through game, they have a shot at winning a division title with Panarin in the different personal experiences. He’s playing really well for us.” lineup. I still think they’re a playoff team without him. Coach John Tortorella offered a similar view. This will be a massive call by Kekalainen over the next few weeks. “He approaches the game as he always has,” Tortorella said. “I think for Late Saturday night, little Keegan dragged his father to the basement a little bit here he had a dip as far as winning the battles we’re so after Panarin wired a one-timer past Capitals goalie Pheonix Copley for accustomed to seeing him win. … I think he’s found that again. I just an overtime winner. Kyle has furnished his man cave with a pair of think he enjoys playing. Franklin mini-nets, a scoreboard and hockey sticks. “I believe him. I don’t think he knows what he’s going to do. But we can’t Father and son spent the next 30 minutes recreating the goal with Kyle do anything about that. We’ve just got to keep going about our business.” playing Seth Jones and Keegan starring as Panarin. The boy made sure his dad stood in the exact same spot where Jones delivered the pass. Meanwhile, Kekalainen must get down to business. If the general (No word on whether Kyle had to imitate Evgeny Kuznetzov’s “bird” manager can’t get Panarin to commit to a contract extension in the dance in the goal celebration.) upcoming meeting with agent Daniel Milstein, he might have to move the marquee forward before the Feb. 25 trade deadline. Man, oh. man. It’s all coming to a head, Blue Jackets fans. The conversations are about to get real and what’s at stake runs deeper than disappointing our 4-year-olds. The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126374 Dallas Stars Anderson’s first open-heart surgery came when he was just four months old, after his growth was stunted and doctors noticed depressed oxygen levels, Loan said. Tetralogy of Fallot is a condition in which four heart A dream brought to life: After multiple open-heart surgeries, young Stars defects cause oxygen-poor blood to be sent out to the rest of the body. fan gets the chance to hit the ice with his heroes “They needed to do emergency surgery that night or the next day because they were worried that if he had any other heart spell at any time, he wouldn’t come out of it,” Loan said. Matthew DeFranks The condition sapped any endurance required to play hockey, so the family held him out of organized sports. Across the next 10 years, the valves in his heart began wearing down, and Anderson needed another FRISCO -- Two-hundred and fifty-nine days before he scored a game- surgery last year to replace a valve in his heart. winning goal against the Stars, or scrapped with John Klingberg, or paraded around with Roman Polak in a postgame victory lap, 10-year-old In his rehab, hockey played a key part again. Anderson motivated himself Anderson McDuffie underwent the second open-heart surgery of his life. by pushed a foam ball around the heart unit. McDuffie, who was diagnosed at birth with a congenital heart disease Anderson received a valve via an organ donor, which opened the door called Tetralogy of Fallot, spent four nights in the intensive care unit for him to play hockey. Had he been given an artificial valve or one from following the surgery. But his health wasn’t on his mind. Hockey was. an animal, he likely would have had to take blood thinners, making it tough to participate in contact sports, especially hockey. Loan said “Can I play hockey?” McDuffie asked the heart surgeon. Wednesday’s game could help the McDuffies reach out to the family of the organ donor. The answer was yes, and a dream formulated then was brought to life on Wednesday afternoon in Frisco: McDuffie wanted his team to play “I was actually waiting until after the wish so they can see him moving against the Stars. Six weeks after his surgery, he hit the ice, and made about, and so strong, and doing something amazing so that they know the request to Make-A-Wish. His wish was granted after he dropped a that what they gave up was really worth giving up,” Loan said. ceremonial puck at a Stars home game in December. Tetralogy of Fallot is the same condition that affects Olympic snowboard McDuffie hand-selected the EKGs -- the team name -- including his older Shaun White, and the son of comedian Jimmy Kimmel. Loan said brother Keagan and nine other players to take on the Stars on Anderson wears his scar “like a badge of honor” and loves playing Wednesday afternoon. For the 10 minutes, the EKGs played against the hockey. Stars before they mixed teams for the second period. A typically quiet practice facility was boisterous on Wednesday afternoon, each bleacher “He’s been on the sidelines so long, we told him ‘No, you can’t play filled with fans and E-K-Gs chants. because of your body’s problems,’ that when he did play, he’s not like other kids that have been playing for years that are like ‘Ugh, I have to go “I think we expected it to be fun,” Tyler Seguin said, “but not as much fun to hockey,’” Loan said. “He does not miss practice. He does not miss a as we had.” game.” It was a light affair, and Anderson scored both the game’s first and last Nearly every part of the Stars organization was involved with the event. goals as the EKGs won 6-5. Anderson also made his presence felt in a tussle with the 6-foot-2 Klingberg. Anderson said “he was pushing me Montgomery approved of the event when it was first brought to him in around,” so he had to stand up to the Stars defenseman. They both June. General manager Jim Nill also signed off on it. Christa Melia of the dropped their gloves, and Anderson ended up on top of Klingberg. public relations staff help organize the event. Broadcasters Josh Bogorad and Daryl Reaugh called the game on the public address system. “I was just standing up on the blue line playing defense and he was coming after me, so I had to protect myself,” Klingberg joked. Graphic designers helped Anderson envision a logo for the EKGs, which featured a heart with yellow, orange and red flames behind it. The social Klingberg’s teammates and coach had fun with the fight, since Klingberg media team publicized the starting lineups with a graphic on Twitter. has never been in an NHL fight. Team photographer Sean Berry held a photoshoot with the EKGs over the weekend. The Stars Ice Girls cleared the snow between two 10- “I like how you didn’t pick Jamie Benn either,” Seguin told Anderson. minute periods. Mascot Victor E. Green was in attendance. Game “You picked Klingberg. So you’re smart.” operations created a video about Anderson last month. Benn added: “I think there’s a reason why Klinger doesn’t fight. Anderson The StarCenter in Frisco donated free ice time for the event. K1 took it to him there. If I ever saw Klinger fight in a real game, I’m sure Sportswear donated both yellow and white jerseys for the EKGs. The that’s how it would go.” Frisco police escorted the team bus to the arena, making way for the Jim Montgomery said: “You could tell it was a play fight, right? He doesn’t suit-clad EKGs to enter the rink. Former goaltender and current president want to get his hair out of place.” of the Dallas Stars foundation Marty Turco was the referee. At the end of the game, after Anderson’s game-winning goal, the Stars Even Anderson’s school, Prince of Peace, gave the afternoon off so his surrounded him in a celebratory huddle. In the middle of it, Polak lifted classmates could go to the game. The McDuffies themselves are very Anderson above his shoulders and began skating around the ice with involved with Make-A-Wish. Loan has been a wish granter for nearly him. Anderson flipped his gloves away and flapped his arms as the pair seven years, and their daughter Delaney raised more than $14,000 for circled the ice. the organization. It was a moment of compassion and spontaneity, of thoughtfulness and Then, of course, there were the Stars. To the kids, aged 9 to 15, the sincerity. It was a reminder to smile and to care, a notice that hockey is players were the hulking idols and larger than life celebrities that helped simply a game but also so much more than that at the same time. Anderson’s wish come true. “Anderson’s been battling throughout his life,” Benn said. “Just puts “I said are you scared to be standing up against all of these celebrities, things into perspective. In the end, we just play a game and there’s more these giant players?” Loan said. “‘No, mom. They’re my people.’” to life than just hockey.” Dallas Morning News LOADED: 01.17.2019 “It’s tough to be a professional athlete, but if you compare it that, it’s nothing,” Klingberg said. “It just puts it in perspective sometimes.” Because of his heart condition, Anderson hadn’t played competitive hockey before going to camps last summer and playing in the house league beginning in September. But he was a Stars -- and hockey -- fan for a while. When he was about 1 1/2 years old, he was given a hockey stick and fell in love with the game. He enrolled in the Stars’ Rookies program, when Mike Modano was helping to teach the sport. He was a Little Rookie of the Game one night, when he got to skate to the blue line for the national anthem. “That’s when green became one of his favorite colors,” his mother, Loan said. 1126375 Dallas Stars

Stars forward Jason Dickinson set to return from back injury against the Kings

Matthew DeFranks

FRISCO -- Stars forward Jason Dickinson will return to the lineup on Thursday against Los Angeles, coach Jim Montgomery said after practice on Wednesday afternoon. Dickinson missed 11 games with a back injury suffered Dec. 22 in Minnesota and Montgomery said he'll likely center Andrew Cogliano and Jason Spezza, combining Cogliano and Dickinson's speed with Spezza's offensive creativity. With Dickinson set to come off injured reserve and re-enter the lineup, the Stars reassigned Erik Condra to AHL affiliate Texas. In six games with the Stars, Condra scored one goal and averaged 12:41 of ice time per game. Montgomery said the Stars missed Dickinson's flexibility throughout the lineup, able to match up against other team's top lines while also providing offense. In 34 games this season, Dickinson has five goals and six assists. "Versatility through our lineup, but especially being able to match up at home or on the road," Montgomery said. "I think before he got injured, him and Radek Faksa were our two best defensive centers down low. And we've missed him." Montgomery said Dickinson would mostly play center, but game situations might move the 23-year-old to wing. "There might be times where we shorten to three lines, we're protecting a lead that maybe I move him to left wing," Montgomery said. -- Both Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov did not practice on Wednesday, but Montgomery said both would play against Los Angeles. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126376 Dallas Stars

Are the Mavericks giving up on Dennis Smith Jr. too soon? Depends on what they get in return

Tim Cowlishaw

Tim Cowlishaw, sports columnist for SportsDayDFW.com and The Dallas Morning News, author of Drunk on Sports and panelist on ESPN's "Around the Horn," answered questions about the Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks, Stars and college sports in his reader mailbag. Here are some highlights: Mavericks Q: Do you think the Mavs are giving up on Dennis Smith Jr. too soon? Cowlishaw: If they get something of quality for him, I would say no. I'm probably not as high on Smith's potential to lead a good team as some others. I certainly don't think he's a great fit on a team led by Luka Doncic, who wants to -- and should -- have the ball in his hands a lot. Smith is no 2-guard. So his usefulness here has been diminished this season. But I certainly wouldn't be giving him away for 50 cents on the dollar. Q: How much money do you think it would take for the Mavs to re-sign Wesley Matthews and/or DeAndre Jordan in the offseason? Cowlishaw: I don't know. I'm not sure why they would want to be re- signing Matthews. This team needs to get some younger players on it. It's an odd mix of young and old right now. Keeping Jordan around as an older player in the middle makes sense. The rest can get a lot younger. Q: Depending on how Jalen Brunson performs for the rest of the season, could he steal J.J. Barea's job as the lead point guard off the bench next year? Cowlishaw: I think that would be ideal if that turned out to be a good option. That's no knock on Barea, who plays hard and is a fan favorite. But next season will be his 14th. This team has to find some youth on the bench and Brunson could be a fit there if his play advances the rest of the season. Stars Q: How would you grade Jim Montgomery's first season as head coach up to this point? Cowlishaw: I feel like he has weathered the storm from Jim Lites' comments, so he at least gets points for that. The team isn't much different from what it was a year ago in terms of where it looks like it is headed. But last year's team was good up until March before falling apart on that long road trip through Canada. He's gotten some great play from rookie Miro Heiskanen which has helped, given all the time that John Klingberg missed. Overall a decent grade, but it's all about getting into the playoffs and doing something for this team. Q: With news of the Stars holding a team meeting, do you think there is friction in the organization? Cowlishaw: I don't know why there wouldn't be. They are playing OK -- last two games notwithstanding -- but any time the top players are called out by management in mid-season, there is going to be some fallout. They're still battling and they're in the Western Conference playoff mix right now. But it doesn't strike you as a time that's likely to make any kind of playoff run if it gets in. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126377 Dallas Stars The final, NHL-record setting overtime goal in the third game came in dramatic fashion with just 4.9 seconds left in the extra frame to take down the Blues 4-3. 5 things you may not know about Stars forward Andrew Cogliano, "It was pretty shocking," Cogliano told the Associated Press at the time. including some NHL history he made as a rookie "It's hard to believe something like this, it's certainly a feeling I will remember for the rest of my life. By SportsDayDFW.com "Things like this don't happen often. I think I've just been really lucky to have those opportunities go in for me. But yeah, three in a row, that feels pretty good." Here are five things you might not know about Dallas Stars forward His stats in that three-game stretch: 4 goals, plus-4 in just over 15 Andrew Cogliano. minutes of ice time per game. 1. History against the Stars Bonus: Fight history Cogliano faced the Stars 45 times in his career before joining Dallas in a According to Hockey Fights, Cogliano has dropped the gloves five times trade on Jan. 15. In those 45 games he tallied 20 points (9 goals, 11 in his 12-year career. His best might've been against Boston's Brad assists). He has tallied more points against just four teams across the Marchand. The site also notes that he went six seasons in between fights league (Canucks, Coyotes, Flames and Avalanche) in his career. at one point. The biggest point he tallied against Dallas might've been in Game 6 of Dallas Morning News LOADED: 01.17.2019 the 2014 playoffs. The Anaheim Ducks scored twice in the final 2:10 of regulation to send Game 6 into overtime. Cogliano assisted on a Nick Bonino goal less than three minutes into the overtime period to send the Ducks to the second round against Los Angeles. Anaheim lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champions in seven games. 2. Iron man Cogliano had his 830-consecutive game streak snapped last season due to a two-game suspension. Prior to that -- and since -- he has not missed a game in his career. According to NHL Records, Cogliano's streak was the fourth longest in NHL history trailing only Doug Jarvis (964), Garry Unger (914) and Steve Larmer (884). The suspension stemmed from a hit on Los Angeles' Adrian Kempe. The hit was ruled a minor penalty during the game. Here's an interview he gave regarding his suspension: 3. His hockey idols growing up According to the World Junior's website, Cogliano's two hockey idols growing up were Hockey Hall of Famers Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) and Paul Kariya (Anaheim Ducks). Kariya and the Stars have an interesting connection: head coach Jim Montgomery. Montgomery is one of three Maine players to have their numbers retired. His No. 19 is in the rafters along with Kariya's No. 9 and Scott Pellerin's No. 8. Another Kariya fact: He and Montgomery were on the same 1993 championship team, which doesn't sound fair to opposing teams. Kariya had 100 points during his freshman season. Maine's first championship in school history when the team beat Lake Superior State [the defending champions] 5-4 in 1993. And it was one heck of a comeback. Montgomery, the team's captain, scored three goals in a span of 4:35 seconds to give his team the lead and the eventual win. His final goal gave him 301 points in 170 games for his NCAA career, which is still a school record today. That Maine team's record that season was 42-1-2 and Montgomery was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. 4. Charity Cogliano has a charity dubbed "Cogs for Dogs." Acccording to the Anaheim Ducks' team website the charity "is an opportunity for Andrew Cogliano to take his love of animals and turn it into a program to raise awareness, funds and promote the need for animal adoption and rescue at OC Animal Care." The Stars forward has a dog of his own: Charlie. 5. Some NHL history Cogliano made some NHL history as a rookie during the 2008 season when he was with the Edmonton Oilers: he scored the game-winning goal in three consecutive overtime games. The first came in a road game against the Blue Jackets when Cogliano found the five-hole to give Edmonton a 2-1 win. The second was also on the road, this time against the Blackhawks in a 6-5 win. Cogliano had two goals that game (it was the first two-goal game of his career as well). 1126378 Dallas Stars The initial plan was for Seguin to go to one of Anderson’s games and surprise him with the news, but then a better idea came along: Have Anderson drop the puck at a Stars home game. After multiple open-heart surgeries, 10-year-old’s wish to play against “When the Stars contacted Make A Wish and said, ‘We’d actually like to Stars comes true invite him to a game and drop the puck,’ we were blown away,” Cooper said. By Saad Yousuf Jan 16, 2019 The game was on December 7th against the San Jose Sharks. Anderson thought he was just going to a hockey game with friends and family. Then, members of the Dallas Stars Foundation met up with him and asked him to hang out with them for a little bit. Once he got down to the Eight months after laying in a hospital bed at Medical City Children’s ice, he was informed that he was going to be dropping the puck. Hospital Dallas, Anderson McDuffie sat next to Tyler Seguin in the Stars locker room at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco. With every eye, camera and A TOUCHING MOMENT PRIOR TO TONIGHT’S GAME, ANDERSON recorder pointed at him, Anderson received advice from Seguin on how MCDUFFIE IS 10 YEARS OLD AND HAD OPEN-HEART SURGERY IN to deal with the media, his shyness on full display. MAY… AT THE CEREMONIOUSLY PUCK DROP, HE FOUND OUT THAT HE’LL BE SCRIMMAGING AGAINST THE STARS IN JANUARY On this day, surrounded by his idols and a bunch of strangers, words 16TH PIC.TWITTER.COM/EDTHOEB1XG weren’t necessary to communicate how Anderson felt. Not when he stood across from Jamie Benn for a ceremonial puck drop from the — SAAD YOUSUF (@SAADYOUSUF126) DECEMBER 8, 2018 Mayor of Frisco, Jeff Cheney. Not when he picked a hockey fight with John Klingberg and took him down. Not when he scored the game- “He thought, “Holy cow, this is the greatest thing ever, I get to drop the winning goal against Ben Bishop and celebrated with Roman Polak, who puck,’ and then after he dropped the puck to find out his wish was picked him up and did a couple of victory laps around the ice while coming true and the Stars were going to help us grant his wish, it was Anderson flailed his arms like a bird. pretty epic,” Cooper said. Not when his ultimate wish came true. And so, the countdown began for Cooper: 40 days until his EKG squad takes on the Dallas Stars. On March 22nd, 2018, Make A Wish’s director of medical outreach, Jean Cooper, met with Anderson to welcome him to the Make A Wish family The game itself was a joint effort by so many people, all under the after he was referred to the organization by his hospital. Cooper was one watchful eyes of Christa Melia, who helped orchestrate the many moving of two people assigned as Anderson’s wish granters and explained to parts. Anderson’s school closed for half of the day so that he and his Anderson the five different type of wishes: to go, to meet, to be, to have friends could make it out in the middle of a Wednesday. and to give. Anderson and his EKG teammates arrived at Dr Pepper Arena with a Anderson didn’t need much clarification. police escort, spilling out of the big black bus in dapper suits with hockey sticks in hand. They were greeted at the doors by the Dallas Stars Ice “He’s like, ‘I already know what I want my wish to be. It might be too big Girls, who also donated their time and took Anderson’s sister, Delaney, of a wish but I want to make my own hockey team and I want to play under their wing. They then went into the locker room and changed into against the Dallas Stars because they’re my heroes,’” Cooper said. their uniforms, Anderson sporting Modano’s No. 9 jersey. “There’s one Stars player [Rich Peverley] that also has a broken heart like Anderson so he really felt inclined to have his wish be with the Dallas The Stars held a regular practice at noon, so as a heavy crowd filled the Stars.” stands, they watched the team practice for a while leading up to the scheduled 12:45 puck drop. Once game time arrived, Cheney went to Anderson’s love for hockey goes back nearly a decade, to the day he center ice with Anderson and Benn for a ceremonial puck drop. received his first hockey stick. Despite a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot, Anderson was part of the inaugural Little Rookies MAYOR OF FRISCO DOES THE CEREMONIAL PUCK DROP BEFORE Program started by the Dallas Stars. He skated with Mike Modano and THE STARS TAKE ON EKG IN THE @MAKEAWISH GAME met Seguin and Jamie Benn. Those experiences took his hockey fandom PIC.TWITTER.COM/9GKQ8Z7ZIR to another level. — SAAD YOUSUF (@SAADYOUSUF126) JANUARY 16, 2019 “I have always loved hockey,” Anderson said. “I have been carrying a From there, it was game time. Two 10-minute periods were called over hockey stick since I was a baby. I want to grow up and become a the speakers by the Stars’ regular broadcast crew of Josh Bogorad and professional hockey legend like Mike Modano.” Daryl Reaugh. Cooper and Anderson’s family didn’t really know what to expect from a “I certainly didn’t approach it like a regular game because it wasn’t a wish that size. To complicate things, the Stars were in the process of regular game,” Bogorad said. “It was so unique and special.” hiring a new coach after Ken Hitchcock’s retirement. After naming Jim Montgomery the head coach in early May, the Stars approached him with The game was exciting from the start, with EKG getting out to a two-goal the idea in his first schedule run-through in early June. There was no lead by scoring on Ben Bishop. That prompted a goalie change for the hesitation. Stars with Anton Khudobin taking over in net. EKG continued scoring, finishing the period with a 4-2 lead. “I think any time we can make anyone’s day better, but especially young kids and someone like Anderson that has battled through some tough In the second period, the teams meshed a little. Instead of just playing operations, it’s something we have to do,” Montgomery said. “I feel like against the Stars, the EKG kids got to play with them as well. One Stars it’s part of being in the spotlight and it’s also something that makes you a player not on Anderson’s team was Klingberg, so the 10-year-old took off better person. That’s part of what we have to do, too, as people. It’s good the gloves and got the Stars defenseman on the ground. to be a good person.” KLINGER WASN'T READY FOR WHAT ANDERSON WAS THROWING The approval for granting the wish came pretty easily, but its execution AT HIM. 壘 PIC.TWITTER.COM/FAFTRYMEYG was still somewhat of a mystery to Cooper. — DALLAS STARS (@DALLASSTARS) JANUARY 16, 2019 “We honestly had no idea what to expect,” Cooper said. “We would have been thrilled if a couple of Dallas Stars players wanted to hang out with “I think there’s a reason Klinger doesn’t fight,” Benn said. “Anderson took him and play a little game of hockey. it to him there and if I ever see Klinger fight in a real game, I’m sure that’s how it would go.” “When we found out the entire team was coming and that the coaches were going to help coach, there was going to be a former hockey player “Well, you could tell it was a play fight,” Montgomery said. “He [Klingberg] that was the ref, I don’t think anybody knew how incredible today was doesn’t want to get his hair out of place.” going to be. We knew it was going to be special, but the Stars With time winding down and the score 5-5, Anderson took the puck and organization, they were just unbelievable.” went at Ben Bishop, scoring the game-winning goal. With the plan in place, it was time to put it into motion. One part of that TIE GAME PIC.TWITTER.COM/GPGNXSZPNF was bringing Anderson into the Stars offices and designing a logo for his team, EKG, with the head graphic design artist. Anderson, who didn’t — SEAN SHAPIRO (@SEANSHAPIRO) JANUARY 16, 2019 know his wish was coming true yet, was told it was a precautionary measure in case it got approved. Meanwhile, the Stars were trying to After the buzzer sounded and Anderson’s team had won, arguably the figure out how to reveal the big surprise to him. coolest moment of the day took place. Polak picked up Anderson and did a victory lap twice around the rink as players and the crowd cheered him to another game, create a video packaging this magical day and show it on. on the big screen at the American Airlines Center. “Crying,” Anderson’s mother, Loan, said, filled with emotion. “When he “At the beginning, it was like yeah, we’ll just play a game, really simple,” made his wish, we didn’t expect one-tenth of what this has become. It’s Melia said. “It’s kind of turned into this larger than life event.” just been beautifully orchestrated. Everyone has been so kind and so giving and just, they have loved on my baby so tremendously and there The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 are not enough words to thank every single person involved.” After everybody gathered on the ice for a picture, the players all got in a line. One by one, they signed each child’s jersey. THE FINAL PRODUCT PIC.TWITTER.COM/IOJG8RJKFF — SAAD YOUSUF (@SAADYOUSUF126) JANUARY 16, 2019 After that, Anderson and his friends went to the Stars locker room to hang out with the players and conduct a press conference. After the dust settled, EKG had a big party in the locker room with cake and cookies, as posters were draped all over the walls. One in particular had “Anderson is…” in big, bold letters and then his teammates each wrote a word: Brave, happy, loyal, genius, friend, stud, kind, incredible, determined, hilarious. Survivor. There wasn’t a shred of doubt about any of it. The game was held for Anderson’s benefit. He described the day as so great that not even his wedding day could top it. He couldn’t stop smiling. Anderson got a lot of joy out of the experience, but he wasn’t alone in taking something from the day. The players also had a great time, some calling it refreshing and recharging, but the buzz word on all of their tongues was “perspective.” A shutout loss on Tuesday at home was just the latest in what’s been a trying season for the Stars. While they are in the playoff picture right now, the team has dealt with a lot of adversity, from injuries to on-ice struggles to internal criticism. In most cases, the only cure is winning. But Wednesday afternoon was a time to pause for a second and think about the bigger picture. “I’ll tell you, it doesn’t compare,” Marty Turco, who was the referee for the game, said of contextualizing the Stars’ hockey struggles next to Anderson’s battle. “Hockey, at the end of the day, is just a game. We’re in the entertainment business, whether you like the phrase or not. To see a young man go through that kind of traumatic experience — not once but twice — he took the moment in and enjoyed it. We all just got to share in it, but what an opportunity for all of us. “We were thanked and I honestly, I was like, ‘Please, it’s the least we can do.’ Playing hockey, playing in the NHL and playing for the Dallas Stars has always been and still is in my life a complete privilege and an honor. Days like today constitute a lot of that privilege.” Jamie Benn’s last few months have been particularly challenging. He left the experience inspired by Anderson. “Anderson’s been battling throughout his life and just puts things in perspective,” Benn said. “In the end, we just play a game and there’s more to life than just hockey. “I’m fortunate enough to play in this league and come to this rink every day and battle. I think we found some inspiration today knowing Anderson’s story.” Another thing that really hit home with the players is the power of their platform and how just their mere presence can impact the day of someone like Anderson. “Sometimes it’s still surreal to always remember that,” Seguin said. “I’m getting a little older now but I feel like I was just a kid before growing up, looking at Steve Yzerman and days like today really touch you when you’re a kid’s favorite player, especially somebody that’s been through so much. You just want to make today as great as possible for them.” The Stars have done a commendable job of recognizing that. Earlier this month, Tyler Seguin met a teenager with Cerebral Palsy and spent time with him and his family in the locker room. Klingberg has his own program that he started this season called “Klinger’s Kids” and earlier this season, he took a kid with cancer under his wing and provided a touching experience. “The platform we have, to be able to use it for something like this is unbelievable,” Klingberg said. “That’s one of the reasons I do my Klinger’s Kids as well.” With what this whole experience has provided for Anderson, from designing his own logo to the ceremonial puck drop to his ultimate wish being fulfilled, it still isn’t completely over. The Stars will invite Anderson 1126379 Detroit Red Wings So, there could be full-time openings developing for Hronek, eventually. Patience is needed.

“I’m happy with where Fil, compared to where he was at the beginning of Red Wings' Jeff Blashill expects Filip Hronek will play on trip the year, I’m real happy with his progress,” Blashill said. “It’s great for us long term.

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News “He just has to hang with it.”

Published 4:44 p.m. ET Jan. 16, 2019 | Updated 4:44 p.m. ET Jan. 16, Respected leader 2019 This was by no means a speech for the ages, and nobody is going out of their way to credit veteran forward Thomas Vanek with absolutely willing his teammates to Tuesday’s victory with his oratory skills and motivation. Detroit — There were no guarantees from Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, nothing set permanently. But the fact Vanek spoke up Tuesday after two periods, and maybe in a small way sparked the team to a third period rally, was noticed. But Blashill was as adamant as he could be, and wanted to make sure his message was getting across to everyone. Younger teammates certainly respect Vanek, who has had a long, productive career. Blashill wants to get young defenseman Filip Hronek in the lineup during this upcoming western Canada road trip. “Guys have a ton of respect for Thomas because he cares about winning so much,” Blashill said. “For a guy that’s been a real skilled player in the He wants Hronek to play, not sit. league, he’s so hard on himself. He’s hard on us. He wants us to win and if he says something, it carries weight in the room.” “My expectation is Fil will play on the trip,” said Blashill, who made Hronek a healthy scratch Tuesday in the Red Wings’ victory over Forward was one teammate who credited Vanek with Anaheim. speaking up.

With Danny DeKeyser returning to the lineup Tuesday after missing 20 “He works, he’s a great teammate, and he’s a strong voice in the locker games after a wrist injury, and none of the remaining five defensemen room,” Larkin said. “He’s someone I look up to for sure.” playing poorly enough to warrant being bumped out, the young Hronek drew the short straw to sit.

Hronek hadn’t been error-free during this most recent stretch of games, Detroit News LOADED: 01.17.2019 but the 21-year-old was also playing with increasing confidence, appeared to be getting incrementally better, and earning points in four of the last five games.

“He’ll be on the trip with us for sure,” said Blashill, effectively squashing the belief Hronek would be sent back to Grand Rapids before next weekend’s NHL All-Star break. “He’s played certainly good enough for him to give me tons of confidence that if I put him in, he can help us win.”

The tricky part is shoehorning Hronek into a defense that is healthy — except for Trevor Daley, out until early February — and playing relatively well.

“Will he supplant somebody (from Tuesday’s lineup)? I don’t know,” said Blashill, who added he generally doesn’t change a winning lineup except for inserting players returning from injuries. “We’ll look at the film again and we’ll make the decision. My expectation is Fil will play on the trip. I’m certainly not making any promises, but that’s my expectation because he deserves to go back in.”

Hronek, 21, has played 21 games with nine points (three goals, six assists) and a minus-4, plus-minus rating, while averaging 18 minutes, 43 seconds of ice time.

Hronek began the regular season with the Wings after four defensemen were hurt during training camp. During this audition, Hronek generally didn’t look NHL ready. He appeared too raw and overwhelmed.

But a successful return to Grand Rapids, where Hronek regained his confidence and swagger, has made this return trip to Detroit much more impressive.

The upcoming trade deadline — and, for sure, next summer — will play a significant role in alleviating the mini-logjam and likely create space for Hronek.

The Wings have two unrestricted free agents on defense: Nick Jensen and Niklas Kronwall.

Jensen, 28, could be of interest for playoff contenders looking for a reliable third-pair, depth defenseman heading into the playoffs — although the Wings, too, might be interested in re-signing Jensen at a moderate cost.

Jensen has had a fine season, and provides the Wings’ depth moving forward.

Kronwall, 38, is likely to retire this summer.

Daley, too, could attract interest on the trade market, with one more season remaining on his contract ($3.178 million salary cap hit). 1126380 Detroit Red Wings There are other trade possibilities. Perhaps a team will be interested in Daley, who has one year remaining at a reasonable cap hit for a veteran defenseman ($3.17 million). Maybe Toronto coach Mike Babcock’s Red Wings set high asking price for Gustav Nyquist, Jimmy Howard interest in Luke Glendening will heat up again.

But unless the Red Wings start loading players for whatever they can get, it might be a fairly quiet trade deadline. Updated Jan 16, 7:53 AM; Posted Jan 16, 11:00 AM

By Ansar Khan | [email protected] Michigan Live LOADED: 01.17.2019

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings wrapped up five days of organizational meetings Monday in Florida, where many areas were covered from amateur to professional ranks.

The most pressing topic: What to do by the Feb. 25 trade deadline.

The Red Wings, 13 points out of the final playoff spot, will be sellers. To what extent remains to be seen. They have some pending unrestricted free agents that would draw interest, namely Gustav Nyquist and Jimmy Howard.

The Red Wings, according to someone with knowledge of the situation, have set a high asking price for each player – a first-round pick. They don’t expect to get that for either.

That’s why they will try to re-sign Howard and Nyquist.

Nothing is on the front burner, but general manager Ken Holland should begin working the phones in earnest during the team’s nine-day hiatus (the All-Star break and their bye week), which follows the upcoming three-game Western Canada trip.

The Red Wings decided long ago they wanted to bring back Howard, probably on a two-year deal. They are happy with his performance. They don’t view Jonathan Bernier as a potential starter. None of their prospects (Filip Larsson, Keith Petruzzelli, Kaden Fulcher) is close to being NHL-ready and Howard is much better than what they have in Grand Rapids (Patrik Rybar, Harri Sateri).

Trading Howard and then re-signing him on July 1 has been a possibility, but if they hold firm on their demand of a first-rounder, he’s not likely to be moved.

The Red Wings’ desire to re-sign Nyquist appears to be a new development. Earlier in the season, it was widely assumed, including by some in the organization, that he would be dealt by the deadline, for whatever they could get, assuming he waived his no-trade clause.

They like his skills, but it would cost in excess of $5 million per season on a three- or four-year deal to retain him. Contract aside, they will have a log-jam of young top-six forwards with Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Tyler Bertuzzi, Andreas Athanasiou already in that role, Michael Rasmussen projected to get there and prospects Filip Zadina, Evgeny Svechnikov and Joe Veleno possibly being NHL-ready next season.

And if they get a top-five pick in this year’s draft they’re apt to use it on a forward who will either be NHL-ready or close.

Nyquist was told last summer that the first three months of the season would be like an audition. He apparently passed it, with 11 goals and 40 points in 48 games.

The Red Wings received first-, second- and third-round picks from Vegas last year for Tomas Tatar, but he had three years remaining on his deal. They wouldn’t get anything close to that for a rental like Nyquist.

So, unless the club accepts less than a first-rounder, he could be re- signed, if the sides agree on a deal.

The Red Wings have other players set to become unrestricted this summer. They would like to re-sign Nick Jensen, a reliable low-cost option for a team that will be losing some veterans over the next year or two (Niklas Kronwall, Trevor Daley, Jonathan Ericsson, Mike Green).

The Red Wings have decided not to trade Kronwall, which is not surprising. He is a respected veteran surely in his final season who they believe has earned the right to play his entire career in Detroit. He would need to request a move and there is no reason to believe he would do that.

Thomas Vanek has a no-trade clause, but his value would be limited even if agreed to waive it. The Red Wings received only a third-round pick from Florida for Vanek two years ago. 1126381 Edmonton Oilers but thought better of it after a cross-check by the benches … Oiler defenceman Matt Benning didn’t like Antoine Roussel’s body slam into the boards and dropped the mitts, getting in the first over-hand right as Edmonton Oilers beat Canucks on Chiasson’s shootout winner his gloves hit the ice, before Roussel cut the bridge of his nose and left him wiping blood from his nose in the penalty box.

Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.17.2019

VANCOUVER — Did anybody figure NHL Game 724 in the middle of January between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks would actually have playoff, rather than lottery implications for both teams?

So here we were Wednesday night as the Oilers and Canucks went at it for wild card spots. Maybe not exactly Tampa Bay against Winnipeg or Calgary in an offensive battle, but still awfully good theatre.

“Every game is a sudden death elimination game,” said Oilers head coach Ken Hitchcock, hours before his club won 3-2 in a shootout as Alex Chiasson ripped one over Jacob Markstrom’s glove on the sixth shooter.

“We’re going to be like this for a couple months. It’s just the way it is. You’re going to play well in some games and not win or you’re going to have some really emotional wins or losses.”

Connor McDavid on the power play and Jujhar Khaira short handed, scored for Oilers in regulation, while Brandon Sutter on the power play and Markus Granlund beat Mikko Koskinen in the Oilers net.

Three minutes into a wild OT, Darnell Nurse cleared the puck off the line with Sutter having a wide-open net and Markstrom robbed Draisaitl on a breakaway stick-side 15 seconds later. With 20 seconds left, Nurse’s shot in the high-slot after a Draisaitl feed was blocked by a sliding Canucks defender.

Channelling McDavid’s magic

Khaira scored the kind of shortie a 40-goal or 100-point people get, spinning away from Alex Edler then going inside with a juke and a jive on Horvat before whipping a 20-footer by Markstrom. Surrey’s favourite son brought his cheering section to their feet. It was Khaira’s second short- handed goal.

No need for glasses, even at his age

Hitchcock, who just turned 67, challenged a 3-2 power-play goal by Ben Hutton late in the second, feeling Jake Virtanen was offside, coming off on a line change about 40 seconds before, and they won it. Hitchcock has won two others on video reviews but lost one vs Arizona last week on a goal by Jordan Oesterle. You lose an offside debate and you get a penalty and Conor Garland had Oesterle’s shot pinball off his forehead and in.

Payback time

After getting caught for high-sticking Sutter, McDavid was just about to get out of the box when Sutter scored on Koskinen with a 25-footer short- side. Then, on a power play late in the first, McDavid went one-on-three and blew a screened shot past Markstrom’s glove, hammering home Vancouver coach Travis Green’s theory that you can never truly contain McDavid, even with two earlier Canucks’ wins.

Baby steps, baby

The Oilers dressed Kailer Yamamoto as the No. 2 right wing and Jesse Puljujarvi as the third-line winger and neither got much work, especially the Finn who only had 4 and-a-half minutes the first 40, just nine shifts.

Yamamoto played just four shifts in the middle frame, 7:35 in all.

Yamamoto, who hurt his hand Dec. 29 the night of his recall, made one clever play at the Canucks blue line in the second while Puljujarvi was invisible. There were five special-teams situations in the first two periods and Puljujarvi doesn’t play special teams.

This ’n that: Koskinen got them to extra time getting the left pad down as Jake Virtanen burst between Adam Larsson and Brandon Manning to get in alone with 13 seconds remaining … The Canucks traded defenceman Michael Del Zotto for Anaheim’s Luke Schenn, who’s been in the minors, during the game … Caleb Jones was clobbered into the end-boards by Erik Gunbranson late in the third and Zack Kassian wanted to fight him 1126382 Edmonton Oilers stoppages. Once you get to the 14 or 15-minute mark of periods, there’s so many stoppages.”

Canucks centre Jay Beagle won a Cup with Alex Chiasson in Elias Pettersson was only a cheerleader against Edmonton Oilers Washington last year and they often played on the same line.

“I told him last time I saw him, little different playing with McDavid after Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal Beagle, eh?” said Beagle.”Big difference in skill and style of game.”

Beagle knew Chiasson had more offence in him, so he may be the only guy in the league not surprised he had scored 17 going into the game VANCOUVER — Elias Pettersson was talking Wednesday, but not against the Canucks. playing. “He was stuck with me the whole year. He’s such a smart player and Good news for reporters looking for his innermost thoughts, or even the knows the game so well. Loved playing with him,” Beagle said. odd nugget, better news for the Edmonton Oilers and goalie Mikko Koskinen, who didn’t have to see the fantastic Vancouver Canucks All- This ’n that: Alex Petrovic, who has missed four games with a concussion star rookie centre, a slam-dunk to win the Calder trophy with 42 points in and is on injured reserve, could draw back in Saturday against Calgary. 38 games. When activated, the Oilers will have 24 healthy players, one over the NHL max. They could send rookie D-man Caleb Jones back because he Pettersson, who has seven game-winners, had two goals and an assist doesn’t have to clear waivers but he’s playing every game so that’s in his first two games against the Oilers, both game winners, but he sat unlikely. out his fourth straight game as he works his way back from a sprained knee after getting tangled up with Montreal rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi on Jan. 3. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.17.2019 He’ll likely play against Buffalo Friday as he rehabs from his second NHL injury. His first was a concussion Oct. 13. He missed six games after eight points in his first five NHL outings.

Canucks coach Travis Green shrugged off the idea that Pettersson is suddenly throwing his 176 pounds around, just because of the interaction with Kotkaniemi.

“I don’t think anybody is looking at Petey as being a physical specimen, running around hitting people. He has the confidence to push back,” said Green. “He’s a very smart guy who will figure this out. I don’t need to tell him when to push on a guy, when to hide. That incident (Kotkaniemi) was just a hockey play; he knew the guy was coming at him and made a little push. That play could happen 50 times and he’d get hurt twice.”

Pettersson says his knee is fine, he just needs another practice to work on his game shape.

“I’m just taking this step by step, no pain at all,” said Pettersson, who has 22 goals on 79 shots.

He says the Kotkaniemi play was much ado about nothing.

“I’ve seen the video. An accident, he wasn’t trying to injure me. My knee got stuck in a bad position,” said Pettersson, looking forward to the all- star game in San Jose in about 10 days. “I’ve grown up watching so many of these players and now my name is on that list.”

Oilers coach Ken Hitchcock was anxious to see former Boston centre Colby Cave, but he’s a left-shot like pretty much all of his pivots. Only Kyle Brodziak shoots right with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins lefties. Jujhar Khaira, who has played in the middle, too, shoots left. They have not replaced the right-shot Ryan Strome, especially on draws, a big problem.

“It’s not the shotas much as winning (face-offs), our right-side face-off dots haven’t been good all year. Doesn’t matter who’s over there, we’ve struggled. We need better play there, especially in our zone where we’ve lost face-offs and lost points because of it,” said Hitchcock.

Cave shoots left but he’s a natural centre who can help the bottom six.

“We had a hole and we needed it filled. We’ve tried pretty much everybody there. Getting Cave pushes Khaira back to the left-side where he’s much more comfortable and he’s a better player there,” said Hitchcock.

Green laughed off any suggestion his club had contained Connor McDavid in the first two Canuck wins.

“Well, three points in two games is a 120-point pace. That’s pretty good,” said Green, who knows McDavid is playing 22:43 a night, second only to Florida’s Aleksander Barkov amongst forwards.

Hitchcock scoffed when asked about burnout.

“It’s the most overrated term. Anze Kopitar has been playing 23 plus minutes for 10 years now and it doesn’t look like he’s missing a beat,” said Hitchcock. “It’s so easy to play (stars) big minutes because of the (TV) time-outs. If you watch coaches with their top players, there’s lots of 1126383 Edmonton Oilers The Oilers seemed to have high hopes for Rieder before the season began.

Previous coach Todd McLellan started him on the team’s second line Goalless Tobias Rieder hopes to follow Zack Kassian and Milan Lucic with Lucic and Leon Draisaitl during training camp and into the and end his offensive funk preseason because he liked Rieder’s speed and puck possession abilities.

By Daniel Nugent-Bowman That plan was quickly abandoned. Rieder found himself on the fourth line with Kassian and Kyle Brodziak for the season opener in Sweden against Jan 16, 2019 New Jersey.

That’s where he practised on Tuesday, although the addition of Colby Cave from Boston and potentially Kailer Yamamoto from injured reserve Tobias Rieder had assists on two goals by Zack Kassian, helping his may alter the situation. Oilers linemate to score for the first time since Dec. 7. That’s not to say Rieder hasn’t played with offensive-minded players this He then watched on as Milan Lucic netted a pair of his own, giving the season. In fact, his two most common linemates, according to Natural big winger three goals in January after a horrendously unproductive Stat Trick, have been Draisaitl and Alex Chiasson. They’ve scored the 2018. second- and third-most in goals on the team. The tallies for Kassian and Lucic in a 7-2 win over Buffalo on Monday But Rieder has been moved up and down the lineup from the second line inched the hulking wingers up to four goals each on the season. to the fourth. That’s been particularly noticeable in 15 games under Ken It’s a modest total to be sure but one that makes Rieder a little envious – Hitchcock. and leaves him wondering when his time will come. In just over 165 minutes at 5-on-5, Rieder has played 47 minutes with “Yeah, you’re thinking (that),” he said. “At some point, there’s no way Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as his centre, 42 with Draisaitl and 41 with around it. I’m getting chances. It’s just a matter of getting the puck in. I’m Brodziak, per Natural Stat Trick. He’s also spent time with Jujhar Khaira working hard in practice. I’m shooting lots of pucks. I think it’s just a or Ryan Spooner. matter of time now. (Rieder’s power play time has also dwindled under Hitchcock. He’s spent “Hopefully sooner than later.” less than four minutes of his 22:30 on the man advantage this season since the coaching change.) While the scoring woes of the $6-million-man Lucic have been dissected at length, it’s Rieder who’s yet to net a single goal. No Oiler appearing in Rieder is far from the only player to be shuffled around as Hitchcock has more than six games can say the same thing. altered his lines incessantly.

Although he missed 13 games after sustaining an upper-body injury on At least offensively, the constant switches haven’t helped. Nov. 13, Rieder has appeared in 33 contests and still hasn’t scored. “The chemistry is not there as much if you have a different line a lot of Forget a beautiful individual effort; he hasn’t benefitted from a bounce off the time,” Rieder said. “But I feel comfortable in that position. I’ve done it a shin pad or an opposing goaltender misplaying a weak attempt. the last couple of years. That’s one strength of my game – that you can “You’re in a frustrating position. The team is not playing as well as we throw me anywhere. should be and pucks are not going in for me right now,” he said. “I’m not “It’s common sense that it makes it tougher. But if you’re not winning, you having any puck luck. You’re just hoping something bounces your way.” have to try something different.” As much as he tries to remain in good spirits, the big donut is becoming a When it comes to doing things differently from a personal standpoint, big nuance. Rieder said that in watching video, he’s noticed plenty of areas for “It’s tough not to think about it,” Rieder said. potential improvement.

Rieder has never been considered a sniper in the NHL, but he hit the He wants to use his speed more, hang onto pucks a little longer in the double-digit mark in goals in each of his first four seasons in the league. offensive zone and drive to the net more often.

He considers last season a disappointment as he was traded from Rieder has 55 shots in 33 games. According to IcyData, 39 percent of his Arizona to Los Angeles amid a 12-goal output, the lowest of his career to attempts have come from the slot or around the crease. date. That’s four percent better than the league average, but Rieder believes He endured a miserable stretch in 2017-18 where he went goalless in 15 adjusting will help him get to those areas with more frequency. games, scored once and then went another 15 matches without doing it “If there’s chances to score and they’re not going in for me then hopefully again. for my teammates,” he said. “You’re always trying to put the team first That’s one goal in 31 games. Of course, that’s better than he’s managed and help them out. That’s what I’m trying to do.” this season. Rieder used his speed to chase down an area pass from Kassian before “I’ve never been in a position like that,” Rieder said. “It’s a good learning feeding his linemate for a tap-in and his second of the night on Monday. experience.” Rieder could have used the goal himself but didn’t think twice about passing it over. The Kings opted not to qualify Rieder last offseason after he produced four goals and six points in 20 games. “The good thing was the defenceman came right over to me, so there wasn’t really the chance for me to shoot it,” he said. “If it had been a He became a free agent at 25 and wanted a one-year deal to bet on clear-cut one, maybe it creeps into your thoughts.” himself. He signed with the Oilers for $2 million. The two assists on Monday ended a 20-game pointless drought for Entering the season, Rieder had visions of setting a new career-high in Rieder. points by surpassing the 37 he had with Arizona in 2015-16. Next on the list, he hopes, is adding a long overdue one to the goal Doing so could give him leverage for a pay increase as a restricted free column. agent as a 26-year-old. “There’s been a couple times where I thought, ‘There’s no way this puck That seems like wishful thinking now since he has nine assists through is staying out.’ But it somehow did,” Rieder said with a resigned laugh. the first 46 games of the season. “That’s just the way it goes right now.

“It’s tough to be below that (pace) and the injury didn’t help,” he said. “All “I’ve just gotta stay positive, keep working hard and stick with it and you can do is stay positive and think from game to game and try to do eventually it’ll go in.” your best.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126384 Florida Panthers lineup but mostly plays a bottom-six role — he’s gone unless an extension is forthcoming.

F Micheal Haley: Also on the final year of a two-year deal he signed with Open for business: Panthers need to deal as season fizzles out the Panthers in 2017, Haley could bring some fourth-line grit to a contending team.

By George Richards Haley doesn’t bring much offense — he has one goal this season, which was scored in his first game back from leaving the NHLPA’s player Jan 16, 2019 assistance program in November — but a team looking for a little toughness may want him.

D Bogdan Kiselevich: Signed a one-year contract with the Panthers after SUNRISE, Fla. — The Panthers embarked on a five-game road trip last parts of nine seasons in the KHL and made his delayed NHL debut a few week with the hope they could turn their season around and get back into games into the season after breaking his jaw in the preseason. the playoff race. A stay-at-home defenseman with some size, Kiselevich has adjusted well So much for that. to the NHL game and brings a veteran presence despite being in his first After losing 5-1 in Montreal on Tuesday night, the Panthers took just one NHL season. of the available 10 points as they lost the entire trip by a combined 23-9. D Chris Wideman: Acquired as part of the Petrovic deal with Edmonton, If this past road trip was a make-or-break part of the season for the Wideman played in one game with Florida before being placed on Panthers, consider it broken. waivers and sent to the minors.

As of Wednesday morning, the Panthers find themselves winless in 2019 Wideman has played in 181 NHL games over the past four seasons but and riding a seven-game losing streak into Friday’s home game against has been on four different teams — Ottawa, Edmonton, Florida and Toronto. Springfield — since November.

Now 14 points out of the playoffs, the Panthers should begin selling off F Jamie McGinn: Has been out with a back injury that needed surgery in assets as the NHL trade deadline arrives on Feb. 25. the summer. There has been no word on a potential return.

General manager Dale Tallon is already working the phones. Once thought to be part of Florida’s core, some feel Nick Bjugstad could use a change of scenery. But it would likely take a strong offer to acquire What does Tallon have to sell? the popular 6-6 winger/center. (Jean-Yves Ahern / USA Today)

He has plenty of players other teams want, only those are the ones he Available, with term isn’t willing to part with. G James Reimer: The Panthers appear ready to make changes in net So, despite fans shouting on social media for the Panthers to burn things next season and Reimer would be the odd man out if Roberto Luongo to the ground, expect Tallon and the Panthers to clean up the front yard a returns as expected. bit but not do anything heavy. Reimer has two seasons remaining on his contract worth $3.4 million per. The Panthers feel they are close to having a team that can compete; big This contract is obviously difficult to move because of the term remaining renovations are not needed. but the Panthers are trying.

The last time Tallon was a seller at the deadline was 2014. That was the To move Reimer, either now or in the offseason, the Panthers are first season under owner Vinnie Viola. probably going to have to eat some money.

Despite being in last place after firing coach Kevin Dineen and replacing This summer, $1.3 million from buying out Jussi Jokinen comes off the him with interim coach Peter Horachek, Tallon actually added a major books, but Florida will carry $562,500 of defenseman Jason Demers’ piece at the deadline by swinging a blockbuster with Vancouver to bring contract with the Coyotes for the following two seasons. Roberto Luongo back to South Florida. F Nick Bjugstad: This is the seventh season with the Panthers for the 6-6 If the Panthers do anything big, maybe it will be to acquire a high-end winger/center and probably the fourth where he has been rumored to be goalie (perhaps pending free agents Sergei Bobrovsky or Semyon on the move. Bjugstad has two years remaining on his contract at a hit of Varlamov) at the deadline with a long-term deal in place. But it’s more $4.1 million. likely Florida’s goaltending situation gets worked out in the offseason. Once thought to be part of Florida’s core moving forward, some feel Tallon has traded away a number of draft picks over the years to add to Bjugstad could use a change of scenery. He missed a month with injury his squad, including his second-round pick in 2019 for Mike Hoffman this but has been back since the Vancouver game on Sunday. It would past summer. probably take a very nice offer to pry the popular Bjugstad away from the Panthers. As it stands, Florida has a first-round pick in 2019 but no second. C Jared McCann: With rookie centers Henrik Borgstrom and Juho Tallon would like to fix that and already secured a third-round pick for Lammikko emerging in their new roles, McCann may be the odd man out Alex Petrovic last month. Tallon would seemingly be fine with acquiring once Vincent Trocheck returns next month. more picks and perhaps some prospects — or NHL players Florida feels are being underused in their current home — for the limited inventory he Florida could slide McCann down to replace Lammikko on the fourth line has (or wants) to offer. but really does not want to do that for various reasons. McCann is 22 with an agreeable contract; he has one year left at $1.25 million and THE ATHLETIC: Panthers staying patient, sticking with Bob Boughner remains a restricted free agent. The Panthers have just a handful of pending unrestricted free agents but F Colton Sceviour: A dependable bottom six player, Sceviour hasn’t a few restricted free agents — as well as veterans with additional years scored this season the way he has chipped in over the past few seasons. remaining on their contracts — they may feel it’s time to move on from. Still, Sceviour brings good value at a hit of $1.2 million; he is signed for Here’s a look at the Florida players expected to be available in the the next two seasons. coming weeks leading into the trade deadline: D Mark Pysyk: The 27-year-old is signed through next season at $2.7 The rentals million but is considered available and could move elsewhere in the coming weeks. F Troy Brouwer: The Panthers picked up Brouwer on a discount deal after he was bought out of the final two years of his four-year, $4.5 million Restricted contract with Calgary. F Denis Malgin: One of a handful of restricted free agents following this Although the Panthers are fine with what Brouwer has brought to the season, Malgin will likely remain part of the Panthers moving forward. team — he has seven goals with 10 points and has slid throughout the Malgin is just 21 but in his third season with Florida. He has five goals this season and 22 in 129 overall.

F Frank Vatrano: The Panthers acquired Vatrano at the deadline last year from Boston and he has upped his offensive game since coming to Florida. It would be surprising to see Vatrano go anywhere unless it was part of a bigger deal.

F Jayce Hawryluk: Made his NHL debut last month when he and Borgstrom were called up from Springfield.

C Juho Lammikko: Took over centering the fourth line when Derek MacKenzie got hurt in the opener and, although his play has dropped a bit lately, appears to be the pick to continue in that role.

D Ian McCoshen: Brought back up a few weeks ago, if Florida were to deal Pysyk or Kiselevich — or both — McCoshen would likely see a bigger role at least through the end of the season.

D MacKenzie Weegar: The Panthers have been very pleased with the development of Weegar and consider him part of their plan moving forward.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126385 Los Angeles Kings — playing those guys — and it would be fun to play against some of the top players, [Tyler] Seguin and [Jamie] Benn and all those guys. Any time I’m here, it’s fun to beat them, that’s for sure.”

Ilya Kovalchuk's spirits and productivity have been lifted with the Kings Campbell draws inspiration from starter Jonathan Quick, and Tuesday rated high. Quick made 40 saves against Minnesota.

By CURTIS ZUPKE “Arguably one of the best games I’ve seen him play,” Campbell said. “It was just crazy.” JAN 16, 2019 | 5:50 PM

LA Times: LOADED: 01.17.2019 FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS

Ilya Kovalchuk's spirits and productivity have been lifted with the Kings

The idea was for Ilya Kovalchuk to play on the top line, or at least play top-line minutes, when he signed with the Kings.

It seemed straightforward but, much like the Kings’ season, it quickly changed and devolved to a crisis before it settled down. Lately, it’s found a resting place although the Kings still rest in last place in the Western Conference.

On the top line with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown for the last five games, Kovalchuk has a goal and three assists in that span. Not surprisingly, he’s in a better frame of mind with the expanded role.

“When you play more, you’re feeling better, you’re more in the game, you’re creating more for your partners and for yourself,” Kovalchuk said.

His line has produced five goals and seven assists since they were put together on Jan. 5 against the Edmonton Oilers. It’s the front-line offensive identity the Kings need, and one that didn’t click when former coach John Stevens tried Kovalchuk with Kopitar and Brown at the beginning of the season.

“It’s one of those things where it just didn’t work out, and the way that thing went, we got separated for a bit,” Kopitar said. “Sometimes that’s what it is. You get put back together and it works. It’s funny how that goes.”

“That thing” is a reference to how rapidly the Kings’ demise unfolded and how complicit they were in it as it led to the firing of Stevens.

Kovalchuk’s goal Tuesday was his eighth, a total he would have passed in October in his prime. But in his comeback season from five years spent in Russia, Kovalchuk was benched by interim coach Willie Desjardins and sidelined in December because of an ankle infection.

At the time, Kovalchuk pointedly but professionally voiced his displeasure with the former. He needed to be on the ice to score, but he couldn’t complain when the team wasn’t winning. Kovalchuk this week sounded like he’s found an understanding with Desjardins when asked whether it’s about getting more playing time.

“Yeah, but sometimes you need to deserve to be on the ice,” Kovalchuk said. “You [need to] deserve the coaching trust. He came here. He didn’t know me. I was just working every day, because I’m not going to change myself at 35 years old, the way I play.”

Desjardins gave Kovalchuk his third-most playing time this season with nearly 21 minutes last Saturday. Kovalchuk’s per-game average would be more than 16 minutes 51 seconds if the Kings got more power plays. They had the fourth-fewest opportunities in the NHL through Tuesday.

That concerns Desjardins. But he’s no longer preoccupied with how much and where to play Kovalchuk.

“It gets more consistent once you stay with the line a little bit,” Desjardins said. “I think Kovalchuk, with those two guys, he’s pretty creative and I think he can add to them.”

Campbell’s return

It’s still unique for goalie Jack Campbell to return to Dallas and see the team that drafted him 11th in 2010. He carried the pressure of a high draft pick, through six years in the organization, which led to the reinvention of his game and rebirth of his career with the Kings.

If it happens, Thursday would be his first game against Dallas and his first start at American Airlines Center.

“That would kind of be the icing on the cake as far as turning the page, which I feel like I’ve done,” Campbell said. “It’s just kind of the last thing 1126386 Los Angeles Kings

What we learned from the Kings’ 3-2 shootout loss to the Wild

By CURTIS ZUPKE

JAN 16, 2019 | 8:00 AM

ST. PAUL, MINN.

What we learned from the Kings’ 3-2 shootout loss to the Wild

The Minnesota Wild's Jordan Greenway attempts a shot while being defended by the Kings' Alec Martinez in the first period at Xcel Energy Center in Minneapolis on Jan. 15. (Aaron Lavinsky / Star Tribune)

Usually when a team twice erases deficits and salvages a point in a tough building, there is some relief. For the Kings, it was the opposite.

The same problems that have afflicted them most of the season — sloppy play, inconsistency — bit them again early Tuesday night and left them with a 3-2 shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild.

What made it inexcusable was they knew Minnesota was motivated following losses to the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers, the latter on Monday night in Philadelphia.

Yet it was the Kings who looked tired.

Here’s what we learned:

Is Jonathan Quick really a trade piece? His recent run of games are a reminder that when Quick is on his game, he’s up there with the elite. It’s also raises the question of how the franchise will really transition from him when the time comes.

The Kings are believed to be taking a hard look at moving some of their core pieces, and that would include Quick. But then there are games like this when it’s fair to wonder who would adequately take his place.

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“I’ve seen him play like that so many times, and I thought it’s going to be difficult to beat him tonight,” Minnesota coach Bruce Boudreau said. “When Eric [Staal] gets a goal the hard way off his legs, that’s how you’re going to beat him.”

Ilya Kovalchuk is looking more like a top-line left wing. He’s been with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown for five games and looked as involved and noticeable as he has with the Kings now that he’s getting the requisite ice time.

Kovalchuk ended a 10-game scoring slump by crashing the net Tuesday. He has eight goals in 37 games, which would place him in the 20-goal range for a full season (Kovalchuk missed a month with an ankle infection).

Before the game, Kovalchuk said his line can be better and that he needed to earn playing time, and he noted the boost he gets when he does see more ice.

“When you play more, you’re feeling better, you’re more in the game, you’re creating more for your partners and for yourself,” Kovalchuk said.

The ice wasn’t bad. Minnesota’s Jared Spurgeon did a pratfall on an overtime power play. A couple of other players also appeared to hit a rut at times on the Xcel Energy Center ice.

But the players said it was fine.

“It’s always good here,” Jeff Carter said. “It’s cold here.”

Brown didn’t have bad ice as an excuse for his shootout try.

“I just mishandled the puck,” he said. “[Goalie Alex] Stalock kind of surprised me the way he played it. I kind of changed my mind at the last minute. It wasn’t a very good move.”

LA Times: LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126387 Los Angeles Kings “I think definitely in the past I may have kind of preached to media members how upsetting it was to me to not get considered in Norris votes, and I do think that helped me a little bit, because they, for one, TEACH ME (FEAT. DREW DOUGHTY): DEALING WITH THE MEDIA realized I probably should get it, and two, I’m always good to the media, so maybe they’re trying to help me that way, too,” he said. “I don’t know. Maybe I kind of did that once, but, no, I don’t really try to use the media in any sort of way. I’m definitely not trying to look like a jerk when I’m talking JON ROSEN to the media, but I can be.” JANUARY 16, 2019 These players are remunerated handsomely, so it’s not as if they’re dealing with a daily burden that we should empathize with. But it did provoke an interesting conversation with Los Angeles’ most gregarious Allow me to present a new LA Kings Insider recurring feature – one that and interesting player who always shares his time with those who have has actually been in the planning stage for over a year. During the questions. season, whether on social media or in LAKI commenting, I get asked questions about certain aspects of the team’s play, travel, logistics and Drew Doughty, on his general approach towards answering questions organizational structure. I try to answer these questions the best I can, from the media: but thought, ‘why not get the answer from someone more learned and I think just always try to be available. If you’re always available, I think ask a player?” And thus begins LAKI’s Teach Me series, which will the media obviously appreciates that for one, and it makes you look regularly ask a player on the team about an aspect of their profession or good, and then hopefully the media doesn’t [—-] on you later. That’s one role that may not immediately be known by the general, hockey-watching of them, for sure. I’m a guy that’s going to speak from my heart, which public. We’re planning on tackling a ton of topics that might not otherwise maybe sometimes I shouldn’t. I say too much. But for the most part, you be germane to the daily question-and-answer scrums that take up so can’t be throwing any guys on your team under the bus. It’s staying much of our time between 11 am and noon. What is getting traded like? positive, you’re not calling guys out one-by-one or anything like that. You How would you describe playing in Montreal? What kind of a teammate can maybe call out the team in general, but it’s always team-first. I know was Colin Fraser? How do you deal with reporters and the media? How as hockey players we’re pretty typical in the answers we give, but that’s are rookies treated? How do nicknames stick? All of these topics – and just because we’re such great team guys, and we don’t want to make many more – will be covered in the Teach Me series. headlines. That’s the bottom line – you’re not trying to make any Handling the media! This is a very broad topic. Please allow me to break headlines. some news: “media” isn’t really represented by a figure wearing a trench Doughty, on handling tougher questions, and knowing when to use an coat and a press credential tucked into the band of their fedora these internal censor: days. When the LA Kings open up their dressing room at Toyota Sports Center or at Staples Center, there may be print reporters, digital Sometimes you get asked questions, too, that kind of piss you off. Your reporters, columnists, national reporters, broadcasters, team staff, invited immediate reaction is that you want to give an answer that’s – what’s the guests, et cetera, et cetera. And, obviously not everything reported by the right word – kind of mean. Basically, sometimes when you get asked media is learned in this availability. There are follow-ups – emails to those questions, you’ve just got to take a second, realize they’re just management, to agents, to other figures – to complement what has been trying to make a headline, they’re not trying to make you feel bad or shared in the room, gleaned from recent play or learned through outside anything like that, and just give the right answer. Sometimes I just try to reports or correspondence. think for a few seconds before I start speaking, because sometimes I can get upset and then just say whatever I want and bad things will happen. On game days this is sped up a bit, but on a typical practice day, a public Just try to deal with the media with respect, obviously. Be honest. Just relations figure will deem the dressing room to be “open,” and there’s a always be available. group of anywhere from a small handful to dozens (if we’re in particular Canadian markets) of media types entering the room, approaching Doughty, on what the media does that irritates players: players they need to speak to, awaiting their turn whilst in a scrum, asking their question, and then moving on to another player until enough I think for one is when they challenge either you as an individual or time has elapsed and the coach emerges from his office to answer challenge your team and say that ‘what was up with that game last night? questions. You guys played like crap.’ No one actually said that, but you know what I’m getting at. That frustrates you sometimes, because you feel like you But this is just the perfunctory explanation of how the media does their and your teammates are giving everything you possibly can on the ice job. What about the player perspective? What about the coach that night before, and to come in that next morning and hear from the perspective? It’s not always a two-way street; reporters ask very difficult, media that that was [road apples], it’s not a good feeling, because you often personal questions, but it will usually reflect worse on the behavior gave it your all. But, that’s just the bottom line. Sometimes you are [road of a player if they throw a question back in the reporter’s face than it apples], and they’re just telling the truth, so it’s not on them. Besides that, reflects on the reporter when they ask a poorly constructed or I don’t think anything else really pisses me off. Obviously, I get pissed off uneducated question. There was an episode late last week in which when media members say other players are better than me when I know Randy Carlyle was asked about his job security and issued a profane for a fact that they’re not, so that pisses me off. rebuttal that was widely and accurately deemed to be uncouth. That wasn’t fair to the reporter, who was doing their job and asking a question Doughty, on handling media in Canadian markets like Vancouver or that was absolutely germane to the topic on hand. And not quite to the Toronto, compared to L.A.: degree as the pressure on the players or coaches, forums like Twitter I try to just keep the same approach – just that honesty. Try not to say also allow the ticket-purchasing public to put a little bit of pressure on anything to make any super-big headlines. But, yeah, definitely, when reporters to ask the tougher and more uncomfortable questions. you go to Vancouver or Canadian cities you’ve got to be probably a little “I always feel that the media have a job to do. They’ve got to ask some more careful, because those guys will take it and run with it a little more. questions sometimes that you don’t want to hear,” Willie Desjardins said. Hockey is huge in those areas of Canada. But I don’t really change too “I just believe if you treat them right, they’ll treat you right. It’s just a much – just maybe keep it a little more simple. respect thing. They also give you a chance, sometimes, to give your side Doughty, on whether the team was aware of Darryl Sutter’s episodes of the story, too, which is good to get out there. … I don’t always agree with the media: with it, but I think overall, it’s fair. I think it’s really fair.” Oh yeah. Yeah, definitely. When it was early and he came here, we loved Meeting with the media isn’t the favorite part of a player’s duties, but it, we thought it was hilarious. And then as the time went on, it got old a even amidst the more emotional moments in the immediate aftermaths of little bit. We definitely thought it was funny, but at the same time, we games, they also understand that reporters have jobs to do and can even thought it wasn’t great for you guys, you know? be helpful in telling their own important personal stories and, of course, are the ones voting on league awards. Doughty, on Jonathan Quick’s brief media scrums:

Drew Doughty, beautifully honest and blunt, is aware of that. That’s his entire game plan. He doesn’t want to give you guys anything so you guys don’t come to him. He’s a smart man. Willie Desjardins, on the differences between handling Los Angeles and Vancouver media:

There is a big difference. [laughs] But it’s the amount, and it’s every day in Van. Like, lots of days I’d be in two-a-days, and they’d have probably a couple cameras there all the time. Just the volume is different. There are probably two radio stations for sure that talk about it all the time, so it’s just out there more. It’s just more of a topic. I think for me, the media is a big part of your team too, though. [pause] I’ve got to be careful with what I’m saying! I’m being careful. But I just think the media’s fair. They’ve got a point of view, and you won’t always agree, so that’s where the difference is.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126388 Los Angeles Kings

WAKING UP WITH THE KINGS: JANUARY 16

JON ROSEN

JANUARY 16, 2019

GAME STORY

“If we want to win, we have to be passionate early,” Willie Desjardins said the morning of the LA Kings’ 3-2 shootout loss at Minnesota on Tuesday, and, well, that’s not quite how the opening frame played out. Jason Zucker and Mikko Koivu generated quality looks on the first shift, and by the time 90 seconds had elapsed, Minnesota had accounted for three scoring chances, Los Angeles three dump-ins. That’s not a farfetched, science-fiction fever dream; Minnesota is quite good in its home rink and would be looking to rebound emotionally from their 7-4 defeat in Philadelphia the night prior. They were successful in generating rush chances in the first period. The start, though, was also a point of emphasis for the Kings, and other than some bouts of energy provided by Brendan Leipsic and Alex Iafallo and activations by and Alec Martinez, there just wasn’t much push at all from the visitors over the first 20-to-40 minutes or so. But this game was tied after one, and then tied after two, even though the run of play tilted the ice nearly to the degree of K2, apart from some ridges and overhangs. The Wild have added some size and brawn to their bottom-six, and that heaviness was apparent in the regularity with which they were able to wedge their way alongside and in front of Jonathan Quick and behind the L.A. defense. But Quick was about as good as he has been in a game this season, and the fact that the Kings gained a point – and would have come away with two, if not for some timely Alex Stalock stops late in the game – was obviously related directly to his performance.

David Berding/Icon Sportswire

Following along the game log and Natural Stat Trick’s summary, Tyler Toffoli and Dion Phaneuf were quite high on the list of players who graded well possession-wise and were on the ice for a disproportionate amount of scoring chances for. Of course, there are the more visible moments of the game that weren’t as kind: Nino Niederreiter plucked a puck from Phaneuf’s feet and skated it towards the top of the left circle, where he nicked Anze Kopitar’s leg and beat Quick to open the scoring, while Toffoli was whistled for an offensive zone high stick for getting too aggressive on a stick lift and also missed the net by some margin while trying to pick a corner on a contested, angled break. But the two combined to be on the ice for seven high-danger scoring chances for, and one against, courtesy of Natural Stat Trick. Phaneuf skated the puck up ice prior to Ilya Kovalchuk’s goal. (This was not a high-speed rush, and Los Angeles cashed in on blown coverage that laid out a welcome mat for Dustin Brown to set up that marker.) Toffoli, just a mystery this season, generated two or three high, high-danger looks late in the game that Stalock fought off to force overtime. (He also had an assist on Kovalchuk’s goal.) Goals are the ultimate evaluating tool for Toffoli. He has seven of them in 47 games, and that’s not nearly enough. But while there are inconsistencies in his game, and though his battle and hustle has waxed and waned, there are still games such as last night’s in which he puts himself in the position to be a difference-maker – and simply has a difficult time finishing off his chances.

Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI

For what it’s worth, the “WHY CAN’T THE KINGS PLAY THE ENTIRE GAME THE WAY THEY PLAYED THE FINAL FIVE MINUTES?” is the new “WHY CAN’T THE WHOLE PLANE BE BUILT OUT OF THE MATERIAL BUILD BLACK BOXES ARE MADE FROM?” I suppose they could play that way, but they’d be hockey’s equivalent of the 1982 Denver Nuggets and would lose most games 11-7. This probably doesn’t need to be explained. Onward!

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126389 Los Angeles Kings

GOOD MORNING, DALLAS

JON ROSEN

JANUARY 16, 2019

Good morning, Dallas, and good morning, Insiders.

Regrettably, I am projecting no Munters views this season. Perhaps I could sneak into a room on the opposite side of the hotel and share the pictures of the league’s finest industrial cooling system, but I’d prefer to continue blogging on this trip through Colorado rather than introduce myself to the Dallas County Bailiff.

Dallas is a great city to visit on a road trip, and because we spent several days here last June for the NHL Draft, this is our third stay over the last seven months. We have no issue with that! I am always astounded at the size, scope, space and scale of such a massive metropolitan area. Even coming from Los Angeles, it’s always pretty incredible to absorb how spread out this city is. Fortunately, we won’t have to travel too far; though we’ll head to a nearby suburb for today’s practice, our placement in the Midtown neighborhood places us at the foot of a number of upscale restaurants, bars and nightclubs, even if I’m 37 and can’t remember the last time I’ve been in a “nightclub.”

I feel I’ve shared that link before, but it’s a fun read any time we visit North Texas. Anyway, the alarm came a touch early this morning after our late night arrival at the hotel, so this story is wrapping up on the bus en route to the practice rink in nearby Farmer’s Branch. Lots more to come on a practice day in Texas, Insiders. Let’s talk soon.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126390 Minnesota Wild “We work hard, and I think we just keep it simple and we just do the right things,” Foligno said. “We’re not trying to be flashy. We’re trying to be hard-nosed and go to the net, and it seems like that’s how you get Fourth line not an afterthought for Wild rewarded in this league.” • The Ducks have dropped 12 straight games, their longest losing streak in franchise history. But the skid apparently won’t affect coach Randy By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune Carlyle’s job. Amid the free fall, Anaheim General Manager Bob Murray announced he is not considering a coaching change and is instead JANUARY 16, 2019 — 9:34PM focused on the players – an unusual show of support in the NHL this season considering four bench bosses already have been fired from

struggling teams. While Wild players rested up away from the rink for the second half of a • Deflections are a normal tool in a goal scorer’s repertoire, but Coyotes back-to-back Tuesday, coach Bruce Boudreau brainstormed how he’d fill rookie Conor Garland capitalized on a unique redirect Saturday when the out the evening’s lineup — a decision that’s on his mind constantly. puck bounced in off his face. After Garland was cross-checked by Oilers “My wife gets so mad at me because I’m just lost,” Boudreau said. “She defenseman Adam Larsson near the net, a shot from teammate Jordan can’t talk to me half the time.” Oesterle banked off the side of Garland’s head as he tried to get up and behind Edmonton goalie Cam Talbot. Garland immediately left the ice to The latest debate centered on where to slot wingers Nino Niederreiter get repairs, but the memorable game continued once he returned. He and J.T. Brown. scored the game-winner the next period. Boudreau figured center Eric Staal, who had zero goals in the previous • Former Wild interim coach John Torchetti is back behind the bench. He nine games, needed a righthanded linemate to feed him the puck, and was introduced this week as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Brown — a mainstay on the fourth line to that point — was a fit. He also ’ new coach and director of hockey operations. wanted to shift Niederreiter to his natural left side. The fourth unit made Torchetti, who replaced Mike Yeo in 2016, was most recently as sense since Niederreiter’s addition would keep Marcus Foligno at right assistant with the Detroit Red Wings from 2016-18. wing, where he has excelled recently.

As he continued to mull over the tweaks, Boudreau consulted with his coaching staff and General Manager Paul Fenton. Star Tribune LOADED: 01.17.2019 “If everybody says, ‘That’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard,’ I’m probably not going to do it,” he said. But they didn’t, and roughly an hour and a half before puck drop, Boudreau made the changes official when he wrote them on the team’s whiteboard. Another four-plus hours later, the moves ended up helping the Wild secure a 3-2 shootout win over the Kings at Xcel Energy Center — the culmination of Boudreau’s prep work but also the adaptability of the players on the ice. “It shows that we’re pretty versatile, and we can play with whoever’s on our line,” Foligno said. This wasn’t the first time the Wild delivered after Boudreau scrambled its look. One of the team’s signature victories came amid a demotion to the fourth line for Niederreiter, an assignment he responded to by scoring a goal and setting up another in a 4-2 rally over the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 23. Against Los Angeles, Niederreiter opened the scoring with his second goal in the past three games, set up by center Joel Eriksson Ek and Foligno. “You just go out there and try to do your best no matter what line you’re on,” Niederreiter said. “It just worked that way.” His seamless transition, however, does suggest the bottom of the lineup is a niche that’s easy to settle into, perhaps since the expectations aren’t complicated. “You simplify the game when you’re on our line,” Foligno said. “When you get tossed up in the first two lines, there’s a lot of creativity. Sometimes pucks aren’t going your way. Sometimes you just need to go back to the basics.” A climb up to the top-six, then, could be challenging, but what fuels players in those instances is the motivation to capitalize on the chance. “You want to take advantage of those opportunities and try to keep your game the same as before even though there was a line change,” Brown said. Although he didn’t factor into Staal’s goal, Brown was on the ice applying pressure before defenseman Ryan Suter’s windup nicked Staal’s shin pad and bounced behind Kings goalie Jonathan Quick — ending Staal’s longest goal drought with the team since Jan. 21-Feb. 16, 2017. Rotations may not be as frequent among the team’s top forwards, but they’re the norm for the fourth line, which has regularly swapped Brown and veteran Matt Hendricks. And staying consistent despite the switch-ups is the objective, a responsibility that can become magnified when it factors into the Wild’s success like it did Tuesday. 1126391 Minnesota Wild

Wild-Anaheim gameday preview

JANUARY 16, 2019 — 9:35PM

Oof ... Ducks have lost 12 in a row Preview: Anaheim arrives in St. Paul mired in its longest losing streak in team history. The Ducks are 0-8-4 in their past 12 games. Players to WATCH: Ducks G John Gibson has a .918 save percentage. C Ryan Getzlaf boasts a team-high 32 points. Numbers: Six of Anaheim’s losses during this skid have come on the road. C Devin Shore, who was acquired in a trade with Dallas, skated 18 minutes, 48 seconds in his team debut Tuesday. Injuries: Wild F Eric Fehr (lower body) is out. Ducks Fs Corey Perry (knee), Jakob Silfverberg (lower body) Patrick Eaves (ribs) and Ryan Kesler (lower body); and G Ryan Miller (MCL sprain) are out.

Sarah McLellan Star Tribune LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126392 Minnesota Wild

Wild trades Justin Kloos to Anaheim for Pontus Aberg

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune JANUARY 17, 2019 — 12:29AM

Pontus Aberg was supposed to be playing for the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday at Xcel Energy Center. Instead, he’ll be wearing a Wild sweater. Aberg, who has 11 goals midway through the season for the struggling Ducks, was traded to the Wild for minor league scoring leader Justin Kloos on Wednesday. The deal, made more than halfway through the season and with six weeks to go before the NHL trade deadline, is the first significant move made by Wild General Manager Paul Fenton since he was brought on in May. And it reunited him with a player from his past. Aberg, a 25-year-old who gives the Wild forward versatility and a righthanded shot, was drafted by the Predators in the second round (37th overall) in 2012 when Fenton was Nashville’s assistant general manager. That draft pick, which changed hands four times, was originally owned by the Wild, which lost it in the Brent Burns trade with San Jose in 2011. After spending parts of two seasons with the Predators, Aberg was traded to Edmonton last February before getting claimed off waivers by Anaheim in October. The native of Stockholm, Sweden, already has established career highs in goals and assists (eight), and as a skilled skater could easily move into the Wild’s top nine. Before his arrival, the Wild had only three healthy right shots up front. Despite being tied for second on the Ducks in goals, Aberg had been a healthy scratch from the lineup the past four games while the team’s franchise-worst losing skid reached 12. He’s in the final season of a two-year, $1.3 million contract and will become a restricted free agent when it expires. Overall, he has 16 goals and 37 points in 105 career games. His addition puts the Wild’s roster at 22; center Eric Fehr (lower body injury) has been shifted to injured reserve. Kloos, a former Gophers captain and Lakeville South standout, racked up 12 goals and a team-high 30 points for Iowa this season in the American Hockey League. He appeared in just one game with the Wild last season after signing as a free agent in 2017. His counterpart in the deal, Aberg, is the first NHL regular Fenton has acquired via trade since he became GM. Not only is Aberg familiar with Fenton, but he also played for assistant coach Dean Evason when he was at the helm of Nashville’s AHL affiliate. The transition will be helped because the Ducks were already in the Twin Cities on Wednesday. The Wild has four games remaining before an eight-day All-Star break and bye week.

Star Tribune LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126393 Minnesota Wild

Wild trade for Anaheim’s Pontus Aberg, sending Justin Kloos to Ducks

By Pioneer Press | [email protected] PUBLISHED: January 16, 2019 at 6:11 pm | UPDATED: January 16, 2019 at 6:12 PM

The Wild traded for Anaheim forward Pontus Aberg on Wednesday, sending forward Justin Kloos to the Ducks. Aberg, 25, a native of Sweden, had 11 goals and eight assists 19 points in 37 games with Anaheim this season, averaging 15 minutes, 37 seconds of ice time per game. The 5-foot-11, 196-pounder was selected by Nashville in the second round (37th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Kloos, also 25, is a former University of Minnesota star who played at Lakeville South High School. The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder has spent most of the season in the American Hockey League, leading the Iowa Wild with 30 points in 34 games. He appeared in one NHL game last season with Minnesota. Kloos signed with the Wild as a free agent on March 29, 2017.

Pioneer Press LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126394 Minnesota Wild

Wild’s Eric Staal finally smiling after ending 9-game scoring drought

By Brian Murphy | [email protected] | Pioneer Press PUBLISHED: January 16, 2019 at 12:23 pm | UPDATED: January 16, 2019 at 12:25 PM

Eric Staal had not scored in nine games, and he carried the burden as if it were devouring his soul. The blank stares, self-flagellation and vows by the 15-year veteran to trust his instincts became almost a nightly post-mortem in front of Staal’s locker as his slump wore him down with every Wild loss. That all gave way to an ear-to-ear smile Tuesday night after Staal scored a pivotal third-period goal in Minnesota’s 3-2 shootout victory over the lowly Los Angeles Kings. The goal that ended the drought was not a pretty redirect or snipe from the circle, like so many of Staal’s previous snuffed chances. No, it was a random bounce off his shin pad from a Ryan Suter point shot that snuck behind Kings other-worldly netminder Jonathan Quick and gave Minnesota a tenous 2-1 lead. “Yeah, that’s not the first time that’s happened to me over my career,” said Staal. “A lot of times the game can be fair, and sometimes it’s not. But we’ll take it and hopefully that can kick-start me in the right direction and all of us.” Staal had a pair of new wingers flanking him in youngsters Jordan Greenway and J.T. Brown. The line was a solid forechecking unit on a night when the Wild pumped 42 shots on goal. “Right from the beginning of the game, Brownie was skating really well,” Staal said. “Greeny obviously had a lot of looks and created momentum for us.” The drought was Staal’s longest since Jan. 21-Feb. 16, 2017, his first season in Minnesota. It coincided with some of his worst execution as a reliable points producer. There were sloppy turnovers and quagmire rushes. He opened up about his struggles following last week’s 4-0 loss at Boston. “It’s frustrating because I’m generating a lot of chances — as much or more as I have in the last few years being here,” he said. “It’s just right now they’re not going in. I have to stick with it and try not to let it creep into other parts of my game because it can be difficult. “I’m counted on to contribute offensively and be a difference-maker here,” Staal continued. “Right now it’s not going in, but back to work and stick with the compete (level) and it’ll come.” Mission accomplished. “That’s how it happens, but if you don’t keep shooting — my dad always used to tell me you get six, seven shots on goal a game, somehow one finds the back of the net,” said coach Bruce Boudreau. “It doesn’t matter how it goes in, but you seem involved when that happens. And when you’re involved, you get opportunities.” Staal, 34, is in the final year of a three-year contract that pays him at the bargain rate of $3.5 million per season — one of former general manager Chuck Fletcher’s best market steals. He is due to become a free agent and likely will draw interest among playoff contenders as a rental player to acquire before the Feb. 26 trade deadline. “I hope so. It has for me in the past, whether it’s an empty-netter or just a bounce like that,” he said. “You feel better about your game. That’s just the reality of it. A lot of times it’s just a mindset of putting yourself in the right position and feeling good about the puck hitting the back of the net. We’ll take those and hopefully a few more in the future.”

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Paul Fenton makes his first NHL trade, and it’s somebody he knows well

By Michael Russo Jan 16, 2019

Pontus Aberg won’t have to walk far to find his new locker room Thursday morning. After checking into the Anaheim Ducks’ hotel in the Twin Cities on Wednesday, Aberg — a fast, high-skilled, right-shot winger that Wild general manager Paul Fenton drafted in the second round with the Nashville Predators in 2012, learned he had been traded to the Wild for minor-league center Justin Kloos. It’s Fenton’s third trade with the Wild but first bringing in an NHL player. Aberg is expected to make his Wild debut against his old team Thursday night. The 25-year-old Aberg is in the midst of the best season of his young career, tied for second on the Ducks with 11 goals to go along with eight assists in 37 games. One of those goals came against the Wild when the teams met in Anaheim on Nov. 9. The Athletic‘s Jordan Samuels-Thomas recently broke down his impressive skill here. Recently, however, he had fallen out of favor with hard-nosed coach Randy Carlyle. Aberg had been scratched four consecutive games and the Ducks, who called up Troy Terry, Max Jones and Andrej Sustr on Wednesday, are in the midst of a roster shakeup. The Ducks have lost 12 consecutive games and two days ago traded Andrew Cogliano to the Dallas Stars for Devin Shore. Fenton originally drafted Aberg when he was the assistant GM of the Predators, taking the 5-foot-11, 189-pound Swede with the 37th overall pick in 2012. “He’s an offensive guy, he’s savvy with the puck and he’s patient with the puck. That’s hard to find sometimes in this new hurry-up style we play,” Fenton told the Tennessean then. “It seems like when he has the puck, he takes the extra time he needs to make the right play and he has a goal scorer’s look.” Fenton, Aberg and Wild coach Bruce Boudreau will be available Thursday morning to discuss the trade. The trade makes sense for the Wild. The Wild were in dire need of another right-shot winger, and Aberg has high skill, speed and he’s cheap. He’s in the final year of a two-year contract that pays him $650,000. He’ll be a restricted free agent this summer. So it’s a no-risk move from a GM who knows Aberg’s character and overall game. Aberg debuted for the Predators in 2016-17 before being dealt to the Edmonton Oilers at the trade deadline last season, then joined the Ducks for 2018-19. Overall, he has 16 goals and 21 assists in 105 NHL games. Kloos, the former Gopher and also 25 years old, has 12 goals and 18 assists in 30 games for the Iowa Wild. He appeared in one NHL game last season.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126396 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens forward Paul Byron gets three-game suspension for charging

Staff Report THE CANADIAN PRESS PUBLISHED JANUARY 16, 2019 UPDATED 6 HOURS AGO

Paul Byron of the Montreal Canadiens takes a shot on goal against the Boston Bruins during a game on Jan. 14, 2019. Montreal Canadiens forward Paul Byron has been suspended three games for a hit that injured Florida Panthers defenceman MacKenzie Weegar on Tuesday night. Byron was given a minor penalty for charging on a check that left Weegar in concussion protocol during the second period of Montreal’s 5-1 win over the visiting Panthers. In a video explaining the suspension, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety says “Byron launches himself excessively upwards coming off the ice to deliver the hit and in the process makes significant and forceful head contact.” It marks the first suspension in Byron’s 397-game NHL career. Byron tweeted that he accepts and respects the department of player safety’s decision. “I would like to make it clear I had no intention of causing injury or finishing my check through MacKenzie Weegar’s head,” said Byron in a note posted on his verified Twitter account. “I think my history and the way I conduct myself on the ice show a lack of intent to injure other players. Despite the lack of intention, I have to accept responsibility for my hit and realize the result of the hit was to the head and caused injury. “I would like to sincerely apologize for my hit and wish MacKenzie all the best and hope he is okay. I’ve learnt a lesson through this and will make sure any future hits result in a clean and legal fashion.” Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Byron will forfeit US$18,817.20. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. Byron will miss Friday’s game in Columbus, Saturday’s home game against Philadelphia and a Jan. 23 tilt against visiting Arizona. He’ll be eligible to return Feb. 2 against New Jersey.

Globe And Mail LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126397 Montreal Canadiens “It’s a dream come true to make the NHL at 18 years old, it’s something very special,” Tremblay said. “But the thing is, to make it and to stay there that’s a different ball game. There’s a lot of kids who have been Stu Cowan: Jesperi Kotkaniemi has shot at a longtime Canadiens record called up but they missed their first chance, were sent back down, then they go up and down. So when you have a chance to play, let’s do it.”

That’s exactly what Kotkaniemi has done. STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE How will Tremblay feel if the 18-year-old breaks his record? Updated: January 16, 2019 “I’ll be happy for him,” Tremblay said. “All records are there to be broken.” Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s favourite word these days seems to be “mint.” It would be pretty mint if Kotkaniemi can do it. It was a good word to describe the highlight-reel goal the Canadiens rookie scored in Tuesday night’s 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers at the Bell Centre. Kotkaniemi carried the puck into the Panthers’ zone down Montreal Gazette LOADED: 01.17.2019 the left wing, beating defenceman Mike Matheson to the outside with his speed before cutting to the net and using a toe drag to deke goalie James Reimer and then putting the puck into an open net. “(Injured teammate) Andrew Shaw told me that the goal was pretty mint,” Kotkaniemi said after the game. “I trust him and I believe him, so I think it was pretty mint.” I guess that’s a word most 18-year-olds can relate to these days. But there aren’t many people who can relate to what it’s like to be an 18- year-old playing for the Canadiens. Mario Tremblay is one of them and for the last 44 years he has held the record for most points by an 18-year-old Canadien, posting 21-18-39 totals during the 1974-75 season. With 6-17-23 totals this season, Kotkaniemi has 34 games left to try and break Tremblay’s record. “I’m really impressed by Kotkaniemi this year,” Tremblay said over the phone Wednesday. “I was impressed at training camp, this is why the team kept him. But like everyone else, the more I see him the more I like him. Did you see his goal last night? Wow! That’s pretty impressive.” It’s also pretty impressive what Tremblay did as an 18-year-old on a Canadiens team that was a year away from winning four straight Stanley Cups. The Canadiens selected Tremblay in the first round (12th overall) of the 1974 NHL Draft after he posted 49-51-100 totals and 154 penalty minutes in 46 games with the QMJHL’s Montreal Bleu Blanc Rouge. He started the 1974-75 season with the AHL’s Nova Scotia Voyageurs, posting 10-8-18 totals and 47 penalty minutes in 15 games before getting called up by the Canadiens along with 20-year-old Doug Risebrough. Tremblay noted that some of the Canadiens were getting old at the time and head coach Scotty Bowman was looking to add some young blood. “I never thought first of all I was going to make the team at 18 years old,” Tremblay said. “When I was sent down to Halifax, I thought I was going to be there for the whole year. But after a couple of injuries they decided to call us back. I remember when Scotty Bowman and (assistant) Claude Ruel talked with us in Boston in the (hotel) lobby, Scotty told us: ‘Listen, when we call up youngsters with the big team, make sure that you’re going to work hard enough that we won’t send you down. Because if we send you down, you’ll be there for a long time.’ We said: ‘Don’t worry, we won’t be sent back down.’ So I guess we worked hard enough to stay with the team. After Doug and I were called up, we never went down.” Tremblay would go on win five Stanley Cup with the Canadiens. Tremblay’s first game in the NHL was against the Bruins at Boston Garden on Nov. 14, 1974, with the Canadiens winning 4-1. “To play against the big, bad Bruins in that small rink was special,” he recalled. “I did OK the first night. I remember hitting , almost winning a scrap with (Stan) Jonathan. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to get sent down.” Tremblay’s favourite memory from his rookie season came two nights later in his first game at the Forum when the Canadiens tied the New York Rangers 4-4 and he scored twice. “My parents were at the old Forum, my girlfriend, my family,” he recalled. “So to score your first two goals in the NHL in front of them was something special.” Tremblay said he was the baby on the team — just like Kotkaniemi is now — but veteran players like Serge Savard, Yvan Cournoyer and Jacques Lemaire took him under their wings. Bowman put Tremblay and Risebrough together with 24-year-old Yvon Lambert to form a very effective “Kid Line”. Tremblay would go on to earn the nickname Le bleuet bionique (The Bionic Blueberry) for his tenacious style and the fact he was from the Lac St. Jean region, which has huge blueberry fields. 1126398 Montreal Canadiens The Canadiens might have finally found the elite No. 1 centre they’ve been desperately seeking for more than two decades.

Analyze This: Kotkaniemi shows poise, control of future elite centre Montreal Gazette LOADED: 01.17.2019

MARC DUMONT, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE Updated: January 16, 2019

On the surface, Canadiens rookie centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi is enjoying a relatively strong start to his NHL career. And though some might point to his production as a reason for concern, there’s no denying he has gone through tough spells at times when it comes to scoring goals, but we need to keep his usage in mind to analyze his value properly. Kotkaniemi is on pace for roughly 40 points this season, a very respectable level of production given that he’s a rookie. As it stands, his 23 all-situation points rank fourth among all NHL rookies in scoring, 19 points behind Vancouver Canucks super rookie Elias Pettersson. But when we even the playing field by only taking into account 5-on-5 production, Kotkaniemi, 18, is only seven points behind the Swedish forward, who is two years older. In 5-on-5 play, Kotkaniemi has 19 points — ranking 57th among all NHL centres — a very healthy amount considering he plays on the third line. And there isn’t a single player ahead of him on the list who has been given less ice time. Canadiens' Jesperi Kotkaniemi battles Avalanche's Carl Soderberg for the puck during the teams' encounter in December. He’s averaging just 11:32 of 5-on-5 TOI, the ninth-highest average ice time among all Canadiens forwards. He’s scoring 2.06 points per 60 minutes, a better rate than such players as the Boston Bruins’ David Krejci (2.02), Canadiens teammate Jonathan Drouin (1.97) and Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews (1.84). Of course, Kotkaniemi’s assignment differs from other centres in that he’s been sheltered by head coach Claude Julien in terms of quality of competition and in zone starts. In the long run, that’s probably the wisest approach, because playing centre in the NHL is a big ask for any player, let alone an 18-year-old. And yet his 5-on-5 play indicates there’s even more potential for offensive contributions if Julien decides to boost Kotkaniemi’s ice time on the power play. But for now, relative to the rest of his teammates, there’s absolutely no denying Kotkaniemi is doing a fantastic job controlling the play while he’s on the ice. Keep in mind that the Canadiens are among the best teams in the league in most of those metrics, making Kotkaniemi’s results that much more impressive. And when it comes to his overall rank among his teammates, NHL forwards and NHL centres, Kotkaniemi’s underlying numbers continue to hold strong. He’s already one of the better players on the team, and he’s starting to gain ground on the best players in the league, especially the centres. There was a lot of ink spilled this season trying to figure out whether Kotkaniemi’s best development path would lead him to another season in Finland or possibly a year with the Rocket under head coach Joël Bouchard’s tutelage in Laval. But the risky move to keep him with the Canadiens — a decision facilitated by his impressive play during exhibitions and his first few regular-season games — was clearly the right one. His steady progression, healthy production and fantastic underlying numbers are all the evidence we need. His highlight-reel goal against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday shows just how confident the young man is when it comes to his abilities on the ice. When you combine all those factors, as well as his veteran-like hockey IQ and vision, you can understand why some, including myself, are quite bullish when it comes to Kotkaniemi’s stock. Though no one can predict the future, and Kotkaniemi still has a lot of learning to do, he’s already proved he can make a positive impact in the NHL as the youngest player in the league. Things should only get better and, if the numbers are any indication, the sky’s the limit for the slick Finn. 1126399 Montreal Canadiens “Pittsburgh was an offensively underrated team back then, it was either that year or the next they had nine or 10 players who scored 20. It was unusual for us to give up that many shots, I think maybe my rebound Wayne Thomas was watching live on TV as his former student nearly control was really poor,” Thomas chuckled. “A lot of times the goalies had wiped his name from the Canadiens record book to look for stuff to do during games because we had the puck so much.” Though he was aware afterward he’d broken a franchise record belonging to the sainted Jacques Plante, he doesn’t recall dwelling on it By Sean Gordon much. Jan 16, 2019 “I don’t expect (coach) Scotty (Bowman) was very happy with the win,” he said.

As Montreal geared for the playoffs, Thomas started and won a half- The exact interval of time between Antti Niemi’s eyes lighting up and the dozen more games. Then, on April 7 at Madison Square Garden, he cell phone on Cape Cod buzzing isn’t known, but we can surmise from played what would turn out to be his last game in a Canadiens uniform. the available evidence it was very short. Montreal lost 6-4, Thomas gave up three goals on 20 shots in 29:51 of game time. Larocque started the playoffs, Dryden returned the next fall. When it was pointed out to Niemi in the Canadiens’ dressing room that The season after putting up top-five goaltending stats, Thomas remained his stellar 52-save performance in a 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers on the Canadiens roster. He played exactly zero games in 1974-75. had fallen just short of a franchise record held jointly by Carey Price (53 saves against Nashville in 2009) and Wayne Thomas (the same number “Mr. Pollock called me in to his office in about November and said the against Pittsburgh in 1974), the habitually stoic Finn perked up and other guys were going to play and I wasn’t, and asked me to stay the began to smile broadly. course. It wasn’t very much fun but I kept my mouth shut. He promised to trade me to the best place possible the next summer, and he did,” said “I’ll have to call him!” he said. Thomas. It’s not that Niemi is a scholar of Le Club de hockey Canadien’s history, Pollock decided to deal his surplus goalie to the Maple Leafs, a team he exactly, or that he possesses encyclopedic knowledge about goaltending rarely did business with, for a first-round pick (Trader Sam was canny marks from the 1970s. Thomas was an assistant general-manager for that way). the San Jose Sharks when Niemi signed there in 2010. In addition to his day job, he kept his hand in another set of duties: goalie coaching. What we’re saying here is Thomas can tell you all about the unsentimental and occasionally cruel face of professional sports. As it happens, Thomas watched Tuesday’s game live, in part because he correctly guessed his former charge would be playing the back half of a So too can Niemi. back-to-back. When you add it all up, the 2010 Stanley Cup champion was a member “I’m usually bad luck when I watch him,” quipped Thomas, who retired of the Panthers for 20 whole days last season. He played two games, from the Sharks three years ago and moved to his long-time summer and lost them both while giving up five goals on 39 shots (.872). Those place in Massachusetts. reversals were part of a personal nine-game losing string to open the year, which played out for three different teams. Two of those clubs, Not this night. When it was over, the 71-year-old shot Niemi a quick text Pittsburgh and then Florida, put him on waivers. That was after he was to congratulate him on the performance. bought out by Dallas, which had acquired him for a handful of magic “His response was a question: ‘do you know who has the record?’ I beans after his stint in the Bay Area didn’t pan out as quite as planned. replied that I did, and he just said ‘nice.’ That was it,” Thomas said with a Niemi, who is 35, hasn’t exactly put up convincing numbers for much of laugh Wednesdsay. “That’s Antti for you.” this season. It’s an unfortunate fact of life that goalies his age are a Niemi is a man of few, often disarmingly witty, words in public. It would shaky outing or two away from whispers of ‘he’s washed up.’ While appear that’s also how he is with those who know him well. Their number subbing for an injured Price over the Christmas holidays, Niemi’s fretful includes Thomas, who has kept in regular touch with Niemi since leaving loss against Tampa, after beating Florida the previous night, provided all the San Jose front office (“I was raised in the Montreal system, where the spark the nattering classes needed. you didn’t talk to the opposition, ever . . . I don’t have those personal But then a funny thing happened. In his next start he stoned the Stars on hang-ups anymore.”) It follows that they would communicate after New Year’s Eve, making 45 saves on 47 shots. Then he beat Detroit Niemi’s career-best save performance. What’s more arresting is the (stopping 30 of 32). And now Florida. series of parallels between Tuesday’s contest and the one that unfolded almost 45 years ago. His save percentage prior to Dec. 31: .871, several rungs below replacement level. Since: .962. Not that it left an indelible expression on the visiting team’s goalie. Niemi now has eight wins in 13 starts, plus a loser point gained in “Honestly, I don’t remember a lot about that game,” Thomas said. Buffalo. Price is continuing to manage the ailment that kept him out in So here’s what the historical record tells us about the evening of March late December and in an ideal world would play fewer than 60 games. 10, 1974, at Pittsburgh’s since-demolished Igloo. Conventional wisdom holds the modern backup must deliver 10 to 12 wins for a team to make the playoffs. Niemi, in other words, is holding up It was the second game of a back-to-back set, just like Niemi’s start, with his end. the difference that Thomas had beaten the Rangers 4-2 the previous night at the Forum. The 1973-74 season was an odd one for Montreal. And his teammates love him for it. The team was stacked with Hall of Famers (the Pocket Rocket, Savard, “Goals give the guys a boost but watching him in nets tonight, the boys Robinson, Shutt, Lafleur, Cournoyer, Lemaire, Lapointe, Laperrière, a were going nuts on the bench. It was good to see,” said defenceman rookie called Gainey) and had won it all the previous spring. Thomas Jordie Benn. started 10 games in 1972-73 as a backup and was awarded a Cup ring, but that fall Marc Tardif and Réjean Houle bolted to the WHA and former If the 2018-19 Canadiens have a defining trait, it is the willingness to fight Conn Smythe winner Ken Dryden decided his time was better spent to the death (insofar as that’s possible to muster with any degree of articling at a law firm – the result of a contract standoff with GM Sam consistency over an exhausting NHL schedule). So it is for Niemi. Pollock. “A couple of years ago everybody was all over him and he was bouncing Thus, the Canadiens went with three less-heralded goalies: Thomas, around, but as soon as he came here, I mean he’s been unbelievable. Michel Plasse and 21-year-old first-year player Michel “Bunny” Larocque. We all knew he could still play, he obviously showed that (Tuesday), I When they rolled into Western Pennsylvania in March, the 26-year-old mean he was awesome. Guys are going to have off nights, we’re human Thomas was the regular starter. beings. But Nemo is one of those guys who works his ass off and it shows,” said Benn, who played with Niemi in Dallas. Montreal jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to Pete Mahovlich and Murray Wilson. Then Chuck Arnason (former Canadien and father of future In his post-game remarks after the Florida game Claude Julien picked up NHLer Tyler) scored for the Pens. Wilson tallied again, Arnason replied. on that theme. Though he conceded his backup goalie has had dips in The teams again traded goals in the second and at 6:34 of the third form this season, he credited his work ethic for allowing him to recover – period Jean Pronovost tied it 4-4. Nine seconds later, Jacques Lemaire “his practice habits are second to none.” scored the winner. It would go into the books as one of Montreal’s 45 wins that year – ho-hum. “Good things happen to people who take the right approach and he’s one of those guys,” Julien said. According to Thomas, this isn’t exactly news. Though he sees an evolved goalie from the one he had with the Sharks – highlighting Niemi’s improvements in decision-making while handling the puck – his essential qualities remain the same. “His strengths then are still his strengths now: he competes, he battles. He has fantastic legs, he continues to work on his hands. And the work ethic, oh my god. Even when he was the number one here and playing 60 games you had to kick him off,” he said. “He’s constantly thinking about his game. Although that can be both good and bad.” Thomas said Niemi’s enduring relationship with Stéphane Waite, the coach he won with in Chicago, should allow him to continue playing for a while yet. “I certainly don’t think he’s got an old body or an old mind,” he said. “He doesn’t quit, and he’s in a good spot. I’m happy for him.” The same is true of Niemi’s teammates. Well, with the possible exception of Max Domi. Apprised of the fact Niemi had fallen just short of a franchise mark in saving 52 of Florida’s 53 shots, the centre expressed mock disappointment the team didn’t manage to get him a record all his own. “Maybe next game,” he grinned.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126400 Montreal Canadiens last season when he played with Byron and Gallagher, Julien dismissed it.

“I don’t think, personally, that has anything to do with it,” he said. “I think How moving to the Canadiens penthouse has brought the best out of at the end of the day, whether he played his best hockey, that’s when he Jonathan Drouin played his best, at the end of the year. We need a player to play as good as he can all year round, so we don’t just pick spots. As far as I’m concerned, he was one of those guys that, just at that point, I thought he By Arpon Basu competed well. So he’s got to find his compete level and bring it up to match his skill level and if he does that he’s going to be a much better Jan 16, 2019 player.” Fine, he may be right. Maybe the simple fact that the lines were changed can explain why Drouin’s compete level has suddenly jumped Whenever Claude Julien tweaks his forward lines within a game and gets significantly. Maybe the lines were, in fact, stale and needed a reboot. asked about it afterward, his go-to response is that “It’s called coaching.” But it’s not a stretch to believe all that can be true while Drouin needing But for the majority of this season, Julien hasn’t had to do too much of to be inspired by the compete level of his linemates is also true. that very specific brand of coaching, because his forward lines, for the I mean, how are you not inspired when Gallagher’s first shift of the game most part, have remained remarkably consistent. But there was a in Boston looks like this, taking a stick in the face, going after Zdeno situation brewing, one that came to a head in St. Louis last week and one Chara in the corner and bouncing off someone else as he exits the zone? Julien finally had to solve. If you want to understand how important that game was to the His key offensive tandem of Jonathan Drouin and Max Domi was no Canadiens, just watch this shift. longer producing and his patience was beginning to wear thin. On the first shift of the second period, Drouin did this: “You know, I think Jonathan’s had a good season, the last little while has Coincidence? Maybe. But maybe not. been tough for him,” Julien said last Wednesday after practice in St. Louis. “I see the same thing everybody else does. Our work is to try to But remember that ripple effect Julien was concerned about in St. Louis? get him going. Part of it is, we know he’s got the talent. His compete level It was real. and how much he wants to get involved and all that stuff is what really makes a big difference in his game. Trust me, we work hard with all Max Domi moved to the middle of a line with Joel Armia and Artturi players, individuals and groups and I think a good portion of it has to Lehkonen while Tomas Tatar came off the Danault line and played to the come from the player. At the same time, that duo has done well, they’re left of Jesperi Kotkaniemi with Paul Byron on the right side. The only line leading our team in scoring. But lately, they haven’t been doing it. So I that stayed intact was the only line that showed up to play in St. Louis, have to consider down the road if it doesn’t get better to separate them.” the fourth line of , Nicolas Deslauriers and Kenny Agostino. The next night against the Blues it did not get better. On Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche, Julien separated them, just as he said Domi had played with both Armia and Lehkonen when each of them was he would. But in saying so, Julien also expressed concern about the given an audition on the right side of his line with Drouin earlier in the ripple effect such a move would have on his other lines, and we saw that season. Kotkaniemi had barely played with Tatar, somewhere around 63 problem manifest itself over the next two games, something Julien solved minutes at 5-on-5, much of which came after power plays had expired. over the course of the Canadiens’ 5-1 win at home against the Florida Those two lines did not exactly click, though Domi was still doing some Panthers on Tuesday. But more on that later. good things and appeared to benefit from the strong board play of Armia and Lehkonen. Still, with Domi’s propensity to think pass first, he wasn’t The most important change Julien made Saturday was putting Drouin playing with two of the team’s best finishers. with Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher, which is the penthouse suite of the Canadiens forward group. As our Olivier Bouchard suggested on With the ripple effect still manifesting itself midway through the game Monday, playing Drouin with the Canadiens two strongest possession against the Panthers, Julien sent Domi on the ice in Kotkaniemi’s spot players was putting Julien’s most gifted forward in a position to shine. between Tatar and Byron at 16:18 of the second period, with Kotkaniemi taking the spot on the all Finnish line we had seen previously this One of the biggest ways this benefits Drouin is that he doesn’t need to season. It took only 35 seconds for this to happen. carry the water when it comes to offensive zone entries because Danault and Gallagher are more than capable of handling that themselves, as we “At this time of year you can go out there with a new set of wingers or a can see here from the game Saturday against Colorado. new centreman every shift,” Domi said, downplaying the instant impact of the line change. “We have chemistry off the ice, which translates directly Even when Drouin has the puck in the neutral zone, he’s more than on the ice. We practice with each other and against each other so much happy to just hand it off and let his new linemates take care of the entry. we know each other’s habits. What are we, in January right now? So In these cases, it was Danault. obviously you build chemistry with guys, but you build chemistry as a team, too.” If it’s a dump and chase situation the same principle applies; playing with Danault and Gallagher gives Drouin a far greater chance of having the When Julien was asked following the game what he saw that led him to puck in the offensive zone, as we see here against Boston. make the change, he paused for a few seconds. He wanted to resist the temptation until he was told that we know. It’s called coaching. Having two guys with him who can take care of zone entries, puck recoveries and board play essentially on their own gives Drouin the “I don’t want to use that line, but it is coaching,” Julien said. “You look at liberty – to use a phrase Max Pacioretty loved – to get lost in the different things and you just make those changes. I can easily go back to offensive zone and find soft areas in the defensive coverage for his the other situation. I think the good thing about this year is I’m able to put linemates to find him once they’ve secured possession of the puck. In players with different people and because we have the same goal and this case, Danault nearly sets up Drouin for a golden opportunity after everyone wants to play the same way, more or less, we’re getting the Drouin decides to leave the puck for Danault below the goal line rather results. So that’s an important thing. Down the road we may need to than pick it up himself. make some moves because of injuries or whatever. If everybody is playing with everybody and you see that it’s worked, you have at least a But there is another aspect to choosing who plays with Drouin and it little bit of knowledge on your lineup.” appears to be an important one. Last season, Drouin played his best hockey when playing on a line with Gallagher and Paul Byron. This Julien has had to deal with injuries this season to Armia and currently to season, whenever Julien was asked about how well Domi was playing Andrew Shaw, but there have been certain constants in his lineup. Domi- earlier in the season, he always made it a point to also mention how well Drouin was one of them, a duo formed in the fourth game of the season. Drouin was playing, suggesting there was a link there. Tatar-Danault-Gallagher was another, a line formed on the first day of training camp. Now, Julien is likely going to lose Byron to a suspension “(Domi)’s playing with tons of energy, tons of confidence and the guy on and he’ll have to adjust again. his left side is doing the same thing,” Julien said on Oct. 23 after Domi and Drouin each had two points in a 3-2 win against the Calgary Flames. But Julien’s first major line shuffle of the season produced the desired “From the start of camp we had them together, we split them to start the result: a three-game winning streak, greater offensive balance and, most season and put them back together. They’re showing us right now that importantly, a more engaged and competitive Jonathan Drouin. they belong together.”

When asked in St. Louis last week if Drouin was the type of player who needs someone on his line to push him, as it seemed towards the end of The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126401 Montreal Canadiens When Thomas lived in Montreal his roommate was Ian Breck. Ian was my sixth-grade gym teacher at what was then Churchill Elementary School in Chomedey (later changed to Irving Bregman Memorial after its Melnick’s GBU: What do Cape Cod, tequila and Antti Niemi have in late principal). He was one of the finest teachers I ever had. He later common? became the longtime head football coach at Bishop’s University. Thomas was also impressed that I remembered the year he won the Molson Cup as the Habs player of the year for 1973-74. That was when By Mitch Melnick Dryden, long before salary disclosure, discovered he was getting paid a lot less than many inferior goaltenders around the NHL. He wanted a Jan 16, 2019 new deal. Montreal GM Sam Pollock never budged. Dryden sat out the entire season before returning in 1974-75. In a cruel twist of irony, he

dislodged Thomas who went from player of the year to not appearing in a This is a story about three guys who walk into a bar. But it’s no joke. It single game while backing up Dryden and Bunny Larocque. Pollock really happened. insisted on a first round draft pick in return for Thomas. Once again, he didn’t budge. Once the season ended the Maple Leafs sent him their first It’s the early 80s and I’m visiting Cape Cod for the first time. It’s been fun, round pick in 1976 to acquire Thomas. That pick turned out to be Ottawa but the beautiful beaches I kept hearing about were not part of my visit. Junior star Peter Lee, who Pollock dealt (with Pete Mahovlich) to get 50- When I asked about it, I was given a beach chair and told to walk down goal scorer Pierre Larouche from Pittsburgh. the road and I’d find some water. But it wasn’t the ocean. As the club emptied after last call, I was still there with Fotiu, Thomas It’s difficult not to have a good time when you’re single and on the road in and my friends. We must have gone through at least a half dozen bottles your early 20’s. But I was looking forward to some quality time on the of tequila. Now came the hard part. Atlantic, not some inlet. So I went back to the house I was staying at with a friend who had arranged the visit through a relative. It was his cousin’s I still had no idea where I was. Fotiu and Thomas had real business to spot. I think. Like too much of that part of my life, I don’t remember a lot take care of. They allowed us to hang around to try to sober up a little, of details. But I do remember being bummed out about not spending at but by 4 a.m. we had to go. I recall four of us staggering into a car. The least a day on a real beach. guy who was driving said not to worry, that his house wasn’t far and he could probably drive with his eyes closed. Which is exactly what I was I can also recall a lot of beer and a BBQ. But I was restless. Until worried about. All I could think of was Chappaquidick. somebody mentioned that we’d be heading to a popular club after dinner. Decades later I recounted this story to Chris Nilan. Knuckles informed me When we walked in at about 10 p.m., my mood picked up. It was packed. that the name of the place was The Hunt Club in Falmouth. And Chris There was energy. There were plenty of members of the opposite sex. added I’d have to go to The Lower Cape, which actually means North, to This was more of my kind of scene than a card game at a kitchen table. find the better beaches. After I ordered my second or third drink, I scanned the room. I noticed a So now when I sit looking out at the Atlantic Ocean on one of the many tall, familiar looking guy in profile who must have been about 30. My first beautiful beaches closer to the tip of The Cape, as I’ve done for a week thought was that he looked just like New York Rangers enforcer Nick (that I wish could be a month) every August for the last decade or so, I Fotiu. But then I dismissed that thought because it didn’t make any often think of Nick Fotiu and Wayne Thomas. sense. Until he turned towards me and I realized it was, in fact, Nick Fotiu. I know Nick still does some PR work for the Rangers and Thomas retired from hockey about five years ago. But whatever happened to The Hunt Suddenly the night held even more promise. Club? Like so many hockey fans I had a special place in my heart for the THE GOOD fighters. It started as a young Habs fan in the 60s who was spoiled not only by the best franchise in hockey (I saw them win Cups in 1965, ’66, · Antti Niemi: His 52 saves were just one why of the team record set by ’68 & ’69) but by the meanest, baddest player in the league who Thomas in March of 1974. “Wayne Thomas? No way. He was my goalie protected Beliveau and Cournoyer and all the other star players. His coach (in San Jose),” said Niemi after the win. “I’ve got to call him.” name was John Ferguson. He had no equal as a fighter, but he was a Please say hi for me. You do remember that Niemi was a Vezina finalist terrific player as well who once scored 29 goals in a season. in San Jose? “Hey Nick!” I called out as I approached him at the end of the bar. As I · Special Teams: For the second straight night the Habs faced one of the extended my hand I thought of Fergy, who had the biggest right hand I’ve top power plays in the NHL (the best since Dec. 1). Thanks in large part ever shaken. Fotiu was a fighter long before he played in the NHL. He to Niemi plus Shea Weber, Jordie Benn, Phillip Danault and Artturi was a gold-gloves boxer in New York. My hand got lost. Lehkonen, the PK unit was perfect. And when Weber blasted a one-timer off a Jonathan Drouin feed past James Reimer to tie the game just 29 It was the beginning of one of the truly great nights of my 20s. seconds into the second period it put an end to a punchless power play drought of 0-for-29 at the Bell Centre. I refuse to believe that a power Turned out that Fotiu owned the place. A couple of more shots into the play that features a weapon like Weber plus the skill of Drouin can’t do conversation, after I told him I worked at a radio station in Montreal better than worst in the NHL. Weber’s presence shouldn’t make the (CJAD), he perked up even more and said that I should meet the co- power play predictable. It should help make it potent. owner. · Jesperi Kotkaniemi: I think we’ll remember his goal for the rest of his Fotiu moved through the crowded floor, approached a tall guy and was career. But Montrealer Mike Matheson might be haunted by it. It was part shouting over the music into his ear. They both walked towards me. I of throwback night at the Bell Centre. The opening goal by Mike Hoffman instantly recognized the other dude as Wayne Thomas, who was also was positively Peter Forsberg at his finest. The skill that Kotkaniemi used Fotiu’s teammate with the Rangers. to score Montreal’s fourth goal was described by one of his teammates We all spent the next several hours talking mostly hockey. Oh, the stories as “like Datsyuk.” I could tell. Thomas took an immediate liking to me because I seemed to · Max Domi: It was Domi who uttered the name Datsyuk. And it was know more about his background than even Fotiu. Domi who once again seemed to be in the middle of everything, finally As a kid, I seldom made it to the Forum to watch the Montreal snapping out of his 17-game goalless drought. It was Domi who drew a Canadiens. But I did attend plenty of games on Sunday nights when the late first period slashing penalty on Keith Yandle that led to the game- Junior Canadiens were an OHL powerhouse. It was a team that featured tying goal by Weber. It was Domi who roughed up Matheson 10 minutes Gilbert Perreault, Richard Martin, Rejean Houle, Marc Tardif, Jocelyn into the game that drew an extra minor. Yep, there is something about Guevremont, Andre Dupont, Bobby Lalonde and enforcer Alan Domi and the Panthers that might last a while. Globensky, who was Ogie Oglethorpe long before anybody knew who The goal Domi scored was actually the second time he fired the puck into Ogie was. the Florida net. On his previous shift he shot a loose puck into an open I also had the chance to watch pro games at the Forum featuring the net with Reimer down and out and Artturi Lehkonen on his belly in the Habs top farm team. Between 1969 and 1971, the American Hockey crease fishing around with his stick and impressively lifting the puck into League Voyageurs played not in Halifax but in Montreal. That’s where I Reimer’s glove (and over the goal line) but only after he had clearly used first saw Wayne Thomas, who split the goaltending duties with a fellow his own glove to push the puck free while getting repeatedly chopped named Ken Dryden. and hacked like he was being put through a meat tenderizing process in Chinatown. When Domi scored for real he became the first member of the Canadiens to ever arm signal his own goal. It was beyond amusing, but he is going to drive plenty more opposing teams, players and officials absolutely bonkers. And maybe even Claude Julien too. · Bryan Pancich: The veteran linesman deserves credit for managing to calm Domi down in the third period. After the Habs centre was knocked off his feet on a good check by his old pal Aaron Ekblad, the Panthers’ Evgenii Dadonov skated by and knocked Domi’s helmet askew as his knee made contact with Domi’s head. It was an uh-oh moment. Domi got up like he had been fired out of a cannon and was in search of the culprit. As he sprinted around the ice, Pancich caught up to Domi and veered him out of range. Eventually, after a couple of short laps, Domi slowed down enough to head to the bench to cool off. It’s a reminder that he has a tendency to snap. Which might get him a little extra room on the ice. But might also get his team in trouble. · Carey Price: He co-owns the franchise record for saves in a game with Thomas. Price made 53 saves in a game against Nashville in Nov. 2009. But how about the camera shot of Price on the Montreal bench laughing his ass off (while covering his face with his glove) late in the game? I’m guessing it was at either Victor Mete who missed the open Florida net as he’s still in search of his first career goal, or Lehkonen who seconds later hit the side of the net. Lehkonen has 37 more career goals than Mete, but he hasn’t scored one in 10 games. Whatever was behind it, Price laughing and then saluting Niemi on the ice after the game with a big smile on his face is a most welcome sight for Montreal fans. If anybody on the Habs has earned the right to feel real good – bordering on giddy – it’s Carey Price. THE BAD · Fourth Line: It was a terrible Michael Chaput giveaway that led to the Hoffman beauty of a goal 14 minutes into the game. The goal was scored shortly after a brief but ineffective Montreal power play that continues to feature Kenny Agostino. There’s no doubt Agostino has offensive talent. But when he was set up for a perfect one-timer he almost completely fanned on his shot with nobody in front of him. Agostino has done a nice job morphing from AHL scoring champion and MVP to very useful NHL role player. But he needs to generate some real offence. He has just one point – a goal – in his last 15 games. Perhaps a night off will help. It seemed to work for Chaput and Nicolas Deslauriers, after they were scratched by Julien over a week ago in Detroit. THE UGLY · Paul Byron: The Panthers were short a defenceman for most of the game after Byron left his feet and knocked Mackenzie Weegar’s head into the boards behind the Florida net. The Habs were fortunate Byron only received a minor penalty. We know the speedy Montreal winger has an edge to his game that a lot of people don’t get, but that was flat out dangerous · The Upper Cape: Sorry Falmouth. I’ve become a snob. Blame it on Knuckles.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126402 Nashville Predators still right there for the Central Division and the No. 1 seed in the West: “We’re starting to get that chemistry back.”

Wayne Simmonds? At what price? Predators don't need some big trade to win a Stanley Cup So maybe saying the Predators should stand pat is a “no duh” kind of thing. But I keep hearing about Philadelphia power forward Wayne Joe Rexrode, Nashville Tennessean Simmonds. He sure would give this team the net-front presence it craves. And he'd almost certainly cost too much. Published 11:05 a.m. CT Jan. 16, 2019 | Updated 11:11 a.m. CT Jan. 16, 2019 Why toy with the chemistry of a team that has demonstrated a lot of it by being in solid position despite all these fragmented lineups? David Poile traded a first-round pick last season for Ryan Hartman, who has 16 points in 48 games and is playing on the fourth line, and now Poile is Viktor Arvidsson was behind the defense, scoring, and then he was in a 2 down to more picks, Eeli Tolvanen and Dante Fabbro as viable trade on 1 with Filip Forsberg (not scoring, surprisingly), and then he was assets … if he doesn’t want to dip into the Preds’ roster. tipping a P.K. Subban shot past Washington backup goalie Pheonix Copley, and then he was making a ridiculous move to wiggle himself free Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher, meanwhile, is going to drive this price up as for an attempt that Copley must have halted with a prayer. much as possible and would love nothing more than to pit Poile and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff against each other, both sides paranoid that the This was less than halfway through the Nashville Predators’ 7-2 rout of other is going to end up with Simmonds. the Capitals on Tuesday at Bridgestone Arena, and you knew what was coming. Arvidsson was gone a few minutes later, behind everyone again, Wayne Simmonds averaged 28 goals per season since he scoring again, a shorthanded goal for the hat trick. To me, you make all inquiries and ultimately go with your core. You So ended any drama in the first of two “statement” home games this swing a smaller deal to add physicality if one emerges. You hope week, though let’s face it – Thursday’s against division rival Winnipeg is Laviolette figures a way to get a bunch of guys who have done a lot of the one. All due respect to the defending Stanley Cup champs and all. good work on the power play together to remember how they did it. But the Predators have waited more than three months for the second of four meetings with the team that bounced them from last year’s playoffs. (Overheard on press row Tuesday when the Preds embarked on the first of what would be five failed power plays: “That’s the worst thing that If you thought Nashville was on fire Tuesday, just wait until Thursday. could have happened to them, a power play.”) The Predators and Jets will battle, as they did last spring to spark a rivalry, as they did in Nashville’s 3-0 home win in October, as they’ll do There’s work to be done in the 34 games remaining until things really get again twice in Winnipeg in March. started. Yet in the 48 to date, I think a group of guys who implored Poile to give them another run together have actually demonstrated why they And it will mean … not a ton. A fun night with minimal ramifications. All should get it. due respect to the interminable regular season and all. No outcome will alter the strong likelihood that these teams will meet in the spring when it Unless they lose to the Jets, of course. Then it’s time to sell the farm. really matters. But I do think we’ll see Thursday, as we saw Tuesday, as we’ve actually Tennessean LOADED: 01.17.2019 seen all season, evidence to support this belief: The Predators don’t need to swing a major deal by the Feb. 25 trading deadline to win the Cup they covet. They need to play their best when it matters most, as they did in the spring of 2017 and didn’t in the spring of 2018. This roster has the ingredients. Or at least I think it does. How could we know for sure? The Predators haven’t yet had full use of it this season. Predators right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrates his goal against the Capitals during the first period at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. Whenever Kyle Turris returns from whatever injury he has (let’s just call it a “body injury”), that will be the first game this season in which all of the Predators’ core players will take the ice together. Assuming no one else has gone down by then. Think about that. And think about what we saw Tuesday. This is a different team with Arvidsson. Strictly by the numbers, the Predators are now 16-6-2 with him in the lineup and 12-10-2 without him. That seems about right – a team that wins two-thirds of its games with him and is a shade above .500 without him. Arvidsson has 17 goals and 24 points in those 24 games, which is a full- season pace of 58 goals. Those are some numbers. And there’s more to it. Watch Arvidsson’s energy on the ice and watch how his team responds to it. The energy hasn’t wavered since little Arvidsson burrowed his way into this lineup in 2016. It has been exactly the same. It’s what every athlete should aspire to be. But his game and confidence, they keep growing. Arvidsson has ascended to the status of great player and, even more than linemate Filip Forsberg – the most talented player on the team – he is this team’s catalyst. “He just plays so hard and throws his body on the line every night,” said Nick Bonino, who had two goals Tuesday, although little Rocco Grimaldi had the goal of the night with a spin and backhand past poor Copley. “That’s who he is, it’s in the makeup, it’s in the DNA,” Peter Laviolette said of Arvidsson. And, as Arvidsson said of a team that has been on an injury binge – Forsberg has missed 17 games, Turris 18, Subban 19 and so on — yet is 1126403 Nashville Predators The running joke around Nashville is that Rinne is a father figure to Saros, whose father's name also happens to be Pekka.

And when Rinne has a tough day in net or needs a breather, he knows Predators' Pekka Rinne: 'I just have to be better' Saros is behind him with goals of his own. "I never second guess Juuse," Rinne said. "He has the ability to take Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean care of the game." Published 6:00 a.m. CT Jan. 16, 2019 Tennessean LOADED: 01.17.2019 Pekka Rinne has earned millions of dollars preventing goals. That doesn't mean he doesn't have goals of his own. His? To score a goal. Save for empty-netters during practices, Rinne's never done it. Not in youth hockey. Not in the minor leagues. Not in the NHL. "That’s my dream," said Rinne, who has stopped 15,505 of the 16,883 shots he's faced since he started his career for the Predators in 2005-06. Lately, though, Rinne said he feels like he's allowed too many others to achieve their goals. Rough stretch The 36-year-old reigning Vezina Trophy winner's workload has crept up a bit more than normal. He played both games of a back-to-back last week when backup Juuse Saros called in sick. He split those two, but was pulled in his next start, Sunday, after allowing five goals during a loss against the Hurricanes to conclude the team's season-long six-game road trip. "You have to take ownership," he said Tuesday before the Predators faced the Capitals. "It doesn’t matter how the goals are going in. I always feel like there's a way to make that save." Rinne didn't finish what he started just three times last year during the regular season, though he failed to finish four of his playoff starts. He was pulled just twice the season before that. This year he's failed to finish starts four times, though one of those early exits was because of an injury that forced him to miss five games. The last month has been weighing pretty heavily on Rinne's mind. He is 4-6-2 with a .888 save percentage in his last 13 appearances dating to Dec. 13. In 21 games before that, Rinne was 13-5-1 with a .932 save percentage Rinne said he feels like he's been starting games great "and still getting scored on three or four times. "For the last month, at least it feels like a long time, I've been giving up goals," he said. "If I'm not playing well and I get yanked, you're disappointed with yourself. Sometimes it's just the situation of the game we're in. We need a change. I realize that. "I might get mad at myself. I’m very emotional when it comes to hockey, but I never take it personally. ... Mentally it's tough. Bottom line is I just have to be better." It's no surprise Rinne doesn't blame teammates or coaches when he has a rough game. Burning bridges doesn't run in his family. Building them does. Rinne's father, Jukka Rinne, oversaw the construction of bridges, among other things, when Rinne was a kid. "I'm like, 'That’s so cool,'" Rinne said. "You drive around, stop at gas stations to grab a cup of coffee and a bagel and continue to the next project." That was his summer job in Finland until he found hockey – and almost quit it. Rinne said he wasn't the most talented player growing up. He quit hockey for a summer "when I was 17 or 18" because he didn't want to work out during the offseason. He was an eighth-round pick by the Predators in 2004. "My dad, my coaches, they were able to instill in my bony head that if you don't work ... " Rinne said. "I had some issues with my work ethic. Once you start setting goals for yourself, you have to absolutely work your hardest." That's not a problem now. 1126404 Nashville Predators the makeup of him, and it’s in his DNA. When you see a game like tonight, you really appreciate it.”

Viktor Arvidsson is the Predators’ most irreplaceable player The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019

By Adam Vingan Jan 16, 2019

The headline pretty much covers it. It’s a thought that sprung to mind Tuesday as Viktor Arvidsson hustled his way to a hat trick against the Washington Capitals, creating chaos and producing energy as only he can. The Predators have grown accustomed to such performances from Arvidsson, but he still manages to leave his teammates in awe. “He’s the man,” Predators center Ryan Johansen said after the team’s 7- 2 win. “Most impressive about his night is after he scored his third one, he went right back on the attack and was hungry to get another one and almost scored a fourth one. I’ve said it a lot, he’s the Energizer Bunny for our team. Every game, he brings it, and it’s contagious for our group. It’s evident when he’s going, our team’s going.” Which brings us back to the topic at hand. Strong arguments can be made in favor of other Predators players for the title of most irreplaceable. No one has the natural ability or scoring instincts that Filip Forsberg does. Pekka Rinne has stabilized the goaltending position for more than a decade and remains one of the NHL’s best at his job. Johansen is critical to the Predators’ operation (and helps boost Arvidsson’s production). We haven’t even gotten to the defensemen yet. Take your pick. (Mattias Ekholm, anyone?) But there’s just something about Arvidsson. The numbers are there, but it’s more than that. (It should be noted, though, that Arvidsson is on pace for 41 goals despite missing 24 games this season.) You can certainly see the impact that Arvidsson has on seemingly every game, how he generates scoring chances at an astounding clip and scurries around the ice like a pint-sized wrecking ball. The Predators have scored 88 goals in 24 games (3.66 per game) with Arvidsson versus 63 in 24 (2.625 per game) without him, though other scorers have also dealt with serious injuries. But more importantly, you can feel it. The Predators’ collective intensity ratchets up whenever Arvidsson is on the ice and continues to rise even after he goes to the bench. It’s infectious and was clearly missing when a broken thumb sidelined Arvidsson for more than six weeks. Arvidsson might not be the Predators’ best player, but they’re not the same without him. “The rink gets into it,” Predators center Nick Bonino said. “That’s huge. The fans love chanting ‘Arvi.’ We all love it, too. It’s fun to see. Just plays so hard, throws his body on the line every night. You always get behind guys like that.” “He’s always on the puck,” Predators forward Rocco Grimaldi said. “Anytime the puck’s on the ice and he’s out there, he seems to be around it somehow. It’s really fun to watch. He takes his chances, and he buries them when he gets them. He’s a fun player to watch, and his work ethic is extremely awesome to watch and be a part of.” Goals 2.31 (1st) Total points 3.55 (3rd) Shots 11.71 (4th) Shot attempts 20.23 (4th) Scoring chances 12.42 (4th) Arvidsson’s teammates gush about him so much that they’re running out of ways to praise him. They don’t have to say much. His importance speaks for itself. “It shouldn’t surprise anybody,” Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. “To have a guy like that in the lineup (that provides) that energy is a big bonus for our group. He brings a lot to the table on the ice defensively, offensively. But it’s not something that’s new. This isn’t all of a sudden, ‘Oh, Viktor Arvidsson’s playing with some energy.’ This is who he is. It’s 1126405 New Jersey Devils

Devils' winning streak ends in Columbus as goalie Korpisalo leads Blue Jackets to 4-1 win

Mitch Stacy, The Associated Press Published 10:51 p.m. ET Jan. 15, 2019

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Joonas Korpisalo had 29 saves, three Columbus players recorded a goal and an assist and the Blue Jackets beat the New Jersey Devils 4-1 on Tuesday night. Top-liners Artemi Panarin, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Cam Atkinson carried the offensive load, and Boone Jenner also scored as Columbus won its fourth straight. The Blue Jackets have won six of their last eight games and 11 of the last 14 while sparring with Washington and Pittsburgh atop the Metropolitan Division. Korpisalo has started three of the last four games ahead of star Sergei Bobrovsky and won each time. The 24-year-old Finn could soon find himself the team's No.1 goalie as Bobrovsky has refused to sign a contract extension with Columbus and may be traded before the deadline next month. Blake Coleman scored and Keith Kinkaid had 30 saves for the Devils, who saw a two-game winning streak end as they struggle to stay out of the Metro basement. Atkinson tipped in a pass from Dubois 45 seconds in for his team-leading 27th goal to give Columbus the early lead. Less than two minutes later, Josh Anderson, off a faceoff from the right circle, fed Jenner, who beat Kinkaid from the slot. Late in the first, David Savard grabbed a face off and slid a beautiful pass from the left corner to the doorstep, setting up Panarin for an easy tip-in and a 3-0 Columbus lead. Early in the second, Dubois snapped in a shot from the left circle for the Blue Jackets' fourth power-play goal in four games. Coleman redirected a shot by Mirco Mueller late in the second period to make it 4-1. NOTES: Columbus coach John Tortorella coached his 285th game with the team, passing Ken Hitchcock for the franchise record. He is the franchise's leader in wins (156-102-26). ... New Jersey F Miles Wood was out with an undisclosed injury suffered in the game Monday night. ... Panarin, Dubois and Atkinson all have four-game point streaks. ... Coleman has five goals and two assists in the last five games.

Bergen Record LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126406 New Jersey Devils Some of the areas where Studenic needs to improve are obvious. He’ll need to get stronger, not only to withstand the rigors of the NHL but also to handle the AHL grind better. That’s something he’s felt already. ‘There’s a lot to like’: Marian Studenic’s dynamic skills could lead to “Oh yeah, every morning after a game I feel like a truck hit me,” Studenic another Devils late draft success said. “It’s really different. I think that was a more skilled league. It was a lot of skill guys. This hockey is really hard. It’s really tough to get through the guys. All the Ds are good. It’s grinding hockey.” By Corey Masisak On top of the physical adjustments, his all-around game could use Jan 16, 2019 significant work. He’ll need to show, most of all, that he can translate the dynamism into consistent production — he’s leading Binghamton in scoring but he’s 20th among rookies in the AHL — and eventually that he can create offense at the NHL level. BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Cover up the numbers and the names on the back of the ’ jerseys, and Marian Studenic is still pretty His growth isn’t happening just on the ice, either. Studenic recently got easy to identify. his American drivers license and a car of his own, so he’s not asking teammates Kevin Rooney or Nick Lappin to drive him everywhere. He’s He’s the one that moves a little faster through the neutral zone than also way ahead of where he was two years ago with his English after everyone else. joining Hamilton from his native Slovakia, and now he’s trying to help one If we leave what Mackenzie Blackwood has done at the NHL level out of of his new friends on the team, Egor Sharangovich, learn the language. this discussion, Studenic has a strong case for New Jersey’s breakout Overall, it’s been a positive start to Studenic’s pro career. He’s not likely prospect of 2018-19. 2017 sixth-round pick Aarne Talvitie might be a to land on any NHL top prospect rankings, but he’s made a case to move close second, though he’s going to miss the rest of his freshman season up on New Jersey’s list. at Penn State — where there were early indications he’d be an instant NCAA success story — with a knee injury suffered during the World “He hit a bit of a roadblock. He hit a bump in the road, like all young kids Junior Championships. do,” Fitzgerald said. “He was flying and producing and then hit a couple bumps, but he’s learning. He’s learning the pro game is not about Studenic has 10 goals and 23 points, which is tied for the team lead, in choosing when you can compete. It’s a constant thing, and that’s what 34 games for Binghamton. separates the National Hockey League players from the guys who don’t “There’s a lot of exciting parts to his game,” Devils assistant general make it. We are very excited about what he can do. It’s just learning that manager Tom Fitzgerald said of the winger. “His explosiveness, his puck- consistency — don’t take shifts off, don’t take a period off. That’s what handling ability, his foot speed, the way he takes pucks to the net, the they’re for, to help learn and understand what the league is all about and way he protects pucks when he’s coming through the neutral zone. He what pro hockey is all about.” can stop and turn and protect it. There’s a lot to like for a true (AHL “I know he played in Canada in juniors, but he grew up on Olympic-sized rookie) who just turned 20.” sheets,” added Dennehy. “He’s got to continue to get stronger. He can Like Talvitie and Jesper Bratt the year before them, Studenic was a late- make good tight-area plays, but when it gets crowded, he’s got to build round draft pick in 2017. New Jersey selected him at No. 143, a few his strength and hold his ground and be confident enough to make a play minutes before tabbed Talvitie at No. 160. He wasn’t very big then nor is and take a hit. He’s not strong enough. And there are some details in his he now, listed at 6-foot-1 and 163 pounds, and his production in his first game — on the defensive side of the puck, good stick details, a lot of OHL season with the Hamilton Bulldogs before the draft did little to things that you can teach. excite. “The parts that he needs to work on can be taught. The parts of his game “My first year in Canada, everything was new for me,” Studenic said. that he’s good at are hard to teach.” “That was so different, a different style of hockey compared to Europe. I was still learning, like English and a lot of other stuff. I was lost a little my first year. I’m still learning now. There’s always something new.” The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 Studenic’s numbers improved with his comfort level last season, when he recorded 20 goals and 48 points in 62 games, plus 15 more points in 21 playoff games. He was on a loaded Hamilton team that won the OHL and competed in the Memorial Cup. The Bulldogs added three of their top four scorers in the playoffs through mid-season trades, including St. Louis Blues top prospect Robert Thomas. It wasn’t easy for Studenic to stand out in Hamilton. When he arrived in Binghamton this season, he found success more quickly. “It’s about the confidence,” he said. “I think I brought confidence from the (New Jersey) main camp. I think I was good there, so I just brought it here and am trying to do my best.” He’s still had to overcome his fair share of obstacles in his first AHL season. He just missed seven games with an upper-body injury and, when he returned, Binghamton coach Mark Dennehy eased him back into the lineup. There are games where he doesn’t play on either special teams unit, so a penalty-filled contest means reduced ice time. Even on one of those nights, Studenic will show flashes of his talent. He’ll pick up the puck in his own end and burst through the neutral zone, looking like a future NHL player among AHL guys. Or he’ll go wide on a defenseman and then cut to the net for a scoring chance before the opponent can get the proper angle on him. “In open ice, with speed, with the puck on his stick, in the offensive zone, he does some really good things,” Dennehy said. “Even coming out of our zone, he does some really good things. He tends to really excel when he can get himself up to top speed. He’s got dimensional speed. “He’s got some things about his game that are very dynamic that separate him from a lot of players at this level. But like most younger players, he’s got holes in his game that he needs to work on. When the game takes shape a certain way, you’re going to notice him. When the game goes a different way, he’s got some work to do. But that’s normal.” 1126407 New York Islanders

Isles' Jordan Eberle concentrates on his play, not contract situation

By Brian Heyman Special to Newsday January 16, 2019 7:54 PM

Jordan Eberle backhanded the rebound into the St. Louis net from the right doorstep. He had 200 reasons to smile — 200 NHL goals. “It’s not something you really think about when you’re a kid,” Eberle said after the Islanders practiced Wednesday at Northwell Health Ice Center following their win Tuesday night at Barclays Center. “You think about making the NHL. But once you get there, I think the main thing is to try to be as consistent as possible.” That has been the MO for the 28-year-old first-line right wing. Eberle scored at least 20 goals in each of the past five seasons. He posted 25 with 34 assists last season, his first with the Islanders after being acquired from Edmonton in June of 2017. Now, after a slow start, Eberle has been raising his production. He has four goals and four assists in his last 10 games despite the elephant in the room, or the rink in this case. He doesn’t know where he will be playing next season. The clock is winding down on his six-year, $36 million contract. “It’s on my mind, but it’s out of your control, really,” said Eberle, whose linemates, Anders Lee and Brock Nelson, have expiring deals, too. “… It’s not up to me. The best I can do is try and play well and keep helping us try and win hockey games. “It’s been fun being a part of this. We’re a good team. We’re surging for first place right now. We feel we have the group to do it. So I’ve enjoyed it.” Asked if he’s thinking about the Feb. 25 trade deadline, “No, not really. The more you worry about it, the more you stress yourself out.” He did add, “I love it here.” Eberle has 10 goals and 11 assists in 41 games. But three goals and one assist have come in the six games since the 2008 first-rounder returned after being sidelined for four with an upper-body injury. “He’s got 200 goals in this league,” Barry Trotz said. “I think there’s only two guys in his draft class that have done that. So that’s not bad.” He started to pick up the pace before getting hurt, contributing one goal and three assists in four games. "He’s underrated as far as the plays he makes out there,” Josh Bailey said. “He seems to always make the right play. He’s got a knack for scoring goals. Really good passer.” But Eberle had just six goals and seven assists across his first 31 games. "In the last probably 10, 12, 13 games, I feel like our line collectively as a group, we’ve been playing better,” Eberle said. “That helps you individually.”

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Islanders have a shot at first in Metropolitan Division

By Brian Heyman Special to Newsday Updated January 16, 2019 7:48 PM

It didn’t take that long for the Islanders’ new coach to wrap his mind around the potential of his team. “I knew probably 8, 10 games in that we could be in this position, yes,” Barry Trotz said. They’re in position to make a run at first place in the Metropolitan Division. If everything breaks right, they could arrive there as soon as Friday night. After beating NHL-best Tampa Bay and then St. Louis in the last two games and winning 12 of 15 overall, they are 26-15-4 and in playoff position, standing third in the division with their 56 points. Columbus and Washington have 59, but the Blue Jackets are in first via a tiebreaker. The Islanders would first have to sweep their back-to-back set against the Devils Thursday night at the Coliseum and the Capitals in Washington Friday night in Trotz’s return after coaching them to the Stanley Cup last season. Plus, Columbus would have to fall at home in regulation to Montreal Friday night. So it isn’t the easiest scenario. But whether or not it happens this week, the Islanders are shooting at being in first when the regular season is over. “When we started the year, it was about finding our identity and find the way we play,” said Jordan Eberle, their first-line right wing. “Now that we know that we’re a good team and we can compete with anybody, I think that’s obviously the goal. “Every team’s goal is to make the playoffs. … You want to give yourself your best chance to do well in the playoffs, and that means home ice.” The difference between second and eighth in the Eastern Conference is just three points. But the Islanders are discovering ways to win. They have eight players with at least 10 goals, the first time they’ve had that through 45 games since the 1984-85 season. Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss have formed a formidable tandem in front of the net. They’ve allowed the fewest goals in the NHL. Trotz’s system has been an extra-large help, too. The Islanders allowed the most goals last season under Doug Weight. “I think we’re playing a system in which we’re winning hockey games, and I think we’re only going to get better,” Eberle said. The Islanders have beaten the Devils twice behind Greiss, 3-0 and 4-3 in overtime. They lost to Washington, 4-1, in Trotz’s first game against his former team. Now he gets to visit his former home rink. “I'm going to have a lot of good emotions,” Trotz said. “The four years I spent there were tremendous. … I think the first time we played them here, it sort of was closure. I’m an Islander.”

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Rangers will play it cautiously with Kevin Hayes’ return

By Larry Brooks January 16, 2019 | 11:14PM

It will be nine games out and 16 to go until the trade deadline when Kevin Hayes returns to the Rangers lineup following the club’s mandated off- week that commences following Saturday night’s match in Boston. For the organization has reached the common-sense decision to hold out No. 13 from the match against the Bruins once it was determined he would not be quite ready to play in Thursday’s Garden contest against the Blackhawks. The pending free-agent center and potential rental property practiced without limitations on a line with Filip Chytil and Ryan Strome, but the decision to keep him bubble-wrapped had been reached before the Blueshirts took the ice. “Given the break, it makes sense to hold him out,” David Quinn said. “We don’t want to take the chance he could have a setback. When he comes back after the break, there will be no looking back.” No, only looking ahead to the Feb. 25 deadline, by which time Hayes — third on the club with 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) — will either be elsewhere or working on a fat contract extension. There is no indication the Rangers have engaged in serious negotiating with No. 13’s agent, Bob Murray, though the parties have talked. Hayes has missed seven straight with an unidentified mid-body issue that originated in the Dec. 14 game against the Coyotes, when he crashed into the rear boards late in regulation but through which he played for the following eight games recording 10 points (two goals, eight assists). The Rangers come off their break on Jan. 29 at the Garden against the Flyers. Mats Zuccarello’s revival continued Tuesday when No. 36 not only posted three assists but played with his old-time verve in going to high- traffic areas and winning pucks. The Norwegian has six points (three goals, three assists) in his past three games following a stretch in which he had five points (1-4) in 14 games after making his return on Dec. 14 from a lengthy injury-related absence. Quinn, both following the 6-2 victory over the Hurricanes and after Wednesday’s practice, talked about how the pending free agent, who is likely to be dealt by the deadline, seems more at ease with the situation after recent chats with the coach, general manager Jeff Gorton and president Glen Sather. “These situations are not easy to handle. They’re human beings,” Quinn said. “He loves being a Ranger. He and I have had a lot of discussions about it. I think he’s in a better place mentally.” Be that as it may, , Zuccarello’s agent, told The Post via email late Tuesday that there have been no discussions with the team regarding a possible contract extension for the 31-year-old, who first arrived on the scene at the 2010 training camp and is third on the club in seniority behind Henrik Lundqvist and Marc Staal. The Oilers are believed to be interested in Zuccarello. So, too, Carolina, which is both light on forwards and is seeking to move pending free- agent winger Micheal Ferland. The Rangers would not be interested in Ferland, but rather the rights to Harvard junior defenseman . Lundqvist, whose victory Tuesday marked his first of the calendar year following a brutal 0-3/6.43/.786 start to 2019, will be in nets against the Blackhawks. Chicago is tied with LA and Ottawa for the worst record in the league, all seven games below .500.

New York Post LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126410 New York Rangers “But what the coaches have taught me is to help out the younger guys because that was me once and I was there, too. Sometimes I forget that.”

Kevin Shattenkirk’s revival could hasten his Rangers exit New York Post LOADED: 01.17.2019

By Larry Brooks January 16, 2019 | 10:26PM

There have been false starts before with Kevin Shattenkirk — actually, his year and half with the Rangers has essentially been a false start, hasn’t it? — but it feels like there is something different about the defenseman’s revival over the last week or so. It has been understated — routine, even — the way the 29-year-old defenseman has moved the puck, directed the first power-play unit and taken care of his defensive-zone responsibilities, and Tuesday featured 3:01 of pristine penalty-killing work in the Blueshirts’ 6-2 victory over Carolina. It hasn’t been perfect, hasn’t necessarily been dynamic, but Shattenkirk has become more involved in the play even on the third pair with a changing cast of characters on his left side, the latest, of course, the freshest of freshman, Ryan Lindgren. “I feel like I’m being more instinctively aggressive, jumping into play, making quicker and better decisions,” No. 22 told The Post in advance of Thursday’s Garden match against the Blackhawks. “I’m being more assertive, I’m activating more and keeping my feet moving. “I’m moving before I get the puck at the blue line, and that’s helping me get my shot through. I’d had a problem with my shots getting blocked, but that’s been much better, too. Being on the first power play, you begin with a faceoff, and if you win that, you’re going to have touches, whereas on the second unit, a lot of times you’re coming on when the puck is being sent in and being, on the penalty kill forces you to move your feet. “I’m feeling a lot better about myself and my game, too.” But in this fractured universe in which the Rangers — and especially their veterans without no-move clauses — are living, Shattenkirk’s improved play not only makes him more valuable to the team, but more attractive to contenders who might be interested in his particular skill set. The better he plays, the more likely he punches his ticket out of town less than two seasons into his Broadway run. “I haven’t thought about the possibility too much, but I also don’t want to say that I’m numb to it,” said Shattenkirk, who was traded as a deadline rental from St. Louis to Washington two years ago. “Because of my past, I’m always aware of it, but I’m not worried about it, either. “I have enough to worry about on my own plate.” Shattenkirk has two years at an annual $6.65 million cap hit remaining on the four-year, $26.6 million contract he signed as a free agent July 1, 2017. It was an offer to which the Rangers couldn’t say no after it was pitched to them by the New Rochelle native’s representative. Shattenkirk has a modified no-trade clause. Last July, per his contract, he provided the Blueshirts with a list of 10 teams that are off-limits. “It’s different than last time, I’m not a rental, but even then I was surprised that I went to Washington,” Shattenkirk said. “I know what this time of year is like, but it’s not uppermost on my mind. I’m not thinking about my game in correlation with the trade deadline.” When Shattenkirk signed, the Rangers were perennial contenders, always seeking that one additional piece to put them over the top. Alain Vigneault was behind a bench filled with veterans that included captain Ryan McDonagh, with whom Shattenkirk looked forward to partnering on the blue line and parading up the Canyon of Heroes. Shattenkirk and McDonagh played as a pair in the first game then the first period of the second game of 2017-18. That was it. That was then. This is now. “My feelings about being here and being a Ranger have not changed, but it obviously hasn’t gone the way I hoped or anyone hoped,” he said. “I came into this year, though, with a positive, fresh mindset. There’d been enough time last year when I wasn’t playing to think about the changes and their impact on all of us here. “What I’ve done is focus on the process, and I’ve found that to be very beneficial. I think I’m more patient, focusing on making progress individually and as a team. It’s different after playing on winning teams for so long. We’re a young team with young players getting a lot of responsibility, which I understand, but with that, there are going to be mistakes. That can be frustrating. 1126411 New York Rangers

Ex-NHL enforcer John Scott escapes plunge into icy lake

By Michael Blinn January 16, 2019 | 8:07PM

It remains hard to take down John Scott. The retired NHL enforcer experienced a scary moment on Sunday when he went to clear a patch of ice on Cedar Lake in Traverse City, Michigan, and instead ended up in the cold water. “It was a nice day, the sun was out, so I thought I’d go and shovel it off and skate maybe that night or the next day,” Scott told The Athletic. “So I went down there with a couple of shovels, put the headphones on, stepped onto the ice and boom, right through.” Scott retired after the 2015-16 season, in which he garnered headlines for being traded and buried in the minors after being voted into the 2016 All-Star Game, eventually playing under the NHL logo instead of a team one and winning MVP honors. The controversial experience eventually led to the league clarifying that players sent to the AHL wouldn’t be eligible for the All-Star Game, referred to as the John Scott Rule. The 6-foot-8 forward known more for his fists than deft hands during his eight-year pro hockey career with the Wild, Blackhawks, Rangers, Sabres, Sharks, Coyotes and Canadiens found himself struggling to get out of the icy depths of the lake. “I couldn’t get up on my dock the first three or four attempts because I was soaking wet — I was just drenched,” he said. “I tried to hoist myself up but I couldn’t do it and there was no way I could get to a part where I could walk up because at the end of my dock it’s probably 20 feet deep and I couldn’t get around to where the beach starts, so I was like, ‘Either I get up on the dock or I don’t get up at all.’ I managed to find a somewhat solid piece of ice to put my foot up on and kind of hoist myself up, luckily.” While Scott emerged largely unscathed from the incident — he says he only lost a shoe and a shovel — the life-threatening experience was enough to make him and his family reconsider their winter skating location. “We’re going to maybe take this winter off,” Scott said. “We’ll go to the local rink for our open skates. That was enough to scare me away for this winter.”

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Paul Giamatti snuggles up to mystery woman at Rangers game

By Bryan Hood January 16, 2019 | 11:25am

Celebrities attend New York Rangers game, New York, USA - 15 Jan 2019 Giamatti sported a dark crew neck sweater and chinos, while his lady friend wore a floppy grey knit cap, an orange top and jeans. Both seemed overjoyed by the Rangers’ action-packed 6-2 defeat of the Carolina Hurricanes, even ending up on the Madison Square Garden’s Jumbotron at one point. The actor was previously married to director and producer Elizabeth Cohen. The couple has one child, a 17-year-old son named Sam, together.

New York Post LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126413 New York Rangers

Rangers forward Kevin Hayes not likely to play until after the All-Star break

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinASteph Updated January 16, 2019 6:17 PM

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Kevin Hayes practiced fully with the Rangers Wednesday for the first time since he came out of the lineup after the Jan. 2 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. But coach David Quinn said Hayes will not be ready to play Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Garden, and therefore he doesn’t see the point in bringing the center back for Saturday’s game in Boston against the Bruins, which is the final game before the NHL All-Star break. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to put him out there [against Boston], then maybe have a setback, when we feel if we hold him out these next two, there’s no looking back,’’ Quinn said of Hayes. “He’ll be 100 percent.’’ Hayes has missed seven games with an upper-body injury suffered in a game against Arizona Dec. 14. Tony DeAngelo’s two-goal performance Tuesday in the 6-2 win over Carolina was his first two-goal game in the NHL. But the 23-year-old defenseman, who has been in and out of the lineup since just before the Christmas break, was just happy to be in the lineup for three straight games. “Oh, it’s nice to score, no matter what,’’ DeAngelo said. “But it’s just nice to be playing. It’s good to be in there a couple games straight, get comfortable again.’’ Freddie Claesson is on injured reserve and Neal Pionk is out (he's battling a lower-body injury), so DeAngelo, a superior skater and passer known for his offensive skills, figures to play a lot until they come back. But he said he doesn’t feel pressure to put up points while he’s in the lineup in order to stay there. “Obviously, I need to produce — it’s kind of my game,’’ he said. “But [points are] going to come. I’m not focused on points. To get the goals is nice, but the way I’ve played the last couple games, I’ve been happy with. I think if I keep that going, everything will kind of round into shape.’’ Zuccarello raises level of his game Quinn said after Tuesday’s game that right wing Mats Zuccarello, the subject of endless trade speculation because he is in the final year of his contract, has been playing his best hockey of the season after talking to officials in the organization about his status. Zuccarello had three assists in Tuesday’s win and three goals in the two games prior to that. Quinn said: “Nothing was resolved, but just the fact that there was a lot of talk between he and I — I know he’s talked to [GM Jeff Gorton] and Glen [Sather, the team president] — I just think he’s in a better place, mentally." Buch staying on fourth line Two power-play goals Tuesday won’t be enough to get Pavel Buchnevich off the fourth line. “I was happy as heck for him, but those are two power play goals and there’s a lot of responsibility and a lot of ice time, five-on-five,’’ Quinn said of Buchnevich. “And we need him to be better five-on-five and more consistent five-on-five . . . so I think we’ll leave the lines as they are right now.’’

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1126414 New York Rangers comprehensive approach with which goaltending coach Benoit Allaire teaches his position. Although Allaire himself is notoriously private, discussions with goaltenders who have spent time in his system — most Behind the save: Evaluating Alexandar Georgiev’s survival through the notably Arizona’s Raanta, who was open and eager to share his Rangers’ tough season perception of Allaire during his tenure in New York — suggest that the coach molds a consistent foundation for each of the goaltenders brought into his system. By Cat Silverman Georgiev, like Raanta and Talbot before him, follows the same trend. While none of the three play quite as deep as Lundqvist in their crease, Jan 16, 2019 they all stay comfortably within the confines of the blue paint. Georgiev’s depth management is one of his strongest assets, particularly when the team manages to pull together any semblance of defensive The long game for the Rangers is almost certainly for Igor Shestyorkin to structure in front of him. As long as there’s some hope of closing off take over for Henrik Lundqvist when he finally wraps up a Hall of Fame- lanes for the opposition in the Rangers zone, Georgiev plays worthy career. conservatively enough that he’s able to reach any point between the Then, a few years later, all eyes will turn to Olof Lindbom — the pipes in enough time to shut down scoring chances. goaltender the team was so high on that they reached into the early picks Where he differs from his predecessors is his ability to read the game at of the second round this summer to snag him. the very highest level. So far he’s missing a top gear when it comes to For now, though, the Metro Division’s lone Original Six club has been that decision-making level and it burns him when the team completely limping along and plugging the holes in the lineup as best they can. Their abandons all defensive support. current position in the standings, where they sit sixth in their division and Take, for example, this goal against earlier this year: 23rd in the league, is largely only due to unreal goaltending from their veteran starter out of the gate (and, to be frank, some miserable Georgiev is left without any backup from his teammates, who left an elite- goaltending from the two divisional rivals sitting below them at the level scoring forward in Jonathan Marchessault alone flying up the wing moment). to face down the goaltender at top speed. As the Rangers found out all too quickly in the early weeks of 2019, He manages his depth well, preventing any open back doors for though, there was only so much that Lundqvist could do to mask the Marchessault — who would have had ample time to get around Georgiev defensive inefficiencies in front of him. As noted recently, the structure had he been too aggressive or dropped too early. He’s also deep enough was nonexistent, the shots being allowed were high danger, and it that, had he made the first stop but allowed a rebound, he could have re- eventually caught up to him in a shocking way. positioned himself in enough time to reach a second shot attempt. It says something about just how good Lundqvist was to start the season What he lacks, though, is the ability to read Marchessault well enough to that his current save percentage is a .907, and he hasn’t broken an .844 realize that the winger is headed short-side on the play. It’s a quick in his last three appearances. Given his Hall of Fame-worthy career, release, but Marchessault’s stick positioning and body language project though, those are jarring numbers — and make it all the harder to him headed for the blocker side from the get-go; although Georgiev did a evaluate his backup, Alexandar Georgiev. good job of trying to stay with the play, he cheats to his glove side and drops early to leave a hole under his arm for Marchessault to snipe. In the interim between Lundqvist and Shestyorkin, the Rangers found themselves without many options as soon as they dealt Antti Raanta to In comparison, watch this stop where the Rangers managed to give the Arizona Coyotes in the summer of 2017. MacKenzie Skapski, once some semblance of support: hoped to be an NHL regular, slowly fell down the depth chart until he found himself full-time in the ECHL last season. He’s now in Slovakia, With his teammates closing off a blocker-side lane, Georgiev reads that where he’s thriving but unlikely to return to North American action. the puck is coming to his glove side, tracking the shot well and making the stop in close. Magnus Hellberg found himself in a similar situation, leaving North America to split the net with Shestyorkin in the KHL. And Skapski, who A lot of the reads at the NHL level are situational discoveries that come was selected in the seventh round in 2013, had been the first goaltender with time. Few goaltenders are able to sustainably read and react to the Rangers had drafted since the now-retired Scott Stajcer in 2009. NHL-level shots, passes, and plays in their first year in the highest league. As they grow more fatigued, they lose their ability to read and Georgiev was signed following Raanta’s departure in 2017, brought on react in the best ways. as a form of temporary relief for a rapidly-depleted system. As Hellberg and Skapski left the , the 22-year-old Russian- Georgiev clearly has little choice, though, especially with the Rangers Bulgarian was able to step in and fill in the holes left behind — and then, crumbling at the seams in their own end. He’s having to learn on the fly, when he thrived in his limited appearances last year, earned a look at the which gives him a little bit less room for error and fewer opportunities to NHL level on a more regular basis. reestablish his form at a lower level in Hartford. Standing at 6-feet 1 and just 181 pounds, Georgiev went undrafted out The good news is that the Rangers are icing a team with defensive Finland’s youth system, where he moved in 2014 after spending his structure reminiscent of an AHL lineup, which means that Georgiev is youth career in Russia. learning one of the most valuable skills established at the minor league level — how to respond to chaos. While the shots are more accurate at He’s made a fairly seamless transition to North American hockey, thriving the NHL level, there’s an added level of difficulty in minor league hockey prior to this season as a slightly smaller goaltender in the same system from the amount of noise an undisciplined blue line structure can offer. that gave Raanta success two years prior. For Georgiev, he’s getting that at the highest level, which means that any good games from the Rangers blue line will seem crystal-clear to him. His numbers this year, of course, have been a bit of a concern. He sits When the team even does passably well in front of him, he’ll feel like he on a far-below average .895 save percentage in all situations at the NHL has minutes to get where he needs to. level, getting just 16 starts through the first half of the season. It’s a tough situation for the 22-year-old. In just his second pro North It looks like he’ll get more starts now, though. The Rangers have given American season, a goaltender with his skill set and level of promise Lundqvist a much-needed break after getting shelled during the team’s should be cleaning up any last bad habits in their game at the AHL level Western Conference road trip last week, and it seems like a good bet and fighting for an All-Star spot in the minors while carrying their team to that the team’s number two will be taking the reins — at least on a a deep postseason run. Instead, Georgiev is being asked to carry a slightly more consistent basis than before. workload that is proving to test even one of the league’s most successful Will his numbers go up? It’s possible, and almost a likely probability at goaltenders over the last decade. While his peers are getting the hockey this point. He’s done well enough in games where the team hasn’t equivalent of a high school algebra course, he’s getting post-doctorate absolutely melted down, suggesting that when he’s able to build up a level calculus. larger sample size his numbers will regress to a more league-average He’s seemed unflappable in the face of such a difficult year, though, and spot. he has a fantastic mentor in Lundqvist. Looking at his technique, there’s still a bit of work to be done — even It’s a tough season — but this is a young goaltender who may very well with some promising looks and trends overall. be able to handle it. The Rangers are perhaps one of the league’s most consistent teams in net stylistically, largely in part due to the wisdom and incredibly The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126415 NHL of mediocre hockey and sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. But right we’re getting goals and we’re hunkering down, but at the same time we’re still finding a way to capitalize on opportunities.” Berube’s Blues playing well enough to make run at playoffs More than anything, the Blues need to pile up the points to go from last place in the Central Division at the time of Yeo’s dismissal to the playoffs after missing by one point last season. Berube gets a lot of credit within Originally published January 16, 2019 at 11:33 am the locker room for establishing a foundation of success. By STEPHEN WHYNO “He’s just brought some stability to the group,” defenseman Robert Bortuzzo said. “He’s definitely made an emphasis on character and compete. I think that’s something we all needed as a group and something we’re going to need night in and night out.” This is not Brayden Schenn’s first rodeo with a lot of things this season.

It is his second time playing under Craig Berube as an interim coach and the third time his name has been prominent in trade speculation. For Seattle Times LOADED: 01.17.2019 Schenn and the St. Louis Blues, those things are related. A bad start to the season cost coach Mike Yeo his job in November and started talk that just about anyone from Schenn to star winger Vladimir Tarasenko to young defenseman Colton Parayko could be dealt away. But over the past two month as interim coach, Berube has turned things around — so much so that the Blues could make a run at the playoffs and keep general manager Doug Armstrong from selling ahead of the Feb. 25 trade deadline. “Guys are playing hard right now and (Berube) obviously commands a lot when it comes to the work ethic side of the game,” Schenn said Monday in Washington. “We’ve had high expectations right from the beginning, we didn’t meet them, then there’s tons of rumors about everyone. That’s kind of how it goes when you’re not winning and you’re not meeting expectations. “Now we’re in a position — closer, anyways — to make a playoff push, and we feel like we can in this locker room. Now it’s up to us to try and save ourselves, each other, from getting traded and staying here together.” Berube has pulled the Blues together by getting them back to basics. They’ve gone 5-2-1 in their past eight games to move within four points of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and can now think about the postseason. “This is such a good team here, and we’re starting to get back to our game,” leading scorer Ryan O’Reilly said. “We can get into the playoffs. We can make a difference.” After trading for O’Reilly and signing forwards David Perron, Tyler Bozak and Patrick Maroon last summer, the Blues were expected to make the playoffs and contend for the Stanley Cup. Twelve losses in their first 19 games led to the coaching change, and Berube has instilled some badly needed consistency. “He’s one of those guys that wants you to make plays, but he demands a lot,” captain said. “He wants you to work. And we’re working right now. That’s what we’re doing. That’s how we’re winning hockey games.” Berube, who also was interim coach for Schenn and the Philadelphia Flyers in 2013-14, has helped the Blues win games by changing their mentality to become more of a north-south team. There was never a shortage of talent, but now the direction of the action is straight toward the net with the kind of direct style more suited to the group’s size. “We control the puck in the offensive zone a lot,” Berube said. “We shoot the puck and get to the net. That’s our game.” It helps that the Blues are getting stellar goaltending from rookie Jordan Binnington and veteran starter Jake Allen of late. Binnington is 3-1-0 with a 1.55 goals-against average and .937 save percentage in his first four NHL starts after getting called up at age 25 and being asked to steady the ship. “With a little bit of pressure comes opportunity,” Binnington said. “You try to do your best to feel confident and prepared for the moment, so you just work hard off the ice and on the ice in practice, and when the moment finally comes, hopefully you’re prepared. That’s kind of how I looked at it.” Blues skaters look at their rough start not as a case of subpar goaltending but disastrous play in front of the net. Schenn said it was “ugly” early on, and Pietrangelo said the team has done a better job cutting down on rush chances against, which has made life easier for the goalies. “We’re playing more of a 60-minute hockey game,” said Allen, who has a .910 save percentage this season under Berube (it was .879 under Yeo). “We were finding ways to shoot ourselves in the foot prior to that. We’d play 20 minutes of good hockey, 20 minutes of bad hockey, 20 minutes 1126416 Ottawa Senators Only 9:01 into the second, the Senators pulled into a 3-0 lead when Dzingel scored his 19th. Not long after stopping a sure breakaway at the other end, Chabot threw the puck across the slot to Dzingel and he beat GARRIOCH GAME REPORT: Best week of his life continues; Duchene Varlamov on the glove side. gets 3 points against Avs The Senators moved out to a 2-0 lead at 3:13 of the second and they were impressive. Stone tipped a Cody Ceci shot from the point by Varlamov. It was ruled a goal, but the officials went upstairs just to make Bruce Garrioch sure that it crossed the line. January 16, 2019 11:14 PM EST There was a sigh of relief on Tkachuk’s face when he opened the scoring with his 11th to give the Senators 1-0 lead at 2:06 of the second. It was his first goal since Dec. 17 against Nashville and ended a 12-game scoring slump for the rookie. SENATORS 5, AVALANCHE 2 “It was definitely a long time coming and it felt good,” said Tkachuk. “I got Home, happy and healthy. one and I’ve got to use that moving forward.” The Ottawa Senators made a short stop at the Canadian Tire Centre on If the Senators were concerned about not getting off to a good start, they Wednesday night and walked away with the two points after a 5-2 victory didn’t have any issues after the first period. They outshot the Avs 12-9 over the Colorado Avalanche in front of 14,468. and outplayed them. Ottawa had opportunities, but Varlamov was there The Senators were led by 30 stops from Anders Nilsson, along with to shut the door. three-point effort from Matt Duchene against his former team and a two- PLAYING THE WAITING GAME point night from Ryan Dzingel. Duchene, who was celebrating his 28th birthday, returned to the lineup after becoming a father last week. As reported by Postmedia on Wednesday, general manager Pierre Dorion flew to Los Angeles on Tuesday to meet with Duchene’s agent, Mark Stone and Brady Tkachuk also chipped as the Senators scored Pat Brisson of CAA Hockey, about a contract extension. their first victory in Ottawa since Dec. 17 to end a five-game home losing streak. Set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, Dorion has already met with Brisson twice in person and flew to the West Coast to try to “I play my best when I’m light and I’m happy, and this week has been the further the discussions to get an extension in place. best week of my life,” said Duchene. “It’s just been so special. That lightheartedness helped me out tonight.” The two sides met Wednesday afternoon, and the indications are the talks went well and they will continue. The challenge for the Senators was to shut down the high-scoring line of Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, and the It’s also believed Dorion was in Toronto earlier this week to sit down with club did a good job. MacKinnon and Rantanen had two-point nights while Craig Oster of Newport Sports to talk about a new deal for winger Mark Nikita Zadarov also scored for the Avs. Stone, who is in the same situation. Coming off a three-game trip through California last week with Duchene The Senators have stated publicly they want to keep both players and and defenceman Thomas Chabot (shoulder) back in the lineup, the will try to sign them to new deals to keep them in the fold as part of the Senators were determined to have a strong effort and they didn’t want to rebuild. get caught up trying to shut down one line. For his part, Duchene is trying to ignore the noise from negotiations. “I’m really impressed with how the guys came out really strong,” said coach Guy Boucher. “We want to be around 30 shots (against) on a “I’m just going to let it play out,” Duchene told TSN. “I don’t know what’s regular basis. We had a terrific team mindset the whole game, but it’s going to happen. I have no clue. It’s still a bit early in the process. I think been like that for a while. today is kind of one of the first real talks. I’m not sure. “We’re building something. We can feel it, but we definitely had an NHL “My concern right now is just getting back in the lineup and playing well goalie performance, some firepower back and that’s the difference. One for the team here. That stuff will fall where it does.” less goal against and one more for.” Duchene was back in the lineup only a week after his wife, Ashley, gave Give the Senators credit because they did a solid job keeping the Avs at birth to the couple’s first child, Beau, on Jan. 9. bay. MacKinnon scored with 3:59 left to cut Ottawa’s lead to 4-2. For the most part Jean Gabriel Pageau’s trio was on the ice with defencemen He has maintained throughout the contract process he doesn’t want a Mark Borowiecki and Christian Jaros. play-by-play from Brisson on how talks are going. But you have to think these talks with Duchene and Stone are about to get serious with the Since Jan 5th, 2018, Matt Duchene has played 82 games. In those 82 trade deadline set for Feb. 25. games, he has: “I’ve got a lot of distractions right now and they’re good ones,” Duchene -40 goals said. “I haven’t let that get to me all year and I haven’t really thought about it much. It’s just been fun coming here every day. -48 assists “All I’ve said from Day 1 is it would be great if it works out. Then again, -88 points it’s a business and you never know what can happen. I’m waiting to make a decision when it’s time, it’s just not time yet.” They didn’t give that big line much in the way of chances and Duchene’s effort at 7:49 of the third on Semyon Varlamov restored a three-goal lead However, that time is coming up quickly. The Senators will need to know for Ottawa at 4-1. Christian Wolanin grabbed that puck as a souvenir for by the deadline whether Stone and Duchene are going to be part of this Duchene. rebuild. If they plan to move on then they’ll be dealt before the deadline. “His dad (Craig) played in the NHL and he told me he grabbed it because Duchene is well aware the clock is ticking here. his dad grabbed the one from his first goal when (Christian) was born and he still has it. That was pretty special for him to do that and I’m really “Until I have the information and a decision to make, then I’m going to happy he did,” Duchene said. leave it on the backburner,” Duchene said. The Senators caught a break when a goal by Matt Calvert was called THIS N’ THAT back because the net was off the moorings with 9:56 to go. This wasn’t just another game for the Avalanche. The club will get “I saw it late,” said Nilsson. “I called the linesman over and, honestly, I Ottawa’s first-round pick in the NHL draft this June and if the Senators didn’t think it was going to have an effect on the goal. It was good to finish in last place Colorado will have the best chance at top-rated Jack catch a break.” Hughes. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want them to finish last,” MacKinnon told reporters. “If Detroit had it, Pittsburgh or whoever. It just happens to Through 40 minutes, the Senators were up 3-1 on the Avs and had a be Ottawa. … We’d love to get Jack Hughes or (Kaapo) Kaaka, but we’re solid effort. The club was well in control until Zadorov fired it by Nilsson not counting on that. That would be exciting. Any team can get hot and on the glove side with only 1:07 left in the second to give Colorado a get going.” … Goaltender Craig Anderson, who has been out since Dec. chance going into the third. 21 with a concussion he suffered against the New Jersey Devils, is closing in on a return and may be available this weekend. Anderson was Up until then, you wondered if anything was going to get by Nilsson, who on the ice with the club for third straight day and there were no issues was making his fourth straight start. after he went through a full skate Tuesday. “Yesterday went well and today I’ve got no red flags,” said Boucher. “I’m crossing fingers for this weekend. Hopefully, today and tomorrow continue to go well and, hopefully, we get a green light for the trip.” That means Anderson could return either Friday on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes or Saturday versus the St. Louis Blues. Anderson missed his 11th straight game against the Avalanche. … The Senators were happy to have blueliner Thomas Chabot back from a shoulder injury that kept him on the shelf for three weeks. “Just watching guys you always want to be out there and getting back from the injury I’m feeling really good about it. It’s fun to be back.” THE LAST WORDS Taken No. 3 overall by the Avs in 2009, Duchene admitted to feeling a little old as he celebrated his 28th birthday by facing his former teammates. “I feel pretty old today. Being a dad and being 28, that makes me kind of want to puke a little bit,” Duchene said with a smile after the morning skate. “Saying that I’m 28, I came in the league at 18 years old and it’s crazy how fast the 10 years have gone. I feel fortunate to have had the chance to play this game at this level and it’s a day to maybe step back and be a little bit thankful.” … Senators owner Eugene Melnyk was in the house Wednesday with members of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 414 Squadron in his suite. Melnyk was named an honorary colonel of the Squadron in 2015. FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED 1. Welcome back, Thomas Chabot Returning to the lineup from a shoulder injury he suffered Dec. 28 against Brooklyn, Chabot was solid. He had an assist on Ryan Dzingel’s goal in the second, stopped a sure breakaway by Sven Andrighetto and played 18:20 in his first game back. 2. A good start for the Senators Hoping to shut down the Colorado line of Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, the Senators got off to a good start in the first period. They didn’t even allow the powerful group a shot through 20 minutes. Small victories. 3. Pageau provides options The return of Jean-Gabriel Pageau from his torn Achilles tendon surgery has been good news for the Senators. Coach Guy Boucher wanted to play the matchup game against the powerful Avs, and having Pageau in the lineup certainly helped. 4. The dads are in the house The Senators leave Thursday for the annual father’s trip with stops in Raleigh on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes and Saturday versus the St. Louis Blues. The fathers were in town Wednesday night and took in this one before leaving Thursday afternoon. 5. Nick Paul plays the role of spectator Boucher opted to dress 11 forwards and seven defencemen with Thomas Chabot back from injury. That’s partially because he didn’t want to take Belleville callup Christian Wolanin out, and Paul is still trying to find consistency at this level.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126417 Ottawa Senators things and changes your perspective on the game. When you don’t have a good outlook on things, you slip.”

It’s almost a full calendar year now since Ryan started to hear his name Senators' Ryan finding his place and peace of mind in trade speculation in advance of the 2018 trade deadline, primarily as part of a potential package that could have included former Senators captain Erik Karlsson. Ken Warren This time around, he would appear to be far down the list of potential January 16, 2019 10:07 PM EST Senators who could be moved before the upcoming Feb. 25 trade deadline.

“I haven’t heard much,” he said. “But to be fair, I haven’t read much, so I Bobby Ryan’s modest seven-game point scoring streak came to an end don’t know if it’s out there. I’m sure it probably is. I’ve learned to take that in Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche, but it was solid in stride, too, because I understand the business side of things.” night just the same. WHO’S BEEN SCORING LATELY? The way Ryan has been going, he’s not feeling as much heat from external pressures. Senators scoring since Christmas “It has lessened, I guess,” said Ryan, no longer No. 1 on the whipping After Wednesday’s games boy list for frustrated Ottawa Senators fans. “But when you feel right about (your game), you can deal with the little critiques and the things Name GP G A Pts like that. Ryan Dzingel 10 6 4 10 “When you really harp on yourself, that’s when you can dig a bigger hole. Bobby Ryan 10 3 6 9 I’ve tried to stay away from that for the last year-and-a-half, and that has served me well.” Mark Stone 10 5 4 9 As long as he plays for the Senators, Ryan will never skate away from Chris Tierney 10 2 6 8 the expectations of his lofty contract. He’s carrying a salary cap hit of $7.25 million for the remainder of this season and the next three — a M. Duchene 7 6 3 9 caution sign, perhaps, as general manager Pierre Dorion negotiates potential eight-year extensions for Mark Stone and Matt Duchene? — and never evolved into the superstar the organization hoped he would Ottawa Sun LOADED: 01.17.2019 be. Yet when Ryan is on his game, using his skill and his size (6-2 and 210 pounds) to create space on the power play and in even-strength situations, he can be a very good and productive depth player. We saw it in the 2017 playoffs. And we’ve seen it again since Christmas. Ryan is working his way into the point-producing places on the ice. Accordingly, his mind is also in the proper place. “I’m doing the right things and I’m playing aggressively, as opposed to just kind of waiting until you get a break,” said Ryan, who entered Wednesday’s game with three goals and five assists in his previous seven games, as steady as any Senators forward in that span. “I’m just playing with confidence. I feel good with the puck. I’m excited about it. It has been a battle I’ve had my whole life. It’s hard to describe when you don’t have it, (but) when you feel good, everything you’re doing is good, (even) your gear is an extension of you. Your stick feels right. “Other times it’s like, ‘Why does this feel like a flagpole in my hand?’ when things aren’t going right. It’s just being in tune with everything and having the right mindset. It’s a continuous battle to work on that.” Senators coach Guy Boucher has rewarded Ryan with increased ice time. Boucher has also stopped worrying about finding the ideal place in the lineup where Ryan can fit. “What I like right now is that I put him with different guys and it works,” said Boucher. “That means that he’s on. He’s not the complement to other players, he’s the one that makes things happen right now on a consistent basis.” Boucher says Ryan is “very motivated, very engaged”, putting in extra work on the ice after practice and in the gym. He has also showcased more skill — on the power play and in even-strength situations — as his confidence has grown. In last week’s wins over Anaheim and Los Angeles, Ryan evened the score 1-1 after the Senators allowed the first goal in both games. “It’s a circle, it feeds on itself,” said Boucher. “(Ryan) is not a fast guy, so when he gets more ice time, his legs get going and he’s quicker. When Bobby’s legs are going, you’ve got a hell of a hockey player there.” Ryan can get inside his own head at the worst of times. He believes he was playing well even when the points weren’t coming in November and early December. Then a puck bounced off his skate and into the net in Columbus on New Year’s Eve. “Since then, the game feels easier; sometimes it’s just a break you need,” he said. “In the broader scale, it’s, ‘Can I make that play I’ve made 450 times before?’ It’s that split-second about how you’re thinking is what changes 1126418 Ottawa Senators Is there animosity toward the Avs or their general manager, Joe Sakic, for the trade?

Let’s start with the first question. What is it like for Senators fans right Ottawa won Wednesday. But could Colorado win big over the long haul? now? “When you go through a painful season, you have one carrot to look By Ryan S. Clark forward to at the end of the year: That’s a first-round pick,” Mendes said. “It’s the reward of going through a miserable season and when you are Jan 16, 2019 Ottawa and you don’t have that, as a fan base, that’s utterly devastating. “Think of the Leafs when they tried doing a rebuild without a first-round pick. It’s a really tough 19 months for the Senators. This is absolutely KANATA, Ont. – Why yes. Matt Duchene scored. He actually scored rubbing salt into the wound that is fresh for people.” twice and picked up an assist against his former team on his 28th birthday. His three-point performance, however, is made complicated by Mendes pointed out how recent history makes it more difficult. He the fact nobody can definitively say if Duchene will be wearing an Ottawa recalled how the Senators were at one point struggling during the 2014- Senators sweater when he turns 29 next season. 15 season. Fans thought the potential to draft Connor McDavid with the first pick is what made that year worthwhile. That, in essence, is the difference between Duchene’s former team and current employer. It comes back to how the landscape is viewed both in Or they did until the Senators went on a shocking run powered by the the short and long term. play of goaltender Andrew Hammond and reached the postseason. Look no further than Wednesday. A short-term outlook is that the “I think if you are an Ottawa Senators fan, you always feel like you’re in Senators came away with a 5-2 win Wednesday over the Avalanche at that, ‘Why can’t we have nice things?’ department,” Mendes said. “Trade the Canadian Tire Centre. It means the Sens are no longer dead last in deadline in 2015, right around the deadline, they were dead last in the the NHL. They’re just second-to-last by a point over the Kings. As for the standings. … Yes, it got them into the playoffs but it took them out of the Avs? They’re clinging onto the Western Conference’s first wild-card spot running for Connor McDavid or Mitchell Marner.” by a point over the Wild after their Canadian trip with a 1-4 record. Even with no high first-round pick to look forward to, fans are still coming Now step back and look at the big picture. Duchene will forever be linked to games. The Senators entered Wednesday ranked 27th out of the to these two franchises because of the three-team trade that sent him to NHL’s 31 franchises in average attendance this season. Ottawa is Ottawa, Kyle Turris to Nashville and an assembly of assets to Colorado. averaging 14,512 per game and the Canadian Tire Centre holds 18,652 At the time, it was viewed as a win for all sides. for hockey. The Predators received a talented center in Turris while Duchene was More than 16,460 fans showed up to watch Duchene, Tkachuk and Mark believed to be the missing piece for a Senators team that was a game Stone take on the Avalanche’s All-Star trio in Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan away from the Stanley Cup Final the year before. Meanwhile, the MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. A number of fans wore Senators Avalanche were largely granted draft picks and prospects in their rebuild. sweaters from numerous eras. Many of them wore Daniel Alfredsson sweaters. There were a few Duchene, Tkachuk and Stone ones too. All Here’s where things stand as of January 2019. Turris and the Predators those fans – plus their Avalanche counterparts – kept concession stands are a bonafide Stanley Cup contender. The Senators have fallen from and restaurants busy throughout the Canadian Tire Centre. where they once were and Duchene has a decision to make as he’s in the final months of his five-year, $30 million deal he originally signed with Still, a few areas of the arena were sparsely populated. A few empty the Avalanche. The Avs unexpectedly made the playoffs last year and seats were spotted in the lower bowl, with a good majority of them with so many assets in tow, they could be on the verge of striking it rich coming in the upper portion of the artist originally known as The in the years to come. Palladium while once being called the Corel Centre and Scotiabank Place in prior seasons. But what makes this all so fascinating is the decision that will link the Avalanche and Senators in the foreseeable future regardless of Duchene Those upper-level seats in the 300 section are where Legault and his re-signing with Ottawa. good friend, Earl Saulnier, watched the game. They stood throughout the first period, overlooking the several rows of empty seats in front of them The move in question was evaluating what the Senators’ conditional first- while discussing what it is like to cheer for the Senators. rounder for either 2018 or 2019. The Senators kept their 2018 selection and drafted promising power forward Brady Tkachuk with the fourth pick. “I’m not happy with our owner,” Saulnier said of Eugene Melnyk. “He’s Keeping Tkachuk – depending upon the source – is either viewed as a disenfranchised the city. He’s turned on the fans. He’s not put a product smart move or a risky gamble. on the ice and my feeling is for this team to get turned around, he’s gotta go.” Proponents argue Tkachuk, who has 22 points in 36 games, is a great building block for a rebuilding franchise. They also point out that having a Norm, what about you? fourth pick in 2018 was a sure thing as opposed to jettisoning the chance to draft Tkachuk and gambling with what happens a year later. “I feel the same way,” Legault said. “We invest our time. We invest our money and I get the feeling that the owner is not investing into the team. Opponents view it differently. They will point out that while Tkachuk is We get all our good players and they trade them out because we can’t great, the Senators could have had a chance to be in the Jack Hughes seem to pay them. sweepstakes and draft a prospect believed to be the best forward since Auston Matthews in 2016. “I find pro sports is a rich man’s game and if you haven’t got the money to be in this, then, it’s time to sell the team.” So what do the experts say? Melnyk has owned the Senators since 2003. He has come under fire “As we sit in the middle of January, it’s a fair question to ask: ‘Should from fans and media alike for several reasons, the latest being Melnyk they have punted on the pick last year?'” said Ian Mendes, a reporter and suing his business partner for a failed deal to construct a new arena for radio host for TSN 1200 in Ottawa. “It was absolutely a talking point and the Senators in downtown Ottawa. it is fair to talk about as you sit 30th.” Alfredsson, who was once part of the team’s front office, is even on But what do fans think? record as saying the Senators need a new owner. “I think they did the right thing,” said Norm Legault, a long-time Senators “Everywhere you turn, there just seems to be bad news,” Legault said. fan and season-ticket holder. “Tkachuk, I think, fits the prototypical power “We need some good news. Then, everything with the new arena. forward and he’s young. The thing is there’s no guarantee with where Partners suing each other? Oh my gosh.” you’re going to finish the following year and there’s no guarantee you’re going to get the first pick anyway.” So far, the most recent form of “good news” Senators fans received came earlier Wednesday when it was reported general manager Pierre Now here’s another, potentially more dangerous set of questions: Doiron and Duchene’s agent, Pat Brisson, were expected to meet in Los Angeles regarding a contract extension. What is it like for Senators fans right now? Retaining Duchene would be a major step. But again, it’s just one step. How do those fans feel knowing the Avalanche will benefit from their team’s misery? Ottawa will have a number of restricted and unrestricted free agents this offseason. Ryan Dzingel, Duchene and Stone are the three most prominent. Keeping those three would help the franchise’s efforts to rebuild the roster and potentially turn it back into a winner ahead of In all, the Avalanche appear to be set up for the long haul. But if there’s schedule. been an issue, it’s finding a consistent force who can drive the second line and provide secondary offensive production. But there’s also a chance all three could leave for a better situation and more money. That’s something Hughes could add. Or Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko. Or Canadian center Kirby Dach. “If we’re going to keep two out of the three, it’s gotta be Stone and Dzingel,” Legault said. “But if it’s Stone and Duchene, that’d be great. We Should Dach, Hughes or Kakko join the Avalanche and meet those gotta keep two but if Dzingel goes, he’s going to shine somewhere.” expectations, it could make the team a Stanley Cup contender within the next few years. A number of things could happen. One, two or all three players re-sign. Or they could each leave the club. Maybe the Senators decide to trade “All the anger in Ottawa is directly focused on management and them around the deadline and receive draft picks in return. ownership,” Mendes said. “The emotion Ottawa fans have toward Colorado is probably jealousy. MacKinnon, Rantanen and the rest of that Ottawa does have seven draft picks, but the team’s first selection will not team should make the playoffs. Then you add what’s potentially at Top 5 come until the second round. pick. “To me, the 2020 draft is the time when the Senators are going to make “You take out those top three or four teams like Winnipeg and Tampa. If an impact,” Mendes said. “If they do get a first-round pick by trading you ask a lot of fans whose situation would you like to be in? Colorado Duchene or Stone, they are going to be in the 20s. You are trading with a might be your answer.” Cup contender. The next time you’re picking somewhere in the Top 5 or Top 10 is 2020. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said during morning skate he glances at the standings and takes note of what’s going on with the Senators. “That’s why I say you are 18 months from feeling as if they’ve turned a corner.” But Bednar pays more attention to what’s going on when the Avs are winning compared to when they are losing. Let’s advance to the second question, how does it feel to know the Avalanche are the ones benefitting from the Senators’ misery? Defenseman and alternate captain Erik Johnson added that he’s not really thinking about what could happen with the Senators’ first-round Julien Baril is not a Senators fan. He is, however, an Avalanche fan who pick. is also the chief technology officer for a Quebec-based web development firm. Baril, who grew up in Thetford Mines, used his skills to create “It’s not helping us right now, so, it’s kind of irrelevant until we actually SensPickTracker.com see what comes to fruition from that, I think,” Johnson said. “So, we can’t really focus on anything else except what’s going on here. His site tracks the Senators’ daily movements as the NHL Draft draws closer. Baril started the site last September and it has become a go-to “We’re obviously aware of the circumstances but it’s nothing that can resource for Avalanche fans curious about their future pick. help us right now.” Baril has everything covered. Draft lottery odds. The Senators’ record along with how they’ve performed in their most recent five games, in addition to who they face in their next five contests. The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 There’s even a section that displays the eight potential players the Avalanche could take with the Senators’ first-round pick. On the day Baril spoke with The Athletic, he was wearing an Avalanche sweater. More specifically, he wore a Samuel Girard sweater. Girard was one of the many assets the Avalanche received in the Duchene trade. “I just decided to do this on my free time on weekends and with the help of my boss,” Baril said. “He pushed me to do this website. He knew it was going to be massive.” Legault said he feels Senators fans would be upset if the Avalanche were to get the first pick. “But you know what?” he said. “It’s over with. I don’t worry about it. In a way, I hope Ottawa finishes as high as they can so there’s a less chance (of Colorado getting the first pick). If they get it, they get it. So what about the final question? Is there a sense of animosity toward Sakic and the Avalanche because of the deal? The Avalanche did more than just get what could be the first pick. Sakic acquired Boston University center Shane Bowers, who was the Senators’ 2017 first-round pick. He also received Girard, Hammond and Vladislav Kamenev. Bowers, who played for Canada at the World Juniors, is a sophomore at BU. Hammond was let go in the offseason while Kamenev is recovering from his second season-ending surgery in as many years. Colorado also received three picks. The 2018 second-round selection from Nashville was flipped for third- and fifth-round picks that became goaltenders Justus Annunen and Shamil Shmakov. Ottawa’s 2019 third-round pick came over in the deal, as did, well, the team’s first-rounder. Sakic, barring a trade, will also have the Avalanche’s first-round pick, which will give them two in what’s expected to be a talented crop of prospects. Sakic has five picks in the opening three rounds at his disposal. He has already constructed a team featuring what is considered to be the NHL’s premier line in Landeskog, MacKinnon and Rantanen. There’s a supplementary base of young talent led by J.T. Compher, Tyson Jost, Alexander Kerfoot, Nikita Zadorov and Kamenev. A third wave is currently spearheaded by forward Martin Kaut along with defensemen Cale Makar and Conor Timmins. Bowers is also part of that phase of the Avalanche’s plans. 1126419 Ottawa Senators He won the as an assistant with Hershey in 2009-10 and lost in the final as the head coach in 2015-16. He was let go after the Bears missed the playoffs last season. Christian Wolanin an example of work being done by Belleville coach “That was really disappointing,” Mann said. “As much as winning in Troy Mann Hershey is important, it’s not like we had a number of bad seasons there. There was one year that a little bit of a blip, so to speak, there were a lot of things that went wrong for us last year, but at the same time, I still felt By Chris Stevenson that the players who were going up were ready. Jan 16, 2019 “Hershey is a tough environment. Hershey demands winning. Winning the Calder Cup in Hershey is probably, from the franchise’s perspective, more important than developing. We were able to go in there and do both and so that certainly validates for me what we were trying to do.” Defenceman Christian Wolanin will play for the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche, two games after being a With all the regular season success the Caps had, it’s not like they had a healthy scratch and a game after leading the Senators in ice time against lot of top draft picks playing in their farm system so that makes whatever the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. success the Bears had more remarkable. Since the 2008 NHL Draft, the highest pick the Caps had was Filip Forsberg at No. 11 in 2012 and they Interesting times. traded him away. Their first pick draft positions since 2008: 21, 24, 26, Coming out of training camp, Wolanin, 23, was cut and assigned to the 117, 11, 23, 13, 22, 28, 120 and 31. of the AHL. An offensive star at the University of “Winning every year and going for the Stanley Cup, you’re not coaching a North Dakota (35 points in 40 games his junior year before signing with plethora of first- and second-rounders in the American League. There’s a the Senators), he had a good 10 games for Ottawa at the end of the lot of fifth-, sixth -and seventh-rounders. When it came to that, I thought 2017-18 season. He looked to be a good bet to make a rebuilding team we were really doing our job,” Mann said. on what promised to be a young blueline after the inevitable departure of star Erik Karlsson. “I thought it was a little harsh in not having my contract picked up, but maybe with the change in the guard … it was certainly disappointing But Wolanin was passed on the depth chart by Maxime Lavoie, Christian because I felt we deserved a return.” Jaros and Ben Harpur and was told to work on his defensive game in Belleville. Mann coached the Bears to a 132-65-31 record in his first three years as head coach before falling to 30-37-9 last season. Senators coach Guy Boucher was all in on Wolanin heading into the game against the Avalanche, though, giving him a spot in the lineup even Mann’s contributions to the Caps’ success weren’t lost on former Capitals before knowing the status of No. 1 defender Thomas Chabot, who, it coach Barry Trotz. After five rookies coached by Mann helped the turns out, will play as well. Capitals eliminate the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference final, Trotz sent a text to Mann. In three months in Belleville, Wolanin’s game has grown to the point where he appears, for now, to have Boucher’s confidence. Washington forward Chandler Stephenson was one of those players. Which brings us to Belleville coach Troy Mann. “(Mann) just gave us a chance,” Stephenson told the AP. “The type of franchise that Hershey’s been and having so many Calder Cups and Wolanin, and forward Nick Paul, for that matter, are evidence of the job things like that, he put a lot of faith in the younger guys and just trusted Mann and his staff (assistants Ryan Murphy and Paul Boutilier) have us. He wanted us to get to the next level more so than you wanted done in Belleville this season when it comes to developing players. Not to yourself. I really respected him as a coach and liked him as a coach and be overlooked are the contributions of Senators player development to have that faith and trust (from) him, it’s helped me a lot.” staffers Shean Donovan and Chris Kelly. The Caps finally recognized the contributions of Mann and Murphy to the “Playing for (Mann) for three months, however long I was there, I think it’s franchise’s run to its first title last weekend when a member of the front night and day the player that I was when I got there and the player I am office presented them with Stanley Cup rings when they played in Grand now,” Wolanin told The Athletic. “I don’t think I’d be as consistent as I am Rapids. right now or playing as well as I am right now if it wasn’t for him. For sure, (I’m) thankful for my time with him and Murph, too.” “I heard rumours a few weeks ago Murph and I were going to be getting (rings). From my perspective, it’s just validation of the work we put in Both Wolanin and Paul said two things have stood out with Mann: his there,” Mann said. “For me it goes way back because I was an assistant work ethic and his communication skills. there for four years. There were a lot of players from back in the day.” “He puts in so much time,” Wolanin said. “They’re the first ones there at 5 The Senators look like they have benefited from the Caps decision to or 6 in the morning working out. One day I went back — I forgot make a change. The move seemed like a natural one for the Senators: something at the rink — at 5 and they were still there, both him and the hiring united Mann with his brother Trent, the Senators director of Murph. amateur scouting. “It’s tough not to show up every day when you see the coaches putting in The Belleville Senators are 18-21-2 and in last place in the North that type of work especially when times are tough and we’re losing and Division, but just five points out of a playoff spot. That’s despite a they’re putting in the same amount of work. They’re not giving up on us. ridiculous number of injuries and call-ups. According to Jack Miller, the They’re trying to find solutions. BSens play-by-play man, there had been 43 transactions between the “I’ll keep repeating it: it’s tough not to want to work for a staff like that.” NHL and AHL Senators as they prepared to play the a week ago. They had 38 all of last season. The Monsters had 18 with “We sat down in his room and he went over what kind of player I am, the Columbus Blue Jackets this season. what he expects from me, my work ethic and what I need to bring to the team,” Paul said. “That’s all I need to know. From there I knew where I With Senators goaltender Craig Anderson and Mike Condon, who was stood. I knew what I needed to do. Every day I work to get better and do supposed to be his backup this season, both injured, Marcus Hogberg, whatever task there was, whether when the team is down and leading by who should be the No. 1 in Belleville, has been in Ottawa. The Belleville example, a big hit, putting pucks on net, or in practice doing everything Senators have had to play 20-year-old Filip Gustavsson way more than the right way, no shortcuts. No turns, just stops. he should have been played this season. His inconsistency has been expected. He has an 11-14-1 record with an .886 save percentage. “Right from the beginning I knew what I had to do and it made me so much better as a player. Communication is huge. You come to the rink, Yet despite all that, Mann has the Senators in there scrapping, and he you know what to expect, you know what to do. That’s it. Every day is a has continued to keep tabs on the players who’ve been recalled. professional day. That’s what he’s making is professional athletes.” When Wolanin was a healthy scratch for that game against the Ducks, he Paul, 23, has played his best hockey as he tries to prove to the Senators got a text from Mann. If he wasn’t going to be playing, he should turn a he deserves another contract. negative into a positive and watch the play of Ducks defenceman Cam Fowler, who plays a similar style, and maybe pick up a couple of things Mann, 49, came to the Senators from the after being let he could put in his own game. go by the Washington Capitals organization despite having coached, in either a head coach or assistant’s role, 14 of the players who lifted the “You watch your own team and you hope that you win, but I was Stanley Cup for the Caps last spring. watching (Ducks defenceman Hampus) Lindholm and Fowler the whole night, just picking up on little things and tried to put them into my own game against L.A and San Jose when I got the chance,” Wolanin said. With the Senators losing Harpur to a shoulder injury against the Ducks, Wolanin returned to the lineup and played 18:05 against the Kings. He played a team-high 23:02 against the Sharks. Is he ready to stay and contribute at the NHL level? We’ll get another look Wednesday. But Wolanin looks like a player who has benefited from his time on the farm. The same can be said for the coach, who looks like he will soon be ready for his own shot at the NHL.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126420 Philadelphia Flyers The Flyers also killed a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty early in the third period and a hooking infraction on Laughton with eight minutes left. They had five clears and did not allow a shot on the late Boston power Sean Couturier, Carter Hart were key in Flyers' comeback win over play. Bruins “We’ve been building on our success lately,” Couturier said about a penalty kill that entered the night clicking at 83.8 percent over its last 25 games -- after being successful just 68.5 percent of the time in the by Sam Carchidi season’s first 21 games.

For the Flyers, falling into a 2-0 hole has occurred at an alarming rate Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.17.2019 during their head-scratching season. It’s not the way wins are usually created, but, hey, comebacks are starting to become commonplace at the Wells Fargo Center. For the second straight game, the Flyers overcame a 2-0 deficit and rallied for a home victory, this time a 4-3 win over Boston on Wednesday night. Sean Couturier scored a hat trick, Claude Giroux had two assists – including the 500th of his superb career – and rookie goalie Carter Hart was sensational, as the Flyers defeated a Bruins team that was on a 6-1- 1 run. Hart made 39 saves, a personal best. “I don’t think it was our best game, but he was huge for us,” left winger Scott Laughton said about the 20-year-old goalie. The Flyers were outshot by a 42-19 margin, but they blocked 30 shots, including seven by Robert Hagg and five by Ivan Provorov, who also chipped in two assists. “Everybody was selling themselves and sacrificing their bodies,” Hart said. “As a goalie, I really appreciate it.” The Flyers won for the third time in the last four games. They have a two- game winning streak for just the fourth time this season and the first time since Dec. 18 to 20. Couturier scored on a two-on-one with 4 minutes, 7 seconds left in the game to complete his hat trick. It gave the Flyers hat tricks in consecutive games for the first time since 2002. James van Riemsdyk had a hat trick in Monday’s 7-4 comeback win over Minnesota. Boston got to within 4-3 when Peter Cehlarik scored on a deflection with 66 seconds left, but the Flyers survived. The Flyers fell into a 2-0 hole for the 20th time in 47 games – a stunning 34.9 percent of the time. They have won three of the 20 games in which they have faced a 2-0 deficit. Cehlarik and David Pastrnack scored on one-timers after receiving crisp cross-ice passes to give the Bruins an early lead. Hart had no chance on either goal. With the Bruins on a power play because of Jori Lehtera’s tripping penalty, Pastrnak scored from deep inside the left circle after taking a feed from Torey Krug with 15:21 left in the first. It was Pastrnak’s 27th goal and league-high 13th on the power play. Less than five minutes later, Cehlarik, just recalled from Providence in the AHL, scored from the right circle to make it 2-0. But, with 7:16 left in the first period, the Flyers got to within 2-1 on Oskar Lindblom’s first goal in the last 31 games. Giroux picked up a loose puck just inside the blue line and quickly fed Lindblom for a left-circle drive that went just inside the left post. Giroux became the second player in franchise history to collect 500 assists, getting it in his 785th game. Bobby Clarke reached the milestone in his 651st game and finished with 852 assists in his hall of fame career. Early in the second period, Couturier scored goals 75 seconds apart to put the Flyers ahead, 3-2. It was the 13th multi-goal game in his career. Couturier tipped in Jake Voracek’s drive to make it 2-2 with 14:28 left in the second. “Good things happen when you go to the net,” said Couturier, who leads the Flyers with 19 goals. After Hart denied Sean Kuraly on a two-on-one shorthanded chance, the Flyers got an odd-man rush, and Couturier converted Wayne Simmonds’ goal-mouth pass to give the Flyers a 3-2 lead. Giroux collected another assist on the power-play goal. With 3:12 left in the period, Lehtera received a five-minute boarding penalty for his hit on Donato and also was assessed a game misconduct. The Flyers, led by Couturier, killed off the penalty, limiting the Bruins to just three shots. 1126421 Philadelphia Flyers

Big defenseman Phil Myers making impression on Flyers’ GM by Sam Carchidi

General manager Chuck Fletcher likes Phil Myers' progression and said the Phantoms’ 6-foot-5, 209-pound defenseman is pushing for a job with the Flyers. He might even be here this season. Heading into Wednesday’s AHL matchup against Springfield, the righthanded-shooting Myers had 24 points, including seven goals, and a plus-6 rating, in 38 games with Lehigh Valley. He had eight points in his last 10 games. “He’s putting himself in a position where he can earn some games, for sure,” Fletcher said this week. “He’s played really well. According to [Phantoms acting coach] Kerry Huffman and the people who have been around that team for the last couple years, this is the best hockey he’s played. He’s developing nicely, playing huge minutes, and we’re thrilled where he’s at.” Myers, 21, was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015. “He’s put himself in a good position to challenge for a full-time job in the near future,” Fletcher said. “How many games he’ll get in the near future, I don’t know, but certainly he’s pushing, and whether it’s later on this year or next year at camp, I think this is a kid who is going to earn his way into the NHL.” Winger Dale Weise cleared waivers Wednesday, and, for now, he will remain with the Flyers. He can be sent to the Phantoms if the Flyers decide to go that route. Weise, 30, who has not dressed for the last two games, has five goals and 11 points in 42 games this season. If Weise is sent to Lehigh Valley, the Flyers would have only 12 forwards on their roster. Breakaways Fletcher said the top end of this year’s draft is strong, “and there seems to be decent depth right through the first round. The depth is better than most years.” Heading into Wednesday, the Flyers were tied for the NHL’s second-worst point total and had a 9.5 percent chance to get the No. 1 overall pick, according to tankathon.com. … The Blackhawks had three scouts at Wednesday’s game, and the Senators had two. Calgary, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Detroit also were represented. … Claude Giroux’s assist on Oskar Lindblom’s first-period goal was the 500th of the captain’s career. He got No. 501 on Sean Couturier’s second-period goal, which gave the Flyers a 3-2 lead.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126422 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers' Dale Weise clears waivers; Carter Hart to make 4th straight start as Bruins visit by Sam Carchidi

Flyers winger Dale Weise cleared waivers on Wednesday, and the team will now decide whether to keep him on the roster or send him to the AHL’s Phantoms. Weise, 30, has five goals and 11 points in 42 games this season. He will not be in Wednesday night’s lineup against Boston. If Weise is sent to Lehigh Valley, the Flyers would have only 12 forwards on their roster. Goalie matchup Flyers rookie Carter Hart, who is 4-5-1 with a 2.69 goals-against average and .913 save percentage, will face Boston veteran Jaroslav Halak on Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Center. It will be Hart’s fourth consecutive start. Halak (13-7-2, 2.39, .924) blanked the Flyers, 3-0, earlier this season. Milestone watch Claude Giroux needs one assist to reach 500 with the Flyers and in the NHL, and Travis Konecny is one point shy of the 100 mark in his career. Breakaways David Backes will be scratched from Boston’s lineup. ... The Bruins' strong power play, which is third in the NHL and clicking at 27.9 percent, will be trying to exploit a Flyers' penalty kill that has improved dramatically over the last month but is still 28th in the league. ... Two of the league’s best defensive forwards, Sean Couturier and Boston’s Patrice Bergeron, will be on display. Couturier finished second in the Selke Trophy voting (best defensive forward) last year, while Bergeron was third. The Kings' Anze Kopitar won the award. Couturier is coached by Scott Gordon, who coached Bergeron in the AHL. ... Boston is on a 6- 1-1 run, and the Flyers have won two of their last three.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126423 Philadelphia Flyers so I thought our defensemen did a hell of a job tonight, blocking it and fronting it when they came in the zone.”

Couturier's hat trick leaves Bruins baffled as Flyers win. 4-3 Delaware County Times LOADED: 01.17.2019

By Rob Parent [email protected] @ReluctantSE on Twitter

PHILADELPHIA — The memory of resurrecting from three-game hole in the playoffs against the Boston Bruins has long-ago faded. In more recent years, the Flyers have suffered a couple of late-season losses to this Bruins team that essentially proved fatal to their postseason hopes, and even when there wasn’t so much on the line, their success against the Bruins has been limited. The Flyers had lost five of their last seven meetings with the Bruins, including their only previous meeting this season, not surprising since the Bruins came into Wednesday’s meeting with a 17-point standings edge on the Flyers. Of course, desperation can cure a few ills. “I don’t really know why we’ve kind of struggled in big moments against them,” Sean Couturier said of the Bruins. “But I guess at this time of year, with where we’re at, it’s a big win for us. We just can’t get too excited, either, because we’re still far behind and we’ve got a lot of work to do.” The load is just a little easier now thanks to a dominant performance by Couturier and another eye-opening outing by 20-year-old goalie Carter Hart, who together led the Flyers to a 4-3 victory over the Bruins at Wells Fargo Center. Couturier scored a regular-season hat trick for the first time in his career, which might be a little surprising since he’s had two in playoffs. “It’s not really something I was thinking about,” he said. “It’s just, some nights pucks find their way in, like that last goal. It was more of a shot- pass and it found its way into the net. I’ll take them.” The Flyers (18-23-6, 42 points) needed all of them. Somewhat predictably, they had quickly fallen behind by two on goals by Boston’s David Pastrnak at 4:39 and Peter Cehlarik at 9:12 of the first. But after Oscar Lindblom halved the deficit later in the period, and Hart showed superb signs of recovery from allowing the early goals, the stage was set for Couturier to take over. He redirected a Jake Voracek shot past Bruins goalie Jaroslav Halak 5:32 into the second to tie the game, then scored on a power play only 1:15 later for the go-ahead goal. Hart held strong after that, as the Bruins piled on the shots attempts. At one point, they were outshooting the Flyers 38-16, and that total didn’t include the ever increasing number of blocked shots the Flyers were collecting in front of Hart. “The win was huge, especially with the way we responded after going down two,” Couturier said. “We’re starting to show some character, some maturity. Even playing with the lead, we’re a little more comfortable now. We’ve just got to build on that.” Finally, it was Couturier who built on the Flyers’ lead by scoring almost accidentally at 15:53 of the third. He fired one in on Halak off a 2-on-1 rush, hoping rushing partner Voracek would get the rebound. Instead, Halak blew the shot and Couturier had a natural hat trick. Couturier has quietly piled up 19 goals now, but it’s his natural defensive ability that continues to shine brighter. That showed after Cehlarik scored while the Bruins had an extra skater and empty net with 1:06 left. The Bruins were threatening again until Couturier intervened, jumping on a loose puck that David Krejci had lost due to his stick breaking. Krejci was forced to take a penalty by shoving Couturier rather than allow him to possibly score a fourth time. “Thank god his stick broke,” Couturier said, “or it would have come back the other way.” If it had, however, any one of those Flyers blockers — they blocked 30 Bruins attempts on the night — or Hart (39 saves) likely would have stopped the other guys. That’s been happening over this last week of recovery, in which the Flyers have won three of four starts. “I thought our defensemen did a great job of blocking shots,” Scott Laughton said. “They’ve got a dangerous power play with a lot of threats, 1126424 Philadelphia Flyers future. But I think first and foremost he needed to, and needs to continue, to learn about his team.

"I certainly didn't expect Chuck to come in and make a bunch of changes Parent: Fletcher's lack of words doesn't mean he won't soon act for to our team. To me, it wouldn't really be prudent to do that unless you've Flyers done your homework first." As for work on draft preparations and contract assistance, Fletcher By Rob Parent [email protected] @ReluctantSE on brought his personal lieutenant from Minnesota, Brent Flahr, to Twitter Philadelphia. Aside from that, it's difficult to ascertain what kind of work Fletcher might do before the trade deadline.

Maybe before another six weeks go by, Fletcher's actions will speak for PHILADELPHIA — Except for his extended intro and subsequently his him. Until then, Holmgren the former GM and the guy who reluctantly wholly anticipated firing of head coach Dave Hakstol, Flyers general sent Hextall on his not-so merry way can speak to that. manager Chuck Fletcher hasn't exactly engaged in much public discourse about his team. "That's got to be Chuck's job to figure out what he wants to do," Holmgren said. "We've had some contacts ... and really, there's not a lot If his six weeks on the job is any indication, Fletcher seems bent on of issues as far as trading guys. Claude (Giroux) has a no-trade clause, keeping his work to himself when it comes to the media. That might but he's our best player. Other than that, Chuck ... it's his team. He can sound similar to the way Ron Hextall handled things, but Hextall was do whatever he wants, however he wants to build going forward." usually willing to give a little face time to Philadelphia sports fans in good times or bad, but especially so when the time seemed appropriate... So far, that would be quietly. But that doesn't mean Fletcher's actions aren't going to be louder than his lack of words. Such as when the Flyers weren't living up to their payroll on the ice.

Speaking of which... Delaware County Times LOADED: 01.17.2019 Since Fletcher was hired on Dec. 3, the Flyers had won just six of 15 games entering Wednesday night's tough tussle with the Boston Bruins. They had gone from five points out of an Eastern Conference playoff spot on Dec. 3 to 16 points out of a playoff spot at the start of business on Jan. 16. Aside from his apparent disdain of rehashing his hockey business in the media, Fletcher has done his due diligence as mandated by club president Paul Holmgren: the new GM has, at least, willingly chatted up his team staff, something Hextall apparently didn't do enough of to please the brass. In Fletcher's case, utilizing his people has been job one. Even if he hasn't bothered to say so. "It's kind of hard to come into the middle of the year like that without knowing your team very well," Holgmren said Wednesday night. "He's been here for about 40-some odd days now on the job and I think he's learned a lot about his team and is kind of plotting out a direction on where he wants to go. At this time of year everybody's building up for the (Feb. 25) trade deadline, so I'm sure there will be opportunities for him to do things between now and the trade deadline." Well, Fletch has already made a couple of moves, anyway. In addition to mercifully letting Hakstol make money by sitting at home through next year if the ex-coach wants, Fletcher gave walking papers undersized and underperforming forward Jordan Weal, trading the pending unrestrictd free agent to the Arizona Coyotes. In return, Fletcher got a sixth-round draft pick and a minor league player in Jacob ? who likely will never see the light of an NHL appointment. Not exactly earth-shattering returns there but it does make the locker room roomier. Beyond that, Fletcher put Dale Weise on waivers, and not surprisingly he cleared. Flyers news hounds desperately waited for word Wednesday on whether Weise was going to get sent down to the Phantoms. Fletcher responded with a short team statement, kind of an indication of where Weise stands with the new GM's vision of things to come. But hey, that's more feedback from him than Weal's deal produced. Regardless of Fletcher's private management style, his status with Flyers fans has much more to do with how he goes about his business in the near future. This club is not exactly in a position to go through The Tanking Process or anything like that. Hextall, after all, already pumped up the organization's prospect personnel ranks. It's this team's veterans who should share the blame directly for what easily shapes up to be a late- winter elimination from playoff contention. Of course, that does have its advantages... "Once our season's over, he'll have that time to (prepare for) the draft," Holmgren said of Fletcher. "I know he's had a couple of meetings with his pro scouting staff and he's had a couple of meetings with the amateur scouts ... he's gaining knowledge from talking to them about his team, and about what's going to be available in the draft coming up. ... There's lots of opportunities for a new GM to affect his team both now and in the 1126425 Philadelphia Flyers

With back-to-back wins, are Flyers finally starting to mature?

By John Boruk January 17, 2019 12:35 AM

When Jori Lehtera was sent off the ice for a five-minute boarding major and a 10-minute game misconduct Wednesday night, the most loyal followers of the orange and black had every reason to believe the Flyers were entering their self-destruction phase once again. After all, we had seen this storyline play out on numerous occasions already this season. Forced to kill off a five-minute power play to the NHL second-ranked power play should have doomed this team, but against the Bruins, something was different. “We’re starting to show some character and maturity, even playing with a lead we’re a little bit more comfortable now,” Sean Couturier said after scoring a natural hat trick in the Flyers' 4-3 win over the Bruins (see observations). “We’re doing some little things right.” A lot of those little things have been resolved finally through their penalty kill, in which the Flyers successfully killed off nine straight minutes of power-play time, including nearly six minutes in a hard-fought third period. For those who believed assistant coach Ian Laperriere should take the fall for the PK’s horrific start this season, interim head coach Scott Gordon begs to differ. “Lappy has done a great job as far as the pre-scouting. You guys don’t see that,” Gordon said. “He’s been on target every single time. As far as the aggressiveness, that’s the one thing I’ve been really pleased with. When you lose a lot of games, you realize what’s not going right. Sometimes you have to learn through the struggles and the adversity.” That aggressiveness is why the Flyers have now strung together back-to- back wins for just the second time in the past two months, and the biggest part of that success is a rookie goaltender that many within the organization believed needed the necessary AHL seasoning before he could be thrown into the frying pan of an NHL game. Eleven games into his career, the 20-year-old Carter Hart is playing like he has the emotional fortitude of someone in their mid-to-late 40s. It just seems like there’s no way Hart could have the capacity to handle the adversity of falling behind 2-0 in back-to-back games to only stay composed and have his team rally back to beat the Wild and the Bruins. “You can tell he’s a mature kid,” Couturier said. “He prepares himself pretty well. He does a lot of little things away from the rink that help his game on the ice. He’s pretty calm back there. He’s above his age.” “I think it’s just how you approach the game. It’s everything,” Hart said. “It’s coming to the rink for practice, for games, whatever it is. Just coming in ready to work. I think if you work hard no matter how old you are, guys will respect you.” With that, Hart gets to the heart of the matter. He embraces putting in the hard work of practice, much like Couturier has done from the time he started his NHL career at the age of 18. You can’t create a championship culture by cutting a few corners. So if the organization is planning ahead to next season, Hart and Couturier should be those cornerstone players. Outside of that, the Flyers have a lot more maturing to go through if they want to join the league’s elite.

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Flyers 4, Bruins 3: Sean Couturier records first career regular-season hat trick in win

By John Boruk January 16, 2019 10:13 PM

Would you believe the Flyers have their first winning streak in almost a full month? Sean Couturier registered his first career regular-season hat trick Wednesday night as the Flyers knocked off the Bruins, 4-3, at the Wells Fargo Center. It's the Flyers' second straight win and second straight game in which a Flyer had a hat trick — James van Riemsdyk had one Monday. Despite being badly outshot, the Flyers received outstanding goaltending again from Carter Hart, and surprisingly, the penalty kill is stepping up in a big way. • There’s been a lot of talk linking the Bruins and Wayne Simmonds. The Bruins, having scratched David Backes for this game, have been looking to add some toughness and grit. If the two sides engage in trade talks, there’s two players that caught my eye in this game: left winger Peter Cehlarik and defenseman Brandon Carlo. Of course, the Bruins may not have interest in parting with either player, but Cehlarik certainly looks like a player who could be slotted in a top-six role, scoring two, while Carlo brings size and an ability to jump in offensively. • I’ve discussed how the Flyers' PK was a personnel issue during Dave Hakstol’s time here when he tried to incorporate guys like Oskar Lindblom and Jori Lehtera into a heavy PK role. Lindblom has improved his shorthanded play, and it showed in this game. Operating at roughly 83 percent over their past 25 games, the PK had a defining moment in this game when it was forced to kill a five-minute major. It helped tremendously that the penalty extended from the end of the second period to the beginning of the third, but not only did the PK keep the Bruins to the outside, but Hart came up with three key saves. • Not just that, but the Flyers were also whistled for too many men and Scott Laughton was called for hooking with eight minutes remaining in regulation. This may be the first game this season where the Flyers can say their penalty kill won them the game. • The result of the extended power play came as a result of a boneheaded play from Lehtera after he dumped Ryan Donato head-first into the boards. It was Lehtera’s second penalty as he racked up 17 PIM and barely saw the ice in the third period. In case you’re asking, I have no idea why he’s still on this team. They can’t dump him in Lehigh Valley as the Phantoms have reached their veteran max, but after this game, the only way I’m playing Lehtera is in the event of an emergency. • I was surprised at the pace of the opening 20 minutes — very loose and open as you would expect the Bruins to play tighter defensively. The Flyers had a couple of cross-ice plays that led to quality scoring chances, including one from Nolan Patrick, who was robbed by Jaroslav Halak’s right pad on the crease. Once again, that third line of Patrick, Simmonds and Laughton played well and gelled early. • Flyers leading scorer Sean Couturier added two goals in a span of one minute and 15 seconds before adding a third for his first regular-season hat trick late in the third period. Quietly, Couturier now has 19 goals and is now on track for his second straight 30-goal season. If I had to vote right now for the Bobby Clarke Award as Flyers MVP, Couturier would be the guy. • Couturier should have been awarded a penalty shot when he was interfered with in the final seconds of the game. Had David Krejci now obstructed Couturier’s path, he would have scored four goals.

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Flyers vs. Bruins: Live stream, storylines, game time and more

By John Boruk January 16, 2019 12:45 PM Updated: 3:12 p.m.

VOORHEES, N.J. — Interestingly, the Flyers are one of three NHL teams, along with the Lightning and Golden Knights, that have never swept a season series against the Bruins. And it’s not going to happen this season either ... 50 years and counting. The Flyers (17-23-6, 40 points) will try to string together back-to-back wins as they host the Bruins (26-15-5, 57 points) Wednesday in their only matchup at the Wells Fargo Center this season. Monday’s seven-goal outburst against Minnesota matched a season high in scoring after the Flyers tallied seven goals against the Senators on Oct. 10. In the Flyers' next game, they were shut out, 1-0, by the Golden Knights. • Can Nolan Patrick build upon his most impressive game of the season? Patrick is coming off a career-best four-point game with two goals and two assists. Interim head coach Scott Gordon said Patrick is able to hit that next level when he finds his “fifth gear.” It comes a lot from moving my feet and holding onto pucks. It’s something I’ve been working on during practice every day and kind of make it a habit. I have fun playing every night. It’s nice to get out of a slump like that, but it doesn’t change anything for me. • Flyers captain Claude Giroux is one assist shy of 500 for his career. Giroux would join Bobby Clarke (852) as the only other player in franchise history to amass 500 career assists. Earlier this season, Giroux passed Bill Barber and Brian Propp for second place on the Flyers' career assist leaders. • Flyers forward Dale Weise cleared waivers Wednesday afternoon and will remain on the team's roster for now as no call-ups are planned at this point. • May we see a penalty-filled game? The Flyers and Bruins are two of the most penalized teams in the league, ranking second and third respectively, in penalty minutes per game. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean we will see a power-play filled contest. Boston ranks near the bottom (25th) in times it has played shorthanded this season. The Flyers will face Bruins goaltender Jaroslav Halak for the second time this season. Halak shut out the Flyers back on Oct. 25 when he stopped all 26 shots in a 3-0 Bruins victory at TD Garden. B’s defenseman Zdeno Chara scored two of his three goals this season in that previous game against the Flyers. Boston’s totem pole of a defenseman missed 19 games this season with a lower-body injury.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126428 Philadelphia Flyers that could play the top on the power play and at that time nobody really put forwards back on the point and certainly didn’t go with four forwards and a D but we had more skilled forwards and just knowing how smart he Selke battle for Sean Couturier, Patrice Bergeron goes way back was and how diligent he was about the defensive game, at that time I felt like I was rolling the dice putting him back there but I thought it was a calculated risk and he ended up being just as good as a defenseman and he provided some offense back there that we weren’t getting from our D.” Dave Isaac, Cherry Hill Courier-Post Now that Bergeron is 33 and Couturier 26, they’re still in different places Published 5:54 p.m. ET Jan. 16, 2019 in their hockey lives, but both in the prime years of their NHL careers. Wednesday was the latest installment of their head-to-head matchup. It’s one that doesn’t get a lot of attention, but a battle that is still one of the PHILADELPHIA — His family had just moved from Saint-Jean-sur- premier ones between two players that are among the best at playing a Richelieu, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal, to Bathurst, New Brunswick two-way game. when Sean Couturier first met Patrice Bergeron. “Both play a 200-foot game and have offensive abilities, great on Couturier was 9, Bergeron 17. Couturier’s father, Sylvain, had just been faceoffs. Character people,” Gordon said. “You’re looking at two pretty hired as an assistant coach with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and Bergeron good players. Having coached both of them you understand why both of was spending his only full season in junior before he was drafted by the them are under consideration for the Selke award and Bergeron’s up for Boston Bruins and made the NHL the next season. it every year.” Now they are two names expected to be in the Selke Trophy conversation almost every year. The two faced each other Wednesday night when the Bruins came to Philadelphia and in three of the last four Courier-Post LOADED: 01.17.2019 meetings, they were pitted against one another. The exception of the group was because Bergeron missed a 3-2 Flyers loss last March 8 with a broken foot. “I don’t know if it’s something you look forward to,” Couturier said about playing Bergeron. “You always know it’s going to be a tough challenge but it’s an opportunity to prove that I belong in the same category as him and those guys. It’s always a tough matchup. He’s one of those guys that’s just really smart, always well-positioned, not any room out there to make plays. It’s almost a battle of inches. “He’s won what, four Selkes? When I first came in, he’s one of the guys you model your game after and to finally grow in as a player and mature and to be compared to him is a great honor already.” The Selke Trophy is awarded to the “forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game.” Ironically, offensive numbers have become a big part of it, so when Couturier had a career- high 76 points last season was the first time he was a finalist even though he’s always been known as a shutdown forward. Last summer, both of them finished behind Los Angeles’ Anze Kopitar. Bergeron played in only 64 games, which Couturier knew would probably make him drop in the eyes of voters for the award. When Couturier was sitting at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas, he thought he had a shot at finally beating Bergeron. “Kopitar had a really good year,” Couturier said. “Bergeron did too but obviously he played a lot less games, so it gave us a little more chance for someone else to win. “I knew Kopitar had a great year and he was in talks for MVP and everything. I think he was the runner up from the start. He deserved it, I guess.” So the race is back on for the Selke this season and both Bergeron and Couturier are the big workhorses at both ends of the ice for their respective teams. And the respect is mutual. “I think it goes with the fact that you know he's going to play you hard on both sides, that's the biggest challenge,” Bergeron said. “You know you're going to have to work for every inch on the ice, especially in the O zone and he can also make some good plays offensively. Just be aware when he's out there that you have your work cut out for yourself. “After that year in junior I came to Boston and never really had any more contact with his dad or him. But once I heard about him in junior, he was doing so well I put two and two together and realized it was him. I was following after that.” Flyers interim coach Scott Gordon has coached both. Back in the 2004- 05 season when the NHL was in a lockout, Bergeron was playing for Gordon’s in the American Hockey League. It was evident back then that he’d be a special player at both ends of the ice. Gordon could tell just by how Bergeron took in the practice reps that didn’t involve him. “Our goalie coach was doing some drills with the goalie and he’s over off on the side watching it and he’s on his knees and he’s kind of mirroring what they’re doing,” Gordon said. “As I was watching him, I’m saying, ‘He’s probably thinking about how he can expose what the goalie coach is teaching.’ We were in a situation where we didn’t have a defenseman 1126429 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers vs. Bruins: Game 47 preview, line combos, broadcast info

Dave Isaac, NHL writer Published 7:00 a.m. ET Jan. 16, 2019 | Updated 8:06 a.m. ET Jan. 16, 2019

Tonight: Flyers vs. Boston Bruins Site: Wells Fargo Center / Philadelphia, Pa. Records: Flyers 17-23-6 | Bruins 26-15-5 Last game: Flyers beat MIN 7-4 on Mon. | Bruins lost to MTL 3-2 in OT on Mon. Bovada odds: Flyers +1.5 | O/U 5.5 The Flyers have been waiting for players to stand up all season long and join some of the few consistent ones like Claude Giroux. Nolan Patrick may have taken a step toward being one of the players the team can rely on. He had his first career four-point game with a pair of goals, including a highlight-reel between-the-legs score against Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk Monday night. “I think Nolan is, for me, he’s only at the tip of the iceberg of what he’s gonna potentially be,” interim coach Scott Gordon said after the 7-4 win. “I think the biggest change for him will come as soon as he identifies…and he actually said the term, ‘get to fifth gear.’ A lot of times he’s playing in third gear and he’s got another speed and we saw that. That’s one of the things when we show him video or talk about his game even before the game, it’s like, ‘Let’s make sure we’re playing in fifth gear tonight.’”

Courier-Post LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126430 Philadelphia Flyers out. Danick (Martel) had that (problem in) his first year, and his second year, he slowly got out of that, but same thing – it was a hard sell for him. At one point in his first year, he said, “This play that I’m making, I made it Top 20 Flyers prospects: Breaking down the forwards’ strengths, all the time in junior, and I’m realizing I can’t make it anymore.” weaknesses with the brain trust So we had these two guys that both could score (Martel and Aube- Kubel), so what happened was, I ended up putting Jordan Weal (in the middle between them), because Wealer is a different kind of player as far By Charlie O'Connor as — he’s not always looking to distribute the puck like say (Vorobyev). Misha looks to make a pass right away and you’ve got to be ready for it, Jan 16, 2019 he passes hard. Whereas Jordan is more of a “I’ll beat two guys and I’ll find you, get open” (type of player). So I put him with those two guys,

figuring that, I don’t want to say it took the puck out of their hands, but Yesterday, we released our updated list of the Top 20 Philadelphia Flyers they’re both guys that can score. He’ll get you the puck, get open, that prospects. We broke down each of the highlighted players — taking note type of thing. of strengths, weaknesses and our view of their potential ceilings. So he started building a little confidence, started getting some points. For But in the end, the opinions of myself and Alexander Appleyard mean a month and a half, they were one of the top lines in the league. And then little when it comes to the future trajectory of these players. On the other slowly, (Aube-Kubel) gets a little bit better at the turnovers. That, to me, hand, the men in charge within the organization have not only the power is his biggest thing that is gonna hold him back, is managing the puck. If to help shape the careers of the prospects, but also the ability to he manages the puck well, he could have a lot of success, because he’s influence whether said prospects remain with the Flyers over the long- a strong kid, he skates well. He has a great shot. term. They’ll decide who ultimately earns spots with the big club. O’Connor: Does Aube-Kubel have the upside to be a scorer at the NHL Therefore, a complete look at the 20 prospects in this series requires level? Or do you think if he makes it, he’ll most likely settle in as an feedback from members of the organization. To that end, The Athletic energy guy lower in the lineup who can chip in with points here and Philadelphia interviewed Director of Player Development (and former there? Flyers defenseman) Kjell Samuelsson and head coach (and former Samuelsson: He’s not gonna be a top scorer in the NHL, I don’t think. But HC) Scott Gordon to gain a better he can score goals. For him, it’s just the consistency of (his) game. understanding of where the prospects stand. (We also interviewed That’s what’s holding him back now. He has everything – he’s a strong Goaltending Development Coach Brady Robinson for tomorrow’s Part 2.) hockey player, he knows what he’s supposed to do and he’s doing it, but Today, we’ll focus on the 11 forwards from Tuesday’s list. On Thursday, it’s not consistent enough. That’s probably his biggest thing. And when it’ll be defensemen and goaltenders. (Interviews were edited and he figures that out, it’s going to take a little bit of time, but when he condensed for clarity.) figures that out … he can score a little bit, I don’t think he’s going to score 30 goals in the NHL, but if he’s playing (on the) third line and killing Wade Allison penalties, and playing like you said, with energy, he can contribute in the scoring department, too. Our ranking: 5 (tied) Noah Cates O’Connor: In his final press conference, Ron Hextall referred to Allison as a “big red train.” Is there a player, past or present, whom you’d compare Ranking: 20 his skillset to? He seems like a bit of throwback type. O’Connor: What are your thoughts on Cates’ performance in the world Samuelsson: Yeah, he’s what you’d call a power forward. He’s strong in juniors? It seemed like he played a very prominent role for a very good battles along the wall, strong on the cycle, protects pucks. Also, he has USA team. speed — a lot of speed coming down the ice on an attack. He plays a little bit of a simple, powerful style, and he’s willing to work. He’s a hard- Samuelsson: Yeah, he surprised me. He was probably (one of the) Top 3 working kid who is a lot stronger than everybody else in his surroundings, forwards in every game I watched. His work ethic, it’s unbelievably good, where he is right now, that’s for sure. and he’s a smart player. Gives it all at all times. Whatever situation they put him in, he succeeded, (whether) it was defensive, killing penalties, O’Connor: Allison has only played in eight games so far this season, playing critical minutes when they (were) protecting leads. And when coming off the ACL surgery. Was it expected he would be eased back they needed some offense, he stepped up there, too. So he really had a into action to this degree, or is he still not 100 percent? good tournament, and did very well in all different areas. Samuelsson: I can’t answer that. I know where he’s at, but I can’t tell you O’Connor: Developmentally, is the primary focus working on Cates’ all- that. It’s a very hard injury to come back from, so even if he’s fully around skating ability? It seems like the IQ, the hands, the strength, it recovered right now, he has to trust his knee and all that stuff. But he’s seems like it’s already there. done well in the games he played, even if he hasn’t scored (at) the pace he was last year before he got injured. But he’s done some good things, Samuelsson: I think if you take a look at him without hockey equipment and he’s on a good pace to recover. And then obviously, he got hurt and on, he’s not a very big man either. I mean, he’s tall. So I think his feet, didn’t play over the weekend, but that’s a totally different injury. when he gets stronger, they’re going to get better. I’m not really worried about that. The compete and the work ethic, it’s top-notch. I don’t think Nicolas Aube-Kubel you have to be worried about his feet that much. Ranking: 10 (tied) Joel Farabee O’Connor: Nicolas Aube-Kubel didn’t have a great first year in the AHL. Ranking: 4 What clicked in that second year (2017-18), when he became something of a 5-on-5 monster? O’Connor: It’s obvious in watching Farabee that he plays a uniquely relentless style, particularly on the forecheck. But what about his ability to Gordon: So, players when they come from junior, not so much college make plays with the puck? How has that come along so far in his first but really junior, they’ve come from playing against a few 16-year-olds, year in college? 17-year-olds, 18-year-olds as a 20-year-old. So for me, there’s always going to be a timeframe where it takes them a while to figure out what Samuelsson: I think he’s done very well. As anybody who’s moving they can and can’t do (in the pros). The plays that they make, that they (between) levels – he went from the (U.S. National Team Development) made in junior, you can’t beat a dead horse and keep trying to do it and Program and went into college – (he had to) learn how to play in college. fail and think that it’s gonna be OK. He really struggled with that. Combine the athletics, the hockey, with going to school, that’s always a big adjustment for players like that. But I think, the last month and the He came from junior, had great success (there). He’s strong, a very World (Junior) Championship, too, he’s gotten a lot better. strong kid, powerful skater, hits hard. So I’ve got to imagine — I don’t want to say junior was easy for him, but he had a huge advantage being His ability is to move the puck. He sees the ice very well. He has speed an older player, playing against some of these younger players. Gaps and he can finish. He’s going to probably be that kind of player – finish, were probably bad, sticks weren’t as good against the defenders, and as set up plays. Like you said, he’s unique because he has those abilities a result, he probably did a lot of stuff that he just never figured out that he (relentless style, forechecking talent). He’s not just one-dimensional. He couldn’t do (in) his first year. can do a little bit of everything. We obviously show video, we talk about it (with the player), but until it But Joel’s biggest thing now is to mature physically. I think he found that clicks with the player, it doesn’t really matter. They have to figure that out pretty quick, that there are pretty strong players in college, too. He has adjusted to it, but this summer coming up now is huge for Joel use his size even more, protecting the puck and being a little bit more because he has to spend it in a gym, and get a lot stronger. physical. Because he is — he’s a big man, so that part, he can probably upgrade. O’Connor: What do you see his ideal playing weight being at the NHL level? Everybody knows he needs to bulk up, but, obviously a kid can O’Connor: He’s on a scoring tear recently, but it’s not like before this run overdo it. his scoring numbers had jumped up dramatically year-over-year. Is that anything to be concerned about, that he hasn’t blown the doors off the Samuelsson: I don’t want to say he’s got to “bulk up.” This is going to OHL in his Draft+2 season? take time because of the way he’s built, too. It could probably take three or four years before he hits his ideal playing weight. I don’t know — 185, Samuelsson: I don’t think so. We can’t focus much (on) that because he 190 maybe? He’s not really a big-frame (guy), and he can’t get too big has a different role on the team, too. He’s relied on in defensive either, because then he can’t play the way he’s supposed to play, and be situations, and playing very critical minutes. I’m not concerned about that effective. at all because all-around, he’s a pretty good hockey player. Morgan Frost We talked about pace before, too. That’s another thing with Ratcliffe, when he gets to the next level. It’s hard for them to upgrade their pace Ranking: 2 when they play junior hockey. That’s something that’s got to come when O’Connor: The most vocal skeptics of Morgan Frost’s NHL potential they move up to the next level. argue that he doesn’t play with enough “pace.” In your mind, is that German Rubtsov criticism fair? Or is it overblown? Ranking: 7 Samuelsson: I think it’s fair. And I think that’s generally what players coming from junior hockey, especially skilled players coming from junior O’Connor: The general narrative surrounding Rubtsov coming out of hockey (have to work on). If you look at Morgan’s game, I think he’s good juniors was that the offensive skill was there, but the mentality to play an when he slows it down and he takes the time and makes plays, but to be attacking game wasn’t always. The points, in his short stint in the AHL really effective at the next level, he probably has to make those plays (at) prior to getting hurt, finally showed up – he was scoring at a strong rate. a higher pace. So that’s fair. Are the point totals an accurate reflection of his ability and willingness to play with more of an attacking mentality now? O’Connor: Obviously, there’s quite a few months before he turns pro, but right now, does it seem like he has a decent chance not needing AHL Gordon: He completely changed how he played. I didn’t think he had a time before he makes the jump to the NHL? very good training camp when I was here. I saw him practice and maybe one or two games. I didn’t think he was very good in our exhibition Samuelsson: I think he needs American League time. It’s a huge step for games, and the one thing that I told him (was), “You can’t always be the a junior (player) to come from the CHL, come in and go right to the NHL. high guy.” You can’t come for a change and have an opportunity to go It’s only a few players every year in the whole league who do that. They forecheck and put pressure on a guy just because you want to be back in are high-level (players), high-skill (with) speed and everything. So I would our zone first. be really surprised if he (doesn’t) need time in the American League. There’s got to be an element of pace in your game (so) that when do you Tanner Laczynski go forecheck, you’re not measured. There’s got to be a little, I don’t know Ranking: 13 — I don’t want to say recklessness, but a little “dog on the bone” mentality. And within two or three games, that’s when it changed for him. O’Connor: What’s your view of Tanner Laczynski’s skating ability? He He started to do more of that. And that’s what got me excited, because seems like something of a do-it-all type of player watching him at the he’s got a great shot, he’s got great vision, he can pass the puck. So collegiate ranks, but is his skating ability pro caliber yet? when we lost him, it was a huge loss for us. Samuelsson: Yeah, I think so. He has the same style as Allison – he wins I was thrilled with where he was at, that quickly for him to make that battles along the wall, pretty good speed on the attack, has a pretty good adjustment, and to get results too. shot, and scores (at) the level he is right now. Both Allison and him, physically, are probably very prepared for the next level, I think. Samuelsson: Yeah, absolutely. We were very thrilled over the way he played the first month and before he got hurt. It’s too bad for him, Olle Lycksell because he was going the right way, and he made some huge steps in the little time he had with the Phantoms. But I don’t think we’re worried Ranking: 19 about when he’s recovered from this and (gets) going again. I think he gonna just step off from where he was, when he got hurt this year, and O’Connor: Lycksell surprisingly cracked the SHL last season as an 18- just keep going. year-old and held his own. This year, he’s still playing in the SHL, but the scoring numbers haven’t jumped up much. Is he progressing or is this the O’Connor: What is the recovery timeline for his injury? Will it impact his kind of thing where it’s impressive enough that he’s just in the SHL at offseason workouts? Should he be good to go for development camp this such a young age? summer? Samuelsson: I think we have to be patient with him. His development, Samuelsson: I don’t have that in front of me, when he’s expected back. I where he came from – if you go back two years, he was not even on the think it’s a pretty long recovery, that’s for sure. But I would think (he’ll be radar to even be in Linköping’s junior team, and then he just worked his good to go for development camp), I would think so. way up and cracked the lineup a little bit last year, and this year he’s a full-time SHL player. But I think the team he plays for has gotten better, Jay O’Brien too, so maybe that pushed him back a little bit. There’s more competition for spots on the team. Ranking: 8 (tied) And then Olle himself, we talked about the consistency before (with O’Connor: What do you see as the reason for O’Brien’s slow start to his Aube-Kubel), it’s consistency with Olle, too. He’s gonna to learn how to collegiate career? Are the bounces just not going for him, or is he still in be a pro, and that’s a pro league he’s playing in now, and you play with an adjustment period? pretty good players. He’s going to learn from the leaders of that team Samuelsson: I think you hit it right there: It’s an adjustment period. And how to be a pro, and learn how to come and work every day. That’s he got hurt, too, so that didn’t help him, too. He got two injuries and he probably his biggest thing – the inconsistency in both practice and was off for a little bit. Then he got picked for the world juniors but was games. Basically, (to) become a pro. It takes a little bit of time. used sparingly. Isaac Ratcliffe But I think he came back to Providence here after the world juniors and Ranking: 5 (tied) had a good attitude, and started going. And then over (this past) weekend, he did pretty well. I think he’s going in the right direction. Most O’Connor: One thing that stood out to me in Ratcliffe’s limited preseason of it is just adjusting to playing in college, and playing against stronger action this September was that, although it’s his size and physical ability players. It’s a pretty big step, even if he was in the World (Junior) that jumps out first, he seemed to be a detail-oriented player – back- Championship and he was in the showcase in the summer, and a little bit checking well, lifting sticks, passing well under pressure. Is that a fair in the (U.S. National Team Development Program) last year. assessment of his play all the time? But it’s a big step, going from high school to college hockey, and one of Samuelsson: I think that’s fair, yeah. He’s a smart player. He knows both the toughest divisions in college. That’s an adjustment for him. It with and without the puck where he’s supposed to be and what he’s probably took him up to right now for him to really know what he was into. supposed to do. For him, talking about his size, I think he can probably Mikhail Vorobyev Ranking: 8 (tied) O’Connor: There’s been some rumblings about the idea that Vorobyev, while talented, needs to work on his day-to-day commitment in order to reach his ceiling. Dave Hakstol hinted in the immediate wake of Vorobyev’s final NHL game this year that effort from Misha was lacking on that day. Is there something to that criticism? Overblown? Samuelsson: I think the effort is there. He just (needs to) play a little more north, and play – like you talked about – the pace, the pace has to pick up there, too. Don’t turn back so much with the puck. I think that’s coming from playing, growing up on a bigger ice surface. You take your time with the puck and you attack, and you’re very controlled when you come up ice. On a smaller ice surface, if you do that, you’re always attacking against five guys. That’s one part of the game I think he has to learn how to really pick up. When you get the puck, you’ve just got to go north right away and see if you can (not have to) attack against five guys the whole time. If you can bring it down to three guys, it’s a lot easier. I haven’t seen lack of effort at all. He’s smart, and sometimes it looks like he’s not working because he’s in the right spot the whole time. He’s a very smart hockey player. O’Connor: What was Mikhail Vorobyev’s post-demotion trajectory like? Did he hit the ground running or was his play a bit rocky? Gordon: Well, he got hurt, so he came (in), played some games, got hurt, and was out for probably … I want to say he played two or three games after he came back from his injury before I came up here. For me, in March, he was our best forward. He was having an impact every single shift, every single night. Then he got hurt, came back in the playoffs, and I don’t think he was 100 percent from a strength standpoint, but he was really good on the penalty kill. I don’t think he even played on the power play just because he’d been out of it for a while, and he couldn’t shoot with the same effectiveness. So then he came into camp, and for me, he was the guy who was playing for me in March. And then, whatever happened along the way, his play started to deteriorate, and he wasn’t as effective and then he came down. The biggest thing with Misha, and this is how he started last year, is that he plays too much on the perimeter and waits for the puck to come to him instead of supporting his linemates and being aggressive, getting in on the forecheck. When he does those things, he has a huge impact because he’s got size, reach, strength. He’s not scared. When he starts to do that on a consistent level, then he’ll have more of an impact, whether it’s here or in (Lehigh Valley).

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Penguins trade Derek Grant to Anaheim for forward Joseph Blandisi

JONATHAN BOMBULIE Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, 1:39 a.m.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jake Dotchin, left, vies for the puck with Pittsburgh Penguins center Derek Grant during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. The Pittsburgh Penguins traded away a center early Thursday morning, but it wasn’t the center who has found himself at the center of trade rumors lately. The Penguins sent Derek Grant to the Anaheim Ducks for Joseph Blandisi in a deal announced just after 1 a.m. Eastern time. Blandisi, 24, has spent most of this season with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, recording eight goals and 23 points in 26 games. He has played 74 career NHL games with Anaheim and New Jersey, posting eight goals and 26 points. He is expected to join the Penguins in Arizona later Thursday. A 52-goal scorer in his final season of junior hockey, the 6-foot, 192- pound Blandisi has played as a bottom-six center and left wing with an edge to his game in limited NHL duty. Grant, 28, left Anaheim to sign with the Penguins as a free agent in July but has found playing time scarce. He has two goals and five points in 25 games. When the Penguins are fully healthy up front, Grant projected as the team’s 13th forward. He was sixth on the center depth chart behind Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan and Matt Cullen. Brassard is the center who has found himself mentioned in trade rumors lately. According to multiple reports, the Penguins are shopping Brassard in an effort to upgrade at the third-line center spot. Having recorded eight goals and 14 points in 37 games this season, Brassard has been an awkward fit in the team’s lineup.

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126432 Pittsburgh Penguins Orpik cites former Penguins teammate Kelly Buchberger as the greatest influence on him as a young player. Buchberger hasn’t played since in 2004 but has seen Orpik become an example for younger players of the 'Dinosaur' defensemen like Brooks Orpik survive in NHL by adapting same ilk. “Players have to adjust to the new rules in the game. He’s adjusted very well,” said Buchberger, a retired winger who coaches the Western Staff Report Hockey League’s Tri-City Americans. “If you have players like that, you don’t want to get rid of those players.” THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Coaches and teammates all love guys who save goals with blocked Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, 9:09 p.m. shots, big hits and provide some snarl. Gill sees value in the kind of simplicity Hall of Fame Nicklas Lidstrom played with, and having

contrasting styles on the blue line allows skilled, jump-up-in-the-play Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik, a former Penguin, recently played in defensemen to take some more risks and score goals. his 1,000th NHL game tonight. “They’re a real good safety valve a lot of time for D-men who do want to When John Tortorella compares Brooks Orpik to a creature that went get up the ice and move the puck,” Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo said. extinct 65 million years ago, he means it affectionately. “You can’t just have offensive defensemen throughout your lineup. You want to have guys who will take care of the back end. You need guys “He’s a little bit of a dinosaur because he hits, and there isn’t a lot of that can play both ends of the ice.” hitting in this game,” Tortorella said.

Orpik, the longtime Pittsburgh Penguin who helped the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup last season and played his 1,000th NHL Tribune Review LOADED: 01.17.2019 regular-season game Tuesday, is certainly a rarity. Big, rugged, defensive defensemen are going the way of prehistoric animals, mask- less goaltenders, helmet-less skaters and enforcers, except the ones such as Orpik who have adapted to keep pace with the speed of modern hockey. “I think if you don’t adapt to where the league’s going, then you’re pushed out,” Orpik said. “If you weren’t willing to adjust how you trained or maybe shed some weight, that would push you out of the league. … There’s that, and there’s obviously more of an emphasis on being able to move the puck up quickly.” NHL teams are looking for the next Erik Karlsson or Thomas Chabot: smaller, more mobile defenseman who can lead the rush and pile up points. Slower, play-it-safe defensemen such as 6-foot-7, 245-pound Hal Gill — another former Penguin — don’t roam the ice anymore, and those players must approach the game differently. “I’ve heard people come up and say, ‘Hey, my kid plays just like you,’ ” Gill said. “And I’m like, ‘Well, you better change quick.’ ” Tortorella, who coached Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup in 2004 and is in his fourth season with Columbus, sees value in big “miserable” defenders who can play a tough game. He believes the loss of that kind of player has contributed to an increase in scoring over recent years — which is what the NHL wants at the expense of old-school muscle. Players like Orpik and St. Louis’ Robert Bortuzzo are far less prevalent than when Gill stayed in the NHL for 16 years from the late 1990s through 2013. Bortuzzo thinks the term “stay-at-home” doesn’t apply anymore. Even slow defensemen have to do more than just sit back, hit and defend like they used to. “ ‘Defensively conscious’ probably would be a better term nowadays and one that fits the game,” the 6-4, 216-pound Bortuzzo said. “At this stage of the game, you need to be able to join the rush. You need to be able to move pucks. … The days of a defenseman not being able to skate and keep up with the pace of play is done. Guys are too fast and moving too quick.” No one’s confusing Orpik, Bortuzzo, Vegas’ Deryk Engelland or Buffalo’s Zach Bogosian for speed demons, but puck moving helps those players stay in the NHL. Bortuzzo said his focus always has been on his skating, and similarly Orpik and Boston’s Zdeno Chara have worked with skating coach Adam Nicholas to adapt. Even if they can’t get markedly faster, they can better manage their skates and sticks and use their size as an advantage. “What I work on with those guys a ton is just always giving them good footwork-type drills and suggestions to allow them to still be able to control space and tempo,” Nicholas said. “What we talk a lot about is continuing to be puck-moving machines and how to always stack decks in your favor to have time and space, control it and transition pucks very quickly.” Todd Reirden, during his time as a Penguins assistant, helped Orpik evolve from a hit-seeking missile to a defensive stalwart. Orpik began picking his spots for hits and using his stick more to defend. “That has allowed him to still have the physical element when he needed to around the net front against some of the skill guys,” said Reirden, who now coaches Orpik with the Capitals. “He’s been able to really change his game to fit into today’s hockey.” 1126433 Pittsburgh Penguins

Analysis: Why bottom-dwelling Coyotes could mean trouble for Penguins

TIM BENZ Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, 8:21 a.m.

The Penguins next play in Arizona on Friday night. And the Coyotes stink. That's bad news for the Penguins. Wait. Huh? Well, as the Trib's Jonathan Bombulie pointed out this week, "The Penguins have played seven games this season against the four teams currently occupying last place in the league's four divisions – Los Angeles, Chicago, Ottawa and Philadelphia. They're 1-5-1 in those games, with the only win coming in overtime over Los Angeles at home last month." The worse an opponent is, the worse the Penguins tend to play. That trend includes a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings over the weekend. They are the only team with fewer points (40) than the Coyotes in the Pacific Division (43). So the Penguins must be in big trouble Friday. Oh, and it gets worse. Because the Coyotes only get worse when you look at the numbers a little deeper. The Kings and Ducks are the only teams in the NHL with a worse goals- per-game average than Arizona (2.53). And the 'Yotes are tied with Chicago and Florida for the lowest total of home wins (8). The Coyotes can only boast one player, Clayton Keller, with more than 25 points. By comparison, the Penguins have six. Brad Richardson (11) and Christian Fischer (10) are the only members of the team to hit at least 10 goals. The Penguins have seven. Aside from the Penguins being bad against bad teams, Rick Tocchet's club has something else going for it in this matchup against the Pens. The Coyotes are second in the NHL in short-handed goals scored with 11. And the Penguins lead the NHL in short-handed goals allowed with 10. As a result, this game may not be as easy as it seems on paper. Maybe sitting around for two days, stewing on that 5-2 loss in San Jose will sharpen Mike Sullivan's crew for this one. As of now his skaters have gotten just two of a possible six points on the western road trip, with two more games to go. Also, the Penguins have dropped into a tie with the Islanders for the last locked Metro Division playoff slot with 56 points. That total is only four points clear of falling out of the final Wild Card spot too. After winning eight in a row, the Penguins have dropped three games in five tries. Friday would be a good time to turn into a good team against bad competition.

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126434 Pittsburgh Penguins The Eastern Conference standings are so bunched up that even a two- game losing streak, the first the Penguins have suffered since Dec. 1, can do damage. Loss to Sharks shows how far Penguins have left to climb The Penguins have slipped out of the top three spots in the Metropolitan Division and into the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference, just four points ahead of ninth-place Buffalo. JONATHAN BOMBULIE

Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, 8:03 a.m. Tribune Review LOADED: 01.17.2019

San Jose Sharks right wing Barclay Goodrow (23) collides with Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. The Pittsburgh Penguins have been playing some pretty good hockey since turning their season around at the beginning of December. They’re 14-5-1 in their past 20 games. They deserve no worse than a solid B-plus on their report card. Late Tuesday night, they got an up-close look at what an A-plus looks like. Tomas Hertl had a hat trick and Evander Kane had three assists, leading the powerful San Jose Sharks to a convincing 5-2 victory that ran their winning streak to seven games. During their last 20 games, the Penguins have done a good job in the transition game. On Tuesday night, the Sharks did a great job in that area, piling up a 53-36 advantage in even-strength shot attempts. During their last 20 games, the Penguins have done a good job of putting together a balanced attack on offense. On Tuesday night, the Sharks did a great job peppering the Penguins with balance. Hertl and Kane are two-thirds of San Jose’s third line. During their last 20 games, a Penguins defense corps that is longer on finesse than power has done a good job winning battles in front of the net. On Tuesday night, the Sharks did a great job in the battle areas. Marcus Sorensen scored on a tip, and Hertl’s second goal came on a rebound. The Penguins haven’t put together a 20-game turnaround solely by beating up on inferior teams. Two of the highlights of their run were a gritty 2-1 road win at Washington and a thorough 4-0 beating of Winnipeg. Those are a pair of legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. But neither the Capitals nor the Jets on those nights were clicking like the Sharks were Tuesday, and the Penguins had no answers. Here are three other things we learned from the game. 1. Brassard’s workload A failed third-period comeback by the Penguins might have shined a light on exactly why Derick Brassard hasn’t been a good fit on the team’s third line. With the Sharks holding a 4-1 lead and the usual sources of offense failing to provide a spark, coach Mike Sullivan leaned on his bottom six in the third period. Brassard played more than six minutes and made the most of the increased workload. He hit the crossbar on a late power play and scored on a shot from the right dot to pull the Penguins within two in a six-on-five situation late. Throughout much of his career, Brassard has averaged between 17 and 18 minutes of ice time as a top-six center. With the Penguins, he’s averaged about 15 minutes on the third line. He looks like the type of player who needs a higher volume of work to be successful. 2. One step back Part of the Penguins’ turnaround throughout December and the early part of January was a slow and steady improvement in Evgeni Malkin’s game. He never returned to peak, game-breaking form, but in an 11-game stretch from Dec. 19 to Jan. 11, he had 13 points and a plus-4 rating. That’s not bad. The last two games, however, have been a step back. Hertl’s first goal came on a play where Malkin tried to check the Sharks center but instead ended up on his wallet. Malkin is a minus-5 in his last two games. 3. Standings slide 1126435 Pittsburgh Penguins “I think it’s a matter of just working hard,” Jarry said. “Everyone will get their chance at one point. I just have to be prepared and be ready for when I do get that chance. One day it will come, and it’s not something Tristan Jarry's NHL path is unclear, but he's keeping his 'attention' in that I’m doing to rush. Pittsburgh’s doing a great job developing me.” Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Go to section Jarry has spent two stints with the NHL club this season. The first one MATT VENSEL was brief, backing up DeSmith once while Murray battled a concussion. The second lasted a few weeks as Murray recovered from a lower-body Pittsburgh Post-Gazette injury, but Jarry made just two starts, losing both. [email protected] “The first game I played well and the second game was lots of learning [moments],” said Jarry, who gave up seven goals on 62 shots. “Casey JAN 16, 2019 4:01 PM played really well, so they just rolled with him.” And, as it now appears with DeSmith getting his extension, they will keep rolling with him. WILKES-BARRE, Pa. —Tristan Jarry was in Charlotte on Friday, gearing up for his next start between the pipes for the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre That has Jarry back down here, where as arguably the most talented Scranton Penguins, when the NHL club announced Casey DeSmith had player on the team has kept Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the playoff hunt. signed a contract extension, locking in DeSmith in as Matt Murray’s long- Entering Wednesday, the Penguins were fifth in their division at 19-16-5 term backup. and tied for seventh in the AHL’s Eastern Conference with 43 points. One would think Jarry wanted to kick a Zamboni or snap a few sticks, In 10 games since being reassigned again, Jarry allowed three goals or maybe even storm into somebody’s office and profanely demand a trade fewer in seven. like that scene from “Slapshot.” But Jarry, still Pittsburgh’s top goalie prospect all these years later, swears he is “very excited” for DeSmith. “He’s been awesome,” said Teddy Blueger, the team’s leading scorer. “Obviously, he’s in a tough situation … because [Murray and DeSmith] “He’s a great goalie and is going to be a great goalie for many years in are great, too. But he’s doing everything he can. We feel great with him that league,” Jarry said Wednesday. “It’s great to see the deal he got and in net, and I think he’s one of the best goalies in this league, for sure.” that he’ll be here for three more years.” Or, as Donatelli put it, “He’s down here taking care of business, One can’t help but wonder, however, what that means for the 44th overall controlling what he can control.” pick from 2013?

Jim Rutherford could be a popular man in the weeks ago. Post Gazette LOADED: 01.17.2019 Since the Penguins drafted Jarry, he has witnessed the ascension of Murray, who has won two Stanley Cups and recently rediscovered his game after a rocky first two months of this season, and DeSmith, who has clawed his way up from the ECHL to the NHL and seized the opportunity created when Murray struggled then spent four weeks on injured reserve. DeSmith has won 12 of 23 starts this season, posting a .921 save percentage and earning that three-year, $3.75 million deal. With Murray entrenched as the No. 1 in Pittsburgh and DeSmith sticking around as a capable backup, NHL teams with uncertain long-term goalie situations surely will call general manager Jim Rutherford to inquire about Jarry between now and the Feb. 25 trade deadline. “It’s not really something I pay too much attention to,” Jarry said of trade rumors. “My attention is here with the team. I do my part and do as much as I can to help them win every night.” Most nights, Jarry has done a lot for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Take Friday’s game in Charlotte, hours after the 23-year-old learned his path to Pittsburgh would remain blocked going forward. He made 28 saves, including a few beauties, as the Penguins topped the Checkers, 5-1. He was back in net the next night for another back-to-back. The Penguins lost that one, 5-3, but Jarry showed some moxie, bouncing back from three early goals to give them a chance. In 21 games this season, Jarry is 11-7-3 with a .910 save percentage. Those around the team say that Jarry, who arrived for training camp with an improved work ethic and 20 fewer pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame, has been far more consistent than he was earlier in his AHL career “He’s just working on his game and being the best player he can be,” coach Clark Donatelli said. “His practice habits are unbelievable this year. He’s battling every puck. It’s really something to see. He’s really pushing it. And that has made him a better goalie. He’s been solid for us.” Pittsburgh Penguins center Derick Brassard on Wednesday Nov. 21, 2018 at PPG Paints Arena. Jarry has usually been locked in while tracking pucks and shuffling around his crease, whereas his mind may have drifted in the past. That was a big emphasis for Pittsburgh goaltending coach Mike Buckley and Andy Chiodo, the organization’s new goaltending development coach. “That’s been a big thing, just making sure that I’m prepared for a shot and ready for it,” he said. Jarry was talking about flying pucks then, but the same thing applies for his career at a macro level. Donatelli says every year, the first thing he tells his players, all of them with at least one eye on the NHL, is to “control what you can control.” Jarry has embraced that mantra this year. 1126436 Pittsburgh Penguins Is Kevin Hayes, currently with the New York Rangers, the answer? He has just two more goals than Brassard (10-8) and a much higher cap hit ($5.175 compared to the $3 million Brassard costs the Penguins). Derick Brassard: ‘I’m going to try to be more involved’ Charlie Coyle (7-15–22, $3.2 million) might work, but the Minnesota Wild currently hold a playoff spot. Same for the Dallas Stars and another player often suggested as a fit, Radek Faksa (7-9–16, $2.2 million). JASON MACKEY The Penguins might actually be better off targeting someone like Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Carolina left wing Micheal Ferland — who has 13 goals and makes just $1.75 million — though the acquisition cost would be high. [email protected] Going center shopping could be tough because none of those players JAN 16, 2019 12:20 PM offer an incontrovertible upgrade over Brassard, who’s actually on pace for 15 goals and does have a history of performing in the playoffs.

The problem, though, is the context around that 15-goal number. SAN JOSE, Calif. — When the Penguins traded for Derick Brassard, they Brassard doesn’t kill penalties and has won just 48.2 percent of his had the best of intentions. He’d pack more offensive punch than Brandon faceoffs over his career. Sutter or Nick Bonino, they thought. With the right linemates, maybe Brassard could even give Jordan Staal a run for his money. He’s also scored a lot of his goals on the power play — 50 of 170, or 29.4 percent. Those minutes aren’t available in Pittsburgh, which means he That hasn’t happened. Nearly 11 months after the trade, we’re still talking must produce five-on-five, creating things with his linemates. about it, in large part because Brassard’s production — he has one more point than Marcus Pettersson this season — has left that door ajar. Brassard is also getting less time to make it work — 15:04 over 51 regular-season games with the Penguins compared to 17:47 in Ottawa Before we get into how this may play out over the next six weeks, there is and 17:00 with the New York Rangers. Worse, Brassard is getting just something you should know about Brassard: He’s not happy about his 14:20 over the past 18. lack of production, either, and he’s hoping to change that in the near future. “I just have to try and make the best out of it,” Brassard said. “Whatever role that I have, if I have 12 minutes or 14, I have to try to make the best “I’m going to try to be more involved,” Brassard said. “I’d like to chip in a out of it.” little bit more. It is what it is. I’m going to try to do my best here and keep working in the right direction. The team’s doing well, so that’s the only Coach Mike Sullivan said Brassard “had his moments” against the thing that matters.” Sharks, and general manager Jim Rutherford has echoed similar comments recently as well. Tristan Jarry blocks a shot by Daniel Sprong during a May 2018 workout in Cranberry. But take a look at the Penguins roster, plus the assets Rutherford has at his disposal — a top-six defenseman and a former second-round pick in That’s one way of looking at it. And an admirable one, too, for Brassard goal — and it’s not hard to see that if Brassard plans on making this to put the team above individual success. The counterpoint would be this: marriage work, it probably needs to happen soon. Imagine where the Penguins could be if they had a third line that, on most nights, was actually a threat? On pace for 91 points, Kessel is could approach his career-best mark set Post Gazette LOADED: 01.17.2019 last season. Meanwhile, Tanner Pearson has seemingly rediscovered his offensive form, with eight goals in 30 games as a Penguin. There’s little question Patric Hornqvist could be a valuable contributor on any of the top three lines when he returns, and Dominik Simon has shown signs of meshing with Crosby and Malkin. Plus, the coaching staff really likes his game. Add to that the top line (the Penguins’ best for a while now) and a pretty good fourth line of Matt Cullen, Riley Sheahan and Zach Aston-Reese (when healthy), and you don’t have many question marks among the forwards. Except one, of course. “I’d like to chip in offensively a little bit more,” Brassard said. “A couple bounces here and there have helped. I just have to try and stay positive and keep working. Eventually it’s going to come, I guess.” One potential step in the right direction occurred on Tuesday, when Brassard scored on a solid shot from the right circle. But that sort of goal has come far too infrequently for anyone’s liking this season, most notably Brassard. San Jose Sharks right wing Barclay Goodrow (23) collides with Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. A large part of that has been his number of shots on goal. That number has not been kind to Brassard, who has fired two or fewer shots on goal in 17 of his past 18 games. Overall, Brassard is averaging 1.6 shots on goal per game, a precipitous drop from the 2.4 he averaged two years ago in Ottawa. (Ottawa!) “I always try to get at least one decent shot a period,” Brassard said. “Lately, it’s been a little harder. Some nights you’re going to be at the right place. Some nights you’re going to find your teammates. It is what it is.” Go to section And it hasn’t always been pretty, which is why the Penguins are open to the idea of trading Brassard. For the right return, of course. The problem is what that may be. It’s not a terribly strong list of available centers to replace Brassard. 1126437 Pittsburgh Penguins • Brassard was drafted by the Blue Jackets in 2006 and played six seasons there, so there is a sense of familiarity between Brassard and the Blue Jackets franchise. Penguins deal Derek Grant back to Anaheim; Is Derick Brassard next to • John Tortorella coached Brassard during the 2012-13, lockout- go? shortened season with the Rangers. A trade between these two franchises could be awkward on a couple of By Josh Yohe different levels. They’re bitter rivals and divisional opponents, which would make a trade odd, especially with these two teams vying for Jan 16, 2019 position in the Metropolitan Division standings. Also, Rutherford had a war of words with Tortorella on July 1, when Jack Johnson’s signing caused commotion between the franchises. GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Penguins are holding organizational meetings in Phoenix this week. Still, the Penguins are absolutely interested in moving Brassard and ultimately locating a third-line center that better suits their team. But how many of the Penguins will be on the roster by the time they play the Coyotes on Friday night? Rutherford said on Monday that action around the league was “about average” in terms of the number of phone calls being made by respective The Penguins made a late-night trade on Wednesday, dealing Derek general managers. Grant to his old home in Anaheim in return for center Joseph Blandisi. Things have clearly changed in the past 48 hours. And there’s more.

The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline reported earlier on Wednesday that the Blue Jackets have had discussions with the Penguins about acquiring The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 Derek Brassard, who has never fit sufficiently with the Penguins since joining them 11 months ago. Jim Rutherford made rather scathing comments about Brassard earlier this week, saying that the veteran has “underperformed” in a Penguins’ sweater. The Penguins have made it known to other NHL teams that Brassard is available. Rutherford has a history of acknowledging when one of his moves has gone bad. Instead of forcing it, he is far more likely to deal a player who isn’t working out. Rutherford has gotten to that point with Brassard. When Rutherford made the trade last February, he believed he was adding a player to the Penguins’ lineup who could mesh with Phil Kessel while subsequently playing a top-notch defensive game. Quite frankly, Brassard has done neither. He hasn’t been a complete disaster, but he’s been disappointing. Including the postseason, Brassard has scored 11 goals in 63 games with the Penguins. Brassard and Kessel have played together for a few weeks now and have displayed very little chemistry. The Penguins prefer to utilize Kessel on their third line, giving them a superstar on each of their top three lines. In theory, it’s sensible. In practice, it hasn’t worked because Brassard and Kessel have struggled together. The Penguins do have an abundance of depth down the middle but lost one of their natural centers in Grant. He scored 12 goals last season, and the Penguins signed him as a luxury last summer when they were surprised to see that he remained on the market. Grant was perfectly serviceable with the Penguins, producing two goals and five points in 25 games, all of which saw Grant on the fourth line. The Penguins are currently short at forward with Patric Hornqvist (concussion) and Zach Aston-Reese (broken hand) out of the lineup. Their newest forward could join the Penguins in Arizona if needed, given that they don’t play again until Friday. Blandisi has been playing in San Diego (AHL) in the Ducks organization but does have some NHL experience. A sixth-round pick by the Avalanche in 2012, he has participated in 74 NHL games, notching eight goals and 26 points. He’s also a fairly tough customer, having dropped the gloves four times at the NHL level and three times in AHL action. Blandisi also fought eight times in his OHL career. He has played for the Devils and the Ducks, producing a career-high five goals and 17 points in 41 games for the Devils during the 2015-16 season. This trade, however, figures to be a blip on the radar as the Penguins are preparing to make a more significant move, if not moves. They ideally prefer to trade significant players to the Western Conference, but the Blue Jackets have inquired. On the surface, this makes some sense. • The Blue Jackets are always weak down the middle, which is the primary reason they’ve struggled so much against the Penguins over the years. In a division with centers like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nicklas Backstrom, and many other stars, the Blue Jackets have long been interested in enhancing their lineup at center. 1126438 Pittsburgh Penguins a serious drug problem. Heroin addiction. So, do you know what Kev does now? He meets the kid all the time at Dunkin’ Donuts, and they just sit there and talk about life. He does stuff like this a lot. That’s the thing ‘Helping people is my new purpose’: Kevin Stevens’ long journey about him. He truly cares about people. And he wants to help that kid so continues badly. He knows he has the power to make a difference.” Wilson has always been close with her younger brother but has taken a more active role in his life during the past couple of years. When Stevens By Josh Yohe was at his lowest point, when the addiction had wreaked havoc and nearly ended him, Wilson always told him that he would figure life out, Jan 16, 2019 that his purpose would eventually surface. One day, a couple of years ago, it happened. BOSTON — Kevin Stevens gazed out the window on a chilly December When a federal judge spared Stevens jail time for selling Oxycodone in afternoon, the lunch crowd at Port 305 having cleared. All that remained the New England area, where opioid use has become an epidemic — he in the restaurant a few miles south of Boston were some background was convinced he would do at least a couple of years of hard time, but Christmas tunes, a larger than life figure in Penguins history, a couple of letters from the likes of Mario Lemieux made quite a difference on tears and hope. Stevens’ behalf — he was jolted by a revelation. Stevens is many things. He’s a Penguins’ icon, an addict, a father, an ex- His big sister’s voice was in his head. husband, a boyfriend, a son, a brother, and one day at a time, a success story. “He looked at me out of the blue and said, ‘Now I know why God put me here,'” Wilson said. “Helping people is my new purpose.” One question still haunts him. Reliving how different, and how better, his life could be, inspires Stevens If you would never have touched cocaine, how many Stanley Cups would in his daily helping of others. He always speaks of the past before he can the Penguins of the early 90s had won? process his present and future. “Christ,” the big man mumbles, shaking his head. “We should have won With his big sister watching his every move, Stevens tells police officers more than two, I’ll tell you that. I try not to think about it, because a lot of a story that’s never been told from his playing career. it was my fault. But of course I think about it. Fuck. If I think about it too much, it drives me nuts. We should have won four or five Cups. I should Stevens was traded from the Penguins to his hometown Bruins in 1995. have scored 600 goals. I should have been a Penguin forever. It would The trade was executed by Craig Patrick partially for financial reasons, have been nice. But I’ll never get that chance again.” as the Penguins were cash-strapped and dishing out huge money to retain Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr. Stevens’ life isn’t without purpose, however. He had a choice after being involved in a federal drug bust a few years ago: Long for the old days Penguins special assignment scout Kevin Stevens launched the Power and fall farther into the pit of addiction while being haunted about the Forward Foundation last year. (Courtesy of Kelli Wilson) dynasty that never happened, or put his legendary determination to good use and save lives. Patrick wanted Stevens to be the third piece that would be retained for the long term, even if it would require serious monetary maneuvering. “I remember telling Kev, ‘God gave me breast cancer and he gave you Stevens still holds a Penguins’ record with 17 goals in one postseason. addiction,'” said Kelli Wilson, who serves not only as Stevens’ oldest He made a prediction for the ages when the Penguins trailed the Bruins, sister but also the most important person in his life. “You fight, or you 2-0, in the 1991 Wales Conference final. don’t. And I’m so proud of him. He chose to fight, and he’s doing so much good for so many people.” He was that team’s heartbeat. It is a Wednesday, and Stevens’ day begins early. It’s just before 9 a.m. “Like Kev always would say,” Wilson said, “‘I always said the things that and he’s standing in the banquet room at Disch’s Restaurant in his Mario wanted to say.’ But it wasn’t Mario’s personality to talk a lot. So hometown of Pembroke. Kev did the talking for him.” The Chief of Police Association from the South Shore of Boston has Patrick never wanted to part ways with the game’s best power forward. gathered for its monthly meeting, and Stevens is the guest speaker. With “He was such of a great player,” Patrick said. “And such of a great sweat on his forehead, Stevens slowly sips on a drink before speaking to teammate. Of course, we wanted to keep him as long as we could.” the gathering of police officers. Stevens, though, had other ideas and told the police officers about this “Kev always gets so nervous,” Wilson said. “But, he always speaks from journey in great detail. the heart. No notes. No speech writer. It’s just him.” His problems with substance abuse started on March 4, 1993. Two Stevens is introduced and recounts his life story, the one in which most nights earlier, Lemieux had done the unthinkable, returning to the NHL hockey fans are now exceedingly familiar. on the same day of his final cancer radiation treatment. The night before In 522 career games as an all-star left winger with the Penguins, Kevin a game in New York, a stranger offered Stevens a vial of cocaine in a Stevens had 555 points. (Allsport) Manhattan club. Stevens, to this day, is always the most popular person in a room. He accepted. Feeling nervous, he resorts to humor when his speech begins. Stevens liked adult beverages during the early stages of his career but “I’m getting a little uncomfortable looking up and seeing all of you cops had never used drugs. everywhere,” he said. “I used to see you guys all the time. I used to think “I took the coke and did it in the bathroom,” he said. “I just did it. I don’t you lived at my house.” even know why. And my life was never the same again.” Everyone laughs. Even his old high school principal, David Gavigan, has Stevens started looking for more cocaine — and found it — not long after decided to take in Stevens’ speech. returning to Pittsburgh. When the Stanley Cup playoffs began that spring, “Kevin’s a good person,” Gavigan said. “Always was.” the drug was on his mind as much as winning a third Stanley Cup. Everyone is still laughing at Stevens’ one-liner, but then the big man “It’s scary,” he said. “If I had started doing cocaine at 18, I know I never turns serious. would have even played in the NHL.” Stevens, who is under no legal requirement to make such speaking Stevens’ play began to decline in the spring of 1993, and everyone engagements, opens up about his desire to help addicts near and far. He attributes this to his brutal injury on May 14, 1993. His infamous collision speaks of his website, of his weekly radio show and many other with Rich Pilon turned into a catastrophic injury, and the Penguins’ mini- endeavors. dynasty ended a couple of hours later. Ever modest, Stevens doesn’t share how he regularly goes above and Stevens’ face was literally demolished, his only memory of that night beyond. coming from a hospital bed, where nurses placed a radio beside his bed. Barely awake, he can still hear Mike Lange’s call of David Volek’s “He does the most amazing things,” Wilson said. “Not too long ago, we overtime goal in his head. found out that a politician’s son in Massachusetts has been dealing with That injury, though, didn’t do the damage, Stevens insists. “That’s not why I wasn’t the same player after that,” Stevens said. “It was He’s the focal point of the Power Forward Foundation, which serves as the addiction. It was always that.” an avenue for addicts to get help. Many members of the foundation, including Crosscheck cohosts Alyssa Horton and Willy Drinkwater, have As Stevens explained during his speech, his loyalty to the Penguins was dealt with addiction. Joe Diaz, the website and graphic designer, unwavering even if a certain request would indicate otherwise. connected with Stevens at an AA meeting. “I told Craig to trade me,” Stevens said. Andy Bernstein and Stevens’ sisters — Wilson and Kim Froh — also are Why? part of this group that seems to share a rare bond. They are all in attendance during the radio show, after which Stevens approaches all of Stevens had it all in Pittsburgh. He would have received a wealthy, new them with an envelope with a holiday gift. contract, he could have played a handful of seasons on Lemieux’s left wing and was among the most beloved figures in franchise history. “He’s the best,” Bernstein said. “He really is.” “I didn’t deserve to play with Mario anymore,” Stevens explained. “I knew The affection for Stevens among this group is impossible to ignore. So, I was on the wrong path. I knew I was never going to be that player too, is his dedication to helping others. again. So I told Craig to trade me to Boston. Mario was so great, those “I always ask him if it’s too much,” Wilson said. “Keep in mind, he’s in his Penguins teams were so great. I didn’t want to embarrass them.” 50’s now. He’s got a 3-year-old boy at home. He’s a scout for the Stevens later recalled the situation in great detail. Penguins. He drove three hours each way last night to scout a game. He’s an extremely busy man. I always ask him if there are too many “We had lost three years in a row in the playoffs,” Stevens said. “Mario speaking engagements, too many radio shows, if he needs a break.” was hurt and not playing much, and the Penguins didn’t have a lot of money. (Patrick) wanted to keep me. But I said, ‘No.’ It was right in the Stevens just shakes his head. middle of the addiction. It was starting to grab me a little bit, and I knew it. “I need to stay busy,” Stevens said. “Too much down time, and I get in I knew I wasn’t really going to be the same player.” my own head.” He never was, of course. Playing on a team of future hall of famers, All of this raises a question: Is Stevens really clean? Stevens didn’t feel like himself any longer and didn’t feel like he belonged in Pittsburgh. Stevens looks you in the eye when the question is asked. “If I could do it all over again, I would have stayed,” Stevens said. “Trust “I am,” he said. “For 2 1/2 years.” me, if I wasn’t dealing with addiction then, I would have stayed in Pittsburgh forever. But I was getting to be out of control. I didn’t even Are some days still a struggle? Does temptation remain? know what was going on. I didn’t realize I was an addict, even though I “I don’t know if I’d say it’s a struggle, if that’s the right word,” Stevens was. But when I was doing drugs then, the drugs were all I could think said. “But it’s a daily thing for me, a battle. I need to stick with my about.” program. I need to be sober, you have to understand. If I’m not sober, I Stevens gets emotional when thinking of his days with the Penguins. don’t have anything. I don’t have a family. I don’t have hockey. It’s the When he considers how many Stanley Cups those teams should have most important thing in my life. Without it, I can’t function. So, the busier I won, tears form in his eyes. am, the better I am, the happier I am.” “It’s not that I wanted to leave,” he said. “Trust me, I never wanted to Wilson keeps the closest of tabs on her brother and said the past two leave. To this day, I love Pittsburgh so much. I love the Penguins. I loved years have been different, that his federal bust changed his life for the those teams back then. Great friends. I loved everything about being a better. hockey player. But the addiction was chipping away.” “I actually sleep at night now because I know he’s clean,” Wilson said. “It Addicts have a way of hiding their habits, and Stevens was no different. used to be that I’d only sleep well when he was in rehab because at least I knew he was safe then. I think my mom gets a little upset still when she “I never knew,” Patrick said. “I would have loved to have kept him. I still goes a few days without hearing from him. But in general, we’re all doing thought he was a great player. I didn’t see much decline in his game. He better because we know he’s better. There’s Kevin, and then there’s was still a great power forward. But he was ready to go.” Kevin on drugs. They’re two different people. And I feel like I have my brother back. It’s a good feeling.” When Stevens’ speech to Boston police officers was over, he was ready to go, too. This doesn’t mean he’s out of the woods, of course. More work remained. “I think every day is still a struggle,” Wilson said. “His priority is sobriety. Every day. Relapse is expected. It’s part of his disease, part of the Stevens hosts a weekly radio show and called Crosscheck Radio and, on progression. But it also doesn’t have to be that way. And he’s been this day, he makes the drive north to Quincy for the taping. The show, incredible.” which is now available on Pittsburgh airwaves and the IHeartRadio app on Saturday mornings, is uniquely Stevens. Stevens said he is happier now than he has been in years. He speaks of addiction, sports, and everything in between during the 60- Penguins special assignment scout Kevin Stevens and his mother, minute program. Stevens often hosts a guest who has been impacted by Patricia. (Courtesy Kelli Wilson) the perils of addiction. He encourages callers to come forward and share their stories. In between, he talks hockey or whatever else is on his mind. “I still have certain days when (temptation) is there,” Stevens said. “But, There is something oddly entertaining about the show even if the format I’ve got a routine now. I’ve had it my whole life, as an athlete. And I have is hardly set in stone. it now. I need it. I need to go to my meetings. I started going to them when I got sober in the first place. And I need to be around my family and “Well, I’ll say this,” Penguins assistant general manager Bill Guerin said. friends. They’re great people, and I’m very lucky.” “I challenge you to find anyone who doesn’t like Kevin Stevens. Good luck with that. He’s dealt with a lot and has made mistakes, but you’ll If Stevens needs any motivation to stay clean, he considers all of his never find anyone who doesn’t like him. Ever.” failures. He blew millions of dollars, lost friends, lost a marriage, damaged his relationship with his children and probably cost himself an Stevens’ larger-than-life personality comes through in his radio show, invitation to the Hockey Hall of Fame. even if years of being humbled and shamed are also evident in his tone. Stevens places family before hockey, make no mistake. But he still If someone needs help, Stevens essentially serves as the middle man. bristles when speaking of his career. It’s why the program exists. Stevens, better than most people, realizes that reaching out for help is extraordinarily difficult for addicts. Numbers don’t lie: In the three seasons before Stevens started using cocaine, he produced 149 goals, 320 points and 564 penalty minutes. “Kev always says that he’ll keep doing it forever if it helps just one The numbers, during a time when goal scoring was starting to decline person,” Wilson said. “But it’s doing a lot more than that. We’ve already following the freewheeling 80s, speak for themselves. He was hockey’s helped five people get into rehab who came forward. It’s been incredible.” greatest power forward, a 50-goal machine who stood up for Lemieux at all times. It’s now become commonplace for people suffering with addiction to come forward because of Stevens. About a year ago, a woman Lemieux, incidentally, missed more than 100 games during those three struggling with drug problems in Pittsburgh watched an interview with seasons. Stevens on KDKA-TV and decided to check into rehab the following day. “Kevin wasn’t a creation of Mario,” Patrick said. “He was an all-time great “I know what it’s like to get sucked in by it,” Stevens said. power forward for a period of time.” Even now, Guerin, himself no slouch of a power forward, shakes his It represents a start. Stevens doesn’t seem totally happy, but he is on his head. way. That purpose he discovered remains. “I was coming into the league when he was at his best,” Guerin said. “I “He wants to help people, especially young people, and athletes,” Wilson had a thing in New Jersey where I was told to watch the player on the said. “He’s spoken to more than 2,000 people in the past six months. other team I wanted to emulate. When we played Pittsburgh, I watched That’s a lot of people. And he’s so, so committed to helping as many Kevin. He was incredible. So big, so fast, such a great player. He did it people as he can. He always says, ‘Kel, I can do this. I can do this.’ The all.” fact of the matter is, he’s a very good man with a very bad disease. People who know him will tell you, if they could have one thing of Kevin’s, In those three seasons, from 1990-1993, he scored 149 goals. Then, he it would be his heart. Not his athletic ability. Not his money. But his heart. did cocaine for the first time. In the following nine seasons, he scored He’s a giver.” 134 goals. He learned to love himself before he could help others. While the pain of “I look at those numbers all the time,” Stevens said. “It’s no different than his mistakes remains, Stevens’ resolve burst through his eyes the way a lawyer or a doctor, I guess. If they’re addicts, their production is going his chest once burst through his No. 25 jersey. The guy who protected to drop off, too. You know, I didn’t do a drug until I was 28. Not one. Lemieux, and who made an iconic guarantee, and who was the voice of Honest to God. It occurs to me that, if I had started doing drugs when I a great team in Pittsburgh sports history, still has a pulse. was 18 instead, I’d have never even played in the NHL. It’s scary when I think of it that way.” When his support group leaves after lunch is complete, each of them hugs Stevens and says “I love you” to him. Stevens will never score those 600 goals. He will never be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He will never skate around with the Stanley Cup for the He says it back. third time. The thought of it all brings tears to his eyes, but then he focuses on how lucky he really is. The big man has a soft spot. He is still alive. He isn’t in jail. His relationship with his children has “Does he ever,” Wilson said. “He knows how much these people care improved greatly. He is employed. His relationship with his ex-wife, about him. And he knows how much all the old Penguins and how much Suzanne, has probably never been better. Pittsburgh cares about him. He gets choked up. He’s more sensitive than people think. He was a train, right? Like Mike Lange always called him, “She’s an unbelievable mom,” Stevens said. “My older kids, you know, the R.T. Express. But he’s so sensitive, so full of kindness. He’s just that (relationship) could have gone downhill. But it hasn’t. We’re good trying to put his life together. He is trying so, so hard.” now. Suzanne deserves a lot of credit for that.” The restaurant is now empty, and Stevens is sitting at a table by himself. Then, there is his sister, Kelli. The drugs are on his mind, and hockey, and all the money he lost, and his children, and the Penguins, and Pittsburgh. “Boy am I lucky,” Stevens said. “She’s a very positive person, and I need that. She’s helped me so much. You don’t even know.” His eyes become teary as he looks at Dorchester Bay. His oldest sister has been through a lot. Through it all, she has “Best days of my life were in Pittsburgh,” he said. “God I miss that place. maintained a belief that her famous brother would overcome all of his Fuck. I loved playing for that team so much. It’s nice to be in the demons. organization again, I’ll tell that. And it’s nice to be living again.” One day at a time, she sees him getting there. He will always have his memories, but it seems Stevens, one day at a time, is embracing his new role. He’s no longer a superstar, even if his “I used to send my parents to Florida in the winter just to get them away name will always pop up in Penguins’ record books. from all of the madness,” she said. “I admit that I enabled him for a long time without ever realizing it. Kev would ask me for money, and I’d give it Now he’s just a 53-year-old man putting his life together and trying to to him. Eventually, I had to start writing checks to Comcast instead of just save the world, one person at a time. giving him money, because I didn’t realize where the money was going.” “I’m happy about it,” Stevens said, offering a shy grin. “I really am.” Stevens takes the staff of his nonprofit group to lunch after his radio show. He walks to his car but then remembers more work remains in the radio studio. Stevens hustles back to the studio. He’s in a rush to get home to As he eats a fish sandwich at Port 305, his entire life flashes before his Hunter and Fallon, after all. eyes. Life doesn’t always present us second chances, and he doesn’t seem • He is surrounded by his support group, people who have become his interested in failing again. The man who was always at his best when the best friends in his fight against addiction. Penguins trailed in a series seems to know a thing or two about comebacks. • Above the table is a television with a hockey game playing from the previous evening. The Yale-UMass game is airing, and Luke Stevens, his “I think he’s really turned the corner,” Wilson said. “He prays to God 21-year-old son, scores a goal for Yale in the second period. Everyone at every day — as we all do — that he’s going to keep getting better.” the table cheers. Stevens grins. He was there the night before and is grooming his son, a fifth-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes, for the Stevens emerges from the studio and heads home as the New England NHL. sun begins to set, another productive day in the books. • Stevens always brings conversation back to his girlfriend, Fallon, and “I want this,” he said. “I want to be good.” their three-year old son, Hunter. He does so continually during lunch. • When he’s not talking about them, he’s talking about Pittsburgh and the The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 Penguins. “We all used to live in Mt. Lebanon by the Galleria,” he said. “I always smile when I think about those times. We were so great.” His former teammates are still talking about him, too. One night earlier, Stevens had dinner with his old linemate, Rick Tocchet. “Kevin Stevens is one of my favorite teammates ever,” Tocchet said. “A generous, funny person. And he’d give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He still has those same qualities today.” This properly summarizes Stevens in the eyes of so many. He is a good man who has done bad things. To this day, he is beloved by all of his old teammates and essentially everyone who comes into contact with the gentle giant. Stevens knows everyone is rooting for him. It seems to pressure and inspire him all at the same time. “Life isn’t so bad, though,” he said. “I can wake up whenever I want now, and I’m going to feel good. I’m not thinking about pain pills. It’s nice.” 1126439 San Jose Sharks “It looked a lot worse than it was because he was stepping on the puck,” Meier said. “It was stupid by me to take that penalty late.”

The slump is particularly frustrating because Meier is getting his chances. Takeaways: Timo Meier’s frustration boils over as Sharks winning streak He produced seven shots on goal Wednesday, including a pair of high- ends danger scoring chances (Natural Stat Trick). It’s the natural ebb and flow Timo Meier has gone 16 games without scoring a goal. of goal scoring that infects even the deadliest snipers at some point in the season. He’s due to score some ugly goals soon.

“We hope so,” Couture said. “We’ve all been there, I’ve been there. You By Paul Gackle | Bay Area News Group get frustrated. You expect it to go in every night, but sometimes, you’ve got to take a step back and realize this is the best league in the world. It’s tough to score in this league.” GLENDALE, Ariz. — A lot of bad news came out of Wednesday’s game DeBoer said Meier just needs to stick with it. He can’t allow the in the desert. frustration to hurt his game. The Sharks (28-14-7) season-high seven-game winning streak came to “He can’t take that penalty at the end,” the Sharks coach said. “On the an end. They missed an opportunity to pull even with the Calgary Flames flip side, he had six or seven shots and he’s getting chances, he’s getting for first place in the Pacific Division and Erik Karlsson is showing signs some looks. Nothing else you can do but stick with it.” that he might be a little dinged up. 3. Lukas Radil encounters his first setback. After he received just six third period shifts for “precautionary” reasons in Tuesday’s win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Karlsson skated for 25:48 in It turns out that Radil is flawed just like the rest of us. a losing effort against the Arizona Coyotes, posting a minus-4 rating. The ice time is down from the 30:09 he received in Las Vegas last week, the After going 23 games without hitting the wall that trips up most rookies, 29:15 he logged against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 5 and the the 28-year-old ran into his first NHL setback Wednesday. 30:54 he accumulated in Colorado on Jan. 2. Radil received a demotion to the fourth line at the start of the second In the wake of Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s injury, the Sharks have leaned period, getting bumped from Couture’s wing, where he’s been slotted heavily on Karlsson in close games, which is why it’s surprising that his since DeBoer shuffled up his lines on Dec. 29. The Czech rookie’s ice time was down as his team attempted to erase a deficit in the third emergence played a key role in the Sharks winning streak as it allowed period. Sounds precautionary. Tomas Hertl to move into the center of a line with Evander Kane and Joonas Donskoi that produced 34 points in eight games. Here’s the good news: 25-plus minutes is still a healthy workload, so it’s unlikely that he’s dealing with a major injury. Second, he nearly led the Labanc took Radil’s spot after scoring his first goal in 15 games on the Ottawa Senators to the Stanley Cup Final is 2017 with two hairline fourth line in the opening period. He took full advantage of the fractures in his left heel, a sign that he can perform with pain. Third, the opportunity, picking up two assists after the promotion to record his first Sharks are going to receive a nine-day break in a week. If the injury is multi-point game since Dec. 16. significant, Karlsson can skip the All Star Game at SAP Center “It’s definitely a reward for Kevin and it’s a good lesson for Radil,” DeBoer regardless of how the league feels about it. said. “You can’t take your foot off the gas in this league. Somebody Here’s what we learned in the Sharks 6-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes: wants those minutes with those good players.” 1. The Sharks aren’t accepting get-out-of-jail-free cards. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 01.17.2019 The Sharks deserve a get-out-of-jail-free card. They won’t accept it. After an emotional win over the Penguins, the Sharks jumped on a plane for Arizona where they played the second game of a back-to-back against a rested team after putting together two weeks of near-flawless hockey. A letdown seemed more than possible. But the Sharks aren’t letting themselves off the hook. “No. You don’t think that way. No. No,” Logan Couture said. “We’re disappointed.” The Sharks are disappointed because they handed the Coyotes a two- goal lead in the game’s first five minutes. After Kevin Labanc turned the puck over in the neutral zone, goalie Aaron Dell allowed Lawson Crouse’s 45-foot shot to bounce in off his glove. 1-0. Then, Brent Burns coughed it up on a Sharks power play, leading to a breakaway for Richard Panik. 2-0. After that, the Sharks spent the rest of the night trying to climb out of a hole that proved to be insurmountable. They gave the puck away throughout the game and failed to match the Coyotes physicality and intensity level for long stretches. After Couture scored to make it a 4-3 game with 4:52 left in regulation, Timo Meier committed a senseless penalty that ended the rally. “We were uncharacteristically sloppy, a little soft,” head coach Pete DeBoer said. They’ll get a chance to start over Saturday with a rematch against the Tampa Bay Lightning. 2. Meier’s frustration is boiling over. Meier isn’t ducking the truth: he’s frustrated. After opening the season with 18 goals in 30 games, Meier’s failed to find the back of the net in 16 straight games, the longest goalless drought of his NHL career. The frustration finally boiled over at 17:47 of the third when Meier took a tripping penalty by spearing Oliver Ekman-Larsson in the back of his leg after the Coyotes defenseman got away with a hit to his head. 1126440 San Jose Sharks

Sharks winning streak ends with loss to Coyotes The Sharks lost their first game of 2019 on Wednesday.

By Paul Gackle

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The streak ends with a letdown in the desert. The Arizona Coyotes played the role of spoilers Wednesday night, snapping the Sharks seven-game winning streak with a 6-3 win on home ice. The Coyotes took advantage of a Sharks group that was playing the second game of a back-to-back after an emotional win over the Pittsburgh Penguins and a flight out to Arizona. The Sharks probably deserve a get-out-of-jail-free card for this one. They were due for a loss after opening the month of January with a 7-0 record following a loss in Calgary on New Year’s Eve. But it cost the Sharks a chance to pull even with the Calgary Flames for first place in the Pacific Division as they lost in overtime to the Buffalo Sabres. The Coyotes jumped out to an early lead, scoring a pair of goals on their first three shots. Lawson Crouse opened the scoring at 2:31 of the first with a shot that goalie Aaron Dell would surely like another crack at. Dell got the webbing of his glove on Crouse’s 45-foot shot, but it popped up and into the net. Richard Panik added to the lead just 2:08 later, scoring the Coyotes 12th shorthanded goal of the season by converting a breakaway chance after Brent Burns turned the puck over in the offensive zone. Kevin Labanc cut the lead to 2-1 at 6:53 of the opening frame, scoring his first goal in 15 games. Labanc got redemption for a neutral zone turnover the led to the Coyotes first goal by firing in the rebound of a Brenden Dillon shot from the slot. The Coyotes went back at it in the second, scoring two more goals in the frame’s first eight minutes. Christian Fischer made it 3-1 at 5:05 by banking the puck in off Erik Karlsson’s right skate. Oliver Ekman-Larsson added to the lead less than three minutes later, scoring from 51 feet out as Fischer blocked Dell’s eyes with a screen in front. Dell stopped 24 of the 28 shots he faced in the contest. Evander Kane made it 4-2 in the middle of the period, scoring from the high slot off a pass from Labanc, who recorded his first multi-point game since Dec. 16. The goal gives Kane 22 points in his last 20 games. Logan Couture added a power play goal at 15:08 of the third. Erik Karlsson earned the primary assist and Labanc picked up his third point of the night. Alex Galchenyuk and Josh Archibald iced the game in the last two minutes by scoring a pair of empty-net goals. The Sharks will return to action Saturday, taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second game of a four-game road trip. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126441 San Jose Sharks

Sharks’ seven-game winning streak snapped

By Jack Magruder Updated 11:08 pm PST, Wednesday, January 16, 2019

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Before Wednesday, the Sharks had been a perfect 7-0 this month. But an imperfect outing against the Coyotes put an end to that run. Christian Fischer had a goal and an assist, Richard Panik scored Arizona’s 12th short-handed goal of the season and Arizona snapped San Jose’s winning streak with a 6-3 victory. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Lawson Crouse, Alex Galchenyuk and Josh Archibald also scored for the Coyotes, the last two coming after the Sharks pulled goalie Aaron Dell in the final two minutes. Darcy Kuemper made 26 saves for Arizona, extending his winning streak to four games. Kevin Labanc had a goal and two assists, Evander Kane got his 17th goal and Logan Couture scored for the Sharks, who were playing the second of back-to-back games after beating Pittsburgh at home Tuesday. Erik Karlsson’s assist gave him at least one in 15 straight games, making him the fifth defenseman in NHL history to accomplish the feat. The Sharks had not lost since falling 8-5 to Calgary on New Year’s Eve and had given up only 10 goals in their last six games. The Coyotes killed off three of four penalties and have given up an NHL- low 16 power-play goals in 137 chances, the best percentage in the league. Couture’s goal with five minutes remaining cut it to 4-3 but Galchenyuk scored seconds after the Sharks pulled Dell. Archibald scored moments later as the Coyotes won their fourth in five games. Dell made 36 saves while starting in place of Martin Jones, who tied a career best with his eighth consecutive victory in the 5-2 win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Crouse scored 2:31 into the game when his wrist shot from the right circle deflected off Dell’s glove. Panik scored his first short-handed goal on a breakaway less than two minutes later. Labanc made it 2-1 in a busy first period when he picked up a rebound of Brenden Dillon’s shot from the left point and beat Kuemper high on the glove side at 6:53. Fischer scored five minutes into the second when he brought the puck from around the net and threw it out in front from a bad angle. It ricocheted off Karlsson’s skate and under Dell’s right arm to make it 3-1. San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126442 San Jose Sharks

NHL trade deadline: Doug Wilson says Sharks' moves must strike right balance

By Marcus White January 16, 2019 4:50 PM

Just over six weeks before the NHL trade deadline, the Sharks are playing their best hockey of the season. San Jose entered Wednesday's game against the Arizona Coyotes riding a season-high seven-game winning streak, and has won 16 of its last 21 games. Since Dec. 2, the day the team met with general manager Doug Wilson following a blowout loss at the hands of the Ottawa Senators, the Sharks have the NHL's second-best record (behind the Tampa Bay Lightning) and are the league's best 5-on-5 puck-possession team (55.86 percent corsi-for, 55.76 percent fenwick-for per Natural Stat Trick). That leaves Wilson with a tightrope to walk ahead of the deadline. "The things that you identify that successful teams have, we're trending in the right direction," Wilson told NHL.com's Nick Costonika. "We feel good about it. But if there's a way that we can add a piece that fits ... Sometimes you add a piece that doesn't fit, or you get a guy that has got to be accepting of his role. "You've got to balance your needs, the integration time and truly what your own group is doing, the dynamic and chemistry of our group, which is really a pretty special group." Wilson told reporters last week that the Sharks would be willing to add players on expiring contracts for the stretch run, without necessarily intending to re-sign those players this summer. All-Stars Erik Karlsson and Joe Pavelski are among the Sharks who can become unrestricted free agents, while Timo Meier is set to hit restricted free agency for the first time. As of this writing, the Sharks would have around $5.1 million in salary cap space at the trade deadline, according to Cap Friendly. They are without first-round draft picks this year or next because of the Karlsson and Evander Kane trades, and could be without one in 2021 if the Sharks sign Karlsson to an extension and they make the Stanley Cup Final this June. Wilson told Costonika there are other factors to consider, too. "A big part of trade deadline is integrating players. We only have 19 games after the trade deadline," Wilson said. "So historically we'll identify what it is we might need, what ingredient we might need, and then factor in, 'Can we get them, what's the cost and what is the integration time?' So, there is a process that we follow." A lot can change between now and Feb. 26. Including Wednesday, the Sharks will play 11 of 15 games on the road. San Jose will wrap up a four-game road trip in Boston the day of the deadline, but just six road games remain on the schedule after that. At the moment, though, Wilson said there's a lot to like about how his team his playing. "Right now, if you look at a lot of the indicators, we're getting a lot out of a lot of people, meaning different ways," Wilson said. "We think we've got better hockey ahead of us. But we like our goaltending. We like our defense. I think we have four lines. We're getting a lot of secondary scoring. We're getting guys that are having good years. A few guys are saying, 'Well, I can be even better.' Yeah, you can. Then you just want to get playing the right way." Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126443 San Jose Sharks

Sharks vs. Coyotes live stream: How to watch NHL game online, on NBCSN

By NBC Sports Bay Area staff January 16, 2019

The Sharks are surging, but their opponents Wednesday night are probably steaming. The Arizona Coyotes have not played since Jan. 13, when they lost 7-1 to the Western Conference-leading Calgary Flames. Before that, the Desert Dogs had won their last three games but remained on the outside looking in at the playoff picture. The well-rested Coyotes should provide a tough test for the not-so-rested Sharks, who just beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Tuesday night. Tomas Hertl scored his first hat trick since scoring four goals against the New York Rangers on Oct. 8, 2013. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126444 San Jose Sharks

Sharks vs. Coyotes watch guide: Projected lines and defensive pairs

By Chelena Goldman January 16, 2019

After yet another outstanding showing on Tuesday evening, the Sharks look to keep their winning streak going as they travel to the desert to take on the Arizona Coyotes. The Sharks are coming off their seventh victory in a row after a statement win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tomas Hertl recorded his second career hat trick and 100th career goal while Joe Thornton found the back of the net in his 1,000th game in teal as San Jose skated away with a 5-2 win. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan called the Sharks “one of the better teams we've played this season," after the game. The Desert Dogs, on the other hand, are coming off a tough 7-1 loss at the hands of the division-leading Calgary Flames. Arizona has been trying to make do with the weapons they have despite being hit hard with player injuries this season. They currently sit in seventh place in the Pacific, just three points above the LA Kings in the cellar. Wednesday marks the third meeting between the Sharks and Coyotes this season. When the teams last met before the Christmas break, San Jose lost 4-3 in the shootout. In 145 total meetings between these teams, the Sharks hold a 75-50-7- 13 record. Sharks projected lines and pairs Marcus Sorensen – Joe Thornton – Joe Pavelski Lukas Radil – Logan Couture – Timo Meier Evander Kane – Tomas Hertl – Joonas Donskoi Kevin Labanc – Barclay Goodrow – Melker Karlsson Radim Simek – Brent Burns Brenden Dillon – Erik Karlsson Tim Heed – Justin Braun Aaron Dell – projected starter Martin Jones Coyotes projected lines and pairs Clayton Keller – Jordan Weal – Christian Fischer Richard Panik – Derek Stepan – Vinnie Hinostroza Alex Galchenyuk – Nick Cousins – Conor Garland Lawson Crouse – Mario Kempe – Josh Archibald Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Niklas Hjalmarsson Jakob Chychrun – Ilya Lyubushkin Jordan Oesterle – Alex Goligoski Darcy Kuemper – projected starter Calvin Pickard Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126445 St Louis Blues “I thought it was (boarding) right away,” Sanford said. “I watched the replay. I still thought it was. But nobody can make those calls except for the ref. And I guess they didn’t think it was boarding. For Blues, refs keep getting in the way “Who knows? Maybe they didn’t see it. Or they had a bad angle. Nothing you can do about it. That happens a lot, so you just gotta be ready to roll with it and get your rest and get healthy.” Jim Thomas St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.17.2019

BOSTON • The Blues have had some, well, strange encounters with NHL referees this season. On Dec. 11 against Florida, Robert Bortuzzo “scored” when he sent a puck into the corner that deflected off referee Tim Peel and took an odd 90-degree turn ... into the Panthers’ net. It was disallowed by league rule: No goal can be scored that deflects off a member of the officiating crew and goes directly into the net. And let’s not forget Jan. 3 against Washington, when linesman Kiel Murchison shoved Ryan O’Reilly to the ice trying to keep his balance during a post-faceoff scrum. But nothing tops what happened to Oskar Sundqvist on Tuesday in New York. Sundqvist was skating around the Islanders’ net when he violently “met” referee Ghislain Hebert. Sundqvist lost his balance trying to avoid contact, took an elbow to the mouth from Hebert and fell backward, conking his head on the ice. “I saw him at the last second,” Sundqvist said Wednesday. “That’s why I kind of lost my balance. I kind of panicked. I didn’t know where to go. “I didn’t expect him to stand there. He kind of caught me off-guard and I didn’t know where to go, so that’s why I kind of came in awkwardly in that situation. And that’s why I got his elbow in my mouth.” Sundqvist was helped off the ice but got through the concussion protocol in time to finish out the first period. It looks like he’ll be able to play Thursday against the Boston Bruins. But the larger question remains: Why can’t NHL officiating crews stay out of the Blues’ way? “I know,” Sundqvist said, smiling. “We’ve been trying not to put too much focus on the refs. Let them do their job and we’re just trying to do our job.” SANFORD HOMECOMING Zach Sanford didn’t take part in the Blues’ optional skate Wednesday at Boston University and is iffy for Thursday’s game against the Bruins. He’s going through the concussion protocol after a third-period collision with Casey Cizikas of the Islanders. When he looked out at the BU rink, Sanford couldn’t help thinking of his father Mike, who died of a heart attack during Blues preseason camp in September. “Yeah, a little bit,” said Sanford, who played at Boston College. “He watched quite a few games with me playing at BC. And being back here in this rink, he’s been to a few games here. Yeah, it definitely brings back some good memories.” Boston U. was the biggest rival for Boston College, Sanford said. “We had some pretty big games here,” he said. “Some fun games with the crowd going wild. Some big wins here.” Sanford grew up in southern New Hampshire about 50 minutes from Boston; his mother Cindy lives in New Hampshire. “I’m actually meeting up with her tonight to grab some dinner, hang out with her and my sister, a couple buddies and some family,” Sanford said Wednesday afternoon. “So it’ll be nice to get home and see them.” Boston has become a second home for Sanford; he spends his summers there. “Gotta lot of friends here now,” he said. THE COLLISION With just over eight minutes remaining in regulation of the Blues’ 2-1 overtime loss Tuesday to the Islanders, Cizikas slammed into Sanford, who fell and crashed into the boards at Barclays Center. Sanford had to be helped off the ice and did not return. It sure looked like a boarding penalty against Cizikas, but there was no call. 1126446 St Louis Blues

Preview: Blues at Boston

Jim Thomas

Blues at Bruins When, where • 6 p.m. Thursday, TD Garden TV, radio • Fox Sports Midwest, KMOX (1120 AM) About the Bruins • Former Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak got the start in Wednesday’s 4-3 loss in Philadelphia, so Tuukka Rask (13-8-3, 2.44 GAA) is expected to start against St. Louis. Led by the Rask-Halak tandem, which has split time evenly this season, the Bruins are one of the NHL’s stingiest teams. They rank third defensively in the league, allowing only 2.59 goals a game. Up front, David Pastrnak scored his 27th goal of the season against the Flyers; Brad Marchand had two assists and has 10 points (five goals, five assists) in his last eight contests. Boston (26-16-5) ranks second in the league on the power play (27.9 percent) but has allowed 10 short-handed goals, which is tied for the most in the NHL. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126447 St Louis Blues But O’Reilly and Perron have been on the same line for the past 14 games and 21 games total this season. Who knows where the .500 Blues (20-20-5) would be without them this season? The mesh came Bigger role has brought big results for Perron almost instantly. “Certain guys, it just happens like that,” Perron said. “In my career, there’s guys where it worked and guys where it didn’t work. He’s very Jim Thomas similar to (Ryan) Getzlaf in some of the plays he makes. The assist he made (Tuesday) night was unbelievable.”

O’Reilly has had an assist on four of Perron’s last five goals. Conversely, BOSTON • About the last thing David Perron expected when he signed a Perron has assisted on O’Reilly’s last three scores. four-year, $16 million free-agent contract with the Blues in July was that he’d have a new coach before Thanksgiving. “He’s playing phenomenal,” O’Reilly said. “He’s one of those guys that he gets the puck and he can find everybody. He’s got great vision but And surely he didn’t expect that the new coach, one Craig “Chief” protects the puck so well. ... He’s been on fire and he’s been working for Berube, would make him a healthy scratch after just eight games on the it. You see how hard he works out there. He’s a big reason why we’ve job. won these last few games.” “Obviously, you never want to go through that again,” Perron said. “But Perron plays with passion, a passion that frequently jumps out at you it’s definitely how you respond.” from the ice. Man, has Perron responded. The 12-year vet from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Part of that passion comes from knowing that nothing is guaranteed. has nine goals and nine assists in 17 games since being scratched for Perron cited an ill-fated stretch for parts of two seasons in Pittsburgh the Blues’ game Dec. 9 against Vancouver. He’s currently in the midst of where things didn’t go well. a 12-game point streak, tied for fifth-longest by any NHL player this season. “You almost feel like you’re gonna be out of the league in a year or two if you don’t figure it out real quick,” he said. “I had to dig real deep within As Perron spoke in a hallway Wednesday at the Boston University rink, myself and kinda look at myself in the mirror with where can I get better where the Blues held an optional skate, several teammates walked by. — things like that.” “There he is, the hottest player in the league,” said one of those players, If he could do that, then what’s a one-game benching? Pat Maroon. “I only heard good things about Chief and it’s been unbelievable so far,” To say Perron’s improved production is a direct result of the Vancouver Perron said. “Even though he scratched me, we all love him in here. It scratch, well, that’s not exactly true. Perron did have five points (three has nothing to do with others, there’s no hard feelings. We want to go goals, two assists) in the six games preceding his benching. through a wall for him.” But Berube didn’t like some of the penalties Perron was taking. For his St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.17.2019 part, Perron wasn’t thrilled with his role on the team. “The conversations that I had with Chief were very important,” Perron said. “A lot of the things I’ll keep between him and I, but just kind of explaining what I went through last year. And how I felt when you feel important. Those type of things, you know what I mean? When you feel important you can play (better).” Exposed by the Blues in the expansion draft and claimed by Vegas, Perron had a bigger-than-usual role with the Golden Knights. It worked out well for both parties: Vegas made the Stanley Cup Finals and Perron registered a career high 66 points on 16 goals and 50 assists. So part of Perron’s frustration with the Blues was a lesser role with a struggling team. “I felt like I proved a little bit of something last year with having a bigger role (for Vegas),” Perron said. “A role that I never had pretty much in my career, and did good with that. And we had success as a team, too. “So I wanted to bring that here, obviously. I didn’t get that right away.” But he is now. In 27 games before Vancouver, Perron was averaging 15 minutes, 53 seconds of ice time per game. In 17 games since Vancouver, he’s averaging 18:45. The Blues are 7-4-1 during Perron’s point streak, and he’s plus-8. With 17 goals this season, already one more than his Vegas total, he has a chance to eclipse his career high of 28 in 2013-14 for Edmonton. His Blues best of 21 goals in 2011-12 certainly is within reach. “His poise with the puck is unreal,” linemate Zach Sanford said. “You see him, he’s not the fastest skater but he’s really strong on his skates. He’s really good with the puck, especially in those areas in tight. Winning those battles and being able to spin off guys and create those chances. “Obviously he’s been doing that a lot for us lately and he’s been able to come up big in those clutch moments. Scoring a big goal to tie it up (against the New York Islanders) and get us that point. “It’s just fun to watch and fun to play with when a guy’s playing like that with all the confidence in the world. He’s dangling, he’s protecting the puck, he’s doing a lot of things right out there.” It’s hard enough for a team to make one big strike in terms of offseason moves. But the Blues made two in signing Perron in free agency and trading for Ryan O’Reilly. They haven’t always been on the same line. Remember, the original plan was to have O’Reilly center for Vladimir Tarasenko. 1126448 St Louis Blues "Yeah, it was tough for sure," David Perron said. "Just around the boards. Like sometimes it was just flat. (The puck) would hop over a stick. I mean, it was tough for both sides, but obviously they're used to it Sundqvist looks good, Sanford iffy for Boston because they play here more. It is what it is." BLUENOTES Jim Thomas • After 34 consecutive games with 20 minutes-plus in ice time, Colton Parayko played only 17:50 against the Islanders, his lowest total since Game 10 of the season Oct. 27 against Chicago (17:47). BOSTON • Oskar Sundqvist came out of Tuesday's game against the • Jordan Kyrou saw duty on the Blues' second power play unit against New York Islanders only a little worse for the wear from his impromptu the Islanders _ for 1:46. It was only his third time on the power play in 13 collision with referee Ghislain Hebert. games with St. Louis this season. Initial indications are that he should be fine for Thursday's contest against • During his 12-game points streak, Perron has six goals and 9 assists. the Boston Bruins. • The Blues have outshot their opponents in 11 straight games, and are But Zach Sanford's status is uncertain after he was slammed into the 6-4-1 in those contests. boards by the Islanders' Casey Cizikas with 8 minutes 5 seconds to go. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.17.2019 "I'm feeling OK," Sanford said Wednesday. "There's a lot of (concussion) protocol and stuff that goes on when you hit your head like that. So I'm kinda just rolling with it. We're going through all the steps and jumping through the hoops. Who knows? Hopefully I'll be able to be back soon." With forwards Tyler Boak, Alexander Steen and Robert Thomas all on injured reserve, Sanford has been getting lots of time lately. He had more than 15 minutes of ice time in each of his previous five contests entering the Islanders game. He was headed toward similar time Tuesday before the Cizikas hit, did not return to the game after it. Not only did Sundqvist return after he went down less than three minutes into the game, he cleared concussion protocol and was back to skate the final 19 seconds of the first period. "It takes forever but you have to do it," Sundqvist said. "Especially with the Tom Wilson hit that happened in the beginning of the season, I think both me and Ray (Barile) were a little bit worried." Barile is the Blues' head athletic trainer. "We just wanted to make sure everything was fine, and take it easy for a couple of minutes and see how it felt," Sundqvist said. "But everything was good." In fact, Sundqvist was ready to return with about six minutes left in the period, but there was never a stoppage of play. The tunnel to the visiting team locker at Barclays Center is behind one of the goals _ not behind the player benches _ so he had to wait. Neither Sundqvist nor Sanford practiced Wednesday afternoon. With the Blues coming off a back-to-back and having played three games in four days, they had an optional skate with nine players on the ice at Boston University. FEW COMPLAINTS Even though the Blues' lost 2-1 in overtime, interim coach Craig Berube didn't have much to complain about regarding his team's play against the Islanders. "The first five minutes we were kinda on our heels a little bit," Berube said afterwards. "We expected that, (for) them to come hard at home. But once we got our legs under us we were fine. "I don't know. We played a pretty good game. Everybody was involved and contributed. We played our game tonight. That's our game. And sometimes you just don't win. Sometimes you just don't score enough and that was the case tonight. Their goalie played a heck of a game as did ours. But we didn't get that second goal." Similarly, Berube wasn't too worked up about the late change by Vince Dunn in overtime. Alex Pietrangelo couldn't get on the ice quickly enough to catch Valtteri Filppula, who scored the game-winner. "It's tough," Berube said. "They had the puck the whole time, and you get some guys caught out there, it's hard. Probably in hindsight, maybe Dunn-er should hold and not come off. But it's tough. He's been out there a long time." CHOPPY ICE The ice conditions were less than ideal at Barclays Center, which explained in part the inability of either team to get much going offensively Tuesday. "Pucks were just bouncing," Pietrangelo said. "It wasn't a very pretty game to watch I can tell you that. It didn't feel like it was pretty to play." 1126449 St Louis Blues Blues' streak was fun while it lasted, but they still earn a point on the road 'These are the ones earlier in the year that we weren’t getting points,' captain Alex Pietrangelo said after the Blues lost 2-1 in overtime to the Hochman: Remember when Blues' Perron was a healthy scratch? Islanders. Now 20-20-5 for the season, the Blues are 2-0-1 on a tough Berube pushed right button trip that closes with a game Thursday in Boston. End of three-month goal drought is a boost for Blues' Dunn Benjamin Hochman Second-year player still leads Blues defenseman in scoring. Kyrou's patience rewarded with call-up by Blues For those who brush aside the mental factor of emotions and feelings in By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch a physical sport like hockey … check out what happened with David Perron. He was a healthy scratch on Dec. 9, a demoralizing thing for a JAKE ALLEN'S 'DEMORALIZING' PERFORMANCE veteran player who was signed by St. Louis in the offseason for big bucks. Perron didn't even want to discuss the scratch with the scribes in Seguin, Bishop lead Stars to 3-1 win over Blues the locker room. QUESTIONS: After Tuesday night’s debacle and a quick look at goalie It happened at a time when seemingly everything was going badly for the statistics. it appears that Jake Allen has little business being a starting Blues. Perron was just one of the many problems. He had been goalie. The fact he lets in so many soft goals — two more Tuesday — committing penalties at a frightening rate, some games logging more has to be hugely demoralizing to the team. Is management truly aware of minutes in the box than shots taken. how poorly he is playing and its effect on the team (and fan base)? Are they searching for an alternative? Will they throw in the towel for this In the game he was scratched – Dec. 9 vs. Vancouver – the Blues lost, season and hope to get into the lottery and draft a future star? 6-1. At home. JIM THOMAS: Three goals allowed, even though two were "soft" goals, But interim coach Craig Berube sure pushed the right button. Whether is not a debacle. Since Nov. 14, Allen has a 2.61 GAA and a .907 save consciously or subconsciously, it motivated Perron, who is clearly the percentage. That's in 23 games or 22 starts — a pretty good sample size. biggest of the Blues quartet of summer signings (considering the others It's not great. Maybe average. But that is not a debacle. Or subpar play. were Tyler Bozak, Patrick Maroon and the erstwhile Chad Johnson). Here's another factor to consider. At home Allen has a 3.65 GAA and an Before the scratch: Perron played in 27 games, had 16 points, 22 penalty .878 save percentage. On the road, he's got a 2.30 GAA and a .922 save minutes and was minus-5. percentage. So what do we make of that? Is Allen pressing more at home? More comfortable on the road? Since the scratch: Perron played in 17 games, had 18 points, 14 penalty minutes and is a plus-8. I know many of you have had enough. I totally understand. I get that. I'm not sure I'm there yet. But as I've said several times — and as Armstrong Thrice a Blue, Perron is now playing game-altering hockey, syncing up has indicated — this is a make-or-break year for Allen in St. Louis. But with the Blues' most-productive player, Ryan O'Reilly. Perron has a point what if you can't get much in a trade for Allen? Do you just throw him streak of 12-straight games. Remember last season when everyone overboard and move on? talked about Perron's big role on Vegas? He scored 16 goals for the Golden Knights last year – he's already at 17 this year for St. Louis. He START BINNINGTON, GIVE JAKE A MENTAL BREAK? did have 50 assists, compared to 17 right now, but again the focus is on Perron's recent resurgence, which has coincided with the Blues being … Binnington gets shutout in 1st start, Blues beat Flyers 3-0 actually not bad at hockey? Matt Slocum The Blues don't look like the Blues, which is to say, they now look like the QUESTION: Do you see Binnington starting Thursday against Montreal? Blues we expected all along. Maybe Allen needs a mental break (which he seems to need every They're now playing winning hockey, they're making plays for one January). another, they're ascending on each shift. And there are numerous JT: I'm wondering about this. As ugly as that third goal was -- and the reasons why the Blues are 5-2-1 in their past eight games – Jay second won't win any beauty contests, either -- it was '"just" three goals. Bouwmeester and Colton Parayko are playing confident hockey (on both In my mind entering the Dallas game, I thought if Allen had one of those ends); the team has embraced being road warriors; Jordan Binnington; four-, five-, six-goals allowed nights, maybe the Blues go with Binnington Vladimir Tarasenko has turned it on, snapping that shot and taking against Montreal? Tuesday's performance has me right on the edge of quality shots (he's netted four of his past 18). that. And Perron has been on. His game-tying goal in Tuesday's game against Also, factor in Allen's home numbers and the fact that there are so many the Islanders was a blistering snap shot. But it happened because of his road games ahead (25 of the 41), where his numbers are so much better. space awareness – as O'Reilly went behind the net, Perron positioned himself perfectly to possibly receive a pass. Which he sure did. Follow-up: Berube decides who starts in goal -- why on earth did he start Jake after JB posted a shutout? Back-to-back games is no excuse. Perron epitomizes these resuscitated Blues. JT: I get what you're saying. But Berube said he had a plan in goal and He and O'Reilly (Oct. 17-Nov. 11) are the only Blues to record a point was sticking with that plan. Yes, Binnington was impressive against streak of at least 10 games this season. Not just that, but they're the first Philly, but the Flyers were a last-place club, in the midst of a losing Blues teammates each with a 10-game point streak in the same season streak, that's had trouble scoring goals most of the season. It's not like he since 2002-03 — Keith Tkachuk (12 games from Jan. 28-Feb. 23, 2003) blanked Wayne Gretzky and the 1985 Edmonton Oilers. and Doug Weight (10 game from Oct. 17-Nov. 9, 2002). WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BLUES' OFFENSE? There is still much to evaluate about Berube — it's a long season. And there are reasons to think he's just a stopgap between the fired Mike Yeo Blues take on Winnipeg in the home opener and the flashy hire the Blues could make in the summer. But with this Perron situation, Berube showed he's unafraid to scratch anyone. And J.B. Forbes Berube showed that he can press the right buttons, even if it's an QUESTION: What happened to the Blues offense? If Schenn, Schwartz unpopular decision at the time. and Tarasenko are your top line, you have all of 24 goals at the midway One might remember this from Jim Thomas' game story in Perron's first point of the season. Schwartz and Tarasenko’s shooting percentage is game back: way down, Schenn's percentage is OK but both him and Schwartz just don’t shoot enough. There is clearly no chemistry here. Asked if he was more motivated Tuesday (after the Vancouver benching), Perron bit his tongue. JT: So glad you brought this up. While everyone is fixated on Allen, many of the Blues core players are having down years. Way down. Besides "Just another game," he said. Schwartz, Schenn and Tarasenko, you can also point to Pietrangelo. And beyond the core group, throw Maroon in there as well. That's way too Did the following game (two goals against Florida) show everyone, many players to be having down years on one roster. Schwartz has been including the coaching staff, what Perron can do? shooting like crazy lately. But Schenn certainly could shoot more. "Let's not go there," Perron said. Tarasenko, too. IS THE SEASON OVER AT THE HALFWAY POINT? JT: It wouldn't surprise me. Certainly trending that way. The injuries to Bozak and now Steen have gotten Maroon back in the lineup, but he +38 played only 10 minutes Tuesday night. I wouldn't think there'd be much of St. Louis Blues training camp a trade market at this point. Chris Lee SHOULDN'T ALLEN HAVE TO COMPETE FOR THE JOB? QUESTION: For me, the game against Dallas was the make-or-break Trocheck helps Panthers rally past Blues 7-4 point of the season. As a season ticket holder, I will be looking to sell the QUESTION: Why does management treat Allen differently than it treats majority of my tickets from this point moving forward. Do you expect the other players? No matter how inconsistent Allen is, he remains the Blues front office to throw the towel in soon as well? starter. Aren't positions supposed to be open for competition? Why was JT: I'm wondering that as well. Does Doug Armstrong wait until the trade Hutton never named the starter last season when he was clearly playing deadline? Does he wait until the All-Star break/bye period? The better than Allen? standings are a tease right now, because despite all their trials and JT: If you remember last season, Hutton was the de facto starter for tribulations, the Blues remain a modest 7 points out of the last wild-card much of the season. There was no announcement, no ribbon-cutting spot in the West and have games in hand with everyone. One hot streak ceremony. But from Dec. 3 through the first week of March, Hutton — say six out of eight — would put the Blues back in it. started 17 games to Allen's 9. When one goalie gets twice as much work Then again, are we all waiting — Armstrong included — for something as the other, I think he's the No. 1. The only reason that didn't continue is that will never happen? because of the neck injury that sidelined Hutton for more than two weeks last March. (Hutton was scheduled to start March 8 in San Jose when the WHY CAN'T THE BLUES MOUNT A COMEBACK? neck injury cropped up.) +35 Allen returned to the lineup, played well down the stretch. But if Hutton's not hurt, I think he would've continued to start and who knows what the St. Louis Blues versus Dallas Stars goalie situation looks like today. Colter Peterson Follow-up: Don't the Blues owe it to their fans and the other players to play Binnington as the starter? QUESTION: Shouldn't the third goal allowed Tuesday night be the straw the breaks the camel's back in the goaltending situation? And why didn't JT: He'll get more starts. And the more he plays well, the more starts he'll the Blues put Binnington in the game after that? get. But if you're saying kick Allen to the curb after one impressive outing by Binnington, no, you don't do that. JT: It was a bad goal. We all know that. Allen knows that. But why should it be the last straw? Why can't the Blues mount a comeback for a LET'S MAKE A DEAL ... REAL SOON! change? When is the last time that's happened? I believe Calgary — a team the Blues beat two out of three times this season — has come back +4 from four-goal deficits a couple of times. You see comebacks all the time in the league these days. Blues vs. Islanders Several Blues players have been wondering about that themselves after Colter Peterson Tuesday night's game — "why can't we come back in a game?" — QUESTION: It's time to start asking the questions: What playoff-bound Perron and Sundqvist among them. team needs a lift on faceoffs, and thus might want Bozak? And what ANYONE KNOWN TO BE TRADE BAIT? would we want in return? And how might Pietrangelo turn into Nylander? Blues Blackhawks Hockey JT: Bozak turns 33 in March and has a $5 million cap hit next year and in 1920-21. I don't see a great market there. QUESTION: Are there potential Blues players names coming up as trade bait? Or is no one untouchable? The William Nylander-Pietrangelo thing is intriguing. Would the Blues have to give up more than Petro because of the age difference (Nylander JT: I don't know what's in Armstrong's head, but I think he's made it iss, Petro is 29) and the fact that Petro has only one year left on his pretty clear he's open to about anything in terms of player moves and contract? Also, anybody out there have a feel for whether Montreal trying to make this right. Remember when he said earlier this season needs defensive help. They've had two scouts at Enterprise for two of the (and I paraphrase) that the veterans have used up their equity? I've last three home games. heard the same names you've heard in trade gossip: Pietrangelo, Parayko, Schenn. I'm not sure if there's validity to any of this or not. LEANING HARD ON PARAYKO To a long follow-up question about moving key veterans and potentially Blues Oilers Hockey changing the leadership core, JT replied: QUESTION: Have you noticed how many minutes Parayko has been You know, when I came on this beat, I said I'd be slow to judge because I getting lately? Even more than Petro at times -- like 6 min more against was new to hockey as a full-time job. So I mentioned last week that I'm Philly. What's behind this? probably the last guy on the bus on this one, but yeah, I think you need to JT: I couldn't help noticing Tuesday night over the course of the game do something to change the leadership corps. Because it's not working how hard Perron and Parayko were playing. They were all over the ice, right now. Exactly what form that takes, I don't know. But something has and their determination jumped out to me. I think Berube has a lot of trust to be changed. in Parayko. Granted, Pietrangelo was sidelined for 11 games, but WHEN WILL KYROU GET HIS CHANCE? Parayko has been the leading minutes guy for the Blues in 17 of the past 25 games. Now, people that know more about the game say Parayko St. Louis Blues 2018-19 training camp has another level he can still get to, but I think he's played pretty well lately. QUESTION: When does Jordan Kyrou get a chance in the top 6? BLUES 'TOO FANCY' ON THE POWER PLAY? JT: It's interesting that he hasn't been called up, while Sanford and Blais have. The Blues must feel he's better served getting 20 minutes a game Berube named Blues' interim head coach in San Antonio than lesser time in St. Louis. But that's a question for Armstrong, which I'll try to ask at some point. Not really one that Berube Robert Cohen is qualified to answer since he doesn't make those decisions. QUESTION: There's enough talent on the Blues' two power-play units, WILL MAROON BE RELEASED? but watching good teams on the power play, there seem to be set plays and creativity with chemistry. Also, other teams collapse in. The Blues' +21 power play is so predictable (I think I could draw it up) and has been for many years. Why? Blues vs. Capitals JT: And I think other teams are more decisive. Quicker, crisper with their Colter Peterson passing. Sometimes it seems to me like the Blues are too deliberate. Also, too fancy. I'm a big proponent of putting pucks on the net. You have QUESTION: Hearing rumblings about Pat Maroon being released. Any an extra man, so in theory, you have a better chance to be there for any news from your end? rebounds. DID IT ALL START TO FALL APART WITH THE HITCH-TO-YEO MOVE? +6 St. Louis Blues v Chicago Blackhawks Chris Lee QUESTION: How much of the Blues struggles can be traced to the "Last Rodeo" (for Hitch) and "Coach In Waiting" (for Yeo) weirdness that Armstrong put in place a few years ago? JT: I don't know. I think we all thought Yeo was a great hire at one point. (Largely pre-dating my time on the beat.) In the final analysis, I don't think the Blues (Yeo included) handled the high expectations entering this season very well. ANY SILVER LINING IN THIS AWFUL SEASON? QUESTION: Subconsciously, I find myself rooting against the Blues, hoping that embracing the (mess) will cause change. This is by far the most infuriating product I've seen on the ice since I became a fan years ago. What can we look at as a silver lining for this dreadful season? Would a top draft pick and new goalie really help as much as everyone wants to believe? JT: There already has been a lot of change. The head coach is gone. Half of the forward lines were changed over the offseason. So change doesn't guarantee success. Obviously I understand the frustration. Obviously, this is a key year for Jake Allen in St. Louis. That's been apparent since before the start of the season. Doug Armstrong made that crystal clear. My question: Why do so many goalies leave St. Louis and seem to have success elsewhere? St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126450 St Louis Blues — ST. LOUIS BLUES (@STLOUISBLUES) DECEMBER 10, 2018 But in the Blues’ next game, Kyrou was a healthy scratch and then was re-assigned to San Antonio. The Blues won their next two games and River Walk: Blues assistant GM says Kyrou was ‘walking on air’ in San five of their next seven, but are still hovering around the bottom of the Antonio NHL standings, with the fans’ clamoring for the rookie’s return growing by the game. By Jeremy Rutherford Jan 16, 2019 The Blues felt that with Kyrou averaging just 10:36 of ice time in his first 11 games in the league, and a larger role for him with the Rampage, who had a record of 10-16 when he returned, it was the right decision. Blues rookie Jordan Kyrou opened Tuesday’s game against the New “I think the whole thing was, the minutes were low in the NHL, and if the York Islanders on the fourth line, but got several shifts on the top line with minutes weren’t going to improve, the American League is such a great Ryan O’Reilly and David Perron and even some power-play time. He development league,” McDonald said. “I think you saw Jordan accept didn’t have a shot on goal in the game and didn’t see the ice in the final that and go down there and just play his game. 13 minutes of a 2-1 overtime loss to the Isles, but fans shouldn’t necessarily fret about him being returned to the American Hockey “Obviously it’s a different spotlight. It doesn’t have the same focus as League anytime soon. when you’re in the NHL. But he could sort of just relax a little bit, stop squeezing his stick and just go out and play. Then his talent shined Following Kyrou’s call-up from the AHL on Monday, a reward for a through again and he took off.” record-tying run with the , Blues assistant general manager Kevin McDonald believes the 20-year-old is better equipped to On Dec. 14, Kyrou’s first game back in San Antonio, he didn’t score in stick in St. Louis in his third stint with the parent club this season. the Rampage’s 4-3 victory over Iowa, but he had three assists. Here’s one of them, in which he sets up linemate Trevor Smith … “It’s a great time for the call-up,” said McDonald, who doubles as San Antonio’s GM. “The NHL is such a hard league to make that jump as a WHAT DID TREVOR SMITH'S 5TH GOAL OF THE SEASON LOOK 20-year-old, especially when you’re trying to stay in the top nine and LIKE? you’re trying to be in a scoring role. WE'RE GLAD YOU ASKED 혏 PIC.TWITTER.COM/SD7HQMTS8K “He spent his time very well in the American League. Wasn’t just an — SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE (@SARAMPAGE) DECEMBER 15, 2018 offensive player, showed a strong work ethic as a skilled player, played at both ends, and earned the chance. We’re hoping he starts contributing Kyrou uses his speed to gain the offensive zone, avoids a hip-check, and offensively in the NHL as well.” after getting two hands back on his stick, fires a pass into the high slot for a wide-open shot. The Blues’ second-round pick 2016, Kyrou made the club’s opening-night roster, but had just one point (an assist) in his first nine games and was “When Jordan came down, he played the right way and didn’t take any assigned to San Antonio. He had just three points (an empty-net goal shortcuts,” McDonald said. “He’s a guy that’s easy to pick out at the and two assists) in his first 10 games with the Rampage, giving him a games because his speed is so exceptional and he’s got the puck on his total of four points in his first 19 professional games. stick all the time. But I think he adjusted (to the AHL), got confident and it just kept rolling and rolling. He turned into a dominant player; that’s what But the pendulum started to swing for Kyrou in late November, beginning he became.” a stretch of nearly two months in which the right winger strung together a 12-game point-streak, earned AHL rookie of the month honors and On Dec. 16, Kyrou had his second-straight three-point game for San received an invitation to the league’s all-star game. During that time, he Antonio, with a goal and two assists in a 5-2 win over Iowa. The spent just a few days with the Blues, drawing criticism from fans who felt Rampage had four power-play goals, including this one from Kyrou … that if he were playing that well, he should have been in St. Louis. But the organization had motivation for keeping Kyrou in the minors, and for SEND IT HOME, KYROU!  PIC.TWITTER.COM/N7VJJXTTWJ more on that, The Athletic turned to McDonald. — SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE (@SARAMPAGE) DECEMBER 16, 2018 It all began to turn for Kyrou on Nov. 25 in San Antonio, with a goal and an assist against the . Here’s a look at the goal … Kyrou began averaging about 18-20 minutes per game in San Antonio’s top-six, and after seeing a total of 1:36 of power-play ice time with the JORDAN. KYROU.  PIC.TWITTER.COM/Q2IFYOGO0W Blues, he was now on the No. 1 unit in the minors. — SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE (@SARAMPAGE) NOVEMBER 25, 2018 “He had a chance to impact the game,” McDonald said. “He’s on the ice if we’re up a goal, down a goal in the last minute. That was the whole point Kyrou would score in four straight games for the Rampage and had an of getting him to the American League was to get him playing in assist in three of them, giving him seven points in four games. important situations, build his confidence up, let him use his skill, let him feel great about his game.” One of those assists was on Nov. 30 against Grand Rapids, a precise pass up ice to teammate Klim Kostin for a goal. Here’s a look at that Kyrou was the game’s No. 1 star against Iowa and took over San helper … Antonio’s scoring lead by stretching his point-streak to six games. And after an assist against Texas on Dec. 21, he got back in the scoring KYROU AND KOSTIN MAKING QUITE A PAIR TONIGHT  #SAVSGR column in a rematch against Texas on Dec. 22, running his streak to PIC.TWITTER.COM/UMPVTSXRYO eight games. — SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE (@SARAMPAGE) DECEMBER 1, 2018 EIGHT. STRAIGHT. GAMES.

But with Jaden Schwartz and Alexander Steen out with injuries and the COUNT IT. ✅ PIC.TWITTER.COM/RGEJ9JOXYI need for some speed, the Blues recalled Kyrou from San Antonio in early December. He played Dec. 5, was a healthy scratch Dec. 7 and then on — SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE (@SARAMPAGE) DECEMBER 23, 2018 Dec. 9, with David Perron sitting as a healthy scratch, Kyrou was back in the lineup and scored his first NHL goal against Vancouver. “He’s a confident goal scorer,” McDonald said. “He’s not looking to defer, he’s not looking for the perfect pass. He’s getting the puck in the scoring THE FIRST OF HOPEFULLY MANY FOR @JORDANKYROU. area, he’s got that quick release, and he puts it in a difficult spot. He’s a CONGRATULATIONS, KID! #STLBLUES shooter, he’s thinking shot and it’s a real hard accurate shot.” PIC.TWITTER.COM/BPVF7FLMSN On Dec. 27, Kyrou netted the first two-goal game of his pro career. His — ST. LOUIS BLUES (@STLOUISBLUES) DECEMBER 9, 2018 first of the night was a power-play goal that opened the scoring …

Kyrou’s goal came with about 12 minutes in regulation of a 6-1 loss to the JORDAN KYROU OUT HERE MAKING IT LOOK EASY  Canucks, so his goal celebration was relatively mild. But teammate PIC.TWITTER.COM/BPW6BLPU1P Brayden Schenn retrieved the puck, and afterward Kyrou was all smiles while posing with it. — SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE (@SARAMPAGE) DECEMBER 28, 2018 CONGRATS, @JORDANKYROU! #STLBLUES Back at even-strength, Kyrou’s second of the game was a wrist shot that tied the score, 2-2 … WATCH: HTTPS://T.CO/GXHMLNKF96 PIC.TWITTER.COM/XIGBTNGQFT YOU CAN'T STOP HIM, YOU CAN'T CONTAIN HIM  PIC.TWITTER.COM/39CGOYOFJ2 — SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE (@SARAMPAGE) DECEMBER 28, 2018 Kyrou had the Rampage’s only two goals in a 5-2 loss, and his point- streak was now at nine games. “His offensive IQ, he does such a great job, where he can use his speed wide one time and then cut to the middle the next time,” McDonald said. “He’s always thinking, ‘Where do I’ve got to go to get my shot off?’ He mixes it up. He’ll use his speed to drive wide, but also his speed backs the defenders up, so it creates some ability for him to get through areas in the offensive zone to get to even a better scoring spot.” With assists in back-to-back wins for San Antonio Dec. 28 and 30, Kyrou’s point-streak had reached 11 games. But after being named the AHL’s rookie of the month on Jan. 2, his streak was in jeopardy against Manitoba later that night. With 1:17 left in regulation, however, he registered an empty-net goal to tie the franchise record with a point in 12 consecutive games. Teammate Zach Sanford stole in the puck in the neutral zone and fed Kyrou, who buried it from the blueline. “Everybody was aware of (the streak),” McDonald said. “He’s a great teammate and everybody was really excited for him.” Kyrou was named to the AHL All-Star Game on Jan. 3, but the streak concluded Jan. 4 against Chicago. He had combined for 10 goals and 20 points in 12 games, including multi-point games in half of them. “It was like he was getting 1-2 points every single night and they were all huge goals and important parts of the game,” McDonald said. After the run came to an end, Kyrou went two games without registering a point, but then netted his team-leading 11th of the season against Iowa on Jan. 11. .@JORDANKYROU WITH HIS 11TH GOAL OF THE SEASON! #IAVSSA PIC.TWITTER.COM/RSISJ2XWRA — SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE (@SARAMPAGE) JANUARY 12, 2019 “He just does a great job at creating space for himself through his speed and he does a great job of creating opportunity to use his shot,” McDonald said. “I mean to watch his skating that that level, it’s incredible. It’s like he’s walking on air. He moves so well and it just stands out so much.” San Antonio captain Chris Butler played with Kyrou early in the season with the Blues and again with the Rampage, who went 10-3 during Kyrou’s stay. He vouched recently for the strides the rookie has made. “If you watch the way he’s playing right now, he’s doing a much better job with the puck, protecting it from opponents,” Butler said in an interview in San Antonio with the team’s Brian McCormick. “He’s skating out of tough situations, he’s using his body to protect it. I think up in St. Louis it was maybe a little bit too much too soon for him and I don’t think he could confidently play the game that he wanted to up there just yet. “I think it’s great that he comes down here, kind of gets his confidence his going, strings a bunch of games together with points. I’ve noticed a huge difference, just the way he plays, the way he’s thinking the game right now. He’s dumping pucks instead of maybe trying to go through guys one on two. It shows the maturity of his game.” After a solid stint in San Antonio, Kyrou is back with the Blues for another chance to prove himself. “It wasn’t a surprise,” McDonald said. “That’s what we were hoping to see down there. Hopefully it translates in the NHL, that he gets a chance to stay and hopefully he gets a chance to break through offensively up there. We’re hoping it’s the same thing where he starts scoring and then the confidence grows and he keeps scoring.” The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126451 Tampa Bay Lightning

Consistency isn’t quite on target for the Lightning It's not a major issue yet, but Tampa Bay isn't playing complete games recently.

By Diana C. Nearhos

DALLAS — There was a lot to like about the Lightning's win Tuesday against the Stars. It had the strong team defensive effort it has been looking for. The penalty kill came up big, allowing 10 shots and zero goals as the Stars went 0-for-6 on the power play. was great in net and got his third shutout of the season, 2-0. But — you knew a but was coming, right? — the Lightning wasn't perfect. The seven penalties it took are a problem, but they're not a trend. The incomplete games it has been playing are a trend, however. The Lightning took four of its seven penalties against the Stars in the second period. Dallas dominated the period, and the Lightning put only three shots on net. "(Tuesday) was just too many penalties," captain said. "It's tough to get into a rhythm. Guys don't get out there five-on-five. (Penalty kill) guys are getting tired." Wing Ondrej Palat seconded Stamkos, also pointing to the disrupted rhythm, with half the team being exhausted and the other half not playing much. The penalties definitely contributed to the off period. But they don't completely explain it. All four of those second-period penalties came in the frame's latter half, so let's look at the first 10:12, before the Lightning took any penalties. Dallas outshot Tampa Bay 6-2 in that time. Two shots in 10 minutes is very low for the Lightning, which averages 11 per period. Tampa Bay didn't dominate the first period or anything, either, but the Lightning was easily in it. That wasn't the case in its previous three games. After Brayden Point scored 26 seconds into Saturday's game against the Sabres, the Lightning disappeared for the rest of the first period and trailed 2-1 at its end. The same thing happened against the Hurricanes on Thursday but without the goal; the Lightning was outshot 12-3 in the first but was able to keep the score 0-0. Tampa Bay managed two win both games but couldn't do the same after allowing three goals in the first to the Islanders on Sunday. We've been talking about first periods, but before them, there was an awful second period against the Blue Jackets on Jan. 8. The Lightning was outshot 17-3 in that one and went 12:07 between shots. It still won 4-0. That adds up to five straight games with a bad period. Not just an off period, but a bad, "Where is the Lightning?" kind of period. This is not to sound the alarm. The Lightning did win four of those five, and Columbus and Dallas were shutouts. Against Buffalo, Tampa Bay came back from its small 2-1 hole to win 5-3. Only against the Islanders did the Lightning truly end up in trouble and lost 5-1. The Lightning is a good-enough team to get away with a not-great period. But a string of truly bad periods can catch up teams. Defenseman Anton Stralman was talking about the high number of goals the Lightning had been allowing when he said its offense overshadowed its defects and that wouldn't cut it in the playoffs. But the same could be said of inconsistent play over the course of a game. That being said, coach Jon Cooper isn't concerned … at the moment. "Not at all," he said. "We won a game (Tuesday), and we didn't give up a goal. Seems like a pretty good recipe to me. Did we not shoot the puck a little bit in the second, yes. But then the penalties took over, and that's what happened." Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126452 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning-Stars: Rewinding Tampa Bay’s third shutout

By Diana C. Nearhos

DALLAS—Defenseman Anton Stralman has said multiple times he wants to see a better overall defensive effort from the Lightning. He saw that on Tuesday as Tampa Bay shut out Dallas. "Overall, defensively, even though they had a lot of zone time, we didn't give up a tremendous amount of chances," he said after the 2-0 win. "Everyone was paying attention to the defensive responsibilities and details in our game. And that's what we need." The Lightning posted its third shutout of the season and second of the last eight days, having held Columbus without a goal last Tuesday. Odds and ends from the Lightning's win: Well that was pretty. The Lightning's first goal was a great play start to finish. It started with a good stretch pass from Braydon Coburn up the ice. Then Yanni Gourde had a nice touch pass to Steven Stamkos has he approached the zone with speed. Stamkos made a nice move, pulling the puck across his body to protect it from winger Alexander Radulov and then backhanding a tough pass back around Radulov. Ondrej Palat was there to one-time the puck in. Sergachev's second. Mikhail Sergachev's second goal came a lot quicker than his first. Halfway through the third period, Anthony Cirelli won a faceoff straight back to Sergachev. The defenseman took a second to settle the puck at the point and see his options. He decided the best one was a shot and ripped it off from there. Moving up the ranks. Andrei Vasilevskiy notched his 15th career shutout with 35 saves on Tuesday. That moves him past Nikolai Khabibulin for second-most shutouts in Lightning history. Palat going streaking. Ondrej Palat scored in the first period and has a point in each of the last four games. Three of those four points have been goals and one assist on the lone goal against the Islanders. The Lightning has their number. The Lightning was 3-0-1 in the last two years against the Stars. Tampa Bay had at least one point in eight of the last nine games against Dallas. He didn't even start here. Stralman played his 337th game with the Lightning. That puts him at No. 7 for most games played by a Lightning defenseman, passing Cory Cross. Victor Hedman has played the most. Hello there, Brendan Morrow. He spent a year with the Lightning but 14 with the Stars and took in the game in Dallas. The Stars wished him a happy birthday "to-Morrow." Star treatment for Dez. Morrow wasn't the only star at the game. Dez Bryant is no longer a Cowboy but he's back in Dallas. Bryant was on hand as a guest of the Stars on Tuesday. During a timeout, Bryant was shown outside the dressing room as the players took the ice and on the bench for warmups. Both times, he had his phone out taking photos/video. While that footage played on the videoboard, the arena played "All My Exes Live in Texas." Bryant got a very mixed reaction from the Dallas crowd. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126453 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning bounces back, shuts out Stars The Lightning avoided consecutive losses and recorded its third shutout of the season.

By Diana C. Nearhos

DALLAS — The Lightning had already lost consecutive games once this season and wasn't going to do it again. Tampa Bay bounced back from Sunday's loss to beat Dallas 2-0 on Tuesday. The Lightning's first goal took nice plays by Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat. Stamkos picked up the puck on his way into the zone, streaking toward the net. He pulled the puck across his body to keep it away from winger Alexander Radulov then immediately backhanded it back through the zone to Palat on the other win. Palat was there for the one-timer and the Lightning were up 1-0 at 7:55 of the first period. It was the start the Lightning needed, after poor first periods in each of the last three games. Coach Jon Cooper predicted before the game that the start wouldn't be a problem, saying the team had addressed it. He was right, but this time Tampa Bay faded in the second period. Four penalties (resulting in three power plays) didn't help matters, but Dallas dominated the period. The Stars outshot Tampa Bay 13-2. That's right, two, which matches the season low (third period in the win over Vegas on Oct. 26). The Lightning's penalty kill saved it, though, including an extended delayed penalty that didn't turn into a power play but felt like one. And the kill got help from the Stars a couple of times. Victor Hedman took two penalties, holding and unsportsmanlike conduct, about midway through the second period. As the Lightning killed off the first, the referee threw his arm up for a tripping call on Anthony Cirelli. While the delay dragged on, Jamie Benn was jostled, ran into and flipped over goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. His goaltending interference matched Cirelli's trip and the Lightning didn't have to face what would have been an extended five-on-three. Benn killed a Lightning penalty again in the third period. Only 13 seconds into Mathieu Joseph's tripping penalty, Benn tripped up Cedric Paquette and headed back to the box. In all, however, the Stars had six power plays (one being those 13 seconds) and the Lightning kept them off the board. Not only that, Dallas only had 10 shots on the power play. "When you're holding onto a 1-0 lead, it's hard to get anything going when you're killing that off," Cooper said. "But they did a phenomenal job killing that off and when pucks did get by, [Vasilevskiy] was there. He was in the zone tonight and put a goose egg up on the board." Mikhail Sergachev notched his second goal of the season. He has been hot offensive recently, getting involved on the rush a lot, but this one came from the defenseman's traditional spot on the blue line. Anthony Cirelli won the faceoff straight back to Sergachev at the point. He took his time and then fired the shot on net. Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded his third shutout of the season. Making 32 saves in the game. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126454 Toronto Maple Leafs previous two seasons. Hyman went back to left wing with Matthews, and also moving in was William Nylander, still looking for his mojo after a prolonged absence due to contract problems. Is this Maple Leafs’ slump a sign they’re not built for a long playoff run? Babcock said he isn’t sure he will keep them together for the Tampa game, but Pat Quinn is the only Leafs coach of recent vintage known for shuffling his lines in practice only to go back to the old ones at game DAVID SHOALTS time. “We’ve been hit and miss since Christmastime,” Babcock said. “We didn’t feel our work ethic was up to a level to be proud of last game as a group. This edition of the Toronto Maple Leafs is in the midst of its first real crisis. “What makes that happen, and what makes the group go, you don’t always know. But if it’s just changing some lines around, then we’ll do For the most part, the players who make up the roster now and over the that.” past three years have been spared the anger and derision of the fans that so many Maple Leafs of the past came to know. The fans embraced Globe And Mail LOADED: 01.17.2019 the idea of a tank job to get Auston Matthews, sat through the rebuild and were rewarded when it went a lot faster than expected. But now, with Matthews and his talented young colleagues stalling in the season they are supposed to challenge for an NHL championship, they discovered what so many Leafs teams did: While there may be no better place to play in the NHL if you are winning, there are not many worse places to be when you are losing. “All of us in this room are so competitive and we expect so much out of each other,” the whipping boy for the fans, defenceman Jake Gardiner, said Wednesday. “I think the fans are the exact same way. It’s something you never want, but they expect us to win and expect us to play well. “As a team, I don’t think we were doing well. You hit a boiling point, and we do that the same way in the room. If we’re not playing well we get frustrated.” The fans hit their boiling point with Monday’s 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, a team that came into Toronto on a long slide. There were boos at the game, mostly directed at Gardiner for one of those big honking defensive blunders he will make from time to time, and much vitriol on social media. The Leafs may still sit second in the Atlantic Division, but their 3-4 record since the end of the Christmas break saw the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens pull to within a point of them before Wednesday’s games. Even worse, losses to the Bruins and the Nashville Predators show that the way the Leafs are playing the game will not be nearly good enough come playoff time, when even the most laissez-faire players get fanatical defensively. Now the question is, as the Leafs prepared for Thursday’s big game against the NHL-best Tampa Bay Lightning, whether this is merely a dip during the dog days of the season or a sign the Leafs are not built for a good playoff run. “You hope that’s the lowest it will get all season,” Zach Hyman said, referring to the loss to Colorado. Maybe. The Leafs have shown some dangerous tendencies of late. The worst is the belief that their skill and speed can make up for long periods of disinterest in the kind of mucking for the puck that is still necessary in today’s NHL. “No one comes to the rink and says: ‘I’m not going to work today,’ ” Hyman said. “But sometimes you have to dig in a little bit harder. You learn from those games and you move forward. “Yeah, when you’re desperate, you work. We have to find that desperation every night, and you can’t be forced into it. You have to bring it every single day.” Hyman, of course, is one of those players who brings it every single day. He has no off button, and it is no coincidence the Leafs’ funk started shortly after he hurt his ankle just before Christmas and was lost for 18 days. The other loss that hurt was goaltender Frederik Andersen, who just returned to the lineup after missing six games with a groin injury. Going into the Colorado game, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar challenged his players, saying it was time for them to “put up or shut up.” Leafs head coach Mike Babcock was asked if his team needed to be called out the same way but, probably wisely, sidestepped the question. “Well, I just think we can play harder,” he said. “Did we have a built-in excuse? I don’t know – when [Andersen] was out, maybe. I didn’t think we tried to use that. I thought we tried to play real well and be stingy defensively. In saying that, I think we can play at another level.” Still, Babcock seems to think a small shakeup might help. He took Hyman off ’s line and reunited the Leafs top line from the 1126455 Toronto Maple Leafs

Thursday NHL preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning | The Star

By Kevin McGran

TV: Sportsnet RADIO: Sportsnet 590 The FAN KEY PLAYERS Vasilevskiy/Andersen Both teams have plenty of firepower, so the goaltending will be key. The Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy, a Vezina Trophy finalist last season, is 19- 5-2 with a 2.46 goals-against average and .925 save mark, but has been hot and cold in his last five games — shutouts against the Stars and Blue Jackets, but five goals against in San Jose and four on the road against the Islanders. The Leafs’ Frederik Andersen allowed four goals on 36 shots in Monday’s loss to the Avalanche, his only game since returning from a groin injury. NEED TO KNOW Tampa has won five of their last six meetings, including the only one so far this season, 4-1 on Dec. 13 … Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov leads the NHL with 75 points and 53 assists, but for the third time this season he’s gone two games without a point … Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos has 14 goals and 13 assists in his past 17 games … The Lightning power play is a league-best 29.1 per cent. The penalty kill is rated sixth at 83.7 per cent … Tampa has taken 172 minor penalties, one shy of the league high by Montreal and Washington … The Leafs have taken a league-low 122 minors. UP NEXT Friday at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m. Toronto Star LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126456 Toronto Maple Leafs Said John Tavares, the veteran centreman: “A lot of athletes look at challenges like this as a puzzle — find a way to figure your way through ’em. It’s a great opportunity for growth.” Cure for Leafs’ holiday hangover well within reach | The Star Speaking of puzzles, Babcock used Wednesday’s practice to fiddle with the forward lines, reuniting last season’s regular trio of Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Hyman, among other tweaks. Babcock said that By Dave Feschuk while he wasn’t yet wedded to the change, he’s in the market for a prompt transformation.

“We didn’t feel our work ethic was up to a level that we could be proud of As the Maple Leafs and Lightning readied for their second meeting of the last game, as a group,” said the coach. “And what makes that happen? season Thursday, maybe it was absurd to pose the question: Which And what makes the group go? You don’t always know. But if it’s just team finds itself in the more enviable position? changing some lines around, then we’ll do that.” The knee-jerk answer is easy: Definitely not the Maple Leafs. In some Maybe it’s as simple as this: The better teams in the league, said eyes Toronto’s NHLers, by losing five of their past seven games, have Babcock, have shifted into a higher gear in the wake of the holiday exposed a defensive ineptitude that’ll be difficult to overcome without season. some trade-deadline rejigging. Until Frederik Andersen rediscovers the form interrupted by his month-long battle with a groin injury, they look like “We haven’t done that,” Babcock said. “So therefore we’ve been left something less than a contender. And what’s to envy about that? behind.” NHL scoring leader Nikita Kucherov and the first-place Tampa Bay Left behind, lately. But the good news, for Babcock and his team, is that Lightning host Nikita Zaitsev and the Maple Leafs on Thursday night. nobody’s ultimately judged on seven-game stretches in January. NHL scoring leader Nikita Kucherov and the first-place Tampa Bay “We’re barely halfway through,” said Andersen of the Leafs, who’ll play Lightning host Nikita Zaitsev and the Maple Leafs on Thursday night. game 46 of 82 Thursday at . “There’s going to be ups and (Dirk Shadd / TNS) downs … You learn about yourself in tough times like this.” “We’ve been hit and miss since Christmastime,” acknowledged Mike The Lightning have largely avoided tough times. They’ve lost consecutive Babcock, the Toronto head coach, speaking after practice on games once. They’ve yet to lose three in a row. So maybe they’ve been Wednesday. deprived of character-building roadblocks. Or maybe theirs is a juggernaut too big to fail. Maybe they’ll be as good in April, May and June And what’s not to like about the Lightning? Sitting 10 points clear of the as they’ve been to this point. Maybe we’re six months from watching the closest challenger for top spot in the league standings heading into Lightning invite the foreboding ghosts of the Presidents’ Trophy to their Wednesday’s games, Tampa is on pace for a remarkable 129-point Stanley Cup parade. season — what would be the third-highest total in NHL history. Only the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens and 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings, magical As for which team is in the more enviable position: Consider that Toronto teams loaded with myriad hall of famers, have done better. This season, hasn’t won a playoff series in 15 years. Advancement to the second Tampa is the only team scoring an average of four goals a game. More round would count as a moment of honking-in-the-streets triumph in the than half the league is averaging less than three. centre of the hockey universe. The Lightning, multiple years into a championship window and facing more impending salary-cap duress In other words, they’re not just a good team. They’re making a run at than Toronto, are in Cup-or-bust mode. It’s a burden that’s proven hard becoming the best regular-season team in the salary-cap era. Which is to bear — especially when your regular season is going as well as theirs. impressive. Toronto Star LOADED: 01.17.2019 But is it enviable? Is such a so-far seamless ride through the regular season something you’d actually wish on your favourite franchise? Again, in some ways it seems absurd to pose the question. Who wouldn’t want their favourite team to be the NHL’s best team? Then again, this is a league where recent history hasn’t been kind to clubs that top the table during the 82-game grind. Only one of the past 10 winners of the Presidents’ Trophy, emblematic of NHL regular-season superiority, has followed it up by hoisting the Cup. And setting the regular season on fire can be dangerous business. Babcock knows the perils. Consider the case of the best regular-season team he ever coached, the 2005-06 Red Wings, they of the 58 regular- season wins and 124 points, still the greatest total of the salary-cap era. Those Red Wings were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. It was said at the time that they’d never faced adversity until they were watching their season slip away before their eyes. You can make the case there’s a goldilocks regular-season temperature for a team that aspires to win the ring — not too hot, not too cold. Heck, the Leafs might be OK if they cooled down a touch more. A little more than two weeks ago they were on pace for a 116-point season. They’re currently on pace for 105 points. Six of the past 10 Stanley Cup winners went into the playoffs with fewer. Which is not to say Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan, who was cited as one of the key playoff underachievers when the 2005-06 Red Wings bit the dust, has engineered this whole post-Christmastime swoon to buy some insurance against mid-season complacency. But if you’re Babcock — if you’re any coach fighting for the daily attention of a team during the October-to-April slog — such a dip is easily spun as a welcome development. When it comes to focusing a group, a crowd’s boos will always trump a coach’s bark. So if the Maple Leafs are the elite team they’ve more than hinted at being, Monday’s show of home-ice fan displeasure, which was aimed at Jake Gardiner but ultimately occasioned by a collective stinker, could prove important. Gardiner chalked it up to fans hitting an understandable “boiling point.” The team hopes it’s a cold-water wakeup. “We just have to hope you learn from that. You hope that that’s the lowest it’ll get all season,” said forward Zach Hyman. 1126457 Toronto Maple Leafs The Lightning lead the league in goals per game (4.00) and have the No. 1 power play (29.1 per cent), but the Leafs dominated Tampa on Dec. 13 at Amalie Arena, directing 49 shots at netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy in a Maple Leafs shake up lines ahead of visit to first-place Lightning | The 4-1 loss. Star “We were on our toes and dictating the play,” Tavares said. The Leafs, who will meet the Florida Panthers on Friday to wrap up a By Joshua ClippertonThe Canadian Press two-game road trip, are 15-5-1 on the road but just 6-5-1 against division opponents, compared to the Lightning’s 12-2-0 mark.

“We know what we’re capable of,” Matthews said. “We’re going through a As the Maple Leafs digested their latest setback, one word kept bubbling bit of a lull right now. It’s our job to dig ourselves out and crawl back. to the surface: work. That’s up to us, nobody else.” Players and coaches rightly felt they lacked the required effort in And that starts with putting in the work. Monday’s 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on home ice, the team’s fifth defeat in its last seven games. Toronto Star LOADED: 01.17.2019 Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock, back centre, along with players Frederik Gauthier (33) and William Nylander, right, look on against the Nashville Predators during third period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Jan. 7. Babcock didn’t commit to his new line combinations when speaking with reporters following Wednesday’s skate, but it’s rare for the coach to not at least start the next game with the combinations used at practice. “I think we can play harder. I think we can work harder,” Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said following Wednesday’s spirited practice. “We want to be proud guys when we leave the rink. “If you don’t put it all in, you can’t be proud when you leave.” With that in mind, Toronto looks set to unveil a couple of new line combinations — and one old one — when the club visits the league- leading Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Auston Matthews was back between William Nylander and Zach Hyman, a trio that was together most of the last two seasons, while Andreas Johnsson was shuffled onto the wing with John Tavares and Mitch Marner. The mixing of Toronto’s top-nine forward group continued with Nazem Kadri centring Patrick Marleau and Kasperi Kapanen. “We haven’t taken (a) step like some of the teams (that) came back with more intensity since Christmas,” said Babcock, who was more vocal than usual during Wednesday’s on-ice session. “We’ve been left behind. We’ve got to dig in and find another level.” Should the Leafs indeed decide to reunite Matthews, Nylander and Hyman — Babcock didn’t fully commit to Wednesday’s line combinations — the trio won’t need an introduction. Several factors, including Nylander’s contract impasse, an ankle injury that sidelined Hyman, and Babcock’s decision to start the schedule with Patrick Marleau on the wing with Matthews, have kept them apart this season. Babcock referenced that reunited group’s ability to cycle in the offensive zone, something that will hopefully get Matthews better looks thanks to Hyman’s puck retrieval skills. “Three real good players working hard together,” the coach said of what he likes about that line. “Matty’s a goal scorer, and getting pucks in good spots around the net so (if) you can do that is important.” The Leafs (28-15-2), who skated a lot during the 35-minute practice before flying south, jumped out of the gate 20-8-0, but are just 8-7-2 over their last 17 games. “A little bit of adversity is a good thing,” said Tavares, who leads the team with 29 goals. “When it doesn’t go your way, you’ve just got to keep pushing, keep grinding. “When you do the right things, especially with the type of group we have, we’ll find our way through it and get to where we want to.” They were pretty far away from wherever that is Monday — amplified by the pockets of the Scotiabank Arena crowd that booed high-risk, high- reward defenceman Jake Gardiner every time he touched the puck in the third period after his mistake led to a short-handed goal against. “We expect so much out of each other,” Gardiner said. “The fans are the exact same way. (The boos are) not something you ever want, but they expect us to win and expect us to play well. “You hit a boiling point. We do that the same way in the room. If we’re not playing well, we start getting frustrated.” There’s plenty of blame to go around these days. Kadri has one goal in his last 18 games, Nylander has one in 17 since rejoining the team, Matthews has one in 10, and Marleau has been held off the scoresheet over his last nine. “We’ve got a lot more to give,” said the always-brief Nylander. 1126458 Toronto Maple Leafs

GAME DAY: Maple Leafs at Lightning

Lance Hornby

Toronto SUN Sports Hockey NHL 7:30 P.M. AMALIE ARENA TV: Sportsnet; RADIO: FAN 590 THE BIG MATCHUP G Frederik Andersen vs. G Andrei Vasilevskiy Both have been dominant when healthy, with Andersen getting more attention in the conference while Vasilevskiy was down and the latter retaining dominance as Andersen nursed a groin injury after Christmas. But Vasilevskiy has the better team in front of him at present, is coming off a 35-save, 2-0 shutout in Dallas and was the star the last time Leafs were in town. KEYS TO THE GAME 1. NO TIME FOR MOPING: The Leafs left Toronto feeling the wrath of their fans, but had better clear their heads by puck drop. If middle-of-the pack teams can bump them off their game, the league-leading Lightning aren’t going to reveal many weak links. The Bolts already beat Toronto once here last month. Mike Babcock will have some juggled lines in place, at least to start the game. 2. DEPTH CHARGE: How deep are the Lightning? Ex-Leaf Anton Stralman, an accomplished veteran defenceman, was a recent healthy scratch and they’re running at plus 58 in goal differential. They’ve lost just twice within the Atlantic Division this season and have an overall mark of 19-2-1 in their past 22 outings. 3. HEY NIKITA, IS IT COLD?: It’s highly unlikely NHL scoring leader Nikita Kucherov goes pointless a third straight night, having banked 10 in the first five games this month. In the first match against Toronto, he had a goal and assist. 4. STAMMER TIME: GTA product Steve Stamkos, always one to watch when these clubs get together, is on a four-game point streak with a goal and five helpers and is up to 27 points in his past 17 games. 5. POWERFUL FIGURES: The Lightning not only front the league in power play success, they killed off six Dallas advantages the other night. Toronto’s top unit has misfired of late. Toronto Sun LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126459 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner. The struggles of the Leafs blue line have highlighted the need to acquire some help on defence. JACK BOLAND/TORONTO SUN LEAFS TAKE 3: Yes, it’s time for struggling Leafs to put up or shut up 3. Has the Leafs’ recent slide brought into sharper focus the need for a bolstering on the blue line? Terry KoshanM Yes. Even if the Leafs get back to their work ethic, a deeper, better blue line would only be beneficial. 1. When the struggling Colorado Avalanche arrived in Toronto to play the Leafs on Monday, Avs coach Jared Bednar said it was time for his team General manager Kyle Dubas has plenty of time to add a top-four to “put up or shut up.” Have the Leafs arrived at a similar point? defenceman, if he so chooses and if he can find a dance partner, before the NHL trade deadline on Feb. 25. We put that query to coach Mike Babcock on Wednesday after practice, and though it’s not always the best idea to ask a question that might be With the news that the Leafs’ first-round pick in the draft this year could answered with a simple yes or no, that’s not the direction that Babcock be in play, if it behooves Dubas, then use it. If that helps bring in the kind took. of blue-liner the Leafs need, fine. And if not some time in February, then perhaps at the draft. “I just think we can play harder,” Babcock said. “(Did) we have a built-in excuse, I don’t know, when Freddie (Andersen) was out (nursing a groin There’s depth in the organization. The Leafs have demonstrated an injury), maybe. I didn’t think we tried to use that. ability to develop players such as Andreas Johnsson, a seventh-round pick in 2013, and Trevor Moore, who has grown in a large way after “I thought we tried to play real well and be stingy defensively. In saying signing as an undrafted free agent in 2016. that, I think we can play, as (John) Tavares said, at another level. It’s not just a first-round pick (and in this case, one that is likely to be late “I think we can work harder. That’s what we want from our group. The in the draft) that can make an impact. Scouting and development by the other thing about it is we want to be proud guys when we leave the rink Leafs have helped put the team in a spot where it’s not only first- and if you don’t put it all in, you can’t be proud when you leave.” rounders such as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly who are influential. That’s all well and good. Let us answer the question the way Babcock should have: Yes. Yes, it’s time for the Leafs to put up or shut up. Using a first-round pick in a trade for a defenceman who would help now, and in seasons beyond, shouldn’t cause much pain in the long-term The players know they haven’t put the work ethic in. They know they future. have the talent to win the majority of games when they punch their time cards with sincerity. Their record of 28-15-2, even with the recent Toronto Sun LOADED: 01.17.2019 struggles, speaks for itself. The Leafs are more than capable. They’re fast. They’re creative. They weren’t racking up wins earlier with smoke and mirrors. Their goal differential of plus-33 was third in the NHL prior to games on Wednesday. They have allowed 2.84 goals a game, good for ninth in a 31-team league. Every so often, even good hockey teams need reminders of what can transpire when effort is checked at the door. “A little bit of adversity is a good thing,” Tavares said. “It’s just digging down and working through it and sticking to what gives us success, and when it doesn’t go your way you just have to keep pushing, keep grinding. When you do the right things, especially with the type of group we have, we will find our way through it and get to where we want to get.” Good. Now go do it. As Zach Hyman said on Wednesday of the loss to Colorado: “You hope that’s the lowest it will get all season.” There’s no reason for “it” to get lower for the Leafs. 2. When the Leafs most recently visited the Lightning, on Dec. 13, they dominated the NHL’s best team, only to lose 4-1. What did the Leafs do right that night? The Leafs fired a season-high 49 shots on Tampa goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, but got only a game-opening goal from Kasperi Kapanen. The 48 saves for Vasilevskiy marked a career high, and the 6-foot-3 netminder often had to be acrobatic, including a stunning skate save on Patrick Marleau. In the bigger picture, the Leafs did what has fallen by the wayside in recent weeks — they skated and worked. And skated and worked. Such was the Leafs effort that after the game, Lightning coach Jon Cooper was more subdued in his scrum with media than Babcock was. Cooper knew his goalie stole a victory. “Before that game, we had a really good sense of preparation, good focus from the group and we came out with a lot of jump,” Tavares said. “We were on our toes and really just dictating the play. I thought puck support was really good, the way we were on the attack, just seemed like we were on top of them all over the ice, which led to a lot of good opportunities, drew a lot of penalties.” The Leafs had six power plays that night, tied for the most they have had in a game this season. 1126460 Toronto Maple Leafs We have zero problem with fans verbally showing their displeasure with boos. With that in mind, the entire team deserved to hear as much at the end of the loss versus Colorado, yet that didn’t happen. A glance to the past could help Maple Leafs’ immediate future What’s a little strange is lumping Gardiner into the same group with defenceman Larry Murphy, who was booed through much of the 1996-97 season at Maple Leaf Gardens. Gardiner heard it during one period. Terry Koshan There’s no comparison. Gardiner had a truthful answer on Wednesday when he was told that Marner, after the game on Monday, said that Gardiner often doesn’t get Mike Babcock dipped into the past on Wednesday. the credit he deserves for the good things he does. The goal of the Maple Leafs’ coach in doing so is to fix the present, and “I appreciate that,” Gardiner said. “But you have to play well to get credit. make the Leafs’ future brighter. So you just need to perform.” With the Leafs playing listless, often effort-free hockey in recent weeks, LOOSE LEAFS Babcock at practice reunited the line of Auston Matthews between William Nylander and Zach Hyman, a trio that worked well together much What helps Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, who leads the NHL in of the past two seasons, but has not been together in 2018-19. scoring with 75 points, stand out from the rest of the league? “Everything,” Matthews said. “He is extremely skilled, I think the way he Considering the Leafs have lost five of their eight games since is able to create time and space for himself with his skating, his Christmas, and haven’t put much sweat into the cause, Babcock’s hand deceptiveness. He is not a very predictable player, so you never know was forced. what he’s going to do and he has a lot of tricks he can pull out of his bag.” In 20 career games against the Leafs, Kucherov has 18 points Babcock hinted he might not stick with that old, new-look line on (seven goals and 11 assists) … Babcock on the changed role this Thursday night when the Leafs visit the best team in the National Hockey season for Kadri, who is on pace for 16 goals, or half as many as the 32 League, the Tampa Bay Lightning. he scored in each of the previous two seasons: “Last year, he played Keep in mind Babcock rarely changes lines at practice and then does not with Leo (Komarov) and they were always in a matchup role. This year, stay with those new lines to at least start the next game. he is not, so he has not been in much of a matchup role. We need more from a number of guys and he is one of those guys. He needs to be “I don’t know what I’m doing (Thursday versus Tampa),” Babcock said important and needs to be feeling good about himself and playing the after practice at the MasterCard Centre. “But we took a look at it. We right way.” have been hit-and-miss since Christmas. Toronto Sun LOADED: 01.17.2019 “We didn’t feel our work ethic was up to a level to be proud of last game as a group. What makes that happen and what makes the group go, you don’t always know. But if it’s just changing some lines around, then we will do that.” The latest embarrassment for the Leafs came on Monday night, when they had a season-low 36 shot attempts (at even-strength) during a 6-3 loss at home against the Colorado Avalanche. We like Babcock’s thinking. Hyman’s diligence and ability to emerge with the puck is an asset on any line, and has been lauded by the offensively gifted linemates he has had in Toronto. Getting production from Matthews and Nylander could help spark the team as a whole. Nylander has one goal and two assists in 17 games; Matthews has one goal in his past 10 games. “Zach is a heavy player, gets in on pucks, wins pucks back, he is usually at the net, so me and Willie are interchanging making plays, trying to create stuff offensively down low, and I think it’s something we want to get back to,” Matthews said. “All of us are comfortable with each other. We know (each other’s) tendencies.” Only the fourth line of Frederik Gauthier between Par Lindholm and Connor Brown stayed intact. Babcock had Andreas Johnsson with centre John Tavares and Mitch Marner, and had Nazem Kadri between Patrick Marleau and Kasperi Kapanen. GARDINER UNGUARDED For defenceman Jake Gardiner, the sun indeed did rise on Tuesday morning (an off-day for the Leafs), hours after his lacklustre check on Carl Soderberg helped lead to the third Avs goal, which was shorthanded. Given some time to think about being booed by fans at Scotiabank Arena, Gardiner understood. “All of us in this room are so competitive and we expect so much out of each other and I think the fans are the exact same way,” Gardiner said. “They expect us to win and expect us to play well. As a team, I don’t think we were doing well, and you hit a boiling point. We do that the same way in the room. If we’re not playing well, we start getting frustrated and I think that’s what happened.” Gardiner agreed with the notion that he would take some booing over fan indifference. “Yeah, it shows that they care and that’s what we want,” Gardiner said. “It’s a very passionate fan base. We’re losing right now, so it’s going to be negative at times, but if we start winning, I think it will turn around.” 1126461 Toronto Maple Leafs

Babcock reverts to past as Leafs try to climb out of struggles

Terry Koshan

Go with what has worked in the past. With the Maple Leafs playing listless, mostly effort-free hockey in recent weeks, coach Mike Babcock at practice on Wednesday put Zach Hyman back on the left wing with centre Auston Matthews and William Nylander. That trio worked well during much of the past two seasons, but has not been together in 2018-19. Considering the Leafs have lost five of their eight games since Christmas, and not putting much work into the cause, Babcock’s hand was forced. Babcock hinted he might not stick with that old, new-look line on Thursday night when the Leafs visit the best team in the National Hockey League, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Keep in mind Babcock rarely changes lines at practice and then does not stick with those new lines to at least start the next game. “I don’t know what I’m doing tomorrow,” Babcock said after practice at the MasterCard Centre. “But we took a look at it today. We have been hit-and-miss since Christmas. “We didn’t feel our work ethic was up to a level to be proud of last game as a group. What makes that happen and what makes the group go, you don’t always know. But if it’s just changing some lines around, then we will do that.” Nylander has one goal and two assists in 17 game since signing a six- year contract; Matthews has one goal in his past 10 games. Only the fourth line of Frederik Gauthier between Par Lindholm and Connor Brown stayed intact. Babcock had Andreas Johnsson with centre John Tavares and Mitch Marner, and had Nazem Kadri between Patrick Marleau and Kasperi Kapanen. Babcock has to do something to get his team going. The way in which the Leafs lost to the Colorado Avalanche on Monday — Toronto had a season-low 36 shot attempts at even-strength — was inexcusable. For defenceman Jake Gardiner, the sun indeed did rise on Tuesday morning (an off-day for the Leafs), hours after his lacklustre check on Carl Soderberg helped lead to the third Avs goal, which was shorthanded. Gardiner was booed during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. “All of us in this room are so competitive and we expect so much out of each other and I think the fans are the exact same way,” Gardiner said. “It’s something you never want, but they expect us to win and expect us to play well. As a team, I don’t think we were doing well, and you hit a boiling point. We do that that same way in the room. If we’re not playing well, we start getting frustrated and I think that’s what happened.” Hyman had a pertinent thought regarding what happened on Monday night and we would agree. “Anyway you put it, (the Avs) were better than us,” Hyman said. “You hope that’s the lowest it will get all season.” The Leafs might be buoyed by the fact they had a season-high 49 shots on goal in their most recent visit to Tampa, on Dec. 13. Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy was excellent that night and made 48 saves in a 4-1 Tampa win. Toronto Sun LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126462 Toronto Maple Leafs (Laughs). No, it wasn’t that bad. My parents were big on Christmas my whole childhood.

Do you remember a great gift you got as a kid? Q&A: Travis Dermott on his Speedo, travel guitars and three secrets about the Goat I got bikes, and PS2 was really cool. That was the first system that I got. Lots of NHL games and MLB games against my dad on that thing.

Did you have a team you’d play in NHL? By Jonas Siegel Jan 16, 2019 Not really. I think we’d randomize to see a whole bunch of teams. But

yeah, he’d beat me and I’d just be livid. ‘You cheated! It’s not fair! Your After most periods, on his walk back to the dressing room, Travis team’s better!’ He would never win fairly. Dermott will glance over to the Maple Leafs public relations staff with a Why? What could he do? hopeful, grinning eye. He would, I would say that he wouldn’t, though. I always let him know “Do you need me?” he’ll joke in regards to the TV intermission interview. that he was cheating somehow. Until finally, I figured out how to win. Or I The answer is almost always no. thought I figured out how to win and then I realized he was letting me win because then I wouldn’t freak out. And then I started freaking out when I One time he actually got the thumbs up. Good one, he laughed. No, this won. ‘You let me win!’ So it was a lose-lose playing against me. You’re time he was actually needed for a chat with TSN’s Mark Masters. He gonna get yelled at no matter what. concluded it by noting how thrilled he was for the opportunity. So are you not a good video game player then? Dermott likes to have fun that way. He’s willing to laugh, and he’s clearly enjoying the opportunity to play for his hometown team. The Newmarket, I was pretty young at the time, so I mean, just from common sense from Ont. native recently spoke to The Athletic about a wide range of topics, my dad’s side he could beat me most times because I’d just be running including the cornrows he sported on summer vacation, 1-on-1 meetings around trying to just run at guys. I was so competitive as a kid. with Mike Babcock and secrets about the Goat. OK, speaking of competitive, what’s a meeting with Mike Babcock like? Let’s start with this: Who’s the best player you’ve played against so far in Usually, we’ll just go over some clips, stuff that I’ve been working on. Like the league? (the Boston game) on, what was it? Their last goal. I didn’t touch the Probably (Sidney) Crosby. puck or make a play, but I was reading a play too early, where I went behind the net to get the D-to-D (pass). Why? But then it looked like you noticed it really quick that you were gonna I haven’t played against Connor (McDavid) yet. have to pop back out in front of the net.

But you know him. You’ve obviously played with him (in Erie). Yeah, but if I was there (in front of the net) then I would’ve been able to get a stick on (the puck). It’s little things like that that we like to look at on Yeah, but I haven’t played against him yet — if I’m taking your question the video. I mean, the glaring mistakes you’re not gonna learn much literally. I don’t know, honestly, it’ll probably be Connor once I play him. from, it’s usually something you can easily see by yourself in (video) or But I’d say Crosby now. There’s so many good players. Everyone has a it’s a bad bounce. So usually those aren’t the mistakes we’re looking at. different game. It’s pretty unfair to say best. There’s so many guys that It’s more the little stuff, stuff like (that David Pastrnak goal) where not are dangerous at different things. I mean, there’s guys that have the everyone can see that, oh yeah, he was there, that was where the puck speed that you have to look out for. There’s guys that’ll put it through you was supposed to go. Yeah, but if I was standing in front of the net I still and turn you inside out. There’s guys that’ll out-muscle you. I think could’ve got to there if the puck came there and I would’ve been covering there’s so many different things that you can be good at instead of just my guy. So it’s those little things that are tough to catch on in a game. saying ‘best.’ If I said best overall, I’d probably say Crosby. The game happens so fast, I didn’t even really know what happened. So As a defenceman yourself, who’s the defenceman in the league you that’s when it’s good to break down those plays. admire more now that you’ve played against him? Non-hockey. I saw you posted something about your Audi. I wondered if I mean, you watch (Erik) Karlsson, and from a non-defensive standpoint, that was your first car. I feel like you can really watch what he’s doing out there. His vision of the No! I had a Jeep. I had a Jeep Wrangler. Me and (former Leafs prospect ice, I think, is the one thing that really stood out to me. He’ll get a puck Andrew Nielsen) got matching Jeeps when we signed. It’s pretty funny. deep in the zone and make a cross-zone pass without really looking — Well, (they were) somewhat matching — mine was white and his was just knowing the guy’s there. I remember that caught me off-guard a black. But we had pretty much everything the same done to it. Yeah, it couple times. was pretty funny. We were both driving around in Jeeps at whatever, 18, That must be hard to do, to know where everyone is. 19.

Yeah and have the confidence just to see this guy here, boom, puck Another Instagram-related question. The cornrows. there. Like, I know how to get it to him without even really looking, just Yeah. because I saw him and I saw where he was going and you can time it in your head. That’s definitely something that is cool to be good at. (@travisdermott)

So you turned 22 on December 22nd. What was the best present you First off, where did the idea come from? got? We were just in Mexico, my girlfriend and I, and actually (Mason) I got new Gucci dress shoes from the girlfriend. Huge pickup. Marchment was there too with his girlfriend. We saw it on the beach and I’m like, ‘How sweet would it be to get these cornrows? Like, it looks What colour? pretty sweet. (Laughs). I’ll try it one time.’ And then we got it and I’m like, Black. Yeah, I needed some loafers. Leafs fans would love this one so I decided to throw it up there (on social media) to see if people wanted me to keep it. I wasn’t going to keep it no Well, I was wondering, do you get cheated for gifts with your birthday matter what. being so close to Christmas? How many days did you keep it? No. I mean, nowadays, I don’t really care what I’m getting. I’m more worried about what to get other people. But when I was younger people A day and a half. Like two days maybe. It’s funny because I put up the would always ask me that, but I don’t think so. But I mean, I’d never know voting thing, like pick yes or no, and then you can see the results. And it really if I was getting (short-changed). was like 51 (percent) yes to keep it, 49 (percent) no.

Well, if you’re getting socks for Christmas… Well, what did you take more heat from the guys in the dressing room for — the cornrows or the Speedo? I don’t know, probably just the combination. I think it was a full round, not That’s a good answer. chirping specifically the Speedo or the cornrows, but the whole thing together definitely. Cheers, thanks.

Which teammate are you closest with here with the Leafs? What’s the most interesting thing you know about the Goat?

I’d say Johnny (Andreas Johnsson). Probably Mango. We hang out There’s so many. If you asked me that about anyone else I probably probably after every game, which is nice. He lives pretty close to me. couldn’t tell you much. Goat loves to bake pies and eat the whole thing in We’ve grown to be good buddies. We kinda have the same love for the one night. He loves puzzles. game, I think. We come in here, have the same idea. We’ve been playing I’ve heard about the puzzles. Have you ever tried his pies? together with the Marlies and we’ve clicked since day one. We’ve always been pretty close. I haven’t, but I’ve let him know that I’m very interested. He’s got some good dance moves before the game. If I look over at him and there’s a Dermott and Johnsson played together with the Marlies before reuniting good song on I’ll know he’ll be bumping some part of his body to the again as teammates with the Leafs. (@travisdermott) tune. Mango and I (on Saturday), it was pretty funny, before the game I’m Have you taught Igor Ozhiganov any swear words in English? like, ‘Does Goat ever stop dancing?’ We both looked over and he’s got the shoulder going. Perfect timing. That’s the three things I got on Goat. I think he’s picked up on them. It’s more him teaching other guys the swear words (in Russian). I’ve learned (laughs) (expletive). He taught me The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 that one in Swedish.

I noticed you were part of the jam band a few guys on the team have got going. I wondered who was your favourite band or artist?

My favourite band right now, I’d have to say, James Barker Band, country guys. I actually met them a couple times now. I’m good buddies with their bass player.

Where are they from?

They’re from like Peterborough area. And actually (Michael Hutchinson) is really good buddies with their main acoustic guitarist and I’m good buddies with their bass player. So right when he got called up, (my friend) was like, ‘Oh yeah, how’s Hutch?’ And I’m like, ‘What do you mean? You know Hutch?’ And then he’s like, ‘Oh yeah!’ Because he’s from Barrie and their guitarist’s from Barrie so I guess they’ve known each other for a while. Small world. Hutch, actually, brings a guitar on the road as well.

Does he?

Yeah. So we might be pulling Hutch into the band.

How do you bring a guitar on the road?

He’s got a little travel one, which is sweet.

And you have one?

I have one. It’s a little too big to bring on the road. Like, I got a travel one, but still it’s too big, so I might have to pick up the one that he has.

So you’re a big country guy, eh? Who has the best taste in music on the team?

(Jake Gardiner). He’ll have some bad songs, I’ll give him that.

Like cheesy songs?

Yeah. On practice days I’ll give Gards (the win). But Nazzie’s pretty good with the pre-game. Jake brings the country on the practice days. It’s nice listening to country before practice.

Just to mellow you out?

Exactly. No need to get too fired up.

What’s one thing you’ve learned on the ice from Morgan (Rielly) and one thing you’ve learned from Jake?

I think Mo’s decision making and vision of the ice and when to jump up and when not to jump up. He has that down to a T pretty much, I think. You watch when he joins in the rush and it’s at the best, most opportune times. And then he’s staying back at the right times when we don’t have coverage and stuff like that. So I’d say that’s a big thing that I look to Mo to learn from.

I think Gards, his work on the blueline and getting pucks from below our goal-line to our forwards really (well), little slip plays to the middle, to our centreman coming through.

And they’re very subtle.

Yes. Very subtle. And his patience doing it is outstanding, which I think is very, very good to learn. Just being so calm back there when you have the best players in the world coming down on you. It can be tough, but he makes it look easy. 1126463 Toronto Maple Leafs “Golf seems to be hockey players’ thing in the offseason. I’m not the best golfer but I think that the best way to get my teammates out there is to

run a golf event and they’ll come,” Hyman said with a laugh. Philanthropy is up next for Leafs’ Zach Hyman — and he’s just getting “Golf is fun, it’s a relaxing way to hang out with other guys and do started something really important to the community. To host a golf tournament is something special. And especially after the first year, we raised a lot of money and we’re looking forward to doing it again next year.” By Scott Wheeler Jan 16, 2019 Hyman wanted the benefactors to be for causes he truly believes in. This year, when he hosts the second annual event, which will move to Oakdale Golf Club in North York, he will replace the Prosserman On a cold Tuesday afternoon in Toronto’s downtown core, Zach Hyman Community Centre and the OJHL Foundation with two new charities. The and a small group of roughly a dozen friends, family and strangers first is Right To Play, which lines up with his passion for supporting youth gathered in a quiet corner one floor above The Hospital for Sick Children sport. The second is the UJA Federation, whose stated goal is to support to celebrate a $100,000 donation. Jewish life in the Greater Toronto Area. It happened almost without notice. A lone cameraman and a lone SickKids will remain the biggest recipient. photographer snapped pictures and video as evidence that it happened, but it wasn’t meant to be a show. There was no stage, no microphone, no “I grew up in Toronto so I’ve had lots of friends who’ve had family gathering of hospital executives or glad-handing. members who’ve gone through SickKids and they’ve gotten better. That’s something that, from a personal level, SickKids has had an impression There was just Hyman and the Bensimon family, who accepted the on me. And then every year we come here as the Leafs and we visit the donation on SickKids’ behalf, decked out in Leafs jerseys. They thanked kids and all those kids you learn things from those guys and they’re their shared hero for brightening their daughter Simcha’s day. Simcha, always excited to see you, they always have a smile on their face even if after getting unhooked from her IV drip, lit up when she saw Hyman. the situation is not good for them,” Hyman said. David and Clara Bensimon asked for photos on their iPhones. Hyman told them he was inspired by them, and the other kids and parents at the “It gives you a really different perspective on life and to be able to give hospital. back to a place that helps those kids is really important to me.”

And within 15 minutes, it was over. By hosting a golf tournament, he gets to bring all of his worlds and passions together and encourage other people to get involved and That generosity, everyone involved said, is the way Hyman is. donate. A little over a year ago, he met with his brother Spencer and his manager “When I was a kid I went to some of these types of events and then you Alex Voihanski with a purpose: He wanted to become a philanthropist grow up and you realize how important it is to give back because you can and he wanted his focus to be on children’s causes. have a lasting impression. So the more people you can get involved, the But he didn’t know how. more kids you can get involved, the more money you can raise, the more everyone feels like they’re a part of it. And I think that’s really important. Voihanski, who has known Hyman since he was 14, is a longtime friend It’s important to be a part of the community and the more people you of his father, Stuart, and has always been a source of guidance for the bring out the stronger the community gets,” Hyman said. now-Maple Leaf. Early on, he was there to “help him navigate through the world of politics and hockey.” As Hyman progressed rapidly through This year, Hyman, Spencer and Voihanski hope to double the $225,000 that world, Voihanski took over everything shy of his contract they raised last year when they host the event, which is planned for July negotiations (he has an agent for that). Today, as Hyman pursues a side- 29. career as a children’s author, it’s Voihanski who oversees his Left to right: David, Clara and Simcha Bensimon, alongside Zach Hyman. endorsements and marketing. Hyman credits Spencer and Voihanski for making it possible. And now his philanthropy. “Spence, without him it doesn’t work. He makes it all happen. I’m lucky to Together, the trio came up with an idea: The Zach Hyman Celebrity Golf make this a family event. My other brother Oliver does all the prizes. It’s Classic. Voihanski and Spencer Hyman would co-chair. good to bring the family into the fold,” he said. “It does take a lot of time. “One of the most exciting things for me to help him out with is definitely And I have a great team behind me, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to do the philanthropic side. It was one of the first big things that we’ve done it. It’s a lot of work but it definitely is worth it in the end.” and we’re excited to do a lot more,” Voihanski said. But Voihanski disagrees. Hyman, while finishing out the 2017-2018 Left to right: Mark Goodman of the Goodman Family Foundation, Alex season and playing a seven-game playoff series against the Boston Voihanski, SickKids Foundation’s Niyousha Nejatpour, Zach and Bruins, did everything he could to help plan the event — everything from Spencer Hyman. bringing in sponsorship and donors to helping recruit or hire volunteers, players and celebrities as well as the day-of coordinating. All told, the inaugural tournament, which was hosted by the Goodman Family Foundation on July 30, 2018, at the Lebovic Golf Course in “He was very involved. Very involved. Everything he does he’s very Aurora, Ont., raised $225,000. And when Hyman chose the three involved in. He’s a passionate guy, he’s exceptionally articulate, he’s benefactors (which included a scholarship fund for sports through the very, very bright and he’s an entrepreneurial guy in that sense, whether Prosserman Jewish Community Centre and the Ontario Junior Hockey it’s the video game stuff he does, the esports, the books or now the League Foundation), he wanted SickKids, and more specifically their philanthropy. He always wants to know what’s going on. He’s very Garron Family Cancer Centre, which supports the highest-priority engaged,” Voihanski said. “It’s a massive undertaking. It’s a full-time job.” patients, to be the primary recipient. And that’s how Hyman has always been, according to Spencer. In years past, Hyman attended Dominic Moore’s charity ping-pong event “Zach is incredible. I’ve always done something with Zach, whether it’s SmashFest, Nazem Kadri’s charity golf tournament in support of various hockey or other avenues. This is very unique because it’s something mental health organizations and more recently Mitch Marner’s All-Star where we get to come together and he gets to take the platform that he Invitational. He laughs about the on-ice sessions Marner and his guests has and use it for the benefit of others, which is absolutely incredible,” did with youth hockey players, and of the skills competition Marner Spencer said. managed to win at his own event. “And all the credit to Zach for doing this and taking his time to be able to “I think it might have been rigged,” Hyman said jokingly. “It’s always good give back to SickKids, Jewish charities as well as other youth charities. to support your teammates’ events and then they come to yours and it The more people we can help the better.” just brings more awareness to the different causes that we’re all supporting so it’s pretty cool.” SickKids holds a special place for all those involved, too. Voihanski’s daughter suffers from celiac disease and has spent her fair share of days The idea for a golf tournament seemed the best place to start. and nights at SickKids, making sure she was getting proper care and medication.

“And my daughter’s experience is a pittance to most of the kids that are in here but they’ve been great to us, great to Zach, he loves the relationship with them and we want to continue it moving forward. Most people have a relationship with the hospital. Zach’s got an affinity for this place, he’s got such a big heart and when we talked about benefactors SickKids was the first one that popped up into his head and he wanted this to be the major benefactor. This was a no-brainer and continues to be,” Voihanski said.

For a couple of brothers from Toronto, it’s that much more special.

“Just being here today, it’s the feeling of showing where your hard work is going to. There’s no better feeling than being able to help people in need and to donate to something like SickKids, it warms your heart. It’s unbelievable,” Spencer Hyman said.

None of it — the impact they can and will have — is lost on the brothers.

“It’s important to me to be able to give back. I’m a lucky guy to be in the position that I am and to give back is awesome. I loved doing it last year. I love raising money for children’s Hyman said.

“It’s something that’s important to me.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126464 Toronto Maple Leafs tips it in. It’s part of a comprehensive performance from Rielly in which he generates six scoring chances.

The Leafs humiliate Rielly’s hometown team, 5-0. Grappling with attention, sushi with friends and so, so much soccer: A week in the life of Morgan Rielly Still, Rielly isn’t interested in personal accolades, including breaking his pointless drought.

“People always ask me about points and stuff,” Rielly says. “I genuinely By Joshua Kloke Jan 16, 2019 don’t think about it. I used to when I was younger. As you get a bit older, you put it out of your mind and you just worry about playing.”

In a Maple Leafs season with high expectations and the hopes of making Rielly will hang around Scotiabank Arena after the game until half-time of a legitimate push in the Stanley Cup playoffs, no player has had a more the Dallas Cowboys-Seattle Seahawks wildcard playoff game. He then transformative year than Morgan Rielly. For one week, The Athletic was quickly drives home to his Trinity Bellwoods apartment. He pours himself granted a glimpse into the life of the Maple Leafs’ star defenceman. a glass of red wine and makes a beeline for his couch to watch the second half of the game and unwind. Saturday, January 5 Rielly won’t call himself a wine connoisseur by any means, but he’s met Just after 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Morgan Rielly takes his place in enough people through his NHL career that have influenced his taste in front of an army of reporters and cameramen at the front of the Maple wine. He favours wines from Napa Valley instead of more traditionally Leafs dressing room. His blonde hair walks the line between well- popular countries like France and Italy. When he gets together with his manicured and messy as he eschews the high and tight look of so many parents, he always chooses the wine, even if they do talk a big game of his peers. He wears a slight stubble on his face, shorts, non-descript after recently returning from a trip to Italy. Black Nike trainers and large white socks bunched up just over his heels. “I know what I like now,” Rielly says, nodding his head confidently. At first glance, the 24 year old looks more like a suburban father out on a diaper run than he does a Norris Trophy candidate. As Rielly speaks, Sunday, January 6 there is no trace of ego. An outsider would be hard-pressed to believe Rielly arrives at the Leafs’ practice facility at 10:00 a.m. for a noon Rielly has scored 44 points in 40 games, which at this point is tied for the practice. He’ll get a bit of physical treatment, stretch, take part in a team lead among NHL defencemen. workout around 11:00 a.m. then be part of a team meeting at 11:30. “I feel like I have room to get better,” Rielly tells the scrum. “When you When Rielly does take to the ice just before noon, there is a full-size look, recently, we’ve had some losses and it’s important we all take that dummy on the ice that goaltending coach Steve Briere uses to simulate upon ourselves as individuals and try to get better.” screens for the team’s goalies. The Leafs welcome the Vancouver Canucks that night at Scotiabank Rielly has other plans. Arena, Rielly’s hometown team. Rielly has become accustomed to being sent to speak for the Leafs ahead of a game. He has not just taken steps, “Me and (Gardiner) like to shoot pucks at it because we think it’s funny,” but leaps and bounds this season to become the team’s number one Rielly says. defenceman. In training camp, Rielly confided to one of his best friends on the team, Jake Gardiner, that he was going to be “more assertive” Sunday’s practice is short, totalling just 25 minutes. The team avoids offensively this season. working on structure, instead opting for a variety of three-on-three games meant to, in Rielly’s estimation, “just keep the motor running.” As such, it’s curious that the league’s highest-scoring defenceman was left off the All-Star Game roster when it was announced a few days With the rest of the day to kill, Rielly considers his options: he’s earlier. interested in seeing ‘Vice,’ or perhaps spending time with Auston Matthews, Frederik Andersen and Tyler Ennis, all of whom are single and But Rielly still has a shot to get to San Jose and his first All-Star Game: have established a routine of dining out and seeing movies together. Throughout this week, fans can vote for him as part of a “Last Man In” campaign. One player from each division will be selected. Rielly is all too aware that it’s important to have hobbies outside of hockey and not simply spend his personal time on the couch. Not surprisingly, Rielly, who has been hesitant to speak about his own personal accomplishments all season, isn’t viewing this week as a try-out But Sunday is different. for the All-Star Game. “Today’s going to be about football,” Rielly says. “I don’t think it’s going to change anything,” Rielly says, shaking his head. It’s the final day of the NFL’s wildcard weekend, and Rielly wants nothing “Voting is what it is. It’s based on a lot more than just what happens on more than to park himself on his couch to watch. Monday night and then Thursday night.” “I do believe in preparation, being rested and being aware of what you After a five-game point streak through December that saw him net 11 put in your body today,” Rielly says, perhaps using this as an excuse to points, Rielly has cooled, going pointless in his last three games. It is his spend a Sunday afternoon vegging. longest scoring drought of an otherwise scorching season. Rielly’s interest in football isn’t just a passing one. Tonight’s setting is seemingly right for Rielly to get back on track. His father, Andy, was a Raiders fan after working in Orange County, “I’d be lying if I said I just treated it like every other game,” Rielly says of California as a carpenter when he was younger. Morgan and Andy would facing the Canucks. drive down together from West Vancouver to Seattle to watch the He knows all of his buddies back in Vancouver are watching, and he Raiders play the Seahawks. When Rielly was seven and the Seahawks understands expectations surrounding his play might be heightened. played at the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium, the two braved the freezing, snowy conditions by buying entirely too many blankets At 6:35 p.m., Rielly and the Leafs exit the dressing room, but not until which they still have, and use. famed Canadian astronaut, and noted Leafs fan Chris Hadfield quickly scoots through the blocked-off area directly outside the dressing room. “I’ll always remember that,” Rielly says.

Rielly is the 19th player out of the dressing room. He stops to share a His interest became even more deep-seated when he began playing choreographed handshake with Mitch Marner that ends up looking more fantasy football. Rielly’s incredible season isn’t just limited to the ice: He like an entanglement of hands than it does a high-five. They both burst won the team’s fantasy football league. out in simultaneous laughter. His pick for the Super Bowl is the New Orleans Saints, led by Drew “I like it in when it’s a little bit more elaborate,” Rielly says of Brees. He admits to being mesmerized by one of the all-time great special handshakes among teammates. quarterbacks.

Midway through the first period, Rielly sees his fortunes change. He throws the puck on net from just inside the blueline and John Tavares “He’s one of the only guys who I’ll watch the entire game and not change The push to get Rielly into the All-Star game begins to ramp up. The the channel. When I watch that team play I just think about how good Toronto Raptors post a short video with Pascal Siakam in a Rielly jersey they are. Their offence just clicks.” encouraging fans to vote for Rielly.

Monday, January 7 GOTTA SUPPORT THE FAMILY @MAPLELEAFS.

Game days are always the same for Rielly. After waking at 8:00 a.m., as HELP MO GO TO #NHLALLSTAR WEEKEND 👉🏽 he does every morning, and throwing on the first clothes he can find, he’ll HTTPS://T.CO/DZJBLUL9QW #WETHENORTH X #LEAFSFOREVER drive along Lakeshore Boulevard to the Scotiabank Arena, arriving no PIC.TWITTER.COM/KV1OKXZXUI later than 8:45. — TORONTO RAPTORS (@RAPTORS) JANUARY 8, 2019 He’ll mosey around the dressing room, striking up a conversation with whichever teammate he meets. Matthews also posts a photo of Rielly from lunch on his Instagram story, trying to generate more votes. “It takes me a while to wake up,” Rielly says. The four of them then move on to a local theatre for a matinee viewing of Breakfast always consists of two eggs, over easy, with one notable ‘Aquaman.’ Nothing special, according to Rielly, even if he is into exception. superhero movies.

“If I’m really hungry I’ll have these blueberry pancakes we have,” Rielly By the evening, the weight of two games over the past three nights says. “They say they’re supposed to be good for you but I don’t really catches up with Rielly. He’s exhausted, and can’t be bothered to cook. believe them.” He says goodbye to his teammates and walks across the street from his apartment to Oyster Boy and saddles up to the bar. More coffee follows. Rielly will tape his sticks for the game while waiting for one of his favourite parts of his day: The pre-game soccer kick about. He’s a fan of spending his evenings alone at the restaurant bar, often Players organize a tournament and whoever lets the ball drop is out of bringing a book, such as Thomas L. Friedman’s ‘Thank You for Being the circle. The last man standing gets a point, and the first player to three Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations.’ points wins. As increased attention on Rielly’s social media ramps up, he needs “I’m the best guy on the team. You can ask,” says Rielly. He never drown out the noise. He isn’t entirely comfortable with all the attention. played much soccer growing up but he has honed his skills. He plugs in his headphones and listens to an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience with a plate of oysters in front of him. The first team meeting is at 9:50 followed by another at 10:00. If the morning skate is mandatory, Rielly will take the ice. Wednesday, January 9

If not? More soccer. Wednesday’s practice ends with a competition born out of a discussion among Leafs teammates: Who’s better at taking faceoffs, defencemen or “That’s harder than pre-game skate,” Rielly says. centres? Rielly has only taken two draws in his lifetime. Last season, with Lunch is served at the Platinum Club, a restaurant just steps away from the Leafs trying to kill a 5-on-3 penalty and one Leafs forward already the dressing room. He’ll always eat pasta in rosé sauce, and will always kicked out of the dot, Rielly was called in to face off against . sit across from Gardiner. After lunch, Rielly grabs a cookie, a bottle of He lost. water and returns home. Assistant coach D.J. Smith drops pucks as the two groups bark after He naps earlier than his teammates, generally from 12:30-1:30. Once he every draw. In the end, perhaps against the odds, Gardiner leads the wakes up, he’ll open his laptop and pore through the endless stream of defencemen to a surprise victory. A round of cheers breaks out among news stories emerging that day, paying particular attention to any stories the Leafs defencemen. his mother has sent him. Jake Gardiner and Nazem Kadri often debate whether forwards or Rielly arrives back at Scotiabank Arena by 4:00 p.m. His pre-game meal defencemen have harder practices, and Rielly hopes this competition is simple: toast, and, more coffee. settled the debate.

At 4:25, Rielly enters the trainer’s room for a thorough stretch. He’ll wait “It was brewing for a couple of days,” Rielly says, “so I’m glad we for Gardiner to finish his stretch immediately afterwards and a one-on- squashed it.” one game of soccer follows. First to 10 points wins. After practice, Rielly and his teammates board a flight to New Jersey in By the end of that game, more teammates are waiting on the sidelines to advance of tomorrow’s game against the Devils. join in. Another tournament commences. Rielly takes his seat near Gardiner, Kadri and Hainsey for a heated game At 5:00, Rielly enters the dressing room. The team’s penalty kill meeting of poker. Rielly has never considered himself much of a poker player, begins at 5:12 sharp. He’ll then chat with defence partner Ron Hainsey aside from killing time on his phone with a poker app. It’s the about the evening’s matchup. Rielly is a fan of poring over the game camaraderie he enjoys. notes on the opposition to see if any trends stick out. “I’m not a good player. I like being involved in making fun of guys,” Rielly Another meeting at 5:30 follows before…another game of soccer. says with a mischievous grin that is as commonplace to Rielly as his dad socks. Rielly eventually has to be pulled away from his teammates for more stretching before getting dressed for the game. Nevertheless, he wins big on the flight down.

Tonight’s game is one to forget for Rielly and the Leafs. After giving up Previous attempts via social media to bring attention to Rielly’s “Last Man two second period goals against the Nashville Predators, the Leafs throw In” vote were only a start: On Wednesday night, Gardiner helps the Leafs caution to the wind and abandon their defensive structure in search of go on the offensive. Gardiner films a series of short clips with players the tying goals. In doing so, they expose themselves and are exploited by hamming it up for the camera in an attempt to influence voters and boost a very good Predators offence. They add two more goals in the third Rielly’s case for the All-Star Game. period and the Leafs lose 4-0. Rielly was alone in his hotel room at the time, getting ready for a team Rielly is unable to break out of the Leafs own zone as he has all season. dinner and was unaware of what Gardiner and the team were putting together. “It was an example of them clogging up the ice and making it difficult for us to generate offence,” Rielly says. “And that can be frustrating.” “If I was, they wouldn’t have gotten out,” Rielly says.

Tuesday, January 8 When he returns to his room after dinner his phone blows up with notifications. He can only shake his head and text Gardiner to plead for It is a day off for Rielly and the Leafs. Rielly begins his day by running a the videos to stop. few errands, including a stop at the bank, all fueled by a few iced coffees. He makes his way to Ossington Avenue where he meets Ennis, Thursday, January 10 Andersen and Matthews for a sushi lunch. The majority of the Leafs don’t travel to the for a By Saturday afternoon, the focus has shifted away from Rielly’s All-Star morning skate, so Rielly and Gardiner play soccer at the hotel on their Game snub to that night’s opponents, the Bruins. After losing two of three own. regular-season meetings so far, questions continue to swirl about whether the Leafs have the mettle to combat the Bruins should they meet “I rinsed him,” says Rielly. again in the postseason.

More videos continue to roll in on social media, encouraging fans to vote Rielly understands the questions, even if he doesn’t like them. for Rielly. “If you’re a journalist and you look at the history, that’s the narrative I I BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY, AND I BELIEVE THAT @MRILES4 would write too,” Rielly says. “I don’t think there’s anything there that SHOULD BE AT #NHLALLSTAR WEEKEND. GO VOTE NOW we’re afraid of.” @MAPLELEAFS FANS. HE IS SIMPLY THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB. As the Leafs prepare to take the ice, Rielly takes his normal position in front of the silver Maple Leaf logo in the dressing room hallway to the ice. VOTE HERE: HTTPS://T.CO/GI5KWRKJVG He wears an “A” on his sweater and is beginning to take more — ARKELLS (@ARKELLSMUSIC) JANUARY 10, 2019 responsibility on this team. So much so that, as strong a year as he is having as an individual, he would trade it all for greater success as a DOUBLE BLUE X BLUE AND WHITE team.

VOTE MORGAN RIELLY TO THE #NHLALLSTAR GAME » “That’s the end goal,” says Rielly, with the admission that the Leafs need HTTPS://T.CO/SMSDS4NYUL @MAPLELEAFS | #LEAFSFOREVER their best players to be performing at their full capacity to succeed. PIC.TWITTER.COM/AWSRFNUPDU “That’s why we’re here. We want to win hockey games. It’s not about what we do as individuals. That’s a trade I’d make for sure.” — (@TORONTOARGOS) JANUARY 10, 2019 In the second intermission, with the Leafs trailing 3-2 and slightly deflated, Rielly pipes up. His message is simple: Stay positive. He Rielly tries to block out the added attention by continuing his routine. The reminds those closest to him in the dressing room that the team is at Prudential Center offers a roomier space for the team’s pre-game soccer home, down by just one goal and that they were getting their fair share of than many arenas. But that could only increase the attention on Rielly. scoring chances. “He’s a target man,” says forward Andreas Johnsson, who is also one of “To hear voices, I think it’s good,” says Rielly. “You feel like there’s the better soccer players on the team. something that has to be said, whether you’re a young guy, old guy, it Rielly isn’t fazed. If anything, he believes Johnsson’s admission proves doesn’t matter.” his superiority. The Bruins hold on for the win. There were long stretches throughout the “If it’s Royal Rumble, you go after the best player, because you want him game that Rielly felt the Leafs were in control. It’s hard for Rielly not to out early,” Rielly says. imagine another playoff matchup.

The Leafs get the bounce-back effort they needed, a comprehensive 4-2 “When you look at the standings, there’s a chance we’ll see them again,” victory over the Devils. Rielly registers one assist and it’s one worth Rielly says. “That’s something you always think about.” remembering. His patient highlight-reel pass looks almost effortless but Rielly returns to his apartment, alone with his thoughts. He tries not to let still brilliant. losses fester too long. He genuinely tries to find the positives in the JOHN TAVARES  game, and then “flushes it,” before practice the next day. Rielly is happy to have some time to himself. If there will be no reflection on his breakout INSANE PASS FROM MARNER AND THEN THE PATIENCE BY season in public, the only time it might come is on his couch, free of RIELLY TO FIND JT FOR HIS 2ND OF THE GAME. 3-0 LEAFS. distraction. PIC.TWITTER.COM/OAJXPWCO9J “I like my own space,” Rielly says. “My mom always commented on that, — FLINTOR (@THEFLINTOR) JANUARY 11, 2019 the way I liked to — not necessarily be alone, but — more or less, be alone.” The Leafs don’t leave the airport in New Jersey until just after 11:30 p.m. Rielly finally arrives home just before 1:30 a.m. It’s a late night, but Rielly From the outside, Rielly may never live a more enviable life than he still sets his alarm for 8:00 a.m. the next morning. currently does. He does not allow for the admission that in playing the best hockey of his professional career, his profile has been raised “You have about 12 coffees and go about your day,” says Rielly. dramatically. Even when his family visits and he dines out with his Friday, January 11 mother, she cannot get over how many people around Rielly are staring, whispering and pointing in admiration. As Rielly begins skating laps around the ice ahead of practice, the results are announced by the NHL: Rielly will not be going to the All-Star Game. Rielly doesn’t want to notice the added attention, or have himself singled Sabres forward Jeff Skinner is the final Atlantic Division representative. out for what could be one of the best offensive seasons by a Leafs defenceman, ever. After practice, Rielly is swarmed by reporters. Asked repeatedly what it would have meant for him to have been able to go to the game, Rielly “I don’t think we’ve accomplished our end goal yet,” says Rielly. “Yeah, deflects. He can’t imagine what it would be like to experience something things are good if you look at it right now, but I think they could be a lot that didn’t happen. better. I don’t think our focus is enjoying everything that’s happening right now. We have bigger goals. And to reach that end goal, I think then we’ll “I’m glad it’s over,” Rielly says repeatedly of the vote. The feelings of self- be able to take a step back and look around a bit more.” consciousness over the attention were a little too much to bear. The following day is a practice, and Rielly has his alarm set for 8:00 a.m. He’s already making plans to return to Vancouver and spend some quality time with his eight-year-old yellow lab, Maggie. Time away from The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 the spotlight would serve Rielly well.

After a nap to recuperate from practice, Rielly and Ennis meet at Lee, a trendy Asian fusion restaurant, for dinner. Rielly is a massive fan of Susur Lee but even more so, considers living in Toronto as a way to expand his culinary palette.

“There’s a lot of diversity in this city,” says Rielly. “That is true certainly with the food. There’s lots out there that you can try, and find what you like.”

Saturday, January 12 1126465 Vegas Golden Knights

NHL, NHLPA abandon staging World Cup in September 2020

By Stephen Whyno The Associated Press

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have given up on the possibility of staging the next World Cup of Hockey in September 2020 but will continue collective bargaining talks. The league and PA announced the conclusion in separate statements Wednesday that there’s not enough time to put together a World Cup in roughly 20 months. The sides met earlier in the day in Toronto to discuss the World Cup as part of collective bargaining talks after holding an informal meeting in Las Vegas on Jan. 10 that lasted more than two hours. Not holding the World Cup in September 2020 is consequential because it was so closely linked to the potential of labor peace in hockey. But the NHL and NHLPA plan to meet again soon with the goal of avoiding a potential work stoppage. A lockout wiped out the 2004-05 season and lasted more than three months in 2012-13. The current CBA runs until 2022, but either owners or players could choose this September to opt out and end it Sept. 15, 2020. Players’ escrow payments and Olympic participation are significant issues that must be overcome to avoid either side electing to re-open the CBA. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told The Associated Press last week he believed there was a commitment by both sides to continue talking and “see if we can move forward on something that might work for a CBA extension.” “While the parties have now joined the concluded that it is no longer realistic to try to schedule a World Cup of Hockey for the fall of 2020, they plan to continue their dialogue with the hope of being able to schedule the next World Cup event as part of a broader agreement, which would include a long-term international event calendar,” the NHL said in a statement. The 2016 World Cup of Hockey generated revenue that was split evenly among owners and players, and the goal is to keep that event going with another edition at a time later than September 2020. “The players are focused on finding the proper time to schedule the World Cup of Hockey within the context of an overall international hockey calendar,” the NHLPA said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing our discussions with the league.” LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126466 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights among NHL leaders in goal posts hit

By David Schoen / Las Vegas Review-Journal

If it seems like the Golden Knights have hit more pipes than a busy plumber in recent weeks, that’s because they have. Jonathan Marchessault was the latest to see a shot clank off the goal post early in the first period of the Knights’ 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday at Bell MTS Place. The Knights are tied for second in the NHL with Minnesota, having hit the post or crossbar 43 times in 49 games. They’ve hit the post 32 times, which is tied for sixth in the league, and are second behind Vancouver with 11 shots off the crossbar. The Canucks lead the league with 47 shots that have drawn iron. Since Jan. 1, the Knights and Minnesota are tied for the most shots to hit the post or crossbar with nine. Their four shots off the crossbar during that stretch leads the league. Left wing Max Pacioretty has been especially unlucky in those seven games. He hit the crossbar in the third period Saturday at Chicago — Paul Stastny put in the rebound to tie the game — and is tied with four other players for the league lead since the turn of the calendar with three shots to hit the post or crossbar. Pacioretty and Marchessault share the team lead with six shots off the pipe. “The amount of posts and the amount of chances I’ve missed as of late, yeah it could be frustrating,” Pacioretty said. “But it could be worse. I could not be getting those chances. So now I’ve just got to convert on those and hopefully when one goes in they’ll start to pour in.” Do you want to build a snowman? Marc-Andre Fleury’s “snow wall” that he built to protect an empty net late in the third period Tuesday quickly became an internet sensation. Marc-Andre Fleury builds a snow wall in front of the empty net before going to the bench and gets caught pic.twitter.com/OL1EjXims2 — Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) January 16, 2019 But it turns out the goaltender was fortunate not to receive a minor penalty for his ploy, or worse, have the Jets awarded a goal. According to Rule 67.3, a goalkeeper can be penalized “when he deliberately piles up snow or obstacles at or near his net that, in the opinion of the Referee, would tend to prevent the scoring of a goal.” Rule 67.5 states a referee can award a goal when “a goalkeeper, prior to proceeding to his players’ bench to be replaced by an extra attacker, intentionally leaves his stick or other piece of equipment, piles snow or other obstacles at or near his net that, in the opinion of the Referee, would tend to prevent the puck from entering the net.” Winnipeg scored two empty-net goals after Fleury’s wall was destroyed. Looks are deceiving The Knights’ power play has been wildly inconsistent this season and currently is mired in a 1-for-30 skid dating back to Dec. 27 after failing to score on six attempts against Winnipeg on Tuesday. But coach Gerard Gallant saw signs the Knights could be ready to break out of their slump. “I liked the power play more (Tuesday) than I liked it in a long time,” Gallant said. “We just didn’t put the puck in the back of the net, and you’ve got to give their goalie (Laurent Brossoit) some credit. He did a good job.” Get shorty Kyle Connor’s short-handed goal in the second period on Tuesday was the first allowed by the Knights this season. They were the last team in the league to allow a short-handed goal and are now tied with Dallas and the New York Islanders for fewest allowed. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126467 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ Marchessault, wife, reveal gender for 4th child

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Golden Knights’ forward Jonathan Marchessault and his wife, Alexandra, are expecting their 4th child. Wednesday night, they took to Instagram to reveal the baby’s gender. Joined by his wife, their 3 children and the family dog, Marchessault used scissors to pop a balloon containing confetti to reveal the baby’s gender. (No spoilers here. Watch the video to find out.) The Marchessaults’ youngest son, William, was born between Games 1 and 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs last year. Marchessault has 14 goals and is second on the team with 31 points. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126468 Vegas Golden Knights inner circle that will reinforce your own thinking and help you make the same mistakes over and over again.

All of which is a long way of getting to the point of this thought Five candidates the Seattle NHL team should consider for their front experiment – assembling a dream management team for the expansion office Sockeyes. (They are going to be named the Sockeyes, right?) Last month, here at The Athletic, we made a tentative attempt to sort out By Eric Duhatschek Jan 16, 2019 73 a player roster for the Seattle expansion draft, knowing full well that lots can change in the interim.

But practically speaking, Seattle ownership – which is being advised at Early last season, just after their stirring and emotional home opener, I the moment by former NHL player and coach Dave Tippett – will soon be was in Vegas to watch the Golden Knights back-to-back games against in a position to start actively recruiting managerial talent, which is the the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings. The Golden Knights had next step in the process. gotten off to a thoroughly respectable start and even if it didn’t seem sustainable, they were a fun team to chronicle. The fan support was Reflecting back on that early conversation with Conte, McCrimmon and outstanding. They’d done some innovative things to enhance the Karpan made me think, what might a dream Seattle management team entertainment experience off the ice. look like? But most importantly, they were an energetic, entertaining hockey club Or to put it another way, can Seattle duplicate Vegas’s success at getting that pushed the pace and made their opponents work for every inch of their front office right, so that when it comes time to actually select their ice. Too many times in the past, undertalented expansion teams would players, they have a broad, disparate, intelligent group of voices that play a kitty-bar-the-door style of hockey, trying not to lose by much, affords them a chance at success, both in the short and long term? which made the hockey practically unwatchable. The NHL does a lot of McPhee plumbed his choices from a variety of backgrounds, and that’s things wrong, but giving Vegas a fighting chance to be competitive right where I’m going too. Without further preamble and in no particular order, away was one of the things they got right. the first five people I would look at hiring if I were trying to build the Player-wise, Vegas created a blueprint for how to select an expansion Seattle front office from the ground up. team in the NHL’s 21st century salary-cap era, which was obvious for all Sean Burke to see. After Canada won the 2014 Olympic men’s hockey gold medal in Sochi, But what may have been less apparent was they also created a blueprint general manager Steve Yzerman advised Hockey Canada he was for how to build a proper front-office team. Not only will that be the key to stepping down and someone else would have to fill his shoes. the Golden Knights’ long-term success, how they accomplished that will be instructive to Seattle, when the NHL’s newest expansion franchise If the NHL had gone to PyeongChang for the 2018 Olympics last comes aboard in September of 2021. February, chances are, Hockey Canada would have plumbed someone from the ranks of working NHL GMs. Let’s go back to that first-ever Golden Knights homestand for a minute. But they didn’t, instead turning to Sean Burke, who had a long resume as Between periods of most NHL games, the people who gather in the press a player internationally; had worked for years in the Phoenix-Arizona box – the staff of the home team, visiting scouts, travelling writers and Coyotes front office in a variety of different positions, from goalie broadcasters – usually mingle to talk hockey. On this day I was in a small “whisperer” to assistant to the GM; and most recently, has been a pro group that included three of Vegas general manager George McPhee’s scout for the Montreal Canadiens (which is also where Karpan was key people: Kelly McCrimmon, Vaughn Karpan and David Conte. recruited from). McCrimmon was the team’s executive vice president of hockey operations and assistant general manager. Karpan was the director of Like Karpan, Burke has a vast history in international hockey. Hockey player personnel and Conte was a special advisor to hockey operations. Canada put Burke in charge of selecting rosters for all the pre-Olympic I’d known them all of them forever – McCrimmon, mostly through his tournaments; then he picked a team of NHL pros, playing mostly in older brother, Brad, who played in Calgary and stayed in touch when he Europe, which unexpectedly won an Olympic bronze medal. This past began to coach; Karpan, who was on the Canadian men’s 1988 Olympic Christmas, he was the co-GM (along with Ron Francis) of Canada’s team and has scouted extensively for a number of teams since then; and Spengler Cup team (which lost in the final in the eighth round of a Conte, who was Lou Lamoriello’s chief lieutenant during the New Jersey shootout). Devils’ best days and was someone I’d call for intel on the annual draft, just to get an overall assessment of what was available. What makes Burke’s resume so appealing is its range and versatility. Nowadays, people in sports use the term “Swiss army knife” as a cliché They were a disparate group, recruited from different organizations and to illustrate a player’s ability to contribute in many different ways. Burke spanning all the walks of hockey life. Eventually, it occurred to me that would be the managerial equivalent of a Swiss army knife player. He has this was part of the genius of what McPhee had executed in Vegas – that extensive contacts in international hockey, primarily in Russia, Sweden he’d reached beyond his inner circle to hire a broad range of voices with and Finland, where an awful lot of players are coming from. a broad range of expertise to build his organization. Other than Wil Nichol, the team’s director of player development, who was a player These sorts of contacts are so critical when it comes to gaining insight development scout for McPhee’s former NHL team, the Washington into prospects. Nowadays, teams have figured out that you can’t get the Capitals, and maybe goalie coach David Prior, most everyone else came draft wrong. It’s just too important. It is why teams invest fortunes in from outside McPhee’s sphere. In McCrimmon’s case, McPhee followed scouting; why they have a draft combine; why every NHL team tries to up on a tip he received from a reporter – that this was someone he interview as many of the high-end prospects as they can – because what should interview if he was trying to build an organization from the bottom you see on the ice is only part of the equation of projecting how good a up. player can be. Anyway, three things occurred to me at that juncture about Vegas that What did teams miss in 2011 that made Nikita Kucherov just the 58th also applies to Seattle. player chosen overall in the draft? What did teams miss in 2015 that made Sebastian Aho linger until the 35th pick? Essentially, you need One, there is value in starting with a clean organizational slate. someone on your staff with deep trustworthy contacts across the hockey world that can help steer you in the direction of a prospect that is flying Two, there is a value in being open to working with new people. under the radar for everyone else. Anybody can successfully pluck a Three, there is a value in hiring people who will challenge you and not Connor McDavid or an Auston Matthews at the top of the draft. It’s how just blindly nod in agreement. Sadly, groupthink eventually sets in for too you fill out the supporting cast around them that determines whether you many NHL organizations, who become inbred – and thus cannot look win or not. What you want is someone that can arrive at a rink in faraway beyond their own narrow vision. Yaroslavl, know exactly where the entrance is, gets a big hello from the security guard on the door and immediately stumble into a conversation Whatever the organization’s vision becomes, eventually, the final with a dozen familiar faces as they enter the building. decision for every move lies with the GM – trade, draft, what to pay a player on an expiring contract – but he’s going to make far more (and That’s where real intel is gleaned. better) decisions if his staff helps him look at every option, from every The added bonus with Burke is he has a keen appreciation for goalies possible angle. And by the way, it doesn’t mean you necessarily get and how to get the most out of them. Mike Smith is just one example of a every decision right. I’m sure Vegas would like a do-over on the three Burke reclamation project – Smith’s career in Phoenix was going draft choices sent to the Detroit Red Wings for Tomas Tatar. But it’s nowhere until he got there. Ilya Bryzgalov was another – he couldn’t preferable to the alternative – which is just hiring people from your own really play goal anywhere but in Phoenix. All of which leads us to Burke’s Flames’ player named Colin Patterson telling me that in the era before co-GM on the Spengler Cup … salary escalation, Fletcher would throw in a gimme-bonus during contract negotiations – for Patterson, it was finishing in the top-nine among Ron Francis forwards in plus-minus – just to sweeten the pot slightly. This was the Usually, patience isn’t in great supply around the NHL and patience genius of Fletcher – for a very small amount of money, at a time when might be a challenge for the Seattle ownership because people will journeymen players weren’t getting rich playing in the NHL, he would assume that since Vegas provided a successful template, it can’t be that send a signal to them about their value. Then, if they asked a player to hard to follow. contribute in a specific role that might limit their goals and assists, they wouldn’t necessarily be penalized financially. Well, it’s probably much harder than you think. For starters, there needs to be a Marc-Andre Fleury type available in goal and a Gerard Gallant It’s a small thing and it wasn’t the only thing Fletcher did that created a type available to coach. “family” sort of team environment. But in the grand scheme of things, the key ingredient is hiring a manager But there is value in wisdom – and in how you portray your organization that can build a nucleus of prospects that can eventually grow together. to those that you might eventually want to recruit. And in my experience, For all the things Francis was criticized for in Carolina, the one that most the best available option there is King, who I first crossed paths with in people focus on was his unwillingness to make an aggressive trade. But the late 1970s, when he was coaching the Billings Bighorns. I got to he did put a lot of good young pieces in place – and it’s curious how a trio know him better when he was hired as the full-time national team coach of those pieces (Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin and Jeff Skinner) are all in the early 1980s, and I am convinced that he invented the tactic known flourishing in their new homes, which probably wasn’t what Carolina had as “cycling” because the first time I ever saw it deployed in a practice in mind when they traded them all away this past year. was prior to the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo and I asked him what the heck it was I was seeing. I eventually co-wrote a book with him and we Under Francis, the Hurricanes drafted those three, plus Sebastien Aho in speak probably monthly about various topics. In fact, the greatest danger the second round, and added a top-line forward, Teuvo Teravainen, for a I have in my current job is that I could practically quote King in every fair price – two draft choices that haven’t turned into NHL players yet. story I write. But if I’m running a team, that’s who I want in the room – someone I can turn to and say, what do you think? What do you see? The one thing Francis couldn’t figure out was sorting out the Carolina And know that I’m getting a thoughtful intelligent response. crease. You’d have to think there’ll be a Fleury type available in the expansion draft – maybe Jonathan Quick, maybe Sergei Bobrovsky. Ray Ferraro Either way, that’s why you need a broad range of specialized knowledge when you assemble a well-rounded staff. If you have one blind spot, you Here, I’m going to veer away from the Vegas template because I don’t find the most adept person in the industry to cover you there. Full see a Ferraro type in their front office. But if I’m in charge, I want an ex- disclosure: I knew Francis reasonably well as a player and then got to player with the ability to cut to the analytical core of a situation, and know him a little better serving on the Hockey Hall of Fame selection among the players who’ve turned into television analyst, no one seems committee. He’s an impressive, thoughtful guy. I wouldn’t be at all afraid better prepared to leave the booth, or in Ferraro’s case between the to hand him the keys to a new team. benches, than him. Mark Hunter Ferraro was a small and skilled player in an era (1984 to 2002) when it was hard to play in the NHL as a small and skilled player. The game has Most people in the current age think of Hunter as the former Toronto fundamentally changed since then, but I would want someone working Maple Leafs’ assistant general manager who lost out in the bid for the top for me that would help me get into the psyche of all the small and skilled job to Kyle Dubas and ultimately went back to his previous calling – players that are getting opportunities now – not all of whom develop or running the of the OHL. morph into NHL superstars. How do anticipate than 5-foot-6 Johnny Gaudreau is going to ultimately challenge for an NHL scoring title, when I knew Hunter from his playing days – his name is on the 1989 Stanley there’s an awful lot of other 5-foot-6 munchkins who do well in junior or Cup as a member of the Calgary Flames and there was a three-year college or in the European leagues and cannot necessarily translate it to period when he played for St. Louis, in which he scored 112 goals. the biggest stage? I think someone like Ferraro could provide valuable Hunter had a pugnacious Sutter-like presence in addition to way better insight that others probably couldn’t. hands than people ever gave him credit for. If I’m Seattle and I could put these five minds on my staff, I’d consider He gets a lot of credit for drafting Mitch Marner fourth overall and rightly that an excellent starting place to build an organization. Obviously, you so. At the time the Leafs chose Marner in 2015, there was no clear need to add more pieces beyond them – an amateur scouting staff, an consensus as to what they should do, and lots believed that was a place analytics department and eventually, a coaching and training staff. But to perhaps select Hanifin, who slipped to No. 5. that comes later. The first step is putting the brain power together to start the ball rolling. The lead time Seattle is getting means they can carefully But the other thing you’ll find with the Hunters is they have a stubborn and intelligently plot the next critical step – establishing a proper conviction in the rightness of their thoughts and do a really good job of foundation. ignoring the outside noise. Confidence is really another underrated skill in hockey management. Often, teams can talk themselves out a player The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 because there are so many variables at work in evaluating teenagers – and so many directions a career path can take. Thus, having a firm belief in what you see, and trusting your instincts, goes a long way. On my dream managerial team, I want the equivalent of a McCrimmon, someone immersed in junior hockey, who brings along all the contacts and relationships that you forge over the years, onto your staff. In the same way that a Burke can provide primary intel on the international game, someone like Hunter can provide the same on the junior game. And if he doesn’t know a thing first hand, then the answers are sometimes only a phone call away. Dave King I’m going to call this position senior advisor/resident intellectual – and in Vegas, it’s a shared responsibility among McPhee, Karpan and Misha Donskov, the director of hockey operations. Since Lamoriello decamped for Long Island, I’m told that Dubas is relying more heavily than ever on senior advisor Cliff Fletcher to act as a sounding board. Fletcher has been with the Leafs in an advisory capacity for a long time, but his experience is being plumbed to fill in the gaps on any decision that requires NHL institutional knowledge. This, I think, is why Dubas will succeed long term. He understands, on the one hand, the value of analytics in assessing players. On the other, that there are nuances in player evaluation that analytics don’t always reveal. Fletcher is a master of relationships – that was always his strongest suit. Players loved playing in his organization because he would do the one extra thing to engender loyalty. I remember one time, a 1126469 Washington Capitals “I think we’re a little bit on the perimeter for me,” Reirden said of his team’s play Tuesday. “That’s limited our opportunities against some teams, so we’ve got to spend more time in the offensive zone and be Amid disappointing downturn, Capitals still pointing to positives less on the perimeter. I think that’s something that is doable with our group and something we’ve just got to commit to.”

When General Manager Brian MacLellan met with reporters for a wide- By Isabelle Khurshudyan January 16 at 1:34 PM ranging interview last week, he said the team’s positive play to that point had reassured him that the Capitals didn’t have any pressing needs to address ahead of the Feb. 25 trade deadline. Tuesday’s result, or even the recent string of lackluster losses, won’t change that viewpoint, but for NASHVILLE — One by one, the Washington Capitals exited a quiet a team that has the goal of repeating as Stanley Cup champions, how it locker room, stoic expressions as they walked down the hall for their responds in the coming weeks could dictate MacLellan’s course of post-game workout before a sullen flight home. In the aftermath of one of action. their most humiliating losses of the season, falling 7-2 against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night, the Capitals looked like a team At least in the locker room Tuesday night, players didn’t view that loss as appropriately disappointed and frustrated. a symptom of a bigger issue. But their message in the minutes after the game wasn’t negative. Coach “We just have to regroup, forget this game and bounce back next one,” Todd Reirden told his players that he was “very proud” of how they hadn’t Ovechkin said. “We just have to move forward. I know it’s a [expletive] quit late in the game, still blocking shots and finishing checks in the third feeling right now, but what can you do? Let it go. We still have lots of period even as the deficit was insurmountable. “That’s the resilience that games to bounce back, and it’s nice it happened in the middle of the year we’ve got to have,” Reirden said. Captain Alex Ovechkin spoke of how and not at the end of the year.” Wednesday’s day away from the ice would be good for the Capitals to move past this result quickly. Washington Post LOADED: 01.17.2019 Though Washington is on a second three-game losing skid of the calendar year, the picture of a team that looks flat halfway through the season, the Capitals aren’t voicing any concern yet. Center Lars Eller pointed to how they’re still in good position atop the Metropolitan Division, tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets with 59 points, despite having lost six of the past nine games. “If you want to look at the last nine games, you’re looking for the negatives,” Eller said. “You can choose to do that or you can look at the season as a whole. ... I’m just not going to put too much into tonight.” [Capitals’ midseason woes continue with deflating 7-2 loss to Predators] Reirden repeatedly called Tuesday’s game a “difficult situation,” that along with the challenge of playing on the road in a second game of a back-to-back set against a talented, rested team, Washington was forced to start goaltender Pheonix Copley for a second straight night because Braden Holtby wasn’t ready to play after suffering an eye injury Saturday night. The defending Stanley Cup champions, who had a handful of games like this last season, too, clung to perspective. “It’s easy to get frustrated, and you want to get frustrated because guys are competitive,” defenseman Brooks Orpik said. “But there was some games like this last year that you can kind of look back on, and amazingly, you can kind of draw some things from them. Hopefully, at the end of the year, you look back and laugh at them.” Even before the puck dropped Tuesday night, Reirden acknowledged that players' natural fatigue this time of year, more than 40 games into a long season, could be compounded for the Capitals, even more worn down physically and mentally after playing into June last year. The hangover was expected at the start of the season, but it appears to have come later, oddly as the team is at its healthiest. After some recent losses, players have acknowledged that the opposition played with more desperation than Washington did. “For every team, it’s a little bit different in how it shows its face, and obviously, we’re dealing with definitely a separate entity with the success we had last year, how long we played into the summer," Reirden said. "Sometimes it happens at different points. … For us, it’s about trying to get better and get back to our game and not necessarily use that as an excuse, but more as something that can challenge us to be as consistent as we’ve been.” [‘You guys are the future’: After one of their own faced racist taunts, Maryland youth club gets audience with Capitals] Despite the positives for Washington’s season as a whole, the negatives during this recent stretch have been apparent. Most concerning for the Capitals is their diminished five-on-five offense — Washington has just one even-strength goal in the past three games, and it came in the final four minutes of Tuesday’s blowout. Scoring while skating five aside had been the team’s strength, even as the power play fell into prolonged slump. Though Washington’s scored just four power-play goals in the past 15 games, three have come in the past five games. It’s turning a corner, but now the Capitals have another source of scoring to worry about. On the season, Washington has scored among the most five-on-five goals in the league, an encouraging sign this is just a lull. 1126470 Washington Capitals

The Caps will honor Barry Trotz with a video tribute during Friday’s game

By Scott Allen January 16 at 1:19 PM

There was no mention of Barry Trotz during the Capitals’ Stanley Cup banner-raising ceremony before their season opener against the Bruins in October. Washington’s former coach, who resigned over financial differences less than two weeks after leading the franchise to its first championship before accepting a job with the Islanders, didn’t appear in the lengthy video montage that preceded the banner being raised to the rafters. While some criticized that decision as petty at the time, Trotz will receive a warm welcome when the Capitals host the Islanders on Friday. “There will be a video tribute to Coach Trotz during the game, and very well deserved, obviously,” first-year Capitals Coach Todd Reirden said Wednesday during an interview with the Sports Junkies on 106.7 The Fan. “You can’t say enough about Barry and the impact that he had as the head coach. I wouldn’t be here in this organization if it wasn’t for Barry, so I have a ton of respect for him. But that being said, we would really like to use that as a time to respond to our little rough patch here and make sure that we’re ready to finish the final four games the right way here before the all-star break, so it’s an important game for us.” It was worth the wait. #ALLCAPS #CapsBannerNight pic.twitter.com/wbKmeDalpu — Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 3, 2018 The Capitals dropped their third straight game, 7-2, to the Predators in Nashville on Tuesday, to fall into a tie for the Metropolitan Division lead with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Islanders, who were expected to struggle this season after losing John Tavares in free agency from a team that finished second-to-last in the division, are only three points back and with a game in hand. New York’s success makes Trotz the midseason favorite for the Jack Adams Award, presented annually to the league’s best head coach. Washington won its first meeting against the Islanders this season, 4-1, on Nov. 26 in New York. Before that game, the Capitals invited Trotz, former Capitals assistant coach Lane Lambert and former Capitals director of goaltending Mitch Korn to the Washington dressing room to present them with their Stanley Cup rings. Trotz exchanged hugs with several of his former players and delivered a brief speech in which he expressed confidence that Washington could repeat as champs. “I think [Capitals forward T.J. Oshie] and you guys said it, ‘We can do it again, too,’” Trotz said. “You’ll have to go through the f------Island, okay? But you guys can do it again.” Trotz’s words could prove prescient. If the playoffs started today, the Capitals would play the Islanders in a juicy first-round matchup. “I don’t get too caught up into who exactly the specific opponent’s going to be yet,” Reirden said Wednesday of Washington’s potential postseason path. “Usually after Game 55, Game 60, you start to look and you start to figure out some more probable opponents. I’m well aware of who the possibilities are, and you spend a little bit more time watching them and getting prepared for them, so that lines us up with the Islanders here in the next few days.” Washington Post LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126471 Washington Capitals Hockey League’s Tri-City Americans. “If you have players like that, you don’t want to get rid of those players.”

Coaches and teammates all love guys who save goals with blocked 'Dinosaur' Orpik adapts to keep up with today's faster game shots, big hits and provide some snarl. Gill sees value in the kind of simplicity Hall of Fame Nicklas Lidstrom played with, and having contrasting styles on the blue line allows skilled, jump-up-in-the-play By Stephen Whyno - Associated Press - Wednesday, January 16, 2019 defensemen to take some more risks and score goals. “They’re a real good safety valve a lot of time for D-men who do want to get up the ice and move the puck,” Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo said. When John Tortorella compares Brooks Orpik to a creature that went “You can’t just have offensive defensemen throughout your lineup. You extinct 65 million years ago, he means it affectionately. want to have guys who will take care of the back end. You need guys that can play both ends of the ice.” “He’s a little bit of a dinosaur because he hits, and there isn’t a lot of hitting in this game,” Tortorella said. BOB BACK IN BLUE Orpik, who helped the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup last The Columbus Blue Jackets made quick work of an “incident” involving season and played his 1,000th NHL regular-season game Tuesday, is goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky last week after he was pulled from a game certainly a rarity. Big, rugged, defensive defensemen are going the way at Tampa Bay, punishing him by making him miss a game, meeting with of prehistoric animals, mask-less goaltenders, helmet-less skaters and him and getting him back with the team the next morning. Captain Nick enforcers, except the ones like Orpik who have adapted to keep pace Foligno said the leadership group, coaching staff and front office are with the speed of modern hockey. adept at pushing aside distractions - which is important given that Bobrovsky and scoring winger Artemi Panarin could be free agents this “I think if you don’t adapt to where the league’s going, then you’re pushed summer. out,” Orpik said. “If you weren’t willing to adjust how you trained or maybe shed some weight, that would push you out of the league. … There’s that “No matter who it is, it’s all right, we’re going to handle the situation and and there’s obviously more of an emphasis on being able to move the get back to what really matters and that’s trying to win hockey games,” puck up quickly.” Foligno said. “We’re trying to win hockey games, trying to become a Stanley Cup champion and nothing’s going to get in the way of that. NHL teams are looking for the next Erik Karlsson or Thomas Chabot, That’s kind of the message for everybody.” smaller, more mobile defenseman who can lead the rush and pile up the points. Slower, play-it-safe defensemen like 6-foot-7, 245-pound Hal Gill POWERFUL PACIFIC don’t roam the ice anymore, and those players must approach the game differently. The first-place Calgary Flames have won five in a row, the San Jose Sharks seven in a row and the Vegas Golden Knights eight of their past “I’ve heard people come up and say, ‘Hey, my kid plays just like you,’” 10. Move over, Central Division, the Pacific is where the power is out Gill said. “And I’m like, ‘Well, you better change quick.’” West, especially with San Jose rolling behind Erik Karlsson. Tortorella, who coached Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup in 2004 and is in “Our game’s in a good spot,” Sharks captain Joe Pavelski. “The his fourth season with Columbus, sees value in big “miserable” defenders standings are tight. You see Calgary winning every night, you see Vegas who can play a tough game. He believes the loss of that kind of player winning every night. You throw us in there. We’ve been on a good has contributed to an increase in scoring over recent years - which is stretch.” what the NHL wants at the expense of old-school muscle. GAME OF THE WEEK Players like Orpik and St. Louis’ Robert Bortuzzo are far less prevalent than when Gill stayed in the NHL for 16 years from the late 1990s The Winnipeg Jets visit the Nashville Predators on Thursday night in a through 2013. Bortuzzo thinks the term “stay-at-home” doesn’t apply matchup of the top two teams in the Central Division. anymore; even slow defensemen have to do more than just sit back, hit and defend like they used to. Washington Times LOADED: 01.17.2019 “‘Defensively conscious’ would probably be a better term nowadays and one that fits the game,” the 6-4, 216-pound Bortuzzo said. “At this stage of the game, you need to be able to join the rush, you need to be able to move pucks. … The days of a defenseman not being able to skate and keep up with the pace of play is done. Guys are too fast and moving too quick.” No one’s confusing Orpik, Bortuzzo, Vegas’ Deryk Engelland or Buffalo’s Zach Bogosian for speed demons, but puck moving helps those players stay in the NHL. Bortuzzo said his focus has always been on his skating, and similarly Orpik and Boston’s Zdeno Chara have worked with skating coach Adam Nicholas to adapt. Even if they can’t get markedly faster, they can better manage their skates and sticks and use their size as an advantage. “What I work on with those guys a ton is just always giving them good footwork-type drills and suggestions to allow them to still be able to control space and tempo,” Nicholas said. “What we talk a lot about is continuing to be puck-moving machines and how to always stack decks in your favor to have time and space, control it and transition pucks very quickly.” Todd Reirden, during his time as a Penguins assistant, helped Orpik evolve from a hit-seeking missile to a defensive stalwart. Orpik began picking his spots for hits and using his stick more to defend. “That has allowed him to still have the physical element when he needed to around the net front against some of the skill guys,” said Reirden, who now coaches Orpik with the Capitals. “He’s been able to really change his game to fit into today’s hockey.” Orpik cites former Pittsburgh teammate Kelly Buchberger as the greatest influence on him as a young player. Buchberger hasn’t played since in 2004 but has since seen Orpik become an example for younger players of the same ilk. “Players have to adjust to the new rules in the game. He’s adjusted very well,” said Buchberger, a retired winger who coaches the Western 1126472 Winnipeg Jets "This year, coming off the injury, he’s a much better player in my mind than last year because he was coming off almost an entire year of playing with it. Worked really hard this summer. And then there was Wheeler 'all about winning' some, I don’t know if anger’s the right word, but he seemed, when he got hurt again this year, he pushed really hard, came back earlier and was very, very determined," Maurice said. Jason BellMike McIntyre By: Jason Bell and Mike McIntyre \Winnipeg Jets' defenceman Dmitry Kulikov has fully recovered from his off-season surgery.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets' Blake Wheeler hobbles after blocking a shot against the Colorado Avalanche. Even though the Jets captain is amoung the NHL's \Winnipeg Jets' defenceman Dmitry Kulikov has fully recovered from his elite scorers, you'll still see him regularily blocking shots and off-season surgery. backchecking. "So, I would agree there is a difference between his play right now and Blake Wheeler’s 50th assist of the season bore no resemblance to the 49 his play in the past. And we hope he continues it." that came before it. No saucer pass over a sliding defender, no seeing- eye feed through a maze of legs. For his part, Kulikov is just happy to be taking on extra responsibility with Chiarot and partner Dustin Byfuglien out of the lineup. His pairing with Wheeler’s helper, in fact, came Tuesday night as he sprawled to block an Myers is now second behind Morrissey and Trouba, rather than their incoming missile from Vegas centre William Karlsson with the Golden usual third spot in the rotation. Knights’ pressing late and the Winnipeg Jets clinging to a one-goal lead. The puck bounced to Mark Scheifele, who alertly slid it over to a "I love playing a lot of minutes. It feels like you’re more involved in the streaking Kyle Connor for an easy breakaway goal into an empty cage to game, making more plays on the defensive end and in the offensive put Winnipeg’s latest victory to bed. end," Kulikov said. "It’s a great example of professionalism and leadership," Jets head coach Winnipeg will have its very own special cheering section when they face Paul Maurice said Wednesday. the Predators and Stars. "Blake, whatever the number is, he’s in the top two or three of assists in The Jets organization is hosting players’ fathers (or another family the NHL for quite a while. If you look at that stat alone and never watch member) on the trip. The larger-than-usual contingent flew to Music City hockey, there’s a very offensive player. A big bulk of those guys never after an abbreviated optional practice early Wednesday afternoon. had to develop the other part of their game because they’re going to Brandon Tanev said he’s thrilled his dad, Mike, is joining the group. make the team and they’re going to get paid on those numbers alone. But he is in the (Adam) Lowry, (Brandon) Tanev mould where if the other "It’s going to be awesome to see all the smiles on all of the fathers’ faces. team has the puck, he’s working real, real hard to get it back. He doesn’t To experience this with them is something special," the hard-checking pass the work off to somebody else. Shot blocking, whatever it takes. He winger said. "We’re very appreciative of the organization for doing couldn’t not block a shot if he wanted to." something like this for us." Wheeler occupies second spot in NHL assists with 51 (he had another on Goalie Connor Hellebuyck said his father, Chuck, is pumped to be Scheifele’s empty-netter), just two back of league-leader Nikita Kucherov tagging along. of the Tampa Bay Lightning (also the NHL points leader with 75). "He’s so excited about it. He knew about the trip before I did. He’s going But personal stats are meaningless to the club’s top-line right-winger, to enjoy every second of it. He just loves seeing what we do and he loves Maurice said, adding Wheeler is the kind of role model all young players being a part of it," Hellebuyck said. "I just want to make sure that he gets should try to emulate. the full coverage of it. He gets to see what we do and there’s never a dull moment for him, and that’s the best I could give him." "It’s all about winning for him. We never, ever talk about points or those kinds of things. So, having a guy like that just gives you a fine example Want more on hockey? for your young players," Maurice said. "‘I want more’ is the general theme for young guys. All you gotta do is play like that guy. It’s not about points Get a weekly trip around the world of hockey right in your inbox. for the young guys. There would be no reason why you couldn’t block a SUBSCRIBE TO DUMP & CHASE shot like Blake." Hellebuyck said he received no push to wear pads and patrol the crease The health of Ben Chiarot is still a question mark, so the Jets have from his dad. brought back Cam Schilling to provide some insurance on the blue line. "That was all on me. I don’t think any parent really wants their kid to be a The defenceman was called up by the NHL squad goaltender. Gear’s too expensive, pucks hurt," he said, laughing. "He Wednesday and will join the Jets for stops in Nashville and Dallas this was just so supportive through my entire life and when I made that career week. choice, there was no hindrance and there was nothing holding me back." Chiarot, injured Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks, missed Tuesday’s Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 01.17.2019 game against Vegas. The Winnipeg Jets have called up defenceman Cam Schilling from the Manitoba Moose. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The Winnipeg Jets have called up defenceman Cam Schilling from the Manitoba Moose. "No, there’s no update," Maurice said. "We’re not sure. We didn’t want to be short one (defenceman) on the trip." Even if Chiarot remains sidelined, Schilling would be the extra blue-liner. The Jets have Josh Morrissey paired with Jacob Trouba, Dmitry Kulikov partnered with Tyler Myers and youngster Sami Niku alongside Joe Morrow. Schilling, 30, made his Jets debut and played in four games for the club earlier this season. He recorded his first NHL point with an assist on Nov. 29 against the Chicago Blackhawks. He’s suited up for 27 games for the Moose this season and has 10 points (1G, 9A) and 16 penalty minutes. Speaking of Kulikov, the veteran blue-liner has stood out recently for his play — and not in a negative way. Now fully-recovered from off-season surgery, not to mention an unrelated early season injury, Kulikov is moving around with ease and confidence. 1126473 Winnipeg Jets With Brossoit getting an increased workload lately, Hellebuyck has been getting some one-on-one time with goalie coach Wade Flaherty.

"Any time you get away and get some goalie skates in, it’s huge because Hellebuyck happy with state of his game it gets your mind right and gets your game where it needs to be. I’m going to use this and continue to build forward, and we’re just about half way, so there’s a lot of hockey to be played," said Hellebuyck. "My body’s Mike McIntyre By: Mike McIntyre not too bad. I had a nice two-day break and then got another one (Tuesday) night, so I’m actually feeling pretty good and ready to go."

Winnipeg (30-14-2) leads the Central Division by two points over A motivated and well-rested Connor Hellebuyck could be a good thing for Nashville (28-16-4) and has two games in hand. The Jets have won three the Winnipeg Jets down the stretch. straight games and five of their past six. The Predators are also hot, going 6-1-2 in their last nine games. Connor Hellebuyck is feeling a bit territorial about his crease these days, and perhaps a bit sensitive about his own play in net. Want to get a head start on your day? The Winnipeg Jets' No. 1 goaltender wasn't a big fan of having to sit out Get the day’s breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight Tuesday night's much-heralded meeting with the Vegas Golden Knights, to your inbox every morning. which ended with Laurent Brossoit stealing the show by making 43 saves in a 4-1 Jets victory. SUBSCRIBE TO HEAD START "It was definitely one I would have liked, because the Western "I don’t think you need to be a stats person to know (the Predators) are a Conference didn’t end well for us last year and that’s an easy game to really good team and they are our No. 1 opponent in our division right get going in. But I’m not going to question the coach. He makes the calls now. So, just going back to last year we’ve had some really good games and I’m going to be prepared when my name is called," Hellebuyck said against them. This is going to be just exactly one of those games, two Wednesday following an optional practice at Bell MTS Place. good teams going at it. We’ll see what happens," said defenceman Dmitry Kulikov. The thing is, Hellebuyck's name may not be called as often as he expects if Brossoit keeps playing the way he is. The 25-year-old backup has now Forward Brandon Tanev said last season's epic seven-game playoff started two of the past three games and is likely to play one of these next series has only cemented the rivalry. two in either Nashville or Dallas before the Jets go into their bye week followed by the all-star game break. Brossoit leads all NHL goalies who "We’re both in the same division and we compete to do well in this have made at least 11 starts with a 2.01 goals-against average and .943 division. Last year in the playoffs, that escalated as well. Two good save-percentage, not to mention a 10-0-1 record in those games. teams and we look forward to the matchup," said Tanev. As for the state of his game, Hellebuyck got defensive when asked if "We understand that we have a bye week coming up with the all-star there's room for improvement. The Vezina Trophy finalist from last game, too. We’ve got two games left before that break, so you go out season has now given up at least three goals in 10 of his last 12 starts. there and give it your all and leave nothing out there." Among goalies with at least 11 starts, Hellebuyck's 2.87 GAA is 33rd Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 01.17.2019 while his .908 SV% is 29th. "I like a lot of things. I have a lot of wins and we’re in first place. Right? That’s correct? Just making sure. So, I like a lot of things with it. I don’t want to say it’s perfect because it’s not going to be perfect until playoffs come around and I want to make sure it stays that way. I want to peak at the right time," Hellebuyck said. A motivated and well-rested Hellebuyck could be a good thing for the Jets down the stretch, provided he channels that obvious emotion in a positive way. "I don’t know that it’s a burr. There’s benefits to know you’re on a team that’s got really good players. All the best performers are that because they can continue to do it night after night. He will be disappointed in just about every single game he doesn’t play in. Which is a great driver for him," head coach Paul Maurice said Wednesday. Brossoit's play has forced the Jets to re-evaluate how they deploy their netminders, perhaps giving Hellebuyck more time off than originally planned. "So we got a luxury here I’m not sure we’ve ever had. We’ve got two goaltenders who we really feel confident in playing," said Maurice, who indicated Hellebuyck would start Thursday night in Nashville as the Jets face the Predators for just the second time this season. "I've got a plan for the next two games. And we’ll let the first one happen. I have no fear of putting Laurent in the net in any game this year," said Maurice. Like the Vegas game he was forced to watch from the bench, Hellebuyck made it clear the Nashville game is one he's had circled on his internal calendar. The Jets were blanked 3-0 at Bridgestone Arena in October and haven't met since. "I like that building. I like the rink and I like the ice and the fans always heckle you and that’s awesome, I guess," Hellebuyck said sarcastically. To make it clear, he's as big a fan of Brossoit as anyone. The two are friends and off-season training partners, and Hellebuyck has enjoyed seeing the former Edmonton Oilers cast-off who was demoted last season to the AHL prove his worth as a bona fide NHL netminder. "He’s playing with a lot of energy and a lot of confidence right now. It’s fun to watch. You can see it in practice, he’s working hard. I’m pumped for him," said Hellebuyck. "Playing at a high level helps you fit in anywhere. He’s got a lot of confidence and guys feed off that. He works hard, his habits are good and the guys enjoy that. 1126474 Winnipeg Jets Think back to 2010, when Carey Price was in his third season as the Montreal Canadiens starter and clear goalie of the future.

He was struggling — with better numbers than Hellebuyck has now, 2.77 Brossoit’s play has created a dilemma for Jets coach Maurice GAA and .912 save percentage — and Jaroslav Halak started to steal starts. Ted WymanMore from Ted Wyman Price started 33 games in the first half of the season, but only eight after Feb. 1. Halak got the bulk of the play down the stretch and coach Claude Julien rode the hot hand into the playoffs, where Halak was brilliant, leading the Habs to the conference final. NASHVILLE — Suddenly, the decisions regarding goaltending have become not so easy for Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice. Halak wasn’t a big part of the future plans for the Canadiens, but he got the job done in the moment and that was all that mattered. Try as he might to keep his No. 1 goalie Connor Hellebuyck happy and on schedule, Maurice has little choice but to give surprising backup Which brings us back to present-day Winnipeg, where Hellebuyck hasn’t Laurent Brossoit more time in the net. been all that bad, but hasn’t been anywhere near as good as Brossoit. Brossoit has earned it with great performance after great performance Maurice pegged Brossoit to make about 22 starts this season and the this season. goalie is on pace for that now. He hasn’t started a ton of games, but when he has played, he has been With 36 games remaining, Maurice just might have to even out the starts one of the very best goaltenders in the entire NHL. a bit and then ride the hot hand in the biggest moments. The numbers are beyond impressive. It’s not a bad problem to have as long as it’s managed correctly. Among goalies with at least 10 games played, Brossoit leads the league If Maurice steadfastly sticks to his original plan and Hellebuyck doesn’t with a 2.01 goals against average and a stunning .943 save percentage. pick up his game, the second-guessing will hit new levels. Not surprisingly he is 10-0-1 in the games he has started, suffering his [email protected] only loss in a relief effort when Hellebuyck was yanked in the first period. Twitter.com/Ted_Wyman Meanwhile, Hellebuyck ranks 42nd in the NHL with a 2.87 GAA and 37th in save percentage at .908. In spite of those numbers, the Jets remain a Hellebuyck surprised he sat against Vegas but he’s not complaining first-place team. Connor Hellebuyck didn’t see it coming. Hellebuyck, the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy last season, is still 20- With the Jets facing another of the top teams in the Western Conference 13-1 this year, but on most nights he hasn’t been a game-breaker. on Tuesday night, Hellebuyck found himself warming a seat on the bench So imagine you are Paul Maurice and you are faced with this dilemma. while backup Laurent Brossoit put in a 43-save performance in a 4-1 Winnipeg win over the Vegas Golden Knights. You’ve got a young starting goalie with a brand new six-year contract who is not playing his best. Your plan was to ride Hellebuyck for a good It said something that Jets coach Paul Maurice went with the backup 60 games during the season and then put the team on his back in the goalie in a game against the very team that knocked the Jets out of the playoffs. playoffs in the Western Conference Final last season. But you’ve also got this backup goalie — the lowest paid player “There was a little (surprise),” Hellebuyck said Wednesday before the ($650,000) on the team who was picked up on a one-year contract in the Jets departed for Nashville. “It was definitely one I would have liked, off-season from the Edmonton Oilers’ scrap heap — who is playing like because the Western Conference didn’t end well for us last year and an all-star every time he takes the net. that’s an easy game to get going in. Be honest with yourself — which goalie gives you the best chance to win “But I’m not going to question the coach. He makes the calls and I’m games right now? going to be prepared when my name is called.” The answer is clearly Brossoit, even though he doesn’t have the resume That call should come Thursday night when the Jets play the Predators that Hellebuyck has, even if he may have not have a future with the team in Nashville. — he’ll be a restricted free agent this off-season — and even if this was Hellebuyck expects to keep doing what he has done all season — win never part of the plan. hockey games. I don’t think anyone expects Maurice to simply hand the starting job to “I have a lot of wins and we’re in first place, right?” he said. “That’s 25-year-old Brossoit right now, especially given the small sample size of correct? Just making sure. So, I like a lot of things (my game). I don’t his work. want to say it’s perfect because it’s not going to be perfect until playoffs But the veteran coach needs to find a different balance between keeping come around and I want to make sure it stays that way. I want to peak at Hellebuyck happy and in a starter’s routine and taking advantage of the right time.” Brossoit’s hot hand to pile up the wins. — Wyman “The schedule will dictate at times whether guys are sharp or not, when Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.17.2019 you need to use two,” Maurice said Wednesday. “And then performance. So we’ve got a luxury here I’m not sure we’ve ever had. We’ve got two goaltenders who we really feel confident in playing. Laurent has been outstanding.” How valuable has Brossoit been this year? Consider backup Steve Mason’s numbers from a year ago. He went 5-6-1 with a 3.24 GAA and a .906 save percentage last season in 12 starts. He had a hand in 11 points for the Jets all season long. Brossoit has been a part of 21 points for the Jets in 12 appearances already this season. Even if it wasn’t expected, he is pushing Hellebuyck, and the starting goalie needs to respond. If he doesn’t, and soon, Maurice will have to give more and more opportunities to Brossoit, as long as he keeps shining. It would certainly be rare for a goalie in Brossoit’s situation to steal starts regularly from an established No. 1, but it’s not unprecedented. 1126475 Winnipeg Jets Schilling has played four games already this season with the Jets and has one assist and a minus-2 rating. He’s not likely to play unless there’s another injury on the blue-line but he’s now the next defenceman up. JETS SNAPSHOTS: Jets and Predators look to be on collision course for Chiarot is nursing a lower body injury, while minute-munching D-man playoffs again Dustin Byfuglien remains out with a suspected ankle injury. PRAISE FOR KULIKOV Ted WymanMore from Ted Wyman Kulikov’s play of late has been a pleasant surprise for the Jets. The veteran defenceman is looking more and more comfortable with Eight months after their epic seven-game playoff series, the Winnipeg each outing and even showed some offensive upside on the rush in the Jets and Nashville Predators are still the top two teams in the Central game against Vegas. Division. Kulikov was a bit of a wild-card coming into this season because he was The only difference now is that the Jets are out front, at 62 points, with coming off back surgery for an injury that ruined parts of his previous two the Preds nipping at their heels, with 60. seasons. Both teams are 10 points or more clear of the third-place Colorado He started slow and didn’t have a regular job at the beginning of the year, Avalanche, so this is looking very much like a two-horse race to the finish but he’s been playing a lot of quality minutes lately. in the battle for home-ice advantage in the first two rounds of the “He’s a much better player in my mind than last year because he was playoffs. coming off almost an entire year of playing with (the injury),” Jets coach Could Thursday’s game at Bridgestone Arena be a preview of a playoff Paul Maurice said. rematch? It sure looks that way. “He worked really hard this summer. And then there was some, I don’t “We’re both in the same division and we compete to do well in this know if anger’s the right word, but he seemed when he got hurt again this division,” Jets winger Brandon Tanev said. “Last year in the playoffs, that year he pushed really hard, came back earlier and was very, very escalated as well.” determined. So I would agree there is a difference between his play right now and his play in the past. And we hope he continues it.” The matchup usually brings plenty of speed, big hits and maybe a little more anger than you see in your average game. P.K. ROLLING (NO, NOT THAT P.K.) “I don’t think you need to be a stats person to know (the Predators) are a The Jets killed off six straight Vegas power plays on Tuesday night on really good team and they are our No.1 opponent in our division right their way to a 4-1 win and may need to be that good again on Thursday. now,” defenceman Dmitry Kulikov said. “So, just going back to last year The last time the Jets played the Predators, Nashville had nine power we’ve had some really good games against them.” plays during a 3-0 win. The Predators are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games, while the Jets are 6-4 but “(Tuesday) was a really good game for us on the penalty kill,” Tanev have won their last three. said. “We understood (the Golden Knights) had a good power play and what we needed to do to be successful. Everybody was on the same HELLEBUYCK LOVES THE ATMOSPHERE page and did a good job of that.” The Jets played four playoff games in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last Backup goalie Laurent Brossoit, who stopped 43 shots on the night, year — winning three of them — and are intimately familiar with the incuding 26 in the second period, had a lot to do with the penalty kill nuances of the building, including the well-rehearsed chants from the success, but the Jets used their skating and good sticks to disrupt the fans. Knights as well. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, often the target of those chants, said he The Jets even got a short-handed goal, a breakaway beauty by Kyle loves the atmosphere. Hellebuyck played college hockey at UMass- Connor. Lowell and compares Nashville’s building to the ones he played in at that level. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.17.2019 “I like that building,” he said. “I like the rink and I like the ice and the fans always heckle you and that’s awesome, I guess. It’s going to be a fun one. “I don’t think you get (buildings like that) as much so when you get into a building like that it’s an experience.” PLAYERS LOVE THE FATHERS’ TRIP This is the annual fathers’ trip for the Jets and the players are excited about having their dads along for games in Nashville, Thursday, and Dallas on Saturday. “I got my dad (Chuck),” Hellebuyck said. “He’s so excited about it. He knew about the trip before I did. He’s going to enjoy every second of it. He just loves seeing what we do and he loves being a part of it.” The feeling is mutual as the Jets goalie said it’s a special road trip when the dads are along. “It means everything,” he said. “I just want to make sure that he gets the full coverage of it. He gets to see what we do and there’s never a dull moment for him and that’s the best I could give him.” Winger Brandon Tanev looks forward to this trip all year long. “It’s going to be awesome to see all the smiles on all of the fathers’ faces,” Tanev said. “To experience this with them is something special. We’re very appreciative of the organization for doing something like this for us.” CHIAROT STILL OUT, SCHILLING UP With defenceman Ben Chiarot likely out for at least another game after missing Tuesday’s win over the Vegas Golden Knights, the Jets have recalled Cam Schilling from the AHL’s Manitoba Moose for the road trip. 1126476 Winnipeg Jets Dmitry Kulikov-Tyler Myers Joe Morrow-Sami Niku JETS GAME DAY: Jets must stay disciplined in second meeting of the Goalies year with arch-rival Predators Connor Hellebuyck

Laurent Brossoit Ted WymanMore from Ted Wyman Nashville Predators

Forwards Winnipeg Jets at Nashville Predators Filip Forsberg-Ryan Johansen-Viktor Arvidsson Thursday, 7 p.m. CT, Bridgestone Arena. TV: TSN3, Radio: TSN 1290 Kevin Fiala-Colton Sissons-Craig Smith THE BIG MATCHUP Ryan Hartman-Nick Bonino-Austin Watson Blake Wheeler vs. Roman Josi Calle Jarnkrok-Frederick Gaudreau-Rocco Grimaldi Wheeler’s line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor will surely see a great deal of Josi and his defence partner P.K. Subban. The Predators’ Defence shutdown pairing will have its hands full and will remember that Scheifele Roman Josi-P.K. Subban (7G 4A) and Wheeler (2G 9A) combined for 22 points in last year’s seven-game, second-round playoff series win by the Jets. Mattias Ekholm-Ryan Ellis FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME Dan Hamhuis- Stay out of the box Goalies The last time the Jets and Predators met at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville Pekka Rinne had nine power plays and the Jets had just two. That is not a misprint. Amazingly, the Preds went 0-for-9, but all the offensive zone time made Juuse Saros life miserable for the Jets and Nashville skated away with a 3-0 win. Injuries Many observers questioned the officiating that night but the bottom line is the Jets have to be more disciplined. They had to kill six penalties on Jets: D Dustin Byfuglien (lower body, IR), F Nikolaj Ehlers (upper body, Tuesday night against the Vegas Golden Knights and survived but that’s IR), D Ben Chiarot (lower body, day-to-day) playing with fire. Predators: F Mikko Salomaki (upper body), C Kyle Turris (upper body, Win goaltending battle IR). You can say this pretty much every night but when facing a team like Special Teams Nashville, with the second best goals against per games played in the league (2.56), it’s an absolute must that the Jets get the better POWER PLAY goaltending. Pekka Rinne has a sparkling 2.43 GAA and .915 save percentage, while Juuse Saros has a 2.58 GAA and .910 save Winnipeg: 27.7% (3rd) percentage. Connor Hellebuyck will likely start for the Jets and needs to Nashville: 14.2% (28th) be better than his numbers — 2.87 GAA and .908 save percentage. PENALTY KILLING Make special teams count Winnipeg 81.2% (11th) The Jets have the third best power play in the league (27.7%) and the Predators have one of the worst (28th, 14.2%). It’s a distinct advantage Nashville: 79.2% (18th) for the Jets if they can draw some penalties, get a few power play chances and use their high-powered attack to put up a couple of goals. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.17.2019 The Jets have the better penalty kill as well. Connor heating up Second-year winger Kyle Connor had 10 goals in the Jets first 19 games but had cooled off considerably, scoring only three goals in his next 21 games. However, Connor has warmed up again lately — at least partly due to being back on a line with Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler — and has five goals in the last six games. He had a short-handed beauty against the Golden Knights on Tuesday, plus an empty-netter. Keeping pace The Jets lead the Central Division with 62 points, but the Preds are right on their heels with 60 points after their 7-2 thumping of the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night. That game featured fighting majors (Austin Watson and Tom Wilson) misconducts and a bunch of goals, with Viktor Arvidsson leading the way for the Preds with a hat trick. Nashville is 6-2- 2 in its last 10 and looks to be at the top of its game as this heated Central rivalry is renewed. GAME DAY LINEUPS Winnipeg Jets Forwards Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler Patrik Laine-Bryan Little-Jack Roslovic Mathieu Perreault-Adam Lowry-Brandon Tanev Brendan Lemieux-Andrew Copp-Mason Appleton Defence Josh Morrissey-Jacob Trouba 1126477 Winnipeg Jets “If you’re not above where the puck is as a forward, all of a sudden they get 3-on-2s and it doesn’t let our D have a good gap and pinch. When our forwards have that above motion – of always playing above the puck Analysing the Jets defensive structure, potential PP adjustments and – then it allows us to pinch, depending on the situation in the game.” clues about the team being ‘all-in’ When I reflect on Winnipeg last season, I think of its forecheck above all else. The Jets played defence further up the ice than most teams did and the result was wave after wave of offensive pressure. By Murat Ates Jan 16, 2019 27 By the eye, this is an element that Winnipeg has struggled with this season. Does that mean Winnipeg is worse than it was last season?

Tuesday night’s 4-1 win over Vegas was Winnipeg’s 30th victory of the 3. In a word: maybe. The more I think about my first impression, the less 2018-19 season. I think it’s fair to compare the Jets at their playoff peak to their first half of this season. It took a dazzling display of goaltending from Laurent Brossoit, to be sure, while other Jets wins have required overtime heroics, a dominant That brings us back to the comparison of first halves. power play, or otherworldly offensive performances. The single biggest difference between Winnipeg today and Winnipeg a They haven’t all been works of art but they all count. Now the Winnipeg year ago is its play in its own zone. At 5-on-5, last year’s Jets gave up Jets are fourth in the NHL, first in the Central Division and proving that the fewest high danger scoring chances and the seventh-fewest last season’s performance wasn’t a fluke. expected goals per minute. In short: it was extremely difficult to create quality against the Jets last season, even through their first 46 games. It’s a season of great expectations in Winnipeg. From the very first day of training camp, the questions I’ve heard myself and my colleagues ask the Thanks to Hockey Viz, we can see what that looked like by the end of the Jets players and staff have all carried extra weight. A conference finals season. Here is a representation of all unblocked shots in Winnipeg’s berth will do that to a writer and I’m certain the organization has felt it, own zone, relative to the rest of the NHL: too. Compare that to the first 45 games of this season, where Winnipeg has As we’ve just crossed the midway point of the season, Winnipeg’s 30th dropped to 12th best in high danger scoring chances against and 15th in win gives us a terrific opportunity to reflect on some major themes and expected goals against per minute. unique moments. I’d originally planned this pieces as an homage to Joe Smith’s “41 thoughts” about the Tampa Bay Lightning but gave up that This is what a decidedly average defensive team looks like: wild idea when my 10th “thought” brought me over the 1000 word mark. The powerplay is great again, the PK is average again and the Instead, here are 20 of the most interesting Winnipeg Jets storylines to goaltending is very good again (although the source of its strength has me so far this season. come as a surprise.) The Jets team defence is what keeps them in the pack of very good teams ranked second to roughly tenth and not in the 1. After 46 games the Jets have 62 points, good for the third highest Tampa Bay tier of clearly-better-than-everyone-else. point percentage in the NHL. After 45 games a year ago, Winnipeg had 59 points and the NHL’s sixth highest points percentage. 4. One of my favourite things about writing for The Athletic is the space we get for nuance. I sometimes struggle with forums like Twitter because Does this mean the Jets got better? character limits make it hard to represent ideas with context and in multiple dimensions. Here, we’re free from such constraints. Maybe. On the surface, Winnipeg’s results so far this season are almost identical to those from last year. As such, there is room to discuss a good but flawed team with shades of grey. There’s also room to challenge my assumptions. In an attempt to After 46 games last season, the Jets power play was ranked second in do so, I asked Paul Maurice what he thought of Winnipeg’s defensive the league. This season? Third. After 46 games last season, the Jets structure – particularly as it applied to the Jets forecheck – through the penalty kill was ranked 14th. This season? 11th. first half of this season. At 5-on-5, the team is +3 this season after going +9 through 46 games a “I’m just OK with it. I think we didn’t start well with it. I think we had the year ago. The drop in league-wide standings here is a whopping one pinches, I think we had the aggressiveness. I’m not sure that we had the spot – 11th last season, 12th right now. right fills by our forwards and then we got much better at it for about six Winnipeg’s goaltending is almost identical, strictly in terms of save weeks going back into mid-November.” percentage, but better compared to the league as a whole: .9141 was When Maurice says the pinches were there but the forward fills weren’t, good for 10th last season whereas .9144 between Hellebuyck and recall Morrissey’s wisdom: “If you’re not above where the puck is as a Brossoit gives Winnipeg the NHL’s fifth-best goaltending this time forward, all of a sudden they get 3-on-2s.” around. Given that rush chances are a key component of High Danger Scoring Does this mean the Jets are essentially playing at the same level today Chances via Natural Stat Trick, this may explain the Jets fall from fifth as they were a year ago? fewest HDSC against per 60 last season to 13th best today. 2. My first impression, by eye, is a hard no. Overall? “I’m OK with it,” Maurice told me. “I’ve been almost solely When I think of the Winnipeg Jets and their ideal look on the ice, there is focused on our defensive metrics for almost two months now. I think one play above all others that stands out to me: a decisive, aggressive that’s the area that we can improve the most. It’s also the area that pinch from Winnipeg’s defencemen as opposing teams try to break out of you’re looking for the most growth from a young team.” their own zone. The structure has been OK, according to the coach, but it also needs to It looks a little something like this: improve. That assessment certainly seems like it matches the Jets mid- tier defensive metrics so far this season and there’s time for that That’s Joe Morrow turning a Minnesota breakout into a Jets scoring improvement to take place. Still, if you’re leaning hard on this team to go chance by playing Winnipeg’s forechecking system to a T. It’s from game deep in the playoffs, a meaningful second-half improvement would do a two of the Wild/Jets playoff series last season and depicts Winnipeg at its lot to set your mind at ease. absolute best. 5. Maurice went on to suggest that the type of offense the Jets got away Wheeler’s pressure is instantaneous. Scheifele stays above his man in with creating in December may have hurt team defence. the slot until Winnipeg earns the turnover. Morrow pinches aggressively and wins his battle but, even if he hadn’t, Scheifele and Byfuglien are “We had a run where I think we scored 27 in 5 games and we started above their men – the situation is safe because the system is executed hitting the seams. And we started scoring goals off it. I think of Nik Ehlers cleanly. a number of times … And then that starts to bleed into your style of offense. You’re looking for that more and more. You can understand it Josh Morrissey explained it to me this way: because it’s been successful but when that happens you end up on the perimeter a little bit more. It looks good when it’s good, it doesn’t look 11. I met 1979 Winnipeg Jets Avco Cup champion Scott Campbell for a very good when it’s not.” pint this week. Campbell and his mom, a retired English teacher, were in Winnipeg to celebrate her 85th birthday. Maurice singled out Ehlers on the offensive end but, when I think of passive, almost over-patient forwards in Winnipeg’s more recently, it’s Of the many terrific stories Campbell shared, one I particularly enjoyed Mark Scheifele who comes to mind. In fact, Scheifele is now below five was his journey from Corsi non-believer to someone who firmly believes shots per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 for the only the second time in his career. in the value of possession stats.

On one hand, you’d probably want a guy who shoots as well as Scheifele According to Campbell, his curiosity was piqued by a series of does taking more than the 14th most shots per minute among forwards conversations with Garret Hohl, co-founder of Hockey Graphs. A on your team. On the other? He’s already eclipsed his goal totals from respectful back and forth between the two men led to a pet project for last season and is tied with Patrik Laine at 25 for the Jets goal-scoring Campbell: he decided to write down his thoughts on puck possession lead. Maybe the All-Star centreman with 58 points in 46 games knows every period for 82 straight games. When he compared his own notes to what he’s doing. the shot attempt stats for 246 straight periods of hockey, Campbell realized that Corsi matched his eyes “more than 90 percent” of the time. 6. Mid-tier defensive metrics are also the reason why I’d cite Jake Muzzin With that, Campbell was convinced, and he started to use possession as the pie-in-the-sky, best fit scenario for Winnipeg at this season’s trade stats in his analysis of the Jets. deadline. The left-handed defenceman is arguably LA’s best rearguard this season, according to Josh Cooper and Lisa Dillman. On pace for 35 I got a kick out of that – a former NHL-er so curious about a new stat that points, Muzzin has more than enough offense to boost Winnipeg’s top he’d commit a full season to make sure it passed the sniff test. It’s also four and is an above average defender as well, posting numbers on the fun to imagine people telling the WHA’s first overall pick in 1977 to safe side of 50 percent in all meaningful metrics alongside Alec Martinez “watch the game.” in LA. 12. More from Paul Maurice regarding team defence. The idea of rounding out Josh Morrissey, Jacob Trouba, and Dustin Byfuglien with a player of Muzzin’s caliber is certainly appealing, Pause for a minute and consider: in your own mind, how do you think of particularly with his $4-million contract which expires at the end of 2019- defence? Is it everything that happens in your own zone or everything 20. Of course, a good top four defenceman on an excellent, non-rental that happens when you don’t have the puck? Do offense and defence contract would be expensive – Craig Custance suggests the price starts ever (or always) happen at the same time? with a first-round draft pick – and that’s where the challenge begins. Here’s what Maurice thinks:

7. Speaking of Dustin Byfuglien, he’s already out of his walking boot and “How do you believe you should defend? We would defend with a hard doing light workouts, including some low-intensity stair work inside the gap game, an aggressive game and we would like to defend from the far arena. It looks like a positive sign, especially for a guy not expected back end back. When there’s a 50/50 puck, where your forwards are until after the All-Star break. The Jets need him at the top of his game positioning themselves tells you a lot about how they think. The problem down the stretch and into the playoffs. with that is if you lose a 50/50 you’re not in the right hole.”

8. Let’s go back to Muzzin – or someone like him. Could the Jets really It’s a bit of an oversimplification but I believe that teams should always be afford to trade their first-round pick in back-to-back seasons? working to put the puck in a more dangerous position when they have it Last year, when Kevin Cheveldayoff dealt Erik Foley and what turned out or working to get it back when they don’t. To me, that turns defence into to be the 29th overall pick for Paul Stastny, it looked like a success. everything that happens – in any zone – when a team doesn’t have the Stastny was a nearly ideal fit, lifting Patrik Laine and Nik Ehlers above 50 puck. percent by possession metrics and also scoring some massive playoff “I’ll give you a better idea,” Maurice continued. “Neutral zone turnovers. If goals against Nashville. On one hand, you’d be hard pressed to imagine you look on a percentage basis of pucks turned over in the neutral zone a trade deadline deal working out better for a club. and you take look at the top eight teams and you say that’s great – they On the other, I wonder if hitting so successfully on a rental makes the never turn the puck over in the neutral zone – none of those top eight idea more palatable to Cheveldayoff a second time around. teams are in the playoffs. So dumping the puck is not an every single time thing, you’ve got to make plays.” It’s certainly not a well a team can go back to very often, particularly one whose success is as inextricably tied to the entry draft as Winnipeg. “Now, there’s also a threshold with that – we’re sitting about 23rd on that, Tampa’s sitting 24th – so there’s plays to be made. Making the right kind 9. To me, the answer comes down to context. Next season, Blake of turnovers – that’s the same concept as defence. We’re not going to sit Wheeler’s cap hit will increase by $2,650,000. Patrik Laine and Kyle back and not play with the puck – that’s our strength. But when we don’t Connor will have new contracts which could easily cost more than $15 have it, we’ll keep working on how to close those gaps.” million between them. According to Cap Friendly, Winnipeg has $56 million committed to 11 contracts for next season, not including Laine 13. Is there a nicer guy than Jets assistant coach Todd Woodcroft? In the and Connor’s extensions, and still needs to extend or replace Tyler span of five minutes before Jets practice on Monday, I watched as Myers and sort out its future with Jacob Trouba. Woodcroft:

What does this all mean? This year’s Winnipeg Jets are more cap- Entertained a group of kids at the bench, joking that he’d never heard of efficient than I expect them to be for the foreseeable future. If someone Sidney Crosby and insisting that his favourite player was Andrew Copp – Muzzin-esque is available, the Jets should be doing their research and, conveniently within earshot in my opinion, the pick should be in play. Set up drills and call out encouragement for Copp and Kyle Connor, both 10. One more on the salary cap: I believe Kevin Cheveldayoff has been on the ice 40 minutes before practice was scheduled to start preparing to go all-in, or some methodical version of that, for most of this Started a “Sa-mi Ni-ku” chant from the opposite end of the rink when the season. There are little things, like keeping the Jets roster at 22 players young Finn joined the other keeners right now instead of the maximum 23, which have had a meaningful impact on Winnipeg’s cap space. With so many young Jets on the roster (James Mirtle listed Winnipeg as the fifth youngest team in the league earlier this season), I often get As of today, Cap Friendly projects Winnipeg to have approximately $5.6 asked who on Winnipeg’s staff makes an extra effort welcoming and million in cap space at the end of the season. Subtract the $4.1 million encouraging its youth. I’m not sure if this is by role or simply by available in potential performance bonuses, and that’s roughly $1.5 disposition, but Woodcroft is exactly who comes to mind. million in end-of-season cap space available to the Jets. If I’ve done my math right, this pro-rates to approximately $2.8 million available at the 14. To be clear, there’s a bit of a bias working here. At training camp, trade deadline and with margins that thin, every bit of shuffling on Woodcroft made a point of saying hello and welcoming me to the ranks Cheveldayoff’s part helps. as a full-time NHL writer. When I reflected on the kind gesture to Jets TV reporter Mitchell Clinton, he told me he wasn’t surprised at all. Then he It certainly makes having the Manitoba Moose just down the hall seem shared this story: like an organizational advantage. The Heritage Classic made 2016 a very busy year for everyone working than 12 games played and 400 saves before declaring “LB” a finished with the Jets. For Clinton, his wife Kally and their dog Jett, things were product. just a little bit extra hectic: they were scheduled to move into a new home. The Jets were playing three games in four days, including a Friday I’ve seen “meaningful sample size” for goaltenders defined as anywhere road game in Colorado that Clinton and Woodcroft were both on. from 2000 saves to 200 starts. I’m not sure what the exact truth is on that subject – projecting goaltenders strikes me as exceedingly difficult – but To offer some support, Woodcroft arranged to meet with Kally in advance I’m not ready to declare a goaltending controversy in Winnipeg just yet. of the trip, lending the Clintons his truck to use while the Jets were away. Winnipeg followed a 4-1 home win over Dallas with a 1-0 shutout of the 18. On that topic, Connor Hellebuyck sits at 184 regular season games Avalanche on the road and then Mitch hurried home Saturday afternoon played. Season over season, Hellebuyck’s NHL numbers have oscillated to join the moving effort. between very good and decidedly average, while he’s generally been excellent relative to all of the other leagues he’s played in before now. When he arrived, however, the job was nearly done. Kally, along with friends and family, had finished most of the heavy lifting – with a major Out of the 40 goaltenders who have played at least 20 games this assist to Woodcroft’s truck. It mas meaningful help for the Clintons during season, Hellebuyck’s .908 Sv% ranks a decidedly pedestrian 20th. He’s what was otherwise an extremely hectic time. played roughly three times as many games as Brossoit has this season but has contributed almost the exact same WAR, according to Evolving As for Mitch, who arrived home to find surprisingly little labour left? Hockey.

“I still get chirped that I only did half the job!” What do we do with that information?

15. Over the past few games, Laine and Scheifele have switched spots In my opinion, we wait. Half a season does not a goaltender make. The on Winnipeg’s top power-play unit. I’ve read some comments and heard .908 that looks so paltry from Hellebuyck this season turns out to be some musings that this is a brand new wrinkle. This is not the case. exactly in line with the NHL average, which has dropped from .912 to When I asked Paul Maurice about it last season, he told me that the .908 this season. That’s the lowest it’s been since 2008-09 and seems to three right-handed shooters on that unit – Laine, Scheifele and Byfuglien be affecting every goaltender not named Brossoit. – were originally intended to rotate through each position, depending on the situation. We’ve seen less of that rotation than the Jets coaching staff All this said, what if you’re running out of patience and don’t trust the guy originally expected. The reason for that? They’ve scored so often with who didn’t predict Brossoit’s explosion to talk about goaltenders Scheifele in the slot and Laine in his office that the team hasn’t felt the anymore? need to mix things up. Here’s Silverman on Hellebuyck:

With the Jets power play “just” 12th best over the past month, we’re “After 67 regular season games and a lengthy, 17-game postseason — starting to see some variation. which wasn’t all that easy for Hellebuyck from a workload standpoint 16. Looking back, I got quite a few things right in my “State of the under any circumstances — it’s likely to be a down year for the team’s Franchise” piece this summer. I was very wrong about Laurent Brossoit: young starter, who wasn’t given much number two support last year and then shouldered the playoff run on his own. The only midseason goaltending transaction we’re likely to see now is a contract extension. Brossoit is scheduled to be a restricted free agent this “We’ve seen him get a little sloppy with his technique this year at times summer and he could easily double his 2018-19 salary of $650,000. I’ve and his save percentage has suffered a bit for it. Take, for example, this seen a lot of comparisons to Casey DeSmith in Pittsburgh who signed a freeze-frame from the Carl Soderberg goal in the 7-4 Jets victory over three year, $1.25 AAV contract extension last week. Colorado last week:

16) Blake Wheeler has referred to Brossoit as having “a chip on his “While some people are overly concerned, it’s important to point out a shoulder” several times this season. To me, that reflects as quite a sign few things. First, Hellebuyck is facing over 30 shots per game and still of respect. After his 43 save dismantling of the Golden Knights on has a decent workload he’s handling. Second, his goals saved above Tuesday, I asked Brossoit if he did, in fact, feel like he had something to average is still slightly positive, just not otherworldly like it was last year prove. — so even his fatigued year is, by comparative metrics, still pretty good. Given how well Brossoit has been playing, getting more of a split in their “Yeah. I mean, I can’t say I was happy with my last season. In the starts would likely see Hellebuyck continue to get back to his old form; summertime I addressed a lot of things and I made sure I came into he’s still sitting pretty this year, even with a mediocre save percentage.” camp ready to play and, you know, the fresh start definitely helped.” All in all, Silverman seems cautiously optimistic – provided Brossoit gets The “fresh start” comment reminded me of an exchange I had with Cat more starts. If we see that happen (indeed, Paul Maurice conceded that, Silverman this summer just after Brossoit was signed (by the way, if you at the very least, Brossoit’s giving him the option) then what we might haven’t read her “Behind The Save” about him yet, you should.) see is Winnipeg’s team-wide save percentage stay roughly the same as Hellebuyck improves and Brossoit comes slightly back down to earth. At the time, I was scouring Brossoit’s numbers and pawing idly at reasons to be optimistic. Finally, here is an NHL.com link to that Soderberg goal. Silverman asks us to “Notice how, as Soderberg cuts across, Hellebuyck’s head isn’t “I think he’s a guy who didn’t quite have the support at the NHL level that following and leading his body. He’s delayed enough that by the time he needed,” Silverman told me, “and maybe let his emotions get the best Soderberg hit Hellebuyck’s blocker side he was facing a nearly empty of him. Which, obviously, isn’t an excuse, but does serve as a positive net.” source of encouragement for Jets fans, especially who want to take a look at his early NHL games with Edmonton. He played some very 19. On Nic Petan: unwinnable games with a lot of calm and poise and he’s a very positionally sound guy with good depth management when he’s got his Petan’s on-ice metrics have been better than Brendan Lemieux’s head in the game. The change of scenery should be good.” whether you use shot attempts or expected goals and whether you look at offense or defence. There are things Lemieux can do that Petan can’t Letter perfect from Silverman, no? – hit, for one, and drop his gloves in front of Ryan Kesler, for another – and neither player has posted impressive point totals. 17. This tweet, regarding Brossoit’s ascension among the league’s greats, made me laugh: Here’s what I had to say on the topic in the off-season.

IS LAURENT BROSSOIT THE 7THE GREATEST GOALTENDER OFF You might recall that Leah Hextall had a Q&A with Brendan Lemieux ALL TIME? #NHLJETS PIC.TWITTER.COM/5WP6YZRGAE ready to go the day the Jets roster decisions were made. Hextall had a keen sense of what was to come. Personally, I think the reason Lemieux — TIMOTHY BONNAR (@TBONNAR) JANUARY 16, 2019 plays as much as he does is a reflection of style – Paul Maurice appears It’s a good reminder that back-up goaltenders, even those playing as to prefer end-of-the-roster players with a bit of sandpaper to their game. lights-out as Brossoit is, aren’t necessarily a guarantee to keep it up. Is it the end of the world? Of course not. But in a world where process Certainly, all of Cam Talbot, Craig Anderson, Brian Elliott, Robin Lehner stats like shot attempts and expected goals predict the future better than et al have had meaningful NHL careers but it’s worth looking at more results stats, I’d bet on Petan having a more meaningful impact than Lemieux based on what we’ve seen so far.

20. Patrik Laine is twenty.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126478 Vancouver Canucks OK, to reiterate the Canucks lost a point in this game and they’ll be scratching and clawing for everything they can get from now until mid- April. But, given this stage of their development, it still means something Willes: Fistfight against Oilers felt like Canucks’ biggest game in years to be in a game like this, where every play matters, where there’s a fight for every square inch of ice. They’re facing 34 more games like this from now until the end of the season and there will be an education in those games for the young players like Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser, for Ed Willes More from Ed Willes players who are trying to establish themselves like Virtanen and Ben Hutton and even for Green.

“We’ve talked about it,” Green said. “We had some goals this year. We Vancouver Canucks defenceman Derrick Pouliot (5) knocks Edmonton wanted to be faster. We wanted to be harder to play against. We wanted Oilers centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) to the ice during the first period. to develop young players and we wanted to play meaningful games in There’s a perception the Vancouver Canucks haven’t played a the second half.” meaningful post-New Years’ game since the first Harper administration. They’ve got that now with a lot more to come. This isn’t true. It just feels that way. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.17.2019 In each of the last two years of Willie Desjardins’ reign, for example, the Canucks were three games over .500 in late January before they plunged off the face of the earth. This makes their 28th- and 29th-place finishes all the more impressive. In the Torts’ tire fire season they were also 10 games over .500 on Jan. 26. So the territory is not unchartered. But this is also true. There was something about Wednesday night’s contest with the Edmonton Oilers which felt like the Canucks’ most important regular-season game in four years. Maybe this game, and the six-game home-stand which surrounds it, isn’t exactly a referendum on the rebuild and this wasn’t exactly a battle of the titans, but it was significant on many levels. Just ask Travis Green. “This is about as meaningful as it gets,” the Canucks’ head coach said in advance of Wednesday’s meeting with Connor McDavid’s Travelling All- Stars. “It’s an exciting game. You want your players to be put into games that matter. We talked about that today. This is a game where you want to play your best.” OK maybe it wasn’t their best. But it still served a larger purpose. In an affair that had all the earmarks of a playoff contest, two really average teams fighting for relevance hooked up in a fistfight at The Rog. Alex Chiasson ended a five-round shootout, giving the Oilers a 3-2 win after a wild-west overtime, a final minute in which Jake Virtanen almost got the ending right for the Canucks and 59 minutes of gruelling, smash- mouth hockey. It was’t always pretty but it was passionate and it exposed something in both teams. For the Canucks, the trick will be playing that game again and again for the next 2 1/2 months and if that doesn’t get them into the playoffs, it will still be invaluable in their development. “It’s the kind of games every player wants to be a part of,” said Jay Beagle, who saw a lot of McDavid on this night and handled himself admirably. “I love these kinds of games and you love to have those match-ups. It’s what you play for. You play for playoff hockey and the playoff atmosphere. That was tonight.” And it was the kind of night where a player like Beagle takes a lead role. The Canucks started slowly, gifting a shorthanded goal to noted sniper Jujhar Khaira in the first, then falling behind 2-1 on a bit of McDavid magic. But, over the final 40 minutes and OT, the home side might have been the better side and might have deserved a better fate. Ben Hutton had the go-ahead goal called back in the second when the Oilers won an offside challenge. Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen, who allowed two goals on the first seven Canucks’ shots before shutting the door, made a glove save off Bo Horvat, then turned away Virtanen in the final minute. McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were also shut down after McDavid’s first-period goal. And then there was the overtime. The party started with Jacob Markstrom closing the door on Kris Russell, followed by Brandon Sutter hitting Darnell Nurse on the skate while staring at an open net, followed by Markstrom stopping Leon Draistaitl on a breakaway following Koskinen stopping Horvat again. I mean, if you sneezed you missed something special. “An inch away,” Sutter said of his overtime chance. “It’s nerve-racking when you’re watching,” continued the Canucks’ centre. “When you’re playing you’re just worrying about your next shift. That’s fun hockey. It’s fun to play. They nailed it when they went to this format.” 1126479 Vancouver Canucks

Canucks trade Del Zotto to Ducks, making room for Pettersson’s return

Harrison Mooney More from Harrison Mooney

The Canucks have cleared a roster logjam by shipping the veteran blue- liner to Orange County. The Vancouver Canucks made a mid-game trade Wednesday evening, swapping blue-liners with the division rival Anaheim Ducks during the third period of their battle with the Edmonton Oilers. Michael Del Zotto has been sent to Anaheim, the Canucks announced. In return, Vancouver gets former fifth-overall pick Luke Schenn, and a 7th- round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry draft. The defenceman was spotted outside the Canucks’ dressing room after the Oilers game and said he planned to speak to the media as a group on Thursday. Nonetheless, he was clearly delighted about the move. He’ll likely get plenty of ice time for the Ducks, who have been ravaged by injuries this season and have already gone through 11 defencemen on the season. Schenn, 29, has 716 games of NHL experience, but has spent most of the season with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, putting up 10 points in 22 games played. The Saskatoon native will remain in the minors: he will report directly to the Utica Comets, who moved into a tie for first in the North Division with a win Wednesday, despite a defence corps ravaged by injuries. Utica lost Olli Juolevi for the season last month, and are currently without Jalen Chatfield and Ashton Sautner as well, so they will welcome a healthy new body on the blue-line. The Canucks delayed media availability after the game so coach Travis Green could inform his players about the trade. “I like Delly a lot,” Green told the media afterwards. “He’s a good character leader in our room. It just didn’t work out this year. Bit of a timing thing. We started winning games when he came out of the lineup. I like him a lot, wish him nothing but the best. He’s been a good player for us.” Del Zotto played all 82 games for the Canucks in 2017-18, but he became a frequent healthy scratch. His teammates all credited him for his positive attitude even as the scratches started to pile up. “Always the first guy at the rink,” goalie Jacob Markstrom said, adding that he and Del Zotto had formed a strong friendship. Del Zotto, who is an unrestricted free agent at year’s end, was expendable. And with Elias Pettersson set to return from injured reserve, the Canucks needed to make room on the 23-man roster. The hotshot rookie is expected to play on Friday, when the Canucks host the Buffalo Sabres, so a move had to happen before Friday night’s faceoff. The Canucks will retain one-quarter of Del Zotto’s remaining salary on their salary cap. For accounting purposes, VAN kept 25 per cent of del Zotto’s salary — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 17, 2019 It was a busy evening for the Ducks, who also acquired Abbotsford-born centre Derek Grant from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a separate trade. — with a file from Patrick Johnston Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126480 Vancouver Canucks With the puck in the neutral zone, the penalty-killing Canucks thought they had time to make a change. McDavid found the puck and attacked the zone all alone. Oilers 3 Canucks 2 (SO): Chances aplenty in back-and-forth affair “Puck just chipped out, I tried to get the puck back in as fast as possible,” McDavid said matter-of-factly after the game. Patrick Johnston More from Patrick Johnston To anyone else, that’s a sequence that ends in “ho-hum.” Actually, this is “ho-hum” for McDavid too, the difference of course is that ho-hum for him is scoring goals. One team was missing its star, the other team had theirs. There were three Canuck defenders in the vicinity but that didn’t matter. One couldn’t help but wonder how this game might have played out if McDavid just does what he wants. In this case, that was sniping the puck Elias Pettersson had been declared fit enough to play for the Vancouver past Markstrom. Canucks, who lost against the visiting Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in a shootout on Wednesday night at Rogers Arena. One end, then the other This was not a game for the history books. There were misfired passes You know the proverb: a mistake at one end is followed by a goal at the all over the ice. There were missed goals too. other. And that will probably burn the Canucks. There was an outright win to be On a first period power play, Sven Baertschi couldn’t hit Josh Leivo in had here. In a tight playoff chase, every point counts. stride despite both wingers being well in the clear in the Edmonton zone. It was a surprising lack of execution. It was two teams who have dreams of the playoffs, but who are both on the outside looking in at the moment. Moments later at the other end of the ice, the Canucks somehow couldn’t handle the efforts of Oilers penalty killers Khaira and Ryan Nugent- On this night, it showed. At least in the Canucks’ case, there’s a notion of Hopkins. forward progress. And yes, there’s the reminder that their budding star will soon be back. Khaira found the puck on his stick and wired a shot past Markstrom to open the scoring. Canucks coach Travis Green was disappointed his team lost, but wasn’t displeased with the effort. The Surrey native pointed to Nugent-Hopkins’ work as being key to his goal. “I thought it was a hard-fought game, had a bit of a playoff feel to it,” he said after the game. “It started off with Nuge making a nice composed play skating the puck out,” he said. “As I went up the ice, room created itself, I wanted to be a Oilers coach Ken Hitchcock spoke in similar terms. shooter today … that’s a big part I need to work on.” “Who knows if you’re going to get in (the playoffs), it’s going to be like Both moments will surely be on the game-review tape as a reminder of this every game,” he said. what not to do. In the Oilers’ case, they surely were thankful that Pettersson wasn’t The high and the low playing. The Oilers are a disaster when playing defence. There could have been two goals for the Canucks’ oft-maligned second That the grinding trio of Tim Schaller, Markus Granlund and Josh Leivo power play unit. They got a fine goal in the first, with Sutter picking the were able to create a series of two-on-one breakdowns in the first period, top corner past Mikko Koskinen, who was blinded by a Jake Virtanen ending with Granlund alone in front for a great chance, summed up the screen. challenges the Oilers currently face. (Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen stonewalled Granlund.) It was a great first period for the Abbotsford winger. He made an excellent pass to Sutter off the end boards after winning a puck battle in They have the sport’s best player, they had some serious scoring depth the corner and he had several other forays into the offensive zone, using not that long ago, and now they’re this. his powerful skating and size to create trouble for the Oilers’ defencemen. They’re a lesson in how important it is to have a plan, to focus on moves that make you better in the long term and to not ignore the importance of “We talked about making sure we got in the goalie’s eyes,” Virtanen said. finding quality defencemen who can play the modern game. “Sutsy made a good shot.” For their part, the Canucks had plenty of chances. They had three But that the unit didn’t score a second goal is why we’re talking about a misses early in the game — two from Bo Horvat — and even in overtime low. Ben Hutton fired a point shot past Koskinen late in the second they were wondering what they needed to do. Brandon Sutter was period, a great goal that came after Hutton had made a shimmy on the robbed off the goal line, with Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse swiping half-wall to create space before dishing to Granlund down low, who then the puck away, and Horvat put himself in on a rush to the net but moved the back high to Hutton. Koskinen stood tall. Hutton’s celebration was ecstatic and nearly as good as the high-velocity The Canucks got goals from Sutter (a first period power play marker) and wrist shot. Markus Granlund. The Oilers’ goals were from Jujhar Khaira and Connor McDavid. And then the goal was taken away on an offside review. It wasn’t clear why until a high replay angle showed that Virtanen was slow getting off The winning goal was scored in the shootout by Alex Chiasson. the ice on a line change, while his mates were rushing the puck in on the far side. “Leon’s move helped me a lot,” he said of Leon Draisaitl, who had tried a similar move earlier in the shootout but was stopped by Jacob Attention to detail has been a big talking point on this team, making a Markstrom. gaffe like this one especially notable. Chiasson showed how excited he was to score the winner afterwards. Virtanen nearly made up for it with a rush in the game’s final minute in regulation, but Koskinen got his left pad out to stop the deke and shot. “With the experience I have over my career, what happened last year with me, I’ve learned to stay in the moment,” he said. “Some guys get “Not looking. Just changing. Bad change,” Virtanen said. tangled up in that. Stay focused on my things. I was hoping my name would come. It’s a confident move for me. It’s one I’ve done a lot.” Take ’em Here’s what we learned: Some hard forechecking by Schaller and Leivo forced Oilers defenceman Caleb Jones into firing the puck into his own team’s slot, where Granlund McDavid goal was only to happy to flip the puck past Koskinen, tying the game up at 2- 2. When hockey’s best player is in the house, you expect something special. Granlund nearly scored earlier, on the aforementioned defensive breakdown by the Oilers, but Kris Russell swiped the puck off the line. The goal McDavid scored to put his team ahead in the final minute of the first period was just that. Whiffs For all his hustle, Bo Horvat’s not been able to find the net since before On this night, the Canucks did a good job keeping the slot relatively safe. Christmas. They also did a good job of generating chances at the other end. On Wednesday, bad luck struck twice: there’s no other way to explain him misfiring on two chances in the first period to score. That playoff chase The first would have been a highlight reel goal for the season, as he There are still seven teams with dreams of the playoffs, chasing those made a deke by putting the puck behind his back and on to his skate to two wild card spots. The Canucks have played the most games of any, put himself alone in the slot. The tried a shot, the puck came back to him but their opponents are slowly burning through their games in hand. and with the cage as open as a roaring lion’s mouth. He slid it wide. The Canucks would have kept themselves in a tie for the second wild Later in the period, Brock Boeser wound his way through the Oilers card spot had they won on Wednesday. (Yes, they’d be sitting on the defence — it was a common sight on the night, the visitors’ defence outside on the games played tie breaker, but close enough.) separating like oil does when confronted with water — and found himself Instead, it’s the Oilers who are keeping pace with Minnesota. on a two-on-one with Horvat. He saucered a pass over to the centre, who straight up whiffed on his one-time again. The Canucks have just three games before the All Star break, then they’re on the road. Unless things go horrendously wrong over these Tyler Motte had his own version in the second period, when a shot from home games against the Sabres, the Red Wings and the Hurricanes, this the right point rattled off legs and found motte to the left of the crease. story line isn’t going anywhere soon. The puck hit his stick, but Motte was so surprised by the moment he That’s good for the team’s emotional state. And it’s good for the fan base. couldn’t finish the tap-in and what might have been another Canucks But the organization has to keep its eyes on the long-term prize, which is goal went missing. not a short playoff run this season, but contender status in a couple Who needs shots? seasons. The rather amazing thing was that while the Canucks missed out on That means making moves with only the future as the focus. those three grade-A chances, they only had 11 shots on goal through two Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.17.2019 periods. And that was also despite getting four power plays. Hockey Talks Wednesday was the sixth annual Hockey Talks night hosted by the Canucks, an effort to raise awareness about mental health issues, built off initiatives first started in the wake of former Canuck Rick Rypien’s passing. Canucks radio commentator Corey Hirsch, an advocate for mental health, said the focus was on empowering youth. “It’s all about getting the message and the info into the hands of our youth. We started the talk to end the stigma….they will be the ones to end it,” he said. All six other Canadian teams and five American teams are also participating in the campaign by hosting their own nights over the coming weeks. More information is available on the Canucks’ website. Credit the analytics Oilers coach Ken Hitchcock said he trusted the numbers for his shooter order in the shootout, which saw the visitors go Nugent-Hopkins, McDavid and Draisaitl one-two-three. Khaira was the fourth shooter, and Chiasson the fifth. “It’s a hard read for which guy you’re going to use, but analytics had the guys out there,” he said. The Hard Match Travis Green spoke before the game about how having both Brandon Sutter and Jay Beagle available as defensive-minded centres meant he could free up Bo Horvat for more offensively-oriented duties. That meant he put Sutter and Beagle up against McDavid to start the night. Both centres did well in the shot-attempts battle, with Sutter going even and Beagle just minus-four for shots directed towards each team’s net while they were on the ice. Sutter was up against him primarily in the first period, but Beagle took over the prevent role in the second and third periods. Credit to Alex Edler as well; the blue-liner played across from McDavid most shifts on the night and limited the Oilers to just 11 shot attempts against the Canucks’ goal. Overall, McDavid was just plus-two. That’s a job well done for the Canucks. The shot map Before the game, Hitchcock suggested he thought the Canucks were difficult to get inside of defensively, that they protect the slot well. Most observers would say that’s not been the case for much of the season. There has been something of a tightening of their crease area defence, yes, but not one that you would say is league-leading unbreakable. 1126481 Vancouver Canucks “It’s a matter of coming to the rink every day and wanting to work hard,” said winger Brock Boeser. “You look for that. I remember my time with the Sedins last year and how hard they worked. You look at that work Ben Kuzma: Speed, skills are good, but can Canucks win in long run with ethic and you have to have it to stay in the NHL. Goldobin? “Goldy has amazing skill, but you have to know when to pressure guys and make sure you’re competing every shift. You see Petey blocking shots and causing turnovers and getting us odd-man scoring chances Ben Kuzma More from Ben Kuzma going the other way.” Green has sung a familiar refrain about Goldobin. He sees what we all see, but there comes a time when it’s not so much about the guidance as doesn’t have to talk. the execution. His teammates and coach are willing to wonder aloud what’s keeping the “The onus is on the player,” said Green. “We’ve done a lot of video work mercurial winger from being a reliable top-six roster mainstay with the with Goldy and I want him to develop to be his best and be a player we Vancouver Canucks. can win with.” Not only was Goldobin scratched Wednesday for the third time in the last Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.17.2019 six games, the 23-year-old restricted free agent is also on an expiring NHL contract that has a palatable US$863,333 salary cap hit. With little leverage at the bargaining table and gaping holes in his defensive game, the Canucks must decide whether they can balance his skill with a waning will to become a complete player they can win with when playoffs become more the norm than the exception. Goldobin is still fourth in club scoring with 23 points (5-18) in 44 games, but a penchant for bad penalties because he’s reaching instead of skating — or being lax on the back-check — is keeping him from getting his game to a dependable level. Goldobin has been shown countless videos of his miscues. He has been schooled by coach Travis Green and extra on-ice sessions were supposed to make a difference. Yet, here we are. Do the Canucks give up on him and go another direction in the off-season, or do they still see something? Goldobin hasn’t scored in 13 games and has one goal in his last 20. Then again, he also had a November to remember by starting the month with 11 points (3-8) in 10 games. Club protocol kept Goldobin from speaking Wednesday morning because he wasn’t in the lineup to face the Edmonton Oilers, but Jake Virtanen offered an interesting perspective. Virtanen also had the wheels but not the attention to detail. He became Green’s project in the AHL and NHL, and the level of trust now extends to the winger being out in the final minute of a game to either protect a lead or make something happen offensively. Virtanen leads the Canucks in take-aways, has drastically reduced his giveaways to sit 11th, is third in hits, second in shots and is a plus-rated winger. He plays on instinct and doesn’t second-guess himself because of a willingness to learn and grow a complete game. “It’s not something you’re going to learn overnight or in a week,” said Virtanen. “It takes time. And it’s something you have to work on in practice, but it’s something in a game where you just have to do it and not think about it. “I used to have to think about it, and now it’s just second nature to go ahead and do it. But it takes time and he’ll get it. There’s a lot of stuff that guys in here can’t do either. I know Goldy wants to be the best he can be and make himself and his teammates proud. He’s a nice kid and fun to have in here.” However, it’s no fun not playing, and being a healthy scratch is a gut- punch. “When I didn’t play, that definitely gets to you,” added Virtanen. “Watching helps but playing is a big benefit.” Goldobin is an effortless skater and sometimes it looks like he’s gliding more than grinding. And when he doesn’t get aggressive on the forecheck to hound pucks, or hustle back in support, he becomes a polarizing player because he does things you can’t teach. He leads the club in assists and part of that comes from deferring to electric linemate Elias Pettersson. “It’s deceiving sometimes when you look at him,” Virtanen said of Goldobin’s skating. “I think it’s a Russian thing. They all kind of skate the same way. Even (Alex) Ovechkin. His style isn’t the smoothest, but he’s really fast with the short strides and gets to places quick. I feel like Goldy is a little deceiving like that.” The irony is that playing with Pettersson, who could return Friday from a mild knee sprain that has sidelined the centre for four games, Goldobin should be better by watching the rookie’s three-zone awareness and dedication to defence. 1126482 Vancouver Canucks

All signs point to Pettersson returning from injury for weekend action

Ben Kuzma More from Ben Kuzma

“It (knee) is coming along with the conditioning and it’s stable — the strength is there. I’ve made progress every day since I’ve been on the ice and it’s just getting down to stickhandling and shooting.” When Elias Pettersson returns from a mild knee sprain, don’t expect the electric rookie’s game to be short-circuited. Aside from his pace, playmaking, laser-like wrist shot, deadly one-timer and two-way awareness that have driven the Calder Trophy favourite to 42 points (22-20) in 38 games, the Vancouver Canucks’ centre also has a level of grit in his game. And it indirectly led to his injury in Montreal. Pettersson aggressively forechecked Jesperi Kotkaniemi into the end boards Jan. 3 and turned to engage the Canadiens’ rookie after being hooked in transition. They got tangled up as they fell to the ice. With a concussion that sidelined Pettersson for six games and an MCL (medial collateral ligament) ailment that has cost him four — he worked early Wednesday with skills coach Glenn Carnegie and also took the optional game-day skate — will he play any differently Friday against Buffalo or Sunday against Detroit? Probably not. He’ll be just as hard on the forecheck as he is on goalies. But first he needs at least a full practice and contact drills to ensure he’s good to go. “When I get back, I’m going to try to do what I do best to help the team win,” said Pettersson. “It (knee) is coming along with the conditioning and it’s stable — the strength is there. I’ve made progress every day since I’ve been on the ice, and it’s just getting down to stickhandling and shooting.” As for the injury, Pettersson didn’t want to dwell on it because he knows contact is part of the game and won’t shy away from it. “It (injury) was an accident. We got tangled up and my knee got stuck in a bad position and it could have been a lot worse,” said Pettersson. “I don’t think he wanted to injure me.” There’s also a bit of bravado in Pettersson that hasn’t gone unnoticed. “I like that he’s feeling confident and that his game is improving, but we’re not looking at him as this physical specimen who’s going to go around hitting people,” said Canucks coach Travis Green. “But I like that he has the confidence to push back a little bit because he thinks he can. He’s a smart guy. He’s going to figure it out. I don’t need to tell him when to push or lean on a guy.” Green is hopeful Pettersson can play Friday, but clung to the day-to-day tag. “It’s not up to me — it’s up to him and the training staff,” he said. “When he’s ready to go, he’ll be in, because he’s a competitive kid and it’s a good sign that he skated hard again today (Wednesday).” Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126483 Vancouver Canucks Leon Draisaitl – Connor McDavid – Ty Rattie Milan Lucic – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Alex Chiasson Canucks Game Day: Will there be a flu factor in Oilers’ visit? Ryan Spooner – Kyle Brodziak – Jesse Puljujarvi Tobias Rieder – Jujhar Khaira – Zack Kassian Patrick Johnston More from Patrick Johnston Defence pairings Darnell Nurse – Kris Russell The Canucks host the Oilers at Rogers Arena on Wednesday. Caleb Jones – Adam Larsson NEXT GAME: WEDNESDAY Brandon Manning – Matt Benning Edmonton Oilers at Vancouver Canucks Goalies: Cam Talbot, Mikko Koskinen 7 p.m., Rogers Arena. TV: Sportsnet Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650 SICK BAY THE BIG MATCHUP Kailer Yamamoto (upper body) Connor McDavid vs. Alex Edler Andrej Sekera (achilles) The game’s best player loves to rush the puck up the right side of the ice. Oscar Klefbom (finger) Alex Edler defends that side and you know he’ll be up against McDavid most shifts. SPECIAL TEAMS FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME Power play 1. Matchup men Canucks: 17.1% (22nd) Which centre Travis Green will match up against Connor McDavid isn’t a Oilers: 21.4% (12th) slam-dunk pick anymore. When Jay Beagle and Brandon Sutter were out Penalty kill injured in the fall, it was always Bo Horvat getting the hardest assignments. But with both centres back, Green has been looking to get Canucks: 78.6% (21st) Horvat more favourable matchups, putting the defensive load on Beagle and Sutter. Oilers: 77.7% (24th) 2. Shots, shots, shots Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.17.2019 The Oilers may have won big on Monday, defeating the Sabres 7-2, but they still bled 42 shots against. The Oilers’ early good run under Ken Hitchcock was totally about the work of their goalies; they started losing when the goalies ceased to stand on their heads. The Canucks may be missing their best shooter in Elias Pettersson, but they’re still getting more shots-for per game than the Oilers. 3. Flu bug Several Oilers were struggling with the flu during Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Coyotes. That didn’t seem to affect them as much in Monday’s win over the visiting Sabres. Will it be a factor in their energy levels in Vancouver? 4. Rising PK The Canucks’ penalty kill is still sitting in the bottom third of the league, but that hides what’s been a very good six-week run. The Canucks have yielded the second-fewest shot attempts against in the NHL since Dec. 1, which is a very good thing. 5. Goals for Looch Milan Lucic scored two goals in all of 2018. It was a rough year for the big forward. He already has three in 2019. That’s good for the soul. CANUCKS’ LINES LW – C – RW Sven Baertschi – Bo Horvat – Brock Boeser Antoine Roussel – Brandon Sutter – Jake Virtanen Tim Schaller – Markus Granlund – Josh Leivo Loui Eriksson – Jay Beagle – Tyler Motte Defence pairings Alex Edler – Chris Tanev Ben Hutton – Derrick Pouliot – Erik Gudbranson Goalies: Jacob Markstrom, Thatcher Demko SICK BAY Elias Pettersson (knee) OILERS’ LINES LW – C – RW 1126484 Vancouver Canucks

Canucks' Elias Pettersson ‘feeling good’ after knee injury, not quite set to return

Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

Vancouver Canucks fans will have to wait at least another couple of days to see Elias Pettersson back on the ice. The star rookie skated with his teammates ahead of Wednesday’s contest with the Edmonton Oilers, but won’t suit up for the game. It will be the fourth game in a row he’s missed since suffering a knee injury in Montreal on Jan. 3. Pettersson said he wasn’t feeling any pain during Wednesday’s skate and was working on his stick-handling and shooting. “Feeling good, feeling good,” he said. “Just trying to get, how you say, get the condition back after I missed some games.” The 20-year-old Swedish centre said he’s watched video of the play that led to the injury, where he got tied up with Montreal Canadiens centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi and fell awkwardly. There was no malice in the move, Pettersson said. “It’s just an accident. We got tangled up. I don’t think he wants to injure me or anything. It’s just an accident. My knee got stuck in a bad position,” he said. Pettersson hopes to be back in the lineup on Friday, when the Canucks take on the visiting Buffalo Sabres. But he’s still listed as day-to-day and there are no guarantees about when he’ll return, said Canucks coach Travis Green. “It’s not up to me. It’s up to him and the training staff,” Green said. “And when he’s ready to go, he’ll be in. He’s a competitive kid and he wants to play.” Pettersson leads the Canucks in scoring with 42 points in 38 games. The team has struggled offensively at times without him, but got three points from veteran left-winger Loui Eriksson in their 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Sunday. It’s natural for other players to elevate their games when a teammate is injured, said Pettersson. “When I get back, I’ll just try to do what I do best and help the team win. And when I’m not there, guys will step up and play good. So I’m not worried,” he said. This is the second time the 2017 first-round pick has been sidelined by injury in his first NHL season. Pettersson missed two weeks with a concussion in October after taking a controversial hit from Florida Panthers defenceman Mike Matheson. “Every injury is different … But it’s part of the hockey career,” he said. “Like I say, it could have been a lot worse. But I’m just trying to get back to the ice now.” Despite being hurt, the league’s leading rookie scorer still plans to make it to all-star weekend in San Jose later this month. “I’ve grown up watching a lot of those players. Now my name is on that list too. So I’m very happy with that,” Pettersson said. Globe And Mail LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126485 Websites As Canada continues to rise above the rest, America has followed in lock-step. USA hasn’t bridged the gap over the past year, but it kept pace and that’s been enough to put it well ahead of any other nation. The Athletic / Projecting the strength of each country in a 2020 World Previously, the team would be coin-flips against Sweden and Russia. Cup of Hockey Today, it would be relatively heavy favourites, similar to the margin Canada would’ve had against those two nations last year.

America’s biggest problem over the past few tournaments has generally By Dom Luszczyszyn Jan 16, 2019 57 been self-inflicted – poor roster decisions that didn’t need hindsight. The new age of American hockey has more high-end talent and a larger pool to draw from and those problems seem like they’re in the past now. Over the past week, Craig Custance, Pierre LeBrun, Eric Duhatschek, Sweden in the middle – As long as Sweden remains an elite defenseman Scott Burnside, Sean McIndoe and myself looked ahead at a possible factory, the country will be just fine. It’s very telling that the Team World 2020 World Cup of Hockey and projected what potential rosters would listed above has five of its six defenders (in my opinion anyways) hailing like (based on how good each player is now) for Canada, USA, Sweden, from Sweden. Russia and Finland – hockey’s current Big Five. On the other hand, zero of the top 12 forwards were from Sweden and It’s always an interesting exercise, one that tantalizes fans on the that’s what separates it from the two North American countries. That’s prospect of best-on-best hockey and sparks plenty of debate. Yes, it’s not a slight at Filip Forsberg or Elias Pettersson (or Nicklas Backstrom or somewhat frivolous because a potential World Cup is more than a year- Gabriel Landeskog), who very much have a case for a spot on Team and-a-half away – if it even happens – but it’s still intriguing to see how World, but at Sweden, which is arguably the weakest of the five nations each country stacks up compared to the rest. when it comes to superstar forward talent. It bridges the gap when it comes to depth, but the lack of elite upside is a concern. That’s where I come in, now that we’re done. The rosters are set, here’s how each team stacks up against each other, based on my projection The biggest issue is in net, though, and it’s part of what pushes Sweden model using Game Score. away from the top two. Henrik Lundqvist has been king for the better part of a decade, but his time has come and I’m not very confident in the Canada remains the team to beat – The old adage that there aren’t a lot succession plan with Robin Lehner and Jacob Markstrom. The trio is of ways to screw up Team Canada remains. Even the “worst” roster still solid, but again, a step behind the other five. grades out well ahead of the pack – and that’s without considering that a stat-based model might be missing some pieces of the puzzle. All of this The Swedes are balanced and have an elite blueline – it’s what makes was true last year when we did this exercise, for a lost Olympics, but them the next team in line. There are few flaws here, but what Canada has somehow increased the gap between itself and the other weaknesses the country does have bring it closer in line with Russia and countries. Last time around, Canada’s chances against Sweden, Russia Finland than Canada and USA. and Finland ranged from 61 to 69 percent. Today it’s 70 to 77 percent. Against the USA, Canada’s chances went up from 58.5 to 61.6 percent. Finland looking to surpass Russia – As plucky as Finland always seems to be at best-on-best tournaments, it was difficult to consider the Thank the team’s explosive forward depth that simply no other country international spectrum as a Big Five until recently – the Finns were a can stack up against, led by the impending prime of a new golden clear step behind. The last World Cup in 2016 was a perfect embodiment generation in Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. It’s also the of that as the country lost all three games, scoring just a single goal. emergence of young talents like Brayden Point and Mitch Marner, and Yuck. the continued excellence of the usual cast like Sidney Crosby and John Tavares. The country has come a very long way since then, establishing some elite offensive talent that can hang with the best of the best that other Still, there are question marks. The usual suspects in net aren’t shining countries have to offer. Aleksander Barkov, Mikko Rantanen, Sebastian the same way they used to and there isn’t as much talent on the come- Aho and, of course, Patrik Laine represent an elite quartet and the future up. On defence, the country’s best six are still more than capable and of Finnish hockey. In them, the country is in very good hands in a clear second only to Sweden, but age is becoming a big factor there, as well. upward trajectory, though defensive depth is a mild concern until Miro Morgan Rielly and Josh Morrissey represent the next wave there. Heiskanen shows he can be a true No. 1. When all is said and done, though, Canada is still hockey’s strongest On the flip side, Russia is very much trending down. The country lacks nation. Fresh blood is a big help as the country transitions to its next defensive talent and it’s becoming a large detriment, while its best wave of talent, potentially leaving behind stalwarts like Jonathan Toews, forwards are all getting up there in age too. There isn’t a clear line of Jamie Benn, Duncan Keith or Carey Price. It seems that with the influx of succession either. The top guys are still elite players and it has a case for burgeoning talent Canada can and might actually ice its best roster, not one of the league’s best in Nikita Kucherov, but the past generation of one with the reputation of it. dynamic offensive excellence is coming to pass. Canada vs. The World? – With the gap between Canada and the rest With the way things are going in Russia and Finland, hockey might have being so vast, here’s my question: If the rest of the world teams up, how just a Big Four after all in a few years time – it just might include the latter close is it? rather than the former. Here’s my roster: The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 According to my model, that team would only be barely better than Canada, beating them 51.4 percent of the time. Now just imagine a summit series that pits Canada vs. everyone else? Yes, please. USA creating separation – This time last year, the other teams making up the Big Four after Canada were very close and you could make the case for any of the three to be Canada’s biggest threat. Now, I think it’s pretty clear that USA stands alone as the world’s second greatest hockey nation. With Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel down the middle, USA has elite top-six centre depth to match up with Canada better than any other country, something it’s sorely lacked in a majority of best-on-best matchups against Canada. Matthews and Eichel are elite superstars, ready to take America to the next level. The winger depth up front is just as tantalizing, giving the country the best pound-for-pound opposition to the Canadians. There are some intriguing players in the bottom six, but not at the level of Canada’s depth yet. It’s that top six that will carry this team. What really pushes this team to another gear is having arguably the best goalie in the world in John Gibson, a perfect picture of consistency since practically the start of his career. In a short tournament, goaltending is vital. In Gibson, USA has the best chance at getting hot between the pipes. 1126486 Websites inner circle that will reinforce your own thinking and help you make the same mistakes over and over again.

All of which is a long way of getting to the point of this thought The Athletic / Five candidates the Seattle NHL team should consider for experiment – assembling a dream management team for the expansion their front office Sockeyes. (They are going to be named the Sockeyes, right?) Last month, here at The Athletic, we made a tentative attempt to sort out By Eric Duhatschek Jan 16, 2019 73 a player roster for the Seattle expansion draft, knowing full well that lots can change in the interim.

But practically speaking, Seattle ownership – which is being advised at Early last season, just after their stirring and emotional home opener, I the moment by former NHL player and coach Dave Tippett – will soon be was in Vegas to watch the Golden Knights back-to-back games against in a position to start actively recruiting managerial talent, which is the the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings. The Golden Knights had next step in the process. gotten off to a thoroughly respectable start and even if it didn’t seem sustainable, they were a fun team to chronicle. The fan support was Reflecting back on that early conversation with Conte, McCrimmon and outstanding. They’d done some innovative things to enhance the Karpan made me think, what might a dream Seattle management team entertainment experience off the ice. look like? But most importantly, they were an energetic, entertaining hockey club Or to put it another way, can Seattle duplicate Vegas’s success at getting that pushed the pace and made their opponents work for every inch of their front office right, so that when it comes time to actually select their ice. Too many times in the past, undertalented expansion teams would players, they have a broad, disparate, intelligent group of voices that play a kitty-bar-the-door style of hockey, trying not to lose by much, affords them a chance at success, both in the short and long term? which made the hockey practically unwatchable. The NHL does a lot of McPhee plumbed his choices from a variety of backgrounds, and that’s things wrong, but giving Vegas a fighting chance to be competitive right where I’m going too. Without further preamble and in no particular order, away was one of the things they got right. the first five people I would look at hiring if I were trying to build the Player-wise, Vegas created a blueprint for how to select an expansion Seattle front office from the ground up. team in the NHL’s 21st century salary-cap era, which was obvious for all Sean Burke to see. After Canada won the 2014 Olympic men’s hockey gold medal in Sochi, But what may have been less apparent was they also created a blueprint general manager Steve Yzerman advised Hockey Canada he was for how to build a proper front-office team. Not only will that be the key to stepping down and someone else would have to fill his shoes. the Golden Knights’ long-term success, how they accomplished that will be instructive to Seattle, when the NHL’s newest expansion franchise If the NHL had gone to PyeongChang for the 2018 Olympics last comes aboard in September of 2021. February, chances are, Hockey Canada would have plumbed someone from the ranks of working NHL GMs. Let’s go back to that first-ever Golden Knights homestand for a minute. But they didn’t, instead turning to Sean Burke, who had a long resume as Between periods of most NHL games, the people who gather in the press a player internationally; had worked for years in the Phoenix-Arizona box – the staff of the home team, visiting scouts, travelling writers and Coyotes front office in a variety of different positions, from goalie broadcasters – usually mingle to talk hockey. On this day I was in a small “whisperer” to assistant to the GM; and most recently, has been a pro group that included three of Vegas general manager George McPhee’s scout for the Montreal Canadiens (which is also where Karpan was key people: Kelly McCrimmon, Vaughn Karpan and David Conte. recruited from). McCrimmon was the team’s executive vice president of hockey operations and assistant general manager. Karpan was the director of Like Karpan, Burke has a vast history in international hockey. Hockey player personnel and Conte was a special advisor to hockey operations. Canada put Burke in charge of selecting rosters for all the pre-Olympic I’d known them all of them forever – McCrimmon, mostly through his tournaments; then he picked a team of NHL pros, playing mostly in older brother, Brad, who played in Calgary and stayed in touch when he Europe, which unexpectedly won an Olympic bronze medal. This past began to coach; Karpan, who was on the Canadian men’s 1988 Olympic Christmas, he was the co-GM (along with Ron Francis) of Canada’s team and has scouted extensively for a number of teams since then; and Spengler Cup team (which lost in the final in the eighth round of a Conte, who was Lou Lamoriello’s chief lieutenant during the New Jersey shootout). Devils’ best days and was someone I’d call for intel on the annual draft, just to get an overall assessment of what was available. What makes Burke’s resume so appealing is its range and versatility. Nowadays, people in sports use the term “Swiss army knife” as a cliché They were a disparate group, recruited from different organizations and to illustrate a player’s ability to contribute in many different ways. Burke spanning all the walks of hockey life. Eventually, it occurred to me that would be the managerial equivalent of a Swiss army knife player. He has this was part of the genius of what McPhee had executed in Vegas – that extensive contacts in international hockey, primarily in Russia, Sweden he’d reached beyond his inner circle to hire a broad range of voices with and Finland, where an awful lot of players are coming from. a broad range of expertise to build his organization. Other than Wil Nichol, the team’s director of player development, who was a player These sorts of contacts are so critical when it comes to gaining insight development scout for McPhee’s former NHL team, the Washington into prospects. Nowadays, teams have figured out that you can’t get the Capitals, and maybe goalie coach David Prior, most everyone else came draft wrong. It’s just too important. It is why teams invest fortunes in from outside McPhee’s sphere. In McCrimmon’s case, McPhee followed scouting; why they have a draft combine; why every NHL team tries to up on a tip he received from a reporter – that this was someone he interview as many of the high-end prospects as they can – because what should interview if he was trying to build an organization from the bottom you see on the ice is only part of the equation of projecting how good a up. player can be. Anyway, three things occurred to me at that juncture about Vegas that What did teams miss in 2011 that made Nikita Kucherov just the 58th also applies to Seattle. player chosen overall in the draft? What did teams miss in 2015 that made Sebastian Aho linger until the 35th pick? Essentially, you need One, there is value in starting with a clean organizational slate. someone on your staff with deep trustworthy contacts across the hockey world that can help steer you in the direction of a prospect that is flying Two, there is a value in being open to working with new people. under the radar for everyone else. Anybody can successfully pluck a Three, there is a value in hiring people who will challenge you and not Connor McDavid or an Auston Matthews at the top of the draft. It’s how just blindly nod in agreement. Sadly, groupthink eventually sets in for too you fill out the supporting cast around them that determines whether you many NHL organizations, who become inbred – and thus cannot look win or not. What you want is someone that can arrive at a rink in faraway beyond their own narrow vision. Yaroslavl, know exactly where the entrance is, gets a big hello from the security guard on the door and immediately stumble into a conversation Whatever the organization’s vision becomes, eventually, the final with a dozen familiar faces as they enter the building. decision for every move lies with the GM – trade, draft, what to pay a player on an expiring contract – but he’s going to make far more (and That’s where real intel is gleaned. better) decisions if his staff helps him look at every option, from every The added bonus with Burke is he has a keen appreciation for goalies possible angle. And by the way, it doesn’t mean you necessarily get and how to get the most out of them. Mike Smith is just one example of a every decision right. I’m sure Vegas would like a do-over on the three Burke reclamation project – Smith’s career in Phoenix was going draft choices sent to the Detroit Red Wings for Tomas Tatar. But it’s nowhere until he got there. Ilya Bryzgalov was another – he couldn’t preferable to the alternative – which is just hiring people from your own really play goal anywhere but in Phoenix. All of which leads us to Burke’s Flames’ player named Colin Patterson telling me that in the era before co-GM on the Spengler Cup … salary escalation, Fletcher would throw in a gimme-bonus during contract negotiations – for Patterson, it was finishing in the top-nine among Ron Francis forwards in plus-minus – just to sweeten the pot slightly. This was the Usually, patience isn’t in great supply around the NHL and patience genius of Fletcher – for a very small amount of money, at a time when might be a challenge for the Seattle ownership because people will journeymen players weren’t getting rich playing in the NHL, he would assume that since Vegas provided a successful template, it can’t be that send a signal to them about their value. Then, if they asked a player to hard to follow. contribute in a specific role that might limit their goals and assists, they wouldn’t necessarily be penalized financially. Well, it’s probably much harder than you think. For starters, there needs to be a Marc-Andre Fleury type available in goal and a Gerard Gallant It’s a small thing and it wasn’t the only thing Fletcher did that created a type available to coach. “family” sort of team environment. But in the grand scheme of things, the key ingredient is hiring a manager But there is value in wisdom – and in how you portray your organization that can build a nucleus of prospects that can eventually grow together. to those that you might eventually want to recruit. And in my experience, For all the things Francis was criticized for in Carolina, the one that most the best available option there is King, who I first crossed paths with in people focus on was his unwillingness to make an aggressive trade. But the late 1970s, when he was coaching the Billings Bighorns. I got to he did put a lot of good young pieces in place – and it’s curious how a trio know him better when he was hired as the full-time national team coach of those pieces (Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin and Jeff Skinner) are all in the early 1980s, and I am convinced that he invented the tactic known flourishing in their new homes, which probably wasn’t what Carolina had as “cycling” because the first time I ever saw it deployed in a practice in mind when they traded them all away this past year. was prior to the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo and I asked him what the heck it was I was seeing. I eventually co-wrote a book with him and we Under Francis, the Hurricanes drafted those three, plus Sebastien Aho in speak probably monthly about various topics. In fact, the greatest danger the second round, and added a top-line forward, Teuvo Teravainen, for a I have in my current job is that I could practically quote King in every fair price – two draft choices that haven’t turned into NHL players yet. story I write. But if I’m running a team, that’s who I want in the room – someone I can turn to and say, what do you think? What do you see? The one thing Francis couldn’t figure out was sorting out the Carolina And know that I’m getting a thoughtful intelligent response. crease. You’d have to think there’ll be a Fleury type available in the expansion draft – maybe Jonathan Quick, maybe Sergei Bobrovsky. Ray Ferraro Either way, that’s why you need a broad range of specialized knowledge when you assemble a well-rounded staff. If you have one blind spot, you Here, I’m going to veer away from the Vegas template because I don’t find the most adept person in the industry to cover you there. Full see a Ferraro type in their front office. But if I’m in charge, I want an ex- disclosure: I knew Francis reasonably well as a player and then got to player with the ability to cut to the analytical core of a situation, and know him a little better serving on the Hockey Hall of Fame selection among the players who’ve turned into television analyst, no one seems committee. He’s an impressive, thoughtful guy. I wouldn’t be at all afraid better prepared to leave the booth, or in Ferraro’s case between the to hand him the keys to a new team. benches, than him. Mark Hunter Ferraro was a small and skilled player in an era (1984 to 2002) when it was hard to play in the NHL as a small and skilled player. The game has Most people in the current age think of Hunter as the former Toronto fundamentally changed since then, but I would want someone working Maple Leafs’ assistant general manager who lost out in the bid for the top for me that would help me get into the psyche of all the small and skilled job to Kyle Dubas and ultimately went back to his previous calling – players that are getting opportunities now – not all of whom develop or running the London Knights of the OHL. morph into NHL superstars. How do anticipate than 5-foot-6 Johnny Gaudreau is going to ultimately challenge for an NHL scoring title, when I knew Hunter from his playing days – his name is on the 1989 Stanley there’s an awful lot of other 5-foot-6 munchkins who do well in junior or Cup as a member of the Calgary Flames and there was a three-year college or in the European leagues and cannot necessarily translate it to period when he played for St. Louis, in which he scored 112 goals. the biggest stage? I think someone like Ferraro could provide valuable Hunter had a pugnacious Sutter-like presence in addition to way better insight that others probably couldn’t. hands than people ever gave him credit for. If I’m Seattle and I could put these five minds on my staff, I’d consider He gets a lot of credit for drafting Mitch Marner fourth overall and rightly that an excellent starting place to build an organization. Obviously, you so. At the time the Leafs chose Marner in 2015, there was no clear need to add more pieces beyond them – an amateur scouting staff, an consensus as to what they should do, and lots believed that was a place analytics department and eventually, a coaching and training staff. But to perhaps select Hanifin, who slipped to No. 5. that comes later. The first step is putting the brain power together to start the ball rolling. The lead time Seattle is getting means they can carefully But the other thing you’ll find with the Hunters is they have a stubborn and intelligently plot the next critical step – establishing a proper conviction in the rightness of their thoughts and do a really good job of foundation. ignoring the outside noise. Confidence is really another underrated skill in hockey management. Often, teams can talk themselves out a player The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 because there are so many variables at work in evaluating teenagers – and so many directions a career path can take. Thus, having a firm belief in what you see, and trusting your instincts, goes a long way. On my dream managerial team, I want the equivalent of a McCrimmon, someone immersed in junior hockey, who brings along all the contacts and relationships that you forge over the years, onto your staff. In the same way that a Burke can provide primary intel on the international game, someone like Hunter can provide the same on the junior game. And if he doesn’t know a thing first hand, then the answers are sometimes only a phone call away. Dave King I’m going to call this position senior advisor/resident intellectual – and in Vegas, it’s a shared responsibility among McPhee, Karpan and Misha Donskov, the director of hockey operations. Since Lamoriello decamped for Long Island, I’m told that Dubas is relying more heavily than ever on senior advisor Cliff Fletcher to act as a sounding board. Fletcher has been with the Leafs in an advisory capacity for a long time, but his experience is being plumbed to fill in the gaps on any decision that requires NHL institutional knowledge. This, I think, is why Dubas will succeed long term. He understands, on the one hand, the value of analytics in assessing players. On the other, that there are nuances in player evaluation that analytics don’t always reveal. Fletcher is a master of relationships – that was always his strongest suit. Players loved playing in his organization because he would do the one extra thing to engender loyalty. I remember one time, a 1126487 Websites Scott has also been approached about writing another book, this one about fatherhood but, “right now I’m good doing the home life. It’s a lot of work so we’re busy.” The Athletic / Former NHLer John Scott ‘glad I’m still alive’ after falling In Scott’s case, being kept busy by his family sure beats the alternative. through ice on lake “I’m glad I’m still alive,” he said.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.17.2019 By Chris Kuc Jan 16, 2019 30

John Scott waged many battles during his eight seasons as an enforcer in the NHL, but none compared to the one that almost cost him his life. It was a bright and sunny afternoon on Cedar Lake in Traverse City, Mich., on Sunday when Scott headed down to the lake situated off his backyard to clear an area for a rink on which him and his family would skate. Scott had walked on the lake the previous week to check it out, and on Sunday an ice fisherman was set up in the near-distance, so the time appeared right for the annual clearing of the rink. “It was a nice day, the sun was out so I thought I’d go and shovel it off and skate maybe that night or the next day,” Scott said. “So I went down there with a couple of shovels, put the headphones on, stepped onto the ice and boom, right through.” There isn’t a more jovial former athlete than Scott, who never took himself too seriously while playing for the Wild, Blackhawks, Rangers, Sabres, Sharks, Coyotes and Canadiens from 2008-16. Scott made the most of his opportunities, including when fans voted him into the 2016 NHL All-Star Game and he went on to win MVP of the game. But what happened Sunday was no joking matter as the 6-foot-8 Scott suddenly found himself in a life-or-death situation. “I couldn’t get up on my dock the first three or four attempts because I was soaking wet — I was just drenched,” Scott said. “I was like, ‘OK, do I scream for the ice fisherman but how is he going to get me?’ My kids were playing up at the house and they weren’t going to hear me screaming with the noise up there. “I tried to hoist myself up but I couldn’t do it and there was no way I could get to a part where I could walk up because at the end of my dock it’s probably 20 feet deep and I couldn’t get around to where the beach starts, so I was like, ‘either I get up on the dock or I don’t get up at all.’ I managed to find a somewhat solid piece of ice to put my foot up on and kind of hoist myself up luckily.” Scott estimates that he was in the frigid water for around a minute as one of his shoes and a shovel sunk to the depths of the lake. In the aftermath, Scott said he wasn’t fearful at the time. “It’s funny, you’re not scared right away, you’re just like panicked, but then once you get out you realize like, wow, that could have gone a lot worse than it actually did,” he said. “I was lucky enough to be close to my dock and I could kind of grab onto it after I came up and work my way up on the edge and climb up. It was pretty sketchy.” Once out of the water, Scott trudged to his house but kept a calm demeanor in front of his wife and five daughters. “I didn’t want to scare my kids or my wife but when they saw me and started saying, ‘oh, my gosh what happened?’ then you kind of realize, what happened if? — They were going to help me shovel but I just got a head start. I would have been dead when they got there, you know? It’s scary to think of that.” On Monday, Scott posted an Instagram video showing four of his children – twins, Estelle and Sofia, and older daughters, Eva and Gabriella – and his wife, Danielle, the hole in the ice that nearly took the life of the patriarch of the family. The near-tragedy was enough for Scott to skip the clearing of the rink this season. “We’re going to maybe take this winter off,” Scott said. “We’ll go to the local rink for our open skates. That was enough to scare me away for this winter.” Meanwhile, Scott said he will continue to make appearances and give keynote speeches about his life in hockey, which he chronicled in his 2016 autobiography, “A Guy Like Me: Fighting to Make the Cut.” He also recently filmed the TV show “50 Ways to Kill Your Mother,” a reality adventure show that began in England and is set to come to North America with his mom, Marilyn. 1126488 Websites The Oilers, who won for the fifth time in eight games after losing six straight, moved one point clear of the Canucks and into a tie with the Minnesota Wild for the final playoff spot in the conference. Just three Sportsnet.ca / Canucks, Oilers each have upside to reach playoffs points separate the five teams at the top of the wild-card race. The Canucks were badly outshot in the first half of the game, including 11-5 in the opening period. And yet they outnumbered the Oilers on the Iain MacIntyre | @imacSportsnet January 17, 2019, 2:23 AM Edmonton goals that put Vancouver down 2-1 after 20 minutes. On the game’s first power play, the Oilers attacked shorthanded two- against-four, yet made it 1-0 at 7:35 on some ambivalent Canucks VANCOUVER – If hockey was horse racing, the Vancouver Canucks and defending. Oiler Jujhar Khaira spun away from Bo Horvat with the puck Edmonton Oilers would make a pretty good joint entry. as Canucks defenceman Alex Edler spun away to check another player. And as Canucks Brock Boeser and Josh Leivo watched, Khaira scored A bet on both would pay off if either wins one of the wild-card spots in the from the slot. National Hockey League playoff race. Even in the rather motley seven- horse field in the Western Conference, in the slow, sloppy race run to this The Canucks struck back on the same power play, tying the game at point, the Canucks are Oilers would be a good bet. 8:53 when Sutter’s shot through Jake Virtanen’s screen beat Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen at his near post. Both have upside, the Canucks because they’re a young, improving team led by three star forwards in their early 20s, will finally be healthy when It looked like Vancouver would escape the period level, but at 19:03 Calder Trophy favourite Elias Pettersson returns to the lineup any day McDavid did a McDavid thing, attacking the Canucks one-on-three amid now, and have a far better schedule in the second half of the season a change of Vancouver penalty killers before rifling a wrist shot through than the torture test Vancouver endured into January. defenceman Chris Tanev and past goalie Jacob Markstrom. And you like the Oilers because, well, you know why. Connor McDavid is The shot disparity had increased to 16-6 for the Oilers when the Canucks the best player in the world. That alone is enough some nights, and we tied it 2-2 at 8:53 of the second period, Markus Granlund collecting Caleb get the feeling interim coach Ken Hitchcock will eventually find all the Jones’ giveaway in the Oilers’ slot and spinning and firing over buttons to push to get enough from the rest of the team for Edmonton to Koskinen’s shoulder. cross the finish line. Despite getting outplayed, the Canucks actually took the lead at 18:54 Of course, both teams could collapse and end up at the bottom of the before Ben Hutton’s short-side screened shot (almost identical to field. Sutter’s) was wiped out for offside on a coach’s challenge. The review showed Virtanen, heading to the bench on a change, just inside the But right now, the Oilers and Canucks – as a joint entry – look capable of Edmonton blue line when Sutter crossed with the puck about 30 seconds beating enough of the under-achieving teams around them for one to before Hutton’s goal. make the playoffs. Markstrom and Koskinen took over from there. Theoretically, how they would play in April could look a lot like how they played each other here Wednesday, when their proximity in the If the Canucks compete for the rest of the season like they have on this standings and the NHL map generated intensity and puck battles you homestand, they may actually see real playoff games this season. don’t equate with mid-week games in January. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.17.2019 When Oilers forward Alex Chiasson scored the only goal in a five-round shootout to give Edmonton a 3-2 victory at Rogers Arena, he celebrated like he’d just scored a playoff overtime winner. It wasn’t always great hockey, but it was a great game. “It was a really a good game, a fun game to be a part of too, even though we lost,” veteran Canuck Jay Beagle, who won a Stanley Cup with Washington last June, said. “It was obviously a really big game. You could tell right from the drop of the puck, it was two teams in the playoff hunt. It’s a game that we’ve got to build off.” The Canucks have done a lot of building this season, performing better than most people expected. Vancouver coach Travis Green talks constantly about developing players he can win with. Wednesday morning’s reference was in regards to talented winger Nikolay Goldobin, a healthy scratch for the third time in six games. The Canucks missed Pettersson. The rookie who leads the team in scoring skated Wednesday morning and could play Friday against the Buffalo Sabres for the first time since spraining his knee two weeks ago. Including the game Pettersson was hurt, Vancouver has just one win in five games (1-2-2) without him. To make room on their roster for the 20- year-old’s return, the Canucks traded extra defenceman Michael Del Zotto to the Anaheim Ducks for a seventh-round pick and Luke Schenn, who will report to Vancouver’s minor-league team in Utica. Still, the Canucks battled again Wednesday without their best player. “I thought our young guys played well,” centre Brandon Sutter said after spending his night trying to check McDavid at even strength. “They were in the fight the whole time. That’s the effort we’re going to need down the stretch in this playoff race we’re in. Every game is going to feel a lot like that. I like how we responded. “It was just a tough-checking game, kind of like a playoff game in that sense. Once you get to a shootout, it’s always a coin flip. But I liked a lot of things we did.” Sportsnet NOW gives you access to over 500 NHL games this season, blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the entire 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. 1126489 Websites Noah Hanifin tied it with less than 10 minutes left, but the anticipated heroics fell short.

Sportsnet NOW gives you access to over 500 NHL games this season, Sportsnet.ca / Sabres deliver wake-up call to powerhouse Flames blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the entire 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. Eric Francis | @EricFrancis January 17, 2019, 1:39 AM The Flames will practice Thursday when plans will be announced by the club that recently-retired Flames legend Jarome Iginla will have his number 12 hoisted to the rafters May 2. CALGARY – It was the comeuppance Bill Peters warned about. Other encouraging news came in the form of a visit by agent Craig Oster, You half expected the Calgary Flames coach to open his post-game who represents restricted free agents Rittich and Tkachuk. presser with an emphatic, “I told ya so.” Flames GM Brad Treliving was out of town due to the sudden passing of After grousing for the bulk of his team’s five-game winning streak about his father in law. defensive lapses, Peters’ club finally fell short of the type of late heroics that have become their hallmark. Talks have certainly begun with both parties, although no one expects a quick resolution to either players’ contract situation. Tkachuk has no On this night it was a world-class shot by Jack Eichel in overtime that had reason to rush things, especially given his offensive breakthrough that the final say in a 4-3 Buffalo win over a Flames team that hadn’t lost at saw him score his 24th Wednesday as part of a six-game point streak. home in weeks. James Neal missed the game due to illness and Travis Hamonic missed Peters chose to look largely at the positives of a game that saw the his second game due to a family illness. Flames erase a third-period deficit and surrender only two shots in the process. “They’re a good team – they play fast,” said Giordano, who extended his point streak to five games, as did Lindholm. However, a pair of glaring giveaways that led to Sabres goals weren’t lost on captain Mark Giordano, whose team knew full well there’d be a wake- “We know we can be better – we gave up a few breakaways we don’t up call of sorts if they didn’t tighten things up. usually do. “I thought we got a little bit pretty where we were turning over a few “At the end, in OT it was a good play by him. It looked like he was going pucks in the neutral in the second,” said Giordano of plays that led to an to change and was tired and made a heck of a play and that’s a shot that Evan Rodriguez breakaway goal and one of many great chances by goes in on anyone. Eichel. “We were down with under ten again and found a way to get a point. It “We weren’t as bad as we’ve been in past games, but they capitalized on felt like we had some momentum there but we just couldn’t get that some of their looks and they get the win. winner in regulation. If we would have won in overtime it would have masked things again, but “Sometimes you got to tip your hat – that was a good one.” we’ll work on things. We have a big back-to-back coming up.” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.17.2019 Indeed they do. In the midst of an otherwise pristine, nine-game slate in which the Flames face only one playoff team, the lads host Detroit Friday before a visit to Edmonton the next night. Still unbeaten in regulation at home this year, David Rittich (8-0-4 at the Dome) will unquestionably be saved for the Johnny Gaudreau/Connor McDavid showdown. Gaudreau beat McDavid to 70 points by minutes early in the evening as part of a two-point outing that was his 22nd multi-point game of the season. You read that right. Yet, despite extending his point streak to nine games, Gaudreau likely didn’t sleep very well after he balked on a 3-on-1 in overtime that saw him run out of real estate before attempting an ill-fated pass in front of the net. Seconds later Eichel ended it by putting a sweet move on Giordano and beating Rittich short-side. “I think we held onto it a little too long at times and when there was not a play to be made we tried to force some plays instead of taking what was given,” said Peters, whose Flames still lead the conference. “We turned it over a little more than we would have liked for sure and it got behind us, but we did a lot of good things.” Like getting a point, giving the Flames an 8-1-2 record of late. Rittich also likely lost sleep as an otherwise solid outing ended with him allowing goals on both Buffalo shots in the third and the only shot in overtime. The affair was tied 1-1 going into the third before the struggling Sabres kept pace with the league’s third-period whiz kids. Less than a minutes after Matthew Tkachuk converted a brilliant power- play passing clinic, Rasmus Dahlin’s point shot tied the game after being deflected by Michael Frolik. A giveaway three minutes later by Elias Lindholm landed on Jake McCabe’s stick before he deposited it past a screened Rittich midway through the third. 1126490 Websites availability. There are some in the organization who want to win now and recognize he has value in the market; there are others who see a player needing patience to develop. The Oilers were interested in Vancouver’s Sportsnet.ca / 31 Thoughts: Buyers, sellers emerging ahead of NHL Jake Virtanen at one point, but the Canucks chose to take their time and Trade Deadline that’s paying off. It is not easy to tell who will win this argument. What is clear, however, is that the mandate from ownership is to make the playoffs. Edmonton’s also let it be known Ryan Spooner is available. He was acquired on Nov. 16, four days before Ken Hitchcock was hired. Elliotte Friedman January 16, 2019, 11:55 AM Unfortunately, those two are a bad match. 4. The list is longer, but Boston, Edmonton, Pittsburgh and Vancouver are among those interested in Micheal Ferland. • Cogliano trade just a warning shot for Ducks? 5. Penguins’ GM Jim Rutherford sent his message through local Let’s start this week’s edition with an update on Ottawa’s downtown reporters: he’s ready to start dealing. He’s looking for a better fit down arena. the middle behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Derick Brassard’s Monday night, Ottawa’s National Capital Corporation extended the going to get a new home. Remember, Winnipeg liked him last year, but deadline for Eugene Melnyk and John Ruddy to sort out their issues until he resisted. If the Jets want to try again, that won’t be a problem. Feb. 28. But this isn’t the most significant development. Columbus also makes sense, possibly San Jose. That honour goes to the fact that a runner-up bid featuring Andre 6. Anaheim GM Bob Murray indicated he wants to re-sign pending UFA Desmarais — widely believed to be interested in purchasing the Senators Jakob Silfverberg. Looking at the Ducks’ contract situation for next year, — is now part of the mediation. (There are other partners with they have (by my count) more than $72 million in cap space already Desmarais, but I’m going to keep this simple.) According to multiple used. The Andrew Cogliano/Drew Shore trade saves them some cash, sources, Melnyk invited this group (known as DCDLS) into the process. but the Ducks are very close to a “tagging” issue. (Basically, “tagging” is a rule that doesn’t let a team spend more money in a future season than That Melnyk extended the invitation is critical to the project’s future. this year’s cap.) Assuming his raise is to less than $7 million, Anaheim looks OK. But it doesn’t leave them a ton of flexibility. Why? Because, at least once during the negotiations, the Senators’ owner warned that he’d heard DCDLS was getting involved when it A weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world with hosts shouldn’t be allowed to, and threatened legal action. Now that he has Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek. New episodes every Thursday. welcomed the group in, that threat goes away. 7. Murray’s reminding everyone of what we’ve forgotten: He does not There are hurdles and no guarantees, but it definitely changes the rush. Apparently, the Ducks and Penguins discussed that Daniel dynamic for the better. Desmarais and his partners have the connections, Sprong/Marcus Pettersson trade well before it happened — it just took infrastructure and finances to get things done; alleviating the concerns of him time to decide. The Ducks’ AHL team in San Diego is on a roll and Melnyk, Ruddy and the various governments. Troy Terry looks terrific, arguably the best player in that league this season. Change is coming to Anaheim, and Cogliano’s trade was the Without directly speaking to Melnyk — who, like everyone involved, is warning shot. Pontus Aberg, who is tied for second on the team with 11 under a gag order until the window closes — we can only guess at his goals, can’t get into the lineup anymore, so he might be next. But the motives. It would also be interesting to know if the NHL nudged him in core players have to think they might be going, too. this direction. Whatever the case, it is not hard to see why all parties would welcome new blood. If Feb. 28 passes without a deal or another 8. I don’t think Dallas is done, either. There’ve been Brett Ritchie rumours extension, it is widely believed the project will be shelved until after the and I think they are looking to see if anyone wants to take a chance with upcoming federal election. Valeri Nichushkin. That return’s been very disappointing. He hasn’t scored in 37 games. That’s a delay no one wants. Not Melnyk, not Ruddy, not the various governments — no one. Everyone’s a loser in that situation, except the 9. Think there were some teams wondering if Philadelphia would be as lawyers billing multiple hours filing the lawsuit motions. The future of the married to Nolan Patrick now that Ron Hextall is no longer running the Ottawa Senators is downtown and everyone knows it. The sooner that show. Current GM Chuck Fletcher stood up for him prior to the player happens, the better. ending a 24-game goalless drought Monday night. It is hard to find big, right-shot centres, and Fletcher recognizes that. This part of the equation is out of my expertise, but a couple of sources mentioned the mediator — former Chief Justice of Ontario Warren K. 10. In addition to Bogdan Kiselevich, Florida appears willing to move Winkler — as a key factor, too. He’s got a long history of dispute right-hand-shot defender Mark Pysyk. He’s got one year left at $2.73 resolution. Many successes, some failures (like everyone else), but a million, although his actual salary is $800,000 higher. Bonus: His parents person with the confidence to believe he can get the job done. were excellent guests on Hometown Hockey in Sherwood Park, Alta, earlier this month. The other interesting question is if Melnyk and Desmarais negotiate an ownership share of the club for the latter as part of the conversation. No 11. Unless an absolute game-changer drops into their lap, expect doubt that price becomes much greater if a new arena is on the horizon. Colorado to be patient. They’ve got Cale Makar and Ottawa’s first- rounder. They know they’ve got plenty coming. The Avalanche also felt 31 THOUGHTS they’re not as bad as their recent stretch indicated, liking they way they 1. Big week for the Senators. As the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch played in some of the losses (Calgary, Winnipeg). They need Philipp reported, GM Pierre Dorion went to California to visit with Pat Brisson, Grubauer and Semyon Varlamov to be themselves. Grubauer said, by agent for Matt Duchene. Meanwhile, the full-court press is on to re-sign the way, the Avalanche remind him “a bit of the Capitals a few years Mark Stone. (Word is Dorion met with Newport, Stone’s agency, on before they won.” Monday.) Last summer, Ottawa offered Erik Karlsson $88 million, but 12. A number of contenders were liking how many teams were giving up structure was never discussed. The question will be bonuses. Karlsson on the season, hoping it meant a buyers’ market as some clubs worried got $1 million in the first season of his now-expiring seven-year contract, they wouldn’t be able to deal unwanted assets. If you’ve got a true but nothing else. Bobby Ryan gets $2 million in each of his seven difference-maker, that’s one thing, but how many of those are truly seasons. Some teams fight hard against bonuses (Winnipeg is one), but available? if negotiations get close enough that extensions are possible, flexibility on this issue could be very important. The crazy race for the second wild card in the Western Conference has altered this somewhat, as a few of those teams might sit a little longer to 2. Here’s my read on Edmonton: With their horse, Oscar Klefbom, getting see if they gain momentum. closer to a return, the Oilers are looking everywhere for forward help. They would prefer to avoid giving up a major young piece for a rental. One of those who might choose to wait is St. Louis. Missing the playoffs Sounds like they’ve checked into the recently resurgent Mats Zuccarello, in 2017–18 was very hard on their ticket renewals, and this was who had three assists in the Rangers’ 6-2 win over Carolina on Tuesday. supposed to be a rebound season. Instead, it’s been a nightmare. That Last season, the Rangers dealt Michael Grabner for a prospect and a said, they’ve crept within four points of Minnesota currently in the final second-rounder; that’s probably where they’d like to go with Norway’s playoff position. Finest. Stream over 500 NHL games blackout-free, including the Flames, Oilers, 3. That said, the Oilers will also scour the market for young, preferably Leafs and Canucks. Plus Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown quick attackers who are either on long-term deals or have time before Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey and more. unrestricted free agency. Their first-round pick is definitely in play. Jesse Puljujarvi? As Tuesday developed, there was pushback on his 13. Speaking of the Blues, there were rumours earlier this season that 23. If Jake Gardiner gets booed out of Toronto, he should know that it Jay Bouwmeester might be put on waivers. He was battling to get back worked out pretty well in 1997 for another defenceman who wore a from hip surgery and really struggling. His minutes fluctuate quite a bit: In number in the 50s. his first 20 games he didn’t play a ton, but in the next 12 his low was 19:27. After that he was held down for four, then ramped up in the last 24. Before going down with an injury at Christmas, Frederik Andersen five. He’s a rental, and he’s been playing better, although there are was on pace to appear in 202 games during the 2016–17, 2017–18 and physical limitations. I’ve heard a few teams have watched him to see if 2018–19 seasons. The last goalie to play that much and win the Stanley he’s a fit. Cup? Jonathan Quick, from 2009-10 to 2011-12. 14. Another rental who doesn’t get much attention, but has quietly played Interestingly enough, Braden Holtby played in 202 from 2014-15 to 2016- pretty well: Detroit’s Nick Jensen. On a team that doesn’t have great 17. The year the Capitals dropped him to 54, they won the Stanley Cup. possession numbers, his are pretty good. The Red Wings will need to 25. The traveling netminder, Mike McKenna, told podcast partner Jeff make a decision on him over the next few weeks. Marek he deserves credit for one additional NHL stop. While he never 15. Duchene’s meeting obviously won’t be the only one involving an played for the Florida Panthers, he said he did dress as their backup at upcoming UFA over the next few weeks. Buffalo is beginning to talk with least once. There is evidence — check the lineup for Dec. 22, 2016, a 3– Jeff Skinner, San Jose’s going to meet with Erik Karlsson, Columbus with 1 loss to Boston. He was primarily playing for AHL Springfield at the time. Artemi Panarin — there are going to be many of these. Make it nine NHL homes for McKenna. 16. It is lost in all the discussions of Ottawa’s more well-known free 26. Was leaving the Wynn Las Vegas last Thursday. Told the hotel agents, but the Senators have an interesting one at the NCAA level. In employee at the taxi line that I was going to T-Mobile Arena. 2015, they took goalie Joey Daccord 199th overall out of USHL “Big game against the Sharks tonight!” he yelled. Muskegon. Turned out to be an astute gamble. He’s gone on to Arizona State, and has been a success story this season. Daccord leads all What an upper-deck home run the NHL hit with this. college goalies with 26 appearances, and has a .930 save percentage. While he does have one more year of Sun Devils eligibility, he can Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen go deep on pucks with a mix of facts and choose to go pro during the summer. There will be interest. fun, leaning on a varied group of hockey voices to give their take on the country’s most beloved game. 17. Something slightly different happened with Chicago’s Collin Delia, who looks like a good find. Undrafted, the Blackhawks invited the goalie 27. A few of you asked on Twitter if the NHL’s puck/player-tracking data to their prospects camp in 2017 and signed him. They knew if he went will be made public. My best guess is: not all of it. I do believe the NHL back to NCAA Merrimack, there would be much greater competition for will want some feedback, but remember people will be paying for it, so it the prospective free agent after his senior season. (Washington was is unlikely everyone gets access to scrape. another team that looked at him.) Delia overhauled his summer training 28. An interesting sidebar to all of the gambling possibilities from the data routine after his first professional season and is making his claim to the is how long it will take arenas to upgrade to 5G technology. David position. Lehanski, the NHL’s senior vice-president of business development and 18. In an excellent interview with Christine Simpson, Colorado’s Nathan global partnerships, said that will be a major upcoming project across MacKinnon said he was “so embarrassed” by television cameras North America. After all, you want your fans in the building to make those catching his heated exchange with coach Jared Bednar in Calgary that in-game prop bets on their phones, and it won’t be easy if everyone’s he didn’t go to the meal room after the game. trying to do it at once on a wireless public network. “I just stayed in my hotel room and hid. I guess they were eating and they 29. Enjoyed my time last Friday at the Ivey Sports Management showed it on Sportsnet as [Bednar] walked in the room…. I’m glad I Conference at the University of Western Ontario. Twenty-five years ago, wasn’t there for that.” my buddies in biz school would always say that lowly, unwashed student reporters were not allowed on the premises. I replied that I’d visit them in I liked how he and the Avalanche dealt with it. Things can explode when their white-collar prisons. It was a fun experience. Biggest surprise: you’re in Canada, but MacKinnon didn’t run away, they handled it the Queen’s University’s men’s hockey team has a seven-person analytics way they needed to and everyone shrugged it off. A couple of players staff. Met the director, Miles Hoaken. hinted Bednar and MacKinnon have a blunt and honest relationship, and it is not unusual for them to have passionate in-game conversations — 30. NHL/NHLPA negotiations continue Wednesday. While there is although that one went farther than anyone wanted. cautious optimism, the biggest problem might be the lack of a real deadline in the near future. One of my favourite football follows, former 19. Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer told longtime radio play-by-play executive and agent Andrew Brandt, always tweets, “Deadlines spur voice Dan Rusanowsky that he phoned Todd McLellan for advice after action,” and that is true. being struck by the puck Jan. 7 versus Los Angeles and missing the next night’s game against Edmonton with a concussion. Commissioner Gary Bettman’s “We’re not looking for a fight” quote last week in Seattle surprised people. One long-time NHLer said, “I’ve never “It was my first concussion in 30 years,” DeBoer said following last heard that tone from him before,” and he wasn’t the only one thinking that Thursday’s 3-2 win over Vegas, hours after he’d done the interview with way. An owner said he thinks Bettman will continue on that path as long Rusanowsky. as the NHL is not forced into entering a season where a player strike could mean an uncertain ending. The earliest that can happen is 2020– McLellan was hit in the forehead while San Jose’s coach in 2012, and a 21, and, in theory, the players could make a “no-strike” pledge, but close friend, Winnipeg’s Paul Maurice, has also been through it. hopefully it never gets that far. “I was pretty lucky,” DeBoer said. “My symptoms are not that bad.” You’ve heard it many times, but decreasing escrow is the key for players. Still, DeBoer admitted he is still getting back to 100 per cent. Assistant Here are some ideas that may come up: First, shrinking the distance Steve Spott was behind the bench for the win over the Oilers. He should from the midpoint to the salary floor and ceiling of the cap. Currently, the retire undefeated. floor is 15 per cent below the midpoint, the ceiling is 15 per cent above. Second, I’m curious to see if the players are willing to limit bonuses. The 20. That San Jose ceremony for Brent Burns’s 1,000th game was league hates them, but they also affect escrow because they push actual alternately awesome and hilarious: monies paid above 50 per cent. Third, although the NHL puts money toward the players’ pension, it comes out of their share of the costs. Two female antelopes for his ranch? Burns saying later that his male Some kind of alteration there would go a long way. But there’s nothing antelope will be happiest of all? Just great stuff. Joe Thornton reached here — as far as anyone can see now — worth a stoppage. 1,000 games Tuesday night in San Jose. I could see them doing something for him, too. 31. Congratulations to Elisabeth Walker-Young, manager of programs for the incredible Canucks Autism Network, which is run by the NHL team. 21. Roman Josi and P.K. Subban were a regular duo during Nashville’s She was named to the Order of Canada for “her excellence in the sport 7-2 win over Washington on Tuesday night. They played 13:28 at five-on- of swimming and for her advocacy of inclusive sport in Canada.” What a five and 18:18 overall. It’s not something the Predators have done much. huge impact she’s made, and what a deserving honour. The impact Head coach Peter Laviolette told reporters, “It’s something that we’re people like Elisabeth have on families’ lives, well, it is hard to express in looking at…. We’ll probably leave it that way.” In theory, a terrific idea. words. 22. One Bruin on having a healthy team: “Now we really see what we’ve Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.17.2019 got.” 1126491 Websites Perhaps Julien will use both players, but neither can adequately fill the role assistant captain Byron has on the team. It’s hard to imagine one of Kenny Agostino (one goal and zero assists in last 15 games) or Nicolas Sportsnet.ca / Paul Byron suspension could've been worse but still hurts Deslauriers (two goals and three points in 34 games) moving up from the Canadiens fourth line and doing the job. Unfortunate as that is for all parties involved, it could’ve been worse. Byron could have been handed a stiffer penalty by the league, which is Eric Engels January 16, 2019, 6:10 PM ruling with more of an iron fist than it has in recent years when it comes to hits like the one he threw at Weegar.

His unmarked past saved him—and the Canadiens—from that outcome. MONTREAL— Paul Byron has been suspended three games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for charging MacKenzie Weegar in Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.17.2019 the second period of his Montreal Canadiens’ 5-1 win over Weegar’s Florida Panthers on Tuesday. As far as we’re concerned, the punishment fit the crime. If anything, Byron got off light. Paul Byron forfeits $18,817.20 with this three-game suspension. — Eric Engels (@EricEngels) January 16, 2019 Byron’s clean history—this is the first-ever suspension for the veteran of over 400 NHL games (pre-season, regular season and post-season combined)—likely saved him from a lengthier suspension and thousands of more dollars in salary forfeiture. He’s an intense player but he’s never been known as a malicious one, and that in itself makes it doubtful he was targeting Weegar’s head or that he intended to inflict the damage he did on the play in question. Those factors were obviously taken into account in this decision. But Byron barreling in on the forecheck at full speed, jumping off the ice and connecting his shoulder to Weegar’s head was reckless at best. The result—Weegar’s head smashed into the glass and forced him to leave the game and submit to concussion protocol—was devastating. And the fact that the officials only deemed it to be a two-minute charging penalty, when they were well within their rights to assess a five-minute major and a game misconduct, all but guaranteed Byron would be hearing from the DoPS and receiving supplementary discipline on Wednesday. Panthers coach Bob Boughner said after Tuesday’s game that he expected the league to take care of it. “Byron launches himself excessively upwards, coming off the ice to deliver the hit, and in the process makes significant and forceful head contact,” read the statement in DoPS’ video explanation for its ruling late on Wednesday. “The onus is on Byron not to elevate excessively and launch into the hit. Regardless of Weegar’s movement, there is no reason why the shoulder of Byron should be making direct and forceful contact with Weegar’s head.” That on its own was worth a couple of games, and Weegar being injured justified the number going to three. Now, Byron and the Canadiens are just going to have to live with the consequences of his actions. The timing of 29-year-old’s suspension is precarious for the team, which has won three games in a row and is hoping to keep the ball rolling on Friday in Columbus, against a Blue Jackets team that’s won five of its last seven games. The Canadiens will miss Byron on Saturday, too, against a motivated Philadelphia Flyers team that will be rested and waiting for them in Montreal. And we’re sure they’d love to have him for next Wednesday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes, which will be their last before the NHL’s All-Star Weekend. Heck, the Canadiens would miss the man who has 10 goals and 18 points in 34 games this season no matter who they were playing and regardless of the situation they were facing. They certainly had a hard time without him in November, picking up just five wins in 14 games while he nursed a lower-body injury for the entire month. Over that time, Byron was particularly missed on the penalty kill, which allowed eight goals on 42 attempts and sunk to the bottom tier of the NHL in the category. It’s an area where the Canadiens will be challenged to replace him now, which hurts the momentum they’ve built in shutting down some of the league’s best power plays and allowing just three goals on 31 attempts in the eight games they’ve played since Jan. 1. Replacing the Ottawa native at five-on-five will also be challenging for Montreal. Charles Hudon, who’s played just three of the team’s last 23 games might be up for the task offensively. But his lack of versatility could see Canadiens coach Claude Julien turn to Matthew Peca, who’s been scratched for all but six games since Dec. 1. 1126492 Websites Edmonton a one-two punch at centre that is more than good enough to build a successful team around.

Yamamoto and the Cave Man Sportsnet.ca / Takeaways: Nugent-Hopkins giving Oilers true one-two punch at centre To be honest, there wasn’t a ton to notice about fourth-line centre Colby Cave in his first game as an Oiler. Which is a good thing, when a new player travels three time zones to join a new team. Mark Spector | @sportsnetspec January 17, 2019, 2:08 AM The book on Cave is that he is a dogged, hard-working depth player with exceptional intangibles. But, his skating is what has held him to just 24 NHL games in four professional seasons. Scouts say his skating It’s a funny thing, isn’t it? improved since last season however, and sometimes a developing player and a team intersect at just the right moment that the fit is just right for all Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli has had his struggles parties. when it comes to the bigger deals. But then he brings in a guy like Alex Chiasson on a Professional TryOut, dithers a while over whether or not We’ll need to see more before saying that is the case with Cave and the the journeyman winger deserves a contract, and finally says, “OK, we’ll Oilers, but in 9:35 of ice time he had a shot on goal, a couple of hits and give you $650,000 on a one-year deal.” a blocked shot. While Taylor Hall notches 11 goals this season in New Jersey, and Kailer Yamamoto, meanwhile, jumped right off of injured reserve and into Jordan Eberle counts his 10 tucks in Brooklyn, Chiasson has delivered the lineup. Like Cave, he played a careful, mostly error-free game. 17 goals and a shootout winner Wednesday night in Vancouver. Go figure. Unlike Cave, Yamamoto will be expected to put up points if he is to stay in Edmonton. Is he ready? Or does the first-rounder need some more It doesn’t right all wrongs, the Chiasson deal. We get that. time in Bakersfield? But in a season where so much of the support scoring has dried up, We’re not sure, but we’ll say this: We should know by the all-star break. thanks to Chiasson the Oilers beat Vancouver 3-2 in a shootout to move into a tie for the final wild-card spot with Minnesota, just one point back of Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.17.2019 Colorado. He rifled home the winner after all the millionaires failed to score. It marks the Oilers’ first back-to-back wins since Dec. 9-11, and in a crucial seven-game run to the all-star break they’re now 3-1 — with home games left against Calgary, Carolina and Detroit. Edmonton can’t make the playoffs in this seven-game stretch, but it could miss the playoffs if it lets it go by without collecting the necessary points. With an off day Thursday and a Battle of Alberta set for Saturday night at Rogers Place, Edmonton has thus far made some hay that simply had to be made. Here are our takeaways on the Oilers’ first win of the year against Vancouver, a true struggle against a Canucks team missing its best player, Elias Pettersson. Who’s The Goalie? When you let in just two goals in regulation, then stop all five shooters in a shootout, nobody is going to say that a goalie didn’t give his team a chance to win. But Mikko Koskinen also got what all good goalies get — a bit of luck to go with his fine play on Wednesday. The Canucks had just 11 shots on goal and two counters through two periods, but if not for an offside challenge, the count against Koskinen would have been 12 shots and three goals. There were also a handful of Grade A chances that missed the net, particularly off the stick of Brock Boeser, who looked Wednesday like he was using someone else’s lumber. Koskinen gets the win, and his game got stronger as the night wore on. What the Oilers need now is a month of this from the big Finn. Head coach Ken Hitchcock is desperately searching for one of Koskinen or Cam Talbot to grab the No. 1 job and not let it go. So far, halfway through January, neither one has. Sportsnet NOW gives you access to over 500 NHL games this season, blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the entire 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. RNH — Really Nice Hands So, there’s a reason why the head coach settles on Ryan Nugent- Hopkins as the guy who gets his own line, while Draisaitl sadles up alongside Connor McDavid on the top unit. It’s because Nugent-Hopkins is turning into such a well-rounded, responsible, offensively dangerous player. Nugent-Hopkins had two assists Wednesday, raising his totals to 15-29- 44 in 47 games this season. His career-high in points is 56, a number he is set to surpass by 20 while giving Hitchcock an excellent start on a potent second line — if only the GM could furnish them both with the wingers needed to complete a trio. Next time you look at a No. 1 overall draft pick who gets pushed too soon into a leading role in the NHL, think of Nugent-Hopkins. Today he is 25, has 500 games under his belt, and has grown into a player who gives 1126493 Websites January 14 2019 Audio Player Sportsnet.ca / 20 NHL trade candidates: Who will stay, who will go? Your browser does not support the audio element. Mark Stone, Ottawa Rory Boylen | @RoryBoylen January 16, 2019, 9:16 AM Contract: $7.35 million through 2018-19 The biggest question of the trade deadline is whether or not the Senators will even make Stone available. If they do, he would instantly become the This year’s NHL trade deadline may be one of the more difficult to predict best player on the market who is also having another stellar season with in years. Just trying to separate the buyers from the sellers is a chore as 20 goals and 48 points in 46 games. The 26-year-old is one of the best, if teams such as St. Louis and Arizona — left for dead weeks ago — now still underrated, two-way players in the game. Stuck on a bottom-feeding find themselves knocking on the door of a wild-card spot. team, Stone has the league’s best relative CF% at 5-on-5 and makes Meanwhile, those such as Colorado, Minnesota or Buffalo who looked everyone around him better. His plus-40 5-on-5 shot differential is 37(!) like near-locks for the post-season a month ago have since gone through better than the No. 2-ranked Senator. The only issue is he’s on an extended stretches of mediocrity and are now either out, or on the expiring contract so the return would be far higher for Ottawa if an precipice of being out, of their conference’s top eight. How will those acquiring team can get a new deal worked out. And then there’s the teams approach the Feb. 25 deadline? possibility he stays with the Sens by signing a long-term extension. If that isn’t done by Feb. 25, it’s hard to think the Senators would risk getting There aren’t many teams that have locked down a playoff spot, which nothing for him at all in July. makes the line between buyer and seller a little blurred. At the very least, some teams that turn out as buyers may only take a tepid approach. Matt Duchene, Ottawa “Who’s going to step up and go after the big pieces? Who’s going after Contract: $6 million through 2018-19 Jake Muzzin?” asked Elliotte Friedman on the Fan 960 last week. “Who’s Along the same lines as Stone, there are still some question as to going after the Ottawa guys if they hit the market? That to me is the whether or not the Senators will re-sign Duchene rather than trade him bigger question: Who’s going to take the run? Is Colorado with all their since the team has no incentive to throw away this season — remember, assets going to take a run this year or are they going to say, ‘We’re not Colorado has their 2019 first-round pick. Either way, with 42 points in 37 good enough this year, we’re going to wait until next year.'” games, he’s on the best points-per-game pace of his career and could We’ve come to expect some of the biggest names to be traded in the off- reach 30 goals for just the second time. As a centre, his trade value will season or around the draft, when teams have more fluidity around the be inflated, too, with many teams looking to add at the position. The Sens salary cap. But there is no shortage of names again this season being will be hard-pressed to get back as much as they gave up for Duchene in mentioned in the rumour mill in the lead-up to the 2019 trade deadline. the first place, but don’t underestimate what that return could be. Here are 20 NHL trade candidates to keep an eye on. As the landscape Ryan Dzingel, Ottawa changes between now and Feb. 25 we’ll update the list with the newest Contract: $1.8 million through 2018-19 developments. Just five goals and eight points shy of career-highs already, Dzingel is Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen go deep on pucks with a mix of facts and easily having the best season of his career. He’s tied for third on the fun, leaning on a varied group of hockey voices to give their take on the Senators in individual scoring chances and sits second in high-danger country’s most beloved game. chances. Twenty-six of his points have come at even strength, which isn’t , Carolina far off what Duchene or Stone has done. His 17.6 shooting percentage may be high, but it’s not far enough away from his career average (15.4) Contract: $5.75 million through 2020-21 to expect a major downturn is coming. If you want depth scoring for your second or even third line from the wing, you could do worse than Dzingel. Playing second- (and sometimes even third-) pair minutes for a team that struggles to score has hurt Hamilton’s offence this season and he’s on Jesse Puljujarvi, Edmonton pace for his worst point total since he was a second-year player with the Boston Bruins. But make no mistake: He’s as much an analytics darling Contract: $925,000 through 2018-19 as ever. His plus-128 is the best shot 5-on-5 shot differential among This season will bring Puljujarvi’s entry-level contract to a close and we Carolina blueliners and, given his usage, you can reasonably expect he’s still don’t know what kind of an NHLer he’ll be — or, perhaps, if he’s an capable of putting up better stats. Why is he in trade rumours again? NHLer for the long-term at all. Two respected coaches have presided Hamilton’s character has been in the crosshairs before, but this situation over him and neither has given him quality minutes for any meaningful seems to be more about roster requirements. The Canes need more goal duration. Depending on your viewpoint, that could either mean he doesn’t scoring up front, are stacked on the blue line, and it just so happens that have ‘it’ at this level, or that his offence hasn’t turned on because he Hamilton is the guy who could bring back exactly what they’re after. hasn’t been used favourably. That’s the issue when considering the 20- Micheal Ferland, Carolina year-old as a trade chip. As a fourth-overall pick just three years ago, his potential remains high even if it’s fallen off since. But any team picking Contract: $1.75 million through 2018-19 him up will be getting somewhat of a project player whose future is unclear. Put him on a line with an offensive stud or two and Ferland, who would otherwise be a third-liner, becomes a very reliable contributor who puts in Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles 20 goals and adds sandpaper to a top line. This past weekend, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported that it was believed Ferland was Contract: $5.8 million through 2022-23 seeking Tom Wilson-type money ($5.16-million cap hit), which could The goalie market is interesting again for the first time in years, but most make him a straight-up rental for any buyer. But what he would bring in of the teams looking for one are in need of a backup. If Quick were to be the final months of the regular season and in a playoff run is exactly what made available by the Kings he would change the fortunes of a team many teams are looking for. You want size and a good baseline of skill? needing an upgrade like, say, the Philadelphia Flyers. The Kings’ season Ferland is your guy. was never on the rails and it would take a miracle for them to get to the Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia playoffs at this point, which means all kinds of trade options could be on the table. Over the past five years, of goalies who have at least 200 Contract: $3.975 million through 2018-19 games played, Quick’s .918 save percentage is tied for ninth, right among the best at the position. This might be more of an off-season Speaking of skill and sandpaper, you could argue Simmonds brings a move if it happens at all, but Quick can singlehandedly carry a team little more of both than Ferland. From 2015-16 to today, only Alex through the playoffs. Ovechkin (62) and Jamie Benn (45) have more than Wayne Simmonds’ 44 power-play goals, so if you need help on the man advantage, he’s a Jake Muzzin, Los Angeles good player to look into. In that same span, he ranks 26th among all NHL forwards in hits, showing the six-foot-two, 185-pound winger’s physical Contract: $4 million through 2019-20 side. If you want a left-shot defenceman for your top-four — and someone who Reach Deep would even seamlessly fit on your top pair — Muzzin is one of the best potential options available at the deadline. Long a favourite of stats- A buyers market heading into the NHL's trade deadline heads, Muzzin is the only Kings defenceman with a CF% above 50 this season (50.4), he has the best on-ice goal differential of any blueliner on Pinder and Steinberg his team and, to satisfy the more traditional crowd, he has the 14th-most hits among all NHL rearguards this season. What Muzzin brings in Elliotte Friedman: Calgary's approach to the trade deadline and defence he doesn’t lack in offence, either — he has three 30-plus-assist Giordano's play seasons in his career and has the most primary points per 60 minutes January 14 2019 among all Kings defenders this season. The 29-year-old is an elite, modern day shutdown defender right in his prime. Audio Player Alec Martinez, Los Angeles Your browser does not support the audio element. Contract: $4 million through 2020-21 Mats Zuccarello, NY Rangers He won’t wow you with point totals or big hits, but the 31-year-old Contract: $4.5 million through 2018-19 Martinez does everything pretty well. A second-pair defenceman and left shot who plays the right side (next to Muzzin), you can feel good about At 31 and a pending UFA, many are expecting Zuccarello to get traded deploying Martinez in all three zones, plus he comes with the added by the deadline, but he recently told the New York Post‘s Larry Brooks bonus of having two more years of control after this season. that all the rumours had been negatively effecting his play. In the three seasons prior to this, Zuccarello had the 41st-most primary assists per 60 Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues minutes at 5-on-5 and in the one season he fell short of 50 points over the past five seasons he ended up at 49. His stat line won’t look that Contract: $6.5 million through 2019-20 pretty this year after a slow start, but don’t sleep on him. A first quarter Norris favourite last season has become a potential trade Brayden Schenn, St. Louis piece this season. Pietrangelo has gotten better as this season has gone on, though, and shouldn’t be considered as anything less than a top-pair Contract: $5.125 million through 2019-20 blueliner if he gets dealt. The Blues get 52.57 per cent of the shots when he’s on the ice, but just 46.55 per cent of the goals, which is due to the The Blues acquired Schenn from Philadelphia for Jori Lehtera and a first- fact St. Louis’s goalies have stopped just 89.49 per cent of the 5-on-5 round pick, so they’d want to at least recoup that selection in one of the shots with Pietrangelo out there. He averages 24:07 per game and is next two drafts. Following a career season, Schenn is now on his worst heavily leaned on for both special-teams units. His points are well off his pace since 2014-15. The good thing about him is, like Carter, Schenn career average, but he does have six in nine games since returning from can play either centre or wing and bring a little grit, too. He’s signed for injury. Still just 28, anyone trading for Pietrangelo now will vastly upgrade another season after this one, so an acquiring team can take a couple of their blue line for two playoff runs. shots with him. Pat Maroon, St. Louis Alex Edler, Vancouver Contract: $1.75 million through 2018-19 Contract: $5 million through 2018-19 Even as the Blues are quietly slinking back into the playoff hunt, don’t Edler has full no-trade protection, so he’d have to sign off on any count GM Doug Armstrong out as a seller. They were in the hunt last potential deal. He and his agent have made it clear in the past that they’d season and it didn’t stop them from trading out pending UFA Paul rather stay in Vancouver, but maybe the team deals him now and tries to Stastny, and two years ago they made the playoffs after trading Kevin re-sign him over the summer. Averaging 23:19 per game, Edler is Shattenkirk, another pending UFA, at the deadline. Maroon isn’t the Vancouver’s workhorse, the kind even a rebuilding team needs to protect same quality, but he too is on an expiring contract and could bring a pick its young players from being forced into roles they’re not ready for. Edler back to the Blues. With good linemates he could score anywhere may only be a true rental for some team and his minutes would surely be between 10-20 goals in a season and, just maybe, his former team in scaled back with someone else in a depth role. Edmonton would be interested in putting him back with McDavid. Chris Tanev, Vancouver Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Contract: $4.45 million through 2019-20 Contract: $7.5 million through 2022-23 Averaging 20:35 per game, Tanev is the other solid, veteran defensive From 2014-15 through 2017-18, only Ovechkin scored more goals than blueliner the Canucks lean on for key minutes. Just as with Edler, Tarasenko. This year’s been a different story for the 27-year-old, though. though, the question is if the Canucks make him available or would rather All the focus is on his struggles to put the puck in the back of the net, and keep him around the kids. No Canuck averages more shorthanded time how often he’s missing the target altogether. Still, according to than Tanev and, in fact, only seven others in the league play more PK NaturalStatTrick.com, Tarasenko has had 52 high-danger scoring time than the 29-year-old. The knock on him is injuries — he hasn’t chances himself in 2018-19, which is tied for 17th in the league, sitting played 70 games in a season since 2014-15 — but there is no shortage just above names like Jeff Skinner, Sean Monahan and Brad Marchand. of teams looking for the defensive help the right-shot Tanev would bring. With four goals in his past six games, the anticipated turnaround may Ilya Kovalchuk, Los Angeles already be starting. It’s not often a scorer like this in his prime is traded at the deadline, especially when you consider he’s got a long-term contract Contract: $6.25 million through 2020-21 in hand. If he could do it again, Kings GM Rob Blake probably wouldn’t give Kevin Hayes, NY Rangers Kovalchuk the same three-year contract to woo him back from the KHL he did over the summer. The 35-year-old has been everywhere from the Contract: $5.175 million through 2018-19 first line to the fourth line for the Kings, playing as few as 6:20 in a With younger centres pushing for time from within the organization, the November game. He scored twice on Dec. 22 in his first game back from rebuilding Rangers are considering trading pending UFA Hayes to add an injury that kept him out three weeks, but hasn’t scored again since. If some pieces and make room for the future. For his part, Hayes’ play has the Kings trade Kovalchuk it’s hard to imagine the receiving team not only increased his value and he leads the Rangers in primary assists per also wanting Los Angeles to retain some of his salary. He’s just not 60 minutes. Teams are always looking for depth at the centre position working there, so it and may be able to get Hayes for less than most of the others on the list. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.17.2019 If you need a third-line centre, Hayes is a pretty good pickup for a few months. Jeff Carter, LA Kings Contract: $5.875 million through 2021-22 You’re not getting prime Carter anymore, so don’t bank on adding a 40- goal man here — in Carter’s past 73 regular season games he has 23 goals. But, he is a versatile player who can play both wing and centre and within a better offence than Los Angeles there may be more offence to tap here. He just turned 34 on Jan. 1 and has another three years of control beyond this one, which could be a blessing or a curse. But if you’re going after Carter you’re probably looking for size, offensive upside, and a playoff veteran. 1126494 Websites "I’m really familiar with those two guys, so it’ll be exciting for sure," Hyman said. "Everyone had a role on that line, everyone knows what their role was and did it effectively. We all complement each other." Sportsnet.ca / Skidding Maple Leafs shake up top lines ahead of game To a man, Toronto chalks up its recent skid to a lack of effort, and until vs. Lightning recently, the Leafs’ cushion on the Atlantic Division pack has allowed them to ease up on the pedal and take their time with goaltender Andersen’s rehabilitation from a lingering groin injury. Luke Fox | @lukefoxjukebox January 16, 2019, 2:10 PM "We’re not doing the little things right: breaking down defensively, turning pucks over… losing coverage in the D zone or making a lazy pass, or just getting outworked," explains Jake Gardiner, the fans’ whipping boy TORONTO — Status quo will no longer cut it. during this rocky period. "All of us in this room are so competitive, and we expect so much out of each other. I think the fans are the same way. In the wake of their ugliest stretch of home efforts in three years, some well-documented booing of a core player, and the toughest offensive lull "You hit a boiling point. We do that the same way in the room. If we’re not of what, looking big picture, has been a bountiful campaign, the Toronto playing well, we start getting frustrated. I think that’s what happened." Maple Leafs are shaking things up. What’s happening now is Toronto’s standings cushion has turned Wednesday’s atypically vocal and especially spirited 35-minute practice airplane-pillow thin. The Leafs are only up by one point on Boston and began with a bang and a crash, and ended in a bag skate disguised as a Montreal (granted, they do have games in hand). series of full-speed, 2-on-2 rushes. They’re better than this. During warm-ups, John Tavares whizzed a high shot by Frederik Andersen that smashed a pane of Plexiglas behind the goaltender’s ear Perhaps it was difficult to manufacture desperation full of Christmas ham and necessitated a change of ice pads. and the confidence knowing you can crank the dial when necessary. Mike Babcock ratcheted up the volume and intensity, skating a bunch of The tenor shifted with a bang Wednesday. A tweak to the top line, a jolt guys who have dropped five of seven so hard that it became a point of of intensity, and a wake-up call ahead of a meaningful divisional test. conversation. "We want to be proud guys when we leave the rink, and if you don’t put it The coach also tweaked his top three forward lines, pulling his most all in, you can’t be proud when you leave," Babcock said. trusted left winger, Zach Hyman, away from his most productive duo, Tavares and Mitchell Marner, in effort to jump-start Auston Matthews and "Shake it off and let’s get playing." William Nylander out of their goal slumps. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.17.2019 Although Babcock reserved the right to change his mind ahead of Thursday’s showdown versus the NHL-leading Tampa Bay Lightning as he re-watched recent Bolts games on the charter, the projected lines now look like this: Johnsson-Tavares-Marner Hyman-Matthews-Nylander Marleau-Kadri-Kapanen Lindholm-Gauthier-Brown “Obviously, we’re going through a bit of a lull right now. It’s our job to dig ourselves out and claw back into playing the way we were this season,” Matthews said. “That’s up to us. Nobody else.” The third-year centre simply expects to score, nightly, and yet he’s found the net just once in his past 10 outings. A reunion of Nylander and Hyman as his wingmen would represent a throwback to the trio Matthews grew most comfortable with over his first two NHL seasons. It’s a composition of forwards that worked well on the cycle. "We have a lot of experience the past two years playing together, and we’re obviously trying to spark something here offensively," Matthews said. "Zach’s obviously a heavy player—gets in on pucks, wins pucks back, gets to the net. Me and Willy are kinda interchanging, making plays and trying to create stuff offensively down low, and that’s something we want to get back to." It’s notable that Nylander’s lone goal 16 games into his long-delayed, snake-bitten 2018-19 was the result of a smooth give-and-go orchestrated by Matthews. Worker bee Hyman has invested the blue-collar effort that has aided in career-year bids for both Marner and Tavares, and has given that group clear No. 1 status; due to Matthews’ shoulder injury and Nylander’s contractual impasse, the second unit has always remained a work-in- progress. (Kadri’s third line even more so, due to the trickle effect.) "Matty’s a goal-scorer," Babcock said. "It’s getting pucks in good spots around the net so you can do that, I think, is important. I think his game has really come on here of late. I think he’s really starting to find some rhythm in his game. Whether people want to believe it or not, when you’re out for a long time, it takes time." Hyman said he hoped the Leafs will be able to look back on Monday’s 6- 3 loss to Colorado, a bubble team mired in a 1-9 drought, as the lowest point of the season. And he’s encouraged with a idea of reforming the HNM Line. 1126495 Websites on their heads coming to games. It was crazy. And then you win and all is forgotten. It’s so bizarre.”

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.17.2019 Sportsnet.ca / Daniel Winnik on salute-gate: 'I just remember us being really pissed off'

Sportsnet Staff | @Sportsnet January 16, 2019, 6:03 PM

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Jake Gardiner and Maple Leafs fans were in the news this week for boos that rained down on the defenceman every time he touched the puck Monday night. Gardiner had a bad giveaway Saturday that led to a goal for the Boston Bruins and lost a physical battle with Carl Soderberg on Monday that led to the game-winning goal while Toronto was on the power play. A section of fans had enough and made their voices heard. With the Leafs having a poor two-week stretch and Boston on the verge of overtaking them for second in the division, perhaps some recalled Gardiner’s miserable minus-5 in Game 7 of last year’s playoff loss to the Bruins. Did that have something to do with it, or are Maple Leafs fans just generally a tough group to please? “I loved it. I didn’t think it was that hard,” former Leaf Daniel Winnik said on The Good Show Wednesday about the pressures of playing in front of Leafs Nation. “But maybe because of my style of hockey and I wasn’t a guy breaking the bank and being paid one of the highest on the team. I didn’t find it that hard or the fans that difficult. I think the pressure and scrutiny you’re under in Toronto as a high-paid player and someone who’s expected to perform night in and night out at a very high level, then yes it’s tough.” Winnik played 114 games for Toronto in 2014-15 and 2015-16, a span that marked one of the lower points in years for the team. In full rebuild mode by the end of his tenure, expectations were low and their 29-42-11 record in his final year with the Leafs put them at the very bottom of the league and landed them Auston Matthews in the draft. In his first season as a Leaf, though, the team was still in transition (or denial). They were just a year removed from making the playoffs and though that was followed up with a miss, the base of the roster was still intact, so there was at least some belief a rebound season could be in the cards. A slow start numbed that optimism and tossing jerseys on the ice became a sport — even Carey Price poked fun at the team. An embarrassing 9-2 loss to Nashville in November formally flung the 18- wheeler off the cliff. Instead of saluting the fans with their sticks following that loss, the Leafs just skated off the ice. “Salute-gate” took on a life of its own and is still talked about today, in hushed tones. “I just remember us being really pissed off at what the fans had been doing over the last week or so with the jerseys coming on the ice and all that stuff,” Winnik recalled. “It just happened. That’s all I remember. I didn’t think it was going to be a big deal to what it was. I never thought ‘this is going to be a huge media story and we’re going to be in a lot of trouble for this.’ I’m sure if anybody knew that would happen we wouldn’t have done it.” Video of the non-salute and the lead-up to it has been combed over and analyzed as much as the Zapruder film, though all the Leafs of the time denied it was a planned snub, and Winnik backed that up. What’s similar about salute-gate, the jersey-tossers of 2014 and the boos for Jake Gardiner is a fan base struggling to come to terms with a bad stretch. The Leafs are in a vastly different place today, but the fan reactions aren’t that different from what you’d see in other hockey-mad markets. In fact, Winnik said he experienced worse elsewhere. “I don’t think the fans are unfair,” he said. “It’s no different than other cities I’ve played in. To me the hardest place to play, I was only there for 20-something games, was Pittsburgh. They were tough. Those were some die-hard fans that really freaking cared and if you played bad…I was getting so ridiculed on Twitter when I was there.” In Gardiner’s case, it was especially strange to hear fans boo one of the better 5-on-5 offensive blueliners in the entire NHL, on a team that’s widely regarded as a Stanley Cup contender. But winning cures all and, thankfully for Gardiner, this edition of the Leafs should be hitting the win column regularly again soon. This 18-wheeler won’t be steering off any cliffs. “I just remember being a kid who grew up in Toronto and being a Leaf fan,” Winnik said. “And then you’re on the ice and you see jerseys coming over because people are ashamed to wear it, people had bags 1126496 Websites season (2008) when he would lose to the Red Wings. The next season, Crosby’s fourth, Pittsburgh won the Cup, and they would win back-to- back Cups in 2016 and 2017, giving Crosby three rings and four Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' McDavid isn't the first NHL great to endure early appearances in the first dozen years of his NHL career. team struggles For now, McDavid has little to complain about in comparison to players like Lemieux and Yzerman. You can point to the cap jail that Chiarelli has imposed on the Oilers, but you could also mention assistant GM Keith Mark Spector | @sportsnetspec January 16, 2019, 10:02 AM Gretzky and the Oilers drafting improving immensely. So the cavalry could be coming.

Of course, Oilers fans have heard that for years. Somehow, those horses EDMONTON — Four years into Connor McDavid’s career, and just a few never quite come over the horizon in Edmonton. days past his 22nd birthday, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a herd of Western Conference teams all fighting for the same two wild-card Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.17.2019 spots. The Oilers are neither a lock for the playoffs, nor a team that will be favoured to win that first-round matchup against a No. 1 divisional seed should they get there. Heck, it’s ever fair to ask if the team is appreciably better today than the day Peter Chiarelli took over the GM duties back in the spring of 2015, just a few months before he and the Oilers were gifted McDavid in the draft lottery. All of which leads us to the question: Is Connor McDavid being shorted a chance at success in his young career? Edmonton has seen McDavid’s entry-level contract come and go, and now that’s he’s earning $12.5 million, it gets that much tougher to surround him with a roster than is Stanley Cup-worthy. Are the Oilers wasting him? So far McDavid, the first-overall draft pick in the 2015 draft, has one playoff appearance in three seasons, when Edmonton went two rounds in 2017. But under Chiarelli it has been mostly downhill from there, with a fired coach and now a GM in limbo — all while the best young player in the sport wins Art Ross trophies on a team that struggles to finish Top 8 out West. Is McDavid hard done by? Well, here’s a look at the career paths of five other superstars. So far, McDavid has little to complain about by comparison. But if the Oilers futility continues… A weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world with hosts Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek. New episodes every Thursday. Wayne Gretzky Gretzky’s Oilers never once missed the playoffs during his 10 seasons there, reaching the Stanley Cup for the first time in 1983, Year 5 in the NHL for Gretzky. They would win the Cup in ’84, ’85, ’87 and ’88, giving Gretzky five Cup appearances and four rings in a decade in Edmonton before being sold to the Los Angeles Kings by owner Peter Pocklington. He would enjoy one more trip to a Cup Final in 1993, where the Kings lost to the Montreal Canadiens. Steve Yzerman Yzerman’s first NHL season was 1983-84, after being chosen fourth overall by Detroit in ‘83. The Red Wings went to the Campbell Conference Final in his fourth season, and made the second round in his ninth season. The rest of the time they were mostly first-round fodder. Yzerman was 12 seasons into his career when the Red Wings became a team that was ready to challenge for a Stanley Cup. They lost that season (1994-95) in the Cup Final to New Jersey, but would win the Stanley Cup in ’97, ’98 and 2002 — NHL seasons No. 14, 15 and 19 for Yzerman. Mario Lemieux The first-overall pick in 1984, Lemieux did not play a playoff game until the spring of ’89 and missed the post-season in five of his first six seasons. In 1991 and ’92 — season Nos. 7 and 8 for Mario, the Penguins won the only Stanley Cups that he would play in. Eric Lindros Lindros went first overall to Quebec in ’91, but never played a game there before moving to Philadelphia in a trade. As a Flyer he missed the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, then made it for five of his last six seasons — reaching the 1997 Final only to be swept by Detroit. That was the highlight of a truncated career that would see Lindros play just 53 playoff games, ending with a single Cup appearance and zero rings. Sidney Crosby The first-overall pick in 2005 — awarded to Pittsburgh in a league-wide lottery after the lockout season — Crosby’s Penguins missed the playoffs in his rookie season. They would make the playoffs in every season of his career after that, taking Crosby to a Stanley Cup Final in his third 1126497 Websites Nashville 60 48 San Jose 63 48 Colorado 50 46 Vegas 60 49 Sportsnet.ca / How NHL playoff picture would look under different WC Wild Cards Points GP First 4 Out formats Points GP Dallas 50 47 Anaheim 47 47 Rory Boylen | @RoryBoylen January 16, 2019, 1:44 PM Minnesota 49 46 St. Louis 45 45

Edmonton 47 46 Arizona 43 Earlier this season there were reports that some NHL owners had an 45 interest in expanding the current playoff format to allow four more teams to get in — two from each conference. Vancouver 47 47 Chicago 41 48 When commissioner Gary Bettman was asked about it by Elliotte Friedman, though, he shot down the idea. Looking at this from a Western Conference perspective, it actually hurts the intensity of the race. The inconsistencies experienced by the likes of “It’s not getting widespread support,” Bettman told Friedman on the 31 Dallas, Colorado and Minnesota recently — every one of which has Thoughts podcast. “There is no proposal. You’re making it sound like some pressure to get in this season — isn’t so costly here. While they’re there’s this movement out there to do that. There isn’t.” the same distance from being out of a playoff spot under these rules, If anything were to happen, it may have to wait until the 32nd franchise there’d just be one team within two or three points: the free-falling from Seattle arrives, but even that’s not clear. If 20 of 32 teams are Anaheim Ducks. St. Louis and Arizona have a better shot at nabbing one admitted to the post-season that means 62.5 per cent of the league of the last two spots here, but with the seasons they’ve had, that’d feel a would get in, which would be the highest percentage of all the major bit undeserved, wouldn’t it? North American sports. To some, the integrity of the regular season What impact would this have on the trade deadline? Chicago and Los would then come into question. Angeles might be the only two Western Conference teams you’d feel There is no indication the NHL wants to change its playoff format at all, confident ruling out right now. Edmonton comes off as a less-desperate but it’s still fun to explore what the landscape would look like in these buyer and Vancouver even becomes a little more intriguing. scenarios. So, we looked at three different options using the NHL THE BEST 16 TEAMS standings as of Jan. 16. If you think admitting 20 of 31 or 32 teams to the playoffs is too much, Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen go deep on pucks with a mix of facts and you’d hate what the NHL did in 1979-80 and 1980-81. With four WHA fun, leaning on a varied group of hockey voices to give their take on the teams being added, the NHL changed its format to a league-wide 1-16 country’s most beloved game. ranking, with the guarantee that division winners would get in. That THE PLAY-IN FORMULA meant 16 of 21 teams qualified for the post-season. Adding two more wild-card teams to each conference and a “play-in” First 5 Out Points GP round. The seventh seed would play the 10th seed and the eighth would Minnesota 49 46 play the ninth in a best-of-three series where the higher-ranked team hosts every game. The winner would advance to the “first round” of the Carolina 49 46 playoffs, and the rest of it would unfold as it does now. Edmonton 47 46 Atlantic Division Points GP Metro Division Points GP Vancouver 47 47 Tampa Bay 74 47 Columbus 59 Anaheim 47 47 46 The arguments against doing this now have to do with travel and Toronto 58 45 Washington 59 46 expenses. If you finish first overall, but have to travel across the continent for two or three games in the first round, it’s not much of an advantage. Boston 57 46 NY Islanders 56 45 You’d also have a lower frequency of geographical or natural rivalries, which the NHL has been big on developing in recent years. EC Wild Cards Points GP First 4 Out Points GP The benefits of this system are clear: it gives us the best shot to advance the best teams. But even in a 1-16 ranking some pretty good franchises Montreal 57 48 NY Rangers 45 will be put out early. Just look at some of these potential epic first-round 46 series: Pittsburgh 56 46 New Jersey Vegas vs. Montreal: Max Pacioretty revenge series anyone? 43 46 Winnipeg vs. Pittsburgh: Winnipeg goes from lining up against Dallas in Buffalo 52 46 Detroit 43 48 the current system to facing Crosby and company. Carolina 49 46 Florida 42 45 Washington vs. Toronto: A rematch of the 2017 series. Toronto just can’t Claiming one of the top three divisional spots would become so much escape difficult first-round matchups. more important in this format to avoid playing two or three extra games CONFERENCE 1-8 and expending that energy. The playoffs are already enough of a slog as it is that those play-in games would really put teams at a disadvantage Another look back at how things used to be. We’ll guarantee division the rest of the way. winners a spot in the playoffs, but not the top two spots just to make it a little more interesting. The playoff races don’t change much from the So if you feel confident that Toronto and Boston will make it to the current ones here because the bottom looks the same. But how do the playoffs under the current playoff rules anyway, the play-in scenario matchups lineup today? would turn up the pressure a bit with Montreal nipping at their heels. Although they have games in hand, can you imagine Toronto slipping out EC Top 8 Points GP WC Top 8 Points GP of the top three in the division and playing a best-of-three against Carolina or Buffalo before having to play Tampa Bay or the Metro Tampa Bay 74 47 Calgary 64 47 champion in a best-of-seven? Columbus 59 46 San Jose 63 48 This set up gives new life to the Rangers, too, who would be just four Washington 59 46 Winnipeg 62 46 points out. Toronto 58 45 Nashville 60 48 Central Division Points GP Pacific Division Points GP Boston 57 46 Vegas 60 49 Winnipeg 62 46 Calgary 64 47 Montreal 57 48 Colorado 50 46 NY Islanders 56 45 Dallas 50 47 Pittsburgh 56 46 Minnesota 49 46 There isn’t a lot of change here, other than it’d be possible the top three Pacific teams — all of which are on fire right now — could get into Round 2. Under the current rules, one of them is guaranteed to be eliminated in Round 1. Even still, with five high-end teams in the conference, there’s no avoiding someone being booted out early. Montreal and the Islanders switch, with the Habs avoiding the top team in the Metro (currently Columbus) and getting the third seed instead (which would be Washington). Toronto still gets Boston. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126498 Websites Over the next five months, it was as though the Avs and Senators traded places. That 98-point Ottawa team of 2016-17, second in the Atlantic Division, tumbled to 30th overall to close out 2017-18 with 67 points. Sportsnet.ca / Senators still dealing with ramifications of Matt Duchene The Avs were convinced the trade of Duchene was key. Not that he blockbuster wasn’t a great player for Colorado, but because he clearly wanted out. MacKinnon told Sportsnet at the time that the trade “did a lot” to improve Wayne Scanlan January 16, 2019, 1:59 PM the atmosphere in the room. MacKinnon remains good friends with Duchene, but he came into his own after Duchene departed, and MacKinnon recognizes how the trade has set up his club. For more than a quarter-century, the Colorado Avalanche has been one “We know things are still coming our way (from the trade),” MacKinnon of those obscure western teams that hardly registered a pulse in Ottawa. said prior to the game against the Senators. “We have Shane Bowers at Boston University, and obviously the first-round pick (and a third) this That changed dramatically in the fall of 2017, when Colorado, Ottawa year. and Nashville pulled off a blockbuster trade that sent Matt Duchene from Colorado to Ottawa, Kyle Turris from the Senators to the Predators, plus “We’re not counting on anything.” defenceman Samuel Girard from Nashville to Colorado, and Ottawa prospect Shane Bowers to Colorado. Vitally, the Avs also scooped No offence, Ottawa, but MacKinnon hopes you finish dead last to Ottawa’s 2019 first- and third-round picks — the first-round pick was improve Colorado’s odds of drafting first overall. determined after the Senators decided to keep their 2018 pick to select “The higher, the better for us,” MacKinnon says. “We’d love to get Jack Brady Tkachuk fourth overall. Hughes or (Kaapo) Kakko, whomever, but we can’t count on that. Fourteen months later, the ramifications of that trade loom at least as “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want them (the Senators) to finish last. If large today as they did on Nov. 5, 2017. For fans of the Senators, the Detroit had it, I would want them to finish last, or Pittsburgh. Whoever. sight of the Avs at the Canadian Tire Centre Wednesday is a cruel We just happened to do the deal with Ottawa.” reminder that Colorado owns Ottawa’s first-round pick, almost certainly a lottery pick. Girard came from Nashville in the deal and has stepped in to become a top-pairing defenceman alongside Erik Johnson. After the trade, That snowy Avs logo symbolizes it will be a cold day in hell before Colorado nearly doubled its previous season’s point total, from 48 to 95 Ottawa gets its 2019 lottery pick back. points — fourth in the Central, 8th in the conference — only to lose in the If Duchene’s contract been extended by now, the blockbuster transaction first playoff round. would be viewed in a different light. But Duchene, acquired by Ottawa in The one 2018 draft pick netted by Colorado, a second-rounder from a go-for-it moment coming off a trip to the Eastern Conference Final, is Nashville, was flipped to Pittsburgh for a third- and a fifth-round pick, now a pending UFA on a rebuilding Senators team. If Senators general used to draft a Finnish goalie Justus Annunen and Russian defenceman manager Pierre Dorion can’t get Duchene signed prior to the Feb. 25 Danila Zhuravlyov. It will take years to close the books on the Duchene trade deadline, it will be his turn to maximize a return for Duchene. But deal, considering the two more Ottawa picks for Colorado. because he is now a rental player, Dorion can’t come close to cashing in the way the Avs did. This season, the Avs have run hot and cold, and lately more cold than hot. Give Dorion credit. He was on a bird to Los Angeles on Tuesday, scheduled to meet with Duchene’s agent, Pat Brisson, to talk contract. Before Monday’s impressive 6-3 victory in Toronto over the Maple Leafs, This will get interesting. the Avs had posted one win in their previous 10, tumbling from fourth in the Western Conference on Dec. 21 to a more precarious wild-card Duchene’s perfect storm position. That wasn’t their first steep dip. On Dec. 6, the Avs were tied Wednesday was surreal for Duchene. He just became a first-time dad with Nashville for first in the West with a 17-7-5 record. last week (to son Beau), and his birthday fell Jan. 16, just as he prepared On their best days, Colorado’s electric top line of MacKinnon, Mikko to face his old Avalanche team. Rantanen and Landeskog dances and finishes and carries the team to “Crazy day,” Duchene said. “I feel pretty old today, I’ll tell you that. victory. The big trio has scored nearly 50 per cent of Colorado’s goals. On their worst, the Avs get lit up in their own end and can’t find “Being a dad and now 28 — it makes you want to puke a little bit. I came secondary scoring. Rantanen (69 points) and MacKinnon (66) are in the into the league at 18. It’s crazy how fast 10 years have gone.” top five of NHL scorers. Colorado GM Joe Sakic, Duchene’s boyhood hero, was very patient At the moment, the Avs are tied for third in the Central with 50 points in a before delivering on Duchene’s request to move out of Denver because very fluid Western Conference playoff situation. he was tired of missing out on playoff appearances (he played eight post- season games with the Avs). Sakic provided yet another illustration of Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.17.2019 how to maximize a return on elite assets: move them in their prime, while they have term. If they gotta go. It’s not for the faint of heart. Duchene, Colorado’s third-overall pick in 2009, was thought to be a future cornerstone for the Avs, along with fellow 2009 pick Ryan O’Reilly (33rd overall), 2011 second-overall pick Gabriel Landeskog and 2013 first-overall pick Nathan MacKinnon. The future looked bright, but as often happens with major rebuilds (hello, Edmonton) there are setbacks. In 2013-14, Colorado won the Central Division with 112 points, second in the Western Conference, only to lose in the first round. By 2016-17, the Avs had hit rock bottom — finishing with 48 points, the lowest of any NHL team since the now-defunct Atlanta Thrashers of 1999-2000, who had 39 points. Where they were in November 2017 It’s worth a reminder where the three teams involved in the Duchene/Turris trade were in the fall of 2017, and what has become of them since. Nashville, a symbol of excellence in the Western Conference the past three seasons, was coming off a trip to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. The Preds were fine-tuning a potential Cup-winning roster and continue to do so. The Senators were thinking highly of themselves, despite all manner of statistical evidence that their run to the conference final was not sustainable. 1126499 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Ex-NHLer John Scott on frozen lake accident: 'I'm glad I'm still alive'

Mike Johnston | @MikeyJ_MMA January 16, 2019, 1:18 PM

“I’m glad I’m still alive.” That’s what retired NHL enforcer and 2016 all-star hero John Scott had to say several days after falling through the Cedar Lake ice near his home in Traverse City, Mich., this past weekend. Scott posted to his Instagram page a video his wife filmed of him on his dock going over what happened with his family. He has since gone into more detail about the harrowing experience. “It was a nice day, the sun was out so I thought I’d go and shovel it off and skate maybe that night or the next day,” Scott told Chris Kuc of The Athletic (subscription required). “So I went down there with a couple of shovels, put the headphones on, stepped onto the ice and boom, right through.” The 6-foot-8 Scott, who tipped the scales at 260 pounds during his playing days, saw there was an ice fisherman out on the lake so he figured the ice was thick enough for him to walk on and for his family to skate on. In this type of setting, it doesn’t take long for a simple error in judgement to quickly become a life or death situation. “I couldn’t get up on my dock the first three or four attempts because I was soaking wet — I was just drenched,” Scott explained. “I was like, ‘OK, do I scream for the ice fisherman but how is he going to get me?’ My kids were playing up at the house and they weren’t going to hear me screaming with the noise up there. “I tried to hoist myself up but I couldn’t do it and there was no way I could get to a part where I could walk up because at the end of my dock it’s probably 20 feet deep and I couldn’t get around to where the beach starts, so I was like, ‘either I get up on the dock or I don’t get up at all.’ I managed to find a somewhat solid piece of ice to put my foot up on and kind of hoist myself up luckily.” Scott said the experience scared him enough to where he and his family will be heading to the local rink for theirs skates for the remainder of the winter. “It’s funny, you’re not scared right away, you’re just like panicked, but then once you get out you realize like, wow, that could have gone a lot worse than it actually did,” Scott added. “I was lucky enough to be close to my dock and I could kind of grab onto it after I came up and work my way up on the edge and climb up. It was pretty sketchy.” Scott officially retired from professional hockey late in 2016. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126500 Websites “It’s just carelessness. It’s a lack of diligence in the important parts of the rink. Even though we’re on the power play, we have to have some conscience defensively.” —Mike Sullivan, fuming that his Penguins lead Sportsnet.ca / NHL Power Rankings: What Does the Coach Say? Edition the NHL with 10 shorthanded goals allowed. 10. Boston Bruins Luke Fox | @lukefoxjukebox January 16, 2019, 9:03 AM “The standard we expect out of him I don’t think has been there enough lately, period. He’s been told that. We want him to play his way out of it.” —Bruce Cassidy, lighting a fire under Jake DeBrusk this week. He is your wise teacher, your greatest supporter, and your harshest critic. 11. Toronto Maple Leafs He is your boss, and his words serve as a job review — daily, often “It’s not mentally sharp enough, physically engaged enough either. We’ve publicly. only got ourselves to blame. Obviously, myself as the head coach, I’m responsible. We didn’t play well enough, we didn’t play hard enough and He is your head coach, for now. the players are the same way. We weren’t good enough.” —Mike Babcock on the Maple Leafs’ 2019 mediocrity. Yes, with GMs (usually) speaking calmly and with less frequency, and with players embracing the safety of the cliché, there are few better ways 12. New York Islanders to gauge the internal temperature of a hockey team. “They’re a great illustration of what you can be when the strength is in the Without further ado, we present our NHL Power Rankings: What Does group, not necessarily in any individual.” —Barry Trotz on the revival of the Coach Say? Edition. the Islanders’ excellent fourth line (Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck, Matt Martin). As always, the clubs are listed in order of which ones we believe are the most dangerous today. 13. Montreal Canadiens For the write-ups, we’ve handpicked a recent quote from all 31 bench “It’s the kind of thing we don’t see much anymore, but I think the players bosses (thank you, beat reporters everywhere!) that speaks to each and the coaches appreciated what he did.” —Claude Julien on how team’s current mood. Nicolas Deslauriers’ fight with Boston’s Kevan Miller helped boost the Habs to Monday’s big win. With 6 grams of delicious, crunchy, energy-giving protein, there’s nothing you and almonds can’t do. Visit Almonds.com for more ways to slay your 14. Carolina Hurricanes day. “It’s him and the rest. What I saw him do here I’ll never forget, and I try to 1. Tampa Bay Lightning do a lot of the things he taught us.” —Rod Brind’Amour on whom he believes to be the NHL’s best coach, Peter Laviolette. “The Stamkoses, Callahans, the McDonaghs, the Girardis and Stralmans… you want to put them in positions to have success in those 15. Buffalo Sabres roles, but they have to take pride in that. That’s what the team is doing, taking pride in that.” —Jon Cooper on the depth of Lightning leadership. “At home we get the last change, so we can get the matchups that we want. But on the road, he’s going to be forced to play against players that 2. Calgary Flames maybe we didn’t want him playing against, but that’s a great learning lesson in his development.” —Phil Housley on rookie centre Casey “I think it’ll be good to get the time off for Gio.” —Bill Peters on Norris Mittelstadt’s struggles away from KeyBank Center. candidate Mark Giordano’s all-star game snub. 16. Colorado Avalanche 3. San Jose Sharks “It’s time now to put up or shut up here.” —Jared Bednar. “He’s just comfortable. It was a big transition off the ice personally and coming into a new dressing room, getting used to teammates, getting 17. Dallas Stars used to how we play and how his game fits inside our structure. There were just 10-15 games of transition in those areas. And since then, he “It’s everybody. Unfortunately, I’m very frustrated that I have not been has been excellent.” —Peter DeBoer on Erik Karlsson’s return to able to gain consistency in our performance and I have not been able to awesome. change the culture of mediocrity.” —Jim Montgomery, droppin’ bombs. 4. Winnipeg Jets 18. Minnesota Wild “Against the teams that aren’t right now in the playoff picture, our record “That was the worst game we’ve played since I’ve been here as coach…. is spectacular. So we haven’t taken anybody lightly. The challenges for If your best players aren’t your best players, you’re not going to win a us [against Vegas and Nashville this week] aren’t that. It would be game. It’s as simple as that. When I look down and [Joel Eriksson] Ek’s playing well against good teams when you’re in the middle of a pretty line is the best line that we have out there, then we’re in trouble.” —Bruce good grinder missing some guys. Not excuses.” —Paul Maurice. Boudreau on the Wild’s 5-2 loss Saturday to rebuilding Detroit. 5. Vegas Golden Knights 19. St. Louis Blues “Just a consistent guy that plays the game the right way, face-offs, kills “I hate to use the word desperate times, but we’ve got to win games.” — penalties, plays power play, does everything for us. We missed him for Craig Berube. two and a half months. But lately he’s been real, real good… and he’s a part of our turnaround after the first 25 games.” —Gerard Gallant on the 20. Vancouver Canucks value of a healthy Paul Stastny. “We’re going to do right by him, but we want him back as fast as he can. 6. Nashville Predators He’s a competitive kid; he wants to play. He’s not happy not playing.” — Travis Green on the much anticipated return of Elias Pettersson. “As long as the focus stays at the rink, that’s what we worry about.” — Peter Laviolette on P.K. Subban’s side projects. 21. Edmonton Oilers 7. Washington Capitals “I’ve only been here 25 games or so. I just know we’re trying to get more and more from people and sometimes we do and sometimes we don’t. I “He’s just an elite, elite scorer that we’re so fortunate to have on our team just know what it takes to get in and if this is the level we’re going to play and, jeez, the league is even fortunate just to have this type of a player at it’s not good enough.” —Ken Hitchcock, squeezing water from a stone. that’s a generational talent.” —Todd Reirden on Alex Ovechkin, who leads everyone with 33 goals. 22. Arizona Coyotes 8. Columbus Blue Jackets “If you don’t have your A game, professionalism comes into play: good angles, being smart, living for another shift. Some guys have to learn that “I don’t think of it as something special. It’s a number. But I’m honoured sometimes you’re not going to have your A game and you’re going to and privileged to have the opportunity to be in the game as long as I have to be a little more smart.” —Rick Tocchet, after the Coyotes were have. That’s what that number is.” —John Tortorella on his 600th victory roasted 7-1 in Calgary Sunday. as head coach. 23. New Jersey Devils 9. Pittsburgh Penguins “He’s a great example for a lot of young kids on our team and people in the organization. He spent some time in the American Hockey League, he had an opportunity in the NHL and really understood what his role was and what his identity is. This year, he hasn’t veered from it.” —John Hynes on late-bloomer Blake Coleman’s breakthrough season at age 27. 24. Anaheim Ducks “Dumb question.” —Randy Carlyle, to a reporter who inquired about his job security amidst a now 12-game losing rut. Randy Carlyle snapped when asked if he’s worried about his job security and then abruptly ended the interview. Said “dumb question” and then called the reporter a “jerk.”Seat is getting awfully hot with losing streak now at 10 #nhlducks — Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) January 12, 2019 25. Florida Panthers “We had some guys, especially some of our big guys, who had very average or below-average games.” —Bob Boughner, calling out his stars after five-game losing skid and an 0-fer trip to Western Canada. 26. Detroit Red Wings “When you’ve lost as many as we have, the reality is that you get to points where you are fragile. We can pretend that’s not true…. Now, we have control over that. We have control of believing in ourselves and carrying ourselves with confidence. We’ve been here before, let’s go find a way to dig ourselves out.” —Jeff Blashill. 27. New York Rangers “You’re going to lose hockey games. But you better want to battle somebody. It’s just ridiculous. Three games where we feel good about our effort and our compete, and then we come out here and do that? It’s a freaking joke. “We failed miserably tonight. Miserably. Our lack of determination in our one-on-one battles, fishing for pucks — you do that in this league, that’s what happens. You get your asses handed to you.” —David Quinn, lit following Sunday’s 7-5 loss in Columbus. 28. Chicago Blackhawks “I think that that will bring out the best in everyone.” —Jeremy Colliton. 29. Los Angeles Kings “When you’re in an offensive role, you have to produce offensively. He hasn’t done that consistently enough.” —Willie Desjardins, desperate for scoring and calling out Brendan Leipsic. 30. Philadelphia Flyers “I just worry about what’s in front of me. I’m not a high-stress guy.” — Scott Gordon. 31. Ottawa Senators “Right now, he has to battle through what all college guys have to battle through, that grind of so many games in so little time and all the travelling.” —Guy Boucher, explaining why Brady Tkachuk is starting to let my fantasy team down. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126501 Websites “We look forward to continuing our discussions with the league,” the NHLPA said.

Momentum for the World Cup of Hockey has been lost. More importantly, TSN.CA / NHL, NHLPA abandon plans for 2020 World Cup of Hockey the hope now is that this Era of Good Feelings will continue. TSN.CA LOADED: 01.17.2019 Frank Seravalli

Turns out, the third iteration of the World Cup of Hockey is yet again a one-off event. For now. The NHL and NHL Players’ Association abandoned plans for a 2020 version of the World Cup of Hockey on Wednesday, unable to find common ground in negotiations ahead of an All-Star weekend deadline later this month. The two sides said in separate statements that they will continue dialogue in the hopes of drawing up a long-term international hockey calendar. A future World Cup of Hockey is certainly a possibility, just not in 2020. “We jointly concluded that it is unrealistic to expect that preparations for the event would be completed in time,” the NHLPA said in its statement. Previous World Cups were played in 1996, 2004 and 2016. In this case, the NHL was dead set on avoiding a repeat of 2004 when, two days after Team Canada topped Finland in the final, the league locked out the players and announced suspension of the 2004-05 season. What Wednesday’s announcement really means is there will be no quick and dirty extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. There’s no way it could have been that simple, right? Of course not. The NHL has been straightforward in its approach: No labour peace, no international puck. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman spoke in terms previously unheard last week when he said during a stop in Seattle that he was not “looking for a fight” with the NHLPA in this round of negotiating. An extension, or at least an agreement for neither side to use its nuclear re-opener clause this September, would effectively guarantee peace through the 2021-22 season and usher in a 32nd franchise in Seattle. That is what Bettman was seeking 18 months ago when he tied NHL player participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang to a CBA extension. The NHLPA did not bite then. The union clearly was not held hostage on this World Cup of Hockey deadline, either. While there is hope that neither side has found “a hill they’re willing to die on” this time around, to use a former NHL negotiation term, it is clear that the players are at the very least seeking a system which reduces the escrow percentage taken out of their paycheques. The escrow rate for the second quarter of this season is 13.5 per cent. In other words, players are receiving 86.5 per cent of their published salary to ensure a 50-50 revenue split with owners. While there are options, there was no overnight fix. Re-shaping escrow is a complicated change that was probably wishful thinking to be hammered out ahead of the imposed All-Star weekend deadline for a World Cup. Plus, that may not have been the only item on the NHLPA’s wish list, and none of those things mean the NHL would have simply just granted an extension on those new terms without wanting something else in return. This international hockey calendar – including future Olympic participation in 2022 in Beijing and beyond – will now be part of the bargaining process, as it was in 2004-05 and should have been in 2012- 13. So, what now? There was a time when Wednesday’s breakdown would have cast a shadow over a looming opt-out window. Gulp. Wednesday’s announcement is no reason for pessimism though. Not yet. This development comes on the heels of rather unprecedented optimism after the two sides met last week in Las Vegas. Maybe they simply ran out of time on the World Cup. The two sides say they will continue talks. The NHL called Wednesday’s meeting “constructive.” 1126502 Websites — Flintor (@TheFlintor) January 15, 2019 “No, not really,” he said refusing to make an excuse. “That’s just the guy I got to have. My bad read.” TSN.CA / Gardiner understands why fans reached ‘boiling point’ Perhaps a blast from the recent past will help snap Nylander out of this funk. At practice on Wednesday, Nylander was reunited with Auston Mark Masters Matthews and Zach Hyman. That trio played together most of the last two seasons with a lot of success.

“We were able to dominate other teams,” recalled Nylander, “keep the TSN Toronto reporter Mark Masters checks in daily with news and notes puck down low and play heavy in the O-zone and create a lot of offence on the Maple Leafs. The team practised at MasterCard Centre on five-on-five so I think we can build on what we had before.” Wednesday before flying to Tampa. The other changes at practice saw Andreas Johnsson join John Tavares Jake Gardiner doesn't like it, but he understands it. and Mitch Marner while Kasperi Kapanen shifted to the Nazem Kadri line with Patrick Marleau. Babcock wasn't sure he'd stick with the new look “All of us in this room are so competitive and we expect so much out of for Thursday's showdown against the Lightning. each other and I think the fans are the exact same way,” the defenceman said two days after being booed by some home fans in a loss to the “We’ve been hit and miss since Christmastime,” said Babcock. “We didn’t Colorado Avalanche. feel our work ethic was up to a level to be proud of last game as a group. What makes that happen and what makes the group go, you don’t “It's something you never want, but they expect us to win and expect us always know, but if it’s just changing some lines around then we’ll do to play well and, as a team, I don’t think we were doing well and you hit a that.” boiling point. And we do that the same way in the room. When we’re not playing well we start getting frustrated and I think that’s what happened.” Seeking a spark, Leafs reunite Hyman-Matthews-Nylander Gardiner, who played a season-low 18:07 on Monday night, is hardly the Searching for an offensive spark right now, the Maple Leafs have only Leaf struggling right now, yet he was the one who bore the brunt of reunited their top line from last season of Zach Hyman, Auston Matthews the fan angst at Scotiabank Arena. That led teammate Mitch Marner to and William Nylander. The line hopes they can quickly find the chemistry say that Gardiner, a veteran of eight seasons in Toronto, never gets the they have had in the past and break out of their respective slumps. Mark credit he deserves. Masters has more. “I appreciate that,” said Gardiner before pausing a moment to collect his Lines at Wednesday's practice: thoughts. "But, you got to play well to get credit so just need to perform ... It shows that they care and that's what we want. It's a very passionate Johnsson-Tavares-Marner fan base. Obviously, we're losing right now so it will be negative at times, Hyman-Matthews-Nylander but if we start winning it will turn around.” Marleau-Kadri-Kapanen So, what needs to change for the 28-year-old to get back on track? Lindholm-Gauthier-Brown “Had a good practice today,” he said. “Got skating a bit. Just get back to what we were doing well earlier this year and breaking the puck out well Rielly-Hainsey is obviously key – especially against a team like Tampa Bay.” Gardiner-Zaitsev Mike Babcock kept his defence pairs intact at practice so Gardiner remains with Nikita Zaitsev, who has also had a couple tough moments Dermott-Ozhiganov in the last few games. The coach's message is simple. Marincin-Holl “Just play,” Babcock said when asked about the Gardiner-Zaitsev duo. Andersen “Jake Gardiner's a real good player for us. I say this all the time, if you’re a skilled forward you need to be on the ice with guys like Morgan (Rielly) Sparks and Jake because you get the puck all the time. It didn’t go as good for him this last little bit. Shake it off and let’s get playing.” TSN.CA LOADED: 01.17.2019 Toronto has lost five of seven, with all those losses coming at home. Gardiner’s issues are similar to that of the rest of the team in many ways. “We’re not doing the little things right,” Gardiner noted. “Breaking down defensively, turning pucks over, losing coverage in the D zone or making a lazy pass or just getting outworked. Just got to get back to it.” Gardiner shakes off boos, understands why fans hit 'boiling point' Jake Gardiner heard it from some Maple Leafs fans on Monday night, but the defenceman shook off the boos on Wednesday and says he understands why the passionate fan base reached a 'boiling point' dur to the teams' recent lackluster play. ---- If Gardiner is in the crosshairs of the fan base then William Nylander isn't far off. The right winger has just one goal and two assists in 17 games since returning from a contract stalemate. And he's not just struggling to produce offence; the 22-year-old has also been unreliable in his own end. The latest example came on Colorado's game winner in the third period on Monday. With the puck behind the net, Nylander failed to keep tabs on Carl Soderberg. “I got to get out on that guy and take that guy,” he said. “There's a small detail that needs to get better.” Perhaps that's a byproduct of his long layoff this season? It must be tough to get all his instincts back? Soderberg gets his 2nd of the night. 4-3 Avs. pic.twitter.com/j8EK16Nhhy 1126503 Websites That's the issue Toronto keeps circling back to – work ethic. Why have they been outworked so often lately and why has the urgency been so lacking? Last week, the Leafs were second overall in the NHL standings; TSN.CA / Matthews reunited with Hyman, Nylander at Leafs practice now they’ve dropped to ninth. Granted, Toronto was without starting goaltender Frederik Andersen for six games after Christmas, but Babcock didn’t feel his team used that as a justification for their struggles. Kristen Shilton “I just think we can play harder,” Babcock said. “I think we can work harder, and so that’s what we want from our group. The other thing is we want to be proud guys when we leave the rink, and if you don’t put it all in TORONTO - Mike Babcock reunited one of his best lines from seasons you can’t be proud when you leave.” past on Wednesday as the Maple Leafs coach looks for ways to pull his team out of its current spiral before it becomes a full-on tailspin. While beating the first-place Lightning might hold a little extra cache around the league, Matthews said topping any team right now will do for Auston Matthews was glued to winger Zach Hyman and, to a lesser the Leafs. It was only three weeks ago they were one of the NHL’s most degree, William Nylander, from 2016-18. Matthews hasn’t played beside dominant clubs offensively, producing the third-most goals from Nov. 1 – Hyman at all this season, but with Toronto preparing to face the league- Dec. 22 with a plus-29 goal differential. leading Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday after dropping five of their last seven games, the trio was back together at Wednesday’s practice. All the pieces are still there to be that strong again, if only the Leafs can find a spark. “We’ve been hit and miss since Christmastime,” explained Babcock. “We didn’t feel our work ethic was up to a level to be proud of [in a 6-3 loss to “We’re going through a bit of a lull right now and it’s our job to dig Colorado on Monday]. What makes that happen? What makes the group ourselves out and crawl back and play the way we were earlier this go? You don’t always know. But if it’s just changing some lines around season,” said Matthews. “That’s up to us, nobody else. It’s a matter of then we’ll do that.” work ethic and playing smart.” True to form, Babcock wouldn’t definitively confirm the line change for TSN.CA LOADED: 01.17.2019 Thursday (“we’ll get that figured out”) but there’s little reason not to give that unit another shot. Matthews has just one goal in his last 10 games, while Nylander has one goal in 17. Matthews had a spurt of production after returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him 14 games from Oct. 27 – Nov. 28, scoring six goals in five games, but he has just three goals in the 15 games since. Open ice has been at an increasing premium, and the 21-year-old has been lacking a linemate to dig pucks from the corners and set up scoring chances – two strengths of Hyman’s game that have worked with Matthews and Nylander before. “Matty is a goal scorer and getting the pucks in good spots around the net [for him] so he can do that I think is important,” said Babcock. “I think his game has really come on here of late. I think he’s really starting to find some rhythm in his game. We’re always looking to get more out of everybody.” What can be expected from the Maple Leafs moving forward? After coming out of the gate hot with the second best record in the NHL over the first seven weeks, the Maple Leafs have cooled considerably. Which team is the real Leafs' team? What do they need to add if they hope to be successful in the playoffs? Darren Dreger and Craig Button join Gino Reda to discuss that and more. “Everyone has a role on the line; everyone knew what their role was and did it effectively,” added Hyman. “We all complemented each other and it went well for us when we were together.” With Hyman back getting them the puck, it’s on Matthews and Nylander (not to mention the rest of Toronto’s forwards) to start putting pucks in the back of the net. In eight games since the Christmas break, Toronto has scored an average of 2.6 goals per game, well below their season average of 3.58, and been shut out twice. Their 3-5-0 record reflects five losses to teams in playoff position compared to one win (over Columbus). Now Tampa Bay is on deck again, one month after they beat Toronto 4-1 on the strength of Andrei Vasilevskiy’s career-best 48-save performance. The Leafs liked a lot about their showing in that game, and with the right application of a similar game plan Thursday could be the slump-busting night the team desperately needs. [Tampa] will be another good challenge for us to take a step forward and try to get us out of this hole we’re in,” Matthews said. “We skated well [last game], didn’t give them much time and space, tracked well. When we’re playing with our speed and are skill and doing things right, playing smart and taking care of the puck, we’re a tough team to play against. It’s a matter of putting that together all the way through.” Maple Leafs missing attention to detail and effort The Maple Leafs showed some alarming signs in their loss to the Bruins over the weekend and that continued in their defeat to the Avalanche. The TSN Hockey panel explains how Toronto's lack of attention to the little things and the struggles of Jake Gardiner, who received boos from the home crowd, did them in against Colorado. 1126504 Websites That's the issue Toronto keeps circling back to – work ethic. Why have they been outworked so often lately and why has the urgency been so lacking? Last week, the Leafs were second overall in the NHL standings; TSN.CA / Matthews reunited with Hyman, Nylander at Leafs practice now they’ve dropped to ninth. Granted, Toronto was without starting goaltender Frederik Andersen for six games after Christmas, but Babcock didn’t feel his team used that as a justification for their struggles. Kristen Shilton “I just think we can play harder,” Babcock said. “I think we can work harder, and so that’s what we want from our group. The other thing is we want to be proud guys when we leave the rink, and if you don’t put it all in TORONTO - Mike Babcock reunited one of his best lines from seasons you can’t be proud when you leave.” past on Wednesday as the Maple Leafs coach looks for ways to pull his team out of its current spiral before it becomes a full-on tailspin. While beating the first-place Lightning might hold a little extra cache around the league, Matthews said topping any team right now will do for Auston Matthews was glued to winger Zach Hyman and, to a lesser the Leafs. It was only three weeks ago they were one of the NHL’s most degree, William Nylander, from 2016-18. Matthews hasn’t played beside dominant clubs offensively, producing the third-most goals from Nov. 1 – Hyman at all this season, but with Toronto preparing to face the league- Dec. 22 with a plus-29 goal differential. leading Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday after dropping five of their last seven games, the trio was back together at Wednesday’s practice. All the pieces are still there to be that strong again, if only the Leafs can find a spark. “We’ve been hit and miss since Christmastime,” explained Babcock. “We didn’t feel our work ethic was up to a level to be proud of [in a 6-3 loss to “We’re going through a bit of a lull right now and it’s our job to dig Colorado on Monday]. What makes that happen? What makes the group ourselves out and crawl back and play the way we were earlier this go? You don’t always know. But if it’s just changing some lines around season,” said Matthews. “That’s up to us, nobody else. It’s a matter of then we’ll do that.” work ethic and playing smart.” True to form, Babcock wouldn’t definitively confirm the line change for TSN.CA LOADED: 01.17.2019 Thursday (“we’ll get that figured out”) but there’s little reason not to give that unit another shot. Matthews has just one goal in his last 10 games, while Nylander has one goal in 17. Matthews had a spurt of production after returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him 14 games from Oct. 27 – Nov. 28, scoring six goals in five games, but he has just three goals in the 15 games since. Open ice has been at an increasing premium, and the 21-year-old has been lacking a linemate to dig pucks from the corners and set up scoring chances – two strengths of Hyman’s game that have worked with Matthews and Nylander before. “Matty is a goal scorer and getting the pucks in good spots around the net [for him] so he can do that I think is important,” said Babcock. “I think his game has really come on here of late. I think he’s really starting to find some rhythm in his game. We’re always looking to get more out of everybody.” What can be expected from the Maple Leafs moving forward? After coming out of the gate hot with the second best record in the NHL over the first seven weeks, the Maple Leafs have cooled considerably. Which team is the real Leafs' team? What do they need to add if they hope to be successful in the playoffs? Darren Dreger and Craig Button join Gino Reda to discuss that and more. “Everyone has a role on the line; everyone knew what their role was and did it effectively,” added Hyman. “We all complemented each other and it went well for us when we were together.” With Hyman back getting them the puck, it’s on Matthews and Nylander (not to mention the rest of Toronto’s forwards) to start putting pucks in the back of the net. In eight games since the Christmas break, Toronto has scored an average of 2.6 goals per game, well below their season average of 3.58, and been shut out twice. Their 3-5-0 record reflects five losses to teams in playoff position compared to one win (over Columbus). Now Tampa Bay is on deck again, one month after they beat Toronto 4-1 on the strength of Andrei Vasilevskiy’s career-best 48-save performance. The Leafs liked a lot about their showing in that game, and with the right application of a similar game plan Thursday could be the slump-busting night the team desperately needs. [Tampa] will be another good challenge for us to take a step forward and try to get us out of this hole we’re in,” Matthews said. “We skated well [last game], didn’t give them much time and space, tracked well. When we’re playing with our speed and are skill and doing things right, playing smart and taking care of the puck, we’re a tough team to play against. It’s a matter of putting that together all the way through.” Maple Leafs missing attention to detail and effort The Maple Leafs showed some alarming signs in their loss to the Bruins over the weekend and that continued in their defeat to the Avalanche. The TSN Hockey panel explains how Toronto's lack of attention to the little things and the struggles of Jake Gardiner, who received boos from the home crowd, did them in against Colorado. 1126505 Websites According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon has let teams know that depth defenceman Bogden Kiselevich is available for trade ahead of the deadline. TSN.CA / Countdown to TradeCentre: Kapanen, Johnsson available? Dreger notes that there is some expectation that the Panthers, who sit 14 points back of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, will be active in trade circles. The National Hockey League's Trade Deadline is 3 p.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 25, and teams will be making decisions on whether to buy or sell Some expectation the Florida Panthers will be active in trade circles. and decide which players can make the biggest difference and hold the GM Dale Tallon has let teams know depth Dman Bogden Kiselevich is greatest value. Check out the latest trade rumours and speculation from available. around the NHL beat. — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 16, 2019 Young Forwards Available? Kiselevich, 28, signed with the Panthers in the off-season after spending The Toronto Maple Leafs have been long rumoured to be in search of a the past nine seasons in the KHL. He has eight assists in 31 games while top-four defenceman to strengthen their chances of a playoff run. regularly serving as a healthy scratch. TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie confirmed Wednesday that the Leafs’ The left-hand shot carries a $925,000 cap hit this season and is first-round pick this year is in play ahead of the trade deadline, but scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in July. suggested one or even two forwards could be moved for the right 'Hell of a Finishing Touch' addition to the blueline. As a pending unrestricted free agent on the last-place Philadelphia “If you’re gonna get a good defenceman and they obviously want to get a Flyers, Wayne Simmonds has emerged as trade bait ahead of the good defenceman, you’ve got to give up something of value,” McKenzie deadline. told First Up on TSN Radio 1050 Toronto. “And not only would the first- round pick be in play, but I’ve been saying for quite some time now – The 30-year-old winger has 15 goals and 21 points in 46 games this take your pick, but one of Andreas Johnsson or Kasperi Kapanen will be season and TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun believes he could benefit gone too in the most likely scenario. It obviously depends on which any contender in a Stanley Cup run. defenceman they end up with and how much term is left, and what the guy’s age is, and what his value is, but it’s quite conceivable that both of “I think any team that thinks they can win the Cup this year, adding those pieces could be departing for the right guy. Wayne Simmonds would be a hell of a finishing touch. I love that guy,” LeBrun told TSN Radio 1040 Vancouver on Tuesday. “Those players are Johnsson and Kapanen will become restricted free agents in July. few and far between as the game continues to evolve in terms of the Kapanen, 22, sits fifth on the Maple Leafs with 15 goals and 28 points, intimidation factor within an athlete who is also a heck of a player. He while Johnsson, 24, is seventh in scoring with 10 goals and 21 points this scored a beauty (Monday) night. season. “And I will tell you this: I wrote about it last week, and yeah, I do agree TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun first reported about the Maple Leafs’ he’d be a great fit in Boston. I think there’s lots of guys I could see in top pick being in play for the right price on Tuesday night during Insider Boston that would make sense. Because the Bruins are calling around, Trading. and I do think they want an upgrade, particularly on the right side. For example, if Jakob Silfverberg doesn’t end up re-signing with Anaheim, I On the Move Again? wonder about him. There’s lots of guys, probably like a dozen names I Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said last week that can give you, that would make sense for Boston. he believes Derick Brassard has struggled to adapt to his reduced role. “But you know where I’d really like to see Wayne Simmonds is in Tampa And TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports that the team is now Bay. I know what you’re going to say. It’s the last thing they need is a expected to move him and find a better fit for the team's third line centre. forward, but I’m going to tell you right now that I think there was certainly "Tis the season for trade speculation, and Derick Brassard is another some hesitation within the organization the way they kind of meekly went name that we have to include being in play," Dreger said Tuesday on out to Washington last spring. And I think part of it is the Caps pushed Insider Trading. "For whatever reason, Brassard just hasn't been a good them around. And obviously you’ve got Tom Wilson on that Stanley Cup fit with the Pittsburgh Penguins. That's not say that he isn't a quality championship team that is quite a wildcard himself, in that he’s a great centreman, on many teams he's the No. 2, but with the Penguins he's player but also he’s scary. Well let me tell you, if those teams happen to their No. 3. I know that Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford is at meet again at some point down the road in the playoffs, having Wayne least listening to some of the interest in Brassard. Simmonds on your side wouldn’t be a bad thing if you’re the Tampa Bay Lightning. "The expectation is that he will get traded, and that the Penguins at least in return need a No. 3 centre back." “So I don’t know this for a fact, but I’d be shocked if that hasn’t come up in Tampa’s internal meetings, that they should at least inquire. But as an The Penguins acquired Brassard ahead of the trade deadline last executive told me last week: name the contender - Wayne Simmonds season. He scored three goals and posted eight points in 14 regular has come up in their mid-season scouting meetings. Like, come on.” season games last season after the trade, along with a goal and four points in 12 playoffs games. Through 38 games this season, Brassard Simmonds carries a $3.975 million cap hit and TSN Hockey Insider Bob has eight goals and 14 points with a minus-6 rating. McKenzie said last week the winger is "more likely than not to be traded." Rutherford told The Athletic earlier this week that he has been unable to Not so Fast? explain Brassard's performance since joining the team. Micheal Ferland's name has been circulating in the rumour mill “I don’t know how to answer that,” he said. “You know, he’s been OK. It’s throughout the New Year as the winger continues to play out the final not like he’s been bad. But to this point, for whatever reason, he has season of his current deal. underperformed. Especially when you consider the expectations that we TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported Tuesday, though, that the had for him, he’s underperformed.” Carolina Hurricanes still hope to re-sign Ferland, who has 13 goals and Brassard averaged over 18 minutes of ice time in 58 games with the 25 points in 38 games this season. Senators last season, but is averaging 15:01 in Pittsburgh. "Similarly to the (Anaheim) Ducks and (Jakob) Silfverberg, the Carolina Jim Matheson of The Edmonton Journal speculated Monday that Hurricanes would like to retain Micheal Ferland," Dreger said on Insider Brassard could be a fit for the OIlers, who are looking for forward help. Trading. "The rugged forward is drawing tons of interest because the belief is there's been widespread speculation that he is available on the If Oilers are scouring for forwards who can give them some offence trade market. He's a fan favourite in Carolina, as he plays the game with outside of Connor, Leon, RNH and Chiasson who have 81 goals, they're a real intense sort of grit to him and he's got an offensive upside as well. probably checking in C Derick Brassard, UFA ($3 mil) who hasn't panned The Hurricanes need to figure out exactly how much he's going to out in Pitts. Other possibles: UFA's Zuccarello, Dzingel, Ferland command in order to have him stay out of that UFA market." — Jim Matheson (@NHLbyMatty) January 14, 2019 Ferland was acquired last summer from the Calgary Flames along with Dougie Hamilton and Adam Fox. He scored a career-high 21 goals and On The Block 41 points in 77 games last season. The 26-year-old carries a $1.75 million cap hit this season, though Sean Civian of The Athletic reports Ferland is looking for a "significant" raise and could be looking for a number close to Tom Wilson's $5.17 million salary with the Washington Capitals. TSN.CA LOADED: 01.17.2019 1126506 Websites

USA TODAY / Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury gets caught building snow wall in crease

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Published 10:27 a.m. ET Jan. 16, 2019 | Updated 1:13 p.m. ET Jan. 16, 2019

Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury got caught with his hand in the cookie jar in a comical occurrence during the Vegas Golden Knights’ 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. After exiting his net during a timeout with less than three minutes remaining in the third period, Fleury doubled back and used his stick to build up a modest wall of snow in front of his net. The officials apparently were paying attention because they skated over to his net and destroyed Fleury’s construction work and made sure his crease was cleared. Then an official skated over to the Vegas bench, and Fleury was shown chuckling behind a glove he put in front of his face. Coach Gerard Gallant was also seen laughing. Goalies routinely move the ice shavings around in front of their net, and officials are always trying to make sure it’s clear. How much does that help? Not at all if a puck is whistling past their glove hand. But if a puck trickles through their pads ... goalies clearly like to take every precaution when it comes to stopping the puck. Marc-Andre Fleury builds a snow wall in front of the empty net before going to the bench and gets caught pic.twitter.com/OL1EjXims2 — Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) January 16, 2019 But this snow job took on a humorous tone because Fleury, a player known for trying to have fun, was more dramatic than usual in his effort to build a wall. USA TODAY LOADED: 01.17.2019