Sport-Scan Daily Brief

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 12/5/2020 Anaheim Ducks Philadelphia Flyers 1196389 NHL and players’ union aiming for mid-January start to 1196413 Good vibes in negotiations between NHL owners and season players’ union 1196390 NHL targeting mid-January for starting new season 1196414 New book details fascinating stories about Philly’s pro-hockey history, including a team that conjures ‘Slap S Boston Bruins 1196415 The latest reports on length of 2020-21 NHL season, when 1196391 Will the Bruins improve? Will Zdeno Chara return? Our fan it could start survey results Pittsburgh Penguins Buffalo Sabres 1196416 Why do the Penguins have so many Finnish players? 1196392 How Dylan Cozens used the terrain around Whitehorse to 1196417 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins sign former Ducks draft prep for Sabres camp pick Kyle Olson 1196418 Penguins A to Z: Can Zach Aston-Reese build off his Carolina Hurricanes breakout season? 1196393 Hurricanes defensemen are among the NHL’s best, so 1196419 Penguins have reportedly looked into playing outdoors what can we expect from them? amid pandemic Chicago Blackhawks San Jose Sharks 1196394 Ranking Blackhawks' rebuilding blocks, from Patrick Kane 1196420 Report: Sharks' next season could begin in mid-January to Ian Mitchell 1196421 Doc Emrick tells hilarious Jumbo story from Cup Final Columbus Blue Jackets Tampa Bay Lightning 1196395 Blue Jackets center Max Domi eager to fill key role, play 1196422 Two Canadian favorites, the Raptors and the Stanley Cup, for coach John Tortorella cross paths in Tampa Dallas Stars Toronto Maple Leafs 1196396 Stars prospect Ty Dellandrea on playing in Finland, and 1196423 The NHL will be just fine, season or no season. Losing a what’s next after Liiga’s pause couple of teams might even help the bottom line 1196424 What the GTHL’s latest decision means for minor hockey Detroit Red Wings families across Toronto 1196397 NHL eyes mid-January start, 52- or 56-game schedule Vancouver Canucks Los Angeles Kings 1196429 Vancouver College football registers big upset over 1196398 NHL and players’ union aiming for mid-January start to Canucks Skate in uniform contest season 1196430 COVID-19: Seattle hockey bar battles for survival with its 1196399 NHL targeting mid-January for starting new season Kraken team still a year away 1196400 Los Angeles Kings trades: Best and worst of the salary- cap era Vegas Golden Knights 1196425 Golden Knights trade value tiers: Ranking every player by Minnesota Wild trade market value 1196401 Wild winger Mats Zuccarello has arm surgery, likely will miss training camp Washington Capitals 1196426 NHL proposes mid-January starting date for upcoming Montreal Canadiens season 1196402 Canadiens prospect Cole Caufield leads Wisconsin over Ohio State Websites 1196403 Worst trades in Canadiens history: Chelios deal haunts 1196431 The Athletic / What hurdles are delaying the start of the Serge Savard 2020-21 NHL season? 1196404 What the Puck: Dark times call for bright lights of 1196432 The Athletic / LeBrun: NHL pushes season start to Canadiens hockey mid-January, intends on playing 56 games 1196405 How a 56-game schedule would impact the new and 1196433 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Who wins an all-time improved Canadiens battle between Team Byng and Team PIM? 1196434 The Athletic / Inside Kendall Coyne Schofield’s rapid rise: New Jersey Devils ‘Everything she touches is A-plus’ 1196406 NHL, players close to deal to start season on Jan. 15 | 1196435 Sportsnet.ca / NHL, NHLPA discussing Jan. 15 start date What it means for Devils for 2020-21 season 1196407 What we can learn from a Devils season split between two 1196436 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens Notebook: Lost season would coaches be nightmare scenario for Montreal 1196437 Sportsnet.ca / Why UND players Bernard-Docker, New York Islanders Weatherby knelt before NCAA game 1196408 Islanders will get $6M cap relief with Johnny Boychuk 1196438 TSN.CA / Fired-up Tomasino making big impression at coming off the books Canada's camp 1196409 NHL, players considering a mid-January start to 52- or 1196439 USA TODAY / Canucks parting ways with anthem singer 56-game season planning to sing at Vancouver rally protesting COVID-19 re New York Rangers 1196410 Rangers got younger looking ahead to 2020-21 Winnipeg Jets 1196427 What to expect from the 2021 Jets? Ottawa Senators 1196428 Jets state of the franchise: If ever there was a time to 1196411 Part of the team since Day 1: Senators staffers Linda ‘prove it,’ this is it Julian and Allison Vaughan 1196412 'LET'S DO IT': Senators NHL franchise bid started with beers after a pickup game SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1196389 Anaheim Ducks

NHL and players’ union aiming for mid-January start to season

A detailed view of center ice with a Stanley Cup logo.

By JACK HARRISSTAFF WRITER

DEC. 4, 20204:16 PM

The Kings and Ducks will have to wait a little longer to return to the ice.

Hopes of starting the 2021 NHL season Jan. 1 have all but faded, with the league and NHL Players’ Assn. now focusing their discussions on opening in mid-January, according to media reports published Friday.

The news hardly comes as a surprise after weeks of reported conversations between the NHL and union failed to produce a revised format for the upcoming season, which is expected to contain numerous structural changes amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Among the many issues that remain unclear are how many games each team will play (the original target of 60 reportedly has been reduced to between 52 and 56); how divisions might be realigned to account for travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada; the extent of safety protocols for players and teams; and how revenues will be distributed to owners and players in a year that likely will feature few, if any, fans at games.

During a Sports Business Journal panel discussion this week, Commissioner Gary Bettman hinted that the goal of starting on New Year’s Day was growing unlikely. Meanwhile, negotiations over salary escrows and deferrals spilled into the public, with player agent Allan Walsh taking to Twitter to criticize Bettman and the owners for allegedly proposing changes to an extension of the Collective Bargaining Agreement that the two sides struck in July.

A mid-January start would push the Kings’ and Ducks’ layoff to nine months, with neither team having played since last season was suspended in March. Both clubs finished among the bottom three of the Western Conference and failed to qualify for the expanded 24-team postseason.

While the 24 playoff teams are expected to be allowed to open training camps two weeks prior to the season, the Kings, Ducks and five other non-playoff qualifiers likely will be permitted to return to practice a couple days earlier.

For the NHL to have accomplished a Jan. 1 start, that would have required training camps to begin perhaps as soon as late next week — a near impossibility now given the fact some European players have not yet returned to North America and, in some markets, will need to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival.

LA Times: LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196390 Anaheim Ducks

NHL targeting mid-January for starting new season

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | [email protected] | Orange County Register

PUBLISHED: December 4, 2020 at 11:17 a.m. | UPDATED: December 4, 2020 at 11:17 a.m.

The NHL and the players union reportedly made progress in their talks to begin the 2020-21 season, and are now targeting a Jan. 15 start, with training camps opening as soon as Dec. 26 for the Ducks, Kings and five other teams that didn’t qualify for the Return to Play last summer.

The season could be in the range of 52 to 56 games, down from the usual 82, with the Stanley Cup awarded in late June or early July, well before NBC must shift its coverage focus from hockey to the Tokyo Olympics, according to various reports Friday.

The league also is determined to end the upcoming season as close to its customary early June date in order to prepare for the 2021-22 season, when it hopes to play its traditional 82-game schedule between Oct. 1 and April 15, as it welcomes the expansion Seattle Kraken as its 32nd team.

“I think this is the most important thing: What we’re focused on is trying to get through the 2021 season so we can be back in position for 2021-22 to (get back to) normalcy,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said at a sports business forum Wednesday in New York.

There are many issues still to be resolved before an agreement can be completed, including the economics of a shortened season likely contested without fans in attendance during a time of heightened restrictions because of a surge of COVID-19 cases throughout North America.

In fact, the pandemic is of such a concern that the start of the season could be delayed further, perhaps pushed back to Feb. 1, with the guidance of health officials. The league is said to be hopeful of starting with games in home arenas, but could begin in hub cities as a fallback option.

Last season was completed, after a 4 1/2-month pause because of the initial outbreak, with 24 teams playing inside strict bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton. Neither the owners nor the players wish to return to a bubble format, but they might be forced into playing in four or more hub cities.

Although it hadn’t been formalized, as of Friday, the league was expected to realign its four divisions temporarily, establishing one entirely of the seven Canadian teams because the border with the U.S. remains closed to all but essential travel.

In the Pacific Division, for instance, the league would replace Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver with Colorado, Dallas and either Minnesota or St. Louis to round out an eight-team division that includes the Ducks, Kings, Arizona Coyotes, San Jose Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights.

Representatives from the league and the players union discussed a Jan. 15 starting date during a conference call Thursday night, but they didn’t speak about altering the economics for the upcoming season, which is said to be the biggest stumbling block to an agreement.

The players have refused to accept further salary concessions after they agreed in July to an extension of the collective bargaining agreement with the league through the end of 2025-26. The players agreed to some salary deferrals that would ease the league’s coronavirus-related financial hit.

Negotiations were expected to continue Friday.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196391 Boston Bruins Jakub Zboril an opportunity. But the 23-year-old did not appear in a single NHL game last season. Jeremy Lauzon projects to be a bottom- pairing defender. John Moore has been in and out of the lineup regularly.

Will the Bruins improve? Will Zdeno Chara return? Our fan survey results Who should get the first chance at replacing Torey Krug on the power play?

By Fluto Shinzawa Dec 4, 2020 14 In a vote so close, there’s only one option: Time for a recount! This will be a fascinating topic to monitor. Both Grzelcyk and McAvoy will be eager for the opportunity.

At some point, we believe, the NHL and NHLPA will settle their Should the Bruins use the long-term injury exception with David Pastrnak differences and flash the green light for a new season. When that to sign another wing or defenseman? happens, the Bruins will be operating with the future in mind as well as the present, perhaps more so than they were last season. Another close call, favoring LTIR slightly. It would allow the Bruins to exceed the $81.5 million cap ceiling by some or all of Pastrnak’s With that in mind, we asked your opinions on some of the adjustments $6,666,667 average annual value. The trick, of course, is returning to cap the change-on-the-fly Bruins have made for the upcoming season. Here compliance once No. 88 is cleared to play. With so many teams up are your answers: against the ceiling, a money-saving trade will be difficult.

Did the Bruins make the right move by not re-signing Torey Krug? Who should be Matt Grzelcyk’s partner?

A healthy majority agreed with the Bruins’ decision to walk away from Carlo gets first dibs. This would be a good second pairing. For Carlo, it Krug. His departure compromises the Bruins in 2020-21. But long term, would be easy to transition from Krug to Grzelcyk. It leaves the question, the Blues’ seven-year, $45.5 million investment may not age well. Krug is however, of who would play first-pair minutes with McAvoy if Chara 29, somewhat sheltered on defense and vulnerable to injuries because of doesn’t return. his style of play. What is the likeliest to happen in the new season? Was signing Craig Smith enough to improve the offense? Pastrnak gets a slight edge over Rask. That would be a significant Not enough, clearly, for a team that struggled to score at 5-on-5. The achievement for the right wing. Pastrnak is expected to miss time at the Bruins have more right-side options with Smith on board. But left wing beginning, although how much is unclear given the absence of a drops off after Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk. Krug’s loss will affect schedule. He would have to go on a rip-roaring tear to put up Hart-like blue-line contributions. numbers. The Bruins would be just fine with that.

Should the Bruins have traded Tuukka Rask? Which prospect should break camp with the Bruins?

Perhaps dealing Rask would have started the transition to younger and Easy win for Studnicka. The 2018 second-rounder looks ready for the cheaper goaltending. But assuming Rask is good to go physically and NHL. mentally, it would have been just about impossible to improve on the position in the new season. Rask, with support from Jaroslav Halak, Would you attend a game at TD Garden before widespread vaccine should be a sure thing. distribution?

If Rask is healthy, plays well this season and wants to keep playing, Most of you will be watching from home pre-vaccine. Difficult to argue should the Bruins sign him to a reasonable extension? with that. Unfortunately, hockey checks off a lot of boxes of things you shouldn’t be doing. Rask will be 34 when his contract expires after next season. By then, there’s no guarantee that prospects Dan Vladar or Jeremy Swayman will If fans are allowed inside the Garden, how should tickets be priced? be ready for full-time NHL play. So if Rask is up for a short-term A slight majority want prices to go down compared to last year. That’s extension, you want his name on the line. understandable given the experience will not be the same assuming Should the Bruins re-sign Zdeno Chara? capacity is limited. It puts teams in a tough spot, though — bringing fewer fans in the door at lower prices. It’s going to take a while for clubs to The NHL is not kind to 43-year-old defensemen. Chara fought the pace recover. of play against Carolina and Tampa Bay in the playoffs. But given specific shutdown and penalty-killing assignments, you believe Chara Will the Bruins be better, worse or roughly the same in the new season? remains an asset worth bringing back. Just over half don’t expect significant change from last season, even with If Chara does not return and Patrice Bergeron becomes captain, who Smith coming aboard, Krug going and the core aging another year. The should be the second alternate? Bruins would be just fine with being in the Presidents’ Trophy conversation for a second straight season. It’s not a majority, but Marchand gets the most votes to wear an “A” permanently. He shared those duties with David Krejci last season. The Athletic LOADED: 12.05.2020

Who should be David Krejci’s right wing?

Kase did not have a smooth transition to Boston last season. The ex- Duck appeared in only six games prior to the shutdown, notching just one assist. Kase missed all of camp prior to the playoffs after being declared unfit to play. So aside from some bursts against Carolina, it’s probably not surprising that Kase was not a consistent No. 2 right wing. With the proper ramp-up, Kase should be a better right-side playmate for Krejci.

If Krejci is healthy and productive, should the Bruins sign him to a reasonable extension?

Krejci will be 35 years old after next season. This will limit his options. Teams are cautious about 35-and-older contracts, which can be punitive in case of retirement, injuries or poor performance. But Krejci has yet to show any signals of imminent dropoff. A one-year extension may make sense for both parties.

What is your biggest worry heading into the new season?

With Krug gone and Chara unsigned, it’s clear why the left side of the blue line is the biggest concern. The Bruins are committed to giving 1196392 Buffalo Sabres and his friend Bryce Anderson would push each side like an offensive lineman facing a defensive lineman in a football drill to see who wins the strength battle.

How Dylan Cozens used the terrain around Whitehorse to prep for “It used to be a good game for Dylan and I to play against each other, but Sabres camp now he just bullies me every time, so I have to get help from somebody else,” McPherson said. “I know he’s broken all our speed and agility records we have here. He’s moving fast and he’s got a big body these By Mark Mulville/Buffalo News days. We’re pretty stoked on that combination of strength and size.”

There was also agility work running on sand dunes on the edge of a mountain bordering the town. On recovery days, Cozens and McPherson Surrounded by three mountains and situated along the Yukon River, walked down the street from the gym to sit in the glacier-cold Yukon Whitehorse is home to approximately 25,000 residents and has been River and perform breathing exercises. fondly nicknamed Canada's Wilderness City. The outdoor work extends to the back alley of McPherson’s gym, where While adventure sports are beloved in the isolated region, hockey is often Cozens would carry a trap bar or flip a tire. Word spread quickly around the talk of the town, as citizens of the Yukon Territory’s only city monitor town and passersby stopped to watch the workouts. from afar their beloved son, Dylan Cozens. “Someone will pop out from the apartment building nearby and all of a Cozens, now 19 years old and preparing to represent Canada at the IIHF sudden there are 15 people whispering on the street watching him train,” World Junior Championship for a second consecutive winter, became the McPherson added. first player from the Yukon to be selected in the NHL draft when the Buffalo Sabres chose him No. 7 overall in June 2019. Finding ice

“The most commonly sold jersey in the local sports store in Whitehorse is The tournament, which will be held in a bubble around Edmonton's a Buffalo Sabres jersey by a mile,” said Ben McPherson, Cozens’ Rogers Place, is scheduled for Dec. 25 through Jan. 5. strength coach the past six years and owner of Northern Strength Academy, a private gym in Whitehorse. “It’s kind of funny. I remember Cozens, along with the other 45 players attending Hockey Canada’s coming home from Vancouver after the draft and within a week the place selection camp in Red Deer, Alberta, is locked down in his hotel room was just littered with Sabres everywhere, so it’s kind of cool. He’s amid a mandatory two-week quarantine, which occurred in response to definitely a celebrity here.” positive coronavirus tests on the team.

However, Cozens hasn’t been home for long in recent summers, as his Between team meetings on video calls, Cozens is filling his free time with elite talent had him traveling for the NHL combine, draft or tournaments video games and heading the players’ food committee that decides for Hockey Canada. This time, though, the foundation of Cozens’ meals. A stationary bike was delivered to each room to keep players offseason training took place in Whitehorse. active and prepare them for the return of hockey activities.

Cozens’ regimen from March through mid-July – which included outdoor Cozens, resolute in his pursuit to achieve his NHL dream, is accustomed workouts that drew the attention of locals – led to improved strength and to getting creative with his workouts. Aided by his agent, Allain Roy, filled out his 6-foot-3 frame to reach 200 pounds with one goal in mind: Cozens traveled across Canada to find ice to train on this summer. withstanding the physical demands of a long season in Buffalo. Beginning in mid-July, Cozens spent a few weeks training in Lethbridge, “Going into camp last year I had my sights set on the NHL,” Cozens said followed by a one-month stay in Kelowna, British Columbia. Before in a recent phone interview with The Buffalo News. “I wanted to make leaving for world junior camp, Cozens went to London, Ontario, where that team right away and play there, but I think my body wasn’t quite skated for six weeks with a group of NHLers, including Bo Horvat of the ready for the stress and work of an 82-game NHL season. I think that’s Vancouver Canucks, Travis Konecny of the Philadelphia Flyers, Boone also where they needed an improvement from me and that’s where I Jenner of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis really focused on working as hard as I can to make sure my body is Blues. The on-ice sessions were run by Dwayne Blais, a London-based ready for that. I believe that’s where I’m at right now.” skills coach who works in player development with the Washington Capitals. 'Strength and size' “That was huge to see how I stack up against them and being with them Quinn, whom the Sabres drafted with the No. 8 pick in the first round last to push myself because I want to play in the NHL,” Cozens said. month, was one of 47 players invited to Hockey Canada’s selection “Working with them and trying to bring my game up to theirs.” camp. In addition to rounding out all areas of his game, Cozens emphasized With the two ice rinks north of downtown Whitehorse closed, McPherson enhancing his shot, which produced 72 regular-season goals over the collaborated with Sabres strength and conditioning coach Ed Gannon to past two years in Lethbridge, including 38 in 51 games during the create an off-ice training plan designed to prepare Cozens for the leap to coronavirus-shortened 2019-20 season. the NHL. “That’s one of my strengths to begin with, but I want to be a goal scorer A full summer of training is rare for an elite hockey player of Cozens' age. at the next level,” Cozens said. “Working on my release, getting the puck off in awkward, uncomfortable positions where I’m off-balance. That’s Last year, for example, Cozens’ one month with McPherson before the something I really worked on. As soon as the puck touched my stick, combine helped him gain six pounds, from 176 to 182. Following the draft getting my shot off because the goalies in the NHL obviously are a lot in June, Cozens attended the Sabres’ development camp, where he tougher to score on than I’m used to.” broke his thumb, and then came the prospects challenge in September. That left little time for strength training. Readying for camp

"It’s been a dream for me to have him here for that long as a strength Cozens’ physical transformation showed immediate results in Canada’s coach because usually you have to give him away to Team Canada to go two selection camp scrimmages before the quarantine. He scored a somewhere," McPherson said. power-play goal with a shot from atop the right circle and used his speed to confidently drive play on every shift. This offseason, Cozens spent two-and-a-half hours, five days a week, working in and out of McPherson’s gym. Cozens improved his squat from Most importantly, though, Cozens appeared in control with the puck. He 340 to 470 pounds. Stunned by the feat, McPherson had Cozens switch wasn’t forcing plays or skating himself into trouble. Although Cozens to single-leg squats and more hockey-specific work to turn the improved scored 34 goals with 84 points in 68 games for Lethbridge during his strength into power and speed on the ice. draft-eligible year in 2018-19, draft analysts, including TSN’s Craig Button, penalized the pride of Whitehorse for trying to do too much at "I’m stronger, faster," noted Cozens. "I stepped up my overall game to times. hopefully play an NHL season." “I think we hear the term less is more, and when you’re a young player in The two went to a nearby turf field where Cozens pushed a weighted your draft year you’re trying to show I can do 20 things in this game sled 150 yards. With a 400-pound tractor tire flipped on its side, Cozens instead of being a little calmer,” said Button. “His game matured exceptionally well this year. He’s always been a 100% dialed-in competitor and he has all the skills, but the maturity this year really, really stood out in terms of his game and how he can impact the game. How less is more became so much more significant for him."

The Sabres, coach Ralph Krueger included, were impressed by Cozens’ skill set during training camp and the preseason last September. Their primary concern was how the teenager would handle the grind of back- to-back games, coupled with difficult travel in what was a somewhat truncated schedule as a result of the team’s trip to Sweden in November.

Cozens was assigned to Lethbridge near the end of camp. Rather than sulk upon returning to his junior team, Cozens showed a determination, Lethbridge coach Brent Kisio said, “to win games and play for the right reasons but also tear the league up.”

Cozens helped Canada capture a gold medal at world juniors in January and set his sights on winning a Memorial Cup with Lethbridge before the season prematurely ended in March. Despite missing time to attend the world junior tournament, Cozens finished fifth in the WHL in goals and seventh in points (85).

“He’s a special player,” Kisio said. “Buffalo’s going to be happy about the player they have coming in, on and off the ice. … Ever since he came in at 15, he's been one of those guys who always scores big goals. He’s scored them for us. He’s scored them for Hockey Canada. When the game is on the line, he’s a guy you want on the ice and he always delivers. He’s a guy you can rely on every night to play hard. … He’s getting better and better and showing what he can do.”

Beyond world juniors, Cozens’ next step is showing the Sabres what he can do. Competition in camp will be stiff with the additions of Taylor Hall, Eric Staal and Cody Eakin, as well as two other young forwards pushing for roster spots, Tage Thompson and Casey Mittelstadt.

Krueger told WGR Radio in October that Cozens could begin his NHL career on the wing in a top-six role playing alongside an experienced center. Eric Staal, 36, a former Stanley Cup champion whom the Sabres acquired in August, would be an ideal mentor.

“I’ve always seen myself as a true center," Cozens said of a potential move to wing, "but I’m very comfortable on the wing and it does make sense for younger guys to sort of start on the wing and transition to center as they get older and more comfortable. Obviously wherever they want to play me, that’s where I’m going to play and I’m going to play there happily. Whatever they want is what I’ll do.”

Cozens is a lock to make Canada’s roster for world juniors and the tournament – which is scheduled Dec. 25 through Jan. 5 – will provide what he described as an opportunity to prepare for the job interview he’s waited for since he left Sabres camp more than 14 months ago.

“The competitiveness, mixed with his size and speed, make him really special,” said Andre Tourigny, Canada’s coach for world juniors. “When you see a big boy like that who can move, who is so driven and plays with that pace ... We could say that about a lot of players: They’re big, fast and skilled. But that doesn’t mean they play with pace. It doesn’t mean they play with that speed and desire to make plays. Dylan has that, though.

"I’ve been lucky to coach a lot of good players, but he’s one of those guys who has that special drive, that special competitiveness who wants to makes a play every time he touches the ice.”

Buffalo News LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196393 Carolina Hurricanes Haydn Fleury, RD: Has Fleury finally done enough to not worry if he’ll be kicked out of the lineup on a game-to-game basis? I would hope so. In the playoffs, he was one of the best Hurricanes skaters — full stop — Hurricanes defensemen are among the NHL’s best, so what can we and scored two goals on an offense-starved team. The Canes rewarded expect from them? him with a two-year, $1.3 million AAV deal last month. You saw when his usage rate went up throughout the season, his confidence followed accordingly. It wasn’t just about the late-season and playoff production, but at 6-foot-3 and 221 pounds, he was finally able to translate to the By Sara Civian Dec 4, 2020 24 NHL the physicality we saw him use in the AHL. The question for Fleury now won’t be “Will he stay in the lineup?” it’ll be “How far can he take this?” We went over the Hurricanes 2020-21 forward group earlier this week as we twiddled our thumbs waiting on return to play updates. Here we Extras remain, twiddling our thumbs. Jake Bean: Jake Bean is becoming what Haydn Fleury once was; the Let’s start thinking about what to expect from the defense. Canes roster is still too stacked to give him even a short leash. If he can’t come in and look like a bona fide NHL player, why would they replace the First pair other bona fide NHL players? It isn’t necessarily fair, but Bean is really going to have to wow if he’s going to crack the Hurricanes lineup barring Jaccob Slavin, LD: With the Hurricanes’ return to the playoffs in 2018-19 any injuries. We’ve all seen him crush it at the AHL level, but is that came the rest of the hockey world waking up to how good Slavin is. He’s enough on a team like this? always had a skill for breaking up plays without racking up penalties and top tier vision, but after that season I recall him telling me that he wanted Joakim Ryan: The Canes signed Ryan to a one-year, two-way deal to improve his offensive game. Last season, he ended up with a career- paying $700,000 at the NHL level and $150,000 at the AHL level in high 36 points (six goals, 30 assists) in 68 games while maintaining a October. He’s played in 141 NHL games between the Kings and Sharks plus-30 rating. Compare that to eight goals and 23 assists in 82 games in and 20 NHL playoff games. This is the perfect defensive depth the previous season. I see no reason to believe Mr. Accuracy will slow acquisition for the playoffs or David Ayres night 2.0. down — especially assuming the man to his right stays healthy. The Athletic LOADED: 12.05.2020 Dougie Hamilton, RD: Speaking of the man to his right, Dougie Hamilton went from Rod Brind’Amour’s self-proclaimed most valuable player to a broken fibula that sidelined him as he was gaining traction in the Norris Trophy race. As unfortunate as that was, you could see his impact immediately upon his absence — even with one of the most stacked blue lines in the NHL holding it down. You also saw how much he means to the team off the ice, which has obviously been a subject of contention throughout his NHL career. I can’t be the only one looking forward to watching Hamilton try to improve on where he peaked last season, this time in the biggest contract year of his career.

Second pair

Brady Skjei?, LD: I expect the second and third pairings to play all sorts of musical chairs as the 2020-21 season rages on, but Skjei is a likely candidate for 2LD. Skjei arrived at the trade deadline somewhat unexpectedly, and there was an adjustment period after spending his entire career with the Rangers. He seemed to get more comfortable during the playoffs, with that huge hit against former/future teammate Jesper Fast and two assists while the team was struggling to produce much of anything. It will be interesting to see what he can do next to a stabilizer like Brett Pesce, who makes everyone around him better.

Brett Pesce, RD: Pesce was extremely frustrated not being able to enter the bubble and return for the playoffs while recovering from a March 5 shoulder surgery last season, but he’ll be ready to go for whenever training camp is this year. His role as a shutdown defenseman and on the penalty kill can’t be understated. He led the Canes in shorthanded ice time with an average of 3:16 per game (you remember how many penalties this team takes, right?), and the Canes’ PK somehow finished fourth in the league at 84 percent. Pesce is loved by his teammates for moments like this, when he suffered a gruesome blown-up vein, returned to the game and almost won it in overtime. Pesce’s will to win and his ability to make all of his partners better were missed during the postseason maybe more than some of us realized.

(James Guillory / USA Today)

Third pair

Jake Gardiner, LD: Gardiner could easily slide in and out of the 2LD spot as he approaches the 10th season of his polarizing NHL career. Last season was a microcosm of that career with all-over-the-place stats to back it up. He’s a high-event player and he’s going to have his low lows and high highs. By any account, his four goals, 24 points and minus-24 stat line wasn’t ideal last season (the plus/minus was a team-worst). Namely, he was expected to contribute more on the power play when in reality the Canes had over 40 percent more expected goals on the man advantage when he wasn’t on the ice, according to Natural Stat Trick. We could fight all day if that’s just a case of bad luck, and I’m sure in some instances it was. You’d just like to see Gardiner chipping in more where it counts. 1196394 Chicago Blackhawks the road if the youngsters in the pipeline can't run with the opportunity. The last few seasons he bounced back and forth between the NHL and AHL.

Ranking Blackhawks' rebuilding blocks, from Patrick Kane to Ian Mitchell 35 Zack Smith

Zack Smith

BY USA Today

Scott King 6 / 40

Smith, 32, had back surgery on March 6 ahead of the NHL pause. The 40 Nick Seeler forward, who had 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 50 games with the Blackhawks last season, has one year left on his contract with a Nick Seeler modified no trade clause.

USA Today 34 Alex Nylander

1 / 40 Alex Nylander

The 27-year-old defenseman displayed some grit in six games with the USA Today Blackhawks last season after the Hawks claimed him off waivers from the Minnesota Wild. The blueliner is signed through next season, but with the 7 / 40 wave of incoming young D-men doesn't seem to factor in much in Nylander being a healthy scratch for the Hawks' final game of the 2019- regards to Chicago's future. 20 season, Game 5 in the first round against the Golden Knights, said a 39 John Quenneville lot. There were plenty of flashes of offensive skill with Alex in 2019-20, but it wasn't enough. John Quenneville He had a whole year to improve with the Hawks and kept getting USA Today opportunity after opportunity with the top six forward group. His game, especially on D, couldn't be trusted when everything was on the line at 2 / 40 the end of the year. There is zero reason to give him more chances when Many were left scratching their heads following the Hawks' Game 5 loss there are other young players that need the opportunity to develop in the to the Golden Knights in August that eliminated them from the rebuild. However, if he's in the lineup, he'll contribute to some offense. postseason when Chicago coach Jeremy Colliton dressed Quenneville, a 33 Ryan Carpenter forward, over Alex Nylander. Ryan Carpenter Quenneville, 24, is physical with a big frame, but has had trouble indicating he can play at the NHL level in nine regular season games and USA Today two playoff contests in 2019-20. He had 22 points (13 goals, nine assists) in 36 games with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League 8 / 40 last year. Carpenter was a solid bottom-six forward for the Hawks last year after 38 Anton Lindholm coming over from Vegas and is under contract through 2021-22. Although still serviceable in his role, at 29 it's possible he could be traded Anton Lindholm to make room for the youth.

USA Today 32 David Kampf

3 / 40 David Kampf

Lindholm, 26, came over from the Colorado Avalanche in this offseason's USA Today Brandon Saad trade. He played just four games with Colorado last season, recording one assist, and picked up one goal and two assists in 9 / 40 45 games with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL. Since being drafted by Kampf, 25, has been a trusted defensive forward in his first three the Avalanche in 2014 (fifth round, No. 144 overall), the defenseman has seasons with the Blackhawks and has one more year left on his contract. played only 66 NHL games. As other teams in today's NHL are able to roll out four lines that can 37 Tim Soderlund score, never reaching the 20-point mark doesn't help Kampf's case for sticking around to see the rebuild through. Tim Soderlund 31 Matej Chalupa USA Today Matej Chalupa 4 / 40 USA Today The 22-year-old Swedish winger was selected by the Hawks in the fourth round, No. 112 overall, of the 2017 NHL Draft. Soderlund, described as a 10 / 40 "Very speedy skater with excellent work ethic," in a report from Chalupa (such a great name), signed a two-year contract with Chicago in eliteprospects.com, needs to enhance his offense to stick in the NHL. In late May. The 21-year-old forward recorded 24 points (7G, 17A) in 50 29 games with the IceHogs last season in the AHL, he only managed to games with HK Hradec Kralove of the Czech Republic League last year. pick up three points (one goal, two assists). He fared a little better in the ECHL, grabbing six points (two goals, four assists) in seven games with 30 Drew Commesso the Indy Fuel. Drew Commesso 36 Brandon Pirri Getty Brandon Pirri 11 / 40 USA Today Commesso was selected by the Blackhawks in the second round, No. 46 5 / 40 overall, of the 2020 NHL Draft. Seeing as how three inexperienced goalies will already be competing for the starter job at the upcoming Pirri, 29, began his second stint with the Hawks after coming back to training camp, in the near future Commesso may have an opportunity to Chicago when the Blackhawks traded Dylan Sikura to the Vegas Golden be the backup goalie of the rebuild or challenge for the starter role. Knights this offseason. The forward could help with depth at center down The 18-year-old netminder went 18-7-1 with a 2.05 goals-against season), the young D man should get a look from the big club sooner average, a .920 save percentage and three shutouts last season with the rather than later and may have what it takes to factor into the rebuild. U.S. National Development Program's under-18 team. The 6'2, 180 lb. netminder is currently a freshman at Boston University. 23 MacKenzie Entwistle

29 Michal Teply MacKenzie Entwistle

Michal Teply Getty

NHL 18 / 40

12 / 40 Selected by the Blackhawks in the third round (No. 69 overall) of the 2017 draft, the 21-year-old right wing has been gaining experience in the The 6'3 winger was recently named to the Czech Republic's World Junior AHL. He recorded 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 56 games with team. At 19, Teply has time to prep himself for the NHL. Last year, he Rockford last season. Entwistle may have been up and down with the had 63 points in 53 games with the Winnipeg Ice of the WHL. IceHogs, but the skill is there and he's not afraid to use his 6'3 frame. Expect to see Entwistle get opportunities with Chicago as early as the 28 Lucas Wallmark upcoming season.

Lucas Wallmark 22 Lukas Reichel

USA Today Lukas Reichel

13 / 40 Getty

The 25-year-old center is only on a one-year deal with the Hawks 19 / 40 through next season, but 2020-21 is huge for the rebuild in that it could serve as a foundation for the franchise to build on. Wallmark is a The Blackhawks selected the German forward at No. 17 overall with their dependable bottom-six center who can kill penalties. He has a career first pick of the 2020 draft. Reichel, 18, has proved to have a strong faceoff win percentage of 50.9. defensive game. Eliteprospects.com's 2020 Draft Guide said of the forward, "He's an unrelenting forechecker and backchecker, never gives 27 Mattias Janmark up on a play, and wins battles through second efforts. Reichel is a pretty Mattias Janmark capable puck-handler too, even at top-speed carrying the puck through a defender's triangle, showing a predilection for outside-in maneuvers, and USA Today deploying weight shifts to avoid contact."

14 / 40 21 Lucas Carlsson

Also on a one-year deal, Janmark, 27, recorded 21 points (six goals, 15 Lucas Carlsson assists) in 62 games last season for the Dallas Stars. He also tallied eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 26 postseason games for the USA Today Stars, who reached the Stanley Cup Final. 20 / 40

26 Calvin de Haan Carlsson, 23, was a +3 and picked up an assist in six regular season Calvin de Haan games with the Hawks last year. The Swedish D-man earned praise from Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton in a small sample size prior to the pause. USA Today Carlsson also played in one postseason game.

15 / 40 His contract with Chicago is up after next season, but if he continues to impress he could very well be a part of the youth movement and rebuild. The 29-year-old defenseman had six points (one goal, five assists) and a +/- rating of +10 in 29 games with Chicago before having right shoulder 20 Wyatt Kalynuk surgery in December. He returned for the postseason, playing in all nine playoff games for the Blackhawks, registering an assist and a +/- rating of Wyatt Kalynuk +1. Getty

The youth movement will be especially evident on D for the Hawks 21 / 40 beginning next season. With his contract running through the 2021-22 season, it will be interesting to see which phase of the rebuild de Haan The former Wisconsin defenseman signed a two-year contract with the makes it to. He certainly proved it's still beneficial to have him on your Blackhawks that runs through the 2021-22 season. According to Badgers blue line after his surgery, but the kids are coming. head coach Tony Granato, not only will the 23-year-old blueliner fit in with the Hawks, but skilled players like Patrick Kane and Jonathan 25 Evan Barratt Toews will want to be on the ice with him.

Evan Barratt "I see him as one of the players that Toews and Kane and the skill guys Getty are going to say, 'I want to be on the ice with him,' because of the way he reads the game and he's able to support the play from a defenseman's 16 / 40 standpoint," Granato told NBC Sports Chicago in July. "I think it's a great fit." Barratt will go from Penn State to Rockford next season after signing his entry-level contract with the Hawks in early April. The center isn't the 19 Philipp Kurashev fastest skater, but lit it up at the college level the last couple years, recording 77 points in the last 66 games across the past two seasons Philipp Kurashev with the Nittany Lions. Getty

24 Alec Regula 22 / 40

Alec Regula Kurashev, 21, registered 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 36 games Getty with the IceHogs last year but given his offensive skill set, he has more to offer. The center has been keeping his skills sharp on loan to HC Lugano 17 / 40 of the Swiss league, recording eight assists in 12 games, to compete for a Hawks' roster spot in camp. Regula, a 20-year-old 6'4 defenseman, is slated to play with the IceHogs next year. Given his size and ability to contribute offense (60 points in 56 18 Pius Suter games with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League last Pius Suter USA Today Nicolas Beaudin

23 / 40 USA Today

Suter, 24, signed a one-year contract with Chicago in July. The left wing, 29 / 40 who can play center, led Switzerland's National League-A in goals (30) and points (53) through 50 games last season and was named league Locked up through the 2022-23 season on his entry-level contract, MVP. It's easy to picture Suter making the most of an opportunity with the Beaudin is expected to factor into the blue line sooner rather than later. Hawks and earning an extension. He should be one of the D-men that gets a long look in 2020-21, especially after being another youngster that impressed Colliton during 17 Matthew Highmore his NHL debut on March 11 vs. the Sharks. Beaudin was selected by the Hawks in the first round (No. 27 overall) of the 2018 draft. He played in Matthew Highmore 59 games with the IceHogs last year before getting his first shot with the USA Today Hawks.

24 / 40 11 Brandon Hagel

The forward didn't have much to show from his 49 games with the Hawks Brandon Hagel across the 2017-18 and 2019-20 regular seasons, but he got to another Getty level when the 24-year-old was able to score three goals and grab an assist in the 2020 postseason. Highmore is under contract with the 30 / 40 Blackhawks through 2021-22. Voted the "most competitive" out of all Blackhawks prospects by the 16 Dylan Strome Hawks' scouts, just like Beaudin, Hagel looked sharp in his March 11 NHL debut. The 22-year-old left winger had 31 points (19 goals, 12 Dylan Strome assists) in 59 games with Rockford last year and will definitely have a lot USA Today of eyes on him come time for camp.

25 / 40 10 Dominik Kubalik

Still awaiting a potential contract extension from the Hawks as a Dominik Kubalik restricted free agent, Strome saw a drop in production in his second USA Today season with Chicago, going from 51 points in 58 games in 2018-19 to 38 points in 58 games last year. To be fair, it may have been hard for him to 31 / 40 find a groove in 2019-20 after both a concussion and an ankle injury had him missing time. Outside of the Hawks making the postseason as a No. 12 seed, Kubalik was the Blackhawks' most pleasant surprise last year. He was named a If Strome is extended and his numbers pick back up, he still needs to Calder Trophy finalist after finishing the regular season with 30 goals and improve on the dot. Regardless, he has displayed excellent chemistry in 46 points. The 25-year-old winger, who also stood out in the playoffs with the past with Patrick Kane and pal Alex DeBrincat and should help eight points (four goals, four assists) in nine games, signed a two-year contribute to the offense if he remains in Chicago. contract extension with the Hawks in October. His ability to find the back of the net could be a recurring sight as the rebuild plays out. 15 Andrew Shaw 09 Alex DeBrincat Andrew Shaw Alex DeBrincat USA Today USA Today 26 / 40 32 / 40 The two-time Stanley Cup champ with the Hawks plans on returning next season after a concussion limited the feisty winger to just 26 games for After a superb sophomore season with the Hawks in which he recorded the 2019-20 campaign. In 2018-19, Shaw, 29, registered 47 points (19 76 points (41 goals, 35 assists) in 82 games, DeBrincat noticeably goals, 28 assists) in 63 games with the Montreal Canadiens. He has two underperformed in 2019-20, picking up just 45 points (18 goals, 27 years left on his contract, but if he can play close to the level he was at assists) in 70 games. A lot of last year can be chalked up to bad bounces prior to his last concussion, he should make a big impact moving forward. and unfortunate puck luck for Alex, but he knows he has to find a way to produce more moving forward. He becomes a restricted free agent after 14 Nikita Zadorov the 2022-23 season. With his skillset and play-making ability, expect Nikita Zadorov DeBrincat to rebound and be one of the Hawks' most dangerous offensive weapons as the rebuild plays out. USA Today 08 Brent Seabrook 27 / 40 Brent Seabrook Zadorov was the key return from the Colorado Avalanche in this offseason's Brandon Saad trade. Colliton sees the 25-year-old 6'6 NBC Sports Chicago defenseman playing a big role in attempting to shut down the opposition 33 / 40 for the Hawks. Zadorov will be a restricted free agent after the upcoming season. How Seabrook looks on the ice following surgeries on his right shoulder and both hips last winter will be one of the biggest storylines of training 13 Connor Murphy camp. The 35-year-old three-time Stanley Cup champ is under contract Connor Murphy through 2023-24, with the last two years of his deal carrying a modified no trade clause. NBC Sports Chicago Regardless of how much ice time Seabrook sees in 2020-21 and beyond, 28 / 40 as a member of the Hawks, the youth will greatly benefit from having one of the most vocal and well-respected leaders across the league in their Murphy, 27, is under contract through 2021-22. He was one of the dressing room. Hawks' most dependable D-man overall last year. Aside from playing well defensively in 2019-20, Murphy had the best offensive season in his 07 Adam Boqvist seven-year NHL career with 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 58 games. Adam Boqvist

12 Nicolas Beaudin USA Today 34 / 40 Toews, 32, is still producing at a high level. Last year, he grabbed 60 points (18 goals, 42 assists) in 70 regular season games and nine points Boqvist didn't have the storybook rookie season like his elder Kubalik or (five goals, four assists) in nine playoff games, not to mention a career bounce back in the postseason like Kirby Dach, but he gained valuable high in goals (35), assists (46) and points (81) during the 2018-19 experience learning from Duncan Keith in 2019-20. Similar in style — season. and with his ceiling — to Keith, Boqvist has an elite skating ability for a defenseman, but in his case, needs to trust his shot more. Hopefully he's In the time he'll be with the Hawks during the rebuild, the younger players more confident in his ability as he presumably takes on a bigger role with will be privy to having one of the most highly decorated and respected the Hawks next season. captains in the NHL in the past two decades.

His entry-level contract expires after the 2021-22 season, but if he begins 02 Patrick Kane to near his potential in the next season-plus, expect him to be a Blackhawk for the long haul. Patrick Kane

06 Duncan Keith USA Today

Duncan Keith 39 / 40

USA Today Kane, the Blackhawks' leader in goals (33), assists (51) and points (84) last season remains one of the NHL's most dynamic wingers at age 32. 35 / 40 His vision and ability to create offense will continue to pay dividends for the Hawks well into the rebuild, at least until his current contract expires Keith's 2019-20 numbers were decent, 27 points (three goals, 24 assists) after 2022-23 and possibly beyond if an extension is agreed upon. and a +/- rating of +1 in 61 regular season games and five assists in the playoffs. But, the numbers don't quite reflect how good the 37-year-old Kane had been emerging as a leader for the Hawks behind the scenes in two-time Norris Trophy winner was for the Blackhawks last year. Keith recent years, helping young talent break into the NHL even before was one of Chicago's best defensemen last season, which could no receiving an 'A' after Seabrook's season ended early last year. His input doubt be attributed to his freakish cardio, training and work ethic. off the ice and examples on it will be priceless for the young Hawks in the rebuild. He may be getting up there in age but his game hasn't slowed down much. Locked up through 2022-23 with a no movement clause, even if 01 The Starting Goalie Keith's game declines in the next few seasons there might not be a more valuable resource in today's NHL for the young defenseman in the The Starting Goalie Hawks' locker room to learn from. USA Today

05 Ian Mitchell 40 / 40

Ian Mitchell When the Hawks announced they were moving on from Corey Crawford, Getty GM Stan Bowman said the team would focus on developing the starter of the future in Chicago and that a three-way competition between Collin 36 / 40 Delia, Kevin Lankinen, and Malcolm Subban at training camp will determine the starting goalie for 2020-21 and likely beyond. Blackhawks fans have been eager for Mitchell to join the squad since he was drafted by the Hawks in 2017 at No. 57 overall in the second round. Delia, 26, is 7-5-3 with a 3.65 goals-against average and a .906 save The 21-year-old defenseman is a natural leader that captained the percentage in 18 games with the Blackhawks across the 2017-18 and University of Denver's team last year and recorded 32 points (10 goals, 2018-19 seasons. He's spent the majority of the past three seasons with 22 assists) in 36 games with the club. He's expected to make the Hawks' the IceHogs. roster out of camp and should play a major role in the rebuild. Lankinen, 25, is yet to make his NHL debut. He went 8-10-2 and had a 04 Kirby Dach 3.03 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage with the Hawks' American Hockey League affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, last season. Kirby Dach Subban, 26, went 9-7-3 with a 3.18 goals-against average and .890 save USA Today percentage in 20 games for the Vegas Golden Knights last season 37 / 40 before getting traded to Chicago at the trade deadline. He has not started a regular season or playoff game for the Hawks yet. There was a lot of pressure on the young center to make an immediate impact on the Hawks after being selected at No. 3 overall in the 2019 Despite the strong leadership and expected contributions of the Core draft. There were flashes of skill and a complete game during the regular Four, as well as the young talent coming in, a starting goalie is a massive season last year, but overall he felt short of many's expectations. role in the NHL, often one that can make or break a team.

Dach impressively used the pause and the Blackhawks' 2020 postseason Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.05.2020 opportunity to bulk up and enhance his game. He was one of Chicago's most consistent players in the playoffs and played with a lot more confidence. The 19-year-old already seems capable of being a dependable second-line center for the Hawks and could be the Blackhawks' top center of the future after Jonathan Toews' contract expires following the 2022-23 season if the three-time Stanley Cup champion moves on.

03 Jonathan Toews

Jonathan Toews

USA Today

38 / 40

Toews recently told The Athletic, "Chicago’s my home, and I want to win here again.” If the longtime Blackhawks captain finishes out his current contract, which expires after the 2022-23 season, he would not only have seen three years of the rebuild play out, but no doubt have had a big impact on it. 1196395 Columbus Blue Jackets “He’s going to fill a hole for us that we’ve been looking to fill for a long time,” Kekalainen said. “He’s competitive, he’s feisty, he plays with a chip on his shoulder, he’s got good hockey sense, he’s got speed ... so he’s Blue Jackets center Max Domi eager to fill key role, play for coach John going to bring a lot of those things into our club. He plays like a Blue Tortorella Jacket, so we’re excited to have him.”

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 12.05.2020

Brian Hedger

The Columbus Dispatch

Forward Max Domi (13), shown playing last season with the Canadiens, said several players have spoken highly of Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella.

It didn’t take long for his phone to start buzzing.

After being traded to the Blue Jackets on Oct. 9 in a deal that sent Josh Anderson to the Montreal Canadians, Max Domi began to receive a lot of calls and texts.

Anderson, a close friend, was the first, followed by calls from Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and then coach John Tortorella.

“We were both on the golf course when we found out,” Domi, 25, said of him and Anderson. “Kind of crazy. We weren’t expecting it.”

Both players were restricted free agents and each quickly agreed to contract extensions. Domi signed a two-year deal worth $10.6 million with Columbus, which will take him to unrestricted free agency, and Montreal inked Anderson to a seven-year deal worth $38.5 million.

“He’s one of my closest buddies,” Domi said of Anderson, whom he has known since their days as teammates with the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League. “Never in our wildest dreams did we think that we’d get traded for each other, but you can laugh about it now.

“Both of us are super excited. We’re both going into a situation where we’re wanted and that’s all, really, a player can ask for. I’ve spoken to Jarmo and Torts and they’re both pretty excited … and I’m pretty jacked up, too.”

Tortorella is one of the reasons.

The Jackets’ grizzly bench boss has drawn a lot of ire and criticism during his time as an NHL coach, but that’s not the only thing his hard- driving style has generated. Tortorella has also earned respect from numerous players he has coached, which Domi quickly discovered.

Anderson was the first to speak highly of Tortorella’s no-nonsense style after the trade, but he wasn’t the only one who contacted Domi.

“I had probably 12 or 13 (players) reach out to me, who’d played for him in the past, and they said, ‘You’re going to love Torts,’ ” said Domi, the son of former NHL enforcer Tie Domi. “(Anderson) said he was a great coach, a coach that will say it how it is. He’ll never play any head games with you. If you’re playing hard and you’re playing good, you’re going to keep going back out there. If you’re not, you’ll hear about it.”

Time will tell whether Domi and Tortorella are a good mix, but it looks that way at first glance. Both are fiery, both are driven and both talk openly about enjoying the “grind” of a season.

Domi also comes with added motivation after a dip in his offensive production last season, which coincided with a lineup demotion.

After centering Montreal’s second line in 2018-19 — setting career highs with 28 goals, 44 assists and 72 points — Canadiens coach Claude Julien moved him back to the wing in a lineup loaded with centers. Domi posted a 17-27-44 scoring line in 71 games and skated on the Canadiens’ fourth line during the postseason.

“The playoff situation was tough,” he said. “There was not a lot of communication there. I wasn’t really sure where I stood and what I had to do to help the team. I wasn’t really told by anyone.”

That shouldn’t be an issue with the Blue Jackets, who have Tortorella in charge of a lineup that’s sorely lacking an impact center for the second line. The hope is that a return to the middle, while playing for a coach whose style appears to be a match, will spark a resurgence in Domi. 1196396 Dallas Stars the wing, you can go play offense, you have a bit more freedom to create. You’re not so restricted. It was good to be put on the wing and be versatile and try to create offense and help the team that way.”

Stars prospect Ty Dellandrea on playing in Finland, and what’s next after Stars center Ty Dellandrea plays for JYP in Finland's Liiga during Nov. Liiga’s pause 2020.

Stars center Ty Dellandrea plays for JYP in Finland's Liiga during Nov. By Matthew DeFranks7:00 AM on Dec 4, 2020 CST 2020.(Jiri Halttunen)

While Dellandrea profiles as a two-way center long-term, the ability to play wing effectively may be key in the first few years of his NHL career. For now, Ty Dellandrea is staying put. When healthy, the Stars are overflowing with capable centers on the roster: Tyler Seguin, Joe Pavelski, Roope Hintz, Radek Faksa, Jason The Stars prospect and 2018 first-round pick was one of the few players Dickinson and Justin Dowling. in the organization playing games via his loan to JYP in Finland’s Liiga, but thanks to Liiga’s coronavirus-induced pause on games through Dec. The glut of centers forced players like Pavelski, Hintz and Dickinson to 19, Dellandrea won’t be playing soon. shift to the wing at times last year. For Dickinson in particular, the ability to be a top-six wing or a bottom-six center was key to holding his spot in But Dellandrea said he will be staying in Finland to practice with JYP Dallas after previously being shuttled between the AHL and NHL. through the pause, even though a return to North America for the start of Stars training camp could be on the horizon in the next month. The NHL Even with Tyler Seguin sidelined to start the season by hip surgery, has repeatedly said it is aiming for a Jan. 1 start date for next season, but Dellandrea might not be one of the team’s best four centers. But might he has not released a concrete schedule or format for the season, making be one of the team’s best 12 forwards? that date less and less likely. “I’m excited to get into camp and get going and try to make the team,” Dellandrea played in six games with JYP, scoring twice and assisting on Dellandrea said. “Either way, come into camp in that situation or in a another goal. It is Dellandrea’s first game action as a professional after different situation, I’m going to put in the same work ethic and compete playing four years in the OHL and appearing in five NHL exhibition level and bring what I can.” games, and it comes in a foreign country on a temporary basis, with a wider Olympic-sized ice and the responsibility of living on his own for the Dallas Morning News LOADED: 12.05.2020 first time.

“I enjoy learning and seeing different cultures, whether it’s being in Europe or different hockey environments and experiences,” Dellandrea said. “I’ve been enjoying taking it all in and learning a different game. I feel like from the outside, it’s pretty weird.

“You get thrown into a team, you don’t know anybody, everybody speaks Finnish. You know you’re only going to be here for a month or two. But I feel like with hockey players, throw them in a game or a situation and everybody just wants to win hockey games, so it’s pretty easy to get along.”

Off the ice, Dellandrea is adjusting to cooking and navigating grocery stores filled with products in a different language: “You try to get something you want and it’s all different branding and sizes, and then it’s all in Finnish. You don’t really know exactly.”

He’s tried learning Finnish to communicate better with teammates, but it’s hard to learn, and two teammates have helped translate for him. The snow has helped brighten otherwise dark days — literally, since the sun rises at 9:15 a.m. and sets at 3 p.m. in Jyväskylä.

On the ice, Dellandrea said there were two main adjustments he had to make to the wider surface: the angles he took defensively towards players, and the aggressiveness of his forecheck.

“What took me a bit to get used to was the angles, just with the big ice, the angles are a lot different if you’re trying to cut someone off or take an angle,” Dellandrea said. “It’s obviously different than playing on North American ice, there’s more room to skate and everyone’s a good skater over here.

“In North American hockey, it’s a lot of pressure and constant pressure and hard forechecking, but you’ve got to get used to being patient sometimes. You can’t just go all out and forecheck when you don’t have support that’s going to back you up. They can make one easy play and they’re halfway up the ice already. Sometimes, you have to be patient.”

After playing center for his first four games, Dellandrea shifted to the wing in his most recent two games, both games in which he scored goals. He’s also played five of the six games on the same line as 16- year-old Finnish wunderkind Brad Lambert, one of the top prospects in the 2022 draft.

Position Games Goals Assists Shots per game

Center 4 0 1 2.5

Wing 2 2 0 7

“Center over here is like a third d-man,” Dellandrea said. “It’s really strictly focused on defense. I don’t know if every team is like that, but at least our team. That’s your responsibility. That’s your job. If you’re put on 1196397 Detroit Red Wings

NHL eyes mid-January start, 52- or 56-game schedule

By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

The NHL is eying a mid-January start to the regular season.

Commissioner Gary Bettman for weeks had been targeting a Jan. 1 start, but with that date approaching it has become clear the league would not be up and running that soon.

Both tsn.ca and sportsnet.ca are reporting the NHL and NHL Players Association are looking to start the season on Jan. 15.

Frank Seravalli of TSN reports the sides have shared multiple draft schedules, including 52- and 56-game scenarios.

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the Detroit Red Wings and six other non-playoff teams would report in the last few days of December and get two or three extra days of training camp. The 24 teams that took part in the restart would report around New Year’s Day. The regular season would end in early May and the schedule would include a “buffer zone” in case games need to made up due to postponements caused by COVID-19. The Stanley Cup would be awarded in late June or early July.

Due to travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada, an all-Canadian division is all but certain. The 24 U.S.-based teams would be divided into three divisions. The Red Wings’ division likely would include Chicago, Columbus, Florida, Nashville, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Tampa Bay.

Michigan Live LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196398 Los Angeles Kings

NHL and players’ union aiming for mid-January start to season

A detailed view of center ice with a Stanley Cup logo.

By JACK HARRISSTAFF WRITER

DEC. 4, 20204:16 PM

The Kings and Ducks will have to wait a little longer to return to the ice.

LA Times: LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196399 Los Angeles Kings

NHL targeting mid-January for starting new season

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | [email protected] | Orange County Register

PUBLISHED: December 4, 2020 at 11:17 a.m. | UPDATED: December 4, 2020 at 11:17 a.m.

Negotiations were expected to continue Friday.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196400 Los Angeles Kings run – leading the league with 14 goals. Who was surprised that Columbus never made another trade with Lombardi?

4. Matt Greene and Jarret Stoll from the Edmonton Oilers for Lubomir Los Angeles Kings trades: Best and worst of the salary-cap era Visnovsky (2008)

Hammond: This was the first big culture-changing trade by Lombardi, By Lisa Dillman and Rich Hammond Dec 4, 2020 56 who was hired two years earlier, and it set the tone for the Kings’ later run of success. They parted with Visnovsky, a popular but ultimately expendable veteran defenseman, and got two core pieces in Greene and Stoll. Greene, a hard-nosed defenseman with quick wit, quickly became One of the (many) hints that the Los Angeles Kings could be something a team leader and a valuable penalty killer. Stoll brought gritty play as a special, even a bit quirky, came with their first trade. third-line center and was a faceoff wizard. Neither of these guys brought June 8, 1967 – Acquired the rights to Red Kelly from Toronto for Ken a dazzling amount of skill to the ice, but they were hard workers who Block were able to control the pulse of the dressing room.

Yes, they had to trade for the rights to Kelly, the man who became their 5. Alec Martinez (No. 95 pick in 2007) from the Washington Capitals for first coach. Even though Kelly had retired as a player, the Maple Leafs fourth- and sixth-round picks (2007) decided to make the Kings pay. OK, not really pay, because Block went Dillman: This happened on Day 2 of the draft in Columbus, one day after on to play only one NHL game, in 1970-71, with the Vancouver Canucks. Lombardi was criticized (and booed at the draft party back in L.A.) for (Neither Lisa Dillman nor Rich Hammond covered that 1967 team, taking Thomas Hickey with the No. 4 pick. So this is why it is worth though they feel that way, sometimes.) paying attention to fourth-round picks. Martinez would go on to play parts of 11 seasons in Los Angeles before the Kings traded him in February to If you think about it, the best and worst trades the Kings have made in the Vegas Golden Knights. He leaves a legacy of two of the most their franchise history could fill a small book. And the worst trades were important goals in franchise history in 2014 – the series winner in mostly at the hand of GM George Maguire (remember Ron Grahame for overtime of Game 7 against the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western a first-round pick that turned into future Hall of Famer Ray Bourque?) Conference Final and the Cup-clinching goal in double overtime of Game 5 against the New York Rangers. It’s daunting to think about all the trades, even the era starting with the biggest one of all, the Wayne Gretzky blockbuster in 1988. So, for the 6. Mike Richards from the Philadelphia Flyers for Wayne Simmonds, sake of clarity and modern-day relevance, we decided to discuss the best Brayden Schenn and a second-round draft pick (2011) and worst trades the Kings have made in the salary-cap era, which started in 2005. Hammond: This will be a controversial one for some Kings fans who might think this belongs on the “worst” list. The Kings gave up a lot, and With that done, how best should we proceed with the our picks? Rich things ended poorly between Richards and the Kings in 2015. But don’t put in more years as a Kings beat writer. Lisa covered the glory years underestimate what this trade meant. In the 2011 offseason, the Kings and the down years. We both survived that dreary 2007-08 season — had just endured a second consecutive first-round playoff elimination. where have you gone Erik Ersberg? They needed someone to help them get over the top, and Richards did that. One of the most underrated parts of the Kings’ 2012 championship We went with a coin flip by a fellow The Athletic staff member. Lisa won run was Richards’ dogged defense, particularly in a huge first-round the toss and decided to pick first for the best trade, which meant Rich got upset of the Vancouver Canucks. to make the first selection for the worst trade. Worst trades Best trades 1. Milan Lucic from the Boston Bruins for a first-round draft pick, Martin 1. Justin Williams from the Carolina Hurricanes for Patrick O’Sullivan and Jones and Colin Miller (2015) a second-round draft pick (2009) Hammond: After three consecutive trips to at least the conference finals, Dillman: It’s easy to forget that there were questions, and a whiff of the Kings missed the playoffs in 2014-15. The response, in part, was this disapproval, in the market when then-Kings GM Dean Lombardi traded big-swing trade that brought in Lucic. It was bold. It was understandable. for an injured Williams in what was a three-team deal involving Carolina Lombardi needed to shake things up. It just didn’t work. Lucic recorded and Edmonton. Williams brought the instant credibility of a Stanley Cup 55 points in 81 games and departed as a free agent after the 2015-16 champion (Carolina, 2006) to a rebuilding franchise and was a leading season. The Kings gave up two quality players and a prime draft pick, voice in the dressing room during the Kings’ Stanley Cup championship and while they returned to the playoffs in Lucic’s lone season, they were runs in 2012 and 2014. The “Mr. Game 7” aura and Williams’ Stanley easily dismissed by the San Jose Sharks. This was a big part of Cup playoff MVP in 2014 put the Williams trade above several other Lombardi’s downfall, along with … worthy contenders. 2. Andrej Sekera from the Carolina Hurricanes for a first-round pick and (Note: Lisa and Rich both had this listed as their No. 1 trade.) Roland McKeown (2015) 2. Jeff Carter from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Jack Johnson and a Dillman: The Sekera and Lucic trades were back-to-back deals, even first-round draft pick (2012) though they were four months apart. Lombardi felt like he “owed it” to the Hammond: This trade might have changed team history. The Kings were players to make an aggressive move before the deadline. Not only was clinging to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference in Feb. 2012, the cost high – the Hurricanes would later take defenseman Jake Bean when they acquired Carter, who didn’t seem particularly pleased in with the first-round pick – but it backfired when Sekera’s tenure with the Columbus. The goal-starved Kings got the scorer they needed, and Kings lasted 16 regular-season games and ended due to injury. Maybe Carter produced immediately, with six goals in 16 regular-season games, the Kings can get Bean back to “help” the Hurricanes as the Seattle then eight goals in 20 playoff games as the Kings stormed to a expansion draft draws nearer. championship. If this trade doesn’t happen, do the Kings even make the 3. Dan Cloutier from the Vancouver Canucks for second- and third-round playoffs? Does Lombardi get fired after the season? Both would have picks (2006) been real possibilities. Hammond: Three months into his tenure, Lombardi thought he had found 3. Marian Gaborik from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Matt Frattin, and his goalie. He traded two rather valuable draft picks to the Canucks for second- and third-round draft picks (2014) Cloutier, who had played under then-Kings coach Marc Crawford in Dillman: In my mind, this was even more one-sided than the Carter deal. Vancouver and enjoyed solid success. Cloutier suffered a hip injury early To start, the Kings gave up little in acquisition cost when Lombardi in the 2006-07 season and played only 33 games with the Kings in two expertly timed the market. They gave up the speedy Frattin, who had six seasons. The injury also led to a messy relationship, as the Kings points in 40 games, and two conditional picks. On top of that, the Blue attempted to buy out Cloutier’s contract and he contested it, and also Jackets picked up a portion of Gaborik’s remaining salary that season. complained that the Kings made him stay in a Super 8 hotel when he had Gaborik went on to have the playoffs of his life in the Kings’ 2014 Cup hip surgery. 4. Ben Bishop from the Tampa Bay Lightning for Erik Cernak and Peter Budaj (2017)

Dillman: The trade was mystifying even after the explanatory conference call with Lombardi. No one could really figure out why he traded for Bishop, who went on to appear in seven games with the Kings. The deal went from mystifying to one-sided when Cernak developed into a top-four defenseman with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The other deep mystery: Why did the Kings give up on Cernak, a second-round draft pick, before he turned 20?

5. Carl Hagelin from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Tanner Pearson (2018)

Hammond: One month after he took over as GM, Rob Blake gave Pearson a four-year, $15 million contract extension. A little over a year later, when Pearson started the 2018-19 season with zero goals and one assist in 17 games, Blake traded him to the Penguins for Hagelin. In fairness to Blake, Pearson also struggled with the Penguins, who flipped him to Vancouver three months later. But then Pearson rebounded and has scored 30 goals in 88 games with the Canucks. He’s a bargain entering the final year of his contract. Hagelin had one goal in 22 games for the Kings, who traded him after three months.

6. Tobias Rieder and Scott Wedgewood from the Arizona Coyotes for Darcy Kuemper (2018)

Dillman: Blake has done a much better job maximizing his assets in the trade market since making this deal. Kings goalie coach Bill Ranford helped restore Kuemper’s confidence and his game and it has paid off … for the Coyotes. Presumably, Kuemper should have had a higher trade value, but the return was weak. Rieder had six points in 20 games with the Kings, while Wedgewood spent about five minutes with the Ontario Reign, appearing in all of six games.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196401 Minnesota Wild

Wild winger Mats Zuccarello has arm surgery, likely will miss training camp

By Sarah McLellan DECEMBER 4, 2020 — 7:10PM

Whenever the Wild convenes for training camp, the team won’t have right winger Mats Zuccarello on the ice.

The team said Friday that Zuccarello had surgery on his right arm in his native Norway; a timeline for a return is unclear.

Zuccarello broke his right arm in 2019 during his debut with Dallas following a trade from the New York Rangers, an injury that required surgery and sidelined him for roughly five weeks. Upon his return, Zuccarello was dynamic in the playoffs for the Stars – chipping in four goals and seven assists in 13 games – and the Wild went on to sign Zuccarello that ensuing offseason to a five-year, $30 million contract.

The 33-year-old registered 15 goals and 22 assists in 65 regular-season games in 2019-20.

The NHL season is still in flux as Wild players deal with uncertainty. The Associated Press reported Friday that a mid-January start is likely the best the league can hope for, and the season would likely be between 50 and 60 games at best.

Star Tribune LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196402 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens prospect Cole Caufield leads Wisconsin over Ohio State

Montreal's first-round draft choice in 2019 (No. 15 overall) had a goal and two assists to lead his team to a 3-1 victory Friday night.

Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette

Publishing date:Dec 05, 2020 • • 1 minute read

Wisconsin's Cole Caufield opened the scoring Friday night against Ohio State and then assisted on the game-winner, a power-play goal by his older brother Brock.

Cole Caufield, the Canadiens’ first-round draft choice (No. 15 overall) in 2019, had a goal and two assists to lead Wisconsin to a 3-1 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in Big Ten hockey action Friday at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Caufield opened the scoring and then assisted on the game-winner, a power-play goal by older brother Brock.

Cole and Brock also assisted on Jack Gorniak’s insurance goal during a third-period power play.

WHAT A PASS COLE!

Jack Gorniak PP

Cole Caufield Brock Caufield

3-1 Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/KBYKpRIXJc

— Here's Your Replay (@HeresYourReplay) December 5, 2020

On Thursday, Caufield scored a goal in a 4-2 loss to the Buckeyes. He has six goals and six assists in 10 games this season.

Friday’s game was his last action for the Badgers until the new year. He will miss next weekend’s doubleheader against Michigan State as he joins the Team USA training camp prior to the World Junior Hockey Championships, which begin Christmas Day in Edmonton.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196403 Montreal Canadiens season with an NHL-best plus-minus rating of plus-48 and played a key role in Detroit’s Stanley Cup win in 2002. He was among the first players to recognize the importance of off-season training and his workouts on Worst trades in Canadiens history: Chelios deal haunts Serge Savard California’s Venice Beach were a key to his longevity.

Serge Savard also said the Canadiens failed to properly evaluate Denis Savard, who was available because he was having problems with Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette Chicago head coach Mike Keenan.

Publishing date:Dec 04, 2020 • • 3 minute read “We thought he would remain a dominant offensive player for thee or four more years. But he had already lost a step and we hadn’t taken notice.”

This week, we’re taking a look back at the five worst trades in Canadiens history. Today, No. 2 Denis Savard played three seasons for the Canadiens and got his name on the Stanley Cup in 1993. But an injury limited him to one game in the Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: The Canadiens trade an elite final against Los Angeles and he finished the series and his tenure in defenceman for a Québécois player to bolster their offence and live to Montreal behind the bench as an unofficial assistant coach. regret it. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 12.05.2020 No, we’re not talking about the Mikhail Sergachev for Jonathan Drouin deal, which is currently tilting heavily in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s favour.

We’re looking at the deal that saw Chris Chelios and a second-round draft pick move to the Chicago Blackhawks in return for Denis Savard. Looking back at the trade, general manager Serge Savard admits that it was one of the biggest blunders of his career.

When the deal was announced on June 29, 1990, it was assumed that Chelios’ lifestyle was a factor in the decision. He liked to step out for a beer on occasion and was involved in an infamous incident during the 1987 playoffs.

The Canadiens were sequestered in a South Shore hotel, which the players nicknamed Alcatraz. Chelios, Petr Svoboda and Shayne Corson decided to go out one night and the escapade might have gone unnoticed if they hadn’t veered off the road and hit a signpost on their way back.

GM Savard wasn’t overly concerned about the transgression. He looked back at his own playing days and said there were similar incidents when the team hid out in the Laurentians although no one was involved in an accident.

But Chelios’ reputation was in the forefront because the trade was announced one day after the defenceman was involved in an altercation with police in Madison, Wis., after he was discovered urinating in an alley outside a bar.

There was also speculation that the Canadiens were attempting to correct a mistake they the made in the 1980 draft. The Canadiens had the first overall pick and fans were hoping they would select Savard who was a high-scoring star with the Montreal Juniors. Instead, the Canadiens opted for Doug Wickenheiser and Savard went to Chicago with the third overall pick. Wickenheiser was a serviceable player, but Savard put up Hall of Fame numbers in Chicago.

But the story behind the trade is that Serge Savard made two errors in judgment.

In his authorized biography with Philippe Cantin, Serge Savard Forever Canadien, the former GM said he traded Chelios because he was concerned about a knee injury that sidelined the defenceman for 27 games during the 1989-90 season.

“At the end of the season, we got a medical opinion that was very worrisome,” said Savard. “His knee was in terrible shape and his career in professional hockey wouldn’t last much longer, maybe a season or two. That information was the deciding factor.

“That’s why I traded Chris Chelios. Otherwise, I never would have done it. It was one of the biggest blunders of my career as a general manager. His knee held up and he continued playing until he was 48 years old.”

Canadiens' Chris Chelios, centre, among fans during the Stanley Cup victory parade in Montreal on May 26, 1986 (George Bird/Montreal Gazette)

Chelios won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman with the Canadiens in 1989 and he would win it again in 1993 and ’96 while playing for the Blackhawks. He also finished the 1999-2000 regular 1196404 Montreal Canadiens Griffintown, it’ll be on Twitter within nanoseconds. So they mostly stay home. Plus home for so many Canadiens in recent years is the South Shore, near the Canadiens’ practice facility in Brossard, so they’re What the Puck: Dark times call for bright lights of Canadiens hockey isolated far from the heart of the city.

It's been a rough year for everyone, which is why fans need to see the I really think P.K. Subban was one of the last guys who was actually out Habs back in action as soon as possible. there in the city, whether it was having a couple of drinks at the Ritz- Carlton or playing street hockey with kids in lower Westmount. And he lived downtown, right across from the Ritz in fact. But those times are gone. Brendan Kelly • Montreal Gazette Romanov hype: It’s too much. Canadiens management has spent the Publishing date:Dec 04, 2020 • • 4 minute read past months positively raving about defence prospect Alexander Romanov. GM Marc Bergevin has talked him up, so has head coach Claude Julien. This week, it was assistant coach Luke Richardson We need hockey and we need it now. singing Romanov’s praises and basically almost guaranteeing him a prime spot in the Canadiens’ blue line corps. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s been a brutal year. One of the few bright lights for many of us in Montreal was the Canadiens’ post-season Can we wait until this young man actually plays a game in the NHL performance. It had been another disappointing season for our beloved before we decide he’s a game-changer? But this is the new thing with the Habs, with the team ending the shortened season comfortably nestled in Habs’ PR machine. Remember the arrival of Jesperi Kotkaniemi? It was 24th place in the National Hockey League. treated like the second coming. He may or may not become a top-flight NHL centre, but creating that kind of hype when kids are just hitting the And we were all thinking: Okay, been there, done that, bought the T-shirt. big leagues is irresponsible. It doesn’t help the kids and it doesn’t help Just another crap season for Montreal. This is life for Habs fans in the bolster the team’s credibility. 21st century. It’s been a rough 20 years. In the previous century, we’d never celebrate the Canadiens winning a series. That was no big deal. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 12.05.2020 We’d only celebrate when Les Boys won the Cup.

In this century, the Canadiens get into the playoffs and we’re dancing in the streets. So the 2019-20 season seemed just like more of the same.

Then Gary Bettman waved his magic wand, the lads somehow got into the post-season and then, incredibly, slew Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins. Almost as surprisingly, they proceeded to put up a pretty good fight against the Philadelphia Flyers and lost in six games — for the very good reason that they couldn’t buy a goal.

It was an exciting few weeks and it was just so great to be able to focus on something other than a killer virus. And now, with the COVID-19 cases mounting, we need a little more of that fun. Bettman and his owner buddies are locked in a bitter dispute with the players over who’s going to pay for the losses caused by the pandemic and, like most fans, I couldn’t care less about the inner workings of the finances of the league and the NHL Players’ Association.

With the exception of a few basket-case franchises, everyone in the biz, from the owners to the players to the agents, generally makes loads of dough. So here’s a novel idea: Why don’t you guys stop worrying only about your own bank accounts and take a moment to think of all the fans out there who are so desperate to see their favourite players back on the ice.

So get it done. Spare us the details. Just bring back NHL hockey. Soon. Think of the community for a change.

Habs players and the community: I was chatting on Twitter this week with some folks, including my colleague Stu Cowan, and talk turned to Chris Chelios and the infamous trade that had then-GM Serge Savard shipping him to Chicago in exchange for Denis Savard. We were talking about Chelios’s well-known fondness for our city’s nightlife and quickly came to the realization that it’s much rarer to bump into Habs players these days in the city’s watering holes (“these days” obviously referring to non- COVID times when bars are open.).

And it had me thinking once again of how detached the current Canadiens are from day-to-day — or night-to-night — life in the city where they play hockey. As Stu mentioned, it used to be a common thing to see one of your fave players at the bar.

Times really have changed. Used to be fans would see Habs players in a bar and think it was pretty cool and just leave it at that. I remember one night after 3 a.m. when three Habs players feeling no pain were serving up the souvlakis behind the counter at Kojax on Ste. Catherine

— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) December 2, 2020

Now that doesn’t happen nearly as much. Partly it’s because of cellphones and social media. If a player gets a little refreshed in 1196405 Montreal Canadiens Romanov and Jake Evans is a lot of turnover. Julien and his staff need to work out new forward lines, new defence pairings and new special teams combinations. They will likely only have two weeks to do so and perhaps How a 56-game schedule would impact the new and improved as few as one or two preseason games. Canadiens It is a tall order. The quicker they can reach some level of cohesiveness, the better Julien’s chances will be of fulfilling his expectations of reaching the playoffs. When you look around the still-hypothetical Canadian By Arpon Basu Dec 4, 2020 13 division, no team has undergone this much change. That puts the Canadiens at somewhat of a disadvantage, at least to start the season.

The one thing Julien has going for him in this regard is the return of his When we last spoke to Canadiens coach Claude Julien, he looked like a top line of Tomas Tatar, Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher, even if it little kid on Christmas morning just after having opened all his presents. looks as though two-thirds of that line will be entering the final year of His present was essentially a brand new team, or at least a new and their contract. At least that is one thing Julien won’t really need to think improved version of the team he had before. about. But, otherwise, so much is up in the air and is very heavily dependent on Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi picking up where they A new backup goalie. A new power forward. A new goal scorer. A new left off in the playoffs, which is far from a sure thing. physical defenceman. A new, exciting rookie defenceman. A new rookie fourth-line centre. Julien had a lot to be happy about, and he had trouble The flexibility Julien has up front with the added depth is another hiding his excitement. advantage, but it can just as easily be seen as a series of question marks because we have no idea how the forwards will mesh together. Same “We’ve made our team that much better that we should expect to make goes on defence, where Richardson made it sound as though the plan the playoffs, and if people think it’s putting pressure on ourselves, well, for now is to set pairings based on the opponent and whether the pressure is what you make of it,” Julien said that day, on Oct. 22. “I don’t Canadiens are playing at home or on the road. look at it as pressure, but as an opportunity. We should be good enough to make the playoffs and we should thrive on the opportunity to In short, the Canadiens will probably be in a state of flux for a little while. accomplish that. It’s as simple as that. Marc [Bergevin] has done a good That leaves us with what might be perceived to be the Canadiens’ job of giving us a team that should make the playoffs.” biggest advantage when it comes to a shorter schedule: the tandem of Except every time Julien was asked a question about his lineup, he Carey Price and Jake Allen in goal. The general assumption has been tended to look offscreen to his left at something that was sitting on his that this season’s schedule will be compressed, which makes having a desk. It was impossible to know for sure what it was, but it seemed to be strong tandem in goal that much more important. something with his lineup on it. Whether it was a notepad or a tablet, If the Canadiens want Price to be fresh for the playoffs, having Allen play Julien kept looking over at it before answering certain questions. 20-odd games in a 56-game schedule will help. In reality, however, when At one point, I asked – half jokingly – if he was willing to share what was you look at it, the schedule won’t necessarily be that much more clearly a version of his lineup sitting on his desk. compressed than in a usual season.

“No, because it’ll change tomorrow,” Julien replied. “That’s the beauty of Let’s say the NHL would like the Stanley Cup to be awarded no later than it. I like the fact that I can move guys around, and it’s not like one line’s July 10, with the Tokyo Summer Olympics slated to begin July 23. The going to get better and the other one’s going to get weaker. If I make a playoffs normally take roughly two months to complete, which gives us a change, it’s probably all lines that will have an opportunity to get better. target date of May 10 to get them started. If the regular season begins on That’s what I like about the depth of this group right now.” Jan. 15, that gives the NHL 115 days for each team to play 56 regular season games, or roughly a game every 2.05 days. That’s not counting Fast forward to earlier this week, when assistant coach Luke Richardson any time off they might want to provide between the end of the regular – who handles the defence for Julien – was being asked about the season and the playoffs, which could be significant if the league wants to pairings on defence; who would be playing with exciting rookie Alexander allow room at the end of the schedule for games postponed due to Romanov, whether Joel Edmundson can play on the right side of the COVID-19. third pairing, stuff like that. Last season, every NHL team had its bye week either leading into or Richardson’s response to all of that was, basically, let’s see what coming out of the All-Star break, with the teams who had an earlier bye happens. week playing roughly 50 games at that point. In the case of the Canadiens, who played their last game before the bye on Jan. 18, that “I’m sure there’s going to be different scenarios, and hopefully we get came out to 50 games in 107 days, or a game every 2.14 days, which is some exhibition games. We’re not sure what’s going to be going on,” not that big a difference from the 2.05 days we might be looking at this Richardson said. “But that will sort itself out, it will be a little bit of, not trial season. Last season’s pre-bye week average also included a break for and error, but trials. Just little tests here and there seeing who works best Christmas, which won’t apply this season, so the difference in terms of with who.” potential compression of the schedule is probably even smaller than that. Which brings us to Friday’s news reported by The Athletic’s Pierre All this to say that the Canadiens’ goaltending will surely be an LeBrun that the NHL is proposing a 56-game schedule, with a targeted advantage, assuming Allen can repeat his performance as a backup last start date of Jan. 15, with training camps starting somewhere around season and that Price benefits from the rest as anticipated. Jan. 2. So to summarize, the Canadiens are a much improved team, yes, but That last date, Jan. 2, is important when it comes to the Canadiens, they also have a ton of question marks throughout the lineup except for because if there were ever a year this team could benefit from a full that one forward line. This season’s shortened training camp will training camp, this would be the year. There are so many new parts and therefore be of the utmost importance. there is so little known of how this team will come together, the normal three-week training camp – which most people agree is too long to begin The Athletic LOADED: 12.05.2020 with – would have been put to good use by Julien and his coaching staff.

Those trials Richardson was referring to would happen in the preseason, not in regular season games that count, and those early games will count far more than they usually do because it will be a season-long sprint to the playoffs. With parity being what it is around the league – and with the league seemingly sticking with a traditional 16-team playoff – there will be little time for experimenting.

In an era with so little player movement, what Marc Bergevin did this offseason stands out. Adding two top-six forwards in Josh Anderson and Tyler Toffoli, adding Edmundson to improve depth on the backend (we’ll see how that contract works out) and incorporating two rookies in 1196406 New Jersey Devils

NHL, players close to deal to start season on Jan. 15 | What it means for Devils

By Randy Miller

It’s looking again like there’s going to be an NHL season.

NHL Network insider Elliotte Friedman reported on a Toronto radio show Friday morning that the NHL has come off trying to bully the NHLPA into putting a bigger percentage of 2020-21 salary into escrow, which would change the collective bargaining agreement. This development could lead to a return-to-play agreement in the next few days that would start a 50-to-52 game regular season around Jan. 15 and run until early May.

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Training camp for playoff teams would start around Jan. 1. The Devils and the other six teams that dind’t make the playoffs last season would start 2-to-3 days earlier around Dec. 28.

This development comes after a couple of weeks of reports that the league and players have been bickering about how the pandemic should affect salaries even though the sides in July signed a new CBA that seemingly guaranteed labor peace through the 2025-26 season. Players reportedly were furious that the NHL was pushing for more escrow money adding into the pot even though they’d still get half of the profits because the sides have been splitting revenues 50-50 since the 2012-13 season.

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Here are the details from Friedman, who provided them during his appearance on Sportsnet 590 The FAN:

“I believe in the last few days the league and players have engaged in conversions about a start on Jan. 15 with training camps opening approximately two weeks later. The number of games would be in the 50s. I had some people telling me 52. I had some people telling me 56. But they’ve reengaged on this.

“Now what I think they’re talking about is that the non-playoff teams would report in the last few days of December. They’d get two or three days extra days. The playoff teams would report around New Year’s Day. I think that the end of the regular season would be around the beginning of May. They’d build in that schedule a buffer zone in case they had to make up games. I’m hearing the season would be over sometime around the end June, the beginning of July.

“Now the financial issues, I don’t have a full picture on that, although it sounds like the escrow ask about changing the cap is going away because I think everybody realizes here the players were not going to agree to that. But they are potentially willing to talk about deferrals. I don’t know where that is, but that’s the information that I’m getting.

“It sounds to me like the teams were kind of informed that were positive developments coming, so we’re moving in that direction. I think we’re going to play.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196407 New Jersey Devils he was a healthy scratch. Bratt’s production increased significantly after the last time Nasreddine made him a healthy scratch.

Does Nasreddine deserve credit for that? Should people have criticized What we can learn from a Devils season split between two coaches Hynes less because of it? That’s one of the toughest parts of the coaching job to evaluate because we almost never know the full story.

By Corey Masisak Dec 4, 2020 4 Is it possible that Bratt was about to burst out of a funk anyway? Yes. Is it possible that Nasreddine scratching him hit him differently than when Hynes did it? Yes. It’s one of those situations that lends itself to black- and-white narratives when the reality is often not nearly as simple to It has been a long time since the Devils played a hockey game, and quantify. given all that’s changed since, it might feel like what happened for New Jersey on the ice in 2019-20 will have little bearing on the upcoming Regardless, the Devils will hope Bratt can maintain those second-half campaign. gains and build upon them. His offensive impact rose sharply without a dip on the defensive side, particularly because of the next two players on That’s not entirely true, though. our list, who I will group together. One element last season does provide is a window into how the Devils Nikita Gusev played with a new coach. Alain Nasreddine replaced John Hynes on Dec. 3, and while he didn’t necessarily overhaul everything Hynes had First-half stats: 32 GP, 5 goals, 17 points, 46.03 CF%, 42.86 GF%, 46.00 implemented in the interim, he made some tweaks. Some players also xGF% responded differently to Nasreddine through the rest of the season. Second-half stats: 34 GP, 8 goals, 27 points, 51.46 CF%, 48.89 GF%, That leads me to an interesting new set of data points from Jack Fraser 47.66 xGF% (you might know him as @JFreshHockey on Twitter or from his Substack newsletter) and Patrick Bacon (@TopDownHockey on Twitter and on Pavel Zacha Medium). Fraser used Bacon’s data, which split RAPM for the first and First-half stats: 32 GP, 2 goals, 14 points, 42.02 CF%, 33.33 GF%, 42.69 second halves of the season, to create visualizations for each player’s xGF% isolated impact on his team’s expected goals for and against in each half of the campaign, along with the overall impact. Second-half stats: 33 GP, 6 goals, 18 points, 43.73 CF%, 50.0 GF%, 42.25 xGF% RAPM is regularized adjusted plus-minus, which you can read more about if you’re unfamiliar in this explainer from EvolvingWild at Hockey- Like Bratt, Gusev and Zacha’s offensive impact improved in the second Graphs. This is an attempt to learn more about a player’s individual half of the season. Unlike Bratt, their defense was still pretty grisly. impact on his team while he’s on the ice. Given the Devils were well out of playoff contention by the second half, Bacon’s splits were from the start of the season to Dec. 22, and from they were happy to see Gusev do a lot of the things offensively they saw Dec. 23 until teams shut down in March. That doesn’t align perfectly with on film from his KHL days. His second-half offensive output, both in the Devils’ coaching change, but it’s close, and it’s even closer to when traditional production and isolated impact, would be great moving the club dealt Taylor Hall on Dec. 17. Trading the team’s best player after forward. He still needs to improve on the defensive end, or New Jersey a terrible start to the season has a similar impact on the rest of players as might need to keep playing him with a more defensive-minded center like a coaching change does. Using Dec. 22 as a cutoff also gave the players Travis Zajac. a handful of games to get used to playing for Nasreddine and his system. When Hynes put him with Zajac and Blake Coleman, the two best What does the data from Fraser and Bacon tell us about some of the defensive forwards on the roster, is when Gusev’s season really took off. Devils players from 2019-20, and how might improvement or regression He kept up the strong play with Zacha and Bratt, which was proof, albeit be explained? Let’s dig into some of the most interesting cases. in a small sample, that he wasn’t only succeeding because of his linemates’ ability to get out of the defensive zone. A quick note: Fraser only made player cards for those who played at least 200 minutes at 5-on-5 in both halves of the season, so newcomers Zacha is supposed to resemble Zajac, a defensively-responsible center. Andreas Johnsson and Ryan Murray aren’t included. Neither are the This data does not support the idea of Zacha being the long-term No. 3 Devils players who split time between New Jersey and Binghamton, like center. It wasn’t entirely his fault that New Jersey was outscored 32-16 at Jesper Boqvist and Michael McLeod. 5-on-5 when he was on the ice in the first half (yes, that is one goal per game). But his isolated impact doesn’t suggest that he deserves a lot of There is a risk of more noise in the data when the sample is only half a credit for it being 16-16 in the second half, either. Those suboptimal Corsi season, but given the changing circumstances mid-season, the and expected goals numbers would suggest a big reason for the assessment might be more valuable with Devils players than those with discrepancy was luck, goaltending or a combination of the two. other teams. Zacha’s with/without puck possession numbers for the full season are GP = games played; CF% = Corsi for percentage; GF% = goals for pretty stark — 57.01 percent with Gusev and 53.20 with Bratt. It’s below percentage; xGF% = expected goals for percentage 40 percent when he’s on the ice without one of them, and it was 46.91 Jesper Bratt percent with Hughes but only 32.5 percent with Zajac (though that represents just 44 minutes). It will need to be better if he’s going to play First-half stats: 30 GP, 6 goals, 10 points, 45.53 CF%, 41.18 GF%, 45.01 up in the lineup on the wing, and the Devils need him to prove he can xGF% help bottom-six wings not get destroyed if they’re planning for him to be the No. 3 center once Zajac retires. Second-half stats: 30 GP, 10 goals, 22 points, 50.64 CF%, 59.46 GF%, 54.97 xGF% Nico Hischier

Bratt’s offensive contributions exploded during the second half of the First-half stats: 30 GP, 6 goals, 18 points, 48.92 CF%, 44.44 GF%, 49.77 season. If he can be that player moving forward, the Devils can lock him xGF% in as one of their top four wings for a long time next to Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes. Second-half stats: 28 GP, 8 goals, 18 points, 46.83 CF%, 48.48 GF%, 50.11 xGF% What changed? He played 46 more minutes (total, in all situations) in those second 30 games. He played a lot more with Nikita Gusev, Hischier’s overall impact improved slightly after the Devils traded Hall to particularly after the trade deadline when Nasreddine put the two of them Arizona. This is data-driven proof that, at a minimum, Hischier didn’t together with Pavel Zacha on what became a very impactful line. Bratt’s suddenly become lost without Hall. CF% with Gusev for the season was 56.71 percent (in 243 minutes) and This also provides more evidence that Hischier’s defensive impact, at this 48.55 percent without him. point, does not match the reputation. He is already a very good offensive Hynes and Nasreddine received plenty of criticism for their deployment of player in the NHL, even better than his goals and points totals suggest. certain players. Bratt was often part of that discussion, particularly when He needs his defensive impact to improve if he’s going to be considered Second-half stats: 23 GP, 0 goals, 10 points, 45.9 CF%, 54.29 GF%, one of the best centers in the NHL. 48.11 xGF%

Too many people, both inside the organization and out, believe in The past season felt like was a lost one for Butcher. Hischier’s defensive acumen and willingness to compete. He just needs to make it show up more consistently on the ice, and physical maturity This paints a bit of a different picture. His second half was much closer to will likely play a large role in that. what the Devils are looking for from him at even strength. He never really got things going on the power play, but his ability to be more than a third- Kyle Palmieri pairing defenseman who contributes on the power play will be tied to his offensive impact at evens. First-half stats: 35 GP, 14 goals, 22 points, 49.61 CF%, 54.55 GF%, 53.83 xGF% Could he be better in his own end than what this chart shows? Sure. But if his offensive impact is in the 80th percentile or better, the Devils can Second-half stats: 30 GP, 11 goals, 23 points, 45.21 CF%, 52.78 GF%, deal with some defensive shortcomings. Butcher’s CF% with Subban 49.75 xGF% was 56.34 percent in 209 minutes, easily his best with any of the Devils There is nothing too concerning to note in Palmieri’s numbers. There was defensemen, and another reason why it would make sense to play them a dip at the defensive end, but he was also playing with different together more this season. linemates and receiving more attention from opposing players without P.K. Subban Hall around. If next season starts in a similar fashion, it might be something to start worrying about, but the offensive production was there First-half stats: 35 GP, 2 goals, 6 points, 48.06 CF%, 36.17 GF%, 49.06 and could improve with the power play. xGF%

Travis Zajac Second-half stats: 33 GP, 5 goals, 12 points, 46.68 CF%, 44.19 GF%, 43.49 xGF% First-half stats: 35 GP, 4 goals, 10 points, 46.75 CF%, 42.5 GF%, 49.39 xGF% We’ve mentioned a few times that Subban’s early-season offensive issues were mostly not of his own doing, and this provides more support Second-half stats: 34 goals, 5 goals, 15 points, 47.05 CF%, 37.78 GF%, for that theory. The issue is at the other end, and that was true 44.73 xGF% throughout the season.

Zajac’s offensive production increased, while his underlying numbers and His possession numbers were very good with Butcher and with isolated impact regressed. Playing without Coleman could have had an Severson. They were not good with Andy Greene, his partner for more effect on those stats. His possession numbers were much better with time than anyone else, and they were downright ugly with Mirco Mueller. Coleman and Gusev than they were with Joey Anderson, who played Neither of those options are available anymore, so that’s a positive. more with Zajac than anyone else (32.05 percent in 113 minutes). There’s no sugarcoating that the Devils need a better version of Subban The Devils don’t have a clear replacement player to pair with Zajac and if they’re going to contend for the playoffs. His first half, at least on the anchor the club’s “shutdown” line, so it will be interesting to see who the offensive side, showed that he still has above-average ability. Maybe the new staff goes with during camp and early in the season. long layoff to recharge and a new system will help Subban get closer to Miles Wood his 2017-18 form.

First-half stats: 35 GP, 4 goals, 10 points, 44.39 CF%, 33.33 GF%, 45.49 Dmitry Kulikov xGF% First-half stats: 25 GP, 1 goal, 4 points, 51.14 CF%, 53.57 GF%, 45.55 Second-half stats: 33 GP, 7 goals, 13 points, 42.81 GF%, 43.24 GF%, xGF% 42.64 xGF% Second-half stats: 26 GP, 1 goal, 4 points, 50.59 CF%, 38.46 GF%, The short answer here is Devils fans have spent too much time focused 43.38 xGF% on Wood’s offense when it’s his work at the other end that is actually Sami Vatanen holding him back. Michael Grabner is a speedy player who creates a lot of breakaways, but he’s also a far more defensively responsible player Mirco Mueller than Wood is. I included Vatanen and Mueller here because they played all of their Wood could benefit from new coach Lindy Ruff wanting to play at a faster regular-season hockey with the Devils. Murray and Kulikov aren’t exactly pace and create more offense. But if his defensive impact doesn’t one-for-one replacements, but they’re not too far off. improve, he could have real problems in the near future. Kulikov played his most minutes for the Jets last season with Neal Pionk, Damon Severson and he played more with the top line of Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor than with any other forwards. His expected goals First-half stats: 35 GP, 3 goals, 8 points, 48.21 CF%, 38.3 GF%, 50.46 percentage was better with all four of those players than without them, xGF% and his Corsi numbers were better with all of them except for Connor. He Second-half stats: 34 GP, 5 goals, 23 points, 47.95 CF%, 44.64 GF%, was clearly the fifth wheel with that group. 49.52 xGF% Kulikov’s first half was essentially in line with his recent reputation — all Severson was playing like an above-average defensive defenseman defense, little offense. He wasn’t great at either end of the ice in the when the opposing team was out-scoring New Jersey 29-18 with him on second half. He’d have been a slight overall improvement over Vatanen the ice in the first half. Then he turned into one of the best offensive and Mueller with the Devils. Vatanen’s offensive impact eroded and defensemen in the league with Nasreddine in charge, but his work at the Mueller was a net negative just about everywhere except for on the other end dipped. penalty kill.

Pairing Severson with Ryan Murray could help him maintain his offensive Kulikov was a low-risk, low-cost addition this offseason. If his impact is impact and mitigate any more issues at the other end. If the Devils do similar to that of Mueller or Vatanen and he boosts the Devils in their own have two strong goaltenders, the second-half version of Severson is end, they’d be happy with that and expect players like Severson, probably better for the 2021-22 Devils than the first-half version. And if Butcher, Subban and Ty Smith to help offset his offense. Severson’s able to maintain that second-half surge on offense while Last but not least … getting closer to his full-season impact on defense, he will be a very valuable player. Jack Hughes

Will Butcher First-half stats: 32 GP, 4 goals, 13 points, 48.94 CF%, 44.0 GF%, 52.16 xGF% First-half stats: 33 GP, 4 goals, 11 points, 46.73 CF%, 40.38 GF%, 47.76 xGF% Second-half stats: 29 GP, 3 goals, 8 points, 42.73 CF%, 24.0 GF%, 43.2 xGF% In the first half of the season, Hughes was finding his way, while the second half was a rough ride.

Fraser published a detailed breakdown of Hughes’ rookie season earlier this week. It dove into what he did well and didn’t get rewarded for, and the areas where he really struggled and will need to improve.

Some of it was bad luck. As Fraser pointed out, Hughes had the worst individual shooting percentage and 11th-worst on-ice shooting percentage among 250 forwards who played at least 700 minutes at 5- on-5. Converting the quality chances he creates will help, but both of those numbers should naturally rise toward the average even before accounting for any improvement from him or his teammates.

Second, Hughes is already an elite player when it comes to exiting the defensive zone and entering the offensive end. That didn’t turn into nearly enough quality chances or goals last year. Getting Hughes the right kind of help on his line will allow him to take advantage of what he does best.

Lastly, Hughes struggled in his own zone, and the isolated impact in the second half of the season (as shown above) certainly indicates that. Nasreddine did move him to the wing for a while, with the idea that Hischier and Palmieri would serve as better finishers for him. The switch didn’t help his defense, as he tried to learn a new position in the middle of an already tough season.

If Hischier’s body wasn’t ready enough for him to be an impact defensive player in his third season, then no one should expect Hughes to be there at this point. If he improves his positional play and gains a better understanding of where the puck is going and how fast it’s getting there at the NHL level, he’ll translate his world-class skating into better defensive play eventually.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196408 New York Islanders Teams can exceed the cap ceiling by 10% during the offseason but Lamoriello still needs some additional financial cushion. Placing left wing Andrew Ladd, who has three seasons with a $5.5 million cap hit Islanders will get $6M cap relief with Johnny Boychuk coming off the remaining on his deal and played just four games for the Islanders last books season after injuring both knees in 2018-19, on long-term injured reserve is a possibility.

Sending Ladd, Leo Komarov or defenseman Thomas Hickey to By Andrew Gross Bridgeport would save $1.075 million against each veteran’s cap hit.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.05.2020 There haven’t been many additions for the Islanders through this offseason molded by the COVID-19 pandemic and a flat, $81.5 million salary cap. But the math is closer to working out with Johnny Boychuk’s $6 million cap hit coming off the books.

President and general manager Lou Lamoriello still must re-sign restricted free agent Mathew Barzal and then fit his No. 1 center’s new deal under the cap ceiling.

Lamoriello’s task became easier – though the Islanders’ defense depth was further depleted – when Boychuk announced Nov. 25 he would no longer be able to play because of the gruesome left eye injury he suffered on March 3 when cut by the skate blade of the Canadiens’ Artturi Lehkonen.

Boychuk has two seasons remaining on his seven-year, $42 million deal. If Boychuk formally retires – not likely because he would be walking away from the rest of the money owed to him – his $6 million cap hit would be removed. If the Islanders place Boychuk on long-term injured reserve – the most likely outcome – the team will be able to use his $6 million cap hit even if it takes them over the cap ceiling.

Cap constraints forced Lamoriello to trade top-four defenseman Devon Toews to the Avalanche in October.

Still, whenever the 2020-21 Islanders take the ice – with the NHL now targeting mid-January but with growing uncertainty as to whether there will actually be a shortened season given the current stalemate between the league and the NHL Players’ Association on financial matters – they are on track to be almost a carbon copy of the team that lost a six-game Eastern Conference finals to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Lightning in September.

That would make two straight, stay-the-course offseasons for Lamoriello, who did pursue top unrestricted free agent Artemi Panarin prior to last season before losing out to the rival Rangers. The continuity – intended or otherwise – paid dividends in 2019-20 as the Islanders had their longest playoff run since 1993, though it’s questionable whether they would have qualified had the regular season not been cut short on March 12 because of the pandemic.

But the Islanders must again show the same crew can be a year better, not just a year older.

Highly-touted Russian prospect Ilya Sorokin will replace free agent departure Thomas Greiss in a goalie tandem with Semyon Varlamov. Toews and Boychuk’s departures open a full-time spot for 2018 first- rounder Noah Dobson.

The team still is waiting to announce deals with its own unrestricted free agents Matt Martin and defenseman Andy Greene as well as former Devils goalie Cory Schneider, who will most likely try to resurrect his career with Bridgeport in the AHL.

Re-signing top-pair RFA defenseman Ryan Pulock to a two-year, cap- friendly $10 million deal was a necessity.

So, too, is working out a new deal with Barzal. But his options were limited without arbitration rights and any fears of him receiving an RFA offer sheet from another team should have long passed.

Industry expectation has long been that Barzal will sign a two- or three- year bridge deal with the cap hit around $7 million.

The Islanders have approximately $77.6 million committed to 20 active players (12 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies). Cap space would also be needed for additional depth at forward, most likely coming from any combination of prospects Oliver Wahlstrom, Kieffer Bellows, Otto Koivula, Josh Ho-Sang and Simon Holmstrom or re-signing UFA Derick Brassard. Of course, the Islanders could keep fewer than the maximum 23 players on their NHL roster. 1196409 New York Islanders

NHL, players considering a mid-January start to 52- or 56-game season

By Colin Stephenson

With a Jan. 1 start date for the 2020-21 season no longer seemingly realistic, the NHL and NHLPA are reportedly now discussing a potential Jan. 15 start, and with a shortened season that could be 56 or 52 games.

The news was first reported by TSN.

The league still officially is targeting a New Year’s Day start, but in an interview Wednesday with Sports Business Journal, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called a Jan. 1 opening for the league "a work in progress.’’

Given that the NHL has not announced a start date for training camp, a Jan. 1 start to the season does not seem feasible. Training camps would need to open in mid-December for that to happen, and players would be coming from all over the world and need to fulfill whatever quarantine requirements are in place where their teams are located.

According to TSN, the NHL and NHLPA on Thursday instead discussed the possibility of a Jan. 1 opening for training camps, and a mid-January start to the season. NBC, the league’s national television broadcast partner, is set to broadcast the summer Olympics, which begin July 23 in Tokyo. The NHL season would need to be completed, and the Stanley Cup awarded, in early to mid-July, to accommodate NBC. Assuming a full 16-team playoffs, with four best-of-seven rounds, a mid-January start means even a 60-game regular season is not possible.

In the lockout seasons of 1994-95 and 2011-12, the league played a 48- game regular season.

Before any season length or start date can be agreed to, however, the NHL and NHLPA have major financial matters to settle. With fans unlikely to be allowed into many arenas because of the coronavirus pandemic, NHL owners are reportedly attempting to get the players to defer more of their salaries than had been agreed to in the Collective Bargaining Agreement that was reached during the summer. The players have so far been unwilling to do that.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196410 New York Rangers Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.05.2020

Rangers got younger looking ahead to 2020-21

Alexis Lafreniere of Team White skates during the Alexis Lafreniere of Team White skates during the

By Colin Stephenson

When last we saw the Rangers, the top of their roster featured Artemi Panarin, a finalist for the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player in 2019-20, and Mika Zibanejad, whose hot second half served notice that he is now to be considered among the truly elite players in the league.

Goaltender Igor Shesterkin had burst onto the scene as well, eclipsing Henrik Lundqvist as the team’s No. 1 netminder. And since the season ended, the Rangers added the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft, forward Alexis Lafreniere.

So, whenever the NHL is able to begin its 2020-21 season (at this point, we don’t know when that will be, though the league is considering a Jan. 15-ish start), the Rangers appear on track to continue their build toward Stanley Cup contention.

They’re not there yet, but coach David Quinn’s group seemed to turn the corner on the organization’s rebuild in the second half of the coronavirus- shortened 2019-20 season. And having Lafreniere fall into their lap will help speed things up as well. The Rangers made it to the NHL’s 24-team restart in August, before being swept out of the preliminary round by Carolina. General manager Jeff Gorton re-signed all of the team’s restricted free agents in the offseason, most notably defenseman Tony DeAngelo and center Ryan Strome.

The biggest subtraction from last season’s roster is Lundqvist, the face of the franchise for the better part of the last 15 years. But he had clearly fallen behind Shesterkin in the Rangers’ goaltending hierarchy, and he’d fallen behind Alexandar Georgiev, too. And so, the 38-year-old Lundqvist was bought out of the final year of his contract. He signed as a free agent with Washington.

Buying out Lundqvist was part of the work Gorton had to do to create room under the salary cap to re-sign all the team’s RFAs. He traded longtime defenseman Marc Staal to Detroit, and let veteran forward Jesper Fast leave as a free agent. Fast signed with Carolina.

Gorton then got DeAngelo, Georgiev, Strome and Brendan Lemieux all to sign team-friendly, two-year deals, preserving space under the cap to cover potential performance bonuses players like Shesterkin, Lafreniere and 2019’s No. 2 overall pick, Kaapo Kakko, could earn.

So after famously announcing a full rebuild in February 2018, and bottoming out a year later, the Rangers are bringing back a young roster in 2020-21, one very similar to the group that seemed to be improving rapidly once the calendar flipped to 2020.

Figuring out where Lafreniere will fit in the lineup is one of the first tasks Quinn and the coaching staff will have whenever training camp opens. Third-line left wing would seem the easiest option, at least at the start. But if Quinn shifts Chris Kreider from left wing to right, then maybe Lafreniere could play on the left of Zibanejad and Kreider. Strome is back to reunite with Panarin on the second line, and, with Fast gone, there is an opening on that line into which Kakko might fit nicely.

Where would that leave Pavel Buchnevich, though? He is the incumbent first line right wing and entering the final year of his contract. And will Quinn be able to find a place in the lineup for 2018 first-round pick Vitali Kravtsov, who is having a fine season so far his KHL team? What about Morgan Barron, the 6-4, 220-pound forward who was a Hobey Baker Award finalist and first team All-American at Cornell in 2020?

On defense, free agent signee Jack Johnson replaces Staal as the big, veteran, stay-at-home lefty. But there are still questions to be answered. Will Brendan Smith remain on defense? Will Libor Hajek or perhaps K’Andre Miller make the team? Is there a spot for Long Islander Anthony Bitetto?

Stay tuned. 1196411 Ottawa Senators Added Julian: “He had us all convinced because he was so optimistic in front of us. Who knows what was said when he was together with Randy and Cyril. When he was with us, he was: ‘Yeah, this happening and you’d better be ready.’” Part of the team since Day 1: Senators staffers Linda Julian and Allison Vaughan The group had done a good job of rallying the troops in the office, getting them to believe in the dream, too.

“Everybody was driven. We just went on adrenalin. It was exciting. Even Bruce Garrioch when we made mistakes, we’d joke about it and move on,” Julian said. “We wouldn’t dwell on things because we didn’t have time. We had a Publishing date:Dec 05, 2020 • • 4 minute read deadline to get this bid book done.”

Julian and Vaughan’s mother, Marlene Julian, went along for the ride Linda Julian and Allison Vaughan have been there since the beginning. because they’d just lost their father, Allan, about six weeks earlier.

As the Ottawa Senators prepare to mark the 30-year anniversary of being awarded a National Hockey League franchise on Dec. 6, 1990, at “We told her she was coming with us,” Vaughan said. the Breakers’ Hotel in Palm Beach, Fla., Vaughan and Julian will be marking a milestone themselves, too: Both have been with the club since In fact, Marlene Julian is in the video of the celebration in the ballroom at the days of Terrace Investments. The Breakers, where then NHL president John Ziegler announced Ottawa had been awarded an expansion franchise to begin play in 1992- Julian, the booking manager at the Canadian Tire Centre, has been with 93, along with Tampa Bay. the organization for 35 years, while Vaughan, manager of hockey administration for the Senators, just marked her 33rd year. “There was a mix of disbelief that we did it and we cried. Then we thought about the work we had to do,” Vaughan said. You could say they got in on the ground floor of a dream come true. “It was just fun and I’m humbled that I was part of something that brought Of course, marking the occasion of the 30th anniversary will be different that team to Ottawa,” Julian added. this year because neither will be at the rink. Like everybody else, they’re waiting patiently for the return of the NHL to Canadian Tire Centre. They aren’t the only ones in the Senators’ offices who have been there since the first puck was dropped on Oct. 8, 1992. Tracey Bonner, Krista They take great pride that they’ve been there since the beginning. Yes, Galbraith, Laurie Murphy and Jody Thorson have also been with the they’re sisters, but in those days they weren’t able to share all their organization since Ottawa returned to the NHL. secrets. “Probably the next time we’re going to feel that elation is when we win

the Stanley Cup,” Vaughan said. “I don’t think we had time to be skeptical because we had to get to work On that point, owner Eugene Melnyk and general manager Pierre Dorion right away,” Linda said of her reaction when she first learned of her boss would wholeheartedly agree. Bruce Firestone’s dream. “We were working crazy hours.” Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.05.2020 Linda started working on the project at the Terrace offices before Allison did and wasn’t able to tell her closest confidant what exactly was going on. Since founders Firestone, Cyril Leeder and Randy Sexton and the rest of management wanted to keep those meetings secret, they were held under a well-disguised moniker, “LNH,” before the bid became public.

“Linda knew before I did because she was in the secret code. Ligue National de Hockey,” Allison said in a recent phone call. “Then one day I was finally told about it and I was like: ‘What?’”

Yes, LNH is French for NHL, but nobody put two and two together in those days, so the project was shrouded in secrecy. Terrace wasn’t a huge real estate firm, so eventually its approximately 15 employees grew to 30 by the time the organization acquired the franchise.

“To try and keep that secret was painful,” Linda said.

“And I was asking her why she was working 18 hours a day,” Allison said.

Most of the time was spent working on the bid process and putting together a big leather book to be presented to the NHL board of governors. Firestone, Leeder, Sexton, Jim Steel, Mark Bonneau, Jeff Kyle and Greg Graham felt the book had to outline every aspect of why Ottawa would be an attractive option for the league.

Back then, many teams travelled commercial. Part of the bidders’ job involved checking the best routes from every NHL city to Ottawa. Some had direct flights and those that required connections needed to be looked, too. Julian and Vaughan knew the organization couldn’t leave any stone unturned.

“We were responsible for answering all the questions the NHL sent us on the bid,” Linda said.

By the time the group arrived at the Breakers in early December 1990, Julian and Vaughan were expecting Ottawa to get a franchise. Outside Terrace offices, many felt the city faced long odds, but they were part of the group that rolled up its sleeves to get the job done.

“Bruce had convinced us it was going to happen, yet I don’t think he believed it,” Vaughan said. 1196412 Ottawa Senators “It was part speculation and part anticipation and part pontification. We’d speculate whether the league was really going to expand and then we’d work through Bruce’s vision. Part of the value Cyril and I brought is that we were good at the nuts and bolts. We’d break the thoughts down and 'LET'S DO IT': Senators NHL franchise bid started with beers after a say: ‘OK, how do we go about ascertaining whether the league will pickup game expand or not?’

“Bruce, because of his vision, was always looking down the road and we’d have to anticipate this or that. We’d make copious notes but it was Bruce Garrioch also so that Cyril and I could backfill some of the details.” Publishing date:Dec 05, 2020 • • 8 minute read All this had to be done secretly and the first task before anything happened was getting the land in place. Firestone met with the late Jean Pigott, head of the National Capital Commission at the time, about the It’s the story that never gets old and may, in fact, get better with age. possibility of building the rink at LeBreton Flats — which remains mostly undeveloped to this day. It started in 1987 after a pickup hockey game on a Saturday morning at the old Lions Arena. “I asked her if we could put the Palladium at LeBreton Flats. She asked me if I wanted the public answer or the private answer? I asked if they Instead of retreating to the Prescott Hotel for a quart of beer, a slice of were different and she said: ‘Yes, they are,’” Firestone recalled. “The square pizza and a meatball sandwich, Bruce Firestone, the owner of a public answer is we’ll study it. That’s what the NCC does. She said we small real estate company named Terrace Investments, asked don’t like to turn down Canadians, so we never turn anybody down we employees Cyril Leeder and Randy Sexton to stick around to have a pint just simply say we’ll study it. because there was something he wanted to discuss.

It was there, in a small dressing room, where the dream of bringing the Ottawa Senators back to the nation’s capital began. “The private answer is no and we’ll study it until one of two things happen: you give up and go away or you die, whichever comes first, and Life goes by in a flash and, though it feels like only yesterday the we don’t care. She was being funny and I laughed.” Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning were awarded NHL expansion franchises on Dec. 6, 1990, it has been 30 years since that historic The next choice was to find 600 acres that were within close proximity of decision. the Queensway and, of course, that’s where Canadian Tire Centre sits today. At that time, the Central Canada Exhibition Association was “As soon as I mentioned that the NHL was likely going to expand and looking for a new home, had considered the site in Kanata and had an maybe we should bid for a team, Randy jumped up and said, ‘Yeah, let’s option on where the rink is now located. do it’.’” Firestone said in a recent interview. Since Firestone lived only a short drive away, he went to the site and felt

it would be a perfect home for a rink plus an area with shopping, a hotel “Cyril, who’s a little more of a cautious individual and a charted and office space. They bought 600 acres for $7.2 million, or $12,000 an accountant, was like: ‘Hold it a minute, how much is it going to cost?’ acre, and that land is now trading for around $830,000 an acre.

“I said: ‘I don’t know,’ but our guess was it would be $35 million for an “I wanted to be on the Queensway for easy access because that would expansion fee and Cyril wondered how we were going to pay for it? I said give us some credibility with the NHL and it would also kibosh any other I had a plan to buy 600 acres of land. We’d probably need 100 acres for bidders from Ottawa,” Firestone said. “I drove to the Huntmar Road the rink and the parking lot, and then the land around the rink would go overpass and I stood there and I looked towards Ottawa and west up in value. towards Carleton Place and I thought those guys at the CCEA are way smarter than me. There was nothing I could do about it because they had “We’d sell that off and, hopefully, make $35 million to give to the NHL.” optioned all of that land.

Neither Leeder nor Sexton doubted Firestone’s vision one bit, and they “When I read a few months later that the CCEA had passed up on all were enthusiastic to get started to work on it. those options, I called up Jim Steel and we went and visited all those “We were ahead of the expansion plan, but Bruce thought we should get farmers. I sat with all of them and they were a little bit upset that they out in front of it,” Leeder said. “He said they expand every so often and thought they had sold their land to the exhibition association and then wouldn’t it be great if Ottawa got a team? He said: ‘Why don’t we be the they had decided to drop the options. I told them we would buy the land guys that chase it down and go after the bid?’” unconditionally.”

Sexton was thrilled with the thought of bringing the Senators back for the first time since they had moved to St. Louis in 1934 after winning nine Though Firestone makes it sound as if getting the land was easy, it was a Stanley Cups. difficult process because those farmers had to be convinced to give up Jan 17, 1996--prior to the Senators first game at Palladium--L2R Randy their valuable space and it took nearly two years to get everybody on Sexton, Cyril Leeder, Bruce Firestone ORG XMIT: board so that Terrace would have all the necessary pieces in place. POS2015111009523189 “Nobody would sell us the land (at first) because they were burned once “I remember being ridiculously excited,” Sexton said from his home by the exhibition and they weren’t going to enter into an agreement with outside Gananoque. “Bruce is a visionary. I could spend the day telling us,” Leeder said. “Finally, we confided in one of the land owners. His stories about things he envisioned in the 1980s and 1990s that took 20 name was Lawrence Semple, which is where the Tanger Outlets are years to come to fruition, but they’ve actually happened. To me, that’s an now. incredible blessing. “We told him what our plan was, and we hadn’t announced this to “It wasn’t like blind enthusiasm. I believed in Bruce and I believed in his anybody, that we were going to try get an NHL team and we wanted his vision. My passions for the game, and the NHL, are what they are. I land for the arena. He said: ‘Well, why didn’t you tell me?’ We’re sure the came away just extraordinarily excited about idea.” farmers were all talking and the other pieces fell into place and we did all 600 acres, but we were at it for over a year.”

It took nearly two years for Terrace Investments to secure the land, but, Naturally, it had to be kept quiet, so they huddled every Sunday night at once it did, it felt it had to go public with its intention of trying to make a Firestone’s old home on Zokol Crescent in Kanata to discuss the next bid for a National Hockey League team. steps. A short fax announcing its bid went out on June 12, 1989, and a splashy “Bruce had been thinking about things and he had the plan in his mind news conference was held Sept. 6 at the Château Laurier Hotel with the already,” Sexton said. “We immediately went to work. We’d meet from 6 late Frank Finnigan — whose No. 8 hangs in the rafters — to launch the p.m. to midnight on Sunday nights and we’d talk about and work on the ‘Bring Back the Senators’ campaign. plan. The bid was met with skepticism because of the way it was announced.

“In hindsight, we didn’t know any better. You don’t send a fax out if you’re going to announce something that major,” Leeder said. “Were we surprised? Yes. Knowing then what we know now, we probably would have done it differently, but we probably got the reaction we deserved.”

The skepticism from local media was something the trio dealt with throughout the process.

“We certainly took our lumps from some of the media and public, but behind the scenes we knew we had a good plan and we were making progress,” Sexton said.

That was because Firestone and Sexton had been travelling around the league, meeting with owners to have face-to-face discussions about what an attractive market Ottawa was for an NHL team. Typically, they’d go watch a game in a private box with the owner and have dinner beforehand.

“We knew we had to keep things very tight until our plan was flushed out so that, when we did announce, we had things really buttoned down and nailed,” Sexton added. “The owners were fabulous. They’d say: ‘We’ve heard good things about you guys. We love Canada and we’re going to meet with you.’

“But, they’d tell us: ‘If I hear one thing privately or publicly that I’ve met with you, that will kill your bid.’ We knew we were making progress. We’d meet with the editorial board at the Sun and the Citizen and they’d ask: ‘Who have you met with?’ And we’d say: ‘Well, we can’t say.’ And the response would be: ‘We don’t believe you’ and then they’d wonder what we were hiding.”

No, they NHL hadn’t announced a plan to expand, but Firestone wanted to be ahead of the curve and the intention was to attend the board of governors meeting in Palm Beach in December 1989 to lobby for a team in Ottawa. They were told in no uncertain terms by officials at the league office that it wouldn’t be a good idea, so the charter flight they had organized for 200 people was cancelled.

“We were told it would be a bad idea if we came down to the Breakers and disrupted their meetings,” Leeder recalled. “We kind of got our back up at first, but, after we thought it through, we realized we were trying to get into this club,’ so we’d better back down and comply.”

After that governors meeting, the NHL announced its intention to expand and that was when the Ottawa bid shifted into high gear to prepare for meeting in December 1990, when they would be among a group of cities — which included Tampa, Seattle and Hamilton — that would make presentations to try to get into the NHL.

“I almost felt like the reason there was a plan for a sixth expansion by the NHL was because of us and our campaigning,” Firestone said. “It wasn’t a big company, but our group was so committed to the cause. They went through a wall to get this franchise.”

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196413 Philadelphia Flyers

Good vibes in negotiations between NHL owners and players’ union

by Sam Carchidi,

Optimism is growing that the NHL could start its season around Jan. 15, but it’s not a slam dunk.

The league is floating a proposal for a 52- or 56-game season, and it wants the Stanley Cup champion crowned by July 15, enabling the 2021- 22 season to start at its normal time (early October) and have an 82- game schedule.

But the league and the players’ association still must agree on some labor issues that are on the table.

The sides seemed more optimistic Friday that they were getting closer to an agreement.

The NHL, with some owners saying they may not be able to recover from lost revenue if fans aren’t allowed in arenas, wants players to agree to raise the cap on salary escrows and to defer more of their salaries.

The players have balked, saying both sides executed a CBA extension in July, knowing a 2020-21 season without fans was a possibility because of the coronavirus. There have been hints that players will make some minor concessions in the coming days.

On Thursday, left winger James van Riemsdyk, the Flyers’ player representative, said players were “ready to roll” if the league honored the CBA.

It is not known yet if the games will be played in home arenas or if each of the four divisions will have a designated city to play games in a “bubble,” limiting travel and hotel stays and hopefully reducing the risk of contracting the virus.

If all goes according to plan, players would report to training camps in early January, though the seven teams that didn’t play in the postseason in 2019-20 would probably report earlier since they haven’t played since March. Those seven teams are Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose, New Jersey, Ottawa, Buffalo, and Detroit.

For economic reasons, both sides would like to play as many games as possible. The more games played, the more revenue and that would cut the debt players will have to repay owners in following seasons.

If the coronavirus, which is raging across North America, pushes the season’s start to, say, February, a 48-game season would probably be played.

Dave Scott, the chairman and CEO of the Flyers’ parent company, Comcast Spectacor, declined to comment on the progress of negotiations between the league and the players’ union.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196414 Philadelphia Flyers As he talked with colleagues and friends “and even some of the media,” he discovered that not many people were aware of pro hockey in Philadelphia before the Flyers. “And I thought if people in the media weren’t aware of it, this is something Philadelphia hockey fans are going New book details fascinating stories about Philly’s pro-hockey history, to want to know about,” Bass said. “I know I did.” including a team that conjures ‘Slap Shot’ memories The impetus for the book, which includes a chapter on each of the 11 pro hockey teams in the city’s history, was in place. by Sam Carchidi, “It was fun, from a nerdy-research perspective, to try to delve into some teams that really got little or no coverage here,” Bass said.

He also delved into NHL franchises that almost landed in Philadelphia. In Back in 1996, 6-year-old Alan Bass went with his father to a 1924, Jules Mastbaum, owner of the Philadelphia Arena, applied for an reverberating building that was then known as the CoreStates Center expansion team, but the NHL board of governors passed. In the mid- and attended his first Flyers game. 1940s, the Montreal Maroons – who had played in the NHL from 1924 to He was mesmerized by the game’s speed, by the rush of bright white ice 1938 and had won two Stanley Cups – wanted to come to Philly, but Len that jolted his eyes, by the sounds of the raucous crowd that witnessed Peto couldn’t get an arena built to accommodate the league. Peto, who the Flyers’ 7-3 whipping of Pittsburgh. He was fascinated as he watched had been a Maroons executive, was trying to build a $2.5 million arena at Flyers goalie Ron Hextall rock back and forth in his crease, and the site of the old Baker Bowl, between Broad and 15th Streets. impressed by how John LeClair muscled his way around the net. He was The Flyers victory parades in 1974 and 1975 drew gigantic crowds. An confused, until his father, Mike, gave him an explanation, when fans estimated two million people turned out in 1974 alone. threw perfectly good hats and caps onto the ice after the Flyers’ Dale Hawerchuk scored his third goal of the night. The Flyers victory parades in 1974 and 1975 drew gigantic crowds. An estimated two million people turned out in 1974 alone. “I fell in love with the sport instantly,” Bass said this week. “After seeing a game, I became obsessed.” Philadelphia is, when you get right down to it, a hockey town. When the Flyers are performing well or making a deep run into the playoffs, the city Bass, 30, now works with his wife and his father in a thriving, third- transforms in a way that is unparalleled When the Flyers won their first generation family business, AAA Hobbies and Crafts, in Magnolia, N.J. Stanley Cup, in 1974, an estimated two million fans attended the parade, He puts in long hours and enjoys the challenges the job brings, nearly triple the number that attended the Eagles’ Super Bowl parade in especially during the busy holiday season. 2018. This is not to take away from the accomplishments of the other But the hockey bug, well, it never left him. sports teams that call South Philadelphia home. Rather, it is a comment on the importance of ice hockey to the culture of Philadelphia. Which is why the Wenonah, N.J., resident has managed to write two hockey books in his spare time and is currently writing one on the life and -Alan Bass in Professional Hockey in Philadelphia times of Flyers co-founder Ed Snider. His latest book, Professional History lesson Hockey in Philadelphia, documents the intriguing history of the sport in the city. While the Flyers became Philadelphia’s model hockey franchise, they weren’t the first one to reach the big time. The Flyers started in 1967 – 37 A 1932 Inquirer advertisement, shown in "Professional Hockey in years after another Philadelphia team began a brief NHL stay. Philadelphia," highlights a Tri-State League game between the Philadelphia Comets and Hershey. Ticket prices ranged from 50 cents to The Pittsburgh Pirates NHL team, which was struggling at the box office a dollar. and crippled by the Great Depression, became the Philadelphia Quakers in 1930. Pittsburgh had flirted with moving to Atlantic City, but ended up SAM CARCHIDI shifting to Philly for just one season. There was an understanding A 1932 Inquirer advertisement, shown in "Professional Hockey in between the league and the Pirates – who had 12 of their players Philadelphia," highlights a Tri-State League game between the transferred to Philly’s roster – that the team would return to Pittsburgh Philadelphia Comets and Hershey. Ticket prices ranged from 50 cents to when a new arena was built, according to Bass. a dollar. Philly became a temporary home for the Pirates and joined a 10-team Long before the Flyers became a staple on the local sports scene, there NHL that included the Boston Bruins, New York Americans, New York were numerous pro hockey teams in Philly, starting in 1900-01 with the Rangers, Detroit Falcons, Chicago Black Hawks, Montreal Canadiens, Quaker City Hockey Club Montreal Maroons, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Maple Leafs.

In later years, Philly was home to the Ramblers, the Rockets, the All of which raises the question: Why do the teams that played before the Falcons, and the Arrows; the Comets, the Blazers, the brawl-happy 1967 expansion proudly proclaim themselves to be the Original Six? Firebirds (Bass’ chapter on them, he said, “is like reading a script from But I digress … Slap Shot”); and the Phantoms. The Quakers, who wore orange and black jerseys (sound familiar?) and Oh, and the forgettable Philadelphia Quakers, the city’s first NHL team. actually had future Hall of Famer Syd Howe on the team, finished with a The Quakers won just four of their 44 games. Four. .136 winning percentage (4-36-4) during a season that included a 15- Newspapers add flavor game losing streak and lots of empty seats at The Arena. They were both dubious NHL records until broken by Washington in 1974-75. Bass writes about all these teams in a fascinating, brilliantly researched book that includes tidbits of corny-but-amusing copy from local The Philadelphia/Pittsburgh franchise was suspended for the 1931-32 newspapers. The newspaper accounts, written in an old-timey manner, season. Both cities didn’t get an NHL franchise again until the league give the flavor of those eras. expanded in 1967.

Over the years, Bass has written for the Hockey News, Bleacher Report, The Flyers are, by far, the most successful of the 11 professional hockey and Hockey Buzz, and along the way has developed a deep interest in franchises to have played in the city. But, as Bass writes, the foundation the sport’s history, triggering his first book, The Great Expansion: The for their success was helped by their Philadelphia predecessors – even Ultimate Risk That Changed the NHL Forever. though most of them played in the minors, most struggled, and none lasted more than nine consecutive years. About a decade ago, as Bass did research for that book about the 1967 expansion that featured the Flyers, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, “I wrote this with full knowledge of the Flyers’ history and how successful St. Louis, and Oakland, “I got a little bit into the history of hockey in they are, so you know what eventually happens in Philadelphia in Philadelphia,” he said. “It went way further back than I had realized, and I regards to hockey,” Bass said. “One of the interesting things to me is that started looking into it in my free time, and the idea of another book kind you could see why the Flyers were successful and why other teams of sat in the back of my mind for a while.” before them were not. There was a pattern of the proper ownership group, the proper product you put on the ice, the proper building. If all of those came together, you had a very successful franchise. But when one, two or three of those were missing, you had a team that really couldn’t last very long.”

The pre-Flyers teams that played in Philadelphia deserve credit for something else, Bass said: They whet the fans’ appetite for the sport.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196415 Philadelphia Flyers

The latest reports on length of 2020-21 NHL season, when it could start

/ by Jordan Hall

Despite an apparent labor quarrel (or misconstruing), the NHL and NHLPA had discussions on Thursday night about other looming decisions for the 2020-21 season, according to multiple reports.

The league shared with the players proposed schedule figures, which included a possible 56-game regular season with a start date around mid-January, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.

A 52-game slate was also discussed, as well as Jan. 2 being a potential start date for training camps, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.

The discussions between both sides are at least good to see in what looks like some progress toward an agreement on and eventual start to the 2020-21 season.

Per Seravalli and LeBrun, the economic-related topics were not discussed. Obviously, that will remain at the forefront on aiming to finalize a plan for the 2020-21 season.

The constant developments of the coronavirus pandemic will have everything in pencil right now. But there had recently been a waiting period on the state of the 2020-21 season, so these reported discussions about the length of the season and a start date feel like a positive.

The Flyers are coming off a positive and promising 2019-20 season, which has raised the club's expectations.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196416 Pittsburgh Penguins “A credit to our staff, Petri and Tommy, not only looking just at (potential) draft picks,” Allvin said. “They’re looking at any good players, regardless of age. In those specific players, we thought they were a little bit later developed and we were intrigued with the potential upside. … We’re Why do the Penguins have so many Finnish players? trying to be open-minded with those guys and their ages, coming out of there at 22 to 25, 26. Players that we believe our development staff and

our coaching staff could still work with and bring out a little bit more than SETH RORABAUGH | Friday, December 4, 2020 4:12 p.m. they’ve seen over there.”

To be certain, no one is about to confuse Pittsburgh with Pyhäjärvi any time soon. Whenever the NHL’s 2020-21 season opens, the Penguins Having worked as a scout in some capacity for the Penguins since 2006, figure to have only two of their nine Finnish assets on their NHL roster in assistant general manager Patrik Allvin commands extensive familiarity Riikola and Kasperi Kapanen, a first-round pick in 2014 who was traded with the franchise’s players, those on the NHL roster as well as their pool to the Maple Leafs and spent five seasons with that franchise before of prospects. returning via trade in August.

He’s knows everything about their backgrounds, personalities, skill sets The vast majority of their Finnish players are prospects. Beyond Riikola and development. and Kapanen, Larmi, defenseman Niclas Almari and forward Kasper Bjorkqvist are the only other members of the group signed to NHL deals. There’s one aspect that did escape his focus, however, until it was The group also includes four prospects — defensemen Santeri Airola recently brought to his attention. and Antti Palojarvi, left winger Valtteri Puustinen and goalie Joel A lot of them are from Finland. Blomqvist.

Of the 67 players who are signed or have their NHL rights controlled by But clearly, the Penguins have been intrigued by the types of players the Penguins, nine are from the Fennoscandian nation renown for they can find in Finland. reindeer meals and death metal bands. “The federation there seems to (put) emphasis a lot on speed, skills,” That’s the second-highest total in the league, trailing only the Carolina Allvin said. “I would say in general, the Finnish players are very Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs at 10 each. competitive too. They’ve got a good team-first mentality. A guy like Riikola here, not being in the top six (defensemen) all the time, he’s “I was surprised at the numbers, quite honestly,” Allvin said recently in a prepared to step in and accept the role that he has. That’s the team telephone interview with the Tribune-Review. “It’s really nothing we’ve mentality of the Finnish players. Just the culture, I think there (is) just a emphasized on. Regardless of where the players are coming from, we competitive nature of the Finnish people there.” are excited about them.” A player-by-player look at the Penguins’ Finnish players: Allvin does acknowledge one adage, albeit in jest, that originally applied to Finland’s dominance on the motorsports circuit and has been loosely (Note: All contract data is per Cap Friendly.) applied to NHL roster management. Santeri Airola, defenseman “You need a Finn to win!” he quipped. Age: 20 Considering Finland has won three of the past seven IIHF World Junior Acquired: Seventh-round draft pick (No. 211 overall) in 2019 Championship tournaments, that notion might carry some actual weight. Contract status: Unsigned. NHL rights expire in 2023. Regardless, Allvin maintains the Penguins haven’t specifically focused on Finns in recent years. But suggested outlying factors have perhaps led to Allvin’s scouting report: “A little bit late bloomer here. The intriguing part them gravitating toward players from that country. about him is his ability to skate. He’s a really good skater and a really good puck mover. … He got injured (this preseason with Ilves of the “The European players and the college players, you’ve got a little bit Liiga). Late when he was sent down to (Koovee of the) Mestis and played more of time frame with them until you have to make a decision,” said two games to get (recuperated), his team down in Mestis got covid. So Allvin, himself a native of Sweden. “That might be one aspect. Instead of then he had to quarantine again when he got called up (to Ilves). two years with (Canadian junior players), you have four years to make a Unfortunately, for him, it’s been a rough couple of months.” decision on them. So it’s a little bit longer of a development path for them. Niclas Almari, defensemen

“The last, I would say, five, six years, they’ve had a lot of top-end Age: 21 prospects coming out of there. A credit to their federation. They’ve done a good job of developing a lot of good, young players.” Acquired: Fifth-round draft pick (No. 151 overall) in 2016.

Allvin credits European scouts Petri Pakaslahti and Tommy Westlund for Contract status: Entering the second year of a three-year entry-level finding the players in Finland. contract. Pending restricted free agent in 2022.

The Finnish-born Pakaslahti spent 12 seasons playing in his country’s Note: Almari began a season in North America for the first time with top league, the Liiga, and even served as a general manager of Espoo of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2019-20, appearing in 51 games and producing the country’s second-tier league, the Mestis, before joining the Penguins seven points (one goal, seven assists). Currently on loan to Pelicans of as a full-time scout in 2018. the Liiga, he has missed most of the season because of an undisclosed injury. Westlund, of Sweden, spent four seasons in the NHL with the Hurricanes during the 2000s, then managed by current Penguins general manager Allvin’s scouting report: “For Niclas, the main thing is just to get used to Jim Rutherford. He joined the Penguins as a scout in 2011. the heavier workload in terms of games over in (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton). The three (games) in three nights, playing a more competitive game “Petri has done a really good job since he got hired with us,” Allvin said. every night consistently. But we like the size, his ability to move the puck, “His credibility over in Finland is really good. He was a general manager his ability to skate. He made big strides over the last year. So we’re there for a short period time in Espoo. Obviously, he was a good hockey excited about him coming back.” player over in Finland so I think he’s well connected around Finnish hockey and around the teams there. And also, our Swedish scout, Kasper Bjorkqvist, left winger Tommy Westlund, those two guys are good at identifying the players Age: 23 over there.” Acquired: Second-round draft pick (No. 61 overall) in 2016. The Penguins’ interest in Finnish players extends beyond the draft. In recent years, they have recruited and signed undrafted professionals Contract status: Entering the second year of a two-year entry-level such as defensemen Juuso Riikola and goaltender Emil Larmi to NHL contract. Pending restricted free agent in 2021. contracts. Note: Bjorkqvist’s professional debut last season lasted only six games Antti Palojarvi, defenseman with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as a knee injury sidelined him in November of 2019. This season, he has appeared in 18 games with KooKoo of the Age: 21 Liiga and has 10 points (six goals, four assists) Acquired: Sixth-round draft pick (No. 186 overall) in 2017.

Allvin’s scouting report: “He was a priority for us to get (playing time this Contract status: Unsigned. NHL rights expire in 2021. season). Even if you look to the last two years, dealing with an injury back in Providence (of the NCAA) there. Then got a season-ending injury Note: Palojarvi is currently playing for Hermes. last year after (six) games, it was really important for him to get back and Allvin’s scouting report: “He was a late-round pick. … A little bit of a late play in games. He was off to a really good start. He played with the bloomer. Hasn’t really been able to establish himself in the Liiga. We’re national team for three games in November. … It’s important for him to still working with him. We’re going to make a decision after this year, get his legs back, get his confidence back and he’s excited to be back either to sign him or let him walk. But he’s made progress for sure. playing. You’re looking at a good-sized, stay-at-home (defensemen). A pretty “You could say more of a power-forward style player. More of a (penalty good skater. For him, it’s learning about playing pro hockey, learning kill) guy. We encourage him to do more with the puck, work on his skills, (about) dealing with a stronger, heavier player every night.” be more involved. That was intriguing to see he was rewarded with points Valtteri Puustinen, left winger here early on (in the season).” Age: 21 Joel Blomqvist, goaltender Acquired: Seventh-round draft pick (No. 203 overall) in 2017. Age: 18 Contract status: Unsigned. NHL rights expire in 2021. Acquired: Second-round draft pick (No. 52 overall) in 2020. Note: Puustinen is currently playing for HPK and is that team’s second- Contract status: Unsigned. NHL rights expire in 2024. leading scorer with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 13 games. Note: Blomqvist is currently playing with Hermes of the Mestis. Allvin’s scouting report: “When we drafted Puustinen, he had went Allvin’s scouting report: “This is his first year playing pro hockey. Hermes through the draft, I want to say, maybe once. He was an undersized is a bottom-end team (in the standings). It’s been an adjustment for him. player, definitely a late bloomer, but just a naturally talented player. He He started really well the first two games when he was a starter for played the (IIHF World Junior Championship tournament) for Finland. Karpat in Liiga. He just had a shutout (his first as a professional). We’re He’s a really smart player and we’re talking about a player that adjusted excited about his path. Karpat has produced a lot of good goalies in the well at the pro level. His game is suited more for (the professional ranks) past. They’ve got a plan for him to play this year in Mestis, then next year because he’s so smart and skilled and once he got to play with better bring him up to the big team.” players, that’s where he came through. He was dealing with (potential coronavirus exposure), he was sitting out more or less three weeks in Kasperi Kapanen, right winger October. He just got back (on the ice) and has been on fire. To have a Age: 24 guy like that in the seventh round, we’re thrilled for his path. Hopeful for a strong second half. Hopefully, he cracks the lineup this year (for Finland’s Acquired: Trade, Aug. 25. roster in the IIHF World Championship tournament) or reports to Wilkes- Barre after the season. Contract status: Second-year of a three-year contract. Pending restricted free agent in 2022. “He definitely has a great shot. His ability to read and see the play can get him in position to get the puck and score goals. A guy like that, we’re Note: Kapanen is the son of former NHL forward Sami Kapanen and really excited about him and it would definitely be interesting to see him spent many years of his youth on this continent. around NHL players that can get him the puck and he could find Allvin’s scouting report: “I think he lived in North America until he was 12 chemistry with. A younger player that can get strong, find a consistency years old. So I think it was actually probably a tougher transition moving level. But over the past two years, he’s fast-forwarded his progress back to Finland when you are that age; I would say he has a better definitely.” understanding. Obviously, his dad was such a good player. Being around Juuso Riikola, defenseman the NHL game from when you are born, I think he definitely had a better understanding (of North American hockey). Age: 27

“Just looking at his game, I think he has matured as a player. You’re Acquired: Free agent signing, May 18, 2018. watching him kill penalties and being a very responsible two-way guy. That’s one area he really has improved on. And obviously, we think there Contract status: Entering the first year of a two-year contract. Pending is more offense to come with his game that we saw when he was unrestricted free agent in 2020. younger. Elite speed here. So I’m excited about the opportunity he will Note: Riikola has spent most of the past two seasons, primarily as a get here in Pittsburgh.” reserve defenseman, on the Penguins’ NHL roster.

Emil Larmi, goaltender Allvin’s scouting report: “We always liked his ability to skate. But Tommy Age: 24 recognized he might not have been ready for the draft back then. But we still encourage our (scouts) to be open-minded and just because we Acquired: Free agent signing, June 2, 2019. didn’t like the player at (age) 17 or 18, that player can’t get better. In this particular case, Jusso got better. Obviously, he played for Kasperi’s dad. Contract status: Second year of a two-year entry-level contract. Pending And Tommy and Sami, they were teammates back in the day in Carolina. restricted free agent in 2021. So Tommy got some input on Juuso there.

Note: Larmi made his North America debut last season, splitting time “Our top-six (defensemen group) has been extremely hard to crack. To between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Wheeling of the ECHL. He is have a guy like Juuso and Chad Ruhwedel at seven and eight, I think currently on loan to HPK of the Liiga. that speaks highly about your depth. In order to win the (Stanley) Cup, Allvin’s scouting report: “It was definitely a tougher transition for him (in you have to have good depth there. Juuso has definitely made strides in 2019-20). He got injured early and battling coming back, it was definitely terms of being more consistent, being in better shape. He has the a tough first year. His mindset was really good. He’s a competitive goalie attributes of being a good-skating defenseman that has a little bit of a and a competitive kid. That was important for us to get him going (this physical part of his game as well. For him, it’s about finding that season with HPK). Finding the consistency of being an NHL player, that’s consistency of being a regular top-six NHL defenseman. Hopefully, he what we’re looking for from him. To have a streak of good games, not can find that path here now and establish himself.” just having one good game, one bad game. That’s what he has to learn. Tribune Review LOADED: 12.05.2020 Obviously, it was a little bit of a tougher path for him here with the injury that he was dealing with early on. … Hopefully, he has a good start in Finland and coming back once the (AHL) opens up again.” 1196417 Pittsburgh Penguins

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins sign former Ducks draft pick Kyle Olson

SETH RORABAUGH | Friday, December 4, 2020 3:46 p.m.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins signed forward Kyle Olson to a one-year American Hockey League (AHL) contract.

A fourth-round pick (No. 122 overall) by the Anaheim Ducks in 2017, Olson was never signed by that franchise and became an unrestricted free agent in 2019. Last season, he attended the Buffalo Sabres’ training camp as a non-roster invitee but returned to the junior ranks.

Injuries limited the 21-year-old Olson to 30 games and 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) between the Tri-City Americans and Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League during the 2019-20 campaign. A former captain of Tri-City, he recorded 70 points (21 goals, 49 assists) in 62 games with that franchise in 2018-19.

With the AHL season not scheduled to begin until Feb. 5 at the earliest because of the coronavirus pandemic, Olson has been assigned to the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. The Nailers are scheduled to open their season Dec. 12.

Tribune Review LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196418 Pittsburgh Penguins When Aston-Reese was signed out of college in 2017, general manager Jim Rutherford compared him to Hornqvist in that regard.

Aston-Reese already has a regular role on the penalty kill, having Penguins A to Z: Can Zach Aston-Reese build off his breakout season? averaged 1 minute, 35 seconds of short-handed ice time per game last season.

Whenever he steps on the ice, the 2020-21 season will be key for Aston- SETH RORABAUGH | Friday, December 4, 2020 9:07 a.m. Reese in that he is a pending restricted free agent. After largely spinning his wheels in the first two seasons of his NHL existence, he finally

established traction and found a role in 2019-20. If he can keep himself While the NHL is on hold because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, pointed to the magnetic north through an uncertain six months, Aston- the Tribune-Review will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at Reese can put himself in line for a lucrative long-term contract heading all 48 individuals under NHL contract with the organization, from mid- into 2021-22. level prospect Niclas Almari to high-profile trade acquisition Jason Tribune Review LOADED: 12.05.2020 Zucker.

Zach Aston-Reese

Position: Center

Shoots: Right

Age: 26

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 204 pounds

2019-20 NHL statistics: 57 games, 13 points (six goals, seven assists)

Contract: Second year of a two-year contract with a salary cap hit of $1 million. Pending restricted free agent in 2021.

Acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent in March 2017

Last season: After a handful of years in which he battled injuries and inconsistency, Aston-Reese became one of the more reliable members of the Penguins in 2019-20.

Not so much for his individual accomplishments but for the collective cohesion he established on the team’s vaunted fourth (but really third) line along with Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev.

Used on the left wing, Aston-Reese helped form a trio coach Mike Sullivan was forlorn to break up, even as the other lines were ravaged by injuries.

Initially formed Oct. 10, that line remained intact until Aston-Reese suffered an undisclosed injury Feb. 16. By the time the NHL resumed play in the summer with a postseason tournament, Aston-Reese was reunited with Blueger and Tanev for the playoffs.

Aston-Reese underwent surgery on his left shoulder in mid-August and, by all accounts, is on schedule to make a full recovery within the prescribed recovery time frame of six months.

The future: At least from a medical perspective, Aston-Reese probably could benefit from the NHL being on hiatus this fall and into the winter given his shoulder injury. Aston-Reese might be able to play a game again six months after shoulder surgery but being able to play at the same level he offered most of last season might take a little time. Shoulder ailments can be notorious in how long the true recovery time can linger.

For a player whose game is pretty physical, any extra time he can get to rebuild strength and confidence in that limb will be valuable.

Once he returns, his presence will create something of a problem for management in that he would push the Penguins over the NHL’s roster limit of 23 players (assuming all of his teammates avoid maladies and placement on injured reserve).

But given the uncertainty of how the American Hockey League will operate next season, the NHL very well could expand rosters to keep reserves on hand and to alleviate any issues on that front.

There’s little to suggest Aston-Reese would be in danger of losing his place on his line with Blueger and Tanev. That trio clearly earned the trust of Sullivan last season, especially considering how often it was deployed against the opposition’s top lines.

He might even be in line to add some duties on the power play. With net- front terror Patric Hornqvist jettisoned in a September trade, Aston- Reese could inherit that role on the second power-play unit. Don’t forget: 1196419 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins have reportedly looked into playing outdoors amid pandemic

Adam Bittner

The Penguins reportedly have interest in taking some of their 2021 home games outdoors so that more fans can watch them in-person amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Thursday that the club is one of four across the NHL that have looked into the possibility in recent months, as indoor gatherings have been significantly limited by state governments to slow the spread of the virus.

Friedman writes that the Penguins inquired about playing games at Heinz Field and PNC Park, home of the Steelers and Pirates, respectively. They’ve previously played at Heinz Field in 2011 and 2017 as part of the NHL’s Winter Classic and Stadium Series events.

One potential complication is the Steelers’ playoff push. The building’s primary tenant may need the facility available until Jan. 25, the scheduled date of the AFC championship game. And if the NFL is forced to push its postseason back because of the virus, that date could run even later.

Another is the state government, which has limited even outdoor gatherings dramatically in recent weeks as virus case numbers have spiked. The Steelers, for example, are currently permitted to allow just 2,500 people into Heinz Field for games, including players, coaches and staff for both teams.

Similar restrictions come hockey season could limit the viability of outdoor games, as maintaining competitive ice surfaces amid unpredictable winter weather conditions has proven to be a costly venture when the league has staged outdoor events in the past. Paying customers would likely be needed to cover the cost, at the very least, so higher capacities may be necessary.

Friedman also writes that NHL players are cool to the idea of switching between indoor and outdoor venues throughout the season. So there appears to be a lot of details that need to be worked out for plans to move forward.

For now, the NHL does not have an announced start date for its 2020-21 season. The other teams reportedly considering a move outdoors are the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins.

Adam Bittner:

Post Gazette LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196420 San Jose Sharks

Report: Sharks' next season could begin in mid-January

/ by Marcus White

The Sharks' season reportedly could begin in mid-January and last as long as 56 games.

The NHL asked the NHL Players Association about beginning next season in the middle of January for the first time Thursday, TSN's Frak Seravalli reported Friday morning, citing sources.

Development: Sources say #NHL shared draft schedules with #NHLPA on Thursday, one including a 56-game regular season for 2021.

Drafts were based on Jan. 1 start date, but sides discussed pushing that back (Jan. 15 or 16?).

Told talks were unrelated to recent economic requests.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 4, 2020

The NHL had been targeting a Jan. 1 start to the season, but the league and NHLPA have not yet agreed to terms. Deferred salaries remain a sticking point between the two sides, but The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun wrote Friday he thinks the players "will finally be willing to come back and defer a bit more salary" than the 10 percent they agreed to for this season when the collective bargaining agreement was extended this summer.

If the season begins in mid-January, LeBrun reported, citing sources with the league and the NHLPA, that all 31 training camps would start around Jan. 2. It's not "100 percent" that the Sharks and six other teams who didn't participate in the restarted season this summer and fall will get an extra week of training camp as they requested and the league wants, as "both sides need to figure that out."

If the Sharks were able to conduct an extra week of training camp, they would begin in late December. That would require them holding camp outside of Santa Clara County, which banned all contact sports last week in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Subsequent orders could require them to leave the Bay Area altogether for training camp.

The Sharks operate rinks in Oakland and Fremont, but Alameda County joined Santa Clara County, Contra Costa County, San Mateo County, San Francisco and the city of Berkeley in enacting the state's shelter-in- place order for counties with a capacity of ICU beds below 15 percent. The Bay Area has not crossed that threshold yet, but public health officials warned that the region will soon.

The Warriors reportedly are able to conduct training camp and play games at Chase Center during the order, which begins on Dec. 6 and ends no earlier than Jan. 4. San Francisco doesn't have a ban on contact sports, and requires all college and professional teams to submit safety protocols for approval.

If coronavirus cases, deaths and hospitalizations continue increasing along worrisome trajectories, the NHL season reportedly could start later than January. LeBrun wrote Friday that "[the] pandemic could still force a further delay and start into February."

The Sharks last played in a game on March 11, losing 6-2 to Chicago a day before the NHL season was suspended. Just over 10 months will have passed between then and the reportedly possible mid-January start of next season.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196421 San Jose Sharks

Doc Emrick tells hilarious Jumbo story from Cup Final

/ by Jessica Kleinschmidt

Joe Thornton signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs after spending parts of the last 15 seasons with the Sharks, but he forever will be associated with San Jose. And some of that stems from who he is off the ice.

“Joe is such a humble guy,” former NBC Sports hockey play-by-play commentator Michael “Doc” Emrick told NBC Sports California.

Doc recalled a time his friend, Michael Franke, ran into Thornton and a few of his Sharks teammates after San Jose won Game 5 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Franke is the owner of the ECHL's Fort Wayne Komets, the minor league team Emrick coincidentally grew up rooting for.

“Joe has such a great sense of humor,” Emrick said. “So, the Sharks win Game 5 in Pittsburgh and this gentleman, Michael Franke, and his son go back to the hotel, and lo and behold, they press the button in the elevator, the elevator door opens and they get into the elevator. Before the door closes, Joe Thornton, [defenseman] Brent Burns and [goaltender] Martin Jones get in the elevator with them.”

The two realized they were sharing the elevator with “greatness,” after the Sharks’ 4-2 victory.

The team had one more night in Pittsburgh before heading back to the Bay Area for Game 6 at SAP Center, but it was the perfect time for the father and son to strike up a conversation with the Sharks players.

“They congratulate each of the three of them on the wonderful game they just played, and then Michael, with his sense of humor, says, ‘You know, if your contract with the Sharks runs out, and you decide you want to keep playing in maybe more humble circumstances, I think we can go $500 a week if you want to come play in Fort Wayne,' ” Emrick laughed.

“Then as the elevator opened and they got off the elevator, Joe looked over his shoulder and said, ‘That [$500] -- is that cash?’” Emrick said Thornton is a remarkable athlete and a good soul. He apparently never stops with the humor, either.

If you want to read more about his legendary career and how he came from a small Indiana town to become the voice of hockey, check out Doc Emrick’s new book “Off Mike.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196422 Tampa Bay Lightning

Two Canadian favorites, the Raptors and the Stanley Cup, cross paths in Tampa

Eduardo A. Encina

TAMPA — Two things that Canadians hold dear are currently calling Tampa home: the Toronto Raptors and the Stanley Cup.

What’s next? A Tim Horton’s in Sparkman Wharf?

This week, the two crossed paths.

The Raptors arrived in Tampa Monday for their temporary stay, and there are no plans for the Stanley Cup to leave Tampa amidst the pandemic as we await details on the upcoming hockey season.

Friday morning, David Bishop — one of the keepers of the Cup — walked into an elevator at his downtown Tampa hotel, the Cup case in tow, and thought he saw a familiar face. Bishop wasn’t certain because of the mask the person was wearing, so he asked.

“Are you Bobby Webster?”

Why Finding This Long-Dead Creature Spooked These Loggers

“Yes,” the Raptors general manager told Bishop, who said he was with the Hockey Hall of Fame. Bishop pointed to the case and said, “And this is the Stanley Cup.”

“Oh wow, that’s awesome,” Webster responded.

Bishop saw Raptors guard Fred VanVleet in the hotel lobby and offered him a chance to take a photo with the Cup.

“Look,” VanVleet told a group of teammates walking by. “I’m a hockey guy now.”

The Raptors team doctors and equipment staff also have taken photos with the Cup, Bishop said.

“Being from Toronto, they were really excited to see the Cup,” he said.

This week, the Cup also visited Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski, who had Lightning players Alex Killorn and Andrei Vasilevskiy over to play NHL ’21.

Last weekend, Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov had his day with the Cup, taking it on a yacht for a day on the water.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196423 Toronto Maple Leafs get more for television rights. Or by recruiting more partners. Maybe this economic crisis will be how Quebec City gets its NHL team back.

But what happens over the next half-year isn’t going to decide anything. The NHL will be just fine, season or no season. Losing a couple of teams This notion that the NHL must play the season at all costs or face ruin is might even help the bottom line mostly circulated by disappointed fans who miss the sport terribly, and hockey media folks who understandably want to be able to do their jobs. And keep their jobs. Damien Cox In an ideal world, Gary Bettman and Don Fehr will be able to figure out a way to play next month. But conditions may not allow that to happen safely. There isn’t a game of major junior hockey being played in Canada It’s awfully difficult to get terribly worried about the NHL these days when right now because of the coronavirus. your local bars, restaurants and gyms are going out of business. It’s hard to imagine NHL teams flying from city to city while completely In fact, there’s probably not much to be worried about at all when it avoiding COVID infections. If the Baltimore Ravens ended up with more comes to the world’s best hockey league. than 20 cases on their roster while playing once a week, aren’t NHL With all due respect to my good friend Brian Burke and his suggestions teams likely to run into similar challenges? on Sportsnet that the NHL will face catastrophic consequences if there is Financial constraints, meanwhile, may make playing illogical. These no 2021 season, there’s not a lot of evidence, historical or otherwise, to teams are in business to make money, not for the love of the sport. No believe that is actually the case. ticket revenue, no profits. It wouldn’t be great for business, of course. Might a team or two be lost? That said, enough of the hyperbole. The Detroit Red Wings haven’t Theoretically, but that’s only a concern if you think the NHL, with 31 played since March, but if they can’t play again until September, they will teams and about to grow to 32, is at its best with that many clubs. survive. Hopefully that won’t happen, but the virus is making the Few believe that. In fact, the NHL could be well served from a business decisions these days. point of view if teams that contribute little or nothing to the overall health Sports are going to get back to normal, folks. We just have to be patient. of the league (Florida, Arizona) went under. Or were mothballed, then People in the business of making money from sports, whether they be moved. the owners or labour, have to be just as patient. Moreover, the current outlook envisions teams playing 56 games or less, It doesn’t matter if they don’t want to be. either without fans in the stands at all or with a fraction of their seating capacity available to paying customers. So revenues are already down Toronto Star LOADED: 12.05.2020 by 50 per cent, guaranteed. Probably much more. The remainder has to be split 50/50 with the players.

The damage, in other words, has already been done to a league that hasn’t sold a single ticket since March.

It’s really just a question of how many billions the league will lose, not whether they can play enough games to be profitable. Anything NHL owners try to do, whether it’s outdoor games or whatever, is just about slightly mitigating their losses.

No wonder the notion of not playing at all undoubtedly appeals to some NHL owners. Las Vegas owner Bill Foley, remember, said playing at 40 per cent of capacity or less just doesn’t cut it financially for the Golden Knights.

For the players, they won’t be getting their full salaries. Not even close. Regardless of how the accounting is done, if NHL revenues are down 50 per cent, the salaries of NHLPA members will be, too. It’s simple math.

For the players, then, it’s about trying to get something for playing hockey this season. Some will suffer, but the average NHL salary is about $2.5 million (U.S.), so it’s not like anybody will have to go out and find another job to put food on the family table.

Lousy, but not a catastrophe.

Then there’s the appeal of the NHL product, and whether fans will come back if the league decides it cannot play, or if a missed season will destroy customer confidence. Well, of course they will come back, particularly in the healthiest markets. The fans came back in 2005 after the league and players intentionally shut down an entire season.

If the NHL doesn’t play, it will be because worsening pandemic conditions don’t allow it do so safely, or on a solid financial footing. What intelligent person is going to hold that act of God against owners or players?

Both sides already demonstrated via last summer’s expensive bubble playoffs how much they want to play. We know that vaccines will likely allow the NHL to return to normal next fall. We also know the NHL doesn’t want to play past early July, and probably won’t be ready to start much before the end of January.

So we’re talking about a small window here. Maybe five months of hockey. That’s not going to make or break the NHL.

True, it’s going to take years to recover from the economic damage. Same as the NBA and NFL and Major League Baseball. They will all gradually recover by cutting costs and raising ticket prices and trying to 1196424 Toronto Maple Leafs Under provincial government rules, regions in the grey zone are only allowed to open indoor sports facilities for high-performance athletes, such as those in the NHL, NBA or MLS. It does not allow for team sports.

What the GTHL’s latest decision means for minor hockey families across In red, rinks are allowed up to 10 people on the ice at a time. Toronto In orange, the province allows up to 50 people within a facility. That is where the GTHL would allow full practices and modified intrasquad scrimmages. (Ottawa, Niagara and Guelph are among the cities in the By Sean Fitz-Gerald Dec 4, 2020 17 orange zone this week.)

Oakman said the GTHL has discussed different scenarios with the city, hinting at the chance it could be interested in staying on the ice later than Minor hockey will not resume in Toronto until Ontario returns the city to it would in a normal calendar year. That would depend on how long the the so-called orange tier of its colour-coded COVID-19 system, with the city decided it could keep its rinks open. sport’s local governing body acknowledging the “window to operate meaningful programs is closing.” “If that starts to become a possibility,” Oakman said, “we’ll do what we can to provide kids some kind of hockey experience this year.” Scott Oakman, the executive director of the Greater Toronto Hockey League, said the board of directors will meet again next month when they Reports that Health Canada could approve a COVID-19 vaccine for use could decide to set a date to cancel the season. The league spans three within the next two weeks might be too late to save this season, but public health units — Peel, Toronto and York — and two are in lockdown. Oakman highlighted its potential.

“Obviously, there’s no playbook to point people in the right way here,” he “There’s a recognition that next season we can hopefully turn a page with said. “But the feeling is it’s too early to give up hope when it comes to at the vaccine coming,” he said. “And that, right in time for the start of next least getting some kind of meaningful hockey played for those players year, a majority of Canadians may have had the opportunity to get the and families who want to partake.” vaccine.

Toronto and Peel are both in the “grey” zone of the provincial framework “There is hope there for next season.” and would have to first pass through the “red” zone before moving back to orange. It is not clear when that might be possible, but a local The Athletic LOADED: 12.05.2020 infectious diseases expert suggested late February or early March as an optimistic timeline.

That would mean — even in the most hopeful scenario — local minor hockey teams would have been off the ice for a full year. Hockey Canada suspended all sanctioned programming when the severity of the pandemic became clear last March, and the GTHL had been hoping to return this fall.

In October, Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health, recommended a four-week closure of all indoor team sports. The following day, the GTHL announced it was suspending on-ice operations for the rest of the calendar year.

Toronto arenas remained open, albeit with strict capacity limits. Before the city moved into lockdown, local public rinks allowed 10 skaters on the ice at a time — usually nine skaters and a coach. Now, in the grey zone, indoor public rinks are closed and the outdoor facilities have banned shinny.

“We’re hopeful that things can turn around here,” said Oakman said. “And we’ll revisit this again in the beginning of January, as to where things are at, and how feasible it would be to get to the orange level.”

With the city in orange, the GTHL would begin what it termed “Period 2” of the return to play guide it published earlier in the fall. Teams would be allowed to have 20 skaters on the ice, with clearance for scrimmages at three-on-three or four-on-four.

Teams would also be able to form cohorts with other teams, as long as the total number in that cohort was 50 or smaller. They would be allowed to play 3v3 or 4v4 games against those teams with certain rules in place: Bodychecking would be banned in the older age groups, for example.

Oakman said the GTHL conducted a survey of its member organizations about a month before its most recent board meeting, which was held last week. More than 80 percent of competitive teams said they would be willing to return next month, and more than half of the houseleagues were also ready to go.

Some groups have already closed their doors for the season. East York Hockey Association announced it was going into hibernation in September. Amesbury/Bert Robinson Minor Hockey League, a smaller organization in the west end of Toronto, had already suspended operations.

When the GTHL board convened last Thursday, it formed a small group to develop a list of options for the game heading into the new year. One of the options was cancelling the season immediately, against the backdrop of rising case counts and growing concern over hospital capacity.

“But the consensus became: We’re too early to do that yet,” Oakman said. “And there’s no real harm in us holding out hope.” 1196425 Vegas Golden Knights 6. Max Pacioretty 7. Alex Tuch

This group isn’t quite at the level of “untouchable,” but all these players Golden Knights trade value tiers: Ranking every player by trade market are major core pieces. I wouldn’t expect them to be moved unless value absolutely necessary. In my mind, they’re all one notch above where Paul Stastny and Nate Schmidt ranked, which is why those two were moved to clear out cap space while these four were kept. By Jesse Granger Dec 4, 2020 3 Karlsson earns the top honors for this group, mainly because he’s a center who’s playing for less than market value at only $5.9 million per season. Karlsson hasn’t been the elite scorer he was in 2017-18, but he We’ve reached a lull in the NHL’s offseason. Most of the roster affects the game in nearly every phase and is Vegas’ best center. The movement has come to a halt, and hockey fans across the continent great thing about Karlsson is even when he goes on scoring droughts, eagerly await an announcement of what the 2021 season will look like. you never feel like he’s not making a positive impact. Whether it’s his While we wait, I thought it would be a fun exercise to rank Golden speed through the neutral zone, unrelenting forecheck that disrupts the Knights players in terms of their league-wide trade value. A colleague in opposition’s breakouts or his penalty killing, he finds ways to contribute. Vancouver, Thomas Drance, ranked the Canucks and I found it The other three are all high-level wingers who would be top-six players fascinating, so I decided to bring the idea to Vegas. This isn’t a ranking of on nearly every team in the league. Pacioretty and Smith are coming off the best players on the team, as age and contract status play crucial career seasons, finishing first and third on the team in scoring. The only roles in determining trade value. Players who are younger, with more reason I ranked Pacioretty slightly below Smith is he’s three years older favorable contracts, are a much better commodity on the trade market (32) and has three seasons remaining at a $7 million cap hit. He than some more talented veteran players who are being paid at their outperformed that number this season, but that’s no guarantee he’ll do current value, and in some cases above. the same through 2022-23. Tuch, on the other hand, is coming off an This doesn’t mean any of these players are getting traded, although with inconsistent regular season followed by a brilliant playoff run. If he the way the Golden Knights have operated for the first three years, it’s continues that level of play into the regular season, he could elevate likely some eventually will. The front office has been aggressive in the himself on this list. He’s only 24 and, like Theodore, is locked up through trade and free-agent markets, and there’s no reason to think that won’t 2025-26 at a reasonable salary. Tuch’s cap hit is just $4.75 million per continue as they’re sitting firmly inside their window to contend. year.

Without further ado, here’s The Athletic Las Vegas’ first-ever ranking of The High-End Prospect Tier the Golden Knights’ most valuable trade chips, broken into 10 tiers. 8. Cody Glass The Untouchables Tier 9. Peyton Krebs 1. Shea Theodore This is where the rankings become a bit more complicated. There are 2. Mark Stone players ranked well below these two who are much more valuable to the team. Meaning, someone like Robin Lehner is more important to the 3. Alex Pietrangelo Golden Knights’ 2020-21 Stanley Cup chances, but he wouldn’t fetch nearly the same return on the trade market as a young, promising I would imagine inquiries for these three players won’t even evoke a prospect like Glass or Krebs. response from general manager Kelly McCrimmon — at least they shouldn’t. The Golden Knights have quickly built themselves from a They are unquestionably Vegas’ best two young players, and while I lovable expansion team full of overachieving misfits into a powerhouse don’t expect either to be moved, they would each bring back an club stocked with superstar talent. impressive return. For evidence, just look at how Vegas acquired two players high on this list — Stone and Pacioretty. The Golden Knights Stone and Pietrangelo were well-known commodities before Vegas sent out prospects Nick Suzuki and Erik Brannstrom, both of whom are acquired them and remain two of the best players in the entire NHL. similar to Glass and Krebs in terms of value. If the Golden Knights find “(They play) different positions, but for us, we really viewed it as a very themselves in a position where adding a veteran from a seller can help similar situation to the opportunity where we acquired Mark Stone,” their roster for the playoffs, adding Krebs or Glass to a trade offer could McCrimmon said on Oct. 12, the day he signed Pietrangelo to a seven- help make a deal. year, $61.6 million contract. “Generally these are players that don’t hit the The ‘He’s Worth More to Us Than You’ll Give Up’ Tier market. We were fortunate to be able to make a trade for Mark Stone. In the case of Alex, he did get to the market as a free agent.” 10. Robin Lehner

So there you go, straight from the general manager’s mouth. These are 11. Jonathan Marchessault elite-level players Vegas executives couldn’t believe they had the opportunity to acquire. They’re building the entire roster around them, Sometimes players are nearly untradable assets because they — for and I wouldn’t expect Stone or Pietrangelo to be available on the trade various reasons — are far more valuable to their current team than they market for some time, especially considering both have full no-movement would be to anyone else across the league. I believe that’s the case with clauses. Lehner and Marchessault, who will play vital roles in Vegas’ success or failure in 2021. But as good as Stone and Pietrangelo are, they still didn’t top the rankings. That’s because Stone ($9.5 million AAV) and Pietrangelo ($8.8 It’s relatively easy to gauge Lehner’s trade value because he was just million) are being paid market value as elite players. Meanwhile, traded in February. In that deal, he fetched Chicago young, backup Theodore has emerged as a legitimate Norris Trophy contender after a goalie Malcolm Subban, forward prospect Stanislav Demin and a spectacular postseason when he led the Golden Knights with 19 points in second-round pick in return. It’s much lower than you’d expect for a 20 games. And at a cap hit of only $5.2 million per season for the next Vezina-caliber goalie, but Lehner hasn’t drawn the interest around the five years, Theodore’s contract is an incredible value. league that his numbers justify — both in the trade market and in free agency. Lehner’s situation is different now than it was in February, Theodore is currently the 53rd highest-paid defenseman in the NHL but because he’s locked up for the next five years at $5 million per year is clearly a top-20 defender (and arguably top-10). Plus, he’s only 24, so rather than being a pending free agent, but I’m not sure how much that he’s just hitting his stride. He’s a player Vegas shouldn’t consider affects his value. He’s arguably one of the 10 best goalies in the league, moving. but Vegas was the first team to commit to him long term. I believe the value the Golden Knights front office places on Lehner is higher than The ‘We’ll Consider Picking Up the Phone but This Better be Good’ Tier what the rest of the league might consider giving up. 4. William Karlsson Marchessault is in a similar position, because I believe his impact on the 5. Reilly Smith Golden Knights is much greater than anything they’d get in return for him. Jonathan Marchessault has been a strong contributor for the Golden Vegas, and he could see an elevated role if he wins a training camp Knights since the franchise’s first season. (Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA battle to replace Stastny on one of the top lines. Today) Stephenson was just traded this past season, so we know his value isn’t The Potential Tier sky-high. Vegas gave up only a fifth-round pick for him, and while his value could be higher now, it’s not that much higher. Similarly, Carrier is 12. Nic Hague a good role player but is more likely to be a sweetener in a trade than a 13. Jack Dugan centerpiece for one.

14. Lucas Elvenes The Not-So Value Tier

These three youngsters all rank below Glass and Krebs in terms of 21. Ryan Reaves prospects, and while their impact on the upcoming season could be 22. Nick Holden minimal, they’re still solid trade pieces because of their potential. Hague didn’t have the type of rookie year he wanted, but he grew into his role as 23. Tomas Nosek the season went on, and based on the numbers he posted in junior hockey (78 points in 67 games in 2017-18) his ceiling is still quite high. I grouped McNabb, Whitecloud and Roy because I believe they all provide more value than their current salaries. Similarly, I’ve grouped Meanwhile, the values on Dugan and Elvenes are at all-time highs after Reaves ($1.75 million), Holden ($1.7 million) and Nosek ($1.25 million) impressive seasons. Dugan led all of college hockey with 52 points at because I think their cap hits match their production quite well. Providence and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker. He’ll begin his professional career this season, and many have high hopes for the 2017 None of the three is going to be involved in any blockbuster deals, except fifth round-pick. Also drafted in the fifth round in 2017, Elvenes elevated perhaps as an add-on to work around the salary cap. But they’re all solid his status after leading the Chicago Wolves in points as a rookie last year players who fill specific roles, especially Reaves. with 48 in 59 games. The ‘Everything Looks Great … But the Contract’ Tier

None of these players would fetch a star player in return — the way 24. Marc-Andre Fleury Glass and Krebs might — but they’re very good young players who could be used to acquire help. I don’t expect any of these players to be moved, I’m honestly not sure how the Golden Knights managed to turn a future but if the Golden Knights find a way to make cap space and are looking Hall of Fame goalie with three Stanley Cups, who is widely regarded as to add help at the deadline, they would be players other teams call about. one of the best teammates and nicest people in the sport, into an untradeable asset, but they somehow did. The Value Tier Fleury’s lofty salary of $7 million would be difficult for most teams to fit 15. Brayden McNabb underneath their cap under normal circumstances. The flat salary cap 16. Nicolas Roy and financial uncertainty many teams are facing only amplifies that difficulty, which made moving him this offseason nearly impossible. Add 17. Zach Whitecloud in the fact that the team has clearly committed to Lehner with a long-term contract, and teams weren’t jumping at the opportunity to help Vegas out These three players are nothing alike, and Roy and Whitecloud are of a bind. We may never know what was actually discussed among the obviously in far different stages of their careers than McNabb. But I general managers, but from everything I’ve heard, the asking price to decided to group them because they all have one thing in common — take Fleury’s contract on was very high — perhaps even more than a their play on the ice far exceeds their cap hits. first-round pick.

It’s easy to forget McNabb accounts for only $2.5 million in a cap hit, McCrimmon has said publicly that Fleury is part of the team’s plans, but which is almost criminally low considering the production Vegas has with Lehner locked up, I have to believe that if a chance to move Fleury gotten from him. He is currently the 125th highest-paid defenseman in does arise, Vegas would consider it. Fleury still has plenty of good the NHL, but over the past three years he ranks 53rd in minutes played hockey left in the tank and showed that during the limited playoff time he (4,530), sixth in shots blocked (448) and fifth in hits delivered (626). The got. He has the talent to be an integral part of the Golden Knights’ run at Golden Knights have gotten the production of a low-end top-pairing a Cup, but extenuating circumstances have landed him at the bottom of defender for the price of a high-end bottom-pair defender. Based on that the trade value rankings. His cap hit isn’t bad when he’s playing the way alone, Vegas shouldn’t trade him, especially considering the current cap he’s capable of (and did for the majority of the past three seasons), but if crunch. the plan is to use him as a backup, it’s obviously not ideal to sit $7 million Roy and Whitecloud are young players who are just emerging in their on the bench most nights. careers and therefore haven’t yet been compensated for their play. The Athletic LOADED: 12.05.2020 The Rental Tier

18. Alec Martinez

Like Lehner, it’s easier to project Martinez’s value because he was traded recently. Vegas sent two second-round picks to the Kings for Martinez, which is a little higher than I might have expected considering his $4 million cap hit. But Martinez fit well with the team and helped elevate Theodore’s play in the postseason, so the picks were well spent.

Martinez’s contract is set to expire next offseason, so he could be a candidate to be moved at the deadline as a rental for the second consecutive year. I think the more likely outcome is Vegas finds a way to sign him to an extension at a lower cap hit, but if not his name will be one brought up as the deadline nears.

The Sweetener Tier

19. Chandler Stephenson

20. William Carrier

Stephenson and Carrier will be important players for the Golden Knights’ forward depth in 2021. They’re more accustomed to playing bottom-six roles on mostly checking lines, but they’ve also shown they have the speed to play up the lineup if needed. Stephenson got a well-deserved raise this offseason (four years at $11 million) after a career year in 1196426 Washington Capitals

NHL proposes mid-January starting date for upcoming season

By Andy Kostka - The Washington Times - Friday, December 4, 2020

The economics involved are still unresolved, but the NHL appears to have moved a step closer to mapping out the upcoming season.

According to TSN’s Frank Seravalli, the league has proposed multiple potential schedules to the NHL Players’ Association, including scenarios in which the regular season would last 52 or 56 games.

While the original target starting date was Jan. 1, that is looking increasingly unrealistic. The latest proposals offer a start date in mid- January, with training camps opening up around two weeks before the scheduled beginning of the season, per TSN.

Arizona legislature demands forensic exam of Dominion machines: 'Voters believe fraud occurred'

That schedule would allow the Stanley Cup to be awarded by early July, setting the 2021-22 campaign up to begin in October as usual.

This is all contingent on the NHL and NHLPA resolving economic issues, though. The two parties approved a four-year extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement this summer and accepted a Return to Play plan, which created two bubble cities for the playoffs and resulted in the Tampa Bay Lightning securing the Stanley Cup.

Owners have sought to revise the Collective Bargaining Agreement in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, seeking an increase in salary deferment and raising escrow, for instance.

Coronavirus cases are still rising, and local and national health restrictions may make a season more complicated — two additional hurdles to the economic differences that need to be resolved between the NHL and NHLPA.

But the proposed outline of a schedule beginning in mid-January gives a glimmer of hope that a season is possible.

Washington Post LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196427 Winnipeg Jets Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo will likely be the top pair of defencemen, while Neal Pionk will anchor the second unit. But beyond that?

What to expect from the 2021 Jets? Does the chance to play with Pionk go to free agent signing Derek Forbort? Rookie Dylan Samberg? How about 19-year-old Ville Heinola? Where does Sami Niku fit in, especially with Nathan Beaulieu, Tucker Poolman and Luca Sbisa also competing for depth spots? Mike McIntyre This will be THE competition to watch when camp begins.

5. CAN CONNOR HELLEBUYCK DO IT AGAIN? Let’s talk some hockey today, folks. Can Connor Hellebuyck follow up his Vezina trophy win with another And no, that doesn’t mean another "will the NHL and NHLPA find a way stellar season? to settle their differences and chart a course forward while we are in the midst of a worsening pandemic" opus. Been there, done that, just waiting Can Connor Hellebuyck follow up his Vezina trophy win with another on the T-shirt. (All proceeds to Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr, to be split stellar season? 50-50 — because that’s what a real partnership looks like). Ideally, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner won’t have to single-handedly I’m referring to an actual nuts-and-bolts discussion, specifically as it steal as many games as he did last season. The onus is on everyone in relates to the Winnipeg Jets. Remember those guys? It’s been nearly front of him to make his job a little less chaotic. nine months since head coach Paul Maurice’s crew played a regular- season game, and four months since we last saw them limping off the ice But anything resembling a repeat performance will be most welcome. (quite literally, in fact) after a quick qualifying-round exit to the Calgary With a schedule that is expected to be condensed (plenty of back-to-back Flames inside the Edmonton bubble. games, for example), managing his workload (and getting some strong starts from backup Laurent Brossoit) will be critical. With the passage of time and so much else going on in our world, you may have forgotten about some of the storylines swirling around the club. 6. WHO’S THE SECOND-LINE CENTRE? (I kid, I kid) But with a new campaign hopefully just around the corner — there was Okay, force of habit to type that question, since it’s been a major issue progress made on that front Friday, with a potential Jan. 15 start now in for three straight years around here. sight — it seems like a good time for a bit of a refresher. We know the answer, at least for the coming season, is Paul Stastny. So in honour of their upcoming 10th season since relocating from Atlanta, here are 10 burning questions about the current state of the Jets. Now 34 and coming off a bit of a down season with the Vegas Golden These go beyond the obvious return-to-play protocol issues that will have Knights, can he recapture the magic he had two seasons ago with the to get sorted out and focus entirely on the on-ice product. Jets, when he played primarily with Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers?

The best part? There’s no mention of escrow, deferred salary or force As a pending unrestricted free agent hoping for another substantial majeure to be found. contract, Stastny should be highly motivated.

1. HOW’S MARK SCHEIFELE’S LEG? 7. CAN COLE PERFETTI CHALLENGE FOR A JOB?

The sight of him writhing on the ice in agony inside empty Rogers Place Why not? The 18-year-old scoring star in the Ontario Hockey League, on Aug. 1, just a few minutes into Game 1 against the Flames following a picked 10th-overall by the Jets in the October draft, should have a bit of a questionable hit from Matthew Tkachuk, was tough to watch. jump on everyone else, assuming the world junior hockey championship goes ahead in Edmonton over Christmas and he cracks the roster, as Scheifele, 27, admitted his initial fear was a career-ending leg or knee expected. injury. But he said he dodged a bullet and will be back "better than ever" in time for a new season. (He never revealed exactly what the injury It’s especially intriguing considering the OHL won’t begin play until early was). He resumed skating about a month ago, declaring himself fully February, at the earliest, and body-checking may be outlawed owing to recovered. COVID-19 concerns. Might the Jets decide keeping the centre around, even if in a sheltered role to start, is best for his development? But seeing is believing, and the Jets need their No. 1 centre to be in top form if they are to have a fighting chance. 8. HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT IN THE CAPTAIN’S TANK?

2. WHAT’S IN PATRIK LAINE’S FUTURE? Nobody will outwork Blake Wheeler. But Father Time is undefeated, and there were large stretches last season when the 34-year-old just didn’t His agent has already played the public "trade me" card, suggesting look right. Laine and the Jets would both benefit from a change of scenery. Nothing has happened yet, despite plenty of buzz. Perhaps a longer-than-usual off-season combined with a shorter-than- usual new season will benefit him. But with four years left at US$8.25 Does Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff make a bold move prior million, the Jets better hope he’s still got lots of miles to go before he to the start of the season, which I’m on record as saying is fraught with sleeps. danger? Or does Laine come to camp, where he will no doubt face questions every day about his status going forward? 9. WHO ELSE WILL PUSH FOR WORK?

Considering the Jets will likely be playing all their games in Canada, with Great teams always have plenty of internal competition, which keeps no shortage of media coverage, it could quickly become a three-ring everyone on their toes. The Jets will need some of their depth players circus. and prospects to step up.

3. DO WE KNOW JACK? Whether it’s young defencemen such as Niku, Heinola, Samberg or Logan Stanley, or youthful forwards such as Perfetti, Jansen Harkins, As in Roslovic, another apparent unhappy camper who would like a one- Mason Appleton, Marko Dano, David Gustafsson, Kristian Vesalainen, way ticket out of town. The restricted free agent hasn’t signed a new C.J. Suess, Joona Luoto or Kristian Reichel, who’s going to see an contract. His agent, Claude Lemieux, told me this week there’s nothing opening and kick down the door? new to report on that front. Will this be the year that towering defenceman Logan Stanley, right, There are plenty of rumblings that the Jets have been looking to move makes the cut? him for defensive help, which could still happen. But if it doesn’t, how and where does Roslovic fit in, especially knowing he’d like a bigger offensive THE CANADIAN PRESS/TREVOR HAGAN role, which may not be available? Will this be the year that towering defenceman Logan Stanley, right, 4. WHO BLOSSOMS ON THE BLUE LINE? makes the cut? If the answer is nobody, and the Jets are forced to use journeymen such as Sbisa, Nate Thompson and Dominic Toninato early and often, they are likely in trouble.

10. HOW HOT IS KEVIN CHEVELDAYOFF’S SEAT?

If no other moves are made and the Jets struggle out of the gate, Cheveldayoff will rightfully take heat for failing to address glaring holes in his lineup. That should make job security an issue.

Some will suggest Maurice should also be under the gun, but I suspect he’s got a bit more rope to work with than the GM, having just signed an extension last year.

But in a results-oriented business, pressure should be mounting on everyone following two straight seasons in which this franchise — spending to near the salary cap ceiling and supposedly in win-now mode — has taken a step back.

The good news? After much waiting, fans may soon start to get some answers to the above questions.

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 12.05.2020 1196428 Winnipeg Jets The goal this season is to turn the struggles of 2019-20 into a distant memory. Short-term pain was inevitable, as I wrote in last year’s State of the Franchise — but that pain must be put behind the Jets in short order.

Jets state of the franchise: If ever there was a time to ‘prove it,’ this is it This will be the year we learn if Winnipeg’s roster cracks are patchable — or if they’re destined to become franchise-altering fissures.

Biggest on-ice question By Murat Ates Dec 4, 2020 19 Can the defence hold?

Hellebuyck and the Jets’ star forwards give Winnipeg a fighting chance to There is no offseason turmoil in Winnipeg right now — no star player make the playoffs. To get there, Winnipeg’s defence will need to stop exodus and, with respect to Jack Roslovic, no superstar contract left pucks — and then move them —worlds better than it did a year ago. unsigned. Morrissey should rebound and a full season from DeMelo will help, too. In the place of that turmoil? A growing sentiment that 2018’s memorable Pionk took a big step forward last year and prospects like Heinola and playoff run could be as high as these Jets ever fly. Samberg offer legitimate hope. Derek Forbort has top-four experience — mostly earned with Kings star Drew Doughty — and it’s even possible This isn’t to say that Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, and their younger that one of the kids can take a massive leap in time to help this season. and improving cast of forwards — Patrik Laine, Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Despite his lack of professional experience and despite the fact that most Connor for starters — don’t have long-term success in their future. It’s an college defencemen play in the AHL before NHL success, there are acknowledgement that Winnipeg’s defence still has substantial holes in it. some who believe Samberg will skip that step. Josh Morrissey, Dylan DeMelo and Neal Pionk are a good start toward a top-four but they are not a top-four unto themselves. I think that’s a touch optimistic.

The runway to patch those holes is precisely four seasons long — that is, The success of Samberg, Forbort, Heinola, Nathan Beaulieu and any the lengths of Scheifele’s $6.125 million and Connor Hellebuyck’s $6.167 other number of top-four solutions is decidedly hypothetical. The Jets’ million contracts in particular. defence still looks an awful lot like the one that struggled last season — the group that gave up the league’s most unblocked shot attempts, the With that timeline in mind, recreating 2018’s playoff success depends on third most scoring chances, and the most expected goals against at 5-on- a simple function. 5. If the Jets can upgrade their defence (or improve it from within via Long shifts spent in the Jets’ zone led to missed opportunities in the prospects like Ville Heinola and Dylan Samberg) while their forwards and offensive zone, too. It’s not easy for Winnipeg’s stars to spend 40 goaltending remain among the league’s best, then there is success to be seconds chasing the play in their own zone and then create offence once had. they’ve recovered the puck. If not? Put another way: When Mark Scheifele gets outshot 541 to 465 at 5-on- Put a pin in that horrid concept. 5, there is a problem.

For now, it’s important to acknowledge that Winnipeg’s forward group — Hockey is a fluid, interconnected game. while loaded with talent in Scheifele, Ehlers, Connor, Wheeler, Laine and Whether the defensive zone stop comes from Winnipeg’s centre or one Paul Stastny — is no longer impervious to criticism. of its defencemen doesn’t particularly matter. Winnipeg simply needs Scheifele and Connor posted some of the best offensive and worst those stops and then it needs smart passes made to star forwards who defensive metrics among NHL forwards last season whether you use aren’t exhausted so they can generate offence 200 feet down the ice. Evolving Wild’s WAR, Micah McCurdy’s “threat” model, or Dom On paper, I’m not sure Morrissey/DeMelo, Forbort/Pionk and Luszczyszyn’s Game Score Value Added. Beaulieu/Poolman are the group that solves this problem. They’re going For fans who bristle at these so-called “advanced” metrics, it may be to need help from Winnipeg’s stars themselves. worth noting that Dom’s model in particular outperformed Vegas betting Biggest off-ice question lines last season. None of these models are perfect — and none of them tell us why things are happening — but they’re getting awfully good at Can Paul Maurice and Winnipeg’s coaching staff adapt to the improved- measuring things that are important. It is also possible to make the case but-flawed roster they have to work with? against the defence played by Winnipeg’s star players by video, as I have touched on in the past. Early in 2019-20, the focus was (rightfully) on Dustin Byfuglien’s absence and the shock wave it sent through Winnipeg’s defence corps. A So yes: Stastny will help. Yes: Andrew Copp and Adam Lowry are very forecheck that had previously been so aggressive in protecting the good defensive players. Yes: Ehlers is so good at moving the puck up ice offensive blue line backed off in a big way. Out were Byfuglien’s that his defensive metrics are outstanding, and yes: the pipeline boasts devastating disruptions of enemy breakouts; in came peeling way back to tireless two-way players like Jansen Harkins and David Gustafsson. But the Jets’ line to cut down on odd-man rushes. Stastny is a short-term solution, Copp and Lowry don’t have top-six offensive talent, and solutions via the pipeline will likely have a stronger It’s tempting to make a declarative statement that this adaptation impact on the bottom half of the roster than the top. succeeded or failed. From the perspective that Winnipeg gave up fewer odd-man rushes, the endeavour was a success. From the perspective Put another way: There is no Ryan O’Reilly, Mark Stone or Sean that Winnipeg created less offence last year than at any point in recent Couturier in Winnipeg’s forward group so the sooner Scheifele et al., memory, it was an abject failure. plagiarize their all-around game, the better Winnipeg’s odds of long-term success. The truth is likely somewhere in between.

Despite all of this doom and gloom, the Winnipeg Jets, as built, are good It’s difficult to imagine a defence wherein Pionk and Morrissey’s team enough to make the playoffs in 2021. If Winnipeg holds onto Laine, leading minutes were followed — in order — by Dmitry Kulikov, Tucker returning a forward group wonderfully reminiscent of 2018, and if Poolman, Luca Sbisa and Anthony Bitetto being successful, regardless of Hellebuyck can produce another top-tier season in goal, then the Jets X’s and O’s. I can only begin to imagine the number of shifts in have it in their power to build a bridge over over troubled defensive Winnipeg’s zone that Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers or Ben water. Chiarot would have killed that last year’s group could not stop.

They’re even a great bet to be highly competitive in 2021-22, with Add DeMelo to the top four and Stastny up front and you might imagine a Heinola, Samberg, Gustafsson and top prospect Cole Perfetti that much little less desperation and a little more imposition of Winnipeg’s own will further along in their development. on the game. What does Maurice do with that? I do think there’s a high likelihood that we see systems tweaks, especially VIEW THIS POST ON INSTAGRAM at 5-on-5, and especially in the offensive zone. The Jets sorely need them, Maurice has acknowledged that to be the case when I’ve asked, and he has a track record of borrowing best practices from around the A POST SHARED BY NATE THOMPSON (@NTHOMPSON44) NHL. Finally, Nate Thompson is an entertaining interview, a friend of dogs and Winnipeg’s power play ranked 15th in the league despite boasting three a respected leader in the dressing room. Still, a lack of point production of hockey’s best finishers in Laine, Scheifele, and Connor. Its penalty kill and poor underlying numbers suggest that Thompson’s effort will ranked 22nd despite the world’s best goaltender. outweigh his effectiveness at 5-on-5 — reminiscent of Winnipeg’s recent It’s not 2017-18 anymore. Winnipeg’s roster is no longer overpowered — signings of Mark Letestu and Matt Hendricks. it is merely good at some things and lighter on greatness in others. The Kyle Connor ability of the Jets coaching staff to get the most out of Winnipeg’s strengths and mitigate its weaknesses will be the biggest off-ice question Nikolaj Ehlers of 2021. Andrew Copp Other frontrunners include the Seattle expansion draft — Winnipeg has Mathieu Perreault enough good forwards to worry about losing one and the future of one Patrik Laine. Jansen Harkins

Laine will need a new contract this summer and is eligible for unrestricted Winnipeg’s left-wing depth is overpowered and comes with a wide range free agency two seasons after that. He’ll have arbitration rights, meaning of skills. the Trouba route to an early trade is available to him, and he’ll likely be due a large raise above his qualifying offer of $7.5 million. Kyle Connor is starting to get league-wide acclaim for his goal scoring prowess — deservedly so, given he led the Jets by a mile with 38 goals Depth chart analysis last season. I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it many times: from roughly the top of the circles in, there is no Jet more dangerous than Mark Scheifele Connor is. His hands, feet and finishing ability all stand out on a team full Paul Stastny of offensive stand outs.

Adam Lowry Can he get even better? I’d say that’s likely, given that he’s just about to turn 24. He already plays so many minutes in all situations that any Nate Thompson improvement upon his 73 points in 71 games will have to come from Winnipeg’s centre depth is the best it’s been since 2018. growth as opposed to increased opportunity.

Mark Scheifele is Winnipeg’s undisputed franchise centre — a point per Interestingly, it was not Connor but Nik Ehlers who led all Jets forwards game offensive star for four straight seasons and an outright bargain at in 5-on-5 points last season. Whereas Connor’s game is predictably $6.125 million per year. He’s 14th in league scoring over that same four explosive in a straight lines, cutting into space at the perfect time sort of year span, scoring 122 goals, 177 assists, and 299 points in his last 292 way, Ehlers is all improvisation, wheeling through the neutral zone and games. then carving into the offensive zone in wide, unpredictable arcs. This seems to make him harder to read for his teammates but even more He’s also shown tremendous maturity in certain contexts, such as his difficult to defend — Ehlers scored more points per minute last season framing of the injury he suffered against Calgary in August. than any Jet did, including all five members of Winnipeg’s top power play unit. Add in each player’s defensive impact — Ehlers’ is exceptional, “It’s just one of those things where you have to look at the bigger picture Connor’s is not — and it may be that Ehlers and not Connor is and not look at it through such a fine microscope and look at it from a Winnipeg’s best left wing. broader sense of things. And say, ‘Hey. It sucks right now but I’m going to get better one day and I’m only going to be better for it.’ I think I’m just That Jets fans get to have this debate and still enjoy the rest of lucky that I have the people around me that I do to lean on and that’s why Winnipeg’s port side depth chart speaks to a decided strength. I’ve been able to look at things from such a positive light through such a dark time.” Andrew Copp is Winnipeg’s top defensive forward, combining a centre’s pedigree with excellent communication and a commitment to play on the At 27 years old, Scheifele is a man now and dominates the offensive right side of the puck before thinking about offence. Mathieu Perreault is zone like a prime-aged player who can finish plays all by himself or still effective, if overpriced, in a bottom-six role, despite not scoring create and exploit passing lanes at will. He’s scored more than enough enough to outproduce his $4.125 million contract. points over the duration of his contract to command a massive raise in four years. Meanwhile, Jansen Harkins is a prospect no longer — instead, he’s a tenacious worker in all three zones who seems to get better every time Still, there were nights in 2019-20 where stronger defensive players like he plays. One expects Harkins will force his way onto Winnipeg’s full time Ryan O’Reilly or Anthony Cirelli handily won their match-ups against 55 roster in time to start the season. in blue. Blake Wheeler I’ve cherry-picked one play from one game of a long season but Jan. 17, 2020, was a particularly difficult night for Winnipeg’s top centre — and it Patrik Laine goes well beyond this clip. Jack Roslovic

Meanwhile, Paul Stastny returns to Winnipeg after scoring 80 points in Mason Appleton 121 games over two seasons in Vegas. The last time Stastny was a Jet, Stastny helped carry a defensively challenged sophomore Laine to The Jets’ collection of right wing talent is impressive but each player positive shot metrics and tremendous offensive production and then had comes with question marks. a massive Game 7 against Nashville in the playoffs. Blake Wheeler was one of the NHL’s best 5-on-5 players for most of a The expectations won’t be as high this time around but Stastny can still decade. control the flow of play and create more chances than he gives up. He’ll Seriously. turn 35 before the season starts but he’s easily Winnipeg’s best second- line centre since the last time he was Winnipeg’s second-line centre. Quoting myself from last season: From 2011-12, Wheeler’s first full season with the Jets organization, to 2016-17, he scored the fourth most Ideally Stastny’s arrival takes some weight off of Scheifele’s shoulders even strength points in the NHL and appeared in zero All-Star games. and allows Adam Lowry to return to excellence as a checking line centre. Seriously, the scoring race in that time is Patrick Kane, Sidney Crosby, I’ll freely admit that two scoring lines and one defence-first line is a Jamie Benn, Blake Wheeler, and then John Tavares at No. 5 — a who’s decidedly old-school approach but, when that third line is built around who of franchise players — and Wheeler is ahead of the more celebrated Lowry and frequent linemate Andrew Copp, the approach usually works Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, and Jonathan Toews in that time. in Winnipeg’s favour. Then Winnipeg’s power play exploded in 2017-18, leading to back-to- most recent season was cut terribly short due to injury while there is no back 91 point seasons and a sense around the league that Wheeler had one of Doughty’s ilk in Winnipeg. At $1 million, Forbort could be a great arrived. Pardon my language but, in a word, it was bullshit — he had third-pairing addition — and he should take plenty of PK minutes — but been already been elite for a very long time. asking him to play with fellow Minnesotan Neal Pionk in a top-four role could be dangerous. Now Wheeler’s production is starting to taper off and the question is how long he can remain an impact player. His scoring rate at 5-on-5 last Nathan Beaulieu earned the respect of his teammates and his coaching season was solid for a second-line player as opposed to elite and one staff alike by gritting through multiple injuries last season and standing up suspects the 34 year old’s best years are behind him. The good news is for his teammates numerous times. Like Forbort, Beaulieu’s skills are he’s still good — but for how long? If he can hold onto his current level, likely best used on the third pair. Finally, 2019 waiver claim Luca Sbisa Winnipeg’s right side will remain a strength. If not, that $8.25 million will offers veteran depth but is likely on the outside of the starting lineup look like a substantial overpay. looking in.

Patrik Laine was meant to be the next one, although his style of play and It’s certainly possible that a younger player wins a job from a veteran — his approach to the game are both quite different from his captain’s. especially given Winnipeg’s injury history. Ville Heinola is having a tremendous start to his season in Finland, scoring 14 points in 19 games "MY GOAL WITH HIM IS BY THE TIME I'M OUT OF HERE, HE'S — IF while carrying the flow of play in a top-four role. That’s heady stuff from NOT THE BEST FORWARD IN THE LEAGUE, THEN IN THAT the 19 year old Finn. Meanwhile, Dylan Samberg is bigger, older and CONVERSATION." may even be more NHL ready than Heinola is but has yet to play in a BLAKE WHEELER ON PATRIK LAINE. HTTPS://T.CO/K8YCDMDZBA professional game. Winnipeg’s future at left-defence is bright but the path ahead will include some turbulence. — MURAT ATES (@WPGMURAT) OCTOBER 11, 2019 Dylan DeMelo Still, Wheeler holds Laine in high esteem and has gone on record saying his goal is for Laine to become one of the league’s top players. Neal Pionk

It can be easy to forget that Laine is just 22 and still has a world of Tucker Poolman development ahead of him as a person and a player. He has already Sami Niku scored 138 goals in 305 games (Wheeler played his first NHL game shortly after his 22nd birthday) and took a big step towards a respectable Winnipeg’s right-defence is solid, although unspectacular. two-way impact last season. Dylan DeMelo provides the “coach’s porn” (yes, I’m still making that There’s still a long way to go but Laine is a prolific scorer and now there’s reference to Maurice’s quote.) He won’t be counted on to score points no way around big minutes with one of Stastny or Scheifele. Forget his but DeMelo will make good decisions in his own zone and he’ll move the four seasons of experience; Laine is only entering his prime. puck to Winnipeg’s forwards quickly and effectively. The Jets need that and will be counting on a big first full season from their 2020 trade The problem, as has been well-discussed, is there is no guarantee deadline acquisition. Laine’s prime gets played out in Winnipeg. It’s worth noting that DeMelo has a track record of making his partners Jack Roslovic is in a similar situation to Laine insofar as his future better in Winnipeg, Ottawa, and San Jose — the importance of his re- appears to be in doubt. He doesn’t have a contract quite yet and the Jets signing can’t be understated. have explored trading Roslovic in the hopes of returning assets at other positions. A short audition at centre last season looked good when Neal Pionk is next in line at 5-on-5 although he’ll likely reprise his role on playing with Harkins and Mason Appleton but, with so much competition the Jets’ top power play and could lead Winnipeg’s defence in minutes in Winnipeg, Roslovic’s immediate future appears to be on the wing. for the second consecutive season. That in and of itself shows where Winnipeg is at in its development curve — the title of minutes leader In a way, that’s great news. Right wing is a position Roslovic should be used to go to multiple-time All-Star Dustin Byfuglien — but Pionk showed able to excel in. Even accounting for a modest raise, Roslovic should well in his first Jets season. A second consecutive step forward would go represent a value contract should he play for the Jets this year. If he a long way to offering Winnipeg enough stability to make the postseason. struggles with his position on the depth chart — or the fact that (Of course, such a step forward would result in a substantial raise over Winnipeg’s third line is traditionally geared towards checking — then one Pionk’s $3.0 million deal expiring with him as a 2021 RFA but those are wonders about his long term future. good problems to have.)

Despite a frustrating, injury-reduced 2019-20 season, Mason Appleton Tucker Poolman is already 27 and a pending unrestricted free agent remains a good bet to carve out a bottom-six NHL career. (how did that happen so fast?). I’ve often been critical of his work on the Josh Morrissey top pair with Morrissey but he’s more than equipped to succeed on Winnipeg’s third pair and, at $775,000, he represents a value contract for Derek Forbort the Jets.

Nathan Beaulieu Finally, Sami Niku is a left-handed defenceman who remains in the conversation, having finally lost his waivers exemption. On one hand, this Luca Sbisa should mean he becomes a full-time NHL defenceman for the first time in Whereas Winnipeg’s forward group is a collection of strengths, if short on his career; on the other, Winnipeg didn’t give him a lot of runway on an defensive acumen, the Jets’ defence is in a state of transition. The top injury depleted team last season. Until the moment the Jets commit pairing is missing a dominant, all-around player — there are no Norris developmental minutes to Niku, it will be tough to believe he’s in their Trophy nominees to be found here — while the top-four has a job long term plans. opening on the left side. Connor Hellebuyck Josh Morrissey is at the head of the class and will look to rebound from a Laurent Brossoit difficult 2019-20 campaign. He struggled to start his first season without Jacob Trouba, playing mostly with 2018-19 Manitoba Moose Tucker Connor Hellebuyck was number one on my Hart Trophy ballot last Poolman and eventually finding chemistry with Dylan DeMelo. The season. The Jets gave up too much shot quality — and Hellebuyck Morrissey/DeMelo pairing played just 66 minutes together at the end of saved too much of it — for me to think he was anything other than the the regular season and 52 more in the qualification round against league’s most valuable player in 2019-20. Calgary but looked worlds better than the top pairing which preceded it. If he repeats that performance, it will mean disastrous things have That said, Morrissey is about to begin his eight-year, $6.25 million AAV happened to Winnipeg’s defence. contract extension signed before last season — he’ll need to excel regardless of partner to live up to that number. While it’s true that goaltending results are extremely difficult to predict, Hellebuyck has developed a strong track record over the past three That Derek Forbort is next on Winnipeg’s depth chart represents the first seasons. He’s a good bet for another very good season, puckhandling true sign of weakness. Yes, the 28-year-old, 6-foot-4 shutdown foibles be darned. defenceman played a big role with Drew Doughty two years ago but his Laurent Brossoit will be looking for a statistical bounceback, having ** — note that teams can exceed the salary cap by up to 10 percent watched the scorching .925 Sv.% he posted in 2018-19 cool to an icy during the offseason. .895% in his second Jets season. Some of that dramatic swing can be explained by a few equally dramatic defensive failures, but the truth is Final assessment Brossoit was never a very good bet to repeat the magic of 2018-19. The In assessing Winnipeg’s place in the life cycle of an aspiring franchise, full track record of Brossoit’s career suggests he’ll probably be a good it’s impossible to ignore the great heights from which the Jets have fallen backup next season. Just don’t suggest a goaltending controversy if he since 2018. starts unusually hot. It’s similarly impossible to ignore the poor defensive metrics posted by Finally, Eric Comrie isn’t waivers-exempt and thus the Jets will need to most of Winnipeg’s star forwards last season or the incomplete retooling use the waiver wire to get him safely to the Moose. of the Jets’ defence.

In the pipeline The important thing is not to lose site of the team’s real, enduring Whenever I calculate the number of “successful” draft picks that the Jets strengths. “should” have based on the logarithmic formulas in Stephen Burtch’s Scheifele has achieved star status league-wide and I believe in him to article at Sportsnet, Winnipeg scores as perfectly average. The Jets’ take a step towards eliminating the defensive concerns I have highlighted reputation is probably better than that — how could it not be after here. Ehlers is a criminally underrated player — perhaps Winnipeg’s best Scheifele, Morrissey, Ehlers, Laine and Connor in the first round and winger — while Connor and Laine are each capable of superlative Lowry, Copp, Hellebuyck and so many others after that — but other offence and are getting better every year. Stastny and Wheeler are teams draft well too. veteran leaders who can still impact the game in top-six roles while As I wrote in our draft preview, a long series of trades that started with a Lowry, Copp, Harkins, Roslovic, Appleton, Perreault and others make 2017 exchange of first-rounders with Vegas and continued through Winnipeg’s bottom-six decidedly playoff caliber. consecutive trade deadlines leaves Winnipeg’s prospect pool looking We’re likely looking at one more year of development from Heinola and thin. That thinness is exacerbated by the success of the early-career Samberg — plus wise decisions with respect to Laine and other NHL success of Winnipeg’s younger forwards but it endures all the same. notorious Jets trade bait — before Winnipeg can reestablish itself as a All of that said, Cole Perfetti is an instant upgrade to the top-end talent contender. likely to highlight the Jets’ roster in upcoming seasons. Assuming the Kevin Cheveldayoff will be tasked with making those tough decisions. tournament can get off the ground, Perfetti is likely to play a major role Paul Maurice will try to get the most out of a group that, while flawed, has for Team Canada between now and Jets camp. It’s difficult to find a place enough strength to make a return to the playoffs a real possibility. for him in Winnipeg’s lineup — the Jets really do have a solid collection of forwards — but the momentum should be more than enough for But that return is in no way guaranteed. Perfetti to put his best foot forward at camp. If the NHL allows expanded Winnipeg needs to follow its two steps back with a meaningful step rosters to compensate for pandemic-induced multi-league disarray, he forward. If ever there were a time for Winnipeg’s stars to put the Jets on could just make the team — he’s that good. their backs — just like Hellebuyck did a year ago — this season is it. Ville Heinola will be tasked with shutting Perfetti down at the World Because when progress is abandoned, patience is soon to follow. Juniors while Dylan Samberg continues to work out with other college talent in anticipation of the season ahead. The Athletic LOADED: 12.05.2020 David Gustafsson has already scored his first NHL goal and projects to be a highly capable third line centre. He’s currently tearing up Sweden’s secondary men’s league to the tune of 17 points in 16 games while Kristian Vesalainen has eight points in 10 games in Finland’s Liiga. We’re well past the era of Winnipeg’s prospect pool ranking among the NHL’s very best but there are still plenty of players to like. Find my latest prospects top 20 here:

COLE PERFETTI SITS ATOP RANKING OF JETS PROSPECTS, A LIST LOW ON HIGH-END TALENT

Salary cap watch

If you assume as I do that recent signee Dominic Toninato is AHL-bound, Winnipeg is projected to start the season with just $2,145 in cap space.

Of course, that’s not quite accurate. Jack Roslovic still needs a new contract and Winnipeg will need to waive or trade a defenceman just to get to that $2,145 figure in the first place.

Winnipeg’s way out of this cap conundrum will come from a difficult personal situation for one of the franchise’s first icons.

Bryan Little is in such a tough spot. The head injury he sustained when an errant shot struck him in the ear last season has resulted in doctor’s orders that he not play in 2020-21.

Little’s injury does give Winnipeg the opportunity to put him on LTIR, freeing up a much-needed cap relief pool. It doesn’t fix the pain but will be a big part of how the Jets successfully navigate the cap this year. For now, the key thing to know is that the closer to the cap maximum Winnipeg is before moving Little to LTIR, the more of his contract value they’ll get in cap relief — relief that should be more than enough to accommodate Roslovic’s raise.

Projected salary cap: $81.5 million

Salary cap space*, assuming Toninato in the AHL: $2,145**

* — includes Little’s cap hit, as he is not yet on LTIR and may not be for some time. Does not include Niku’s $725,000 cap hit, as I’m imagining he or a veteran defenceman will be moved. 1196429 Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver College football registers big upset over Canucks Skate in uniform contest

Steve Ewen

Publishing date:Dec 05, 2020 • • 2 minute read

Vancouver College Fighting Irish fans know how to rally.

Vancouver College football and its purple ensemble won our first Best Sports Uniform reader poll, upsetting the Vancouver Canucks’ Skate gear by collecting 59.9 per cent of the 1,440 votes cast by readers.

The Skate received 26.3 per cent. The B.C. Lions (9.7), Vancouver Giants (2.6) and UBC Thunderbirds (1.5) were well off the pace.

“It has been a ton of fun to be in these contests,” said Vancouver College football coach Todd Bernett. “No doubt our alumni, parents and current students helped contribute votes to both polls. We are a competitive and prideful community, so when people heard we were competing in the finals, they showed up — just like they do at B.C. Place when we get to the (high school football) finals.

“Our uniforms and helmets resonate with people because of the guy behind them, our equipment manager Rick Gazzola. Rick takes the lead on uniform design and maintenance, everything from helmets to socks. He is responsible for our kids all looking fresh, and all looking uniformed in their uniforms.

“Anyone who has played at VC since the mid-1990s knows Rick and his role in our program. Those votes were a measure of his influence.”

We started out with five divisions and the Skate won the Canucks category, grabbing 43 per cent of the 2,942 votes cast to beat out Original (31 per cent).

The Fighting Irish won our Catch All Division in a squeaker, totalling 39 per cent compared to 34 per cent for New Westminster Salmonbellies lacrosse.

TSN 1040 late-night radio host Rob Fai, who owns 400 jerseys himself and was our go-to guy for everything uniforms, guessed ahead of time that the Canucks Skate would win the final decisively.

“Francesco Aquilini gave Canucks fans a little taste of it last season,” Fai said of the Canucks owner and the Skate being used as a third jersey in 2019-20, “and now everybody is clamouring for it. It wouldn’t matter if it was black and yellow or blue and green or purple and turquoise.”

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196430 Vancouver Canucks

COVID-19: Seattle hockey bar battles for survival with its Kraken team still a year away

Patrick Johnston

Publishing date:Dec 04, 2020 • • 2 minute read

The time will come when Vancouver Canucks fans can discover the fun of visiting a nearby rival city en masse, like their Whitecaps counterparts have been able to do for years.

The Seattle Kraken will join the NHL for the 2021-22 season. And a Seattle bar is hoping to be ready for the arrival of the world’s biggest hockey league, not to mention fans from the Great White North.

“Folks in Seattle are really looking forward to a Vancouver-Seattle rivalry,” Tim Pipes, the Toronto-raised owner of the Angry Beaver, said in an email to Postmedia on Friday.

He’s looking forward to it too, if he can get his bar through the next nine months or so.

In good times, his Canadian- and hockey-themed bar bops.

COVID-19 has been hard on bars on restaurants the world over and the Angry Beaver, which Pipes opened in 2012, has been no exception.

Washington state imposed new restrictions for indoor dining on Nov. 18. Those rules will be in place till at least Dec. 14.

Over the summer the Beaver was able to operate and with the Stanley Cup playoffs on, drew some fans back to watch.

But even the small revenues from that August burst weren’t enough, Pipes told ESPN this week. Government supports have helped, but they won’t last forever.

A friend of his fired up a GoFundMe campaign last month, hoping to raise $50,000, enough to maintain operations for a couple of months, until they can serve customers and there’s NHL hockey to watch again. Pipes is hopeful he can keep it all going until then.

If he can stay open, Canucks fans will be happy to find his little bar in the neighbourhood of Greenwood, on the north side of Seattle, minutes off the I-5, on the way to Climate Pledge Arena.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196431 Websites The NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, who also play in Santa Clara County, have already moved home games to Arizona.

If the ban extended to the end of the calendar year or beyond, the Sharks The Athletic / What hurdles are delaying the start of the 2020-21 NHL would not be able to hold training camp or host games at home. NHL season? officials are planning for this possibility.

They are also planning for the possibility — even the likelihood — that other teams will face similar circumstances. By Scott Burnside Dec 4, 2020 41 In general, the expectation is that any team that can’t play at home will play in another NHL building.

You can understand the sense of optimism, the mild euphoria, at reports So it’s possible the Sharks could end up playing games in Anaheim on Friday that suggested the NHL and its players are inching closer to a where the Honda Center isn’t as busy as the Staples Center, where the plan that would see the season begin as soon as Jan. 15. L.A. Kings play their home games.

It was a welcome relief for hockey fans that the NHL and NHL Players’ But what happens if California prohibited all three California-based teams Association have discussed an outline for a 52 or 56 game schedule — from playing or practicing? with preference on both sides for 56 games — a Jan. 2 start to training camps, plus an optional earlier camp start for the seven teams that did Again, the NHL is planning for these kinds of possibilities. not return to play this summer. Perhaps Arizona or Vegas would be tabbed to take on another tenant if Except the reality is that even if the league and players resolve the any number of the Sharks, Kings or Ducks needed to find a temporary economic issues still outstanding — and that seems likely but not a given home. — the path from an agreement to puck drop on the regular season There is a strong belief at the league level that San Jose will not be alone remains marked by incredible uncertainty. in facing these issues and they are preparing for teams across the United Fans may imagine that the NHL has a full plan for the 2020-21 NHL States to face the prospect of at least temporarily being unable to play in season ready to be unveiled the moment the league formally announces their own buildings. a start date, but the reality is something altogether different. Will they play in hubs or in their home rinks? League officials and the NHLPA are working basically non-stop to make Unlike baseball, which introduced shortened double-headers to allow not just one plan but contingency plans on contingency plans on, well, teams to make up games that had to be postponed, the NHL is hoping to you get the picture. avoid being in a position where a team or multiple teams aren’t able to Remember last summer when for weeks it looked like the NHL’s bold play games for long stretches. That would be potentially disastrous to bubble experiment would see teams gathered in Vancouver and Las scheduling and getting playoffs off in a timely fashion to finish ahead of Vegas? But at the last minute issues with both cities as it related to the scheduled start of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in the third week of July. creating a bubble saw the league pivot to Toronto and Edmonton. If the number of teams that are not allowed to play in their own buildings That kind of nimble action is going to be required in the coming weeks on grows, the league and the players’ association would revisit the idea of a much grander scale. playing in some sort of hub system. The pre-planning at the league level has discussed having teams within a division play in a centralized Let’s start with this given: The league and the players would like to play location. The schedule would then have teams play a series of games as many games as possible to enhance revenue and that means playing against each other and then some teams would return home to rest and as early as is safely and logistically possible. That could be Jan. 15 — practice while other teams come into what would be a kind of malleable and that’s certainly doable, according to league officials. But if it’s Feb. 1 bubble. or Feb. 15, the plan will look different. That’s not the preferred plan but it’s possible circumstances could dictate What happens if teams can’t play in their home cities? otherwise even for a portion of the schedule.

As has been the case for almost a year now, COVID-19 sets the agenda Ideally, whenever the season begins, each of the 31 teams will begin and cases are rising on both sides of the border. playing in their own marketplace.

If the NHL and its players are looking at a Jan. 15 start, as The Athletic’s What will the travel schedule and testing protocols look like? Pierre LeBrun reported, which would mean training camps opening roughly two weeks earlier, that would be right after Christmas when there The league is looking at having some sort of buffer in the schedule is potential for a post-holiday COVID-19 spike. There is also potential in between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs in the coming weeks that local health agencies will modify their regulations mid-May to make up games that might have to be postponed. The vis a vis gatherings or contact sports, which could then in turn impact expectation is that will happen. Unlike the bubble situation in Toronto and whether NHL teams could practice and/or play games in their respective Edmonton where there were no positive COVID-19 tests, league officials markets. acknowledged it would be highly unlikely for the NHL to not face issues like baseball and the NFL with positive tests forcing games to be Because the Canadian border is expected to remain closed to all but delayed. essential travel, the NHL and NHLPA are planning for a one-time all- Canadian division. Such a ban has been in place for months and there is One factor the league hopes will minimize these disruptions is that the no indication those regulations will be relaxed anytime soon. The NBA’s NHL schedule will feature a baseball-style grouping of games where Toronto Raptors were rebuffed in attempts to get a dispensation to play teams will play multiple games in one market over a short period of time. games in Toronto and will instead play home games in Tampa. The NHL is expected to advise teams which hotels visiting teams will be Further, we know that the NHL is working at redrawing the remaining 24 required to stay at so there is uniformity in protocols for cleaning, access U.S.-based teams into three groups of eight roughly along geographic to the rink, etc. Baseball adopted a similar plan as their season went lines to cut down on travel costs. along and coronavirus cases dropped significantly after the first part of the baseball season was marred by positive tests among traveling teams. We also know that the local health regulations as they relate to COVID- 19 vary from state to state. Sometimes those regulations vary from It’s expected that the NBA, set to resume its schedule later this month, county to county. That could complicate things even further given there will follow a similar pattern with teams staying in the same hotels in road are teams who play and practice in different counties — Pittsburgh is one cities. for instance — and even different states, as is the case with Philadelphia How long would it take to start a season? How long would training camp and Washington. be? Santa Clara County recently banned contact sports for three weeks, Currently, the plan is for NHL teams to be responsible for establishing which means the San Jose Sharks can’t continue with informal workouts. and paying for COVID-19 testing in their own facilities. However, if more than one NHL team ends up setting up shop in one market for a length of time, the league is expected to step in and help with those protocols. If a bubble system of any sort becomes a reality, the league would oversee testing in those scenarios.

The timing of things like training camp is also a bit fluid pending when the league ends up targeting a start date.

One GM said they could get ready to play meaningful games in 10 to 14 days, and he would be in favor of eliminating any preseason contests in an effort to get as many regular-season games as possible in the books.

Another GM indicated that ideally they would have 14 days of camp, which would allow for 10 to 11 days on the ice and account for a couple of days off. He would like to see a couple of preseason games set up by the league before the regular season starts. The seven teams that didn’t qualify for the return to play competition have also been promised extra time on the ice, although how that would fit into the schedule — if at all — will be determined by when the league sets its start date.

Settling on a start date for training camp has to factor in travel time for all players, including the many who remain in Europe, to return to their home markets and go through whatever quarantine protocols local health officials require.

Beyond that, all 31 NHL teams will need to get back up to speed with their own staff. Many NHL teams laid off or furloughed many of their workers during the pandemic so teams will have to attend to restaffing to ensure they are ready for training camps and the return of players — and in some cases a small number of fans — to buildings.

How much would outdoor games cost and how likely is it?

Some teams have explored the idea of playing multiple games outdoors to help generate badly needed revenue. Being outdoors would provide a safer environment for fans vis a vis the spread of the virus and the NFL has in many markets been able to allow varying numbers of fans into stadiums based on local health regulations.

As LeBrun reported, teams who have expressed an interest in this outdoor possibility include Los Angeles (later in the season), Boston, Carolina, Nashville, Florida and Dallas.

The idea of teams playing multiple games outdoors is appealing to many. But as one NHL governor noted, they’re hard work and that’s just for one- off events like a Winter Classic or Heritage Classic or other NHL outdoor events.

What would be involved in holding a series of games outdoors as many of these teams are considering?

One thing is a given, it will be expensive.

It would cost more than $1 million to set up and operate a semi- permanent ice rink, which is what would be required to host multiple games over a longer period of time than the usual outdoor games put on by the NHL. Let’s say teams were looking at playing games over a six-to- eight week period. There is a two-week setup time and another week or so to dismantle. If there is natural turf that needs to be replaced, that would add to the cost.

There is also the board and glass structure — you can’t just buy that at Home Depot — and broadcast facilities to be considered in pricing the endeavor.

There could also be additional costs from weather extremes like snow, heavy wind and rain.

Perhaps it’s workable if teams like Anaheim and Los Angeles were able to share the cost of playing multiple games outdoors. But it seems the idea of outdoor games to kick off an unusual season may be attractive, it would be very difficult to put into practice.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196432 Websites

The Athletic / LeBrun: NHL pushes season start to mid-January, intends on playing 56 games

By Pierre LeBrun Dec 4, 2020 159

Progress!

The elephant in the room remains, the NHL and NHL Players’ Association as of Friday morning still hadn’t resolved their financial stalemate over salary deferrals for the 2020-21 season. But in a sign of good faith, both sides keep hammering away at all the non-economic issues to plan a season.

As my TSN colleague Frank Seravalli first reported, the NHL and NHLPA had more meetings Thursday night which produced some interesting developments.

Sources on both sides confirmed the following to me:

• The Jan. 1 start date both sides were clinging to is no longer realistic given where we are on the calendar. On Thursday, for the first time, the NHL asked the NHLPA about a mid-January start to the season.

• A 52-game and 56-game schedule were both discussed as options Thursday night, but a source says the preference for both sides would be 56 games for obvious revenue reasons.

• Training camps for all 31 teams would start around Jan. 2, although that could still be tweaked.

• The seven-day voluntary pre-camps for the seven teams not involved in the postseason remains on the table, a source said. But another source said it wasn’t 100 percent it could happen, that both sides need to figure that out. The NHL definitely wants it. The pre-camps for the Ducks, Kings, Sharks, Senators, Red Wings, Sabres and Devils, under this new timetable, would be slated to open in late December.

• Obviously, the COVID numbers remain a huge concern. As we get deeper into December, the NHL and NHLPA have to keep the door open for further delays depending on the safety of being able to lunch the season in mid-January. The pandemic could still force a further delay and start into February.

• Sources suggest the NHL is adamant about wrapping up the Stanley Cup Final by early July, ahead of the summer Olympics. In part, because TV partner NBC is broadcasting those Olympics but another important part is wanting to get back to the normal schedule cycle ahead of the 2021-22 season. Not only is Seattle entering the fray as the NHL’s 32nd team then but the NHL and NHLPA still plan to send players to the winter Olympics in Beijing and therefore have to plan an Olympic two-week break into the schedule.

Again, the financial issues remain before this season’s plans can be finalized and announced.

This is just me, but at some point, over the next week I do think the players will finally come back and be willing to defer a bit more salary, but not at the level the NHL asked for. And the players will justifiably want something back in return.

All things being equal, however, it does appear there’s a shortened season on the way as long as those economic issues finally get resolved and the pandemic allows the NHL to safely drop the puck.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196433 Websites I mean, that was half the point of this whole thing, right? When you think of a grizzled player who can be the toughest guy on his own team and the best player in the league, Howe’s the standard by whom all others are judged. By the time he retired for the first time in 1971, he’d been the The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Who wins an all-time battle between NHL’s active leader in penalty minutes for five years. Team Byng and Team PIM? Except … in 25 seasons in Detroit, he never led the Wings in PIMs. Not once. I swear, I checked this like five times. Despite being widely recognized as the NHL’s undisputed heavyweight champ for most of the By Sean McIndoe Dec 4, 2020 178 Original Six era — and rightly so — Howe never ranked higher than second on his own team.

Picture a hockey player. Not a specific one, but your version of the How is that possible? Well, we’ve already mentioned the answer. It’s archetypal player, the generic one that comes to mind when you think Terrible Ted Lindsay, Howe’s teammate for 14 seasons. Lindsay led to about the sport. the Red Wings in penalty minutes most years, often racking up well over 100 in a season during an era where that was rare. Howe nearly caught Chances are, you’re picturing some growling menace with a black eye, him in 1953-54, when Lindsay took a photo finish with 110 minutes to missing teeth, and an angry expression. Maybe a scar or two, or cartoon- Howe’s 109, but that’s as close as Mr. Hockey got. style bandage. That’s hockey, right? It’s a sport that’s all about toughness, where a punch in the face is just part of the deal. Not So we can’t use Gordie. I won’t lie, this is crushing for Team PIM. But if everyone plays like that, of course, but the real ones do. Gordie Howe for anyone can tough it out, it’s these guys, so let’s keep going. the win, am I right? Second line Except … lots of the NHL’s best ever players don’t really fit that mold, Team Byng keeps piling up the talent, as they can start their second line right? In fact, plenty of history’s top legends stayed out of rough stuff. We with two guys who know each other fairly well: Bobby Hull and Brett Hull. even have an award just for players like that: the Lady Byng, which They each won the Lady Byng once, with Bobby taking it in 1965 and recognizes sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct. And while Gordie Brett earning the nod in 1990, on the way to racking up a combined wouldn’t have been caught anywhere near that thing, plenty of big stars 1,300-plus goals. Not bad for a second line. have won it. So who gets to center these two snipers? My first thought was Stan So today, let’s pick a side. The gentlemen vs. the cavemen. Pacifists vs. Mikita, Bobby’s longtime center in Chicago. He won the Lady Byng twice, lotsa fists. Who you got? so he’d be a fine pick. But there’s a problem: before famously Here’s how this will work. transforming his playing style, Mikita was one of the league’s toughest players, and he led the Hawks in PIMs on multiple occasions. That – For Team PIM, we’re picking from all the forwards and defensemen means he could technically be the second-line center on both of our who, at some point in their NHL career, led their own team in regular teams, which would be neat but also might feel kind of silly. I think the season penalty minutes. That’s a high bar, especially once we get into only reasonable thing we can do here is disqualify Mikita altogether, and the enforcer era, but we can find some good players who managed to do find another playmaker to center the Hulls. I’d say Ron Francis would fit it. (Beyond “leading your own team,” we won’t be using any limits on how the bill, so he’s in. many minutes a player needs. I was initially going to, but the problem you run into is that PIM totals fluctuate so much based on era that if you set We’ll load up Team PIM’s second line with a few more big names, the bar at, say, 200 minutes, you just wind up with all guys from the mid- including two you probably weren’t expecting to see on this roster. We’ll ’70s to late-’90s and not much else.) start with our center, Jean Beliveau, a true gentleman off the ice who was a lot more willing to mix it up on the ice than most remember; when he – For Team Byng, it gets a little trickier. Forwards are easy; we just want retired in 1971, he was the league’s all-time leader in career PIMs among guy who won the Lady Byng. But only three defensemen have ever won centers. He managed to rack up over 1,000 minutes, including 143 in the award, so we’ll expand the criteria to any blueliner who ever finished 1955-56 to not only lead the Canadiens but place him third in the entire in the top five in voting. league. It wasn’t the only time Beliveau led his team, and he went his entire 20-year career without ever receiving so much as a Lady Byng – It doesn’t really make sense to use goaltenders for this, but that’s never vote, so despite a well-earned reputation for pure class when out of stopped us before. Team PIM will be looking for goalies who racked up at uniform, he certainly qualifies for our squad. least 250 PIM in their careers, while Team Byng will need guys who played at least five full seasons of 40 or more games without recording a So does Alexander Ovechkin, whose career-high 89 PIMs in 2009-10 single penalty minute (and only since 1970, since I don’t trust goalie was more than enough to top a Washington Capitals team where nobody penalty records before then). else even had 70. (Should he actually be on the first line? Probably. But I’m not putting a guy who’s never cracked 100 minutes on the first-line of We’ll do full 20-man rosters for each team, and see which one looks like Team PIM. Yell at me all you want, it’s about principle, dammit.) the best squad at the end. Let’s get ready to drop the gloves and/or awkwardly mill around afterwards picking them up. After throwing two minor curveballs, we’ll round off our second line with a name you definitely did expect: Brendan Shanahan, who led the 1994-95 (Thanks to reader Sean D. for sending in this idea.) Blues and the 2003-04 Red Wings. Team Byng is still tough to beat, but First line Team PIM comes close on the second line. Let’s see what happens as we move down the lineup. Well, I guess we have to start Team Byng with Wayne Gretzky. Third line The greatest player in NHL history was also the league’s most gentlemanly in five seasons, the most in the modern era. (Frank Boucher There’s still an embarrassment of riches to choose from for Team Byng, won seven times in the ’20s and ’30s.) And we can give him two familiar as we can start our third line with Mike Bossy. We’ll give him Joe Sakic linemates: One that he actually played with in Jari Kurri, and one who as his center, and put Paul Kariya on the other wing. Sakic has to do all was his early rival for best player in hockey honors in Marcel Dionne. the heavy-lifting in terms of longevity for this line, but otherwise it’s an excellent unit. Yeah, Team Byng is going to be pretty good up front. But Team PIM can find some legends too, starting with Frank Mahovlich, But that’s OK, because true to character, Team PIM isn’t going to be a who led the 1960-61 Maple Leafs by over 40 minutes. We’ll play him with pushover. Somebody had to do the dirty work for Gretzky and Kurri in Eric Lindros, who didn’t rack up as many penalties as you might Edmonton, which means we can start our tough guy roster with Mark remember but did lead the Flyers in 1998-99. And we’ll give the other Messier, whose career-high 165 PIMs led the 1983-84 Oilers. And he’ll wing spot to Theo Fleury, who not only led the Flames in his early years have two of history’s greatest wingers on his side, as Rocket Richard and but maybe more impressively also did it as a 33-year-old with the 2001- Ted Lindsay both qualify. That gives us a solid top line that can … 02 New York Rangers, racking up a career-high 216 PIMs to leave Wait. Sandy McCarthy and Matthew Barnaby in his dust.

Something’s wrong. Where’s Gordie Howe? Fourth line Even four lines in, Team Byng still has plenty of star power available. I’m have Roman Josi or Erik Karlsson. Ray Bourque topped out at eighth, as going to go with a line of Pavel Datsyuk between Johnny Bucyk and did Phil Housley. Gilbert Perreault, although we could have also gone to names like Martin St. Louis, Dave Keon and Alex Delvecchio. And check back in a few Vote for more defensemen for the Lady Byng, PHWA writers! years to see who ends up losing their spot to Nathan MacKinnon. In fact, I’ll be honest here — I started writing this piece with the rule for That takes away a bit of the sting of missing out on a few stars you might defensemen being a top-three finish, only to realize that I literally wasn’t have expected to be eligible. Mario Lemieux wasn’t anyone’s idea of a going to be able to fill out a roster. So we have to go with top five, which tough guy, but he had his moments, and never had a top-five Lady Byng does open the door to a few more names. I’ll round out the second finish. Neither did Steve Yzerman or Jaromir Jagr, and Luc Robitaille and pairing with Borje Salming, who only barely qualifies; he finished fifth in never even cracked the top-10. Guy Lafleur was a finalist twice and 1977, then didn’t show up on another ballot for the remaining 13 years of Teemu Selanne did it five times, but neither ever won. And then there’s his career. the king of the Lady Byng near-miss: Adam Oates, who was a finalist in Meanwhile, Team PIM is having a much easier time. Let’s start with the six separate seasons, including four straight years as the runner-up from greatest defenseman of the pre-Original Six era in Eddie Shore, who led 1993 to 1996. the Bruins in PIMs several times and the entire league twice while also For Team PIM, we’re down to slim pickings. Let’s cover off a few names giving us the All-Star Game by ending a man’s career. We’ll put him with you’re probably waiting to see, but won’t. I was stunned to find out I Chris Chelios, who spent most of his career finishing behind various couldn’t use Cam Neely, who came close to leading the Canucks in his enforcers in Montreal and Chicago before leading the 2001-02 Red early years but was constantly blocked in Boston by enforcers like Jay Wings at the age of 40. Miller and Lyndon Byers. Jarome Iginla actually never had more than 86 Third pairing PIMs in a season, which wasn’t going to cut it on Calgary teams that had guys like Chris Simon, Darren McCarty and Krzysztof Oliwa. Bobby Team Byng is in full-on crisis mode here; it turns out there are entire Clarke spent lots of time in the penalty box, but not as much as his Broad decades where nobody was voting for defensemen. I pretty much have to Street Bully teammates. And then there’s a near-miss that I wasn’t give a spot to Brian Campbell, who somehow won the award in 2012. expecting: Sidney Crosby, whose 110 minutes as a teenaged rookie on He’s not a Hall of Famer, but he wasn’t bad, and I’m running low on the 2005-06 Penguins left him just 14 behind Brooks Orpik for the team options. I found a few near-misses in sixth-place finishes from Kris lead. Letang and Tomas Kaberle, and had to at least consider some active names in recent fourth-place finishers Morgan Rielly and Jaccob Slavin. I Still, we can stock our fourth line with some pretty good players, starting found myself leaning towards the only other blue line winner, Bill with Steven Stamkos, a somewhat surprising name whose had a Quackenbush, even though he’s not an especially well-known name to sprinkling of Byng votes in his day but also led the Lightning in PIMs just modern fans. two years ago. Put him with Keith Tkachuk, who finished behind Tie Domi for a few years in Winnipeg but cracked the top of the list for the And then, I find some help from an unexpected name. No, really — it’s Coyotes. In case you’re wondering, yes, both Matthew and Brady also just about the last name I thought I’d be considering for the Team Byng qualify, and it’s tempting to go with an all-Tkachuk line, but we did that roster: Howe. already. So instead, I’m going to give our last spot to Rick Tocchet, a As in Mark Howe, Gordie’s son. He played 16 NHL seasons and got prototype ’80s power winger who narrowly beat out candidates like Kevin Byng votes in six of them, including top-five finishes in 1986 and 1987. If Stevens, Corey Perry, Al Secord, Wendel Clark and Rick Vaive. you’d told me at the start of this that I wouldn’t have a Howe on Team We’re done with the forwards, and at this point I think it’s pretty clear that PIM but would slip one onto the roster of Team Byng, I’d have said you Team Byng is ahead on the scorecards. They should be, though, were crazy, but here we are. because the Lady Byng has always been a forward’s award. I’d expect Meanwhile, Team PIM is having to turn people away. I was disappointed Team PIM to make up some ground on the back end. Let’s see if that to realize I couldn’t find a team-leading season for Chris Pronger thanks turns out to be the case. to teammates like Kelly Chase and George Parros, and Denis Potvin just Top pair misses the cut with a second-place finish as a rookie on the 1973-74 Islanders. But that’s fine, because I can throw out just about the ultimate As a reminder, we’ve loosened the rules for Team Byng on the blue line, “keep your head up” third pairing in Scott Stevens and Zdeno Chara. where we’ll accept anyone who finished in the top five of voting for the Stevens never led the Devils but did pull it off in Washington, while Chara award. As it turns out, that still makes for a tough road, but it will help a led both the Bruins and his early-day Islanders. And if we need extra little. Most importantly, it means we can use Nicklas Lidstrom, who never depth, we could still turn to Brad Park or Pierre Pilotte or Shea Weber or won but was a runner-up five times. We’ll pair him a fellow Red Wings P.K. Subban or … you get the picture. Team Byng had the advantage up legend in Red Kelly, whose four wins make hm the only defenseman to front, but on the blueline, it’s Team PIM all the way. ever take home the award multiple times. We’re heading down the stretch, and it’s close. Can the goalies break the That’s a really good start for Team Byng. Can Team PIM keep up? Yeah, logjam? I’d say so, because they can start their top pairing with a guy named Bobby Orr. He certainly wasn’t know as an enforcer, but he played during Goaltenders the days when a defenseman was expected to know how to hack a leg or So to recap the rules, Team Byng needs to find itself two goaltenders two, and he racked up over 100 PIMs five times in his career, including a who went five full seasons of more than 40 games without a penalty team-leading 125 for the 1969-70 Bruins. I’ll put him with Doug Harvey, minute. It’s a tougher bar to clear than you might think. Dominik Hasek who mostly kept his nose clean but still led the 1957-58 Habs by almost never managed to go penalty-free for even one full season. Neither did 40 minutes. Martin Brodeur. Grant Fuhr had one, as did Marc-Andre Fleury, and It’s not easy to have an edge on the blue line when the other side has (somewhat surprisingly) Bernie Parent. Roberto Luongo topped out at Nicklas Lidstrom, but I think Team PIM has pulled it off here. And things three, as did Ken Dryden, Rogie Vachon and Tuukka Rask. are only going to get tougher for Team Byng. But that’s OK, because we can still find two pretty good goaltenders who Second pairing certainly capture the spirit of what we’re looking for. Let’s start with Henrik Lundqvist, who went penalty-free a ridiculous 10 times in his We can start Team Byng with another reasonably big star: Brian Leetch, career. He’s been in the league 15 years and has only 18 PIMs to his who barely sneaks in based on finishing third once, in 1992. Things start name, or two-thirds the total that Patrick Roy racked up just from one to get really thin after that, though, as the voters apparently decided that fight. We’ll pair The King with Tony Esposito, who arrives just in time for they didn’t need to vote for anyone who wasn’t named Lidstrom for the our 1970 cutoff and hit our qualifying mark five times (and also didn’t next few decades. record a penalty in any of his last four years in the league).

Let’s cover off some of the names you might be expecting, but that aren’t Team PIM needs guys with at least 250 career PIMs, and as you might available. Many aren’t even close, to be honest — for example, Paul expect, it’s a very short list. Just 10 names in total, to be exact. And that Coffey played 21 years and was called soft the whole time, without includes guys like Dan Bouchard and Don Beaupre who, with all due getting so much as a single Lady Byng vote in his entire career. Neither respect, won’t be getting anywhere near what’s meant to be a roster of did Larry Murphy. Scott Niedermayer never finished in the top 10, nor all-time greats. Luckily, we don’t need them, because we have three Hall of Famers to Doug Harvey choose from, plus some other worthwhile names to consider. There’s Tom Barrasso, who had 70 minutes in 1988-89, which is the highest Patrick Roy single-season total of any goaltender ever, except for one. That would of Eddie Shore course be all-time goalie PIM king Ron Hextall, who owns the three highest season totals, including two where he topped 100 minutes. (And Chris Chelios that doesn’t even count his exemplary playoff work.) Billy Smith But as much as Hextall would seem like a poster child for this sort of Scott Stevens team, I don’t think he makes the cut. Instead, I’ll go with an obvious name that we’ve already mentioned: Patrick Roy. He doesn’t make it with much Zdeno Chara room to spare, and I was a little surprised to see that his career-high season was just 39 PIMs in 1997-98, with almost all of that coming from You could shift guys around the lines if you wanted, with Beliveau moving the Chris Osgood game. Still, he was a certified lunatic out there, and I up past Messier or a Hull or two playing with Gretzky, but that’s not really think he fits what we’re looking for. And we’ll back him up with Billy important. The key here is which lineup is better — does Team Byng’s Smith, who edges out Eddie Belfour, if only so we have somebody to obvious edge in forward depth make up for Team PIM’s better blue line? antagonize Gretzky. Is there enough of a goaltending edge to make a difference? And maybe most importantly, which guys have I missed off of Team PIM, because The final rosters I’m sure there’s at least a few.

Best-of-seven series, who you got? As it stands, I think Team Byng is the better team, but Team PIM would probably be more fun to watch. And as for who wins a seven-game Team Byng series, it might depend on when it was played. Today? Team Byng all the Marcel Dionne way. In the mid-’70s? Team PIM probably sweeps, if they don’t all get arrested first. Wayne Gretzky The Athletic LOADED: 12.05.2020 Jari Kurri

Bobby Hull

Ron Francis

Brett Hull

Paul Kariya

Joe Sakic

Mike Bossy

Johnny Bucyk

Pavel Datsyuk

Gilbert Perreault

Nicklas Lidstrom

Red Kelly

Henrik Lundqvist

Brian Leetch

Borje Salming

Tony Esposito

Brian Campbell

Mark Howe

Team PIM

Ted Lindsay

Mark Messier

Rocket Richard

Alexander Ovechkin

Jean Beliveau

Brendan Shanahan

Frank Mahovlich

Eric Lindros

Theo Fleury

Keith Tkachuk

Steven Stamkos

Rick Tocchet

Bobby Orr 1196434 Websites Granato had never seen so many girls in an arena at once. Granato, who grew up in Illinois, wagers she played against one girl in

her early hockey years before joining the U.S. National Team. So, when The Athletic / Inside Kendall Coyne Schofield’s rapid rise: ‘Everything she she walked into Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, a suburb of touches is A-plus’ Chicago, for the first day of her first namesake camp, Granato was taken aback.

“That camp was a really magical camp,” she said. “Just the sheer power By Hailey Salvian and Scott Powers Dec 4, 2020 53 of having all these little girls come in with their hockey bags. … It just didn’t exist before the Olympics.”

It was the summer of 1998 and Granato had recently returned from Kendall Coyne Schofield came out of her crouch and tried to take in the Nagano where she captained Team USA to a gold medal in the first moment. Olympic Games to include women’s hockey. The referee told her she had a few more seconds before his whistle Those Winter Games had been a critical moment for women’s hockey. would signal the beginning of a historic lap around the SAP Center in The top stars in the women’s game were on a global stage for the first San Jose. time, fuelling plans to establish the first professional women’s hockey A few more seconds before becoming the first woman to compete in an league and inspiring a generation of female hockey players. Among NHL All-Star skills challenge. them, a seven-year-old Coyne Schofield, who was one of the nearly 200 girls at Granato’s camp. “It really resonated with me that this is going to be huge,” Coyne Schofield said in an interview the following day. “This is going to break a “I remember the feeling I had was like, ‘wait, all of these girls play lot of barriers, this is going to open a lot of doors, and this is going to hockey?’” Coyne Schofield recalled. “I know I was only seven, but up change the way people perceive women’s and girls’ hockey.” until that point it was, ‘Girls don’t belong in hockey, girls shouldn’t play hockey, girls don’t play hockey.’ Standing at the start line, Coyne-Schofield smiled as the chants of “USA” came from the sellout crowd. She took a deep breath and settled into “And it was just this moment that I felt like I was in the right spot. I felt like position again. no matter what anyone could ever tell me in this game, I knew from that moment I belonged in the sport.” “It was the biggest platform she could have ever been on,” said Cammi Granato, the former USA Hockey captain and Olympic gold medallist. “It At the camp, Granato brought out her gold medal. For the young hockey was bigger than a gold medal win for the game because it was global. fans in attendance, it was a rare up-close glimpse of a new piece of hockey history. “It wasn’t just Team USA or Canada. … It was about (proving) women can play hockey. And she proved it on a man’s stage.” For some, it was bigger than that. It revealed a path – albeit a rare one.

Just 14.346 seconds after the whistle sounded, everyone in attendance “When I went back to school that fall after the summer camp, I remember was on their feet. Fans and NHL stars alike applauded what they had just no matter what anyone told me about the sport of hockey, if I belonged or seen: a 5-foot-2 Coyne Schofield blazing around the rink, edging corners didn’t belong or if I was the only girl on a team, it didn’t matter,” Coyne with fearless abandon. Schofield said. “I saw what I could become at seven years old that summer and no one was going to tell me differently.” Islanders forward Mathew Barzal was caught on camera with his mouth wide open, speechless. Connor McDavid tapped his stick. “That was “She loved the game already,” Granato said. “But (the camp) gave her a awesome,” he yelled toward her. dream.”

Coyne Schofield finished seventh in the competition, but for the many A young Coyne Schofield rose through the game in quick order, blazing watching, the final result isn’t what mattered. through the junior levels in Chicago often playing up multiple age groups – she scored 51 goals and 84 points in 49 games with the Chicago “She had the weight of our sport on her shoulders,” said Jayna Hefford, a Mission under-19 team between ages 15-17. four-time Canadian Olympic gold medallist, and Hockey Hall of Famer. “What some people don’t realize is, to perform under that amount of She made her mark on the under-18 U.S. National Team, becoming an pressure the way she did, that’s more impressive than the clock. overtime hero in the 2009 WJC gold medal game and leading the tournament in scoring in back-to-back years (2009 and 2010). She was “She knew that if she lost an edge or anything, she was going to set the invited to her first senior national team camp by 17 and made her World (women’s game) back, so I’m just amazed by the way she was able to Championship debut at 18 in 2011. handle that moment.” Then, 16 years after Granato’s camp sparked an Olympic dream and a Nearly two years later, the eyes of the hockey world are again focused tireless quest to get there, Coyne Schofield made the U.S. Olympic team on Coyne Schofield. Last week, the Chicago Blackhawks hired her as a in 2014. player development coach. They also formalized her role as a community ambassador, seeing as she grew up in Oak Lawn, Ill., a suburb of In Sochi, she won a silver medal. It was the biggest on-ice achievement Chicago. in her young career. But it was also where Coyne Schofield says she started thinking about what was next. And, for the first time, about her It’s the latest step in Coyne Schofield’s rise through the game. place in developing the game’s future.

With her new job, she becomes the first woman hired by Chicago in a “I think because I had this goal of going to the Olympic Games my whole player development role. She’s one of only a handful of women to hold life, I feel like I was so narrow-minded and so focused on accomplishing coaching roles anywhere in men’s pro hockey. that goal,” she said. “After 2014 when I did accomplish that, I was able to take a deep breath, was able to take a step back and look at all of the Coyne Schofield is also one of several women in recent months hired for opportunities that were in front of me because of what I just positions that have almost always been held by men. Retired Canadian accomplished. star Hayley Wickenheiser is currently an assistant director of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Seattle Kraken hired “I realized when I came home, there were so many people that wanted to Granato as a pro scout and Alexandra Mandrycky as director of hockey hear from me, that wanted to learn from my experiences and if I didn’t strategy and research. take advantage of that, if I wasn’t accessible I wouldn’t be doing my job. … I realized my job is so far greater than just playing the game of Those in the industry say these hires will hopefully lead to more women hockey.” in prominent positions in the future. Still only a sophomore in college after the Sochi Games, Coyne Schofield “It’s exactly what we’re constantly preaching,” Hefford said. “The idea returned to Northeastern University “a new person,” she said. that if you don’t see a realistic future for you in the game, then that sort of ends the dream.” “There were a lot of discrepancies between the men’s program and the women’s program, and when I was in my first two years there, I was so focused on winning I was so focused on being a hockey player that I just First, she was signed by Adidas Hockey, alongside fellow Canadian and ignored those things,” she explained. “After the Olympics … I went back U.S. Olympians Renata Fast, Brianna Decker and Rebecca Johnston. to school and realized this isn’t right. So, I started to use my voice, and She joined the National NBC broadcast team for a game, then joined started to push for more there.” NHL Network and the San Jose Sharks team. She played in the Canada- US Rivalry Series and won another World Championships, this time as While fighting for more in school, Coyne Schofield, a communications the captain of Team USA. major, began an internship with her hometown Chicago Blackhawks. Quickly, the Blackhawks and Coyne Schofield realized she could have a In 2019, she led a group of nearly 200 of the top players in the world to greater impact beyond her original internship description. boycott all professional leagues in North America until women’s hockey gets the resources befitting a truly professional operation. Annie Camins, the Blackhawks’ senior executive director of fan development, had known of Coyne Schofield for some time. If you were That boycott has since turned into the Professional Women’s Hockey around Illinois youth hockey in Chicago, you knew of Coyne Schofield. Players Association, which launched an exhibition series last season But when Coyne Schofield joined the Blackhawks as an intern, Camins called the Dream Gap Tour. The goal is to showcase the women’s game got to know her personally, and they began finding ways to expand her and to build a new generation of fans. Coyne Schofield is the president of reach. the board of the PWHPA, a role that has seen her receive guidance from and become close with tennis legend Billie Jean King. “It’s her drive,” Camins said. “It’s her passion. I could see that. We became good partners and friends, and really started to formulate a “Kendall is unbelievable,” King told The Athletic. “She just cares so much relationship. I saw her excitement about growing the game, growing the and she’s a leader and God gave her extra energy, which is really sport, not only with girls obviously, but her passion with boys and girls important if you want to lead. and getting her name out there. She was a bit lesser of a name obviously back then, but still an important figure in youth hockey, especially within “She really cares about the future generations. Everything out of her the Illinois hockey world. People knew her.” mouth is, if you talk to her, you know it, we got to get this for the future generations, we got to do this, we got to do that.” Coyne Schofield impressed Camins and others within the organization. So much so, that when her internship ended later that year, her Hefford, now the director of the PWHPA, didn’t know Coyne Schofield relationship with the Blackhawks was expanded. She was hired to be a well until the formation of the group. youth hockey camp instructor while her internship was still underway and “She’s incredibly passionate, and she does so much work just to make joined the fan development department as a community liaison in 2016. this happen,” Hefford said. “She’s obviously the President of the Board of As much as Coyne Schofield embraced her new role in the community, the PWHPA, but she’s also the person that’s sorting out clothing at the she was still surprised when she was asked to join Blackhawks captain rink during events. … She is all-in and doing everything she can always Jonathan Toews at a Chicago Public Schools visit in 2017. to make things better.”

“For her not to see herself as valuable as Jonathan Toews is in the For Coyne Schofield, this chapter of her career in women’s hockey community, I guess I had to teach her that because she was still so new comes easy. and she saw herself as a hockey player on the U.S. team,” Camins said. “For too long the women’s game has been accepting of what’s available, “To me, it was bigger than that. It was about what she brings to the table and not pushing for what’s right,” she said. as far as the growth of the sport on a league level, but especially in the Illinois youth hockey world, and the impact she has on boys and girls who Coyne Schofield also seems to have realized the responsibility that look up to her and want to emulate her and want to skate as far as her, comes with having a big platform that now extends outside of hockey. not only be No. 19 or No. 88.” In 2016, Coyne Schofield took to Twitter to condemn NFL quarterback At the time of the visit, Coyne Schofield had graduated from Northeastern Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel, saying she was “so disgusted” – winning the Patty Kazmaier Trophy for the top player in her senior year because she found it disrespectful. The backlash was immediate. She – and elevated her game to become one of the top players in the world. later deleted the tweet around the time of the 2019 NHL All-Star Game. By the time the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics rolled around, Coyne This June, in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing, she again took to Schofield was now a five-time world champion and had scored the most Twitter to make a new statement. It read in part: goals and points in the 2017 World Championships. “I reacted to WHAT (Kaepernick) was doing instead of WHY. Then I “She absolutely has taken on everything that’s come her way, and yet listened and learned. It’s about Justice and Equality. I know better. I will still not compromising her training,” Granato observed. “She’s just like … continue to DO better.” a superwoman.” In the months since meeting Coyne Schofield in 2019, King says she has And if the Sochi Games opened Coyne Schofield’s eyes to the leadership seen her continue to grow as a leader in the game. opportunities in the women’s game, winning a gold medal in 2018 further thrust her down that path. Granato can relate. “I have seen it grow because she bugs us all the time trying to get better,” she said with a laugh. “I mean bug in the best way. I like it, we “I’ve been there when you win a gold medal and you’re thrust into this love it. … When someone really loves what they do, that shows through new world of being inundated by a lot of different people and you’re as well. Her intensity is fantastic. asked to do a lot of different things,” she said. “And Kendall, she says yes to so many things. She’s got her hand in everything and she’s doing “She wants to help. She wants so much for the future, and I think this it to grow the game. She just really gets it.” new job will be great (for her).”

It all culminated in her spotlight moment at the NHL All-Star Weekend in Blackhawks assistant general manager of player development Mark 2019 – perhaps the biggest platform she had ever been given. And while Eaton was expecting a short chat when he first called Coyne Schofield a she had been working to grow the game for years since Sochi, her skate month ago to gauge her interest in a possible coaching position. That put a national audience on notice. conversation lasted nearly an hour.

“I always say, it wasn’t the way I skated it, it wasn’t who skated it, it was “The majority of the conversation was about the intangibles of hockey the platform that it was skated on,” she said. “So, when we talk about and the character traits that are needed to make it to the highest level,” using our platform, sometimes I think women’s hockey players have such he said. “Yeah, we deal a lot with the actual hockey skills, which she’ll a hard time using their platforms because there’s no platform provided for obviously be able to help in those areas as well, but it’s the work ethic, them to use their voice. the passion for the game, the self-awareness, the coachability that really determines whether these players are going to make it or not. And you “We’re fighting for airtime, we’re fighting to use our voices, to showcase could sense all those in spades having a conversation with Kendall. Her our talent all the time. So, when I had the opportunity at All-Star passion for the game is obvious when you talk to her for 30 seconds.” Weekend, I think we all saw the opportunity in front of us because it was an incredible platform.” When Granato was hired by Seattle, she said she viewed her hiring as a way to showcase “the momentum that is happening in sport with women The platform in San Jose catapulted Coyne Schofield into two years of being hired in all different capacities.” rapid change and new opportunities. The hiring of Coyne Schofield in Chicago is an extension of that, she Coyne Schofield, now 28, knows she is still early in her role as a leader said. and ambassador. Despite all she’s accomplished in a relatively short time, she has no desire to slow things down. She can’t wait to see what’s “That’s not to take away from her qualifications because she was already next. qualified for this job. It’s just that momentum we see happening in sport is allowing us to get these opportunities now,” she said. “Obviously, we are “I cannot wait till there’s a young girl from the Golden Coyne’s program, seeing it too with the hiring (of Kim Ng) in baseball. … It’s a trickle-down from the little Blackhawks program, from the Kendall Coyne Hockey effect, and it’s long overdue.” Camp that texts me a picture of her gold medal and I can text her congratulations,” she said, noting that is one of her favorite memories The momentum is important in showing young girls that there is a path shared with Granato. “I want to fast forward time into the future because I toward these types of jobs, Hefford said. know there’s going to be one of those young hockey players that “Seeing today that Kendall will take on a significant role with an hopefully I touched, maybe I inspired a little bit along the way, that’s organization like the Blackhawks who have a long, deep history,” she going to follow their dreams.” said, “It’s going to allow young girls to think that they can do the same The Athletic LOADED: 12.05.2020 and know that they can do the same and they have a future in the sport.”

With Rockford, the AHL Affiliate for Chicago, Coyne Schofield’s responsibilities will include watching video, evaluating prospects and working with them on and off the ice.

Leading up to Coyne Schofield’s acceptance of the job, she and Eaton talked about the potential hurdles posed by being a woman coaching men. Neither envisioned major issues.

Blackhawks prospect Alex Vlasic doesn’t, either.

The defenseman, a Blackhawks’ 2019 second-round pick, admitted he’s never been coached by a woman, but said he is looking forward to potentially working with Coyne Schofield.

“Honestly, no, I don’t think it matters at all,” said Vlasic, who is from the Chicago suburb of Wilmette. “She’s obviously got unbelievable talent and skill, really good hockey sense. She’s been watching the game for such a long time now, she obviously knows what she’s talking about. It’s definitely different. I never had a woman coach before in my life, but I think it’s definitely a great opportunity to just learn something from somebody in a different pair of shoes.”

Coyne Schofield took the job knowing a majority of the Blackhawks probably haven’t been coached by a woman before. If they’re not sold by her hockey resume, she’s confident she’ll win them over in other ways.

“I think no matter who walks through the door, whether it’s a new coach, a new nutritionist, a new strength coach, you need to earn the trust and the respect of the players, and I plan on doing that right away through the work ethic that I will show them,” Coyne Schofield said.

“That’s how I’ve made it as a player, and that’s how I plan on making it as a coach. While I might be the first female coach a lot of these players have worked with, I don’t see it as being an issue and seeing me as someone who will help them aspire to get to the next level to fulfill their NHL dream. I’m going to do everything I can do to get them ready to do that. Again, I think through my hockey career, I’ve been on the ice with so many players and I’ve earned the respect of those players through my skill, through my merit, and that’s what they’re going to see me as when I walk through the door as a coach.”

Those who have gotten to know Coyne Schofield don’t think she’ll have any problems winning over the Blackhawks’ top prospects.

“Everything she touches is A-plus, plus, plus, if you look at her whole life,” King said. “Just look up Wikipedia with the World Championships, the Olympics, it’s like, holy camoly. She’s got a lot of gold there. I see ‘G’ a lot. If you just look that up, it puts things in perspective.”

“She’s going to be successful; I have no doubt about that,” Hefford added. “I think she’s just going to bring so much to that organization. We see it in what she does for us (the PWHPA) and what she does, in all areas of her life. I wouldn’t bet against Kendall.”

For Granato, the cyclical nature of inspiring Coyne Schofield, then watching her walk a similar path to inspire the next generation is “difficult to put into words.”

“It was hard for us to hear the word ‘pioneer’ when we played. We kind of got it, but you couldn’t really understand its full magnitude,” she said. “And when I look at Kendall — just knowing and seeing her as this little kid with tons of energy in this huge smile and seeing where she is now — as this woman who’s accomplished so much in so many different positions, not just as a hockey player but all the things off the ice and in her role with broadcasting and now it’s just … I’m super proud of her.” 1196435 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / NHL, NHLPA discussing Jan. 15 start date for 2020-21 season

Sportsnet Staff@SportsnetDecember 4, 2020, 8:17 AM

The NHL and NHLPA have been engaged in discussions recently about a Jan. 15 start date for the 2020-21 season, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports.

In this scenario, Friedman reports that training camps would open approximately two weeks before Jan. 15 and the number of games played during the season "would be in the 50s."

"I believe in the last few days the league and the players have engaged in conversations about a start on January 15, with training camps opening approximately two weeks earlier," Friedman said on the FAN 590's Lead Off. "The number of games would be in the 50s. I had some people telling me 52, I had some people telling me 56. But they have reengaged on this.

"What I think they are talking about is the non-playoff teams would report in the last few days of December, they would get two or three extra days. The playoff teams would report around New Year's Day. I think the end of the regular season would be around the beginning of May, they'd build in that schedule with a buffer zone in case they had to make up games, and I'm hearing the season would be over some time around the end of June, beginning of July.

"Now the financial issues, I don't have a full picture on that although it sounds like the escrow ask about changing the caps is going away because I think everyone realizes here the players weren't willing to agree to that, but they are potentially more willing to talk about deferrals."

Earlier this week, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the original target date of Jan. 1 remains a "work in progress."

As Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reported on Wednesday, there needs to be a complete realignment for the 2020-21 season to be played. Both sides will need to agree on a modified schedule, more health and safety protocols, and determine if the games will be played in regional hubs or in each team's arenas.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.05.2020 1196436 Websites upper limit of the salary cap decreases over time (how could it not if this season got cancelled?).

Or… don’t think about any of this stuff at all and try to just continue Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens Notebook: Lost season would be nightmare keeping the faith we’ll have hockey back relatively soon. We’ve had scenario for Montreal enough experience with NHL labour disputes to know it’s a sound idea to ignore all the rhetoric and the optics until we approach an actual deadline.

Eric Engels@EricEngelsDecember 4, 2020, 9:56 AM As our Chris Johnston recently pointed out during one of his remarkably informative daily television hits with our anchors, we’ve seen 48-game

seasons start halfway through the third week of January and Stanley MONTREAL -- I’m an optimist by nature, but I’d be lying if I said the Cups awarded in those years well before the middle of July, which is doomsday scenario of the 2021 NHL season being cancelled hasn’t when the NHL reportedly wants the season completed by so as not to taken residence in my mind. interfere with the Summer Olympics.

If I’m being fully transparent, that scene set up shop in the recesses a Remaining Time -4:15 few weeks ago and it’s slowly made its way towards the cerebrum over The NHL season starting on January 1 is no longer likely the last couple of days. In speaking with a few players last week -- admittedly a very small I still believe they’ll play. I believe that losing the season would have a far sample -- they’re pushing back their tentative plans to mobilize to their more devastating financial impact on the brand and the long-term health respective playing cities to Jan. 1, with hopes that abbreviated training of the league than playing without fans in the interim and that all parties camps could start two weeks later and games could be played before the involved understand that, too. And I believe that the owners and players end of the month. So, that fits with the history, even if it doesn’t fit with can fight right now over how to mitigate an imbalance in the 50-50 split of the NHL (curiously) maintaining they’re still targeting a Jan. 1 start date. hockey-related revenue, but they’ll inevitably find a compromise. If those few players are right, you’d think the NHL and NHLPA would I believe all of that because 100 per cent of zero is zero and there are far have to have their business sorted by the final week of December, which too many actors in this who can’t or won’t accept zero. means we’d have a ways to go and a lot of buzz and optics to ignore until But the rhetoric at present isn’t exactly confidence-inspiring. things get truly serious.

Neither is the COVID-19 surge we’re experiencing both here and across One executive we touched base with Thursday said he thinks the the border. The cases, hospitalizations and deaths are rising everywhere, timeline those players are planning around might be as much as a month and restrictions we’ve had over the last couple of months in Quebec are ahead of schedule, adding that he’s concerned about whether there will, being adopted in key markets across the country and in certain parts of in fact, be a season. the U.S., too. But the executive also qualified this by saying that he, too, is an optimist What’s become abundantly clear from watching other by nature and that COVID-19 has (unfortunately) brought much hockey/professional sports leagues -- both in North American and in pessimism to his outlook in general. Europe -- is how much contingency planning needs to go into running a I think, to a degree, we’re all living in that headspace right now, so I’m 48-60 game NHL season, and I hope that operation isn’t falling by the urging you not to abandon your nature if you’re a glass-half-full type like wayside while the financials are being sorted. It’s not a matter of if the me. league will have to change on the fly, but more so one of how it will have to when something goes wrong. Because many things are bound to go Meanwhile, there’s still plenty of optimism around the Canadiens right wrong without a bubble operation, and there are so many variables they now, so let’s address some of it in this notebook. don’t or can’t control -- from the virus unexpectedly raging in a market they’ve designated as a playing hub to government restrictions being On Cole Caufield, Alex Romanov and the world juniors imposed at a moment’s notice. I touched base with Caufield earlier this week to talk about how he used Outside of the health concerns and financial hurdles, which are clearly the lengthy pause between last season and this one to train, the start of occupying my thoughts, there are actual hockey implications of the his sophomore season at Wisconsin and his ambitions to prove he’s season being cancelled. ready to jump in with the Canadiens at the end of his college season, among other things. It’s a nightmare scenario for any team, but particularly for the one in this city. Loved his answer to this question about pressure, expectations and the eyes of the hockey world fixated on his statistics: Remaining Time -2:10 Remaining Time -1:28 All-Canadian division will reignite Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs rivalry Caufield loves the hype surrounding any player drafted by Canadiens Imagine that by the next time you see Carey Price and Shea Weber on the ice they’ll be 34 and 36 years old, respectively, instead of 33 and 35, I also asked Caufield about turning last year’s performance with Team and then think about the $80 million Geoff Molson spent this off-season USA at the World Junior Championship into a distant memory with a securing newcomers Jake Allen, Joel Edmundson, Josh Anderson and dominant performance at this year’s tournament, and about how much he Tyler Toffoli to long-term deals. Sure, those players will be a part of the thinks that performance factors into whether or not the Canadiens will foundation for at least a few years to come, but the incentive to get them want to sign him at the end of the season. now wasn’t just because they were available but mostly because the I did so knowing that he’d respond that every game this year plays a role Canadiens wanted to capitalize on the shrinking window they have to win in the evaluation the Canadiens must make, but I think it’s obvious his while Price and Weber are still playing at the level we saw from them 2020 tournament -- in which he only managed a goal and an assist in five back in August. games -- was a decisive factor in keeping him in college for one more Naturally, they don’t want to see that window shrink even more. season.

On another note, player contracts had a year burned off of them in 2005- Remaining Time -2:00 06, when the league resumed after cancelling the ‘04-05 season. If this Cole Caufield Ready For Bounce Back Performance At 2020 World season gets cancelled and this issue gets dealt with the same way -- Juniors which isn’t guaranteed, based on what I’ve been told -- consider the implications. I’ve spoken with scouts over the years who cringe over how much stock we put into a two-week tournament, but the irony is that members of NHL Think about Phillip Danault going from playing out a contract year to management teams and coaching staffs put just as much stock into it. instantly becoming an unrestricted free agent. That would make what’s currently a hard decision even harder for management -- especially if the Take Romanov’s case as an example. Had the 20-year-old not been dominant in both appearances at the tournament with Russia, it’s hard to imagine the Canadiens would have brought him over this fast from the There have been good enough ones in place for the Canadiens to have a KHL. better power play under Muller’s guidance than the one that’s cratered to the bottom of the barrel over the last two seasons. Granted, the Canadiens all seem to be in agreement that Romanov’s usage by CSKA Moscow was considerably impacted by the fact that it But the team could make a significant leap in this department this season was known he’d be leaving for the NHL in short order. They’ve willfully based on who’s there now. ignored his menial offensive output over the last two seasons (a total of one goal and 11 points in 86 games) because his average ice-time was As Muller pointed out on a Zoom last week, it’s not just the quality of far lower than they thought it should be, based on what they saw from Anderson and Toffoli that promises to make the power play better; it’s him at the world juniors. also where they fit and what they specifically do.

The Canadiens have put so much stock in those performances -- and in “What's exciting is that these guys are capable of making really good the impression Romanov recently left over a half-dozen bubble practices plays in tighter areas around the net,” said Muller. “These guys both like as a black ace -- that they’ve all but guaranteed him a spot on their blue to play in those areas and if you have them available, I think that's going line this season. to really deter people from cheating on (Weber).

You have to think Caufield would have all but secured a spot up front -- "Toffoli is a right-hander. Sitting in that slot, he's had some great and that perhaps one of Toffoli or Anderson might not have been success. You watch, he's got quick hands, so he can make plays in those acquired -- had his 2020 world junior performance mirrored his freshman areas. He has the ability to score in that slot with his shot. He can be very season at Wisconsin, where he was outstanding. dangerous and effective, which could open things up for other guys. As for Josh, he's a big body. He can play around the net; he can use that So yeah, it’s going to be a huge couple of weeks for Caufield when the size. I know he hasn't played a lot [on the power play] but if you look at 2021 tournament gets underway. what he's capable of doing, and his ability to play around there, that net presence -- which is huge on a power play -- I think he can be effective Remaining Time -2:43 on the power play in that position."

Canadiens confident Romanov will earn his spot in the lineup I wouldn’t disagree with any of that.

High expectations for Romanov Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.05.2020 Canadiens defence coach Luke Richardson held nothing back in his Zoom conference with media members Tuesday; it’s clear he believes Romanov will have a big impact immediately and that it’s not out of the question he’ll move his way up the lineup quickly.

“At this point in time, based on what I’ve seen, I’m not scared at all that he’s not able to do any kind of job in the NHL,” Richardson said. “We don’t want to put too much pressure on him; he’s such a competitive guy I think he’ll do that himself, we just need to help guide him and I think his attitude of killing plays especially will add to the way we play. We like to have the puck, and he’s going to play into that role for us extremely well.”

Richardson also believes Romanov has more offence to his game than his numbers suggest.

“He can skate, he’s quick, he can move, he can get up ice, he loves to shoot the puck -- everybody does nowadays, but he can really shoot the puck. So that’s the way we kind of play -- we love to add a fourth man to the rush… we love having that fourth guy coming in as a second wave because everybody defends so well now that if you can’t get to the net on the first rush, a little curl up and you can get the second guy skating right in. I think he can fit right into that mould and be that fourth attacker in a lot of the rushes that we like to use.”

Depth the key on D

Richardson repeated several times that the increased depth of his blue line seals off one of the biggest holes he felt the Canadiens had last season.

“We have Romanov coming in and getting [Joel] Edmundson at the same time, with our 'Big Three' [Shea Weber, Jeff Petry, and Ben Chiarot] who played so well in the playoff bubble and who are healthy, signed, and ready to go. And then we have guys like [Brett] Kulak and [Victor] Mete who can really skate. And then guys like [Noah] Juulsen, [Josh] Brook... [Cale] Fleury played some really good games for us. That's a really good depth chart for us to have in the NHL."

Remaining Time -1:26

How Cale Fleury can take next step, become mainstay on Canadiens' blueline

As Richardson noted, that depth gives them the flexibility to reduce Weber’s minutes if need be, to bump Romanov up the lineup if he proves worthy, and to use Edmundson on the right side of the third pairing if the situation calls for it.

Power play tweaks on the horizon

One of the first things Kirk Muller said in his return to the Canadiens as an associate coach, back in 2016, was, “Show me great players and I’ll show you a great power play.” 1196437 Websites chose to join in the demonstration, Bernard-Docker said the discussion was generally productive.

“Obviously there are a lot of different beliefs in a hockey locker room,” Sportsnet.ca / Why UND players Bernard-Docker, Weatherby knelt Bernard-Docker said. “We’ve been raised differently, have different before NCAA game backgrounds, but everyone was really respectful of the different opinions. Jasper and I chose to kneel, and the guys were super good about it.

“We’re the same with them — we respect their right to stand, their Wayne Scanlan decision. It was a healthy conversation.”

December 4, 2020, 1:51 PM Weatherby comes by his civil rights activism naturally, as he explained to Grand Forks Herald reporter Brad Elliott Schlossman in September.

Weatherby’s grandfather, Ralph Temple, fled Nazi persecution in Europe The stunning image told its own story. at age seven and grew up to be a civil rights lawyer in America, working Stretched across the breadth of their blue line, a solid line of University of alongside the likes of Thurgood Marshall and Martin Luther King Jr. North Dakota players in white and green uniforms stood as one for the Temple’s wife (and Weatherby’s grandmother), Ann Macrory, was a pre-game U.S. national anthem, except for two: kneeling side by side lawyer who championed civil rights and took part in the celebrated Selma were Ottawa Senators prospect Jacob Bernard-Docker and forward to Montgomery freedom march. Macrory was among the crowd in the Jasper Weatherby, each wearing an ‘A’ on his sweater as an alternate National Mall on the day King delivered his “I have a dream” speech. captain. Weatherby’s mother, Lucinda, took up the cause in Washington, D.C., Their faces — solemn, resolute, belying pre-game nerves — wore a look protesting at the South African embassy against apartheid. of respect but also determination, having already stated publicly prior to this Dec. 2 season-opening game against Miami of Ohio that they were And if Weatherby himself needed any reminders of what it was like taking a knee in solidarity with the fight for racial justice. growing up Black in America, he could turn to his adopted brother, Kevin, who came to the U.S. from Costa Rica at eight years old. The family “We wanted to make a statement that first game,” Bernard-Docker said eventually determined that Kevin was descended from an African slave over the phone from inside the UND hockey bubble in Omaha, Neb., who was transported to Jamaica. where the Fighting Hawks are playing 10 games in a span of 19 days. JBD, as he is known, was a first-round draft pick of the Senators, 26th When he was younger, Jasper didn’t think much about the fact his overall, in 2018. He is 20, and — like Weatherby — a UND junior. brother was Black. Together they laughed, rough-housed — the usual sibling stuff. Over time, Jasper came to appreciate their very different life Neither player meant any disrespect to the flag or anthem. experiences. “I had two grandpas who fought in the World Wars,” said Bernard- “I learned through him some of the things he had to go through. I had to Docker, who grew up in Canmore, Alta, and represented Canada at the educate myself. It opened my eyes,” Weatherby said from the Omaha world juniors. “I have so much respect for people who served, people that bubble. fought for the rights of Americans and Canadians to express their right to peaceful protest. Growing up white in Canmore, Bernard-Docker was even further removed from racial discussions, but he, too, has had his eyes opened. “That’s what me and Jasper are trying to do. Just bring light to an issue Partly through Weatherby. that is all over society.” “As a white male, I’ve never been racially discriminated against,” “We want to spark conversations,” added Weatherby, 22, who hails from Bernard-Docker said. “But I think our message is, although we may not Ashland, Ore., and whose family has a rich history of civil rights activism, understand how racial minorities feel exactly … we’re acknowledging that “and show people that we’re not OK with the way minorities are treated in there is a problem that needs to be fixed.” this country and around the world. We stand — and kneel — in support of them.” When Weatherby first started speaking out for the cause, he was deeply moved by a note he received from a woman on campus, a member of a Not surprisingly, in a deeply divided United States, reaction on social minority group who didn’t feel included in campus activities. Until she media has been mixed to the UND players taking a knee — which has attended a Fighting Hawks game as a junior student. been a rarity in hockey, especially at the college level. Bernard-Docker and Weatherby are believed to be the first Div. I men’s hockey players to “It didn’t matter what colour I was or where I was from,” the young kneel during an anthem, a gesture started by NFL quarterback Colin woman told Weatherby. “Or if my language was different. We were all Kaepernick in 2016 in protest of racial inequality. cheering for the same team and we were one cohesive unit in the stands.” But Bernard-Docker and Weatherby say they have received more positive messages than negative, and have tried to avoid the rabbit hole “I thought that was awesome,” Weatherby said. “As a society we should of online commentary. grab that and say, ‘This is what sports should be about.’”

“Social media has been pretty hot, but we haven’t tried to delve into that Both players believe the game can be more inclusive, and that it owns a too much,” Weatherby said. “There’s been both sides, but I received a unique place in sport because it is so special. message from a Black hockey player who said: ‘Thank you for what you’re doing. As a Black player in hockey, sometimes I don’t feel as “This game of hockey is unbelievable,” Weatherby added. “We have the included as I should, and for you guys to make a statement like that opportunity to bring people together. And for me hearing just yesterday means the world to me.’ that a Black player wasn’t as comfortable in the locker room as he could be — shows me there is room for growth. “That’s all I needed to hear,” Weatherby continued. “If I can change one person’s view on hockey or try to help someone there, that’s what we’re “And with growth comes people feeling more included and more people going to do.” experiencing the game we love so much.”

Bernard-Docker and Weatherby, roommates and close friends, are both Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.05.2020 members of the UND Student-Athlete Inclusion and Diversity Group. In June, they attended a Black Lives Matter march in Grand Forks, N.D., in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Weatherby made a cardboard sign to bring to the rally that read: “I don’t want to walk around without fear until everyone can. #BLM”.

Before the Fighting Hawks left Grand Forks for their three-week stay in Omaha for this pod of games, the pair called a team meeting to discuss their proposed action in the first game. Though no other teammates 1196438 Websites "Zary was in front of the net there kind of causing a disruption, so I just followed the shot and was facing the net and kind of got a little bit of a lucky touch there off my foot. Dacher was in a pretty good position to bury that. I didn't even see it go in the net, so it was a nice little lucky TSN.CA / Fired-up Tomasino making big impression at Canada's camp touch and nice start for our line. That was big for us to get that first one under our belt and it led to a lot of success the rest of the game."

Dach (CHI) opens the scoring in the second scrimmage by sticking By Mark Masters with a loose puck at the front of the net. Tomasino (NSH) the other to get a piece on it in front. Schneider (NYR) with the point shot. pic.twitter.com/3NyeiqW5do Akil Thomas was invited to Hockey Canada's World Junior selection camp last year, but his good friend and Niagara IceDogs teammate Phil — Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) November 23, 2020 Tomasino was not. How hard is it to get Dach, who stands 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, off the "I remember seeing him at practice the next day and you could just tell he puck? really wanted to make that team and was a little bit upset," Thomas said. "He's a pretty big and strong guy, so I don't think defencemen like playing "I remember sending him a text that night just saying, 'All you can do is against him. When you have a guy that big and strong, who wins so put a fire under yourself and make that team next year.' So, I think there's many battles, it's pretty nice to play with him. He was in front of the net by a lot of fire under Phil this year." himself there and found the loose puck and was able to bury it under the Tomasino was red hot down the stretch in the Ontario Hockey League bar." last season, racking up 43 points in 26 games following a January trade Late in the first period, Dach made a nice rush up the ice and found you to the Oshawa Generals. He finished fourth in the OHL scoring race with in front for a great chance on Prince George goalie Taylor Gauthier. 100 points in 62 games. "Zary passed to him entering the zone and it was a little two-on-two and I "I was down after not getting invited to selection camp," Tomasino knew the guy was behind me, and when you're going to the net you want admits. "I wanted to prove everyone wrong. This year my mentality is to to get lost in traffic. I kind of made a little step back and found some open come in here and try to be the best person, first, and also the best player space and Kirby made a really nice pass to me and I was really mad at I can be. It's an awesome opportunity." myself that I didn't bury that one. It was a nice save and nice play by Tomasino, a first-round pick of the Nashville Predators in 2019, is Dacher to find me there." certainly standing out so far in Red Deer, Alta. He posted five points in Well, you got some revenge on Gauthier early in the second. You scored two scrimmages to lead all skaters before a couple positive COVID-19 the goal, but the Dach spin-o-rama got the most attention. What's going tests forced everyone into a 14-day quarantine. through your mind when he does that? Thomas, who went on to make Team Canada last year and score the "I saw him do a spin-o-rama and I saw Zary going to the net, so I figured winning goal in the gold-medal game, refers to Tomasino as being like I'd try and get to the net as fast as possible. He made a nice spin-o-rama his "little brother." and we got a bounce off the net there and it went right in front of me and "He'll make the team," Thomas declared. "He's one of the most skilled kind of the exact same play as the last one, honestly. I shot from the players I've ever played with, and everyone's going to realize that very exact same spot on Goats at the end of the first period and was able to soon." bury that one."

Tomasino’s talent earned him a look alongside Chicago Blackhawk Kirby Kirby Dach (@NHLBlackhawks) with the spin-o-rama and Philip Dach, who projects to be Canada's top-line centre, in the second Tomasino (@PredsNHL) with the finish. scrimmage, with Flames first rounder Connor Zary rounding out the line. Team White now leads Team Red at the @HockeyCanada That trio produced four goals in Team White's 6-3 win. Red/White scrimmage by a score of 2-0. #WorldJuniors "My mindset is to come in here and make this team, be a big part of this pic.twitter.com/KWrF2E2ALl team and do everything I can to help this team win," Tomasino said. — J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) November 23, 2020 “If you’re part of Team Canada’s coaching staff you had to be thrilled Any chance we see you try a spin-o-rama? with Dach, Tomasino and Zary...”@CraigJButton & @TSNRyanRishaug on Kirby Dach’s line on Sunday night, Bowen Byram’s performance and "You know what, I practised it a lot in the summer in my training and I Brett Brochu’s work in net: https://t.co/3h3XPse1OR#TSNHockey think it's an underrated skill. A lot of people don't realize it's so effective. pic.twitter.com/4do55BFjv8 Kirby's a big guy, so when you're that big and strong and able to do that spin-o-rama it's hard for the defence to get you off the puck. I haven't had — TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) November 23, 2020 a chance to do it so far in the two games, but it's something I want to get Tomasino joined TSN for a film session this week to review his notable integrated into my game a little bit more." plays from the camp so far. The following is an edited transcript of the Midway through the second period it was your turn to set up Dach. There conversation. were a lot of bodies around him, but you put the puck in a perfect spot. You scored off a Dylan Cozens faceoff win in the first scrimmage. What "Entered the zone two-on-two and made a little drop pass to Zary. I drove did you see on the play? down the wall below the goal line and I didn't really expect to get the pass "It was the first time we had played in a long time, so I tried to keep it back, but Zary made a nice little backhand sauce back to me. I saw Kirby simple. We had talked about a few plays off the draws. I tried to get a coming in behind everyone and he found a nice little opening. I think it quick shot on net. Shot it low with a lot of bodies in front and I got a little was a great play from all of us. He was open so it wasn't too hard to find lucky that it found its way through. A great job by Coz, the centre, him." winning the draw back to me and I think it was [Connor] McMichael who Kirby Dach has his second goal (third point of the night) after set a nice pick in front of the net there ... A lot of teams have set plays, finishing off this play. but getting the puck to the net as quick as possible off a draw has always been a big thing for me." Tomasino and Zary have proven to be fantastic linemates for the #Blackhawks forward. Philip Tomasino goes five-hole off of the faceoff and Canada White leads this 3-0. Tristan Lennox looked caught off guard. #WorldJuniors 3-1.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/oZDq1OkEG7 pic.twitter.com/fQrhLl9gug — Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisTHN) November 23, 2020 — Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisTHN) November 22, 2020 Were you surprised the chemistry was that good in your first game The second scrimmage is when you, Dach and Zary got put together and together? took off. Let's start with the opening goal. Brandon defenceman Braden Schneider took a point shot and off a scramble Dach put it home. "Dacher and Zar are two unbelievable players and they're really easy to play with, so I think having a chance to play with those guys was awesome and, like I said, really easy. A big thing is we hadn't played in so long, so the emotions kind of took over and we are just really fired up to get out there and score and help our team win."

You had great momentum in that first week, how are you holding up now in this quarantine?

"A lot of Xbox, a lot of Netflix ... it kind of sucks not being able to be on the ice and training. At the same time, it's all part of the process. In all our Zooms we all talk about trust and trusting each other, and this is a huge thing that will make us better and stronger. I'm looking forward to the tournament."

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USA TODAY / Canucks parting ways with anthem singer planning to sing at Vancouver rally protesting COVID-19 restrictions

Jace Evans

The Vancouver Canucks and anthem singer Mark Donnelly will be parting ways over the singer's involvement in a rally protesting COVID-19 restrictions in the Canadian province of British Columbia.

Donnelly was set to sing twice, including a rendition of the Canadian national anthem "O Canada," at the downtown Vancouver "B.C. Christmas Freedom Rally."

The Vancouver Sun confirmed Donnelly's involvement in the rally, and the outlet's story on the matter drew a response from Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini.

Aquilini said that Donnelly should be referred to from now on as the "former Canucks anthem singer" in a post that was accompanied with the hashtag "Wear A Mask."

Canucks officials reaffirmed Aquilini's words that Donnelly was done in his anthem-singing role to both the Sun and the CBC, with a spokesperson telling the latter outlet, "You are safe to say his days are over."

A stay-at-home order and a mask mandate has been put in place in British Columbia, the Sun says. The Sun also says that B.C. residents "have been instructed to avoid social gatherings of all kinds and sizes."

The rally planned for Saturday seemingly is set to challenge such orders entering the Christmas holidays.

“We encourage everyone to wear a mask and to follow the provincial health orders,” Canucks COO Trent Carroll said in a statement to the Sun earlier Friday.

USA TODAY LOADED: 12.05.2020