SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 11/13/2020 Dallas Stars 1195921 Cardinals’ Jalen Thompson has high expectations for duo 1195897 What you need to know about ‘We’re Not Going Home,’ with Budda Baker the new Stars documentary about their Stanley Cup Final 1195922 Cardinals QB Kyler Murray learning to take positives from ru tough losses 1195898 Jamie Benn’s locker room shot and more takeaways from 1195923 Bills-Cardinals injury report: Arizona S Budda Baker Stars documentary expected to play 1195899 ‘We’re Not Going Home’: How one man put together the Stars’ playoff documentary Arizona Coyotes 1195888 GM Bill Armstrong, Arizona Coyotes press on with business as offseason wears on 1195900 Add Lucas Raymond to list of Detroit Red Wings dominating in Europe 1195901 A Q&A with Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, who's itching to 1195924 Falcons’ midseason defensive grades: A lot of room for get going again improvement 1195902 UM won't release Owen Power to participate in Hockey 1195925 Falcons’ Arthur Blank, unlike peers, rejects esports as Canada camp contrary to his values 1195903 Red Wings’ fourth-round pick Sam Stange looks to boost NHL stock at Wisconsin 1195889 Sabres assessing development plans for Jack Quinn, Dylan Cozens, UPL 1195904 Lowetide: Ideal style pairings for the 2020-21 Oilers Flames Los Angeles Kings 1195890 AJHL's Canucks, Oilers set Friday to drop puck on AJHL 1195905 BROCK FABER – PROMISING HOCKEY PLAYER, regular season PROVEN BROTHER 1195891 Iginla, other Hockey Hall of Fame inductees wait for enshrinement ceremony Minnesota Wild 1195892 Grading the Flames’ offseason: GM Brad Treliving’s report 1195906 Choosing the best Wild players of all-time: Vote now for card your top 20 favorites Carolina Hurricanes 1195893 Ryan Suzuki won’t let eye injury stop his world junior and 1195907 Crowded crease in Laval poses goaltending challenges for NHL goals Canadiens Ottawa Senators 1195926 The Panthers’ worst loss of the season was at Tampa 1195908 GARRIOCH: The Ottawa Senators are in a holding pattern Bay. What they can fix in rematch as they wait to hear what's next for 2020-21 1195927 Rae Carruth wanted to kill his unborn son. Now the 1195909 ‘It came as a complete shock:’ Bobby Ryan on change, ‘miracle boy’ turns 21. recovery and new dreams 1195928 Could Joe Brady be one and done? Panthers’ OC could draw head-coaching interest Philadelphia Flyers 1195910 Projecting Flyers’ 2020-21 success, players who could improve/regress: Mailbag 1195929 3 things we learned from the Chicago Bears, including ’ plea for positive energy and Matt Nagy sides Pittsburgh Penguins 1195930 Why are there so many late afternoon NFL games this 1195911 Penguins prospect Drew O’Connor loaned to Manglerud Sunday? Chalk it up to the Masters in November. Star in Norway 1195931 The longest yard: Why, too often, do the Chicago Bears’ 1195912 Penguins miss deadline to start first developments at efforts to gain 1 measly yard feel excessively challen former Civic Arena site 1195932 Bears coach Matt Nagy stays upbeat with season 1195913 Matt Vensel's Penguins chat transcript: 11.12.20 teetering 1195914 The Penguins’ prospect pool is shallow, but these players 1195933 David Montgomery concussion another blow to Bears run are ready for the NHL game 1195934 Bears injury report: David Montgomery, Mitch Trubisky still San Jose Sharks out 1195915 San Jose Sharks say downtown projects may force SAP 1195935 Shoddy construction: Bears GM Ryan Pace’s mistakes on Center exit offense necessitate rebuild 1195916 Sharks warn that downtown construction could force them out of San Jose Chicago Blackhawks 1195894 Malcolm Subban has been preparing his whole life to be a Tampa Bay Lightning starting NHL goalie. Now he has a shot with the Chica 1195917 Lightning names you may not know that are engraved on the Stanley Cup 1195895 When will NHL return? League, players assessing options Toronto Maple Leafs for 2020-21 amid COVID-19 concerns 1195918 NHL players expect to be paid in full for 2021 season, 1195896 New players, new roles: What we can expect from Blue regardless of its length Jackets forwards in 2020-21 1195919 Maple Leafs await green light for season 1195936 Cowboys' defense hasn’t lived up to expectations. The good news is there’s plenty of room for improvement. 1195937 How addition by subtraction has the Cowboys defense trending upward 1195943 Ben Kuzma: Fan formula for next NHL season mixes COVID-19 logistics to equation 1195944 Canucks’ roster and cap projections all the way to 2023 Vegas Golden Knights 1195920 Arizona Cardinals Washington Capitals 1195938 Emily Engel-Natzke joins Hershey staff as first female coach in Capitals organization 1195939 Why the Caps never have to worry about overpaying Ovechkin 1195940 The new Caps calendar is so 2020 - in a fun way 1195941 Connor McMichael Q&A: On pushing to make the Capitals, world juniors and more Websites 1195945 The Athletic / NHL’s video scouting debate forced to evolve as uncertainty surrounds 2021 Draft 1195946 Sportsnet.ca / NHL return FAQ: What we know, and don't, about the coming season 1195947 Sportsnet.ca / Diving into Canadiens' depth chart: Duo of Price, Allen must deliver 1195948 Sportsnet.ca / Ex-Humboldt Bronco Layne Matechuk has hope for revamped hockey dream 1195949 TSN.CA / NHL teams playing in home cities gaining steam to start 2021 season 1195950 TSN.CA / No clear favourite in battle to be Canada's World Junior starter 1195951 TSN.CA / Examining the Canucks' counter-attack issues 1195952 TSN.CA / NHL and Todd Ewen's widow fight over text message records Winnipeg Jets 1195942 YOU BE THE BOSS: Jets fans say don’t trade Laine, do trade Roslovic and make things happen this season, or els SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1195888 Arizona Coyotes

GM Bill Armstrong, Arizona Coyotes press on with business as offseason wears on

Jose M. Romero

Arizona Republic

The NHL has yet to firm up a start date for next season, but the Arizona Coyotes are hard at work as the offseason wears on.

They've partnered with a company that uses digital technology to better connect with the different ages and experiences of their fan base. They've set up a shared season ticket membership plan for fans who don't want to commit to a longer or more expensive term. They've created flexible spending accounts for season ticket members to allow for the possibility of fans not being allowed at Gila River Arena this season, or for those who feel uncomfortable attending games.

The Coyotes continue to hire new staff in key positions on both the business side and hockey end of the franchise. On Thursday, the club named Devan McConnell as high performance director, a new position with the team.

And players not already in town who'd been working out in small groups or individually are headed back inside Gila River Arena soon, as everyone awaits word on whether the league intends to stick with its latest target date of Jan. 1, 2021 to start the season, or if that date is moved back.

"We're still in the hiring mode with hockey (operations). There's still some roles we need to fill," general manager Bill Armstrong said Thursday. "I think there was some good news in the sense that we have a lot of players that are returning to the ice next week, from our team that are going to come in here and skate on their own, volunteering to come in and skate and work out. It's a real positive for us."

Armstrong said the weather in the area this time of year offers an advantage and an incentive for players to get back in town and work out together.

The scouting of prospects and draft picks continues in limited fashion. Some of the Coyotes' top young players and NHL prospects have gone to Europe to get in some needed game action.

The club works with a company that provides video and analytics from wherever in the world players in the organization are playing. Jan Jenik, Barrett Hayton and Matias Maccelli are in Finland, Ilya Lyubushkin is in Russia and Victor Soderstrom is in .

But with the pandemic growing in cases worldwide, leagues have canceled games and tournaments, which has been frustrating for the players, Armstrong said.

"Everybody across the world is feeling the same frustration, and on our end we just don't get enough viewings on the players," Armstrong said. "The good news is that with technology, at least we're getting to watch them when they do play."

Hayton has played in one game, Jenik is just getting out of quarantine and Soderstrom is dealing with an injury but will get back to action when hockey returns from a pause in Sweden, Armstrong said.

The International Federation World Junior Championship tournament is coming up next month in Edmonton, and will allow a lot of prospects the chance to play.

"It's just tricky times. Everybody's wondering when they're going to play and there's always new laws and new stuff coming out in different countries," Armstrong said. "It's a very challenging time for hockey."

Arizona Republic LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195889 Buffalo Sabres next offseason, but it also raised questions about their plan for Rochester. Is it conceivable to have three goalies share the workload in practices and games?

Sabres assessing development plans for Jack Quinn, Dylan Cozens, The Sabres will weigh risk versus reward when deciding how to approach UPL Luukkonen’s situation. Is it worth the risk of having his AHL season disrupted by the coronavirus when he may be able to play a full season in Finland’s top men’s league? Though Ellis would not comment about Lance Lysowski Luukkonen’s situation specifically, he spoke about the value of “continuity.” Nov 12, 2020 Updated 17 hrs ago “We’ve had to look big picture and what’s best for all of our prospects,

which at the end of the day are all individualized cases,” said Ellis. At the start of many workdays since becoming the Buffalo Sabres’ “There’s something to be said for continuity and having guys in good director of player development, Matt Ellis receives an update on how the situations where at the end of this it’s about forward trajectory and coronavirus pandemic is impacting hockey leagues around the globe. making sure the development continues. Also knowing where situations are that provide that for our athletes. Again, with all the challenges we Some Sabres prospects sat idle for weeks while their respective see every day, even in North America with the USHL trying to get itself countries tried to control community spread of the virus. Many leagues off the ground and it’s roadblock after roadblock, but continuity is have tentative start dates that have become a moving target – including important.” the – and a few of the Sabres’ most notable young players face an uncertain development path in 2021, most notably On Aaron Huglen: Winger Aaron Huglen, a fourth-round draft pick in Jack Quinn. 2019, is not ready to play in games with Fargo (USHL) as he continues to recover from a microdiscectomy, the surgical removal of abnormal disc Quinn, whom the Sabres drafted with the No. 8 pick in the first round last material that places pressure on a nerve root or the spinal cord. month, was one of 47 players invited to Hockey Canada’s selection camp from Nov. 16 through Dec. 13 for the IIHF World Junior Championship. Huglen has resumed skating, though, and is trending in the right The tentative plan is for Quinn and Dylan Cozens to compete in the direction, according to Ellis. tournament, which runs Dec. 25 through Jan. 5, before both attend the “There’s a lot that’s gone on,” said Ellis. “If you ask Aaron how things are Sabres’ training camp. doing, he’s taking steps in the right direction. Would he like the steps to Unlike Cozens, though, Quinn is unlikely to make the NHL roster and his be quicker? Absolutely. … It definitely hasn’t been an easy road for best development opportunity could be a return to the Ottawa 67’s of the Aaron, so that’s something we monitor closely with what he’s gone . The latter, though, is at the mercy of Ontario through and what it’s going to look like for his path to get back to normal officials who continue to debate whether body checking should be and continue to build.” allowed amid the pandemic.

Lisa MacLeod, Ontario’s sports minister, has said publicly there won’t be Buffalo News LOADED: 11.13.2020 body checking. However, Doug Ford, Ontario’s premier, tweeted Oct. 31, “To date, no decisions have been made.”

“That’s a very valid concern,” said Ellis. “It’s something that even from the time we drafted Jack, even prior to the draft, we knew what the rumors were and what was being speculated in Ontario with the government and the situation there.

“In a perfect-world scenario, we’re ecstatic that Jack has been invited to participate in Team Canada’s camp beginning in mid-November and hopefully see that through to the end of the tournament, which would be great for Jack and his development in the short-term. ... Things are changing every day, but it’s a situation we’ll continue to discuss and continue to monitor as that could be a major wrinkle in the development path for Jack if we end up (with no body checking in the OHL)."

Here are some additional prospect updates provided by Ellis:

On Cozens: The Sabres could face a difficult decision on Cozens, a 19- year-old who was drafted with the No. 7 pick in June 2019. If Cozens plays for Canada at world juniors, he could face a mandatory quarantine upon returning to Buffalo for Sabres camp. Additionally, the NHL is moving forward with a tentative season start date of Jan. 1, which would cause camps to open sometime in December. The protocols could change in the coming weeks.

Would the Sabres pull Cozens from the tournament if it could impact his ability to make the NHL roster?

“One, it’s not new information to us as to what this is going to look like – the quarantine hurdles, everything that’s gone on even from the New York state standpoint and the way things are with countries and other countries coming in,” said Ellis. “We’re well on top of what a quarantine could mean and we also understand that coming in with a quarantine is not ideal for an athlete trying to bring his best to make a hockey team. Those are valid concerns. … Those are things where you plan for A, B, C, D, E and F scenarios and you go from there. The bottom line is you have to have a plan in place.”

On Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: The Sabres’ top goaltending prospect’s loan agreement with TPS in Finland’s expires Dec. 18, but both sides could consider an extension if the start date for NHL gets pushed back.

The Sabres’ signing of AHL veteran Dustin Tokarski to a two-year contract will fulfill the organization’s requirement for the expansion draft 1195890 Indeed, the Canucks have struggled mightily, with just nine wins in each of the last two seasons. Only the Olds Grizzlys — with 16 combined — have stumbled more.

AJHL's Canucks, Oilers set Friday to drop puck on AJHL regular season “I think we’re much more skilled,” Moran said. “I think we’re a lot more committed and dedicated than we’ve been. We’ve got some character guys — young and old. They’re a good group, and we’re just trying to get Todd Saelhof all the players on the same page.

Publishing date: Nov 12, 2020 “There’s things we can improve on — the biggest is knowing you have to compete and bring it every day. I like where we’re at with the character.”

At the forefront is hulking 20-year-old defenceman Colin MacPherson, They’re polishing up the game pucks at Max Bell Centre. who’s a big force at 6-foot-6, 235 lb. Getting ready to pump them into the twine with actual points on the line. Moran is also expecting leadership from 19-year-old forward Dylan Clark, Yup … the Alberta Junior Hockey League is a go Friday night at the who was nearly a point-a-game player during the last season’s second Calgary complex. half and has followed with six goals and eight points in seven games of this fall’s exhibition action. The and the host Calgary Canucks hit the ice of Ken Bracko Arena (7 p.m.) for the first weekend of regular-season action in And there’s excitement for the team’s 50th anniversary season in the the AJHL. new addition of former Oilers talent Brett Moravec, who, at 17, has got “high skill” as a University of Wisconsin commit. “We’re excited to play and just back to some kind of normalcy,” said Oilers GM/head coach Tyler Deis. “Turn the corner and get re-established — we want to be for real,” said Moran, who’s been the coach since midway through the 2018-19 season. “The players want to play,” agreed Canucks counterpart Brad Moran. “It’s a big year, and hopefully, we get the opportunity to play it out if it “We’ll find a way to make that work.” gets condensed or not.”

Indeed, the 15-team league has found a way to move forward with live Meanwhile, when the sports world shut down in mid-March, the Oilers action that matters in the face of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic — were on top of the AJHL with a sparkling 47-7-4 record but didn’t get to and has been confirmed to do so despite Thursday’s new sports see that out to any kind of championship. measures handed down by the province. “There’s a lot of guys that are returning that thought they had a legit From Max Bell to Pason Centennial Arena and up through the 13 other chance to do something pretty cool last year and, unfortunately, didn’t get locales in the province, the AJHL becomes the highest-profile loop to that opportunity, so, for sure, I know that it’s in the back of their minds,” forge on with a regular hockey season in Alberta for 2020-21. Deis said. “And we didn’t lose that much (personnel-wise) — the majority of the leadership core is all back. It’s a good team.” “Everyone’s excited, and we’re lucky that we got the start there in September with practices and exhibition games,” Deis said. “We’ve had It’s one that will be led by 20-year-olds Louis Jamernik, a future (our exhibition) games on TV — on HockeyTV(.com). A lot of people University of North Dakota star, and Zane Kindrachuk, who’s signed on have been watching. with Niagara University.

“I think people are excited to have it back, and hopefully, it’ll back to Jamernik netted 19 goals and 51 points last year and had two goals and normal by early spring.” 13 points through eight exhibition tilts this fall, while fellow forward Kindrachuk sniped 27 to go along with 59 points in 2019-20 and had six For now, however, it’s all a go under the Alberta government’s Junior, goals and eight points in 2020-21 pre-season action. Collegiate and University League Guidance protocols put out earlier this fall. Deis says the club is also excited about promising forward Gibb Coady, 19, being injury-free for an entire season and possible break-out seasons The won’t make use of them until the new year, up front from 16-year-olds Rieger Lorenz and Bowden Singleton. at the earliest. “You’ve got to remember — we’re excited about what’s happening,” And both Canada West and the Alberta Colleges Athletic Association added Deis. “You think back to March, April and May, and that was have cancelled their 2020-21 hockey campaigns. tough. So whatever we get is cool and pretty special. So the AJHL is squarely in the spotlight in puck circles, taking advantage “And our expectations are the exact same — they don’t change ever. It’s of the 150-player — or six-team — cohorts and 100-maximum fan to win.” capacity at every arena.

“With what Alberta Health Services and the government has done, it’s safe,” Deis said. “People need to be following the rules, and it can be Calgary Sun: LOADED: 11.13.2020 done. We want these athletes to participate and be engaged, so we just want everybody to follow the rules and be safe about it.”

So it’s on with the show, with teams slated to play anywhere from eight to 13 games until the end of December.

“It’s a bit of a Rubik’s Cube,” said AJHL commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk. “We had to put a lot of thought into the schedule of how to structure this and maintain the guidelines. It’s approved by the government, and we’re moving forward in that fashion and can maintain the (eight-team) north and (seven-team) south divisions.

“From an outside perspective, you see seven teams in the South Division and your mind immediately goes to, ‘That’s the cohort number.’ But it’s not. We’ve structured it so we’re still within the guidelines of the 150.”

Stay tuned for additional scheduling to follow for January and possibly beyond, as long as — of course — safety and health are not issues.

“It’ll be really good to get going and see where we can stack up here,” said Moran of his Canucks. “We want to be competitive — we’ve had a couple of tough years. I think we’ve got good enough players that if we play to our ability, we can do that on any given night.” 1195891 Calgary Flames totally speechless. She couldn’t get words out, yet you could hear the emotion in her voice, knowing what it meant to her.

“It’s so much fun to make those calls. Everyone is different. But in some Iginla, other Hockey Hall of Fame inductees wait for enshrinement ways, like with Kenny Holland too, they’re all the same. Humbled, ceremony Honoured. Taken aback. Because when you first play this game or first manage this game, that’s the furthest thing from your mind is induction into the Hall of Fame. And then when it happens, it’s … speechless. But Wes Gilbertson you are put in there by your peers, and it’s well-deserved.”

Publishing date: Nov 12, 2020 This latest super-six not only deserves to be enshrined.

They deserve to be spoiled, spotlighted and celebrated.

This was just an old-fashioned phone conversation, not some sort of They’ll get that special treatment in November 2021. Zoom or virtual video chat, but Lanny McDonald didn’t require a visual. “That’s why we made the decision, with the blessing of the board, to not On the other end of the line, from one Calgary Flames franchise icon to have another group in 2021,” McDonald said. “It’s hard enough to look another, it was clear that Jarome Iginla was beaming. after six. I can’t imagine looking after 10 or 12 and doing it properly and honouring them in the way we want to honour them. That went into the “You could see Jarome smiling that ear-to-ear grin right through the decision.” telephone,” McDonald said. “You could tell how much it meant to him.”

McDonald dialled up his friend in late June in his official capacity as chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, welcoming Iginla to the exclusive Calgary Sun: LOADED: 11.13.2020 club as a part of the Class of 2020.

This was supposed to be induction weekend in Toronto, capped off by Monday’s glitzy gala.

Instead, the festivities have been postponed until 2021 due to the health crisis. Because of the delay, there will be no new inductees next year.

“It’s disappointing that we couldn’t follow through, especially for the six newest inductees,” McDonald said of a class that also includes Marian Hossa, Kevin Lowe, Doug Wilson, Kim St-Pierre and Ken Holland — current general manager of the Edmonton Oilers — in the builder category. “At the same time, where we are as a country and with all the restrictions going on, even cross-border access … Even though we postponed it way back in August, now that we’re here, it was obviously the right plan all along.”

Asked what he’ll miss the most, McDonald struggled to narrow it down.

“I think just seeing the families, the friends, all the fans that get to participate in the forum and the Legends Game, and bringing as many Hall-of-Famers back in for that weekend,” he replied. “Friday night is always really cool at the game, when you have eight or 10 Hall-of- Famers greet the newest members as they walk out to centre-ice at Scotiabank Arena. That is as cool as it gets.

“And then just seeing how much they appreciate everything that goes on that weekend … Our staff is absolutely fantastic. They just do a fabulous job in setting up the whole weekend and making sure each and every one of the six families is taken care of and looked after so that they walk away saying, ‘That was the greatest induction.’ ”

Iginla, as one of the greatest -scorers in NHL lore, was a shoo-in to lead this latest crop of Hockey Hall-of-Famers.

The longtime captain and face-of-the-franchise at the Saddledome, he wrapped his incredible career with 625 goals — only 15 legends have done more lamp-lighting — and 1,300 points.

The retired right-winger, now raising his family in Boston, was also an impact-sort in international action. You might remember his assist on a certain golden goal.

“How he played, how he stood up for his teammates, what he did in the community, meant so much to everyone,” McDonald said. “So to be able to make that call to Jarome, it was just so pleasing.

“Every one of those calls is special,” continued the Hockey Hall of Fame chairman, who tag-teams those chit-chats with selection committee lead John Davidson. “You take Kevin Lowe, who I think waited 22 years. You look at Doug Wilson, who I think waited 26 years. So to be able to make those calls, especially with Kevin Lowe, who we went head-to-head with all the time in the Battle of Alberta and now you’re at so many charity events together and the sheer disdain or hatred for each other has long since gone and now you just understand and appreciate each other and what you went through in all those different battles …

“We had a heck of a time tracking down Marian Hossa, who was back in his home country (). Thank goodness for a friendship with Joel Quenneville, who helped me track him down. Kim St-Pierre, she was 1195892 Calgary Flames No different than the crease, the coach’s office has been the scene of an unsightly/unproductive carousel.

Glen Gulutzan beat out Ward for the 2016 opening, then got fired. Bill Grading the Flames’ offseason: GM Brad Treliving’s report card Peters was hired in 2018, then, leaving in disgrace, left the door open for Ward.

By Scott Cruickshank Finally, deservedly, the show is Ward’s. His work in a tough situation, taking over the reins of a then-struggling team, was laudable. The Nov 12, 2020 players’ vouching for the coach seems sincere — as does his respect for them. Meaning Ward’s presence is something to embrace, not scurry

from. Grading a general manager’s progress is tricky business at the best of Sure, there had been sexier names available — Gallant, Laviolette, times, but especially at this juncture. Babcock — but better equipped to handle this particular group? Doubt it. For starters, the NHL offseason remains in full swing, so it may well be And, let’s be honest, it’s unlikely there was a cheaper alternative to Ward, that Brad Treliving’s master plan is still a few connected dots shy of no small consideration. completion. A — Signs LW Andrew Mangiapane, Oct. 16 And the moves themselves may be two or three or even four years away from dividend maturity — from proper appraisal. Shortly after the Calgary On a two-year deal, one of the group’s legitimate up-and-comers Flames lay claim to the 2023 Stanley Cup, we can discuss how it had receives a $2.425 million salary. been this very autumn that turned out to make the difference. Or, should the locals fail to qualify for the playoffs in the next couple of years, we’ll It’s a significant raise from the previous winter — when the spunky certainly be able to pinpoint the offseason of their undoing. winger pulled down $715,000 — but many observers were speculating that it would cost the Flames north of $3 million. It winds up being a So fair assessment comes down the road. reasonable deal for both sides.

But Treliving has been so busy, so earnest, in recent attempts to address And, struck when it was, the pact saved the parties from the potentially his club’s shortcomings — by hiring, drafting, signing — why not take acrimonious exercise known as arbitration. stock of his handiwork so far? A nice checkmark to put on Treliving’s to-do list. (Perhaps it is even time to rate all of Treliving’s manoeuvres. There has already been more than six years’ worth of renovations, from the B+ — Signs RW Josh Leivo, Oct. 24 blockbusting good to the eyerolling bad. As it happens, that project is on It was good for a chuckle when the Flames inked Leivo to a one-year The Athletic deck — stay tuned for that report card.) deal for $875,000.

Right now, let’s grade Treliving’s reshaping efforts since the Flames were Not because the winger is a joke, because it marked the fourth (!) bubble-punted: Canucks player — after Jacob Markstrom, Chris Tanev, Louis Domingue A+ — Signs G Jacob Markstrom, Oct. 9 — that Treliving had reeled in.

Well-established was the Flames’ desperation for a steady hand in net. Leivo, 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds, was worth the chase. A rarity in the The post-Miikka Kiprusoff era has not been kind to the Calgarians. Flames family, he’s a right-handed forward. Only 27, the Ontarian is coming off a winter in which he managed 19 points in 36 games before However, it should be pointed out that goalkeeping did not cost them in cracking his knee cap. the previous two postseasons — Mike Smith’s heroics as his mates were overwhelmed by Colorado, Cam Talbot’s swell turn in the hub city in More than filler, this is a hard-shooter who, while on a cheap ticket, can August. In fact, their excellence served to marginalize would-be starter work himself into a middle-six role. David Rittich. B — Signs D Chris Tanev, Oct. 9

But, fair to say, given the in-crease upheaval in recent years, the Flames’ There is no denying Tanev’s ability as a defensive defenceman. Blocks free-agent priority was a multi-year entity — not another stop-gap shots. Directs the puck to safety. Takes nearly no penalties. All of which, measure. Cheque written. Mission accomplished. at the free agency kickoff, made him an attractive commodity for many Landing someone of Markstrom’s calibre figured to take a mighty big bite teams. out of the payroll — a $6 million cap dent through 2025-26 — and, in this Last season, he drew a salary of $4.45 million. Now? The Toronto native case, it’s a worthwhile gambit. is working on an AAV of $4.5 million. For what Tanev brings to the table, For managers and coaches, it is one fewer thing to lose in-season sleep it seems fair. over. What does stick out? Term. In a more reasonable world, the blueliner’s For the skaters, there’s a comfort performing in front of an elite goalie. deal would be two years (not four) — and Markstrom’s would be three Ask any of the 2004 Flames about that vibe. (not six). But that’s not how it works. If a manager wants a player badly enough, that’s the sacrifice — too-long deals. Given the wear on other candidates — Braden Holtby, Corey Crawford — and assuming Robin Lehner’s deal in Vegas was done, the Flames But considering the Flames’ situation — desperate for a culture shift and tied their wagon to the right workhorse. heading into Ward’s first full season of defence-snugging —Tanev is a fit.

A+ — Participates in Round 1 of NHL Draft, Oct. 6 One consideration — it had been an either-or scenario with T.J. Brodie, who, like Tanev, is a 30-year-old right-sider. Landing the latter meant Treliving, despite twice splitting his pick, was able to stay in the first waving goodbye to the former, long underrated and underappreciated in round and bank a pair of third-round selections. Calgary.

The sleight of hand netted the Flames the prospect they said they B — Participates in Round 2 of the NHL Draft, Oct. 7 originally coveted — Connor Zary, star centre of the WHL Kamloops Blazers — at No. 24, and, thrilling his scouts, the opportunity to add a Five second-day picks became seven, thanks to Treliving’s wheeling the couple of extra teenagers to the cupboard the following day. previous night. They weren’t wasted.

Coping with the limits of a remote draft — no wandering the draft floor, Finally, after selecting 15 straight non-defencemen (over parts of four coffee in hand, over to a rival GM for an ear-bend — it stands as a drafts), the Flames began to yank blueliners — including three in a row, master class in asset management. including Yan Kuznetsov (a 6-foot-4 Russian who was the youngest skater in the NCAA last year) and dropping-like-an-anchor Jérémie A — Promotes Geoff Ward to head coach, Sept. 14 Poirier (elite offensively, suspect defensively, and wholly worthwhile of a stab). The Day 2 grab-bag also featured off-the-grid Russian netminder Daniil group — it’s a really unique individual. He’s been one of our best when it Chechelev (10-1-0, 2.00, .938 for MHL Russkie Vityazi Chekhov; 3-0-1, comes to that.” 1.83, .938 for VHL HK Ryazan) as well as undersized go-getters QMJHL Cape Breton’s Ryan Francis and OHL Sault Ste. Marie’s Rory Kerins. The Calgary resident, who has dressed for 110 NHL games (none last winter), is a positive influence. The two-year (two-way) deal is an It added up to a robust stockpiling of prospects. investment.

B- — Signs D Nikita Nesterov, Oct. 23 C — Signs RW Buddy Robinson, Oct. 9

Defencemen are precious, so when you can pull out a potential gem, it’s Best known for being 6-foot-6 and a close friend of Johnny Gaudreau, worth the (minimum-salary) risk. the 29-year-old winger took a one-year (one-way) deal for $700,000.

Already with NHL experience — 132 appearances for Tampa and Last season, his first in the organization, Robinson looked fine in limited Montreal — Nesterov has steadily built up his brand over the past three viewings, including spot duty in Game 6 of the Dallas series. A known seasons in the KHL with CSKA Moscow. His sturdy frame and two-way commodity, which is handy, especially if teams are permitted expanded approach convinced the Flames. rosters during the regular season.

Where exactly he fits will be determined. If he bulls into the starting C — Signs D Alex Petrovic, Oct. 9 rotation, fantastic for the Flames. If not, outlay was low. Treliving, who loves having experienced defenders at his disposal, C+ — Tenders no qualifying offers to G Nick Schneider, D Andrew latches onto a 28-year-old with 263 NHL games, mostly with Florida. Nielsen, C Mark Jankowski, Oct. 7 On top of size — 6-foot-4, 206 pounds — Petrovic happens to be right- By not qualifying Jankowski, the Flames saved themselves an offer of handed, another good thing for the Flames. Decent depth deal — one- $1.75 million — pricey for a seven-point centre, even one who’s 6-foot-4. year (two-way) for $700,000.

Smart, but hardly shocking. C — Signs LW Zac Rinaldo, Oct. 9

C+ — Signs LW Dominik Simon, Oct. 22 A career-long stirrer of pots, Rinaldo took his “kill or be killed” mindset into last season’s audition and earned a one-year contract. Getting into For the league-minimum — $700,000 — the cap-strapped Flames bring 14 games in Stockton, 19 games in Calgary, five more in the bubble, he in a 26-year-old forward with some upside. Simon collected 22 points in provided a bit of sandpaper. 64 games with Pittsburgh — for a stretch working alongside Sidney Crosby — before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Low-risk retention here — two-way deal, at the minimum salary, for the 30-year-old. Simon even got slivers of special teams time last season. C — Signs G Louis Domingue, Oct. 10 A 2015 fifth-round pick, the Czech will be a restricted free agent at the end of his one-year term. Till then, a useful depth addition. A depth signing, necessary with Tyler Parsons’ ongoing injury concerns, this is a 28-year-old with 139 big-league appearances (Arizona, Tampa, C+ — Signs LW Joakim Nordstrom, Oct. 19 New Jersey, Vancouver).

This is a 28-year-old checker who’s banked exactly 400 NHL games Domingue was drafted by Arizona, with Don Maloney and Treliving (with Chicago, Carolina and Boston). presiding, so the Flames know what they’re getting for the league- Not a big point producer, Nordstrom can help to fill the void on the minimum, besides an elite baker. shorthanded gang after the departures of Tobias Rieder and Mark C — Allows many of his UFAs (G Jon Gillies, G Cam Talbot, D T.J. Jankowski. Brodie, D Travis Hamonic, D Derek Forbort, D Erik Gustafsson, D Last year — besides netting seven points — he was the Bruins’ busiest Michael Stone, D Rinat Valiev, C Alan Quine, LW Ryan Lomberg, LW penalty-killing forward, averaging nearly two minutes per night. Tobias Rieder, RW Austin Czarnik) to walk, Oct. 9

C — Signs C Glenn Gawdin, Oct. 14 Obviously, general managers cannot retain all of their (potentially) outgoing players. And, certainly, if Brodie stays, the Flames don’t have No, Treliving doesn’t make the honour roll with this move — because it room for Tanev. (It will be interesting to see — and compare — how well was obvious and easy. their respective four-year contracts age.)

Gawdin, in his own way, is a valuable asset — but one with zero NHL But Rieder’s departure is a stumper — especially after his strong games and no arbitration rights. In other words, no leverage. postseason, especially knowing the penalty-killing hole Jankowski was leaving behind, especially when he ends up signing a one-year deal for The Flames like him — he’s being groomed him for NHL duty, possibly the league minimum in Buffalo. as soon as this season — and this was a $700,000 no-brainer.

C — Tenders qualifying offers to G Tyler Parsons, D Oliver Kylington, C Glenn Gawdin, LW Andrew Mangiapane, Oct. 7 The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 Retaining the services of the above four gents was simply a case of taking care of business. The forwards are in the Flames’ plans. Kylington, who has handled 86 dates on the blue line over the past two seasons, remains unsigned.

As for Parsons, well, you just never know about goalies, especially one who’s only 23.

So no surprises here. Just housekeeping.

C — Signs C Byron Froese, Oct. 9

Captain in AHL Stockton, Froese, 29, gets credit from teammates, from coaches, from management, for his sincere commitment to leadership.

On the ice, he’s an all-purpose centre. Away from the rink, too, he’s a role model, spreading the gospel about the benefit of taking online courses.

Stockton assistant Dominic Pittis is a fan. He said Froese earns respect with his ability and attitude: “To have someone at that stage of their career — where they’re a potential call-up, where they’re invested in the 1195893 Carolina Hurricanes In the dressing room, Suzuki knew everyone was catching on when the teams’ doctors told him he needed to go to the hospital.

At the hospital, he was then told he wasn’t allowed to leave until he Ryan Suzuki won’t let eye injury stop his world junior and NHL goals started seeing light. By then, his dad, Rob, had called his agent, former NHLer David Gagner, with the news.

By Scott Wheeler “I played hockey a long time with a lot of guys who didn’t wear face protection and it rarely happened. In this case, it was just more about Nov 12, 2020 Ryan’s future and not just in hockey but wanting to get him back healthy. It was a very concerning thing. Everyone was just concerned about his

well-being and making sure he could get back to normalcy,” Gagner said. In the blink of an eye, he almost lost his own. It was, Suzuki guesses, seven or eight hours before he was released. He Now, a year removed from the high stick that left him with a permanent didn’t arrive home after 4 a.m. blind spot at the centre of his right eye, Ryan Suzuki is out to prove he For a while, he also had to sleep sitting up so that the blood could drain won’t be defined by his vision. out of his eye. Otherwise, the doctors feared that it could clot and cause He’s changed. Forever. And it has been harder than anything he’s ever even more long-term damage. It took a few days for him to get even been through before. But he has learned to live with his difference and he blurry vision back, as his eye remained swollen shut. has set his sights just as high as they were before a stick sliced past his “It was super scary, just mentally. It was tough. My whole body was fine, I cheek and into his eye. just couldn’t see. When you’re trying to go to sleep at night, you think Up first: the world juniors. Up second: the Carolina Hurricanes. about everything. About my career. About if I was going to see again,” Suzuki said. “The first reaction is always, ‘Am I going to play again?’ It was November 1, 2019, and Suzuki’s Barrie Colts were on the road for That’s the toughest part as an athlete. Some nights you don’t know their once-a-year game in Saginaw against the Spirit. what’s going to happen and you just have to be positive and kind of stick with what you’ve done your whole life, hoping it will work out.” The shift before it happened, before his eyesight changed, Suzuki had opened the scoring midway through the first period, driving the net to Even once his eye began to slowly open, he wasn’t allowed to get his redirect a pass to the slot. heart rate going for almost two months, which meant he couldn’t even work out. As he stepped back onto the ice, he felt invincible, like the puck was gravitating to him. Doctors told him he’d torn his retina and that he was going to have long- lasting eyelid damage which may render it lax (a medical term for loose “It was one of those games where you just know it’s your night,” Suzuki and malfunctioning). said. Suzuki didn’t know he would be OK until he was allowed back onto the He’ll never forget the play that followed. He remembers it in vivid detail. ice in the middle of December. There was a weird turnover in the offensive zone. Spirit defenceman Ilya He was a little rusty, but his stickhandling and shooting felt fine. By then, Solovyov had thrown a cross-ice pass that landed directly on his stick. he had a scar just below his eye, and had come to the realization that he He quickly attacked, moving left-to-right across the top of the slot. was going to have to play with one eye that was worse than the other. He Solovyov panicked, closing across the zone to meet him in the middle of tried to ignore it. the ice. When Solovyov tried to make a play on his stick, he successfully stepped past, avoiding him. As he did, Solovyov’s stick swung sideways Eventually, doctors cleared him to return to the lineup so long as he wore and then up. a full face mask for the remainder of the season.

The first thing that followed was pain. Then, as he realized he couldn’t He got back into the Colts lineup for a pair of games just before the see, everything went away and he was back on his feet, two hands over Christmas break. his right eye, scrambling to the bench yelling the same three words over and over. In his return, he learned that he was going to have to teach himself to approach the game differently, given that his blind spot was almost dead “I can’t see! I can’t see!” he shouted as he slid into Colts trainer Clayton centre. Johns, who’d rushed onto the ice to meet him near the bench. “I have good peripheral vision still and that’s almost what I need anyways “You’re OK, we’ve got to take a look at it,” Johns said in an effort to to make plays,” he said. “I’m always a player that’s aware of everything comfort him. that’s going on around me so I think having the injury, I had to have my head up more and it almost made me a little bit more assertive because I But Suzuki knew he wasn’t OK. He’d been hit in the eye before, even always wanted to know what was going on. And playing with a full cage, briefly losing his vision, but it had always quickly returned, spotting then you can be a little more gritty in the corners and not having to worry making way for light. This was different. about sticks coming up into your chin and face. I’m just more aware of It was just black — and he was freaking out. what’s around me. I’m forced to pay attention more.”

“I had no idea what was going on,” he said. Then, on the morning of Jan. 10, with only a handful of games under his belt, he got a call from his best friend, Saginaw defenceman Mason On the Spirit bench, head coach Chris Lazary didn’t think much of the Millman. He had known Millman since they were 6 years old, playing play at first. Suzuki’s back was to his bench when it happened and it together with the London Jr. Knights. looked just like any other high stick. Suzuki didn’t stay down for long and when he first got up the panic hadn’t initially set in. It wasn’t until Suzuki Suzuki was supposed to have a game with the Colts that night but their skated past the bench that Lazary’s feeling shifted. morning skate had been cancelled. So he was planning on sleeping in and going into the rink later in the day to warm up when he got the “I could see blood coming out of the area. And I’ll be honest with you, I FaceTime call. felt sick to my stomach,” Lazary said. “The rest of that game it was real hard to focus and keep coaching, just because individually my mind was Millman was flanked by Lazary. on Ryan. When he went by the bench it just didn’t look good and I had “You’re coming to Saginaw,” Millman told him. this feeling. It was a scary moment.” After two and half years with the Colts, the team that drafted him first That feeling was compounded by the fact he knew Suzuki. Lazary and overall in the 2017 OHL priority selection, Suzuki had been traded to the Suzuki had developed a relationship through summer leagues and had team that he’d been injured against two and a half months earlier. crossed paths around the hockey world a number of other times. After the two teams’ morning skates that day, they’d bumped into each other at In a flurry, his game that night became one with the Spirit, who were on the rink and spent some time chatting. the road in Flint, and he was saying goodbye to his billets and his teammates. By the time he’d made the five-hour drive to Flint to meet the going through the same stuff every day for that extended a period of time team, it was game time. but you have to find ways to push yourself. Working out with Nick and other pro guys, they really push you and you see firsthand what you have “I got there like 30 minutes before the game. All the boys were warming to do to make it.” up and I was just walking in, in street clothes,” Suzuki said. “It was a wild day.” Suzuki pushed himself back home in London, Ont., training under Dwayne Blais, who works with the Washington Capitals and London In the weeks before the trade, the Spirit had often checked in with Suzuki Knights. about his recovery. Lazary had texted. Millman had called. Solovyov felt terrible and had asked for updates, hopeful Suzuki would be all right. He spent most of his days working in a small off-ice group with Nick, St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou, and Buffalo Sabres top prospect And then the trade deadline came, the Spirit hoped to contend for an Dylan Cozens, who joined them in the middle of the summer. On the ice, OHL title, and when they discussed how they might make a big splash, they also skated with local NHLers Bo Horvat, Travis Konecny and Suzuki’s name kept coming up. They knew that he was going to be able Lawson Crouse, among others, at the Western Fair Sports Centre. to play through his new reality and they’d kept tabs on him since his OHL draft year, when they interviewed him a number of times, hoping he Though he attended the Hurricanes’ training camp before the team might be available when they picked fourth overall. entered the NHL’s bubble, that training was otherwise uninterrupted.

“We met with the family, we loved his character, we knew his brother “The one advantage that could come out of this is that players haven’t (Montreal Canadiens forward Nick) and we saw what his brother did to us had the opportunity to train to build strength like they have this time in the playoffs the year before. We thought it was a perfect fit with our around. So we’ve told him this is a time to make significant gains in that culture,” Spirit general manager Dave Drinkill said. area. Ryan’s done a good job of that,” Gagner said. “It helps to have a brother like Nick that Ryan looks up to. It’s good to have that example He was also the exact kind of player that Lazary and Drinkill coveted on close to you so you can see what the expectations are to your daily the ice. approach to fitness and trying to be the best player you can be.”

“He just ticks all of the boxes. He wants to possess the puck, he wants to When the OHL and NHL seasons got pushed back, Suzuki’s focus make plays, he’s so skilled and elusive. Some teams at the deadline turned singular. A year after his eye injury kept him from fulfilling his want to add different things but we wanted to add an impact player that invite to Team Canada’s 2020 world junior selection camp, he wanted to can really help make us a very dangerous offensive team and Ryan’s make the 2021 roster. that type of guy,” Drinkill said. At the end of October, that second invite came and he had to make plans So they pulled the trigger, swinging a 10-piece trade with Barrie to to head to Red Deer, Alberta, as part of the 46-player roster that would acquire him. compete for 25 spots in a month-long camp.

“Our group just instantly knew that we had just got one of the top players Having not seriously pursued opportunities to play elsewhere, the camp’s in the league and that gave us a real, real chance to make a push,” extended schedule was a welcome opportunity to showcase himself. Lazary said. “The energy from a coaching standpoint and all of the players, we were so, so excited to get him.” “It’s tough being out of competition and not having the high intensity games. I’m dying for that competition and competing against the top Suzuki, for his part, never mentioned the play that injured him. players in the world. I’m really excited and hopefully I can make the “Guys normally don’t like going back to the places where it happened. team,” Suzuki said. “With everything that’s gone on, it’s been a crazy And here’s this guy accepting a trade to Saginaw where he had a serious year. I’m just excited for the opportunity to make the team. I was feeling injury, and he didn’t think twice about it, which I think speaks volumes to good about that camp last year too. It would’ve been good to go there who he is,” Lazary said. and have a shot. It didn’t work out but I’ve got another shot this year.”

That first night in Flint, Lazary paired Suzuki with the team’s two leading It’s an opportunity Lazary knows Suzuki will make the most of. scorers, Cole Perfetti and Cole Coskey. Suzuki rewarded him with two “I think he has a real good shot at making that team last year but he got assists. shivved a bit,” Lazary said.

“It was like magic right away. I think in the first period Ryan dumped the Drinkill argued that Suzuki’s strong international track record — including puck in a couple of times and in the intermission (Perfetti) and (Lazary) an eight-point performance in five games at the — went to him and were like, ‘We don’t dump pucks in here, we’re making speaks for itself. Though Canada’s roster will be toughest to make at plays’ and from the second period on it was unstoppable,” Drinkill said. forward, he thinks Suzuki’s up to the task too. “Ryan’s great because he just kind of raises the game.” “He’s one of those guys where he might get overlooked a little bit Saginaw quickly became that perfect fit everyone hoped for, too. The because of his injury. Maybe he gets put on the back-burner a little bit, Spirit even play a similar style to the Hurricanes — the team that picked and people forget about him,” Drinkill said. “But then when you watch him Suzuki 28th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft — and Lazary uses a lot of play, he’s a first-round pick who arguably could have went way higher in their video in his teachings. the draft than he did. He was trending to be a superstar in our league. As the season progressed and Suzuki became one of the OHL’s best He’s going to be a heck of a player and I think he’ll be fine in camp, let’s players again, Lazary couldn’t believe how easily Suzuki adjusted after just say that.” his injury. In 23 games with the Spirit, he scored 13 goals and picked up Everyone is just relieved that Suzuki has a second chance. 35 points (1.52 per game). “Ryan stayed positive throughout the whole process. The first thing you “If anything it has made him more cerebral and it has made him more think about is that your dreams could be over,” Gagner said. “Hopefully aware of his surroundings,” Lazary said. “It has actually made him in my after the tournament those kids will have the chance to go pro camps and opinion honestly a better player because he’s got to track more they’ll be flying. It’s just such an advantage. You really can’t train as hard information all the time.” as you compete in a game.”

Though Suzuki’s chance to play for a championship with his new team Most importantly, Suzuki is at peace with the last year — and the injury was cut short in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he entered the that started it. offseason feeling rejuvenated. “There’s not much that (the doctors) can do. There’s still some lax He knew that he was lucky, through it all, to be where he was, and that (eyelid) damage. There’s a lot of damage. It was pretty bad,” Suzuki he could use the offseason to make up for time lost. finished. “(But) honestly, I’ve gotten used to it to the point where I don’t “I had close to three months off where I wasn’t doing anything and I was even notice it.” just getting backtracked, so Carolina really pushed me to have a really big summer and get ready for a good training camp and a shot at the roster,” Suzuki said. “I had to take advantage of this time off because I The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 know other guys will be doing the same. In a usual summer you can do a little bit to get better but it’s nothing compared to eight months. It’s tough 1195894 Chicago Blackhawks three great goaltenders with Deels and Lanks. It’s good competition. We got to know each other in the (Edmonton) bubble. They’re great guys.

“Our one goal is whatever opportunity we get, it’s to help the team win, Malcolm Subban has been preparing his whole life to be a starting NHL and that’s the most important thing.” goalie. Now he has a shot with the Chicago Blackhawks. A Jamaica native who immigrated to Ontario in 1970, Karl Subban was optimistic about Malcolm’s aspirations ever since his boys played hockey By PHIL THOMPSON with balls and rolled-up socks as pucks and used a laundry basket as the net. CHICAGO TRIBUNE He laughed when asked about the four times over the last three seasons NOV 12, 2020 AT 9:00 AM that P.K. faced Malcolm with the Golden Knights. P.K. failed to land any of his seven shots in Malcolm’s starts against the Nashville Predators

and Devils. When Karl Subban’s three sons — P.K., Malcolm and Jordan — were “He only scored in the hallway or in the backyard rink in Toronto — that’s young, he could see the writing on the wall: They might become NHL the only time he scored on Malcolm,” Karl said. “But most of the time he players one day. scored, if there was a referee, they would’ve charged him with goalie Or, to be more accurate, he could see the scuff marks on the wall. interference. That was P.K. He had to score.”

“They’d have a ball or Jordan would roll up some socks,” Karl Subban At the very least Malcolm and Jordan learned “they had to work for it,” told the Tribune after Malcolm was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in P.K. said. February. “The walls in our hallways were like you would see in the “I didn’t hold back with my brothers, whether we played video games, ball hockey rink and you have the boards. You could see all the puck marks.” hockey in the hallway or the backyard rink,” P.K. said. “I always wanted Fast-forward to recent years, and all three are pursuing professional to win. Even though they were younger than me and I probably should’ve hockey dreams at varying levels. let them win, I never tried to. … If I had to cheat to try to win, I would.”

The oldest, P.K., a New Jersey Devils defenseman, is a three-time NHL Blackhawks center Ryan Carpenter, left, and Devils defenseman P.K. All-Star and 2012-13 Norris Trophy winner. The youngest, Jordan, also a Subban fight for control of the puck during the first period Dec. 23, 2019, defenseman, was a Vancouver Canucks fourth-round pick in 2013 and at the United Center. played in the AHL before signing with Dornbirner EC in Austria last Added Karl: “Playing together like that really brought them together. I season. made sure I was never the referee. I’d just go in my room and lock the Malcolm made 58 starts over nearly three seasons with the Vegas door. Just make sure the walls are still standing when you’re done. … It’s Golden Knights but saw only one minute of ice time after the Feb. 28 like they were playing for the Stanley Cup.” trade to the Hawks. Annually for 17 years, usually in time for Christmas, Karl would construct Blackhawks goaltender Malcolm Subban protects the net against Patrick a 40-by-40 backyard rink out of boards and rink liner, and it would last Kane during practice on July 13, 2020, at Fifth Third Arena. until mid-March. The boys also played in youth house leagues in Toronto.

Now the 26-year-old goaltender is on the cusp of the greatest opportunity Even then it was clear to Karl that Malcolm was different from other kids of his career. who took to hockey. Most of them wanted to be skaters, and Malcolm started off as one too. But during warmups he stood in goal and took The Hawks parted ways last month with veteran Corey Crawford, 35, shots. after 13 seasons. General manager Stan Bowman declined to qualify Subban as a restricted free agent, but the goalie agreed to a two-year “He never said, ‘Dad, I want to be a goalie,’ until he was 12, or else he contract through 2021-22 with an annual $850,000 salary-cap hit. was going to quit playing,” Karl said.

Bowman said Crawford’s replacement will be a competition among Malcolm laughed at the memory: “He was talking me out of it for about Subban, Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen and will play out throughout seven years. Then finally he caved and let me be a goaltender.” next season. Malcolm’s choice didn’t come as a surprise to P.K. either. Each contender likely will get several starts regardless of how well his “He always was the one that opted to play goaltender and he put his shin rivals play. pads on,” P.K. said. “Jordan and I would call a passing play where we “When we made the decision we’re not going to bring Corey back, we had to make enough passes to get him out of position (and) expose him, (knew we) have these young goalies,” Bowman said. “They’re never whether it was going through the five-hole or beating him on a deke or going to get a better chance than this to prove they’re the No. 1 guy. something like that. They don’t have a guy that’s blocking them out or that is going to get the “But that was Malcolm’s script. He was a phenomenal hockey player” for majority of the starts. his age. “Whether it’s Delia or Lankinen or Subban, they all have a lot of potential, Malcolm’s NHL path wouldn’t be as smooth. and we want to translate that potential into actuality.” The drafted him with the 24th pick in 2012. After four Coach Jeremy Colliton added it’s difficult to develop young goalies when seasons with the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League, he made they’re mostly relegated to spelling the starter in the second game of a his NHL debut on Feb. 20, 2015, against the St. Louis Blues. back-to-back. He stopped all three shots in the first period, but things unraveled quickly “You don’t get many consecutive starts,” Colliton said. “Over the course in the second. Subban gave up three goals on three shots in just more of the year, you may get 10, 15, 20 games. It’s always when your team is than five minutes, and he was pulled for Tuukka Rask. traveling, the No. 1 guy will get the first game and the backup — in this case Malcolm — they just don’t get much of a chance to get into a Almost a year later, while with the AHL’s Providence Bruins, Subban took rhythm. a puck to the throat during warmups. He suffered a fractured larynx and was hospitalized in Portland, Maine. “If you talk to any goalie, that’s tough.” It was part of harrowing season for the Subban family in which Jordan, Added Subban: “In the past, I definitely got in a groove when I played then in the AHL, and P.K., then with the Montreal Canadiens, also were some more games, strung together some games. But that’s got to be injured — with P.K. hurting his neck during a collision and leaving the ice earned. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to earn those starts.” on a stretcher a month after Malcolm’s injury. He appreciates getting a real shot. “We were in a panic,” Karl said regarding Malcolm’s injury on Feb. 6, “I’ve been preparing for it for a long time now,” Subban said. “You’ve just 2016. “We were in Grenada at the time. … I think all three of my boys got to keep working hard, you put the work in to get the opportunity. It’s were playing. I knew Malcolm was starting and tuned in to his game and he wasn’t in net. We didn’t hear anything from the announcers. I called the agents and they called the Bruins, the , Providence, and then we got the news.”

Karl and Maria Subban caught an early flight to be by Malcolm’s bedside.

Malcolm changed his equipment after that injury.

“My neck guard was not as big and thick as it is now,” he told the Tribune in early March.

Subban made one more start for the Bruins on Oct. 25, 2016, another three-goal night, this time on 16 shots.

The Bruins placed him on waivers in October 2017, hoping to reassign him to Providence, but the expansion Golden Knights claimed Subban to back up Marc-Andre Fleury.

Subban played in 63 games over nearly three seasons for the Knights, posting a .901 save percentage and 2.92 goals-against average, but “Fleury got the run of it for a couple of years,” Bowman said.

The inauspicious start to his career — the neck injury, getting sent up and down and being traded — has tested Subban’s resolve.

“It’s got to be something inside you that you’re never going to give up, never going to quit,” he said.

Added P.K.: “It all just builds character. When I look at the start of my career, you need some luck too. I remember when I got my first real chance in the NHL, half of the Canadiens defense was sick or injured and I could just go in and do my thing.

“Kids nowadays, you have to prove that you’re reliable first. Not just about goaltenders but hockey players in general. Unless you’re one of those top draft picks, very rarely do you come in and immediately get power play, penalty kill, top minutes.

“Everybody’s way of coming into the league is different. The best thing about Malcolm, I think it’s known in the league that he deserved and earned the opportunity to play and be a regular goaltender in the NHL.”

Malcolm said he has felt the support of his family throughout it all and talks with his brothers after big career moments, such as deciding to return to the Hawks.

“(P.K. has) always been preaching to me the same stuff: Just keep working hard, be a professional and block out the outside noise,” Malcolm said. “Just go out there and play your game and do what you do.”

Karl applies the same philosophy to his three sons and two daughters whenever they face a challenging moment in their lives or careers.

“The quote I use is, ‘You pave the way, clear the way, and then you get out of the way.’ ”

Now it’s time to sink or swim for the son he remembers would jump at the chance to play goalie when none of the other children wanted to.

“You don’t want to be a backup forever, but there’s a ladder,” Karl said. "He’s been climbing that ladder. He’s not at the top rung yet.

“What I mean by the top rung is if he becomes the No. 1 goalie — not everyone does. Is he good enough? In my mind — I’m his dad — of course.

“Do people believe in you? The important thing for Malcolm is that he continues to believe in himself.”

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195895 Columbus Blue Jackets The NHLPA's return-to-play committee includes a handful of players, but no talks have yet been held with the league. Instead, NHLPA president Donald Fehr has spoken with Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill When will NHL return? League, players assessing options for 2020-21 Daly about potential options for 2020-21. amid COVID-19 concerns According to the Ottawa Citizen, the league is scheduled to hold a teleconference with its board of governors Thursday to outline the options Bettman mentioned Tuesday – including a projected start date, Brian Hedger length of season and format for hosting games.

The Columbus Dispatch Hub cities

Bettman said the postseason format of strict quarantine “bubbles” is not a viable option for a full regular season, since players felt it was too Captain Nick Foligno and the rest of the Blue Jackets are in limbo as the constraining. He said there is discussion at the league level of potentially NHL and the players try to determine how and when to play the 2020-21 playing games inside arenas devoid of fans, with limited travel, or using season. several hub cities on a short-term basis to hold numerous games in one The silence was telling. location.

Despite holding private discussions since the Stanley Cup was awarded The biggest issue in deciding the location of games is negotiating to the Tampa Bay Lightning in late September, the NHL hadn’t revealed quarantine requirements between states that have enacted various much publicly about its plans for 2020-21 until Tuesday – when COVID-19 protocols and the current closure of the U.S./Canadian border commissioner Gary Bettman joined NBA commissioner Adam Silver and to all but "essential" workers. Bettman said realigned divisions, based on MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on a virtual panel to discuss how geography, might be necessary and a recent report in The Athletic said professional sports leagues are adapting to the ongoing COVID-19 an all-Canadian division is a possibility because of the border closure. pandemic. That same report cited Columbus as a possible U.S. hub, but there's no Bettman, who was part of the 2020 Paley International Council Summit, indiction the league is anywhere close to determining hub cities yet. gave a glimpse into what NHL fans can expect to come from negotiations Bettman's two-weeks-on, one-week-off format is the one the league with the NHL Players Association on a new return-to-play plan – appears to prefer. including temporary realignment of divisions, short-term hub cities and a “In talking to people in the league, I think everybody knows there’s going possible reduction in regular-season games. to be some sacrifice that’s going to be made again,” Foligno said. “It’s "You'll play for 10 to 12 days," Bettman said of using hub cities, just a matter of how much we are willing to live with to make it work.” according to NHL.com. "You'll play a bunch of games without traveling. Start date You'll go back, go home for a week, be with your family. We'll have our testing protocols and all the other things you need." The league would like to begin Jan. 1, but that will likely be determined by how long negotiations take on the new format. Teams that were part The NHL used two hub cities to complete its 2019-20 postseason, but of the NHL’s 24-team postseason will likely get about two or three weeks those were strict quarantine "bubbles" set up in Toronto and Edmonton for training camp, while the seven teams that missed the postseason with the specific purpose of creating an environment isolated from might be granted up to 10 more days. COVID-19 completely. It worked, with zero reported cases during the time when 24 teams competed inside the bubbles, but many players Play or not play? were unhappy with the stringent guidelines, limited geographic areas they could access and scant dining options in each hub. Don’t underestimate the impact of not having fans at games because of the pandemic. That lost revenue might even be a dealbreaker for some The format Bettman talked about Tuesday would be less stringent. owners.

"It's not going to be quite as effective as a bubble, but we think we can, if A season of some sort will likely be played, as Bettman and Daly haven't we go this route, minimize the risks to the extent practical and sensible," even mentioned the potential of not playing, but that doesn't mean it's he said. "And, so, that's one of the things that we're talking about." entirely out of the realm of possibilities.

Negotiations with the NHLPA's next return-to-play committee could begin “I think the league is gathering as much information from teams and soon, but uncertainty remains for now. All that’s known currently is that owners as possible, because I’m sure there are some owners that are Jan. 1 is a tentative goal for starting the season, which has already been like, ‘Hey, listen, unless you guarantee me this, this and this, I’m not pushed back a month from Dec. 1 and might be delayed again. opening my doors,’ ” Foligno said. “That’s what I worry about.”

“There hasn’t been a lot of conversations, because I don’t think they It’s a legitimate concern, but optimism currently outweighs the fear of not know anything,” said Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno, who is staying playing at all. informed through defenseman David Savard, the team’s rep with the NHL Players' Association. “Right now, not having any fans in the arenas, it’s a big loss for (owners) and we’re all 50/50 on the (hockey-related revenue), so players will lose “I think everyone’s waiting for this election to be over and waiting to see some money, too,” Savard said. “It’s tough for both sides, but at the what’s going to happen with the cold/flu season. So, to make any same time I think we all think we need to play and figure out a way to predictions is probably scary for the league, because they don’t want to keep the sport going, keep the fans involved. I think that’s going to be the have to backtrack. For us as players, it’s frustrating because we want to best thing in the long run.” know there’s a season to work toward.”

Foligno made that comment prior to the U.S. election Nov. 3, which was won by former vice president Joe Biden and is now being contested by Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 11.13.2020 president Donald Trump. Regardless, Foligno and other players aren't alone in their desire for more information. Teams and their fans also want to know what the league is thinking.

“I think right now, there’s too many things out of their control, with all the different (state regulations) about travel,” Savard said. “Stuff like that makes it complicated, but they are working on trying to figure out the best scenarios for both sides. The players want to play and I think the owners don’t want to lose a season either.”

Here is a rundown on where things stand:

Negotiations 1195896 Columbus Blue Jackets Quietly, Bjorkstrand has one of the most lethal wrist shots in the NHL. Quietly, he’s one of the hardest-working, most fearless forwards in the NHL, sticking his beak in heavy traffic and paying a physical cost to get New players, new roles: What we can expect from Blue Jackets forwards to pucks despite his undersized frame. There’s significant excitement in 2020-21 about what Bjorkstrand could do if the No. 1 line clicks, the long-dormant power play awakens and he stays healthy. He certainly should have his first 30-goal season. But is 40 out of the question?

By Aaron Portzline Second line

Nov 12, 2020 LW Nick Foligno: Tortorella spoke earlier this offseason about finding more “offensive opportunities” for Foligno in 2020-21 after three seasons

of intense defensive responsibilities and moderate offensive output. Well, COLUMBUS, Ohio — No, Pierre-Luc Dubois hasn’t yet signed a new Gustav Nyquist’s prolonged absence following shoulder surgery could contract yet, but there is an ever-increasing number of Blue Jackets provide Foligno a spot in the top six if Columbus doesn’t acquire scoring players gathering four or five times a week in the Nationwide Arena help via free agency or trade. Foligno had 10 goals last season, his practice rink to get prepared for the 2020-21 season. lowest output in a (nearly) full season since his second year in the league (2009-10). His shooting percentage (7.6 percent) was the lowest of his The NHL is still holding hope that training camps will open in mid- career, well below his career average of 11.7 percent. That suggests that December, with the regular-season puck drop set for Jan. 1 or soon an offensive awakening is possible — or even likely. Foligno has 31- and thereafter. How many games might they squeeze in before the playoffs? 26-goal seasons on his resume, so it’s not crazy to suggest he could Will there be a Canada-only division because border travel is impossible? score 20-plus goals in the right opportunity. He may need to do that this Hey, one thing at a time. season to stick in the top six and on the power play.

Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekäläinen hasn’t ruled out more offseason C Max Domi: So far, Domi is the Blue Jackets’ big offseason acquisition, moves, like free-agent signings or trades with salary-cap strapped clubs. acquired in a trade for Josh Anderson last month to be Columbus’ Kekäläinen has about $10.5 million to spend under the cap, but he second-line center. But not so fast. While referring to him as the team’s doesn’t have to spend it by opening night. “No. 2 center” is by no means a slight, it could be seen as such by the ultra-competitive Domi. After all, Domi had 28 goals and 44 assists two One thought: In this revenue-starved, COVID-19 climate, NHL clubs that seasons ago with the Canadiens, numbers that Dubois hasn’t matched in are hopelessly out of the playoff picture early in the season will likely any of his first three seasons. Certainly, Dubois has top-line center move more quickly to unload big-ticket players than they would in a pedigree, but look for Domi to challenge him for ice time on a nightly typical season. basis and go toe-to-toe with him offensively all season. Tortorella has But what follows are reasonable expectations for the Blue Jackets also mentioned how adept Domi is on the power play, which has been a players who, as of today, would be in the opening-night lineup: where sore spot in Columbus since … when was the “Macarena” a thing? This they likely fit, what their role might be, if they’re trending upward or is the kind of healthy competition that makes good players better and downward, etc. makes good teams great.

Today we’ll forecast the forwards. On Friday, we’ll explore the RW Cam Atkinson: Nobody had a harder time adjusting to life after defensemen and goaltenders. Enjoy! Panarin than Atkinson. His days of “getting lost” in the offensive zone — finding gaps where Panarin could feed him for scoring chances — First line disappeared because he went from being a secondary concern on his line to the primary concern. Atkinson had successful seasons before LW Alexandre Texier: It’s an interesting situation. The Blue Jackets talk Panarin arrived, so it’s not a question of if he can do it. It’s a question of about Texier as if he’s a bona fide top-line player, and he appears to how long it’ll take to revert to his old form. More than anything, Atkinson have that potential. But this is a big ask for a player who has played 38 needs to stay healthy and hope that he and Domi can generate chemistry NHL games — just short of half a season — and has totaled 7-7-14 in and provide a second scoring line. Domi won’t make anybody forget those games. That’s not exactly first-line production, meaning Texier will about Panarin, but he’s enough of a threat to draw some attention away need to grow into the role. So why is he being green-lighted for such a from Atkinson, certainly more than the centers he skated with last big role already? Because he may be the only Columbus player with a season. But Atkinson needs to play more as he did early in his career, skill set that allows Pierre-Luc Dubois to simplify his offensive approach, and the results should follow. much like Artemi Panarin did in Dubois’ first two NHL seasons. Texier sees the ice exceptionally well, and he projects to be a playmaking Third line winger, a sort of next-generation Ales Hemsky. It’s hard not to get excited about Texier’s future, but it’s only fair to wonder if he’s ready for such a LW Boone Jenner: For three seasons, Jenner has played at center ice leading role. Texier should be a fixture on the power play, too. with nary a complaint. It wasn’t a huge adjustment, because Jenner had played there in junior. But it wasn’t ideal, either. A career-ending injury to C Pierre-Luc Dubois: Dubois is a restricted free agent coming out of his Brandon Dubinsky and the prolonged struggles of Alexander Wennberg entry-level deal. So, the first expectation (hope?) is that he will sign a prompted the move out of desperation. Now, though, with the acquisition new contract without missing any of the abbreviated training camp or the of Domi, the Blue Jackets’ fiercest competitor can shift back to his natural early part of the season. We’ve asked if Dubois should be considered a position — and by that, we mean as his line’s first forechecker, not just No. 1 center, but his play this past season — especially in the left wing. Jenner is a lumberjack along the wall, at his best when he can postseason — seemed to elevate him into the lower reaches of that strap his ears back and skate his way into a car crash in the corners category. The Blue Jackets will expect him to keep climbing that list. To without the responsibility of being the first guy back defensively. Jenner, do that, Dubois will need to continue to improve his production, and he’ll as you may have noticed, is not the most skilled player. Those “crashes” need to avoid the long stretches where his offense tends to dry up. The in the corner lead to turnovers, and it’s in that muck that Jenner first challenge of last season was learning to play on a line without generates many of his scoring chances. He can be an 18- to 22-goal Panarin. There were some rough patches, but his points per game scorer once again. dipped only slightly, from 0.78 per game to 0.70. Here’s an argument in his favor: Dubois scored one power-play goal on 37 shot attempts, an C Mikko Koivu: It will be startling to see him in a Blue Jackets sweater almost unfathomable 2.7 percent. That can’t continue, right? For two just because Koivu has spent most of the last two decades with years now, he’s been the unquestioned No. 1 center on the roster. Now, Minnesota. The Blue Jackets envision him as their third-line center, a with Max Domi in town, he’ll be challenged for ice time and challenged defensively sound veteran who can take big draws in the defensive zone for a spot on the first power-play unit. That could be a good thing. with the game on the line. But it may be wise for Columbus fans to view this possibility with some skepticism. Koivu will be 38 in March, making RW Oliver Bjorkstrand: It has taken a few years for Bjorkstrand to cement him one of the oldest players in the NHL. With the Wild — a barely his spot in the top six, but he’s there now. It may be a bit surprising to competitive club, now confronting a rebuild — Koivu slid down the lineup, see him here on the depth chart instead of Cam Atkinson, but coach from the third to the fourth line at season’s end. Kekäläinen has warned John Tortorella started moving away from playing Atkinson on Dubois’ repeatedly against counting Koivu out, but Father Time and Mother line last season. Bjorkstrand had 21 goals in 49 games during the 2019- Nature are undefeated. If he’s up to speed, the third line could be 20 regular season, which is a 35-goal pace across an 82-game season. daunting. If he’s not, Riley Nash, Mikhail Grigorenko or Liam Foudy could Robinson or Bemstrom on the fourth. The bet is he’ll play more games ascend to this spot. than he’ll miss, but it’s unclear where he fits right away.

RW Mikhail Grigorenko: OK, I’ll admit it, I struggled with whom to put in C Kevin Stenlund: Stenlund was one of the many revelations last season this spot. Nyquist’s injury creates a hole on the second line, obviously, when an unmerciful wave of injuries forced a slew of call-ups from AHL and if Foligno moves up to fill it, another hole is created here. Foligno’s Cleveland. He has the peculiar ability to slow the game down when the skill set would make this a deeply interesting line. Grigorenko, however, puck is on his stick, especially on the power play, and reports of his is a bit of a jack of all trades and a master of none. He can play all three subpar skating may be a bit unfair. Still, it’s hard to see where he gets forward positions, sure, but there are NHL scouts who wonder how his regular duty in 2020-21 if the Jackets remain healthy. If they believed he (at times) dispassionate play will sit with Tortorella. To be fair, Grigorenko was ready to play full time in the NHL, they wouldn’t have added Domi had three strong seasons with CSKA Moscow in the KHL and won an and (especially) Koivu. Olympic gold medal with Russia in 2018. Now 26, he may be a more complete player than he was in his previous NHL stint, and he may also RW Nathan Gerbe: It’s the brutal reality of the situation. Hardcore Blue cherish the opportunity to stay. This line could use his skill, absolutely, Jackets fans will never forget the impact Gerbe had on last season’s but it’s unclear how Tortorella envisions this line playing. If he wants a club, how his impassioned play and hypercompetitive nature helped rough-and-tumble, heavy-checking line, maybe Eric Robinson fits. If he elevate the play at a point when injuries could have ruined the season. wants an infusion of offense, maybe it’s Grigorenko or Foudy. No matter Here’s hoping the “Gerbe! Gerbe! Gerbe!” chants echo in his ears for where he skates, Grigorenko may be asked to be a chameleon of sorts, years to come. But it’s hard to see where Gerbe gets regular ice in forced to adapt to fit with the identity of the line. This will be interesting to Columbus without another wave of injuries. He may be fighting off the watch. likes of Stefan Matteau, Kole Sherwood, Trey Fix-Wolansky, Ryan MacInnis and Calvin Thurkauf. Fourth line Injured LW Eric Robinson: The Blue Jackets think Robinson is well on his way to being a bottom-six difference-maker, a player with size and speed who LW Gustav Nyquist: Nyquist had surgery last week to fix a torn shoulder can get an opponent’s attention. It’s not out of the question that Robinson labrum, and he’s expected to miss 5-6 months of the season. Nobody elevates to the third line, but the fourth seems a more natural fit, at least knows when the 2020-21 season will start or how long it will last, so it’s early in the season. Robinson’s speed creates scoring chances that his impossible to build a timeline for Nyquist’s absence. But the Blue Jackets hands aren’t always able to finish, but he has come a long way with this will miss him in all areas, maybe more than most realize. He’s a steady in a short time. A good comparable, if Robinson continues to bloom, is scorer and a competitive player, one of the few Columbus forwards with Jason Chimera, who had a tremendous career as a plus third-line player. multiple 20-goal seasons on his resume. In fact, if he misses six months Robinson doesn’t quite have Chimera’s hair-trigger temper, but he does from early November, that targets an April return. It’s not out of the tend to stay onside more. (Sorry, Chimmer.) This will be Robinson’s third question to think that the season will still be going strong at that point, but season in the NHL, so you’d like to see him begin to dictate the pace of it might not be until 2021-22 that we see Nyquist back at full strength. play more often, not just hang in there and be a complementary player on C Brandon Dubinsky: Dubinsky was last seen in a Blue Jackets sweater his line. He had 10 goals between Columbus (50 games, seven goals) during the 2019 preseason, then he abruptly stepped away from the and Cleveland (14 games, three goals) in 2019-20, so it’s not out of the team with a long-term wrist injury and hasn’t been seen since. This question to expect 10 to 12 goals in a complete season. summer, Kekäläinen said Dubinsky’s career was almost certainly finished C Riley Nash: There’s really no mystery here, right? Given how he was because of the chronic injury. There’s only one season remaining now on billed when the Blue Jackets signed him as a free agent in 2018, Nash Dubinsky’s $5.85 million deal, and there’s no reason to expect a miracle has underwhelmed at times, settling into a fourth-line role with only cure. It’s a shame that Blue Jackets fans might not get to give Dubinsky, limited opportunities higher in the lineup. But there aren’t many players, a Nationwide Arena favorite, a proper farewell. especially forwards, who have proven more reliable or consistent than Nash over the last two seasons. There was an opportunity to play higher in the lineup in previous seasons — last year especially, with all of the The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 injuries — but the additions of Domi, Koivu, and Grigorenko almost certainly lock Nash into a fourth-line job. And no matter how you slice it, he’ll likely be the veteran player on the line, with young players bookending him on both wings. How the line plays will be largely up to those wingers because Nash is simply Nash. Look for Koivu to cut into Nash’s defensive-zone faceoffs, but he’ll see a significant role and be a penalty-kill regular.

RW Emil Bemstrom: Taken at face value, Bemstrom had a wholly decent rookie season. He put up 10-10-20 in 56 games, aligning his production with previous Blue Jackets rookies like Ryan Johansen (9-12-21 in 67 games) in 2011-12 and William Karlsson (9-11-20 in 81 games) in 2015- 16. And yet there was a sense of disappointment surrounding Bemstrom’s freshman campaign, perhaps because he was so ballyhooed by management after a strong previous season in Sweden. Another interesting thing about Bemstrom? His blessed ability to one-time the puck with great force and precision never seemed to make the trip with him from Europe to North America, which has kept him from contributing more in offensive situations, especially on the power play. (He missed a yawning net in the playoffs that could have changed the tone of Columbus’ playoff series versus Tampa Bay.) The Blue Jackets think this is a confidence issue, and they think it’ll be fixed with more experience and small tastes of success. The good news is that Bemstrom had a decent rookie season almost without using the top tool in his kit.

Extras

LW/C Liam Foudy: It will surprise nobody if Foudy has a great training camp, plays his way into a regular lineup spot — think third, maybe second line — and never looks back. Tortorella loves his speed and had no trouble sending Foudy over the boards, even in the playoffs. The kid has an incredibly bright future. (Does anybody else see a young Michael Peca?) Foudy could easily bump Grigorenko from his spot (as listed above) on the third line. He could even spell Foligno on the second or 1195897 Dallas Stars Toates: "The first thing is I really pride myself on having very organic audio driving it. It’s set up by actual news reports and the audio that tells the story is Josh and Razor’s radio broadcast and interviews with players What you need to know about ‘We’re Not Going Home,’ the new Stars and stuff like that. There’s no voiceover, nothing that spoonfeeds the documentary about their Stanley Cup Final run viewer the story.

“I think you can tell in certain parts of the edit the relationship I have with the team. It’s very familiar. I feel like the edit conveys that in terms of By Matthew DeFranks players' comfort level when I’m shooting and I think it feels like a very insider view of that playoff run.” Nov 12, 2020 CST — Updated at 7:31 AM on Nov 12, 2020 CST

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 11.13.2020 On Thursday night, the Stars will release “We’re Not Going Home,” a documentary shot and produced by Stars senior producer Jeff Toates about the team’s run to the Stanley Cup Final in the Edmonton bubble.

Toates and the Stars spent nine weeks in Edmonton during the run, which included a Western Conference championship for the first time since 2000 and a Game 6 loss in the Final to Tampa Bay. The documentary includes footage from team meetings, postgame dressing rooms and bubble life.

The Dallas Morning News spoke to Toates about making the film, and what fans should expect.

How do fans watch the documentary?

“We’re Not Going Home” will premiere Thursday night on Fox Sports Southwest at 6 p.m. After the initial airing, it will be posted on the Stars' website, their YouTube page and their Instagram page at 7 p.m.

Fox Sports Southwest will follow “We’re Not Going Home” by airing Games 2 and 4 of the Stars' first-round series against Calgary. The games begin the re-airing of the biggest games of the Stars postseason run weekly on Thursday at 6 p.m. on FSSW.

How long is it?

57 minutes. There will only be one commercial break during the documentary.

“It could have been four hours,” Toates said. “It could have been a half- hour cut down. An hour is what we landed on telling this whole story.”

What was it like putting nine weeks into an hour-long special?

Toates: "It was such a challenge to tell this whole story. If you followed the run, and you’re looking back at it, you could have done an hour on Colorado Game 7, you could have done an hour on the Vegas series. So getting those nine weeks down to 57 minutes was a huge challenge.

“The first thing I did was I edited the Tampa Game 6 and that postgame, then I edited Vegas Game 5, then I edited Colorado Game 7 just to get the amount of time necessary for the most important parts. Then I worked backwards and filled in the Tampa series, the Vegas series, the Colorado series and then saw ‘How much time do I have left to set up the story and do the Calgary series?’”

What were the hardest pieces to cut?

Toates: “The biggest omission to me watching it back is not telling the injury storyline at all. That’s kind of left out, and it’s a big part of this team and their playoff run. For the sake of time and moving the story, there’s really not much of the edit paid to the injuries and all that. I think with more time, that would have been the type of route to take the story and focus on. Because it was such a big part of what this team did and the pain they played through.”

What balance did you want between the games and bubble life?

Toates: "Trying to strike the balance that was there as we were living it. Games were the big part of it all. Since we’re on such a limited timeline, I’m not going to devote too much time to just how mundane non-game days were. But you get a sense of it when we’re setting up how the bubble looks and that round robin.

“The whole thing was taking place in such a confined repetitive space that I couldn’t spend too much time in this edit on that. It would’ve felt as boring as it was to live it, if that makes sense.”

How is this different from “Quest for the Stanley Cup," the documentary series that aired on ESPN+? 1195898 Dallas Stars The longer the Stars kept winning, the longer they were away from their families. Bowness’ tone with the team changed accordingly. At one point, he gave a speech about the sacrifices the team and their families were Jamie Benn’s locker room shot and more takeaways from Stars making and how much he appreciated it. He asked players directly how documentary their kids were doing and acknowledged the separation.

We also saw some of Bowness’ coaching strategy. He challenged players by bringing up media clippings or talking about how the other By Saad Yousuf team wanted to play against the Stars. He asked players to share stuff on any opposing players they had insight on from past experiences. He Nov 12, 2020 used outside material as well, at one point showing quotes from Wayne Gretzky and before Game 7 against the , showing the “I’m not going home” speech from “The Wolf of Wall Street.” As the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning stood in handshake lines after Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, Dallas falling two wins short of the The Bowness that was shown in the documentary is different from what ultimate prize, Jeff Toates sprinted to the empty locker room and tossed is shown in news conferences but lines up with what players have always his GoPro on top of the whiteboard and let it roll. said about him.

More than a week after Toates, Stars senior producer who orchestrated Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry’s leadership the entire operation of the Stars’ playoff run documentary, was home The Stars have their leaders, Benn, Tyler Seguin, John Klingberg and from the Edmonton bubble, he finally found the strength to watch the others, but added veteran Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry before the footage. season, and the documentary just reinforced their value. Perry is one of “It’s weird but I was very hesitant to even import and watch that footage the ultimate hockey winners, winning pretty much every major thing there when I had it,” Toates said. “I knew it would be something very tragic, is to win. Pavelski is as respected a player as there is in the NHL right raw and heartbreaking, which it completely was.” now.

In the middle of the locker room is a stack of game jerseys of all of the Both had big performances in big games during the playoff run, but as players. Mattias Janmark is one of two players remaining in the locker the documentary showed, they were not afraid to speak up and be verbal room. He tossed his jersey into the pile and walked straight to Jamie leaders as well. Benn, who was sitting quietly in contemplation in front of his locker, still in Ben Bishop very much involved full uniform. Janmark consoled Benn and walked out of the locker room, leaving Benn alone with his thoughts. With Anton Khudobin-mania taking over, many people may have forgotten about Ben Bishop, aside from a Game 5 disaster against the “That shot is such a fitting way to end it,” Toates said. “It’s such a good Avs and speculation of when/whether he would return and how the team summation of what the journey means to all of those guys and especially would balance that with Khudobin. There was very little involvement of Jamie.” Bishop on the ice. Toates put the documentary together and sent it to the Stars’ PR guru, However, the Vezina-caliber goaltender was very involved with the team. Tom Holy. Toates said he felt that shot of Benn was the most on-the- The documentary showed him scouting opposing players, celebrating edge one of the documentary and could be taken out during the approval after the game with Khudobin and the rest of the team and hanging out process. Toates didn’t draw any attention to that specific shot but Holy with guys in the hotel room. immediately keyed in on it and said as great as the shot is, it’s got to be Jamie’s call. Sports beyond hockey

“I was kind of holding my breath, waiting to hear back on that,” Toates Hockey may be the only sport that was shown out of the bubble to the said. “Beyond scrambling to replace it, that makes the whole thing, in my global audience, but the players in the bubble were very diverse in their opinion. It’s impactful. It’s a lasting image of what the run meant to these choice of sports. We consistently saw doubles and singles on the guys.” pingpong table, recreationally in free time and even right before meetings were about to start (Radulov and Radek Faksa). Janmark and Klingberg Benn’s lengthy stay in the locker room is why he was late coming to his played one-on-one basketball. postgame news conference. After players and head coach Rick Bowness had spoken, the media left the Zoom chat and was called back in. Benn The entire team played plenty of golf. Benn was seen displaying his was emotional throughout his 93-second news conference, taking three baseball skills at the stadium during one of the off days (he also selected questions, unable to answer one and choking up while answering the to play MLB The Show 20). Other players at the stadium played football other two. As we now know through the documentary, that rush of and soccer. Players also played against each other in FIFA, were seen emotion began long before he stepped to the podium. watching the Mavericks and Clippers playoff series and Patriots vs. Seahawks on “Sunday Night Football” in the hotel room with Bishop, who Rick Bowness shines is a big football fan. I understand there are still Bowness detractors among the Stars fan base Klingberg is camera-friendly and I’m not invalidating the concerns that come attached to it. However, beyond the wins and deep playoff run, this documentary made it really I don’t know if Klingberg has a future in Hollywood but he seemed to easy to understand why the Stars players love playing for Bowness and deliver quite often when he got screen time. From funny facial why the franchise had the confidence to make him the full-time head expressions to trash talk on the ice, he was one of the more entertaining coach. parts of the documentary.

There are a lot of things you want to see out of your head coach, but leadership is at the very top of that list. Bowness’ leadership evolvement over the duration of the documentary was interesting to see. His style The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 was catered to circumstances.

After the Stars lost Game 1 of their first-round series against Calgary 3-2, Bowness was rather direct and didn’t sugarcoat anything.

“All right, close isn’t good enough,” Bowness said in the locker room after the game. “Don’t tell me you can’t hit the fucking net on that last one. Just get it down there so we have a fucking chance. Getting pucks on the net instead of fucking icing the thing. … We’re a better team than they are.”

The next day, he showed film of where the Stars needed to improve in their attitude, and the players responded with a Game 2 victory. 1195899 Dallas Stars Throughout his time in the bubble, Toates took a “shoot and ask questions later” approach, which works well in accumulating footage but made for a labor-intensive editing process. He admits he didn’t have ‘We’re Not Going Home’: How one man put together the Stars’ playoff much of a plan when approaching the editing process; he had key documentary moments that needed to be included, but aside from that, it was a labor of diving through hundreds of hours of footage and piecing together a story.

By Sean Shapiro “It’s a very inefficient method,” Toates said. “But my process is shoot everything, always be recording and figure it out later. It makes for a lot Nov 12, 2020 of work on the back end. Whereas someone else might be jotting down notes day by day and doing daily edits, mine was much more always be around and always rolling … We’ll piece the story together on the back This shouldn’t have been a one-man undertaking. end.”

Documenting the Dallas Stars’ dramatic, improbable run to the Stanley The Stars’ run in the bubble ended on Sept. 28 with a Game 6 loss to the Cup Final was a feat worthy of a large crew — at least a handful of Lightning. Two days later, Toates began the editing process, which took cameramen and another group working on the back end. all of October and stretched into November.

And the finished product — “We’re Not Going Home: The 2020 Dallas Aside from some graphics help — particularly with the title sequence — Stars Playoff Run” — which will air on Thursday at 6 p.m. on Fox Sports everything is directed and edited by Toates, as the project lived on his Southwest and will be later posted to the Stars’ YouTube channel, looks computer without any outside review. When sending out an advanced like it was a massive undertaking with the prerequisite staffing. The copy, as he did to The Athletic, Toates was curious for feedback on the Athletic was able to view an advanced copy of the documentary, which project. provides a behind-the-scenes look at the team’s game preparation and goes inside the locker room before and after the biggest moments of their One thing that stands out about the documentary and its style, similar to improbable run to the Stanley Cup Final. the Stars Open Ice videos that Toates has produced in the past, is there aren’t any talking heads or narration. Instead, the story is told by live From Stars goalie coach Jeff Reese breaking down opposing netminders events as they happen. Audio is organic or from Stars press conferences on film to Stars coach Rick Bowness’ speeches between periods and in that Toates pulled off Zoom recordings. the lead-up to games to what the Stars’ veteran group said at the crucial moments, Stars senior producer Jeff Toates captured everything and “I think a lot of people would have done a narration or voice like that to whittled it down to create the resulting 57-minute documentary. tell this story, which is something I wanted to avoid,” Toates said. “I like driving the story with organic audio, and the overall feeling of this hour is The journey began when each NHL team was required to bring one kind of that you are just along for a ride with the team throughout all of content creator into the Edmonton bubble. Toates was Dallas’, and he this.” brought six cameras — a Sony FS5 for video, a Sony a7S IV, a Sony a7S II, two GoPros, and an additional Sony camcorder — with him, It works well for the intended audience. While non-Stars fans or those hoping to document history. While the documentary also includes footage who didn’t closely follow the run may miss out on some key moments, from NHL broadcasts, Toates estimates that 90 percent of the footage the setup sans narration provides an extra level to a playoff run —one seen in the documentary — culled from “hundreds of hours” of shooting that, while eventually unsuccessful, captured a fan base when the world — was captured on those six cameras over the course of the Stars’ needed a distraction during a pandemic. extended stay in Edmonton. And for one man with multiple cameras, someone who joked that he was “My thought going in and what I relayed to people at the Stars was we the last member of the Stars traveling party, it’s an impressive finished had to go past the first round for it to be a full piece,” Toates said. “If we product. had just gone there and had a tough round-robin and been bounced, it wouldn’t have been enough more than maybe a short YouTube piece.” The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 It wasn’t a short YouTube piece. The Stars did have a tough round robin, going 1-2-0, but pieced together a run that featured a dramatic comeback against the Calgary Flames plus upsets against the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights before injuries and a high-powered Tampa Bay Lightning team finally ended Dallas’ Cup pursuit in the Stanley Cup Final. Dallas became the scrappy team that could, and Toates was the fly on the wall with unfettered access to everything. Bowness, who had the interim tag removed from his head coach title because of this run, is one of the stars of the documentary, as his game prep and handling of human beings is a key focus throughout the program.

“I think that’s one of the biggest takeaways people will have from this hour: that Bones is the man,” Toates said. “And I think it gives you a really good sense of how he handled the team through all this.”

Bowness’ trust in Toates, and therefore the team’s trust in Toates, is the reason we have this finished product. He was allowed to exist as a team member, not just a videographer who was there to capture some of the most important moments.

“If I was an outsider, someone who wasn’t part of the bubble group of 51, I wouldn’t have been able to get the footage I got,” Toates said. “There’s a trust that I think you can only build by being part of that group, which allowed me to have moments that, otherwise, I don’t think anyone would have been able to capture.”

We’ve been asked to not spoil the documentary, and we’ll respect that. But there are moments captured and unveiled from the immediate aftermath of the Stanley Cup Final that had never been shown before. They capture just how much this run meant and how much it hurt certain players to come so close to — and ultimately finish so far from — their dream. 1195900 Detroit Red Wings

Add Lucas Raymond to list of Detroit Red Wings dominating in Europe

Helene St. James

Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Red Wings should be fun to watch next fall, at least from the standpoint of enjoying what appears to be a strong youth movement.

While the NHL is trying to figure out how to play as the pandemic rages across North America, select Wings prospects are enjoying success in Europe. Forward Lucas Raymond, the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft, is on a four-game point streak with his club, Frölunda.

Raymond found Joel Lundqvist in the slot for the first goal in Thursday’s 4-3 victory over Färjestad and earned a second assist on the second goal. That gave the 18-year-old five goals and five assists in in 15 games, equaling the points he tallied in 33 games last season with Frölunda.

Elsewhere in the SHL, defenseman (drafted No. 6 overall in 2019) had a five-game point streak come to an end, but the 19-year- old had 20:13 of ice time and registered a shot on goal as Rögle beat Brynäs, 4-1.

Forward Jonathan Berggren (No. 33 overall in 2018) assisted on the first goal in Skellefteå’s 4-2 victory over Växjö. Berggren, 20, has three goals and 15 assists in 15 games. Joe Veleno (No. 30 overall, 2018) has one goal and two assists in nine games for last-place Malmö.

Forward Filip Zadina (No. 6 overall, 2018), who is playing for HC Ocelari Trinec in the , has crammed four goals and one assist into his first three games.

Zadina and defenseman Filip Hronek, who is also playing in the Czech Extraliga, are expected to return to Detroit when the NHL indicates training camps can begin; the current target date for the 2021 season is Jan. 1, though that grows more unlikely by the day. Meanwhile, the players in the SHL are there for the season. There’s a scant chance one or more could return after the SHL is done, but as it looks now, both Seider’s and Raymond’s teams are headed for the playoffs; Frölunda and Rögle are first and second, respectively, in the standings.

Seider almost certainly would have made the Wings this season had COVID-19 not delayed the NHL, and Raymond probably would have at least been part of training camp. They’re in better spots in Sweden, and their good seasons bode well for being able to help the Wings in 2021- 22.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195901 Detroit Red Wings We will have had an extraordinary amount of time off, so we’ll focus on the guys who can make the Red Wings and make us better, and that will be the focus. We might be playing less exhibition games, and if that is A Q&A with Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, who's itching to get going what happens, it means more of your veteran guys that are expected to again be on the team will play those games more than are normal.

Q. You touched on the new guys. On paper, it does seem the roster is much more competitive and stronger than last year given all the new TED KULFAN | The Detroit News additions (goalie Thomas Greiss, forwards Bobby Ryan and Vladislav Namestikov, defensemen Marc Staal, Jon Merrill, Troy Stecher).

A. (General manager) Steve (Yzerman) and his management staff did a Detroit — Jeff Blashill, like any hockey fan at this point of November, is real good job of helping us to be a better team this coming season, but ready for the sport to begin. also planning for the future. We’re pleased with the guys we signed, and I It’s definitely feeling like hockey weather again, and the Red Wings’ head hope it makes us more competitive as a hockey team and more coach has been excited in recent days with news nuggets flowing that competitive within our group. the NHL could be ready to announce a plan for next season. There’s still continued growth from a number of players and that’ll be a “We are absolutely itching to get back at it,” said Blashill, noting the focus, and that’s not just young people, but everybody. We’ve had an Wings haven’t played or practiced since March 12, when the NHL opportunity over eight months to get better as individuals, some through paused its regular season because of the coronavirus. trying circumstances where maybe you don’t have the same access for the perfect weight setup or ice setup, but I also think this time will show The NHL successfully returned to play in the summer, bringing back the who has that great inner drive that the best athletes have, and I’m hoping top 24 teams. But the Wings — who had the NHL’s worst record — were a number of our guys have taken advantage of this time to make one of seven teams not brought back, so it’s been a long, long time themselves better. without hockey. We need to be a more competitive team, night in and night out. We “We certainly want to get back,” said Blashill, in a lengthy, wide-ranging certainly weren’t that last year and we need to be more more of that this interview with The Detroit News. “The NHL did an excellent job in their year. Return To Play and were in patient in making decisions when they had to the right information and I’m sure they will again this time.” Q. Given all the new additions, is there an area you think you guys have gotten particularly better? Blashill touched on a number of subjects with The News, including the Wings’ productive offseason, adding numerous unrestricted free agents A. Given the the season we had, we needed to be stronger in all areas who appear to have improved the depth and quality of the roster. Blashill and I’m hoping we are. At each position, hopefully, we’re a little deeper talked about the futures of young prospects Filip Zadina, Mortiz Seider and better. But we’ll see, time will tell. Again, you never know for sure and Lucas Raymond — all recent first-round draft picks — as well as the what your group is going to look like until you get them going. Health expectations of this season. always plays a factor.

Here’s an edited (for clarity) version of the conversation: Q. Have you seen first-round pick Lucas Raymond live, or just on video, and what are your thoughts? Question: It seems like there is some momentum to get the regular season up and going here pretty soon. Maybe around Jan. 1. Jeff, I A. I have seen him on video, never live. Obviously Kris Draper (director would think, after all these months, you’re pretty excited about that. of amateur scouting) and staff are charged with that procurement of players, through the draft, and I know they worked extremely hard. Answer: I am excited, just to get back at it. When you’re a team like us, that hasn’t done a thing since March in terms of practice or play. ... We Watching him (Raymond) play, first thing, he’s playing in a men’s league weren’t a part of the summer return to play; there are seven teams that (in Sweden), that’s a real good league, and the hard part about hockey is weren’t part of that. We are absolutely itching to get back at it. prospects play at different levels, and I would say he’s showed at times of being electric offensively, especially when he’s in his own age group. But we’re also cognizant of the fact there’s a lot going on in the world and He has a chance to be an electric player. I know his hockey sense is real none of this is going to be easy. But we certainly want to get back. The high and compete level is real high and those are things that are NHL did an excellent job in their Return To Play and were in patient in foundations of success. We’re excited to add him to the group. making decisions when they had to the right information and I’m sure they will again this time. But like any player, it’s a process. It’s not an instantaneous thing that guys appear up on your roster and make you better right away. They’re Q. We still might be weeks away, but what will you and the staff be young people and they have to grow and the ones that grow the most emphasizing in training camp? You have a bunch of new players, end up being the best players. Knowing he has the work ethic to continue obviously, and it’s been a long time since you have played. to grow is an important factor and hopefully he can be a great Red Wing.

A. It’ll be a similar training camp. You start with making sure your work Q. What have you guys as a staff done to get ready for the coming and competitive levels are where they need to be, so that’s the bottom- season, whenever that’ll be? line foundation in order to be successful. A. We’ve had coaches meetings a month ago when there was the Like any training camp, you have to make sure you’re on the same page potential of starting earlier, preparing for training camp and being fully as quick as possible. Get your systems in place as quick as possible. prepared with the information we have. We’ll continue to grind and make We’ll have a lot of new faces this year, so you want to make sure sure we’re as ready as possible. We know how we want to play, and everyone is comfortable and play without thinking and guys aren’t make sure we’ve planned out multiple different scenarios in terms of thinking about where they are supposed to be standing, and just instinctly what training camp and the regular season will look like. (know) because those habits have been built. That’s what training camp is about, setting the tone and foundation of how you’re going to play. Q. In terms of how you want to play, how do you think you’ll need to play to be successful with this group? We don’t know the length of it (camp), we don’t know the number of days or exhibitions (games), which is fine. We’ll adapt on what opportunities A. It’s just not successful for this year but making sure we are building for we’re given and certainly plan for a different scenarios. a better tomorrow. We have to make sure we have a long-term approach as a coaching staff and never taking a shortcut for short-term success. Q. It does appear there will be fewer exhibition games, so I would think That means guys doing the right things and that our execution is a little we’ll be seeing more veterans playing those games simply to knock bit higher. Things as simple as a tape-to-tape pass are more crisp and some rust off. we’re more efficient in our play. Those things are critical. Hockey is not vastly different from one team to another. We’re going to play a smarter A. You’re kind of serving (different) focuses normally (during camp), brand of hockey. getting your team ready but also looking at some of the young players and seeing where they stand during exhibition games. This year that Q. Is there a young player on the roster you are especially eager to see won’t be the case, necessarily. on the ice after all these months? A. I would just say Filip Zadina is a young player who I thought was making good strides in Detroit last year. He was taking steps in the right direction, but he got derailed by injury. He’s had an opportunity to play in the Czech Republic, and between an injury he suffered and the league shutting down for a period of time, it’s been kind of stop and start, but he’s back playing again and when I watch him, he was doing the right things and doing the things to be successful.

That league is a hard-working league, guys are strong and play hard, so that part of it is similar to the NHL. That’s a positive for him that he is playing over there. I will be excited to see how he looks when he comes back over here and we get going. He’s certainly a young guy who can continue to grow and become the winning type of hockey player we need.

Q. Every fan I interact with asks about Moritz Seider (the 2019 first-round pick playing in Sweden), so I’ll ask you. What does the future hold for Seider this coming season?

A. That’s hard to say. I’ll just say Mortiz is a real good young prospect. He’s been taking challenges on and done a real good job of advancing those challenges on a consistent basis. Right now, he’s playing in a real good league in the Swedish Hockey League and he’s taking on that challenge and doing a real good job.

The important part for Moritz is just the continued growth. He has a chance to be an excellent NHL player. When that is, we’ll see. But he has a chance to be an excellent NHL player and he just needs to keep growing.

There’s a lot of unknowns right now going on with our league, the American Hockey League, with everything. Steve did a real good job, along with Shawn Horcoff (director of player development) and our group did a real good job of getting our young players placed in (European) leagues where they can keep playing and growing. That’s an important part of it.

Q. That really was a key development, wasn’t it? Getting those young players into situations where they’re playing and getting those valuable repetitions?

A. It’s huge. We’ve got a number of young players over there, they’re playing in good leagues and each league has its own unique challenges and it’s important they’re playing. They had a long time to maximize their bodies and now they chance to grow as young players.

Q. So what are you doing with all this available time?

A. We’ve looked at a number of different things. We’re continuing to try to find the best usage of analytics as possible. We’ve had a period here where I’ve had a chance to work with our analytics groups over a significant period of time and really look and pick things apart.

Q. You’ve always been a coach who likes to use the analytics and maximize that with what you see with your own eyes, correct?

A. I’m in search of anything that helps gives us the best information possible, and I’ve been in search of that a number of years. A lot of it is noise. It doesn’t necessarily predict success or tell you what happened and some of it we’re closing in on of hopefully getting stats that are useful.

I’ve just been somebody who has been trying to search and find really good ways to use it, that are clear, definable, measurable, and important and hopefully we’re working hard toward that.

Detroit News LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195902 Detroit Red Wings

UM won't release Owen Power to participate in Hockey Canada camp

Staff Report

The Detroit News

The University of Michigan will not release defenseman Owen Power to participate in Canada's selection camp for the 2021 world junior hockey championship, which begins on Christmas Day in a bubble environment in Edmonton.

Power, one of the top prospects for the 2021 NHL draft and a possible draft choice of the lottery-bound Detroit Red Wings, is expected to be in Michigan's lineup against Arizona State at Yost Arena in Ann Arbor on Saturday at 3 p.m., and Sunday at 7 p.m.

“After ongoing discussions with the University of Michigan, Hockey Canada has been informed that Owen Power will not be released to participate in Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp on Nov. 16," Hockey Canada's senior vice president Scott Salmond said in a statement.

"We understand this year’s World Juniors and selection camp are unique, but we believe the chance to represent Canada is a tremendous opportunity for any young player. Although we are disappointed Owen will not be able to join our team at camp, we understand and respect the decision made by the University of Michigan.”

Power, a 6'5", 215-pound native of Mississauga, Ontario, was named to the Canadian selection camp roster, which is set to run from Nov. 16- Dec. 13 in Red Deer, Alberta.

The 17-year-old was the lone draft-eligible defenseman among the 15 defensemen named to the roster. He had 12 goals and 40 points in 45 games with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League last season.

Michigan coach Mel Pearson told The Michigan Daily on Nov. 2 that he had concerns with Power's development as well as academic issues regarding Hockey Canada's month-long camp instead of the usual two- week camp.

If Power made the final Team Canada roster, he would be unavailable for the Wolverines from Nov. 16 through Jan. 5.

“It’s not the ideal situation,” Pearson said. “I would like to let Owen experience it and go there, but at the same time, I’ve got to look at the overall picture and what’s right for Owen going forward, overall, not just for a two week camp that’s played at Christmas time, but for his overall growth and development and academic interest.”

Detroit News LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195903 Detroit Red Wings “We took a timeout in practice and players could see Sam take the call; it was a nice way to celebrate together as a group and I’m sure it’ll be a phone call he’ll never forget,” Granato said. “When you get an NHL team, Red Wings’ fourth-round pick Sam Stange looks to boost NHL stock at especially one as special as Detroit, say you are part of their organization Wisconsin now, it was the thrill of a lifetime.”

Updated Nov 12, 2020; Posted Nov 12, 2020 Michigan Live LOADED: 11.13.2020

By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

An NHL career seemed to be a longshot for Sam Stange when he was bypassed in the 2019 draft. Odds still are not in his favor after being selected in the fourth round by the Detroit Red Wings this year.

But Stange progressed nicely in the USHL in 2019-20 and can further bolster his stock at the University of Wisconsin over the next few years.

The 6-1, 200-pound right wing will begin his college career Friday when the Badgers visit Notre Dame.

“Last year was a big jump for him, going from high school to the USHL, and he became an elite scorer at that level,” Wisconsin coach Tony Granato, a former Red Wings assistant coach, said. “He’s a bigger- bodied kid that skates really well. Playing against older players in college will be a challenge but for the most part, the big body that he is and the way he skates, he should physically be able to handle that transition. It’s just playing to the pace of the game that college hockey is.”

Granato described Stange as an athlete who excelled in baseball as well.

“He’s built, he’s got a solid frame and he’s a worker,” Granato said. “The time he puts in the gym and off the ice to help himself to have the best chance at success in hockey is obvious. He’s a kid who’s physically ready for the battles you’re going to have to be ready for in college hockey and potentially pro hockey not too far down the road.”

Stange tied for fifth in the USHL with 26 goals. He spent most of the season in Sioux City before being traded to Sioux Falls shortly before the season was canceled due to the pandemic.

The native of Eau Claire, Wis. was Detroit’s seventh pick, selected 97th.

“My strengths are probably my shot and my speed and my skating,” Stange said. “I’m also pretty strong defensively and responsible. That’s something I’m going to work on this year and the coming years, just using my size and strength a little more and be a little more physical.”

After the draft, Stange took part in the five-day, U.S. National Junior Team Evaluation Camp at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth. He joined 42 prospects, including Red Wings' 2019 second-round pick Robert Mastrosimone, hoping to earn a spot on Team USA for the World Junior Championship, Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Edmonton.

“The step he made last year in the USHL shows how quick he adjusted to that level,” Granato said. “When he got on the ice with the American players (at the Evaluation Camp) it was a new experience for him from the standpoint that lots of other players in that same position have had international experience and played on a different stage he’s been able to play on so far. I’m hoping he gained a ton of confidence.”

Stange joins a program that features 11 players drafted by NHL clubs, including Cole Caufield (15th to Montreal in 2019) and (14th overall by Edmonton this year). It is a school that has historically produced a lot of NHL players, including Granato and former Red Wings Chris Chelios, Brian Rafalski and Brendan Smith.

Players selected as low as Stange have an uphill battle to reach the NHL, but recent Red Wings drafted in the fourth round or later who made it include Darren Helm, Gustav Nyquist, Andreas Athanasiou and Nick Jensen.

Stange learned he would have the opportunity during the middle of practice on Oct. 7, the second day of the draft.

“I was just trying to go about my day and not think about it too much and then at the end of practice, coach Granato handed me the phone,” Stange said.

Red Wings director of amateur scouting Kris Draper was on the other end, delivering the news to Stange while the team was on the ice. 1195904 Edmonton Oilers Veteran with every youngster?

There are two young players who are certain to have prominent roles in 2020-21. Bear and Jones have played very little together in the NHL but Lowetide: Ideal style pairings for the 2020-21 Oilers did spend time as part of a tandem in the AHL with the .

By Allan Mitchell I think it’s likely we see Jones with a veteran and the same with Bear. If injuries hit, a youthful pairing may force its way to the light of day. Nov 12, 2020 Three balanced pairs at even strength?

Tippett and his coaching staff focused on getting good matches during One of the big questions surrounding the Edmonton Oilers at this time is their first season in Edmonton and that’s unlikely to change. The team the nature of the team’s defensive deployment. Coach Dave Tippett has does have three puck passers — Barrie, Bear and Jones, along with some interesting decisions to make. three physical players who play defensive roles (Nurse, Larsson, Russell). Oscar Klefbom, the Oilers’ most complete defenceman in recent seasons, will miss most or all of the season based on reports. A trio of pairings like Nurse-Bear, Jones-Larsson and Russell-Barrie means some balance on all pairs. There are some problems with this Tyson Barrie, the big free-agent addition, is right-handed and a puck scenario (Barrie would need a more substantial offensive partner) but in mover who will be the top power-play man and take a regular turn at theory it would all the team to rotate the pairings equally in order to keep even strength. them fresh. Adam Larsson, the team’s top shutdown defender, was injured during the What does it all mean? series against the Chicago Blackhawks and played poorly. Can the team count on him? I’ve spent most of this offseason believing the Oilers should run Nurse- Bear and Jones-Larsson as the top-4 defence, finding a partner for Barrie Ethan Bear, who was a revelation as a rookie, has some room to grow among Russell, Lagesson and possibly Broberg. offensively and could become an expensive signing after the 2020-21 season (he remains unsigned for next season but the deal is likely to be As we get nearer to camp, Barrie’s possible impact at 5-on-5 (in a short term). positive way) is becoming a focal point.

There’s also Darnell Nurse, the throwback defenceman who plays big Nurse has been a solid top-4 defenceman and Larsson is the best minutes while also serving in the enforcer role. It’s a 1980s job shutdown defender on the team. Barrie can move the puck and brings description but Nurse is an effective top-4 defender who played a lot of some chaos, Bear had a rock solid rookie season but has miles to go big minutes one year ago. before he’s established, Jones the same with even less experience.

Added to that group is Kris Russell, William Lagesson, , I think Nurse and Jones will play left side on the top two pairings but the and others. Fans have been discussing ideal pairings for right side is wide open. Ideally, Larsson plays his shutdown role on the some time and that will continue until Tippett makes the call. The route third pairing, like this: he takes depends on his answers to several questions. Here they are: Nurse-Bear Shutdown pairing? Jones-Barrie If the Oilers are going to run a pure shutdown pairing, Larsson will be on the right side. Although most of his minutes over the last couple of years Russell-Larsson have been with Klefbom, in 2017-18 Darnell Nurse and Larsson played The problem? Between 2016 and 2020, Russell and Larsson played 271 minutes against elites (source Puck IQ), finishing just under 50 326:55 together at 5-on-5, 44.2 percent Corsi, 44.22 percent shots and 8- percent in Dangerous Fenwick and 5-5 in goals. The pairing were more 12 goals. Russell is a poor fit for Larsson on a shutdown pairing. effective relative to other defencemen on the team (this is all five on five) and delivered a goals-against per 60 of 1.11. The more I stare at these possible pairings, the bigger the opening for another young defenceman. William Lagesson is the obvious choice to Nurse and Ethan Bear played 410 minutes against elites in 2019-20 as a slide in for Russell, but Philip Broberg looms large. tandem, finishing 45.10 DFF percentage and 21-17 in goals. The pairing was a little shy relative to other Oilers defenders and had a goals-against In terms of experience, Broberg makes little sense. As a style fit? per 60 of 2.49. Broberg could give the third pairing a major speed boost while also learning from a mentor in Larsson. It’s close, and that’s good. If Edmonton plans on running a shutdown pairing, it’s best to have options. One important note: Nurse spent about The Oilers are becoming a fast train on defence under Holland and 500 more minutes with Connor McDavid than Larsson, so that would Tippett. Is 2020-21 opening night even possible for Philip Broberg? It’s skew the numbers in any comparison. worth contemplating based on current roster makeup.

Bottom line: If Larsson is healthy, he should be deployed in a feature role at 5-on-5 that is defensive in nature. Bear, who was impressive as a rookie, could play with Nurse or the other lefty defender. The Athletic LOADED:

Offensive zone starts for Barrie?

Back in 2014-15, the Oilers ran Justin Schultz with heavy offensive zone starts at 5-on-5. He had 206, Mark Fayne 138 and Jeff Petry 95 among the righthanded defenders that season. The previous year Schultz and Petry were about even in deployment but Dallas Eakins clearly saw an advantage and decided to take maximize Schultz’ unique skills.

Barrie’s zone starts with the Toronto Maple Leafs at 5-on-5 were first among the team’s defencemen (he finished ahead of Morgan Rielly 223- 148) and he also led in Colorado.

If Barrie were to be deployed in this manner, who best to pair with him? Among lefty defenders Darnell Nurse has the most established reputation as a two-way type, with Caleb Jones possibly his equal or more but unproven.

Is Nurse the best option for Barrie and Larsson and Bear? That’s less than ideal. 1195905 Los Angeles Kings Regardless of Paige’s disability, their love for hockey not only brought the two closer together as siblings, but also provided an opportunity for each to improve their skill sets.

BROCK FABER – PROMISING HOCKEY PLAYER, PROVEN “My dad would make a rink for us when we were super young in the BROTHER backyard. Paige and I would skate, pass and shoot all day and night from the time that we could walk all the way up until we outgrew the rink. She’s the most passionate person I’ve ever met about hockey.” BY JACK JABLONSKI FOR LAKINGSINSIDER.COM As Brock grew up excelling on the ice, Paige did so too in adapted floor NOVEMBER 12, 2020 hockey. Though on different surfaces, the siblings were both difference makers. While Brock made USA Hockey’s National Team Development

Program (USNTDP) in Michigan, Paige went on to score over 200 points In the midst of the promising development amongst Kings prospects, the as a defensemen in high school. 2020 NHL Draft presented the organization with yet another opportunity The offensive genes that clearly landed in Paige’s DNA are still a work in to add to an already deep prospect pool. progress for Brock, and he’ll be the first to admit that. “I’ve always wanted As is the case with any draft, the work done through selections and to add a little bit of offense in my game and I know I’m capable of that trades won’t fully be judged until time has passed and players have had too,” the 6-foot blue-liner stated. the chance to live up to their potential. Still, it is safe to say that what With a total of 27 points (6-21=27) over 102 games in his two years at the general manager Rob Blake and his staff accomplished over the two-day NTDP, Faber recognizes where his value is and knows where he can event in early October has warranted praise received throughout the improve. hockey community. “Defense comes first, and I take pride in my defensive of side of the During the 2020 NHL Draft, the Kings selected nine players, including game but adding a little bit more offense will allow me to become more of second-overall pick Quinton Byfield, and executed three trades, one of a threat. I’m excited to get to that point and think I’ll be able to do that which welcomed a former 2017 first-round selection in Lias Andersson. with the University of Minnesota. Shooting the puck more, jumping into All in all, the Kings came away with six forwards, three defensemen and the rush; things like that will definitely help me develop that side of my one goalie stemming across five countries. Keep in mind, also, that just game. I still need to stay focused on the strengths of my game too, and two days prior to the Draft, the Kings acquired a two-time Stanley Cup that is my defense. Improving at both will definitely help me get to the champion in 26-year-old Olli Maatta from the Chicago Blackhawks. next level.” And while the trade for Andersson was certainly noteworthy, given he In my conversation with Faber, he pointed to one specific reason why he was a seventh overall pick just three years ago, the first trade the Kings plays the game the way he does. “I was a forward growing up, all the way made on Day 2 of this year’s NHL Draft was to select defenseman Brock until I was 14. But even then, when we were up a goal late in the games, Faber. my coaches would move me back to play defense. Eventually, I just fell Faber, the Maple Grove, Minnesota native, heard his name called when in love with being a defenseman and asked my coaches and dad if I the Kings traded up six spots to get the right-handed defenseman with could move back to ‘D’ permanently. Once I moved back, everything just the 45th pick (in exchange for the 2020 51st and 97th overall picks being started to click; I fell in love with defending and being the last line of sent to the Detroit Red Wings). Currently in his freshman year at the defense for our team. A big reason I play the way I do is because of the University of Minnesota, Faber watched his name get called by Mark time I spent as a forward. Having grown up as a forward, I understand Yannetti, the Kings Director of Amateur Scouting, while surrounded by their mindset. I’m glad I played forward; it just wasn’t my calling. Now, I his teammates in their trainer’s room just prior to the Gophers practice. love closing rushes down, I love having a strong gap and shutting down the other team’s best players. I take pride in it.” “It was a crazy day,” Faber said in a call with LA Kings Insider. “Even the night before I couldn’t even sleep, just trying to process what was going Faber also pointed to one distinct reason why his work ethic is so on. I woke up the next morning super excited. I got breakfast with all of dedicated to continuing his dream to make it to the NHL one day: Paige. the guys [on the University of Minnesota hockey team] and we went to With emotions running through his voice, Faber explained, “The way I the rink to get ready for practice. We were all getting dressed and our play and how hard I’ve worked throughout the years is dedicated to coach [Bob Motzko] called the team into the trainer’s room to watch the Paige. Like I said, how eye-opening and humbling it is to know how great draft just before practice. After hearing my name called by the Kings, of an opportunity I’ve been given with full ability to hopefully make it to everything was a blur. Practice was a blur. It really was a crazy day.” the NHL some day is something I will never take for granted. Without her, Following the selection of Faber, Tony Granato, a former member of the I would definitely be less motivated to do so. I’ve been given so many Kings and head coach of Faber’s new collegiate rival, the Wisconsin opportunities to succeed and unfortunately Paige hasn’t had them.” Badgers, spoke to NHL Network and described the defenseman as an In my conversation with Faber, it was clear that he has not – and will not “under-the-radar type of player because he’s not fancy. He’s a simple, – forget the roots in which he came from, nor will he overlook the smart, great first passer. One of those defensemen that goes back, beats opportunity he has to achieve NHL or international hockey dreams in the forecheck and gets the puck up to the forwards. He’s a great penalty honor of his family and Paige. killer and an extremely coachable kid. He’s the type of player that will continue to blossom.” Those same roots have helped him develop the leadership qualities he carries. Rod Braceful, the NTDP’s assistant director of player personnel, Similarly, newly retired NHLer and current assistant coach of the echoed those same characteristics about Faber on the All The Kings Minnesota Gophers, Paul Martin recounted that “[Brock] carries himself Men Podcast saying, “Brock is a great person first and foremost. Brock like a pro on and off the ice. He enjoys the game, coming to the rink with does all the little things right and is a ‘high character’ guy too. He’s a the guys and leads by example at practice by putting in the work. [Brock] silent worker. Not a big ‘raw, raw’ guy, but instead leads by example.” can really play.” Faber echoed Braceful’s opinion, saying, “I try to be leader by example. The youngest of three kids, Faber was the only boy. Growing up, his I’ve had a great support system growing up and my parents have always oldest sister, Payton, wasn’t into hockey, but Paige, who is two years instilled for me to work as hard as I can and to be a good person. Work older than Brock, loved the game. Like many younger siblings, Brock comes first always. I’d definitely categorize myself as a leader by followed Paige’s passion for hockey with the same enthusiasm. Yet, example and I strive to both be that and get better at that every time I while they bonded over the same interest, one difference between them step on the ice or in the gym.” would play a factor in their ability to advance to elite levels in the sport; Paige was born with a cognitive disability. As for the goal scorer in the family, Paige has moved on from adapted floor hockey and is now playing ice hockey. With weekly practices, Paige Having grown up in the same household as Paige, Brock recognized at can barely contain her excitement according to the proud younger an early age the hand he was dealt. “Having someone in the same brother. household who is not as fortunate as me that wants to fit in is definitely an eye-opener. It is something that I don’t take for granted,” Faber said. “It’s been amazing and it’s awesome watching her play hockey and develop throughout the years. It’s amazing having her as a sister,” he gloated.

When it comes to rooting for each other’s well-being and success in hockey, he finished our conversation by saying “she has a lot to do with my successes so far, and I hope that I have influenced her to be successful with whatever she decides to do in life on and off the ice. She’s definitely my biggest fan and I’m her biggest fan, that’s for sure.”

Faber and the Minnesota Gophers are slated to begin their 2019-20 BIG- 10 schedule on Thursday, November 19 against Penn State University.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195906 Minnesota Wild

Choosing the best Wild players of all-time: Vote now for your top 20 favorites

By Michael Russo

Nov 12, 2020

This was supposed to be a season of celebration for the Wild as they commemorate their 20th season.

The hallmark would have been the Winter Classic at Target Field against the rival St. Louis Blues, but the NHL’s signature event has been postponed due to the ongoing pandemic and what will surely be an abnormal and potentially shortened 2020-21 season.

Still, the Wild have a couple neat things up their sleeves to salute their two-decade-long history, and so do we here at The Athletic Minnesota.

To start things off, we want your help to pick the top 20 Wild players of all time.

Below, you’ll find a list of players spanning throughout the franchise’s 20- year history. Simply, check the box next to at most 20 players, click submit and voila, your vote will be tabulated in what we promise will be a smooth election process.

Barring any recounts, your top 20 Wild players of all-time will be unveiled in a future article as we creep closer to the beginning of next season.

Thank you, and enjoy.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195907 Montreal Canadiens

Crowded crease in Laval poses goaltending challenges for Canadiens

Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette

Publishing date: Nov 13, 2020

Four into two doesn’t go.

That simple bit of arithmetic reflects the dilemma facing the Canadiens as they try to find work for their goaltenders during the coming season.

The plan for the big club is simple. Carey Price is No. 1 and off-season acquisition Jake Allen is No. 1A. Assuming a full 82-game schedule, Allen will be expected to play 30 games and Price will have what the Canadiens hope is a relaxed — for him — 52-game workload.

Finding work for the other four goaltenders presents a challenge.

The development of Cayden Primeau will be a priority. Stéphane Waite, the Canadiens’ goaltending coach, said the organization would like to see him play 150 games with the in the AHL before he slides into the No. 2 spot behind Price. That’s one of the reasons why Montreal signed Allen to a two-year extension that will carry him through the 2022-23 season.

Primeau played 33 AHL games last season and Waite would like to see him play 40 games in the coming season, although that number could vary depending on the length of the AHL season. The start of the season has been pushed back to Feb. 5 and the AHL has yet to decide how many games it will play.

That leaves three players — Charlie Lindgren, Michael McNiven and Russian newcomer Vasili Demchenko — battling for one job.

During a video conference call this week, Waite suggested that the situation could change with waivers or a trade, but most NHL teams have set their rosters for the coming season and Lindgren is the only player in the group who has to be exposed to waivers.

Lindgren served as Price’s backup after the team gave up on Keith Kinkaid last season, but he was promoted because the Canadiens wanted Primeau to get lots of ice time. Lindgren played only six games with the Canadiens and his last two starts came after it was clear the team wasn’t going to make the playoffs. Price made 11 consecutive starts before Lindgren faced Carolina on Feb. 29.

The Canadiens would be doing Lindgren a favour if they could find a team looking for depth in nets. At 26, the chances of establishing himself as a full-time NHL goaltender appear to be slipping away in Montreal.

Finding opportunities for the goaltenders is further complicated because Montreal is one of eight NHL teams that doesn’t have an affiliation with a team in the ECHL, which is one level below the AHL. Last year, the Canadiens tried placing some of their spare bodies with ECHL teams, which is how McNiven wound up playing for three ECHL teams — the Jacksonville Icemen, the Norfolk Admirals and the Adirondack Thunder. McNiven, who was unsigned as a free agent after he was overlooked in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, was undefeated in three games with the Rocket.

Waite described McNiven as a “gamer” but the 23-year-old played in only 25 games last season.

Demchenko is the wild-card in the group because the only person in the organization who seems to know anything about him is Vincent Riendeau, who wears two hats as the Canadiens’ director of goaltender development and pro scout. Riendeau was the first North America goaltender to play in Russia’s top league pre-KHL and has maintained close ties.

“He’s on the small side, but he’s 26 and he has played more than 200 games in the KHL, so he must be pretty good,” said Waite.

Demchenko has had a save percentage over .920 for most of his KHL career.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195908 Ottawa Senators Gudbranson arrived in a trade from Anaheim, defenceman Josh Brown came in from the Anaheim Ducks and gritty forward Austin Watson came over in a deal with the Nashville Predators.

GARRIOCH: The Ottawa Senators are in a holding pattern as they wait And, naturally there’s a lot of excitement surrounding top pick Tim to hear what's next for 2020-21 Stuetzle from Mannheim in .

The Senators are looking forward to what the future holds for them and Bruce Garrioch that’s why they want to get back on the ice as quickly as possible. Melnyk and Dorion feel like the organization has made changes that will help the Publishing date: Nov 12, 2020 club improve.

With the pieces put in place and the young prospects in the organization such as Batherson, Formenton, Josh Norris, Erik Brannstrom, Logan The Ottawa Senators have all the pieces in place to start the 2020-21 Brown, Vitaly Abramaov and Joey Daccord, they see this year as a campaign. stepping stone towards getting back to respectability. And, like everybody else they were hoping to get clarity on what to Of course, president of business operations Anthony LeBlanc, who has prepare for and a better idea on when training camp is going to get under been charged with getting people back in the seats, is also waiting to find way next month during a conference call with the board of governors held out what this season is going to look like. Thursday afternoon. It doesn’t sound like there will be fans if the season does start on Jan. 1 Unfortunately, the Senators are in a holding pattern. but at some point the club is hoping to have some people in the seats. Yes, the ice is installed at the Canadian Tire Centre and it has been for a You can be certain the Senators got some answers to their questions couple of weeks, but the next step for the organization is to allow the during the hour-long call Thursday but there’s work to be done by the players to start skating there. That’s expected to happen soon, but at this league before plans can go into action. moment only Thomas Chabot, Artyem Zub and Erik Gudbranson are in town.

Forwards Nick Paul, Connor Brown and Chris Tierney ares skating in the Ottawa Sun LOADED: 11.13.2020 Toronto area while newly-acquired goalie Matt Murray is at his home in the Muskoka area. Those players can be here pretty quickly but the NHL does have strict measures in place for informal workouts when the rink does open.

Prospects Drake Batherson (Halifax), Egor Sokolov (Haliax) and Alex Formenton (Toronto) can all be here in fairly short order. Batherson noted last week that he and Sokolov are in the Atlantic bubble so they don’t to make a trip to Ontario only to have the province go through another lockdown.

With so many players overseas, the Senators need some of them to start making their way to North America as quickly as possible. However, some likely don’t want to book flights or rent a piece of property here until there’s something written in stone by the NHL and the union.

The 14-day quarantine is a hurdle every player coming from the United States, Europe and Russia will have to abide by initially. Yes, the players want to get back on the ice with their teammates, however, some want to know if the league is really going to start on Jan. 1 or does that just remain a target date.

As noted, the Senators will get an extra seven days of training camp because they didn’t participate in the Return to Play in the summer. That means the league needs to have an agreement in place by Nov. 20 at the latest to give the Ottawa players time to quarantine before camp gets under way in early-December.

However, we need to be careful because we don’t know what kind of negotiations have been taking place with the federal government. If the Senators have testing for COVID-19 readily available then it’s possible those players could be regularly checked without having to self-isolate.

The Senators have made so many changes, they’ll be just happy to have some kind of plan they can work with. Nothing is set in stone because of the threat of COVID-19, but you have to start somewhere and that’s what the league is trying to do by setting Jan. 1 as a target date to start.

The Senators have a plan to have 6,000 people in the building with proper social distancing and the requirement of wearing a mask. During this long break , the club has spent $10 million upgrading its ventilation system and that should help create a safer atmosphere.

Yes, it was quiet around here when the Senators first went on pause March 11 after a game against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center, but the last five weeks have been busy. Owner Eugene Melnyk committed to improve this team and has backed every move by general manager Pierre Dorion.

Not only was Murray signed, the club brought in winger Evgeni Dadonov as a unrestricted free agent from the Florida Panthers and agreed to a one-year deal with forward Alex Galchenyuk. 1195909 Ottawa Senators We always felt comfortable there. It’s still a small town, if that makes sense. We’re pretty far removed from downtown where we were. I always had this feel I was in the country still. I’ve always enjoyed that as I’ve ‘It came as a complete shock:’ Bobby Ryan on change, recovery and picked places far outside Nashville and far outside Idaho, that I’m new dreams comfortable in those situations. You can get a taste of downtown but you can escape all that and get back to nature and be comfortable.

I’ve always liked the people in Ottawa. I won’t say I ever truly fell in love By Craig Custance with the city part of it. The people in the community are just incredible. I had so many ups and downs there. So many highs, like the playoffs. And Nov 12, 2020 lows, slumps, and last year. They always embraced me. I don’t want to say they gave me leeway because I certainly heard the bad things too but at the same time you never got the sense that they’d given up on It’s been a year. For everybody. Bobby Ryan, though, has gone through you. addiction recovery, an incredible comeback, a buyout, relocation, and has done it all while dealing with the same global anxieties as the rest of They want you to get back and stronger and they’re passionate about the us. He’s landed in Detroit, where he’s getting an opportunity to re- team. That’s all you can ask about as a player. … They’ve embraced the establish himself as a top goal scorer for the rebuilding Red Wings. He rebuild. They’re going to get a lot better in the next few years, they’re recently chatted with Craig Custance for an episode of “The Full 60” going to get rewarded for their patience with it. I’m happy for that podcast but Ryan was so insightful, open and honest that we wanted to community. share it here as well. This is a large portion of that conversation, edited You think they’re going to get back? You’re probably not going to trash for length and clarity: the owner but I wonder as long as he’s there … I want to start with the buyout. How did you get word it was coming from It’s funny. There’s been so many things with Eugene (Melnyk) over the the Senators? years, I’m not going to comment deeply on. The only thing I can tell you With the time difference, I got a call about 7 o’clock in the morning, on is I’ve had so many one-on-one conversations, especially in the last year, the first day the buyout window opened. I think it was a Friday morning. I with Eugene. The monetary thing, I don’t know much about. I really don’t. was actually just getting off the bike and getting my day started with my I don’t think any of the players do. I won’t comment. But I will say the guy wife and (Senators GM) Pierre (Dorion) called and let me know. has treated me with nothing but respect. He’s treated my family well. He genuinely comes in the room and engages with the guys when he’s in It was about a minute conversation. There’s really not much to say. What town. There’s a lot to like about him when you meet him personally. do you say, really? I said, “OK, thank you, good luck” and that’s it. It That’s my only experience with him, that’s all I’ll say on it. I think he’ll came as a complete shock … It was not the call I expected on that Friday come through, knowing the team and the guys coming through are going morning for sure. to reward him if he does.

What was the process that followed? Hmmm.

I’d never been through free agency before. I’ve had six years in Anaheim, That’s my two cents. seven years in Ottawa. This was a first, I guess, to hear pitches. When you’re a guy who is going to make a million, a million five, the pitches are You’re a classy guy, Bobby. I wouldn’t expect anything less. not going to be long or outstanding but Steve (Yzerman’s) was. It was Isn’t that true? (Laughs) just an outstanding conversation. It was a fun process, to hear teams kicking tires, thinking about where you might want to live for a year. I was just watching the ovation you got from the Ottawa fans after the hat Detroit just made the most sense for so many different reasons. trick following your return. What was that like in the moment?

I was a little surprised Detroit was the destination. There was a belief It was overwhelming. You come back and it was, what, 100 days from my you’d end up on a contender. Follow the Corey Perry path. Why Detroit? last game? People forget I played that one game in Nashville on the road to get my feet wet and play my first game away from the media. I had a I knew that I needed to prove there is still some high-end hockey in me. I very good game in Nashville, felt really good. Had a breakaway I just didn’t want to go somewhere and immediately be a third- or fourth-line missed, I felt like even with all that time off that something was building. I guy. I still think I can play in the top six to nine. Steve made it clear I can scored that first one, I knew the fans were going to be great. I knew that earn that there. Whereas other teams I talked to, I don’t know if there was never going to be an issue. I didn’t know they’d go so far above and were a lot of opportunities to move up. Steve was honest and candid beyond. You score one, you score two late, you could feel it in the about the fact of, “Listen, if you’re having a very good year and you want building. It was rising. to leave at the deadline and I have offers, we can sit down and talk about those things, then we’ll do that.” This opportunity gave me the most You get that third one and I was finally, it was a little too hard to hold it chances. down any longer. It brought tears to my eyes. I told my wife after, I am emotionally and physically wrecked right now. I can’t believe I have to try And I’m excited to play with those young guys. They have four or five and sleep and get back to the rink for practice. Oddly enough, I think the really really good young forwards there that not only are they young, next game was my worst game in the eight games. I couldn’t get back to they’ve been in the league. Dylan Larkin is, what, 25? It feels like he’s that level because I was so wrecked emotionally. What do you do now? been in the league for 10 years. I’m looking forward to maybe having a Right? But that’s just a night I’ll never forget. chance to play with him or whoever it might be in that top six if I work my way in there and prove I can still score and that I have some legs left, How did you feel differently physically following your return? some hockey left. Then we’ll reassess. If something happens at the deadline, great, if not, I’ll stay with Detroit. I’m very happy about the I left and thought I was rejoining the team on December 20th, situation there. so I thought I was going to get a couple of practices in and not jump back in but be around the team, practice with the team. Maybe not travel but You touched base with players in Detroit, right? practice, but that was not the case. It was two weeks of nothing, two weeks of skating by yourself. Two weeks of this, two weeks of that. There I reached out to Dylan through mutual friends in the roller hockey world, were so many hurdles I had to clear before I knew it, it was two and a we had some mutual friends in that. I shot him a text to ask about the half months before I even saw the guys. It was getting ridiculous. city, the team, the guys, everything — coaches. We texted back and forth for a little while. He was good. He’s been around forever. He knows the I felt the best I’ve ever felt because I did nothing but train, lift weights and ups and the downs of it and he’s adamant they’re going to be more skate. While the other guys are getting worn down by the grind of 82 competitive this year. He thinks they’ve got a lot to grow and they’re games, I’m in summer shape. I felt great, felt like I had jump, felt like my going to grow a lot throughout the year. That was refreshing to hear that. legs were the best they’ve felt at that time of year. … Mentally, I felt better and clearer. A lot of the program had to do with that. So it was the It was interesting to watch your years in Ottawa. By the end, you said you best I’d ever felt getting back to hockey. fell in love with it. When did that begin? How did you decide how much of your recovery story you wanted to share publicly? I knew it was going to have to come out. There was just no way. If you There’s nothing good about COVID and the state of the world right now. don’t tell it, then people in media speculate and that’s the worst thing you But for me personally, it was a blessing. I hate to use it as a blessing. I can have happen. had addressed these issues but it helped me to put it into practice. It taught me to be more resilient and patient. I’m still learning it. It’s not like What?! I mastered anything. I think I have a little more tools in my tool belt right You guys don’t do that, eh? (laughs) now because everything is so fresh to me in learning how to deal with my lifestyle and anxiety. I was like, “OK listen, my issue was alcohol, anxiety, PTSD and a couple other things that I was diagnosed with and learned about but alcohol was It was a fortunate timing thing for me. I think my wife was right when she the stem of those.” That’s the easy thing to tell people you have an issue said, I don’t think we would have made this if you were in the same state with. What I didn’t want to have happen was say, “Hey, I’ve dealt with you were five months ago when it started. I certainly would agree with some things, some personal time and I’m back.” All of a sudden you have her. That being said, my anxiety has been through the roof at times. The a molly habit or something that never would have been true. lockdown, the quarantine. I’ve had slip-ups, I’ve had mess-ups. I relapsed very, very quickly, it was a one-day thing — it was a two-hour We would have assumed the worst. thing, it wasn’t even bad. It was one of those things you have to deal with every day as a new day. It seems harder to do with a COVID world and I There was just no way around it. I knew I’d have to be open and understand that but I just continue to address the demons that are lurking forthright. Now, I’m glad I was. Now, I’m seeing the other side of it, where and get to work on them. not only did people in the media, especially in Ottawa, handle it very delicately and gave me my peace after the first initial press conference. What’s a tool that works for you? But that being said, they didn’t press for more and more. They just let me play. If I hadn’t done that I think there would have been a question or two It’s five minutes to myself every morning … Some days I read the Daily every day I had to answer. Stoic, the easy stuff that kind of sets your day up right mentally. Some days I’ll put a podcast in, a sober living podcast or something like that, At the risk of pressing for more and more, it’s interesting that it’s come just to hear people talk about things. Meetings help, I’m not a big AA full circle to Detroit where you had the breakdown. Do you mind getting meeting guy, I do tune in to them. For me, it’s the five minutes to myself into that? in the morning. Go downstairs, get your head right and come up and deal with whatever problem that is going to be presenting that day. Do it from There are times within the year that coaches and management the right frame of mind. understand the guys are going to have a few beers or whatever and I’ve always been one of those guys that does that and goes out with the guys I don’t know if people in Detroit know this, but you lived in Detroit briefly, and has a nice dinner. I think, with a young team, you’re supposed to. right? Like in 2003? There were three days before the game, the guys went to the Lions game. I didn’t go to the game, I had other errands to run. But that being Yeah, 2003. You’re on it. It was my OHL draft year. I went up there to said, I met everybody for dinner, had drinks. Just another one of those play in front of the U.S. national team with Detroit Honeybaked. I lived in where everybody goes home and I’m like, “Where else am I going? What the Pinckney, Brighton area. else am I doing?” I get to a point where I’ve learned there’s no shut off. Was that to get the attention of the U.S. national team? There’s go go go until you can’t. I did that. I was in California with the L.A. Jr. Kings program and at this point my I was in my room. Woke up in the morning and it’s fine, got home safe dad had been caught for a few years and financially my mom couldn’t and everything. No issues. I got to the rink, like a few of the other guys, make it work anymore. She was moving back home for some job in had to sweat out the salt as they say. I knew that I couldn’t really do it. Jersey and I wasn’t playing hockey in New Jersey. There’s nothing here. So many times you gut those days out. But I was like, “These days are becoming a habit.” These days are lasting to two or She let me split the difference in Michigan, an hour and a half flight. Part three of these days, whatever it might be. You’re doing this three times a of it was to be in front of the USNTDP, but I got an offer to play with that month. You can’t be doing this. team before the season started. I was committed to the program all year but I decided to stay in Michigan. I liked the group of guys. I was already dealing with some stuff. Already trying to stop some stuff … already working with a therapist. Just felt like not only on top of the guilt And then you made the terrible decision to play junior hockey instead of and shame that I had to go be a veteran guy at the rink for those young college hockey. guys and show up for work, there was the anxiety and the panic attack that came with it. I pissed Red Berenson off quite a bit there.

It all happened on the ice, and thankfully it happened very quietly. I was I imagine. How close did you come to playing at the University of standing in line when it happened. Nobody was around but the assistant Michigan? coach and I just said, “I’ve got to go. I’m getting off this ice and I’m going I had the verbal handshake commitment. I was already locked in. I was in somewhere, right this second.” Probably the hardest and the best 10th grade … and I’d always wanted to go to Michigan as a kid. It made decision, I’ve ever made at that time. the most sense. But the problem is you don’t know how good you are or I Who helped you get through it? guess if there’s a chance.

If you’re talking about that day, it was a community effort to get where I I remember sitting down with people and they’re like, listen, you’re had to go. And get on a plane that afternoon. My wife is just a projected as a top 10, 15 pick at that time. I can’t fathom that in 10th consummate companion, teammate, whatever you want to call it. Keeps grade. I don’t know anything about that. I said, OK, my dream like every me in check, can tell when I’m on edge and when things are weighing too American kid was to play college hockey until you do research and you’re heavily on me. Sometimes it’s just a simple sentence, like get out of here. like, wow, the OHL, you’re traveling a little bit, you’re playing against Go do something. Go burn some calories. Whatever it might be. Never guys who are 20 and drafted and you’re doing it in front of a good really pushes. I’m not a good communicator. amount of fans. I would have had to wait two years for that at Michigan. If you get drafted in the top 10, are you going to go to Michigan for one You’re not? I’m surprised to hear that. year and leave? What’s the point of going for one year of schooling? Sitting down with my family and advisers, the college route didn’t make Not in personal things, especially with people that are very close to me. I the most sense for me. kind of keep a guard. When I do that, she keeps me in check and tells me to go talk to somebody because she knows it’s not going to be her I remember Brian Burke at one point saying you gave the best draft and I call somebody I need to call and get it off my chest and turn back combine interview he’d ever seen. What do you remember about that? into husband and dad. I think guys go into those things, especially at the combine, you’re doing You addressed this right before the world went sideways. We all now like 15 a day and they’re 25-30 minutes long and you have seven have this high baseline of anxiety because of the world. It’s interesting to minutes to run to the next one. There would be times I’d be interviewing me you were able to get out front and put yourself in a good place to deal with, say, Boston and I’m thinking I’m with Philly. You forget. You’re with it. bogged down. I don’t remember anything about the interview. There were no gimmicks in there. There were some gimmicks in the other ones and stupid questions to get reactions out of you. I didn’t find that, I felt like it was a very straightforward interview and I have felt comfortable in those settings.

I don’t remember the timing, was your family’s story being asked about? Did people know at that point?

It had just come out. Nobody had known and then Gare Joyce did an article. I think it was ESPN The Magazine. That was the first time we released all that. We didn’t want to go in there, and the hockey world being small, somebody knows somebody who knows something about the situation, right? Then you get a question that comes out of left field and you’re not prepared for it. It feels like you’re hiding something and I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to go into interviews and feel like I’m hiding anything. It was, “Listen, here’s what happened. Here’s our version of the story.” Gare did a fantastic job of putting that out there for us. If you have questions, ask away. I said, “I’m an open book but there are still things I don’t know and I lived it. I can’t help you with those things but ask what you can ask and I’ll try to answer what I can answer.”

That age is so hard, that whole process. How difficult was that for you? That’s a lot for a 17-year-old kid.

When that story came out, people look at you differently for a little while. Especially guys who I had played with for a couple years in the OHL that had no clue and then it comes out. I felt like people started to treat me very delicately and I hated that about it. It happened, it got addressed and people forget once you get back on the ice. They really do.

Brian Burke said it best, when I was going through some stuff the year after being drafted. The guys on the other side of the ice certainly don’t care how you were treated and what happened to you. The guys in your room do. They’re your buddies and your friends. Those guys don’t care. You need to find a way to put that aside when you go out and play. It took me a long time to do that. I did it for a long time and kind of slipped in the last three years with that, it kind of all came back to bite me. I felt like I’d buried things for so long that they became real issues instead of ones I was just making up.

When you say you were dealing with PTSD, was that the root of it?

Yeah, probably. I’ve learned I had four or five different roots of it. That was certainly one of them. My mom passed in the 2016 season, so we’re going on four years now. That was when things really started to slide for me. That was, so many conversations left unhad and things like that that I just didn’t get to address and I was addressing them by trying to find profound thoughts in a glass of wine that was just never going to happen. I gave it a hell of a shot. It was just never going to happen. Those were the start of things for me. It’ll never be in the past, but hopefully just kind of on my shoulder instead of right in front of me.

When you wrote that piece to your mom in The Players’ Tribune, one of the things you wrote was “I’ve realized all my dreams. Every single one.” To communicate that and say that is amazing. As you continue your career, growing your family, do you come up with a new set of dreams? What’s your approach?

My first daughter was born, my mom got to meet her for two, three days before she passed. At that point, those were my dreams — to play in the NHL, have a lengthy career, and I was doing that. Have a family, I just kind of crossed that off weeks beforehand. Everything in my life I had really wanted to attempt, I did. She got to see most of it. I’m happy about that.

Going forward, my new dreams — we’ve since had another, my little guy is 2 now. My dreams have certainly shifted out of hockey, to fatherhood dreams. Everybody who has kids can attest to that. At 4 and 2, I’m going to be done in time for a lot of their lives.

My dreams have shifted to obviously play hockey for a couple more years and do it well and on my own terms, professionally, now that the other issues are in the past. The dreams change to get to dance recitals, get to hockey games for the kids, those are it for me. Obviously, I’d like to hoist a Cup before I go, cross that bridge before the year comes. Just making sure I’m the dad I’m supposed to be.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195910 Philadelphia Flyers nature of the playoff beast that the vast majority of teams and their fans leave disappointed. So I caution anyone from using words like “should” when it comes to the Flyers’ chances of going on long playoff runs every Projecting Flyers’ 2020-21 success, players who could improve/regress: season. The years of mediocrity and the painstaking restock of talent Mailbag didn’t earn the Flyers the right to make it to the NHL’s Final 4 every year. It just earned them the right to have a realistic chance of doing so.

Buckle up, Philadelphia — you’re about to be reminded of the frustrating By Charlie O'Connor part of being a contender in the NHL.

Nov 12, 2020 Let’s start with players I think could take big steps forward. Philippe Myers is an obvious answer; he could get first crack at the top pair and

his stellar second half hints that it’s all starting to click for him at the NHL Philadelphia Flyers hockey will be back — eventually. But with no date level. I’m also expecting Joel Farabee to be stronger and faster in Year 2, set for the start of the 2020-21 season, we’re left to hyperanalyze every which should help him finish on more of those golden scoring aspect of the team and coming campaign while waiting for news. opportunities he regularly earned himself as a rookie. As for No. 3, it might be cheating a bit, but 2020 fifth-round pick Elliot Desnoyers is In other words, it’s time for another edition of the Flyers mailbag. taking a massive development step forward in the QMJHL this season (20 points in 12 games), now that he’s being used in a scoring role with Unsurprisingly, the focus is on the immediate future: How good could the Halifax rather than a depth role as he was in Moncton last year. He isn’t Flyers be when the season starts? Which players could take steps magically a blue-chip prospect now, but he’s making it clear he’s no run- forward? Which ones might be unfairly marginalized by the organization? of-the-mill fifth-rounder. And then, a brief detour to the amusing (and not-so-amusing) past. As for regression? I’m expecting Travis Konecny’s goal pace to drop a bit This is a fascinating question because it gets at the heart of a looming as I have my doubts that he’s a true-talent 17 percent shooter, but I think aspect of rooting for an Actually Good NHL team that Flyers fans didn’t he’ll settle into the 13 percent range on a yearly basis. Scott Laughton have to accept for most of the past decade. I’m talking about the probably isn’t going to score on 17.6 percent of his shots again, either. distinction between team quality and playoff success. As for age-related regression, I could see Justin Braun dropping off a bit, The question asks if the Flyers “should” still make it to the second round, especially if the Flyers pair him with Robert Hagg (not a puck-mover) or given the way the offseason has played out. Technically speaking, I’d Shayne Gostisbehere (questionable stylistic fit). Fortunately for the answer yes, because making the second round — at least under the Flyers, Braun’s new contract ($1.8 million per year) bakes an expected current rules — means a team was one of the last eight clubs standing in regression into the cost. the playoffs. I believe the Flyers, on paper, are one of the eight best This is a fun one. Looking purely at the forwards’ performance by teams at the moment. They can roll four above-league average lines regularized adjusted plus-minus (RAPM), the answer to Part 1 of your (their first line is better than the average first line, their second line is question is one you might not expect. (second by better than the average second line, etc.), they have six defensemen who expected goals RAPM, first by Corsi RAPM) would obviously center the range from useful to legitimately great, and they start one of the highest- line, Travis Konecny (third in xG RAPM, third in Corsi RAPM) would play upside young goalies in hockey. They may be lacking a bit in star power, the right side, and James van Riemsdyk would be the left wing. No, that’s but I still view them as one of the top-eight teams, as did Dom not a misprint: JvR ranked fourth in Corsi RAPM and led all Flyers Luszczyszyn’s and The Athletic NHL’s consensus rankings, which both forwards last season in RAPM impact on expected goal differential. At had the Flyers in eighth place. Not everyone is so optimistic. NBC Sports’ even strength, van Riemsdyk was a lot better in 2019-20 than most think. Adam Gretz had the Flyers 12th in his recent power rankings, but I don’t see top eight as a terribly controversial ranking for a team that finished in That said, my personal choice would be a little different. For starters, I the top four in the Eastern Conference and made it to Game 7 of Round wouldn’t include van Riemsdyk. He may have been great by the numbers 2. in 2019-20, but he was pretty awful by them in 2018-19, and I think van Riemsdyk is best served feasting on lesser competition, not matching up Here’s the thing, though: The eight best teams don’t always make it to against top competition on almost every shift, as he would on a line with the second round. This will likely be anathema to those who believe the Couturier. I don’t have the same concern about top competition with playoffs are the ultimate arbiter of team quality and that if a team bows Konecny, but he’s had only one great advanced-stat season. I’d like to out early, it wasn’t that good. I have never bought into that framework. see him repeat that performance before dubbing him a true play-driver. The 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning were, if not the best team that season, at least in the top three, yet they famously lost in Round 1. With those removals in mind, I’d go with a line of Claude Giroux, Should they have made it to Round 2? Absolutely. But just because they Couturier and Oskar Lindblom. The presence of defensive stalwarts didn’t, I don’t think that means they weren’t a “second-round quality” Couturier and Lindblom would give Giroux the opportunity to primarily team. They were. They just didn’t make it there. focus on offense creation, and leave the bulk of the board work to his larger linemates. I’m also intrigued by the prospect of combining Giroux’s For the bulk of the 2010s, the Flyers weren’t even close to being one of stellar playmaking ability with Lindblom’s knack for getting to high-danger the eight best true-talent teams. That was extremely frustrating for fans, areas and creating scoring chances for himself. This line could be an xG but it also had the side effect of turning the playoffs into a low-risk juggernaut, even if it would likely push Konecny or Jakub Voracek to Line exercise. If the Flyers found a way to win a round or two — great! Upsets 3. happen. But there wasn’t an underlying assumption that anything less than a long playoff run would make an entire season a failure. Even if Alain Vigneault said on-the-record in mid-September that because of all only on a subconscious level, fans knew that even the best post-2012 the time he’s missed, Samuel Morin was probably going to have to start Flyers teams were more in that Nos. 9-16 ranking range than Nos. 1-8. the 2020-21 season in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and get about 50 to 60 healthy games there before being viewed as a realistic Now, the equation is different. The Flyers appear to be of the better option for a call-up. Considering that the AHL might not even play a 60- teams in the NHL, but with that status comes the expectation of playoff game season, I think that’s a strong hint the Flyers don’t view Morin as success. And that’s fair! The end goal of every season is to win the being in the NHL picture for 2020-21. They’re likely going to send him Stanley Cup, not the Presidents’ Trophy for best regular-season record. through waivers at the end of training camp, expecting that no team is Yet the playoffs are, in a word, weird. Random upsets happen. Injuries going to pick up a 25-year-old coming off two ACL tears with just nine happen. Odd, unfavorable matchups happen. It’s why I’m uncomfortable NHL games to his credit, and then assign him to the Phantoms. with the idea of judging the Flyers’ quality based on how far they advance in the playoffs. Hopefully Morin can have a successful “return to hockey” year in the AHL and put himself back in the mix. Everyone is certainly rooting for him to I’ll put it this way: If the Flyers finish 2020-21 with the fifth-best record in do so. the league and then lose a hard-fought, seven-game series to a very good Carolina Hurricanes team in Round 1, my reaction isn’t going to be I’ll say this: Everything I’ve heard regarding the Flyers organization and that we were wrong to believe they were a top-eight-quality team. It its view of Morgan Frost has been positive, both on the record and would just mean that the playoffs weren’t a success. Now that otherwise. That said, it makes sense that fans would look at the expectations for the team are higher, fans need to prepare themselves treatment of Frost since turning pro — not making the big club out of for the fact that most years, those expectations won’t be met; it’s just the camp last September, failing to stick after his two call-ups, the fact that he didn’t get to appear in the exhibition game in the Toronto bubble — Joel Farabee — Panic! At The Disco: Career path similar thus far to and wonder if Chuck Fletcher and company are cooler on Frost than the Konecny, but you get the sense he could take an unexpected turn soon front office run by Ron Hextall, who drafted him. and write an album that sounds like the Beatles or something. Also, I suspect Farabee is going to have a very long career, longer than some But I believe the Flyers remain extremely high on Frost and his upside. might think. They love his hockey IQ, and they recognize he brings an element of high-end skill and creativity with the puck that most of their forward Claude Giroux — Jimmy Eat World: Viewed by some as a bit of a one-hit prospects lack. The disconnect between the organization and Frost’s wonder because he was only briefly considered a true superstar, but in biggest fans isn’t over his talent. It’s a matter of his NHL readiness, and reality is one of the most consistent producers of the era. Currently the philosophy on the best way to develop him. proving that there is indeed still some living left when your prime comes and goes. Those fans see Frost and say, “He showed in his time with the team in 2019-20 that he’s at least a decent NHL player already, and if Nolan Jakub Voracek — Coheed and Cambria: OK, I mean, it’s mostly the fact Patrick can’t play, there’s a gigantic hole at 3C that Frost could fill, so just that he and Claudio Sanchez often really go for broke with the hair. call him up and let him learn on the job.” Full disclosure: That’s more or Voracek’s also a big classic rock guy and Coheed was one of the few less my view, too. The Flyers, on the other hand, see a player who hasn’t ’00s emo bands that had even a little appeal to that group, due to the yet dominated in the AHL, and believe his areas for improvement — guitar solos and prog influence. pace, physical strength, shift-over-shift consistency — can best be addressed while with the Phantoms. They like the idea of getting Frost to Carter Hart — Dashboard Confessional: Come on, Hart could definitely the point where he’s taking apart the AHL (he finished his first AHL pull off the vintage Chris Carrabba look if he really wanted to. campaign with 29 points in 41 games, which is good but not great) and Kevin Hayes — Say Anything: One of the few bands of that era that was then calling him up. a bit gritty and also let a clear sense of humor bleed through in their Is it the “right” developmental method? That’s a matter of opinion. But the lyrics. Sounds like Hayes to me. Flyers aren’t holding Frost down because they have a low opinion of him Nicolas Aubé-Kubel — Yellowcard: Just a solid, consistent contributor as a prospect. with one signature standout feature (forechecking prowess/having a Interesting question. A lot depends on which teams are in “seller’s mode” violinist). by the trade deadline, and how much cap space the Flyers have banked Shayne Gostisbehere — Taking Back Sunday: Had a universally beloved — questions that won’t be answered until the season plays out. We might debut season, and now has to face people constantly complaining that think that the New Jersey Devils or Buffalo Sabres or Anaheim Ducks nothing since has lived up to that level of greatness. aren’t going be in the playoff mix, but hockey’s a strange sport. Our view of likely buyers and sellers could be very different once the deadline rolls Oskar Lindblom — Something Corporate/Jack’s Mannequin: I feel like around. Andrew McMahon’s entire aesthetic back then was “I’m a nice person and very talented,” and yeah, that’s pretty much Lindblom. Also, both of But let’s have some fun with some way-too-early deadline shopping them beat cancer. anyway. The biggest available prize could be a player who was supposed to be one of the biggest prizes in free agency this year: Taylor Hall. Buffalo signed him to a one-year deal, and if the Sabres aren’t in The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 playoff contention, they’ll likely ship him off to the highest bidder. Kyle Palmieri could be a cheaper fallback option, as few expect the Devils to be in the playoff mix. He does have an eight-team no-trade clause, but that’s not an impossible hurdle to overcome. A bounce-back season for Bobby Ryan in Detroit could make him an intriguing rental for teams looking for scoring depth on the wing.

If Patrick returns or Frost establishes himself as the 3C, the Flyers won’t need to go hunting for a rental center. But if Laughton is still centering the third line come deadline day, the equation changes. Eric Staal (Buffalo, 10-team no-trade clause) could be an option, as might Paul Stastny (Winnipeg, 10-team no-trade) or even Derek Stepan if Arizona flounders. As for defense, the market is thinner, but perhaps Niklas Hjalmarsson might change his mind about relocating (he has been unwilling to waive his no-movement clause) if he knows it will be for only a few months. Or maybe an expected playoff contender like Columbus (David Savard) or Vancouver (Alexander Edler) falls off and decides to replenish its pipeline.

In other words, there will be lots of options out there — as always.

I’m not even sure if there was a news conference after this move, but I would have loved to interview Hextall in the immediate wake of trading Zac Rinaldo to the Boston Bruins for a third-round pick in 2015. In the grand scheme of things, it was a minor trade, but I remember being starved for all the details of that negotiation at the time. Who initiated trade discussions? Was it a quick negotiation? How could Bruins general manager Don Sweeney possibly think it was a good idea? OK, there’s no way Hextall would have answered that one. But I would have wanted to ask it, in any case.

Runner-up would be the news conference after the Andrew MacDonald trade. I can’t remember if any of the writers at the time brought up his awful advanced stats to Paul Holmgren and asked why that clearly didn’t matter to the front office when it came to MacDonald, but in any case, I would have been the first one to go down that rabbit hole had I been there.

Here we go:

Travis Konecny — Fall Out Boy: Flashy, in-your-face, and taking a real run at stardom. Really annoying or endlessly endearing depending upon your loyalties. 1195911 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins prospect Drew O’Connor loaned to Manglerud Star in Norway

SETH RORABAUGH

Thursday, November 12, 2020 4:35 p.m.

Penguins forward prospect Drew O’Connor has been loaned to the Manglerud Star, a team based in Norway’s league.

According to a translated release from the team, O’Connor joined the Manglerud on Oct. 26 but has yet to play a game for that organization.

O’Connor, 22, joined the Penguins as an undrafted free agent signing when he agreed to a two-year entry-level contract on March 10 after opting to leave Dartmouth following his sophomore season of 2019-20.

A native of Chatham, N.J., O’Connor (6-foot-3, 200 pounds), appeared 31 games last season and led Dartmouth in goals (21) and points (33). His goal total was the fifth highest in all of the NCAA during the 2019-20 campaign.

With the NHL and American Hockey League on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, many leagues in Europe started their 2020-21 campaign many weeks ago. As a result, several NHL teams have loaned prospects to European clubs in order to get them some much-needed playing time.

O’Connor becomes the eighth player signed to an NHL contract with the Penguins who has been loaned to a team in Europe. His predecessors include:

• Defenseman Niclas Almari with Pelican’s in Finland’s Liiga.

• Kasper Bjorkqvist with Kookoo of the Liiga.

• Jan Drozg with HK Olimpija Ljubljana, a Slovenian team based in the multi-country Alps Hockey League.

• Goaltender Emil Larmi with HPK of the Liiga.

• Defenseman Cam Lee with HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga.

• Defenseman Jesper Lindgren with MODO in Sweden’s Hockey Allsvensken.

• Forward Radim Zohorna with BK Mlada Boleslav in the Czech Republic’s ELH.

Tribune Review LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195912 Pittsburgh Penguins revenue generated by the former arena development to help other parts of the neighborhood.

The indoor-outdoor music venue, to be operated by Live Nation, and the Penguins miss deadline to start first developments at former Civic Arena parking garage would be built more toward the middle of the site. site In all, the former arena redevelopment is expected to total $1 billion and feature 1 million square feet of office, up to 1,000 residential units, November 12, 2020 9:04 PM 190,000 square feet of retail, a hotel, a food hall, the garage, and the music venue. By Mark Belko / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Post Gazette LOADED: 11.13.2020 The Pittsburgh Penguins have missed an October deadline to buy the land needed for the new First National Bank headquarters, a music venue and parking garage at the former Civic Arena site.

But Kevin Acklin, the team’s chief operating officer, insisted that it is on track to secure the land and start construction in early 2021, blaming the latest delays on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sam Williamson, chairman of the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority board, announced the missed deadline during Thursday’s URA meeting.

The URA and the city-Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority, both of which own parts of the 28-acre site, now are considering whether to grant the Penguins a requested extension to April 30, he said.

If the URA and SEA refuse to do so, the Penguins are required to start putting into escrow the parking revenue they now generate from the land, Mr. Williamson noted.

The missed deadline is the latest setback in the long-delayed redevelopment, one that has been nearly a decade in the making.

Mr. Acklin said the Penguins “fully expect” to take control of the 6.5 acres needed for the 26-story FNB tower, the live music venue, and an 850- space parking garage in early 2021.

The timeline, he added, “has obviously been delayed because of COVID.”

He said the Penguins had notified the SEA and the URA in April that there might be a change in the time table for the development because of COVID. As a result, the new time table should be no surprise.

“The good news for the development, and for the city and the region, is that we remain on track to break ground in early 2021, which will create thousands of badly needed construction jobs to help with the economic recovery,” he said.

Mr. Williamson said the URA and SEA are reviewing the request for the extension and deciding on “appropriate next steps.”

Under their agreement with the two authorities, the Penguins are able to win back any parking revenue that is put into escrow if they get back on track in terms of the timetable for the redevelopment, Mr. Williamson said.

Mr. Acklin said there’s no impact if the Penguins are able to make the next deadline of October 2023. As part of the agreement, the team would have to forfeit up to 40% of the parking revenue it receives from the site if it hasn’t developed 10.75 acres by then.

The Penguins, who won the development rights to the land in the 2007 deal to build PPG Paints Arena, have until Oct. 22, 2025, to develop all 28 acres.

A month ago, the team and its developer, the Buccini/Pollin Group, announced that they had secured the last piece of financing they needed for the FNB headquarters and that it paved the way to break ground in the second quarter of 2021.

The $230 million office tower, to be built on the western end of the lower Hill District site closest to Downtown, is to feature 550,000 square feet in all.

FNB will anchor the building, taking more than 160,000 square feet spread over nine floors with options to expand. There also will be retail and some on-site parking. The bank is seeking a $15 million state redevelopment assistance capital grant to help fund the project.

It also has promised to advance $11 million in investment to the middle and upper Hill for redevelopment activities. It’s part of a plan to use tax 1195913 Pittsburgh Penguins to wonder if he can play like that again this upcoming season. Goaltending in general will be a huge question mark. Jarry flashed big- time potential last season but hasn't yet proved he can carry the load all Matt Vensel's Penguins chat transcript: 11.12.20 year.

Joe: i read your article on players the team can and should take. If the Pens were smart, both Tanev and Matheson should be on the November 12, 2020 11:29 AM available list because of their contracts, and in Tanev’s case, age. It’s unlikely Seattle would take either them because of that. So why not By Matt Vensel / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette protect both Blueger and McCann? I don’t understand your logic

Matt Vensel: Joe, thanks for reading. First off, I did not have Mike Matt Vensel: Good afternoon, Penguins fans. Pumped to talk hockey with Matheson as being protected. The three D that I projected to be you today. We'll get the chat started at 1 p.m. Go ahead and submit your protected were Kris Letang, Brian Dumoulin and Marcus Pettersson. questions now. We can talk about whatever you want -- the moves this John Marino is exempt so he does not need to be protected. As for that offseason, the NHL's plans to get going again, my favorite place to get final forward spot, I made a case for keeping each one of those guys. But chicken wings, Ken Wregget. Talk to you soon. I protected Tanev because he is a valuable short-term piece for the Penguins, a tone-setter on and off the ice. I get your point that maybe Matt Vensel: OK, folks. Just walked the dog and scarfed down a turkey Tanev's contract might scare off the Kraken. But at the time of the sandwich at an alarming pace. Ready to talk hockey with you for a while. expansion draft, he will have only four years left on that deal at a reasonable $3.5 million. If you really value what Tanev brings to the Dean: Hi Matt thank you for taking my question. And the question is next table, and I think the Penguins do, you protect him instead of praying that year when the Seattle has its draft whom do you think the Pens will not the Kraken don't select him in the expansion draft. But, again, I definitely be able to protect? see the logic in protecting Blueger or McCann, especially if one of them Matt Vensel: Dean, coincidentally I wrote about this very topic on takes a big step forward this upcoming season. All that is in the article. Wednesday. Here's a link to my story breaking down their protection A.J. Weirton, WV: Good afternoon, as a diehard Pens fan, we have been options and possible decision-making process: https://www.post- fortunate to have had 4 Generational talents in Mario, Jagr, Sid, and gazette.com/sports/penguins/2020/11/11/nhl-expansion-... Geno. Especially with Sid's injuries and now with COVID-19. Don't you Matt Vensel: To give a quick summary for those too busy or lazy to read feel that Sid as a player and us as fans have been cheated? the whole piece, it looks like the Penguins will probably choose to protect Matt Vensel: AJ, interesting question. I don't know that anyone has been seven forwards, three defensemen and Tristan Jarry, though a lot a can cheated. Sidney Crosby has a boatload of individual awards in addition to change in eight or nine months. Picking the three D and first six forwards his three Stanley Cups. It's been an amazing 15 years for both Crosby was easy. Deciding whom to protect for that final forward spot was tough. and the fan base. But, to your point, it is fair to wonder what more Crosby For me, it came down to Brandon Tanev, Teddy Blueger and Jared could have accomplished had he not dealt with his scary concussion McCann. There's a decent chance one of those guys will be with the issues midway through his career. Maybe he has another Cup, another Seattle Kraken a year from now. Give it a read for much more detail. 150-200 points and more individual trophies on his Hall-of-Fame resume. Ron J: Good afternoon Matt. Don’t u think they have to start to build for Paul: I am surprised that GMJR annointed ERod as a third line wing, the future? Stop trading deal picks ? when he had trouble cracking our lineup as a 4th liner. Any thoughts on Matt Vensel: Ron, they are going to try to win the Stanley Cup again as trying to sign Anthony Duclair? long as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are still playing at a high level. Matt Vensel: Paul, I am not sure if they had any interest in Anthony And they did last season while in the lineup, though Crosby did look a Duclair, who remains unsigned after a productive scoring season for a little off following his return from sports hernia surgery. Anyway, the really bad Senators squad. They didn't have much cap space and signed Penguins realize it's going to get ugly whenever it is time to rebuild, Evan Rodrigues for peanuts. Given that Duclair is still out there, he whether they make that decision or Father Time does for them. It could probably wants to be paid more than the minimum. As for the makeup of be like the 2003-04 team. But if they have another deep run or two in the bottom six, I wouldn't read too much about what Jim Rutherford said them, it will be worth it. about how the third line could be Jared McCann, Mark Jankowski and Anne: How hard did Superstitious Number 87 Sidney Crosby take losing Rodrigues. There is going to be a lot of shuffling of the bottom six until and being booted out of the playoffs on his birthday? Penguins coach Mike Sullivan finds combinations that work. That's just one option. Matt Vensel: Anne, we have not heard from Sid since the end of the Canadiens series but I suspect it wasn't much different than any other Elsie: to cheer us up during this long hockey drought: any year that didn't end with him hoisting the Stanley Cup. memorable/unexpected Sid stories you have from your years covering him that you havent shared before? Joe: Do you think the NHL will actually start in January, or will they wait to hear about vaccine possibilities first and start later if it looks like they Matt Vensel: Elsie, I've only been on the beat for a couple of years and may be able to get more fans in the stands? this past season was kind of a wash. He missed a few months so we didn't see him around and then everything went virtual after COVID hit. Matt Vensel: Joe, the league continues to say that it is targeting on or So some of the wily veterans on the beat definitely have better ones. But around Jan. 1 for the start of next season and discussions with the for me, two stand out. My very first assignment on the beat was going NHLPA are supposed to be ramping up here in the next couple of weeks. with Sid to deliver season tickets to a local family. First time I was ever If the NHL and NHLPA can find common ground on a number of around him in person. And it blew me away how legitimately kind he was complicated issues, including the possibility of short-term hubs early in to the family. He showed sincere interest when asking the family the season and temporary realignment, teams could be taking the ice for questions and played hockey with the kids in the driveway. He was there training camp in the middle of December. All that said, it sure looks like for almost an hour and was in no rush to get out of there. Pretty cool. And our country is about to get hit by a second (or is it the third?) wave of the then I'll remember him taking the time after a practice on Thanksgiving COVID-19 pandemic. If it gets ugly, I wonder if sports leagues will need Day in 2018 to chat with me for several minutes for a random story I was to shut down again. Hopefully, for more bigger reasons beyond just working on. He could have been like, "Peace out, I've got turkey to eat." watching our favorite athletes play some games, that is not the case. Just a little thing. But I think it shows just how humble and kind he is to others. The real deal. Jim W.: What are the Penguins plans for backing up Jarry? Jeff Z. South Side: 3rd line center?? Matt Vensel: Jim, barring something surprising here, it will be Casey DeSmith. That's always been the most likely scenario once it became Matt Vensel: Entering the season, it will be Teddy Blueger, Mark clear they would need to trade Matt Murray or Tristan Jarry. I know there Jankowski or Jared McCann. If you look at time on ice, the Blueger line was hope among the fan base that Marc-Andre Fleury would return, but was actually the third line last season even though the Pens always listed that always seemed unrealistic given the salary cap and other factors. it as the fourth on their gameday depth charts. I have a feeling Blueger Anyway, DeSmith was really good in that No. 2 role in 2018-19. But after still has more room to grow as a player. He's one of the hardest works on he spent all of last year in the AHL and had some ups and downs, it's fair the team. If he improves on faceoffs and shows a little more pop offensively, he could be a really effective two-way center here for a while. (Which, of course, means they would protect him over Brandon Tanev next summer. Haha.)

Guest: Do Rutherford and Sullivan really think a bottom six of Rodrigues, Jankowski, McCann, Blueger, Sceviour, ZAR and/or Lafferty is really going to cut it for a Cup contender? Pens are no more a contender now than they were in August. Agree?

Matt Vensel: I think it's fair to say that it doesn't appear that the Penguins, on paper, got significantly better this offseason. Kasperi Kapanen should be a useful player but I don't know if he will be a big- time difference-maker. They got rid of Jack Johnson but brought in another pricey underachiever in Mike Matheson. The bottom six, the third pair and goaltending remain question marks. But, keep in mind, the playoffs don't start in January. Maybe McCann finds consistency or Blueger takes a leap forward. Maybe a youngster like Samuel Poulin comes in and contributes. The Penguins will get time to evaluate what they have and what they need and have the flexibility to improve the team at the deadline.

Joe: Matt, I think Tanev’s contract of four more years at $3.5 million per year is pretty bad for what he brings. He’s probably worth about a million less. I do think Seattle would have little interest in picking him up at age 29, regardless of whether the Pens really want to keep him and like him. I’d still expose him in the expansion draft

Matt Vensel: Joe, we'll agree to disagree. I think the Pens would side with me in regards to whether Tanev is currently worth his annual salary.

Matt Vensel: OK, folks. When we are quibbling over whether Brandon Tanev is worth $2.5 million a season or $3.5 million, that's our cue to call it a day. A lot of great questions today, especially considering that it's a quiet time in the offseason. We'll do this again soon.

Post Gazette LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195914 Pittsburgh Penguins The Penguins made this the primary focus of their draft. They used the pick they received from Ottawa in the second round to draft Finnish goaltender Joel Blomqvist. In the third round, they selected Swedish The Penguins’ prospect pool is shallow, but these players are ready for prospect Calle Clang (arguably the best name for a goaltender I’ve ever the NHL seen). Also, the Penguins still have Emil Larmi in their organization, a goaltender they like a great deal.

These aren’t going to be NHL answers for a least a couple of years, if not By Josh Yohe longer. But at least the prospects are now in place.

Nov 12, 2020

The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 For so long, the Penguins have essentially been a sure thing. At worst, they’ve been a playoff team. At best, they’ve been the team to beat. This season could be different as a brutal Metropolitan Division means that the franchise’s 15th consecutive playoff berth is no sure thing.

This week, The Athletic will be evaluating the Penguins’ state of the franchise, with a look at the depth chart, the prospect system, the salary cap and more.

This is Part IV: Prospects.

Center

There really isn’t much here, which has been the case for years. The Penguins don’t have many draft picks and don’t use many of those picks at center, given who the best players on their NHL roster are. Jordy Bellerive is the best of the bunch here. He’s not the biggest nor the fastest, but he possesses an interesting skill set and advanced hockey sense. I don’t know that he’ll ever make a huge impact at the NHL level, but the Penguins have been intrigued by him for a couple of years now.

Left wing

Make no mistake, Sam Poulin is the Penguins’ best prospect. He didn’t look the least bit out of place in July’s training camp cameo appearance and is physically ready to play in the NHL. Don’t be shocked if he makes his debut during the upcoming season. Poulin is a modern-day power forward and is a nice blend of size and speed. I don’t know that he projects to becoming a star player, but I don’t know that he doesn’t. Realistically, he’s likely to become a legitimate top-six winger and, while the Penguins don’t immediately require such a player on the left side, they’ll make room for him when he’s ready. And he’s just about ready.

Don’t forget about Drew O’Connor. The Penguins signed him out of Dartmouth earlier this season, and they’re quite intrigued with him. He’s a 6-foot-3 power forward and Rutherford said he’ll be in the NHL “sooner rather than later.” Signing players out of college has become a necessity for the Penguins because of their penchant for trading away draft picks. Players like O’Connor can theoretically make a major difference for them.

Right wing

Nathan Legare remains one of the Penguins’ most intriguing prospects. Poulin had a better junior season and projects as the more complete NHL player. Legare has a special release, however, and the Penguins believe he has the potential to become a big-time NHL goal scorer. His performance at training camp in 2019 can’t be ignored. This is a player who appears to thrive when surrounded by other talented forwards.

Left defense

It’s all about Pierre-Olivier Joseph. The Penguins are expecting him to become a fixture at the NHL level sooner rather than later. His biggest problem in terms of cracking the NHL roster is the amount of talent currently playing on the Penguins’ blue line, particularly on the left side. None of those players figures to be easy to displace. Still, this is a player who excites the Penguins, his season in Wilkes-Barre getting the attention of everyone. It’s a matter of when, and not if, he makes it to the NHL.

Right defense

Josh Maniscalo is a name to remember. The Penguins signed the Arizona State product in August, and they are enthusiastic about him. He’s already signed to a three-year, entry-level contract. His future is in the NHL. Maniscalo is right-handed, which always excites NHL teams when it comes to defensemen. He is 6-2 and has a knack for jumping into the play effectively. He’s not ready for the NHL just yet, but he might not be that far away.

Goalie 1195915 San Jose Sharks lost parking and construction impacts. The Sharks lost the federal case but are appealing. Hearings are ongoing in the county case.

Mountain View-based Google said it has been collaborating with multiple San Jose Sharks say downtown projects may force SAP Center exit parties and groups, including the Sharks, as the tech titan’s game- changing development proposal navigates community scrutiny and the city review process. By GEORGE AVALOS | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group “We look forward to continuing to work with the Sharks and the city as the process moves forward,” a Google spokesperson said. PUBLISHED: November 12, 2020 at 9:24 a.m. | UPDATED: November 12, 2020 at 5:18 p.m. The Sharks made it clear that Google isn’t the problem.

“It would be inappropriate to blame Google for all of this,” Becher said. “The city has a delicate balancing act. BART, Caltrain, Google and the SAN JOSE — In an urgent plea to fans for help, the San Jose Sharks on Sharks all have to be considered.” Thursday said the team may be forced out of the city because of big downtown developments near the Diridon train station that threaten The Sharks noted that the team’s agreement with San Jose requires the access and parking at the SAP Center, where the team plays. city to ensure 4,850 parking spaces are available within one-third of a mile of SAP Center. But Google has struck a deal to buy from the city the The warning from the Sharks could shove city officials onto a tightrope as big SAP Center parking lots that would provide part of the land for the they attempt to balance the needs of the city’s highest profile sports team Downtown West development. and their quest to dramatically revitalize San Jose’s small downtown district. “The problem is the city’s inability to work with (the Sharks) and find a win-win solution,” said Bob Staedler, a San Jose-based land-use “We definitely do not want to leave,” Jonathan Becher, president of consultant. Sharks Sports & Entertainment, said in an interview. “This is our home. This is where we want to be. Leaving is the last resort. But it could come The Sharks noted that development could occur over 10 to 15 years and to that if the arena becomes unviable.” that multiple major construction projects could occur at the same time.

Google plans a transit-oriented development of office buildings, homes, “There does not appear to be a plan that ensures SAP Center patrons shops, restaurants, entertainment hubs, cultural centers and parks near can continue to safely and conveniently access the arena, and that our the train station and the SAP complex. More development is planned for neighbors can maintain their quality of life during this transformational areas adjacent to that project, and the Sharks are concerned with period,” the Sharks stated in the open letter. parking, traffic gridlock and the impact of ongoing construction. The Sharks urged fans to share their concerns with local elected officials “For more than a year, we have been sharing our concerns with you in advance of a Monday City Council study session and a December 3 regarding the proposed, massive development projects within the Diridon community meeting. area of downtown San Jose, which surrounds SAP Center,” the Sharks Still, team executives made it clear the Sharks want to stay in San Jose said in a letter to fans and supporters, urging them to contact city officials for decades to come. to voice support for the team. “We are so optimistic we can work this out,” Becher said. “We want this “For the past several years, we have been sharing those same concerns to be our home. We are not interested in going anywhere else. We could with city of San Jose officials and Google. Unfortunately, those be forced to go somewhere else, but not because we want to leave.” discussions have yielded limited results and the planners of these projects appear intent on moving forward in a manner that could force the Sharks out of San Jose.” San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 11.13.2020 Mayor Sam Liccardo attempted to allay any worries.

“I am absolutely certain that nothing about our community’s long-standing ambitions for transit and urban development in Downtown West will threaten the Sharks’ treasured tenure here,” Liccardo told this news organization.

The Diridon train station, already a hub for Amtrak, the ACE Train, Caltrain, Capitol Corridor and light rail, is slated to also become a BART stop.

“These projects will bring thousands of BART riders, new residents, workers and fans to the Sharks’ front door — a windfall for any professional sports franchise,” Liccardo said.

Liccardo said the city will minimize the impact of construction, but added, “In any dynamic, revitalizing downtown on this planet, the universal mantra applies: Pardon the dust.”

Potentially 55,000 more workers could appear in downtown San Jose, thanks to the new developments. Downtown now has enough office space for roughly 44,000 workers. Yet at the same time, parts of West Santa Clara Street — including a section directly in front of SAP Center — will lose street lanes.

Expecting employees to use mass transit, Google plans to create just 2,850 parking spaces for the 25,000 Google workers in its development, called Downtown West. Daily vehicle trips in the Diridon Station and SAP Center area now number 19,200. The development projects eyed in the vicinity could cause those trips to mushroom to 136,600 daily trips.

“It will be harder to get a parking space in downtown San Jose than is the case in San Francisco,” Becher said.

In 2018, the Sharks filed separate lawsuits, one in Santa Clara County Superior Court and the other in federal court, related to concerns about 1195916 San Jose Sharks “I guess at some point in the future I will have to (explore) that. There’s not a lot of open real estate in Silicon Valley. … Finding and building and doing that, as witnessed by our friends with the 49ers and the Warriors, Sharks warn that downtown construction could force them out of San is probably a 10-year project. That doesn’t happen overnight.” Jose The Sharks’ preference is to remain where they are, and that’s the way they have been operating for many years, despite knowing about some of these projects for a while. By Kevin Kurz Led by owner Hasso Plattner, the Sharks have invested in SAP Center to Nov 12, 2020 keep it as modern as possible. During this lengthy offseason, the club has torn up and rebuilt its ice-making capabilities. In recent years there

have been upgrades to the lighting, and to the interior of the building, The words were surely jarring to any Sharks fan who read through a including several lounge-type areas. morning email from the organization on Thursday. “We’re still investing in the arena,” Becher said. “We built the new ice Frustrated with the plans for upcoming construction projects in downtown plant. We ripped up 30 years of concrete. You don’t do those things if San Jose, particularly in the immediate vicinity of SAP Center, the club you’re expecting to leave quickly. We’re heads down, trying to build and made it known that if those plans don’t change it “could force the Sharks spending our money — it’s not city money — to make this the best out of San Jose.” If the blueprints are to remain in place as laid out, the possible arena we can. We do believe we can get a lot of life out of this team said, “the arena simply cannot survive.” thing. But we just hope we’re not squeezed out.”

In October, the city of San Jose revealed revised plans for the Becher said that while the Sharks haven’t gotten everything they’ve redevelopment of approximately 250 acres of land, which includes tech wanted in their discussions with Google, the company hasn’t been the giant Google’s massive Downtown West project that features 65 new primary foe. buildings, parks, a hotel and retail space. “We haven’t really gotten where we needed to go with the city,” he said. To be clear, nothing is imminent. The Sharks’ lease with the city runs That’s why the Sharks are encouraging their fans to get involved. In that through at least 2025, and they have the option to renew that lease until Thursday morning email, they suggested that anyone who shares their 2040. They would like to stay at least that long, and even beyond the concerns should let the city know through the DSAP webpage, or to expiration of the current lease. virtually attend a town meeting on Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. But time is of the essence, the Sharks say, to avoid what they perceive “We’re frankly freaked out on behalf of our fans,” Becher said. as an existential threat. According to Sharks president Jonathan Becher, the team will need to see some alterations in the current plans at some He continued: “My sense is everyone’s hoping that someone will figure point over the next year or so, and probably sooner, if they are to remain this out, the city will eventually figure this out. But to use an old phrase confident that they can stay long term in the place they’ve called home that’s used often, hope isn’t a strategy.” since 1993.

“I think by the end of 2021 this will be decided one way or another,” Becher said in a conference call with reporters. “And I think a lot of those The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 decisions politically will have been discussed in the next four months, let’s say.”

The Sharks’ concerns revolve mostly around ensuring reasonable access to the building, which hosts approximately 175 events per year, including concerts and family shows. According to Becher, there are three legs to that concern. One, the increase in expected traffic downtown, which could be seven to 20 times greater than it is presently. Two, the lack of parking. Three, the BART/Caltrain projects that will be happening concurrently with other construction. A high-speed rail at some point is also possible.

“All happening within the same 15 to 20 year period, zero coordination between them,” Becher said.

An email to San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo’s office was not immediately returned, but in a statement to the Mercury News, Liccardo said: “I am absolutely certain that nothing about our community’s long-standing ambitions for transit and urban development in Downtown West will threaten the Sharks’ treasured tenure here.”

The Sharks aren’t opposed to the redevelopment, or to progress in general, Becher said, but they don’t want their fans to burdened by questionable traffic patterns. In the most recent blueprint, for example, Santa Clara Street, which runs directly in front of the arena, was reduced to two lanes from four. Already on game nights that street can get jammed up as cars file into the parking lots adjacent to the arena.

Becher claims that when the development is through it will be tougher to park in downtown San Jose than San Francisco — a city with a more robust public transportation system.

“We believe in the future of mass transportation, but it’s not yet systemic here in the Bay Area,” Becher said. “So some large fraction (of fans) are still going to be car visits for the foreseeable future. In fact, San Jose’s own master general plan says in 2040, that 60 percent of all trips will still be cars. So, (there’s a) big question of how people are going to get in and out. Secondarily, if they do manage to get in and out, we’re not sure where they’re going to park.”

Does that mean that a new arena might be in the Sharks’ future? Obviously, that’s not such a simple solution either, but Becher admitted, 1195917 Tampa Bay Lightning manager/general manager of the AHL . He had been director of player development since 2013, helping run the team’s prospect and development camps. Roest has been huge in keeping tabs Lightning names you may not know that are engraved on the Stanley with the team’s prospects and helping them acclimate to pro hockey. Cup Lightning director of player development/Crunch GM Stacy Roest with the Cup. (Scott Audette / Lightning)

By Joe Smith Director of hockey operations Mathieu Darche — Darche, the former NHL winger, took an interesting path to the Lightning front office. He had Nov 12, 2020 settled in comfortably into a post-hockey career as VP of sales for a Canadian customs brokerage in his hometown of Montreal before

BriseBois brought him in before last season. Darche is BriseBois’ right- You know Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, Nikita Kucherov. hand man, a former NHLPA negotiator who helps with contracts and managing the salary cap, which looms large as the team faces a big cap Owner Jeff Vinik and GM Julien BriseBois are among those listed first for crunch. a reason. Coaching staff But of the 52 Lightning names that were recently engraved on the Stanley Cup, there were likely many others that even the team’s fans Coach Jon Cooper — The longest-tenured coach, who has evolved over might not know about. There are a bunch who never played a minute on his time as the franchise’s winningest, now has a Cup on his resume. the ice, but played an integral behind-the-scenes role in the team’s run to Assistants — Derek Lalonde (former Wild AHL coach in his second year their second Cup win. So Michael Peterson, Liz Sylvia Koharski and on staff, specializing with penalty kill), Jeff Halpern (former long-time NHL Brandon Rodgers now have their name on the Cup as many times as center, including for the Lightning, who got his coaching start with AHL Alex Ovechkin or Martin St. Louis. And they’ll have their own days with Syracuse before moving to the Tampa Bay bench two years ago), Todd the 37-pound chalice this month. Richards (a two-time NHL head coach who recently left after four seasons to join the Predators staff), goaltending coach Frantz Jean There are only a few ground rules on having your name on it. For (coached two Vezina Trophy finalists in Ben Bishop and Andrei players, they must have played at least 41 games played during the Vasilevskiy in his tenure since 2010 after playing and coaching in regular season or one game played in the Stanley Cup final, though there Moncton — QMJHL), video coordinator Brian Garlock (the Big Rapids, was a stipulation added in 1994 to allow teams to petition the Mich. native has been with Cooper with AHL Norfolk/Syracuse, the commissioner for permission to add others under “extenuating USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers and the NAHL’s St. Louis Bandits), video circumstances;” goaltender Scott Wedgewood is the only player who was coach Nigel Kirwan (original member of the organization who moved up in the playoff bubble in Toronto and Edmonton who is not on the Cup. from the front office to the coaching staff and was part of the 2004 and The management names are determined by the team, typically the current Cup teams); both Garlock and Kirwan handle the video scouting, general manager, though they must be approved by the NHL and Hockey assisting with game planning and preparation, not to mention the Hall of Fame. The Lightning were allowed 52 names. important video challenges. Director of high performance and strength coach Mark Lambert (in his ninth season with the organization, Here’s our look behind this year’s Lightning names on hockey’s holy overseeing players in and offseason workout regimens, with examples grail. like this and that.) Ownership and hockey operations Long-time Lightning video coach Nigel Kirwan with the Stanley Cup. Owner Jeff Vinik — He’s the first name because it all starts at the top, (Scott Audette / Lightning) with Vinik being a “savior” for the franchise when he bought the team in Medical 2010. He took an interesting path to becoming a model NHL owner. Head athletic trainer Tommy Mulligan (in his 18th season of overseeing President and CEO Steve Griggs — Griggs has played a big role in the all aspects of team’s medical, athletic training and rehab plans, so this is rejuvenation of the Lightning brand, filling some big shoes in 2015 for his second Cup), assistant athletic trainer Mike Poirier (Mulligan’s right- Tod Leiweke. He had also spent one year as team president and four hand man for past dozen seasons after spending time on the Providence others as chief operating officer after joining the club in 2010 following a Bruins’ staff and a year with the ; you’ll often see stint with the NBA’s Orlando Magic. Griggs runs the business operations him throwing the football around pre-game with Steven Stamkos and for the Lightning and Vinik Sports Group. He’s hand his hands in on the Victor Hedman), massage therapist Christian Rivas (the New York native Amalie Arena upgrades, concerts you’ve seen there, corporate finished his 10th season with Lightning after also having experience with sponsorships and, of course, the “Be the Thunder” campaign. MLB, NBA and NFL players), assistant strength and conditioning coach GM Julien BriseBois — BriseBois needs little introduction, as the long- Brandon Rodgers (the Pittsburgh native finished his second season as time exec took a serendipitous route to the Lightning general manager an assistant to Lambert, helping implement strength and high- job, replacing Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman on Sept. 11, 2018. After a performance programs, physical therapy and athletic training). historic first year, from the 62 wins to the stunning first-round sweep, Equipment BriseBois helped transform the Lightning this year into a Cup champion, including making some bold deadline moves. BriseBois was Yzerman’s Equipment manager Ray Thill (finished his 21st season), assistant right-hand man since 2010, running the team’s AHL club, and he was the equipment manager Rob Kennedy (just finished his 13th season with one who hired Jon Cooper. Tampa after couple of years with the Florida Panthers and a tenure with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters), assistant equipment manager Jason Director of amateur scouting Al Murray — One of Yzerman’s chief early Berger (the Philadelphia native finished his third season after five with hires, Murray has become one of the organization’s behind-the-scenes Providence) — The equipment staff is typically among the hardest- MVPs, the architect of their drafts the past decade. There have been working (and relatively anonymous) people in the organization, but if you several draft pick gems over the years, from Brayden Point and Anthony ask players, their work is immeasurable in equipment maintenance, Cirelli to Ondrej Palat, and even Nikita Kucherov in the second round. ordering and inventory. Everyone appreciates “Razor,” “Bubba” and Murray, who used to work for the Kings and Hockey Canada, was “Berger.” On road trips, when the rest of the group heads to the hotel promoted to assistant general manager when Yzerman left, and could be after landing in a city, they’re heading to the arena to set up the a GM candidate in coming years. equipment and visitor’s dressing room. Director of player personnel Jamie Pushor — The former Red Wing (Cup Hockey administration winner in 1997) joined the Lightning in 2011 as a pro scout, then ran the pro scouting operations before being elevated to his current role. He’s Senior director of team services Ryan Belec has the ultimate mobile one of BriseBois’ top advisors, a similar role that Tom Kurvers had here office, placing his nameplate on the wall next to small tables and chairs in with Yzerman before moving on to the Minnesota Wild. Pushor plays a arenas throughout the league (he manages team travel, from air and key role in trade deadline prep. ground transportation to hotels and team catering, another thankless but important job that keeps the team afloat), director of hockey Director of player development Stacy Roest — Roest, another former administration Liz Sylvia Koharski (assists GM Julien BriseBois with all Red Wing, just wrapped up his first year as assistant general administrative procedures, from maintaining contracts, transfers and trades of players, coordinating communication with NHL office and team execs), director of hockey analytics Michael Peterson (the Midland, Texas native and Texas Tech grad has spent 11 seasons with the team, the first nine as statistical analyst, and is now responsible for assisting management and coaching staff for hockey operations and contract valuations, giving data-driven recommendations for the draft, free agency and trades. He is a former consultant of the MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians).

Players

Steven Stamkos (captain), Zach Bogosian, Erik Cernak, Anthony Cirelli, Braydon Coburn, Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow, Yanni Gourde, Victor Hedman, Tyler Johnson, Mathieu Joseph, Alex Killorn, Nikita Kucherov, Pat Maroon, Ryan McDonagh, Curtis McElhinney, Ondrej Palat, Cedric Paquette, Brayden Point, Jan Rutta, Luke Schenn, Mikhail Sergachev, Kevin Shattenkirk, Mitchell Stephens, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Carter Verhaeghe, Alex Volkov

The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195918 Toronto Maple Leafs million for every home game played in an empty arena. A further $215,000 is lost per game on food and beverage.

The league may be prepared to start the season without fans in most NHL players expect to be paid in full for 2021 season, regardless of its rinks. Some jurisdictions in states like Florida, Texas and Arizona may length allow some fans, but the hope is fans may pack the arenas by the end of the season, or maybe the playoffs.

By Kevin McGran Staff Reporter

Thu., Nov. 12, 2020 Toronto Star LOADED: 11.13.2020

The NHL Players’ Association believes players will be paid in full — which is actually 72 per cent of their salaries — when the 2021 NHL season gets underway, regardless of how many games constitute the season.

There has been a push by some owners to have the players paid on a pro-rata basis if a full season is not played. The league’s governors met Thursday for an update from commissioner Gary Bettman.The players believe the memorandum of understanding they signed in the summer, one that extended the current collective bargaining agreement by six years, included the concessions necessary to get owners through the coronavirus pandemic.

The players agreed to giving owners back 20 per cent of their salaries this season through escrow, and deferred payment for 10 per cent of the remainder. So a player with a $1 million salary would draw $720,000. The first $200,000 would go back to the owners; the next $80,000 (10 per cent of the remaining $800,000) would be paid back to the players over time.

While there’s no mention of pro rata payments, the players believe the memorandum of understanding addressed the issue and they were hoping Bettman was making that point to his owners, some of whom have grumbled that they’d be better off financially by not playing at all.

A source said the NHL understood the grim realities of the coronavirus — that the next season might start without fans in the stands — when it agreed to terms with the players.

The league is still targeting a Jan. 1 opening. That date is dear to the NHL, with its history of outdoor games on that day, though no outdoor games are planned this year. There will be no all-star game, either. And the season could still start later. The lockout-shortened, 48-game season in 2013 started Jan. 20.

The conversations between the NHL and the NHLPA have been productive and collaborative, by all accounts.

The Star has confirmed the NHLPA has a 16-player return-to-play committee that includes Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman. Two Leafs, John Tavares and Jason Spezza, were on the five-member committee that helped prepare for the two bubbles that saw a two-month, 24-team post-season that ended without a single case of COVID transmitted to the players, coaches and officials involved.

The new return-to-play committee has not yet met with representatives of the league, though the leadership of the NHLPA and the league meet regularly. The league needs the players’ association to ratify any changes, including the length of the season, the length of the playoffs and the sites for games

The league is keen to get going, wanting to award the Stanley Cup by mid-July and return to a regular hockey schedule for 2021-22, when the Seattle Kraken begin play and the league will be the beneficiary of a new national U.S. TV contract. The coming season will be the final one of a 10-year, $2-billion (U.S.) deal with NBC.

Multiple ideas for 2021 have been floated, including:

Seasons of anywhere from 48 games to 72.

Realigned divisions to cut on travel and take into account pandemic restrictions, including a Canadian division.

Teams playing baseball-style series, perhaps three games over four days against the same team, to cut down on travel costs.

The NHL relies on revenue from ticket sales more than the other professional sports, which enjoy far more generous national TV deals. Statista.com estimates that NHL teams will lose an average of $1.3 1195919 Toronto Maple Leafs Second World War began. While a Northern team hasn’t won a Stanley Cup since 1993, in its 12 years of exclusivity up to 1938, the Canadian Division produced five; the Canadiens twice, one each for the Maroons, Maple Leafs await green light for season Ottawa and Toronto (the same season the Gardens opened). The division era did see the last Leaf to win a scoring title, Gordie Drillon, finishing 1-2 with teammate Syl Apps.

Lance Hornby If they travel to Montreal, Ottawa or the West, the weird part for today’s Leafs would be not having their customary crowd support from travelling Publishing date: Nov 13, 2020 fans or resident loyalists. But they’d just be happy to hit the ice again.

On Thursday’s anniversary of the opening of Maple Leaf Gardens, there Toronto Sun LOADED: 11.13.2020 was some hope for a hockey season in Hogtown.

The board of governors had an online meeting regarding various plans to re-launch in January. No official release was provided afterwards, but it’s becoming obvious that a shortened schedule with a seven-team Canadian division is in the Maple Leafs’ future.

But games in Toronto won’t look anything like 1931, or 2019 for that matter when the recovery plan in concert with the Players’ Association is hammered out. It’s more likely to be hockey amid deserted seats as in the 2020 playoff bubble at Scotiabank, with the lower bowl festooned with blue and white logos, a ‘Go Leafs Go’ loop heard via a Zoom call and other piped-in effects.

There are obvious health concerns to be addressed before even a limited number of fans could be allowed back, which would be later in an already condensed campaign. There were only scant cases of COVID-19 in Toronto when play was halted March 12 of last season, the day the Leafs were to have played the Nashville Predators before around 19,000 regulars.

But the second wave has struck harder than the first in these parts. There was a record provincial case count in the province of 1,575 as of Thursday afternoon, including 472 in Toronto alone. Medical experts are making ominous predictions that it’s going to get worse.

The Leafs and the general membership of the PA still have to reach agreement with the league on salary and delicate issues off the ice, the notion of long weeks in quarantine already being rejected.

“You’ll play for 10 to 12 days,” Bettman surmised earlier this week. “You’ll play a bunch of games without traveling. You’ll go back, go home for a week, be with your family. We’ll have our testing protocols and all the other things you need.”

Fewer games and lower gate revenue are better than none and while the basketball Raptors might have to de-camp for an American city when the NBA revs up for its planned December start, word from Scotiabank Arena Thursday was building officials are just waiting for some timeline information from the league to have the ice ready.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and Rogers Place in Edmonton have some experience when it comes to setting up their rink operations for a COVID-clouded season, as host cities in the playoffs. They know about on-site testing, mask protocol, utilizing extra dressing rooms while others are being sanitized and keeping players separate from building staff and media.

There was no outbreak as players underwent volunteer COVID testing at their training bases during the summer and none during their time in the Toronto/Edmonton bubbles. Many Leafs have been working out voluntarily at their West End practice facility for weeks, other prospects are scattered overseas.

The Canadian Division would be a guaranteed hit for players and fans alike. Though it could require extra time for some players and club personnel to quarantine after crossing the border or arriving from Europe, there would be unfettered travel and a TV product in which to generate advertising money.

The NHL began as a four-team Canadian operation in 1917 and split off again in 1926-27. The Leafs and Montreal Canadiens were joined by that city’s second entry, the Maroons, as well as the first version of the Ottawa Senators and the former Hamilton Tigers (who’d become the New York Americans). There was interlocking play with a division of new franchises in Chicago and New York, who’d joined Boston, Pittsburgh and Detroit.

Ottawa was replaced by St. Louis for one season in 1934-35, before the Canadian group shrank to four teams and the divisions merged as the 1195920 Vegas Golden Knights Listed as limited were running back Kenyan Drake (ankle), cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (thigh), Maxx Williams (ankle) and safety Deionte Thompson (knee).

Arizona Cardinals For the Bills, running back Taiwan Jones (hamstring) and defensive end Mario Addison (not injury related) did not practice.

'We’ve got all the pieces': Cardinals optimistic about a healthier defense The following Buffalo players were limited: guard Cody Ford (ankle), against Bills Del’Shawn Phillips (quadricep), cornerback Tre’Davious White (ankle), guard Brian Winters (knee), cornerback Josh Norman (hamstring), guard Cody Ford (ankle), guard Jon Feliciano (back) and (not injury related) were listed as limited. KATHERINE FITZGERALD | Arizona Republic Receiver John Brown (knee) and DE Jerry Hughes (foot) were full

participants after missing Wednesday. Safety Jalen Thompson had to watch his team from afar on Sundays for weeks as he worked through an ankle injury. As he did, he took advantage of the time to try to get mental reps while watching on Arizona Republic LOADED: 11.13.2020 television, but he also made some big picture observations. And he liked what he could see.

"I that that, personally, we can be the best defense. We’ve got all the pieces, we've got all the tools, we've got all the leaders, the experience," Thompson said on Wednesday.

"We've just got to go out there and do it now."

The Cardinals defense is not quite there yet, but between getting back players who were injured or a couple of players who had coronavirus, they're getting closer.

Defensive coordinator said Thursday that he expects safety Budda Baker to play Sunday, even though Baker did not practice Wednesday or Thursday with a groin injury. A few other players on the Cardinals defense are still working through injuries — notably defensive lineman Jordan Phillips — but the team is the closest it's been in awhile to having starters all ready to go.

Linebacker Devon Kennard and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. have been practicing after missing the Miami game with coronavirus. Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick has been practicing as well. They'll want as much depth as possible to take on the Bills and quarterback Josh Allen.

"We know it's a top-five offense, the quarterback is playing at a high level, he has four targets that he likes," Joseph said. "They're gonna make some plays. But it's our job to make more plays that those guys make. ... You wouldn't stop most of these offenses cold, as far as the yards.

"That's why yards now don't matter as much. If you're playing really, really good red-zone defense, good third-down defense, taking the ball away — that's the key to playing winning football in 2020 now."

Allen has thrown for 2,587 yards and 19 touchdowns so far this season. He's run in another five touchdowns, including one in each of his last two games.

The Cardinals feel they have some added preparation for certain aspects of his game from going against quarterback Kyler Murray in practice. Still, Joseph knows containing Allen will come more from strategy than simply from any traces of familiarity.

"It definitely makes you have a plan to rush the guy the proper way," Joseph said. "It's our job to speed him up and to have a rush plan."

Coach Kliff Kingsbury thinks some of that planning will be smoother with players back this week.

"You look early on, losing Robert Alford and Chandler (Jones) early, and then some of the guys we missed last week with the COVID-19 protocols. It'll be nice this week to get those bodies back and feel more healthy with that unit and have some experienced players out there," Kingsbury said. "I know we're all excited to see how we play on Sunday with that group."

Injury report

Thursday once again brought about a lengthy injury report for both teams, though with more players up to limited.

Six players did not practice for the Cardinals on Thursday: safety Budda Baker (groin), guard Justin Murray (hand), defensive lineman Jordan Phillips (hamstring), defensive end Leki Fotu (ankle), offensive lineman Lamont Gaillard (illness) and quarterback Chris Streveler (illness). 1195921 Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals’ Jalen Thompson has high expectations for duo with Budda Baker

BY TYLER DRAKE

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 AT 6:55 PM

UPDATED: NOVEMBER 11, 2020 AT 6:56 PM

Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson saw all of two snaps before going down with an ankle injury in the team’s season opener against the .

The ankle issue would force Thompson onto the injured reserve and off the gridiron until last week’s meeting with the .

The second-year safety did all he could during his off time to stay locked in at the task at hand, watching the games from home and taking mental reps to prepare for when it was his time to return to the field.

And even though Sunday’s result, a 34-31 loss to the Dolphins, wasn’t what Thompson envisioned for his first game back, the safety is keeping a positive mindset and painting a target goal for he and fellow safety Budda Baker to achieve.

He will be the first to tell you they can both get better.

“I feel like we can be the best safeties in the league,” Thompson told reporters via Zoom on Wednesday. “Obviously I need to get a little more work, he needs to get a little more work too. We both do, but overall I feel like we can be the best two safeties in the league. It’s going to take a lot of work. A lot of studying, a lot of film work and just grinding every day. But I feel like we can be the best two if we keep working.”

Thompson’s statline on Sunday didn’t jump off the page, three tackles and a pass defensed. Baker, though, raved about how Thompson being back on the field with him is a huge plus.

“I loved it,” Baker said Tuesday via Zoom. “He did a lot of things for us. You saw him in the slot covering wide receivers, covering tight ends, blitzing at times as well. Kinda just took the stress off of me a little bit.

“He knocked off a lot of the cobwebs and now for sure JT is ready to be even better this next week.”

Thomson’s return comes at an opportune time for the defense, which also welcomes back outside linebacker Devon Kennard and cornerback Byron Murphy after their stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

It’s a big deal for a defense that hasn’t had all of its starters on the field at the same time since Thompson’s injury in Week 1.

Dre Kirkpatrick is another name that would also help bolster the starting defense. After missing the game last week, Kirkpatrick was limited with a thigh issue in Wednesday’s practice.

With numerous defenders looking to have the greenlight come Sunday, Thompson feels the unit as a whole is not only going to take a step forward in Week 10 but over the course of the rest of the year. They just need to play together.

“It’s going to be good. I feel like as a defense we’re kind of a tightknit family so I feel like regardless of who’s down and who’s up, we’re still going to be a family and just that chemistry we have is going to translate on the field in my opinion,” Thompson said.

“Personally, I think we can be the best defense. We’ve got all the pieces, we’ve got all the tools, we’ve got all the leaders and experience. We just got to go out there and do it now. Great coaches calling great plays. We’ve just got to go out there and execute now.”

Arizona Sports LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195922 Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray learning to take positives from tough losses

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 AT 3:25 PM

Kyler Murray appeared for his Wednesday Zoom media session in better spirits.

The bar for that was relatively low coming off a Sunday postgame press conference that followed his Arizona Cardinals’ 34-31 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

On Sunday, he answered questions shortly after taking long pauses with visible frustration on his face. The team-provided transcription had Murray speaking 122 whole words immediately after the loss.

He was conversational and even optimistic on Wednesday. Murray went 767 more words.

Among them, he explained Wednesday how he manages losses.

“A loss is a loss,” he said. “We’re not going to be too happy but I’ve kind of — I’m not going to say I’ve gotten better with it — but I’ve definitely learned how to see the positives from a game and take the good with the bad.

“I got to be positive, I’ve got to be optimistic. This is a long season. This isn’t ,” he added. “Obviously we don’t want to let any slip but we got a long season ahead of us.”

There were indeed positives to take away from his own performance against Miami, which dropped Arizona to a 5-3 record. While Murray’s lost on the first possession Sunday was returned to give the Dolphins a 7-0 advantage, the second-year pro did everything he could to make up for it.

He threw for 283 yards by completing 21 of his 26 passes for three touchdowns without another turnover. He also rushed for a career-high 106 yards, scoring a touchdown on the ground.

From an individual standpoint, well, Murray couldn’t have done much more after the strip-sack turnover. It was historic in the worst of ways.

The fact that Arizona could have taken further control of their own destiny by catching the NFC West-leading maybe played into the Cardinals’ frustrations. Then again, the fact Arizona is within a game’s reach at the halfway point of the season is cause for optimism.

It’s Murray’s palpable anger in postgame pressers and how he responds with the chips stacked against him that endears the quarterback to teammates like Christian Kirk, who has known Murray ever since the high school camp circuit.

“He’s still just as hard on himself,” Kirk said Wednesday. “You would think we just lost the Super Bowl. That’s how hard on himself he is. He just cares so much, he’s so competitive.”

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Sunday that Murray’s frustration levels weren’t due to the fact that he played so well in a loss. It was just that it was that — a loss.

But that short press conference did display Murray’s personality to fans, many of whom, quite upset about the loss themselves, appreciate the sentiment.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195923 Arizona Cardinals Player Position Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status

Mario Addison WR Not-injury related — DNP Bills-Cardinals injury report: Arizona S Budda Baker expected to play — —

John Brown WR Knee DNP Full — BY ARIZONA SPORTS —

NOVEMBER 12, 2020 AT 3:30 PM Cody Ford OG Ankle DNP Limited — —

UPDATED: NOVEMBER 12, 2020 AT 3:37 PM Jerry Hughes DE Foot DNP Full — —

Taiwan Jones RB Hamstring DNP DNP — Although Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker didn’t practice on — Wednesday or Thursday due to a groin injury, Vance Joseph expects Baker to be available Sunday against the Buffalo Del’Shawn Phillips LB Quadriceps DNP Limited Bills. — —

“It looks good for Budda. He’s getting better and better everyday, and I Tre’Davious White CB Ankle DNP Limited — expect Budda to play,” Joseph said. —

Two new names appeared on Arizona’s injury report Thursday. Backup Brian Winters G Knee DNP Limited — center Lamont Gaillard and backup quarterback Chris Streveler were out — of practice with illnesses. Jon Feliciano G Back Limited Limited — Meanwhile, defensive tackles Jordan Phillips and Leki Fotu, plus guard — Justin Murray, did not practice. Jake Fromm QB Not-injury related Limited Limited On the positive side of things for the Cardinals, two players who missed — — last Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins, running back Kenyan Drake Micah Hyde S Ankle — Limited — and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, went through a limited practice on — Wednesday and Thursday. Tight end Maxx Williams and backup safety Deionte Thompson were upgraded from out to limited on Thursday as Josh Norman CB Hamstring Limited Limited — well. —

The Bills’ first injury report of the week included receiver John Brown Mitch Morse C Concussion Full Full (knee) and cornerback Tre’Davious White (ankle), who did not practice. — — White was upgraded to a limited participant Thursday, as was Buffalo receiver John Brown and fellow cornerback Josh Norman. T.J. Yeldon RB Back Full Full — — Here are the full injury reports for each team:

Player Position Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status Arizona Sports LOADED: 11.13.2020

Budda Baker S Groin DNP DNP — —

Larry Fitzgerald WR Not-injury related DNP Full — —

Leki Fotu DT Ankle DNP DNP — —

Lamont Gaillard C Illness — DNP — —

DeAndre Hopkins WR Not-injury related DNP Full — —

Justin Murray OT Hand DNP DNP — —

Corey Peters DT Not-injury related DNP Full — —

Jordan Phillips DT Hamstring DNP DNP — —

Chris Steveler QB Illness — DNP — —

Deionte Thompson S Knee DNP Limited — —

Maxx Williams TE Ankle DNP Limited — —

Kenyan Drake RB Ankle Limited Limited — —

Dre Kirkpatrick CB Thigh Limited Limited — — buffalobillsinjurybanner 1195924 Atlanta Falcons times and like Oluokun could see more improvements to his game the more action he sees. All-in-all, outside of Jarrett, this linebacker group is the best part of the defense right now, and these players are playing like Falcons’ midseason defensive grades: A lot of room for improvement it. But sadly for the Falcons, they can’t do it all.

Safety: C

By Tori McElhaney PFF grades: Ricardo Allen 62.0 (42nd of 88), 65.7 (29th of 88) Nov 12, 2020 Standout: Neal with 1.0 sack | 58 combined tackles | six tackles for loss | three quarterback hits

After a winless start through five games that ended with coach Dan This position group has been through a lot the past few years and this Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff being let go, the Falcons year, too. For the third year in a row, a Falcons safety has torn his have looked better in recent weeks under interim coach . Achilles. This year, it was and the Falcons already The Falcons are 3-6 after going 3-1 the past four weeks. During the bye announced he will be out for the remainder of the year like Neal and week, it’s the perfect time to take a look back at the first nine weeks of Allen before him with the same injury. The group also had to play without the season, giving out grades for a number of key players. Allen for a time with an elbow injury. The good news is that it seems Neal has gotten his groove back. After missing nearly two whole years with Midterm grades are in; let’s dive into them. We started with the offense injuries, Neal was looking forward to getting back in 2020. He said he on Wednesday, so now we’ll look at the defense: was a little hesitant in the beginning, just trying to catch back up to the Defensive : B-minus speed of the game in the first weeks of the season. But he has turned a corner recently and has started to look like the old Neal again. With Allen PFF grades: Grady Jarrett 84.9 (10th of 118), Tyeler Davison 55.0 (89th stepping up and making some plays in recent weeks, too, this group is of 118), John Cominsky 64.1 (61st of 118), Marlon Davidson (N/A; hasn’t looking better, but the secondary as a whole is giving up too many yards, seen enough action) and that’s why even with Allen and Neal playing better they doesn’t get a better grade. Standout: Jarrett with 2.5 sacks | 32 combined tackles, six for loss | 13 quarterback hits Cornerback: D

If we were just grading individuals within the defense in the same way we PFF grades: Blidi Wreh-Wilson 49.1 (96th of 116), A.J. Terrell 70.0 (21st did for the offense, Jarrett would be the highest-graded player without of 116), Isaiah Oliver 62.0 (46th of 116), Kendall Sheffield 34.3 (114th of question. If this is just Jarrett we are grading, he gets an A. But it’s not. 116), Darqueze Dennard 68.7 (27th of 116) We’re taking a look at the entire position group, and as much as Jarrett builds this group up, he only could get it to a low-B status. Cominsky had Standout: Terrell with 34 combined tackles | one tackle for loss | one to miss two games while on the COVID-19/reserve list, but he has been quarterback hit | one emerging quite nicely since the start of training camp. If he can remain The play of Terrell and the fact that Dennard is back off the injured healthy, he likely will continue on that upward trajectory through the reserve kept the cornerbacks out of failing territory. It hasn’t been a good second half of the season, and the Falcons will need him to. So, it’s year for the corners at all. They have been burned a number of times this Davison who the Falcons need more production from among the tackles season. The players know it. Secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. knows it. Through the years, he has not been the game-wrecker Jarrett is, but with Everyone knows it. It’s now about seeing how much different this group Davison having only nine tackles this season, the Falcons could use can look from one half of the season to the next. Last year you saw something from him. Without Jarrett, the group may be in D-territory. someone like Sheffield emerge more consistent in the second half of the Defensive end: C-minus season, but can he do that again? He’ll need to bring Oliver along with him. We all knew going into the season that this position would PFF grades: Dante Fowler 53.3 (94th of 111), Charles Harris 57.0 (79th experience its share of growing pains, but it has a long way to go as it is of 111), Steven Means 56.4 (80th of 111), Jacob Tuioti-Mariner 56.2 one of the lowest-ranked groups in the league. (81st of 111), Allen Bailey 50.4 (102nd of 118)

Standout: Fowler with 2.0 sacks | 17 combined tackles | three tackles for loss | six quarterback hits | one forced fumble The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020

Overall, the Falcons just need more disruption from their ends, who need to affect the quarterback a bit more in the second half of the season than they did in the first half. And these players have their work cut out for them: They know they face Drew Brees and Tom Brady twice, and don’t forget about Patrick Mahomes. So, it’s only going to get tougher. Cutting ties with Takk McKinley this week was a start. Getting Fowler back and healthy after the bye week will be good for the group. He played through an ankle injury throughout the first few weeks of the season and most recently had to miss the Denver game with a hamstring issue. That’s where the rest of this group comes in. Bailey and Means started against Denver in the absence of Fowler and McKinley, but it was Tuioti-Mariner who had the best day of the group. The Falcons will just have to see more consistency at this position from the top down.

Linebacker: A

PFF grades: Deion Jones 67.6 (15th of 85), Foye Oluokun 66.2 (17th of 85) and Mykal Walker 64.4 (20th of 85)

Standout: Oluokun with 1.0 sack | 64 combined tackles (more than he had last year) | three tackles for loss | four quarterback hurries | three forced | one interception

Yes, Jones is a higher ranked linebacker league-wide and has looked really good this season, especially recently. But it’s Oluokun who is ’s pride and joy. Oluokun has been the defense’s main disrupter and at times one of the only good things this group had going for it early. Oluokun finally broke into the starting lineup because of De’Vondre Campbell’s departure, and he hasn’t disappointed yet. Don’t forget about the smaller but still impressive role of Walker. The rookie has flashed at 1195925 Atlanta Falcons The 78-year-old Blank, who appeared in 2011 with his team in an ad for NFL Play 60, the league’s initiative to encourage at least an hour a day of physical activity, emphasized he is not criticizing his owner peers who Falcons’ Arthur Blank, unlike peers, rejects esports as contrary to his have invested in esports. values “I’m not being critical of somebody else, you know, they make their own decision for their own reasons and their own set of values,” he said. “And beyond, and maybe, some aspects of this, somebody could argue with By Daniel Kaplan me and take a different point of view.”

Nov 12, 2020 Zach Leonsis offers that different point of view. The senior vice president of strategic initiatives for Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which in

addition to the Washington Wizards and Capitals owns an NBA 2K A pro sports team owner or league investing in esports is almost de League team, the Caps Gaming brand and a stake in Team Liquid, calls rigueur these days as a way to reach out to the millions of young people Blank’s view “older school.” glued to their computer — and not TV — screens. A who’s who of the “I would simply say that the idea that esports is reinforcing those sort of NFL, NHL, MLB and NBA ownership, from Jerry Jones to Ted Leonsis, bad behaviors is an older school and I would say at times superficial are esports insiders. And the NBA and NFL field their own circuits, from understanding of what’s really happening in the esports community,” Madden NFL tournaments to the NBA 2K League. Leonsis said. “The stereotype for esports is a kid playing video games in It’s not hard to see why. While audiences are static or declining by many his parents’ basement, drinking Mountain Dew and eating Cheetos. And measures for traditional stick and ball sports, they are surging in esports. that’s such a bogus stereotype, frankly. The facilities that we’ve set up for The esports audience is projected to reach 950 million in 2023, up from our esports teams are incredibly professionalized. We’re focusing on 395 million in 2018, according to Newzoo. An esports tournament last daily nutrition, we’re focusing on physical fitness, so that all of our players year at the National Tennis Center awarded $30 million in prize money, are at their peak physical performance, because when you get to the just a bit less than the actual U.S. Open held there. David Hill, the former best of the best, those little things matter. We’re focusing on sports head of Fox Sports, calls esports the biggest threat to traditional sports psychologists and mental strength and exercises and the like.” as we know it. And while Leonsis does not call Blank elite, he strongly suggested that “And I think that having seen the increasing popularity of video games, the Falcons owner is not understanding the vast majority of Americans. the fact that it’s more robust than the film industry now and the way it’s “And frankly, traditional sports aren’t the answer for many people out growing is that the kids again want to become video game world experts there,” said Leonsis, the son of Monumental CEO Ted Leonsis. “Not or world champions,” he said. “And not move into games like baseball, everyone is born with God-given physical abilities to play varsity football, tennis, hockey, to a certain extent golf. All will be threatened within the or varsity baseball or whatnot. But team-oriented environments are still next 10 to 20 years.” incredibly important for people’s development as they grow up. And So what’s not to love if you are a sports industrialist? A lot if you ask esports teams can be a really fabulous outlet for children, teenagers, Arthur Blank, whose entertainment empire includes the Atlanta Falcons, young adults and even full-grown adults to participate in and feel like Atlanta United FC, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, PGA Tour Superstores and they’re part of something much, much bigger.” three Western ranches. Blank sees in esports a threat to the well-being It’s also not as if the NFL is not in esports. After all, this is a league that of America’s youth, both in terms of their physical and emotional health. for its widely acclaimed 100th-anniversary commercial, in addition to “And my own personal view, and this is a personal view, is that sitting in dozens of legendary football players, included Ninja, arguably the most front of one of these electronic video game kind of things, where you famous esports player. have to develop the skill set for x number of hours a day, is just not in And of course, the most popular sports video game of all time is the keeping with what I think is the best part of healthy young mind growing Madden franchise, which pre-pandemic the NFL had been building up,” he said. tournaments around to include every team. Blank felt so strongly two years ago he spurned a proposal to invest in Blank sounded resigned to this conflict to his personal ethos. esports brought to him by his management, an event he described in his recently released autobiography, “Good Company.” In the book, filled “It’s not a personal decision, it’s a league decision,” he said. “I would with examples of business decisions like slashing concession prices always vote consistent with what my values are and what I just guided by “values,” Blank writes esports did not fit his moral compass. expressed. But in this case, there are 31 other partners and they obviously have the same opinion or a different opinion. I don’t really “Maybe I’m just being old-fashioned, but I don’t want to own a business know.” that is going to encourage a twelve-year-old to spend all day in front of a computer rather than being outside, breathing fresh air, playing actual Blank’s other club, Atlanta United, also has an esports entry compete in sports with other kids,” he wrote of what he told his management. “We’re tournaments held by the MLS, even signing a top competitor. about connecting people to each other, not to their devices.” And Blank sometimes can’t avoid it in his own home when his grown In an interview this week, Blank, who is a significant philanthropist, children visit. expounded on the anecdote, noting the esports concern in question, which he did not name, came into his headquarters to present what it “I know that it’s a battle for me from time to time when they’re home, thought was a compelling case. particularly to keep them off the electronics,” he said. “Keep them outside, keep them engaged with actually, other people; other human “I remember the example was that when a company came in and made beings.” their presentation, one of the slides was a young man who may have been … maybe 11, 12 years old, made, I don’t know, some incredible amount of money, something like 500,000 bucks — just awful, awful The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 amount of money,” Blank said. “But they were clear he was practicing nine, 10 hours a day. And so I said to myself, ‘Listening to this, do I really want to invest in a business and own a business that is going to encourage behavior that I wouldn’t want to encourage in my own children?’ And the answer is no.”

Some might find it ironic Blank thinks football, with its concussion issues, is better for kids than esports, but there is no questioning there are systemic declines in youth sports. A recent Aspen Institute report showed between 2012 and 2018, the number of kids six through 12 who regularly played high calorie-burning sports declined from 37.6 percent to 31.3 percent. That figure surely is now far lower in the pandemic era. 1195926 Carolina Panthers

Charlotte Observer LOADED: 11.13.2020

The Panthers’ worst loss of the season was at Tampa Bay. What they can fix in rematch

BY JONATHAN M. ALEXANDER

NOVEMBER 12, 2020 06:20 PM

Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, right, passes to a receiver as linebacker Shaquil Barrett, left, pressures during fourth quarter action at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fl. on Sunday, September 20, 2020. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 31-17.

As the Panthers prepare for their second game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) on Sunday, the focus has been less on what Tampa did well in Week 2, and more on what Carolina did wrong in its 31-17 loss.

The Panthers (3-6) made plenty of mistakes to lose that game.

They turned it over four times against the Bucs, committed nine penalties for 77 yards and trailed 21-0 at halftime. It remains, arguably, their worst performance of the season, and the only game that the Panthers have lost by more than one possession.

“I think four or five of our penalties on defense in that game extended drives for them,” Panthers coach said. “We had a couple of personal fouls that we were off the field and put them back on the field.”

After digging a 21-0 hole, the Panthers had to abandon their running game.

The Panthers have improved on offense and defense since that game. They aren’t turning it over as much, and the defense has played well when their top players have been healthy.

In the first Tampa Bay game, Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was under constant pressure. Carolina gave up 23 pressures and five sacks. Bridgewater often looked flustered in the pocket, and it played a big part in why the Panthers committed four turnovers (two fumbles, two ).

The Panthers did a much better job of keeping Bridgewater upright against the Chiefs last week, which allowed the offense to put up 31 points against the defending Super Bowl champions.

“As long as we take care of the ball, our offense is as good as any in the league,” Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel said.

But the biggest issue for the Panthers continues to be penalties. In the Panthers’ 33-31 loss to the Chiefs last Sunday, the Panthers committed 12 penalties for 82 yards.

One of those penalties occurred late in the fourth quarter, and helped stymie a potentially game-winning drive.

“When you do play great teams in this league, and you have 12 penalties, or multiple penalties, that can show up to be part of the reason you lose the game,” Bridgewater said Thursday. “We understand that’s a part of beating ourselves.”

The Panthers average 6.4 penalties per game, which is seventh-worst in the league.

Rhule said he’s OK with the aggressive penalties, such as pass interference, but the pre-snap penalties like offsides, illegal formation and false start need to be fixed.

When asked what he would attribute the penalties to, Rhule answered it as if he were still searching for the answer.

“I just think we are still learning what it takes to play great football,” Rhule said. “It’s just our level of being in the moment and not getting caught up in, ‘what’s the score,’ or ‘oh, I’ve got to make a play,’ ‘oh it’s third down.’

“Don’t get caught up in all that stuff, and just reduce to everything down to, ‘I’m going to play hard. I’m going to do my job, and trust my technique and trust myself.’ 1195927 Carolina Panthers supporting, and injury problems were also jeopardizing his long-term NFL prospects.

Chancellor Lee has been raised by his beloved “G-Mom” — Saundra Rae Carruth wanted to kill his unborn son. Now the ‘miracle boy’ turns Adams, Cherica’s mother and his grandmother — for his entire life. In 21. their home, they refer to Cherica as “Mommy Angel.”

Cherica Adams was 24 when she died, barely three years older than her BY SCOTT FOWLER son is now. If she had survived the shooting, she would be 45 today. Saundra Adams said she often tries to imagine what her daughter would NOVEMBER 12, 2020 10:32 AM look like now, a melancholy process made easier by the fact that Cherica has a half-sister who is similar in age.

Saundra Adams long ago forgave Carruth for his sins, however, telling On Nov. 16, 1999, Chancellor Lee Adams was born in Charlotte, shortly me once: “If I’m sitting around in unforgiveness, it’s like me drinking after a hitman shot his mother Cherica Adams four times in a drive-by poison and hoping he’s going to die.” ambush. Besides his milestone birthday, Chancellor Lee will reach another His father, former Carolina Panther first-round draft pick Rae Carruth, landmark in June 2021 when he graduates from high school. Saundra would be convicted of masterminding the attempted murder of his own Adams is waiting until then to have a party that will mark both son by hiring the hitman who shot his pregnant girlfriend. accomplishments, hoping that a COVID-19 vaccine will be widely Now it is November 2020. available by that point. For Chancellor Lee’s birthday, they plan a quiet dinner at a Charlotte steakhouse. And the boy they couldn’t kill has become a young man who will celebrate his 21st birthday Monday. The story’s original outline is embedded into the minds of many by now and has been the subject of a number of TV crime shows and The “The 21st birthday is significant in any young man’s life, because that’s Observer’s eight-part “Carruth” podcast (the podcast inspired the Roaring the transition from a boy to manhood,” said Saundra Adams, who has Riot, the Panthers’ fan club, to take the Adamses to London last fall to raised her grandson, Chancellor Lee, in Charlotte since his birth. “And see the sights and watch Carolina play). I’m especially grateful. Because if I had listened to the prognosis of those doctors early on, we never would have been here today.” But the Adams/Carruth story isn’t encased in amber. Life goes on. Rae Carruth was released from a North Carolina prison in October 2018 after For years during our interviews, Saundra Adams has referred to serving nearly 19 years for conspiring to murder Adams and other Chancellor Lee as her “miracle boy.” But as the three of us sat together charges related to the shooting. at a north Charlotte park recently, she stopped herself from using the phrase again. Carruth, who was the Panthers’ first-round draft pick out of Colorado in 1997, moved to Pennsylvania after his release. I found his address and Said Adams: “Now he’s my miracle young man. … And we are tracked him down two years ago, ringing his doorbell, sitting with him at celebrating what we have ahead of us, instead of looking back on what his spotless kitchen table and, over the next several weeks, eventually we lost.” conducting the only interview he has given since he became a free man.

Cherica Adams saved her son’s life on the night of his birth 21 years ago. Carruth, now 46, couldn’t be reached for this story, however. And he Shot four times through her car window by hitman Van Brett Watkins in hasn’t been in direct contact with the Adamses since he was released, one of the most notorious crimes in North Carolina history, moaning in according to Saundra Adams. pain, Adams still managed to call 911 and direct rescuers to exactly where she was. But 11 months ago, Carruth did reach out to his son indirectly through the Mecklenburg County court system, sending him a check for several Adams died four weeks later in the hospital, unable to recover from her thousand dollars. Carruth still technically owes the Adamses millions due grievous wounds. Carruth panicked and fled inside the trunk of a friend’s to a judgment Saundra Adams won in 2003 for a wrongful death lawsuit Toyota Camry soon afterward, eventually being caught by the FBI in she filed following the murder of her daughter. She said she hasn’t Tennessee. received any money or correspondence since December 2019 from Carruth. But Chancellor Lee lived thanks to that haunting, 12-minute emergency call his mother made — a call that both saved her son and implicated his The father and the son haven’t seen each other in the past 20 years, father. except through photos — and everyone who sees photos of Rae and Chancellor Lee are struck by their uncanny resemblance to each other. Chancellor Lee has struggled with cerebral palsy and permanent brain damage owing to the traumatic circumstances of his birth. He was Carruth and Adams have told me in separate interviews that they aren’t deprived of oxygen and blood during the chaotic minutes after his mother adverse to a supervised visit between Carruth and Chancellor Lee, but was shot just after midnight on Rea Road in Charlotte, not long after she neither side has actively pursued the idea since Carruth’s release. and Carruth had gone to see the movie “The Bone Collector” together. Carruth wrote me in 2018 about a potential visit: “My only desire is for While some 21-year-olds are working or entering the latter stages of true forgiveness and a genuine opportunity to be a part of my son’s life. college, Chancellor Lee continues to work on buttoning his shirt without And out (of) respect for Ms. Adams and her feelings towards me, I have help. He usually speaks one or two words at a time — “Yeah” and “Thank no plans of ever trying to force my way in. I’m going to be patient and you” are among the most common. give her the space she rightfully deserves.”

But the walker he once used regularly now has been almost retired. After Said Adams this week: “I would expect now that it’s been two years since years of physical therapy, he now walks with only his grandmother’s he’s been free that he’s moved on with his life. And we’ve moved on. ... hand for support. And his beaming smile is a constant — what Saundra We have so much ahead of us to be grateful for.” calls her grandson’s “Smile Ministry.” Over the past few months, when Chancellor Lee had to wear a COVID-mandated mask, people missed Watkins, the hitman, is the only one of the four convicted co-conspirators that smile so much that Saundra bought her grandson a clear mask to who remains in prison for the crimes of 1999. He isn’t scheduled to be wear so the “Smile Ministry” could start ministering again. released until 2041.

Is he excited about his upcoming birthday? But Carruth was released in 2018 because of the jury’s mixed-message verdict in 2001 after his nationally televised trial: He was convicted of “Yeah!” Chancellor Lee said. conspiracy to commit murder but acquitted of first-degree murder. In prison, he stayed busy as a prison barber. The point of shooting Cherica Adams, prosecutors would later argue to the jury, was for Watkins to kill Chancellor Lee while he was still in the Adams came to terms with that sentence, even though it was shorter womb so that Carruth wouldn’t have to pay years of child support. The than she would have liked. She still firmly believes Carruth orchestrated speedy wide receiver from Sacramento, Calif., already had another son the murder of Cherica Adams, her only biological child. by a different woman — his high school girlfriend — that he was Carruth has never admitted to ordering the hit; his defense team advanced a theory that Watkins murdered Adams as retribution for a drug deal gone sour. In a letter he sent to me once, Carruth, an English major at the University of Colorado, wrote: “In every great piece of literature, there’s always a protagonist and an antagonist. ... The latter applies to me — and that’s something that will never change. ... There’s absolutely nothing that I could ever say or do to right my wrongs. ... To no longer be ‘the bad guy.’ ”

Watkins insisted in court, however, and in a later three-hour jailhouse interview we did in 2018, as well as numerous letters, that Carruth hired him for the murder. He still is furious with Carruth. “I want him dead,” Watkins told me.

Saundra Adams does not.

“He’s paid his debt to society,” Adams said of Carruth, who at one point during his Panther career made about $40,000 per game. “The biggest price was when he first went to prison. It was the death of the (NFL) lifestyle that he knew.”

Saundra Adams, now 62, has shepherded Chancellor Lee’s adjustment to online special-education classes, which have been conducted virtually since March in Charlotte due to COVID-19.

Early on, there was a brief cyber-bullying incident when someone who wasn’t a student at Chancellor’s school entered the room and started acting out. But the school responded well with extra online security, Adams said, and virtual learning since then has been going about as well as could be expected.

The Adams have mostly stayed at home for the past eight months. Although neither has contracted COVID-19, Adams said she and her grandson know several people who have died from the coronavirus.

“We had the option of signing up for virtual learning or going back whenever the school went back (for special education classes),” Adams said. “I chose full remote learning. ... When I weighed the pros and the cons, I said, ‘I’m not really willing to take that risk.’ ”

That has meant a lot of weeks full of Adams sitting next to Chancellor Lee as he navigates a computer screen, helping him with his work.

“The new teacher,” she said, laughingly referring to herself, “says it’s been hard.”

After Chancellor Lee graduates high school in June, she said the two of them hope to start a small business that they have been dreaming of for some time. “Lee’s Lids” would sell hats and caps, partly designed by Chancellor Lee, with some of the proceeds going to domestic violence prevention.

Before that, though, there will be a 21st birthday to celebrate.

“The journey has been significant,” Saundra Adams said. “Because you live life going forward, but you understand it going backward. ... So I’m grateful. He is my miracle.”

Charlotte Observer LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195928 Carolina Panthers yards per game, despite playing most of the season without their best player. All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey will miss Sunday’s game with a separated shoulder after being sidelined six weeks with a Could Joe Brady be one and done? Panthers’ OC could draw head- high-ankle sprain. coaching interest When asked if it was McCaffrey’s absence or something else that had been the most challenging aspect of his first year as an NFL coordinator, Brady didn’t point to any specific obstacles. By Joseph Person “I think I can be an offensive coordinator for 20 years and I’m gonna be Nov 12, 2020 learning every week,” he said. “It’s just getting a feel for your players, a feel for situational football. Every week, you learn something, and I think

that’s an important thing.” For most of the first half of the Panthers’ game at Kansas City on The Panthers are coming off one of their best offensive outings of the Sunday, Fox’s broadcast team raved about first-year offensive season — a 435-yard, 31-point effort against the Chiefs, the reigning coordinator Joe Brady … while showing assistant coach Super Bowl champions — that coincided with Brady’s shift from the Matt Lombardi in the coaches’ box. coaches’ box to the field. It’s tough to blame the Fox crew, since the Chiefs game marked the first Brady said he didn’t change his game-day location for any particular time in Brady’s short coaching career he called plays from the sideline. reason, but liked the idea of being more closely connected to his players. (The Fox announcers later corrected themselves.) “I just had the vibe and feel that I just wanted to be down there,” he said. But with each week that the Panthers’ offense delivers another strong “It’s obviously very calm up in the box. But just the communication performance, Brady’s whereabouts figure to becoming increasingly elements — it’s just one less factor that you need to (say), hey, talk to relevant — as in, will the 31-year-old rising star still be in Charlotte next some person. I can just walk around and do that down there.” year? Brady has said that he’s “all ball,” with few outside interests other than Despite having been a full-time play caller — at any level — for just nine spending time with his girlfriend and watching “The Office.” Friends have games, Brady has started to pop up on the lists of hot head-coaching described him as a football nerd. candidates for the year’s hiring cycle. That Brady already is being mentioned as a candidate is another boost in the rocket-like trajectory for But he’s also not above poking fun at himself, as he did Thursday when a coach who was a graduate assistant at Penn State four years ago. asked if he’d ever coached from the field before.

NFL insiders are split on whether Brady is ready to run his own program. “As a coach, never. But as a player, I was on the sidelines a lot. So I got In a sampling of a half-dozen general managers, personnel veterans and used to it,” said Brady, a seldom-used wide receiver in college. “It felt other league sources, most said they believe Brady needs a couple more (like) back in my William & Mary days.” years of seasoning, given a resume that is light on professional experience. Bridgewater has been with Brady at both of his NFL stops and thinks he has a knack for getting the most out of his players. But at least two people The Athletic spoke to believe Brady has a shot of becoming the next offensive-minded 30-something to continue the trend “Joe is just a guy who’s been the same throughout this entire process. the Rams started in 2017 when they hired Sean McVay, who was then We love that he’s able to bring out the best in different guys around 30. here,” Bridgewater said. “You look at certain things that we’re doing individually, Joe is a huge part of that, among the other coaches on this If he were to be hired this offseason, Brady — who turned 31 in staff.” September — would be the second-youngest head coach, behind McVay, since the NFL and AFL merged in 1970. The Panthers’ multiple formations, bunched-receiver sets and myriad motions are not unlike the system Brady and Bridgewater learned from Panthers defensive coordinator Phil Snow believes Brady has the Payton in New Orleans. Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians has seen a lot of qualities to become a successful head coach. similarities in the two schemes.

“When you hear him talk to the team and to the offense, he just “Teddy was able to adapt really quickly because he played in the offense, commands what he’s saying and I think people follow him. Yeah, I think knew the terminology. There was a familiarity,” Arians said. “So (next Joe will do fine,” Snow said. “A lot of young coaches have done well in was) getting the rest of the guys up to speed, which it looks like they’ve this league right now, so I don’t know why Joe couldn’t do that.” done pretty quickly because they’re playing really, really well on offense right now.” Brady’s fast ascension has been well-documented. The former William & Mary walk-on started coaching at his alma mater before taking the GA Bridgewater said Brady’s rising profile also is a testament to first-year position at Penn State. coach Matt Rhule, who had not worked with Brady previously.

After two years with the Nittany Lions, Brady spent two seasons in New “I think you want to be able to groom your coordinators to eventually be Orleans as a low-level offensive assistant for Sean Payton. That led to a head coaches, and position coaches to be coordinators and eventually job as the passing game coordinator at LSU, where Brady’s lone season head coaches,” Bridgewater said. “From top down, Coach Rhule and the ended with Joe Burrow winning the Heisman Trophy and the Tigers way this staff has come together in such little time is just fun to be a part taking the national championship. of.”

Brady’s success working with Burrow last year and Teddy Bridgewater Whether Brady becomes a serious candidate in Houston or Atlanta, or for this season could make him attractive to a team wanting to pair him with other jobs that are not yet vacant, league and industry insiders anticipate a talented quarterback. Brady at least will be asked to interview for head-coaching jobs.

“He’s done a great job wherever he’s been with the quarterback position. Rhule said he won’t stand in the way of assistants who have a chance to That position really is the engine that runs this league,” Snow said. “He’s advance their careers, as long as they’re upfront with him and don’t able to develop quarterbacks and coach them real well, so that adds to a become distracted. lot in who they’re hiring today as head coaches.” “Based upon the hours I see them working and the way I see them Predictably, Brady had little to say about the buzz surrounding him as a coaching and doing things, there’s no doubt in my mind that our guys are head-coaching candidate. really focused on the here and now,” Rhule said. “But at the right time, if guys have opportunities, I will always 1,000 percent support them, as “Right now, that’s the last thing on my mind. You guys know how I am. long as they’re honest with me and tell me about what’s going on.” I’m kind of a day-to-day guy,” he said Thursday. “Right now, the only thing on my mind is this game this Sunday.”

Heading into the home game against Tampa Bay, the Panthers rank 15th The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 in total offense with 369.2 yards per game and 11th with 259.3 passing 1195929 Chicago Bears Nagy declined to say whether Whitehair has symptoms, a relevant question because symptomatic players can face a longer timetable to return to play. They must wait until at least 10 days have passed since 3 things we learned from the Chicago Bears, including Nick Foles’ plea symptoms first were reported, at least 24 hours have passed since the for positive energy and Matt Nagy sidestepping play-calling and health last fever and after other symptoms have improved. Asymptomatic questions players need to return two consecutive negative PCR tests separated by 24 hours or wait 10 days since the initial positive test was taken — whichever comes first.

By COLLEEN KANE “I’m keeping my fingers crossed as far as where he’s at,” Nagy said. “I hope we get into a situation where we get good news here, but I don’t CHICAGO TRIBUNE have any updates right now.” NOV 12, 2020 AT 8:09 PM As for the status of running back David Montgomery, who suffered a concussion against the Titans and is in the league’s concussion protocol? Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy and quarterback Nick Foles spoke on a Zoom call Thursday as the team dives into preparation for Monday “We just don’t have a lot that we can do with him being in (the protocol),” night’s game against the at Soldier Field. Nagy said. “We’ll just have to wait and see and hope that each day he gets a little bit better.” Here are three things we learned. 3. The Bears' lengthy injury report included tight end sitting 1. Quarterback Nick Foles is leading with positive thinking as the Bears out and wide receiver and inside linebacker Roquan try to dig out of a 3-game rut. Smith being limited.

As a player who has experienced extreme highs and lows in his career Eleven players showed up with injuries that limited them on the Bears' — from nearly retiring in 2016 to winning a Super Bowl after the 2017 first injury report since the Titans game. season to losing his job to a rookie in 2019 — Bears quarterback Nick Foles sometimes will ruminate at length about what it takes to stay Tight end Cole Kmet sat out with a groin injury that also sidelined him last steady in the face of trials. week. He still played 47% of the Bears' offensive snaps Sunday.

So when he was asked Thursday whether he ever just goes home and Defensive lineman John Jenkins (ankle), safety Sherrick McManis screams into a pillow as he and the Bears try to figure out an offense that (broken finger), running back David Montgomery (concussion), offensive stumbled to a third straight loss, he was ready to dive in to the question. linemen (knee) and Jason Spriggs (knee) and quarterback Mitch Trubisky (shoulder) didn’t practice. “Absolutely,” he said. “I’m just like any other human. I’m positive right now, but I also have to practice what I preach, and there are times where Wide receiver Allen Robinson (knee), inside linebacker I’m not as positive as I want to be. But that’s OK. It’s just not getting into (back), safety (foot) and outside linebacker Barkevious the gutter to where you can’t get out. It’s like knowing that and being self- Mingo (shoulder) were limited. aware and then knowing how to get out of that space.” The Bears also returned safety from the reserve/COVID-19 Foles said his wife, Tori, and his faith help keep him in the right state of list Thursday and placed defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris mind as he navigates the frustrations of a tough season. He then tries to (shoulder) on injured reserve. bring that mindset to the Bears, who he said should not focus on whether their playoff hopes are hanging in the balance over the next couple of games. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 11.13.2020 The Bears dropped to 5-4 and sit one spot out of a playoff berth because of the losing streak.

“If you focus on that, all of a sudden you’re creating more anxiety for yourself,” Foles said. “If all I’m thinking about is this could go this way, then your thoughts aren’t clear on today. They aren’t clear on what I need to do today, what I need to do to get done today. … So we’re aware of all those things, but you can’t dwell on them because all of the sudden you start paralyzing yourself.”

Nagy said Foles’ steadyiness and perspective are strengths. Whether that can translate to the field and help pull the Bears out of their slump, however, remains to be seen.

2. Coach Matt Nagy isn’t talking — about play-calling, his players' COVID-19 symptoms or injuries.

Matt Nagy often has been tight-lipped this season about injuries, noting it takes away a competitive advantage to reveal information about whether a player will be ready for the next game.

That philosophy apparently extends to staying quiet on whether he has decided to hand off play-calling duties to one of his coaches this week and whether his players are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

After the Bears offense turned in another disastrous performance against the on Sunday, Nagy said Monday he would examine whether he should continue calling plays. He reiterated Thursday that he doesn’t plan to make the announcement publicly if he does make a move to give the job to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, passing game coordinator Dave Ragone or quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo.

“That’s something I’m going to keep internally,” he said. “We’re talking through all that.”

Nagy also didn’t have an update on center , who is on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for the disease last week. 1195930 Chicago Bears Fox-32 is treating the Chicago market to the (1-7) at the (6-2) at noon with Chris Myers, Greg Jennings and Brock Huard and reporter Jennifer Hale.

Why are there so many late afternoon NFL games this Sunday? Chalk it More than half of the country is getting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) up to the Masters in November. at the Carolina Panthers (3-6), but who doesn’t want to see the 1-7 Jaguars? Blame it on area Packers fans.

By PHIL ROSENTHAL The late Fox game locally will be the San Francisco 49ers (4-5) visiting the (6-2). It will be great to hear new Bulls CHICAGO TRIBUNE announcer Adam Amin on play-by-play (joined by Mark Schlereth and Lindsay Czarniak), but the Seattle Seahawks (6-2) at the Los Angeles NOV 12, 2020 AT 5:08 PM Rams (5-3) might be a better game.

Who has the Bears and when? Augusta National’s autumnal Masters this week will lead to an NFL Don’t worry about it. The Chicago Bears play host to the Minnesota Sunday like no other from a TV standpoint. Vikings on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” at 7:15 p.m. In the Chicago Plan on “Brunch with Bryson” and lots of late-afternoon football. market, it also will be on WCIU-Ch. 26.

(We’re just guessing U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau will be So, just to be thorough, which games are at noon Sunday on Fox? in contention for the green jacket, and the alliteration worked. Could also Besides Jaguars-Packers and Bucs-Panthers, there’s the Houston be “Doughnuts with Dustin,” “Toast with Tiger,” “Rashers with Rory” or Texans (2-6) at the (5-3), Washington (2-6) at the “Java with Jon, Jordan and Justin.” You get the idea.) (3-5) and the (3-4-1) at the New York Don’t be surprised if “60 Minutes” and the rest of the CBS prime-time Giants (2-7). lineup of “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “NCIS: New Orleans” and “NCIS” start What about at 3:05 p.m. on CBS? late. Set your DVR accordingly. In addition to Bills-Cardinals, CBS has the (3-5) at the Let’s see if we can answer your questions in the meantime. (5-3) and the (2-6) at the How many late-afternoon NFL games will there be? Miami Dolphins (5-3).

Six — three on CBS at 3:05 p.m. and three on Fox at 3:25. And the 3:25 p.m. ?

That’s a lot? There’s the (2-5-1) at the (8-0) in addition to 49ers-Saints and Seahawks-Raiders. It’s unusual for there to be more late afternoon games than noon starts, and there are only five early games, all on Fox. ‘Rashers with Rory’? Really?

Why does that matter to me? Hey, they can’t all be gems. Just roll with it. Stock up on snacks and beverages, get comfy and settle in for a long day in front of the TV. It might not. Fox still will carry two games and CBS one in your local market.

If you have the NFL Sunday Ticket or RedZone packages, the day’s Chicago Tribune LOADED: 11.13.2020 rhythm might feel different.

Fantasy football players might sense the shift more acutely. It will affect the flow of statistics, as more numbers will come in later.

When is the final round of the Masters on TV?

It’s slotted for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Chicago’s CBS-Ch. 2. If the golf goes longer, there’s an hour cushion until the network’s NFL games start.

Weather delays could cause problems, obviously, but the forecast as of midweek suggests it won’t be an issue.

What if an extra hour isn’t enough?

In the very unlikely event that golf continues beyond 3 p.m. Sunday, the Sports Business Journal reported Thursday that coverage will shift from CBS to ABC, with CBS' announcers and analysts. CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com and Masters.com also would have live coverage.

Why is this happening, again?

You know why. It’s 2020. The Masters moved from April to November because of the pandemic. COVID-19 precautions also are the reason there will be no spectators.

Which game will be carried on CBS-2?

The (7-2) at the Arizona Cardinals (5-3) is set for 3:05 p.m. Ian Eagle and Charles Davis will be on the call with reporter Evan Washburn.

Wait, if Jim Nantz is working the Masters, which CBS NFL game will Tony Romo work this weekend and with whom?

None and no one. Romo, the highest-paid NFL analyst in history, is getting the week off.

Which games will air on Fox-32? 1195931 Chicago Bears magnified. Quite simply, greater stakes are involved for a team that has so much difficulty scoring.

Remember the fourth-quarter toss play to Cordarrelle Patterson to the The longest yard: Why, too often, do the Chicago Bears’ efforts to gain 1 short side of the field against the Rams three weeks ago? That lost 2 measly yard feel excessively challenging? yards and hurt the Bears’ comeback efforts.

What about Patterson’s loss of 1 on third-and-1 in the fourth quarter By DAN WIEDERER against the ?

CHICAGO TRIBUNE And remember in Carolina when the Bears needed three plays to move the last 2 feet of a 56-yard touchdown drive? Remember how they first NOV 12, 2020 AT 6:30 AM tried to run Montgomery behind five offensive linemen and four tight tends but failed, and then they tried Montgomery out of a shotgun three-

receiver set and failed again? Eventually Foles ended the frustration with Juan Castillo sat in his Halas Hall office Monday afternoon attempting to his 1-yard scoring plunge on third down. But the struggles involved in that offer a witness’s explanation for what went wrong. sequence felt heavy.

The Chicago Bears offensive line coach knew his troops were Such difficulties have been a part of this offense’s identity since the first responsible for the fourth-and-1 malfunction that abruptly ended the possession of the first game in Detroit. On the season’s third play — offense’s opening drive Sunday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. It third-and-inches from the Bears 34 — quarterback Mitch Trubisky was wasn’t all that complicated either. too passive with a sneak attempt and got stood up, turned around and swallowed whole by the Lions defensive line. The punt team came in. Needing to gain a foot and a half to keep an encouraging possession alive, the Bears called a dive play to running back David Montgomery. Bears tight ends coach Clancy Barone was asked this week how the Right guard and right tackle Rashaad Coward were tasked coaching staff can channel its frustrations properly after so many 1-yard with double-teaming Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Teair Tart. situations have backfired.

Yet what the Bears drew up and anticipated isn’t what unfolded. At the “We have to avoid that term of being frustrated,” Barone said. “Nothing snap, Tart lunged to his left. Ifedi whiffed badly with his block. Coward really gets done well when you’re in that state. The good thing is, we did struggled in his attempt to help. something well on first and second down to get us 9 yards. Now we just have to finish it. And we have to do something well to get that extra yard. Montgomery was hit within 0.7 seconds of touching the ball and barely got back to the line of scrimmage. “A lot of that is self-scout. And a lot of that is also in the game-planning process, trying to see what the other team is actually struggling with in “Germain was trying to come off and blow the guy up in that gap,” that situation to see if we can somehow work that into our scheme.” Castillo said. “And when he stepped, he dropped his head and crossed over with the second step. When (Tart) slanted toward Rashaad, The Bears have to be much better. There’s no way around it. They have (Germain) really has to be able to help with his back shoulder to give to be more disciplined. They have to be sharper with their blocks. They Rashaad some body presence so they can create movement. But have to devote extra effort to picking up that 1 yard they so badly need essentially what he was trying to do was to come off and blow the guy when such situations arise. up, thinking he was going to stay in his gap.” On the bright side, Montgomery’s longest run all season — a 38-yard Whatever the explanation, all of it went haywire. Turnover on downs. burst against the New Orleans Saints in Week 8 — came on third-and-1 Scoring threat squelched. through a huge opening. It was a rare instance in which the running back got to the second level without being touched. And then he was off and It was a tone-setting breakdown in a dispiriting 24-17 road loss. running.

After the game, Bears coach Matt Nagy expressed his agitation with not Fox play-by-play announcer Joe Buck sounded shocked on the being able to execute in that situation. Fourth-and-1. With a basic play. broadcast. “The Bears desperately needed that,” Buck said.

“It’s a dive, you know?” Nagy said. “It’s what we do in youth football.” Right he was.

It was another example of how a bottom-tier offense seems to struggle The Bears will need a lot more of that over the final seven games as they with the basics, too often making the task of gaining 1 measly yard look attempt to stop a demoralizing slide and salvage their season. like a grueling attempt to complete an American Ninja Warrior course.

For good measure, the Bears wasted another fourth-and-1 opportunity on their first possession of the second half, this time when rookie left guard Chicago Tribune LOADED: 11.13.2020 committed a false-start penalty at the Titans 31. Tight end false started immediately after, and the self- inflicted 10-yard backpedal forced the Bears to punt.

Oh, brother.

Statistically speaking, the Bears’ short-yardage breakdowns might not be as extreme as they seem. The offense is 7-for-10 on third-and-1 this season and 2-for-4 on fourth-and-1, ranking in the middle of the league in conversion percentage in both situations.

The Bears have scored two touchdowns from the opponent’s 1-yard line: ’ catch in the fourth-quarter comeback against the Detroit Lions in Week 1 and quarterback Nick Foles’ third-down sneak against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6.

But those numbers don’t account for Hambright’s fourth-and-1 false start against the Titans. Or Coward’s early flinch against the . That was another miscue that agitated Nagy.

“You can’t have penalties on fourth-and-1,” he said. “As hard as we’re making it on ourselves right now, you can’t have penalties. That’s the part there for all of us to figure out, ‘OK, when is this going to stop?’ ”

Given the continued struggles of a Bears offense that ranks 29th in total yardage, 32nd in rushing and 31st on third down, every slip-up becomes 1195932 Chicago Bears doing everything he can in that regard. He’s perpetually convinced that the Bears are about to turn the corner, and he needs to be right about that Monday. Otherwise, at 5-5 with a visit to Green Bay next, the season Bears coach Matt Nagy stays upbeat with season teetering will slip from his hands.

By Jason Lieser Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 11.13.2020

Nov 12, 2020, 5:46pm CST

As the walls have closed in on the Bears over the last three weeks and they’ve dropped from first to eighth in the NFC, coach Matt Nagy has been determined to keep his team upbeat.

Upbeat, but not oblivious.

The Bears know what’s at stake after a three-game losing streak dropped them to 5-4 heading into their Monday night game against the Vikings.

Nagy wants them to draw on the experience of fighting through a four- game losing streak last season, which only ended when they got to games against some of the worst teams in the NFL, but he also hopes the lesson of that slide sticks with them. Once they bottomed out at 4-6, there was little shot of salvaging the season, and they were eliminated in mid-December. Their season is already on the line.

“You can definitely feel right now a positive motivation to go out and win,” Nagy said. “That is probably the best way to put it. I don’t know if it is a sense of urgency.

“Every week that goes by now it becomes more and more important, obviously for a lot of different reasons.”

One of those being that a loss to the Vikings would allow them to catch the Bears.

Once looking left for last place at 1-5, the Vikings bounced back with wins over the Packers and Lions as the Bears dropped. After their visit to Soldier Field, the Vikings have an opportunity to keep climbing with games against the Cowboys, Panthers and Jaguars. It’s imperative that the Bears head that off with a win.

This is also the start of nearly all the Bears’ NFC North games. They close the season with five in the final seven games.

“We talk about how important the division games are and for us,” Nagy said. “We talk about the biggest part: Control what you can control. And right now, we put ourselves in this position, being at 5-4.

“This is not something where their attitudes are changing for the negative. We know that we have each other in this building, and that’s where we’re at right now.”

Those inside Halas Hall might be the last few who believe the Bears can make something of this season. They’re a home underdog (again) against a Vikings team they’ve beaten four straight times.

The biggest cause for pessimism is the offense, which is Nagy’s operation. The Bears are 31st in yards per play at 4.8. That means only the winless Jets get less out of their offense on each snap.

Nagy has been under fire for the feeble offensive since last season, but it finally reached the point of pressing into his play calling over the past month. He has been asked repeatedly about whether his calls are part of the problem and backed off his initial insistence that that wasn’t the issue.

The only consistency is that he’s adamant about making sure no one outside the building knows what’s happening.

“That’s something I’m going to keep internally right now with us,” he said. “We’re talking through all that.”

It’s highly unlikely they’re still trying to decide that this late in the week.

The play-calling drama is one of many weaving through the Bears’ preparation. They’re still waiting on Nick Foles to play at least league- average quarterback, their offensive line was very much makeshift for practice Thursday and two of their top skill players — wide receiver Allen Robinson and running back David Montgomery — are injured.

That makes it all the more difficult to turn this around. But the one thing that’s never been questioned about Nagy is his leadership, and he’s 1195933 Chicago Bears And it remains to be seen if it will even matter, with the current dilapidated state of the Bears’ offensive line and offense in general. Montgomery has rushed for 472 yards on 131 carries in nine games — David Montgomery concussion another blow to Bears run game 52.4 yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry. The Bears are 32nd and last in the NFL in rushing, 29th in yards per carry.

But he’s still the best the Bears have. By Mark Potash “Anytime you lose a player like David Montgomery, that’s obviously a big Nov 12, 2020, 5:26pm CST loss,” Nagy said. “I have so much respect for the way he plays this game and what he does for his offense — and I know what we’re far, far, far

from him being what he can be as a running back in the league, and I’m Bears running back David Montgomery (32) rushed for 30 yards on 14 excited to see that happen.” carries (2.1 avg.) against the Titans on Sunday, with a fumble that was The Bears made Nall available to the media this week, so it’s presumed returned for a touchdown in the third quarter. He also suffered a he’ll be the first in line if Montgomery can’t play. But Miller is an intriguing concussion that puts his status in doubt for Monday night’s game against option with his resume. More than likely, they’ll have to find someone the Vikings. who can make something out of nothing. Bears running back David Montgomery (32) rushed for 30 yards on 14 carries (2.1 avg.) against the Titans on Sunday, with a fumble that was returned for a touchdown in the third quarter. He also suffered a Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 11.13.2020 concussion that puts his status in doubt for Monday night’s game against the Vikings. Wesley Hitt/Getty

Asked about the mood at Halas Hall on Thursday, Cordarrelle Patterson was defiant.

“Honestly, I don’t care what nobody else’s (bleepin’) mood is, man,” Patterson said. “I’m always happy and smiling and always having fun. That’s just the mood I bring. If I see someone even trying to be moody, I’m going to crack a joke on their (butt) and try to bring them up.”

This hasn’t been the year Patterson was expecting. Coach Matt Nagy hoped to take advantage of Patterson’s versatility — like did — and moved him to running back. The hope was that he would be a unique weapon as a gadget player.

But like almost everything else with the Bears’ offense this season, Patterson’s role has never developed. He’s gained 88 yards on 29 carries (3.0 avg.)

Even his kickoff returns are unfulfilling. Patterson is averaging 27.2 yards on 24 returns, but even his longest return — 47 yards — only gave the Bears possession at their 38-yard line, because he took the kickoff nine yards deep.

But he’s not going to let any of that bring him down.

“No mood swings around me. I’m gonna always be up,” Patterson said. “Teams are never gonna be down around me. I’m always happy. I’m always smiling. Even when you think I’m angry or something, I’m smiling on the inside — [that’s] what I bring.”

Patterson could be in for a bigger workload — or not — Monday against the Vikings, with leading rusher David Montgomery recovering from a concussion he suffered against the Titans on Sunday. Montgomery did not practice Thursday as the Bears began preparations for the Vikings game.

“We just don’t have a lot that we can do with him being in [concussion protocol],” coach Matt Nagy said. “We’ll just have to wait and see and hope that each day he gets a little bit better.”

If Montgomery can’t play, the Bears will be in a familiar position — a few options, but none of them great:

Ryan Nall, the apparent next-man-up, has been in Nagy’s offense for three seasons since signing as an undrafted free agent from Oregon State in 2018. But has two carries in his NFL career.

Veteran Lamar Miller was in the Pro Bowl with the Texans in 2018. But he just got here — he was signed to the practice squad on Oct. 5. And he hasn’t played in an NFL game since a playoff game following the 2018 regular season because he suffered a torn ACL in training camp with the Texans in 2019.

Patterson still is a complementary running back whose impact has diminished throughout the season. In the last six games, he has 14 carries for 31 yards (2.2 avg.).

Rookie , an undrafted free agent who showed some promise in training camp and was promoted from the practice squad in Week 3, has played one offensive snap this season. 1195934 Chicago Bears

Bears injury report: David Montgomery, Mitch Trubisky still out

By Patrick Finley

Nov 12, 2020, 3:14pm CST

The Bears practiced Thursday without their Week 1 starters at running back and quarterback.

David Montgomery still has the concussion he suffered Sunday against the Titans. Backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky remained out of practice 11 days after he hurt his right shoulder when he was tackled in his only play against the Saints.

Trubisky missed all three practices last week, when he flew to Los Angeles to get a second opinion on his shoulder. Trubisky won’t be put on injured reserve or require surgery.

“Mitch is back in the building,” coach Matt Nagy said Thursday. “He’s doing well. It was good to see him. He has a good energy with him right now. I think for him it was good to see him back in here and get back on track.”

Five more players missed practice Thursday with injuries: center Sam Mustipher (knee), right tackle Jason Spriggs (knee), nose tackle John Jenkins (ankle), safety Sherrick McManis (broken finger) and tight end Cole Kmet (groin).

Spriggs came off the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week and will start Monday if he’s healthy.

Tight end Jimmy Graham, defensive lineman and inside linebacker got veteran days off.

Two of the Bears’ best players were new additions to the injury report: inside linebacker Roquan Smith (back) and receiver Allen Robinson (knee) were limited, as were safety Tashaun Gipson (foot) and outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo (shoulder).

Defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris was put on injured reserve, as expected, after sources confirmed earlier this week that he’ll need shoulder surgery.

Center Cody Whitehair and guard Lachavious Simmons remain on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list. Nagy didn’t offer details about whether or not Whitehair is symptomatic.

“That’s not something that I need to get into,” he said.

It matters, though: NFL rules say that players can’t return until at least 10 days after their symptoms first appeared and three days since they last appeared. Asymptomatic players, though, can return as soon as five days after the initial positive, provided they test negative twice at least 24 hours apart.

The sooner he returns, the sooner Whitehair will stabilize an offensive line forced to give his first start at center — at any level — last week.

The Bears took safety Deon Bush off the reserve/COVID-19 before practice. He landed on the list Saturday after having close contact with an infected person unaffiliated with the Bears.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195935 Chicago Bears But that’s only if the new general manager sees it that way. The best teams give autonomy to the person running the football side of the organization, and it’s bad business to force a coach on an incoming Shoddy construction: Bears GM Ryan Pace’s mistakes on offense general manager. necessitate rebuild That’s the reality of where the Bears are, and the sooner they accept that, the sooner they can begin the monstrous task of fixing it.

By Jason Lieser

Nov 12, 2020, 6:00am CST Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 11.13.2020

Bears GM Ryan Pace (left) hasn’t given coach Matt Nagy (right) much with which to work.

Unless everyone’s cool with another season or two of the Bears scoring 17 points and holding on for dear life to see if that’s enough, this offense needs a major overhaul.

It’s too late to fix it this season, although it’s odd that the Bears stood pat when potentially dynamic players were signed elsewhere.

An aside: Why are the Chiefs, Ravens, Buccaneers and others so confident in their culture that they’ll take just about anybody they think can help them win, but the ultra-cautious Bears wouldn’t dare?

Anyway, this offense needs more than just a couple tweaks. That’s what general manager Ryan Pace tried this year, and look where the Bears sit.

They’re 29th in scoring this season and 21st in coach Matt Nagy’s tenure. They’re 30th in yards per rush, 21st in team-passer rating and 26th in third-down conversions the last three seasons. Those are cumulative rankings over 41 games, including when things went relatively well for the Bears in 2018.

Nagy has made things worse by his unwillingness and/or inability to shape his scheme to maximize his personnel, but there’s only so much he’d be able to do with what Pace gave him.

They have glaring needs at quarterback and on the offensive line. Other than wide receiver Allen Robinson, who might leave in free agency, the best thing that can be said of their collection of skill players is that some of them have potential.

That’s the entire offense. It’s beyond repair, and there’s no question it needs to be demolished and completely redone — ideally before the window closes on a championship-caliber defense, but that might not be possible. That truth won’t change even if the Bears eke out enough wins to make the playoffs.

The best way to rebuild is always through the draft, and the Bears have five picks this spring (Pace traded their fourth- and seventh-round selections). In the last two drafts, they’ve had just three picks in the top 120. They’re currently slotted 16th in the first round, which would be too late for a top quarterback if they don’t trade up.

The mess on offense presents the immediate question of whether the Bears would entrust a rebuild to the man whose missteps brought them to this point.

They can’t.

Pace has been brilliant with the defense, but negated that good work by drafting Mitch Trubisky, giving questionable extensions on the offensive line and being hit-and-miss at best with skill players. He also hired Nagy, and his coach has spent the last month fending off questions about whether he should give up play calling.

Pace’s bad moves have outweighed his good ones for a net result of the Bears being 11 games under .500 in his six seasons. The 8-8 record last season was the Bears’ second-best under Pace.

His future hinges on chairman George McCaskey’s standards. If the organization is content with a mediocre team that could sneak into the playoffs at 10-6 or suffer some bad breaks and finish 6-10, then go ahead and let Pace keep tinkering. But if it aspires for something more, it’s long past time to move on.

Pace’s personnel moves on offense have gone so poorly that they’ve hindered the evaluation of Nagy. There’s a lot to like about him as a strategist and leader. If he’s compatible with the new general manager and gets the players he needs, Nagy’s offense could thrive. If that happens, the Bears will be glad they rode it out with him. 1195936 Dallas Cowboys What we expected: A healthy Vander Esch (neck surgery) and Smith, coming off a Pro Bowl berth, were expected to make more plays on the ball with this new defensive scheme. Both were expected to more into Cowboys' defense hasn’t lived up to expectations. The good news is read and react players over attacking in this new scheme. there’s plenty of room for improvement. Lee was the veteran to help both players get a break if needed. Vander Esch was moved to middle linebacker in a base defense.

What happened: Lee has played just two games, 17 total snaps, because By Calvin Watkins of hernia surgery. Vander Esch broke a collarbone in the season opener and has participated in just five games. Smith hasn’t performed at a Pro 7:06 PM on Nov 12, 2020 CST Bowl level, however, he’s the most consistent linebacker of the group and leads the team in tackles.

As the Dallas Cowboys make the bye week turn to the second half of the What we’d like to see now: Vander Esch and Smith need to make more season, we take stock of where the team stands in an underwhelming plays in the run game. When offenses use five receivers, it forces Vander first campaign under head coach Mike McCarthy. This is a three-part Esch off the field, and Smith is placed into coverage. Lee needs more series (offense, defense, special teams) breaking down Dallas' position playing time, got 13 snaps in the last game against the Steelers. If Lee groups at the bye week and what we’d like to see for the remainder of the can get maybe 20, this could take some pressure off Vander Esch and season. Up next, the defense: Smith.

Defensive line Defensive backs

Position Player Tackles Tackles for loss Quarterback hits Position Player Tackles Tackles for loss Interceptions Sacks Passes defended

DE Aldon Smith 37 3 9 5 S 23 0 0 0

DT Justin Hamilton 3 0 0 0 CB Chidobe Awuzie 3 0 1 2

DE DeMarcus Lawrence 34 7 4 3 S Xavier Woods 46 1 0 0

DE 13 0 1 0 CB 27 3 0 1

DE Randy Gregroy 7 1 2 0 CB 48 20 2 10

DT 10 2 2 0 S CJ Goodwin 7 0 0 0

DT Antwaun Woods 14 1 2 1 CB Anthony Brown 22 1 0 1

DT Tyrone Crawford 5 0 1 0 S Donovan Wilson 34 1 0 0

What we expected: Gerald McCoy, , Dontari Poe, Antwaun S Seven Parker 6 0 0 0 Woods and Tyrone Crawford were expected to become forces in the What we expected: Diggs to challenge for a starting job, Ha Ha Clinton- interior of the line. The Cowboys employed a talented pass rush led by Dix to start at safety opposite Woods and Daryl Worley to play some DeMarcus Lawrence, Everson Griffen and Aldon Smith. There was an safety and corner. Chidobe Awuzie was to start at the other cornerback expectation ’s return later in the season would provide a spot. boost. What happened: Clinton-Dix lost first team reps after one week of training What happened: McCoy suffered a season-ending quad injury in the first camp practices and was cut before season, Worley was released for his padded practice of training camp, Hill played well before suffering a knee struggles, Awuzie, after playing two games, was placed on IR because of injury that placed him on injured reserve, Griffen was traded to the Lions a hamstring injury, Thompson, who won the starting job, lost it to Wilson. and Poe was cut because Jerry Jones said he was 30 pounds Diggs, with two interceptions, has played well at times. He looks like he’s overweight. Need any more bad news? Well there was some good got a bright future. Yet, he suffered a foot injury that might cost him the things. Smith played well, four sacks and six quarterback hits the first season. Wilson has stabilized the position but that’s it. three weeks of the season. Lawrence, after a slow start due to a sore knee, played well the last few weeks heading into the bye. Gallimore is What we’d like to see now: With Diggs gone, there’s a chance Awuzie playing better because the Cowboys are giving him more snaps. might return following the bye week. The Cowboys need more Crawford has struggled all season. playmakers in this group and there isn’t any here. So the draft is probably where this group improves. For now, just learn to live with this secondary. What we’d like to see now: Lawrence, Gregory and Smith need to provide more pressure. Lawrence is playing his best ball right now, Smith and Gregory, considering all the patience the Cowboys showed both players while each was suspended, have to become more disruptive. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 11.13.2020 Woods, quietly, has played well with the departure of Poe. Armstrong should get more playing time, especially down the stretch. The run defense, a mess the entire year, got a little better because the players finally embraced the scheme.

Linebackers

Player Tackles Tackles for loss Quarterback hits Sacks

Francis Bernard 2 0 0 0

Joe Thomas 42 3 2 0

Sean Lee 2 0 0 0

Jaylon Smith 89 5 2 1/2

Leighton Vander Esch 26 0 1 1

Luke Gifford 2 0 0 0

Justin March 3 0 0 0 1195937 Dallas Cowboys both games and averaged 42.5 snaps compared with 29.4 before Poe was cut.

“I think he’s been an integral part to the improvement,” Nolan said of How addition by subtraction has the Cowboys defense trending upward Woods. “I really do. And I don’t think that’s an understatement. He’s done really a hell of a job. The thing that I think we’re all finding out about Antwaun Woods is he’s got some leadership ability that’s noticeable.” By Michael Gehlken The most quarterback pressures Griffen generated in a game for the 6:09 PM on Nov 12, 2020 CST Cowboys was four. Gregory topped that total in only the third game since being reinstated from a suspension that sidelined him the entire 2019

season and first five games of 2020. FRISCO — Randy Gregory wasted no movements. Dallas has begun a new chapter on defense. The Cowboys' defensive end exploded Sunday from a three-point stance, No more wasted movement. driving off his left foot into the backfield. Right foot. Left foot. Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Alejandro Villanueva prepared to slow the sprinting Gregory, readying a punch to keep him from bending the edge. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 11.13.2020 Gregory had other plans. He planted his right foot and cut inside, executing a swim move to cross past Villanueva and smack quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Safety Xavier Woods nearly intercepted an errant, wobbly pass Gregory forced.

The Cowboys didn’t just acquire a draft pick when trading defensive end Everson Griffen.

They gained this.

There are multiple factors behind Dallas' improvement on defense over the past two games. Addition by subtraction is one of them. On Oct. 27, the team dealt Griffen to the Detroit Lions for a conditional 2021 sixth- round pick. A day later, it released nose tackle Dontari Poe and cornerback Daryl Worley.

Any void caused by those departures has been filled, as the Cowboys begin to play faster in defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s simplified scheme.

“We’ve had two good weeks,” Nolan said. “As Mike [McCarthy] always says, you’ve got to start stacking those good weeks. You can’t just have a good week and then a bad week. You have to stack them. So with the bye and then coming back, hopefully we’ll stack another one.”

Griffen and Poe were starters before Dallas parted ways.

Gregory and nose tackle Antwaun Woods were the primary beneficiaries from the moves, each seeing more playing time over the past two weeks. Worley’s exit had no meaningful impact on snap distribution; he’d already been benched since Week 6.

Griffen averaged 40 defensive snaps in seven games with the Cowboys. Gregory averaged 35.5 in the two games since the deal and recorded one quarterback hit and four hurries in Sunday’s 24-19 loss to Pittsburgh.

Those five pressures tied a career high for Gregory, according to Pro Football Focus.

Gregory’s impressive outing came as rookie defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, between inconsistent stretches, played his best game.

“What is real exciting is that they really have a lot of upside, both of them, a lot of room to get better and better,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday on “The Fan” KRLD-FM (105.3). "And it’s just human [nature] that once you see things that work, you buy in, your own confidence buys into it. And then you just get better and better and better.

“That’s the dilemma you do. Do you play a veteran player that can possibly do it for that series or that game better, or do you go with a younger player that you allow to develop? When you’re having the kind of season we’re having, you’re going with the younger players, and you’re seeing it right before your eyes pay off for you.”

As part of that conversation, Antwaun Woods is not to be overlooked.

Poe started all seven games before his release while averaging 38.1 defensive snaps per week. He struggled mightily, a key culprit to the Cowboys allowing 5.2 yards per carry in the first seven weeks. That was the second-worst mark in the NFL.

It is early. Many difficult tests await. The first is a Nov. 22 meeting with Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook.

But the improvement since Woods entered the lineup is unmistakable. In the past two games, Dallas allowed 3.75 yards per carry. Woods started 1195938 Washington Capitals

Emily Engel-Natzke joins Hershey staff as first female coach in Capitals organization

Samantha Pell

November 12, 2020 at 3:09 PM EST

The Hershey Bears named Emily Engel-Natzke the team’s video coach Thursday, making her the first female coach in the Washington Capitals organization.

The Bears are the Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey, Pa.

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Engel-Natzke, 29, was previously at the University of Wisconsin, where she was the assistant director of operations/video coordinator. She worked with the men’s and women’s hockey teams at Wisconsin from 2015 to 2017 and with only the men’s team after 2017.

“It’s definitely a dream come true,” Engel-Natzke said Thursday in a telephone interview. “It’s something I’ve really worked towards and wanted to do for a long time, and everything just kind of seemed to fall into place. I don’t know if the right time is the right word, but with everything else going on, everything just fell into place.

“I’m really excited. I’m really honored that they felt like I would be a good fit for their organization, and it really is just a dream come true to make that step.”

Engel-Natzke replaces Jared Elenberger, who is now Washington’s video coordinator. Elenberger replaces Tim Ohashi, who was hired to be the Seattle Kraken’s head video analyst in October.

“Her experience level working at Wisconsin and working with the coaching staff she did there with Tony Granato gives you a lot of comfort that she will have an understanding of what a coach at the pro level will be looking for,” Chris Patrick, Washington’s director of player personnel, said of Engel-Natzke. “Video coaches at the AHL level, they are developing still in their careers. … Her experience level and technical acumen were pretty high, especially for this position where you can get a broad range of candidates.”

Engel-Natzke picked up hockey in middle school and continued to play recreationally in college at the University of Colorado, where she majored in film studies. Winding up on a coaching staff in the NHL was her end goal.

Engel-Natzke and her wife, Spencer, plan to move to the Hershey area after the holidays. The AHL announced in late October that its board of governors had approved moving the anticipated start date of the 2020-21 season to Feb. 5 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The NHL is still targeting a Jan. 1 start date.

Washington Post LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195939 Washington Capitals one.The year prior, Ovechkin scored four of the team's 20 goals against the Carolina Hurricanes and added another five assists.

The Caps have plenty of firepower, but not enough when Ovechkin Why the Caps never have to worry about overpaying Ovechkin ceases to be a superstar. When that happens, a team whose depth scoring is a question mark will be losing its top goal scorer. A team with questions on defense won't be able to rely nearly as much on its offense, by J.J. Regan particularly the top six, to carry the team through.

The bottom line is that when age dictates that Ovechkin is no longer one of the top offensive threats in the game, the championship window will Alex Ovechkin has only one year remaining on his current contract and, close firmly shut. He is the straw that stirs the drink. He is what makes according to general manager Brian MacLellan, talks have been tabled this team a contender. until training camp. While some fans may be nervous, there really is no reason to be. Ovechkin recently affirmed his commitment to the Capitals. As for the third point, the Caps have been consistently ranked either at or Really the only other team he has any interest in playing for is Dynamo near the bottom for their farm system in the offseason. The cupboard is Moscow, not anyone else in the NHL. That just leaves us with two more not bare with players like Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre, Martin pressing questions: How long will Ovechkin stay and how much will it Fehervary and Alex Alexeyev who will one day join young players like cost? Jakub Vrana and Tom Wilson on the NHL roster. The Caps have a lot of promising young players, but other teams have more. There is no way to definitively answer the first question without speculating. Sure, I think Ovechkin is going to stay in the NHL as long as So what does this have to do with Ovechkin's next contract? When he is a productive player. I think Dynamo Moscow will always be there as Ovechkin's time as a superstar is done, when his production can no an option whenever he chooses to leave so there's no real rush for him to longer live up to the cap hit he is expected to receive, it doesn't matter return to Russia just yet. I think winning another Stanley Cup and chasing because that will mark the point in which the team transitions from Wayne Gretzky's goal record are both important to him. contender to rebuild.

These are things I think having covered him, but ultimately it is up to Contracts hurt when it becomes detrimental to the team being able to Ovechkin to decide how much each of these factors matter. achieve its goals. Even if Ovechkin's production does fall off a cliff, that doesn't matter because that when it is time to move salary, move As for how much the Caps will pay him, the answer is simple: It doesn't veterans and bring in draft picks and prospects. At that point, Ovechkin's matter. cap hit won't hinder that. What? How could it not matter!? Washington is a cap team! How could it It may not sound like it, but this is good news. This means the Caps can not matter what the player with the highest cap hit on the team will make re-sign Ovechkin without fear of his new contract hurting them in the on his next contract? future, the team can give him a well-deserved contract with a sizable cap It doesn't because of what it means for the team's championship window. hit despite him being 35 and no one has to worry about Ovechkin spending the last few years of his career playing for another NHL team. Let's take Ovechkin's name out of this for a second. Does it sound smart The one possible complication is the fact that this will be a 35-plus to sign a 35-year-old player to a contract with a cap hit expected to be contract. Since he is already 35, this contract means Ovechkin's full cap somewhere around $9.5 to $10.5 million? No, it doesn't. I am not saying hit will remain on the books in Washington for the remainder of his the Caps should no re-sign Ovechkin or that he's not worth that cap hit, contract regardless of whether he is playing or not. If he retires or goes to I'm merely pointing out that a players' production is going to start to Russia, his cap hit will continue to count towards the cap ceiling. decline at some point in his 30s. You may be tempted to think that this is not true for the all-time greats, but even among the elites what Ovechkin But really, this would only be an issue with a five-year, possibly four-year is doing is almost unprecedented. contract which could bridge the gap between this generation of Caps and the next, but that's only if Ovechkin's decline starts right away and even When you look at the the top ten leading goalscorers of all time, after then, the rebuild would have to go really smoothly if in four or five years they turned 30 they scored 45 or more goals in a single season season the team will feel that Ovechkin's contract is hindering their ability to put a only 16 times combined. Hockey Reference defines being 30 as turning championship roster together. Otherwise, there is no reason to worry 30 by Feb. 1 in a season. about Ovechkin's cap hit. The only time it could start to hurt is when it no longer matters. At the age of 35, Ovechkin already accounts for four of those 16 seasons. That is tied for the most with Mike Gartner. Neither Wayne Gretzky nor Gordie Howe scored 45 goals in any season after turning 30. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 11.13.2020 What this means is that Ovechkin is playing with house money. Even the Great 8 can't outrun Father Time forever. Ovechkin is not going to be scoring 50 goals in the NHL at the age of 40. Some time between now and then, his production will start to decline. If the Caps give Ovechkin a four or five-year contract, then at some point they are going to be stuck paying a superstar contract to a player who no longer scores at a superstar pace.

This is a conundrum teams in every sport face. When do you walk away from an all-time great, franchise player? It's hard to do. Analytics say you move on because that player cannot live up to another big-time contract, while nostalgia (and often the fans) demand you give those franchise greats whatever they want to make sure they never put on another team's jersey.

It may look like the Capitals are in this situation, but they're really not.

Here are three facts we need to accept. First, as I mentioned, Ovechkin is not going to be an elite superstar player forever. Second, when he no longer is that player, the championship window for this generation of the Caps will officially be closed. Third, the Caps are going to have to go through a transition in the post-Ovechkin era. They will not simply continue on as contenders without at least a partial rebuild.

Washington as a team is completely built around Ovechkin. Of the eight goals the Caps scored in their first round matchup against New York Islanders, Ovechkin scored four of them and assisted on another 1195940 Washington Capitals

The new Caps calendar is so 2020 - in a fun way

by Mae Whitesides

Capitals

The Caps released their annual calendar today, and like all things in 2020, it looks a little different than in the past.

Gone are the cute canines that fans found so appealing in previous years. In their place are cute Caps kids and other never-before-seen photos of the players enjoying time with their family and engaging in offseason activities.

But dog fans have no fear: The calendar still includes Captain, the team dog – a very important part of the roster.

The theme for the 2021 calendar is “Caps at Home,” complete with a team photo based on the pandemic’s preferred method of communication, a Zoom call.

A fun bonus: the Zoom photo reveals all of the players’ nicknames for each other.

Every Caps player is featured in the calendar, including the recent free- agent additions.

All proceeds will benefit the Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) Foundation, the official charity of the Caps that supports game-changing solutions for the community. The MSE Foundation works to amplify the effect of community change agents and raise money and provide grants to nonprofits, according to the Capitals press release.

Since 2012, sales of the Capitals’ calendars have raised nearly $570,000 for charity.

Only a limited number of calendars are available. They can be purchased online at washcaps.com/calendar now or at the Team Stores, starting Nov. 23 at MedStar Capitals Iceplex and Nov. 24 at Capital One Arena. Each calendar costs $20 (plus shipping for online orders, which will start going out Nov. 25).

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195941 Washington Capitals I’m 6-foot and I weigh 187, 188. I’ve gained 7 or 8 pounds because I think I was around 180.

What was life in the bubble like for you in Toronto? Connor McMichael Q&A: On pushing to make the Capitals, world juniors and more That was a really cool experience, just being around all those guys, the playoff atmosphere. It was really cool to see them practice. Just seeing the way they carry themselves on and off the ice. That was a huge By Tarik El-Bashir experience for me. It was awesome that I was able to get that experience, and I’m going to take it with me and try to implement that Nov 12, 2020 stuff into my game.

What really stood out to you?

In Connor McMichael’s mind, there’s Washington’s “projected” roster Just how serious the mood is, and how everyone knows what they gotta next season without him. Then there’s the one that has him snagging a do to get the job done. They all know that one mistake can cost the spot coming out of training camp. season and the playoffs. So no one made mistakes in practice. Everyone’s taking it seriously. They are all dialed in. I think that’s a huge That won’t be easy given the Capitals’ stacked lineup, salary cap thing for me just seeing how they act on the ice in practice and seeing constraints and penchant for being patient with prospects. But the 2019 how they carry themselves off the ice, as well, getting prepared for first-rounder, who is ranked by The Athletic’s Corey Pronman as the games. organization’s top prospect, insists he’s up for it. Was there anyone in particular that you watched extra closely? “I’m ready for the challenge,” McMichael said in a phone interview from London, Ont., where he’s a star on Dale Hunter’s London Knights. Honestly, Nick Backstrom. I watched him a lot. He’s a center, I’m a “There’s a projected lineup or a projection of where guys are going to fit center. He’s also one of the best centers the league has ever seen so it’s in. I’m thinking come camp time, I’ll be ready to fight for those spots and just cool watching and learning from him. try to leapfrog someone.” Did anyone take you under their wing? As Washington’s roster stands now, there are 11 forwards under contract for next season, which leaves an opening for a winger and another spot I hung out with Tom Wilson and Brenden Dillon a bit. Went to a golf for an extra. McMichael is a natural center but said he’d welcome a move course a couple times. It was cool being around those guys. I had a lot of to the wing if it meant cracking the Caps’ opening night lineup. fun.

But first things first: He’s got to prove to coach Peter Laviolette and Co. How have you managed to stay mentally engaged as you deal with all that he is, indeed, ready. the missed time and uncertainty?

“That’s my main goal,” said McMichael, who turns 20 in January, “and I’m Yeah, I mean there’s a lot of uncertainty right now. I think that’s what really looking forward to the challenge.” motivates me; I never know when the season’s gonna be back up. It could be a month, it could be four months, it could be any time. So I just McMichael spoke to The Athletic ahead of Canada’s national junior team got to keep myself mentally focused. When you’re so close to reaching selection camp, which opens next week in Red Deer, Alberta, and your dream, it’s easy to stay motivated. Whenever training camp or the addressed a wide range of topics, including what he learned as a “Black season starts back up, I’ll be ready to go. Ace” in the bubble, bulking up during the COVID-19 stoppage, playing for Hunter and much more. The following is a transcript of the nearly 20- How much are you looking forward to Team Canada’s junior camp? minute conversation. It has been edited lightly for clarity. It’s going to be awesome. I’m looking forward to getting back into a team In a normal year, you’d be getting ready for mid-November practice or a atmosphere. I think we’re going to have a really good team and hopefully, game right now. How tough has this stoppage been for someone like we can repeat. you, who is so close to realizing a dream of playing in the NHL? You were a big part of Canada’s gold-medal-winning entry last year. How I mean, it sucks. Any kid who is this close to playing in the NHL needs to will your role be different this time around? play in games. But everyone’s health and safety comes first. I hope we Last year when I first came to the team, there was all the returnees and can get this figured out sooner rather than later, and we can all get back you looked up to them for advice because they had been to the to playing hockey again. tournament before. This year, I should have a bigger role. I’m sure guys What’s a typical day for you like? will be bouncing questions off me, and I’m looking forward to taking that responsibility. And hopefully leading the team to another gold medal. Usually, I’ll be out of bed around 8 a.m., get some breakfast, go to the rink, get a little workout in. Then after that, I’ll either skate right after the Are you looking forward to meeting Washington’s 2020 first-round pick, workout or grab some lunch and then go skate. That’s pretty much what Hendrix Lapierre? I’ve been up to. Yeah, it’s going to be cool to meet Hendrix. I’ve heard a lot of great The No. 1 thing for you now, as you and the Caps have said, is getting things about him. I know he’s a great player. Hopefully, we can become stronger. Has the stoppage given you more time to focus on strength and friends there, build a relationship so hopefully in the future when we play conditioning? together, we’ll already have a little bit of chemistry.

Earlier in the summer the Caps sent me a plan to get going and I’ve been Let’s talk about the Caps. You’re a center and they’ve got four pretty using some of that stuff and also my trainer here in London, he’s put his good ones right now, and the team is in win-now mode. How will you own stuff into the program, as well. So I’m using a bit of the best of both approach camp in D.C., whenever that is? worlds right now. Obviously, I want to play center; that’s my main position. But I’ve played Do you feel like you’ve made any significant gains? a lot of wing, like at the world junior tournament last year. So I feel like I can play either position. Come camp, I’m just going to put my head down It’s been a longer offseason than usual so you’re in the gym a lot more and work and show the staff that I deserve a spot on the team. Whether than you’re used to. Usually, it’s just three or four months, but this time it’s center or wing, I’d just be happy to crack the lineup. it’s been like eight. I’ve put on a little bit of muscle and my endurance has improved a lot, as well. It’s been a long summer in the gym, for sure. If you don’t make the Caps, it seems likely that you would head back to the OHL, where there’s some uncertainty, too. Right now they’re talking I’d rather be playing, but I’m not going to complain when I’m able to get about not allowing checking. Is that feasible? the opportunity to get faster and stronger. Everyone that I’ve talked to from around the league isn’t a big fan of it. So what do you weigh now and how does that compare to where you We honestly think if there’s no hitting it won’t be the same. It’ll be a totally were prior to the stoppage? different game. So hopefully, the government and the OHL can figure that out and keep hitting in the game. What’s it like to play for former Caps captain and current London coach Dale Hunter?

Dale is a great guy, but he’s not afraid to tell you what’s on his mind and he’s always gonna push you to be the best player. So it obviously helps me a lot that he was a player in Washington and he’s coached there for a short period of time. He tells me a bit about people that work there and the organization. He’s told me nothing but good things. I think he’s the best junior coach out there and he could easily be coaching in the NHL. He has a great hockey mind. You can see all the guys that he’s pushed to the NHL. So his record speaks for itself.

Dale’s style works for me. He doesn’t hide anything from you. I like knowing the truth and what parts of my game I need to work on. And Dale’s not afraid to tell you that. He’ll show you a lot of video and work with you in practice on specific skills. I think it’s great.

When you talked to Mike Vogel (of WashingtonCaps.com) early in the stoppage, you joked about vegging out on Netflix and other television shows like “Ozark,” “The Last Dance,” “Breaking Bad” and “Outer Banks.” Things are still kinda slow, so what are you doing now to pass the time?

Not as much Netflix nowadays. I did watch “Schitt’s Creek,” a good ol’ Canadian show. That was a good one. Other than that, it’s mostly been about getting back in the gym and skating. That’s my favorite part of the day.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195942 Winnipeg Jets However, only 15% of the people believe the Jets will be a Stanley Cup contender in 2020-21. On the bright side, 71.9% said they believe the Jets have done enough to make the playoffs next season.

YOU BE THE BOSS: Jets fans say don’t trade Laine, do trade Roslovic It’s looking more and more likely that the Jets will play in an all-Canadian and make things happen this season, or else division, meaning many games against the likes of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers.

Ted Wyman Asked how they think the Jets will fare in such as division, 36.1% said they’d finish in third place, 27.1% said fourth place, and 15.4% said Publishing date: Nov 12, 2020 second place. Clearly, the majority believe the Jets will be a playoff team in such a division, with only 15.4% predicting them to out of the post-

season. Fans don’t want the Winnipeg Jets to trade Patrik Laine, they do want Just how a 2020-21 season will look remains up in the air. The league them to trade Jack Roslovic and they believe management deserves has said Jan. 1 is the target date to start, but the COVID-19 pandemic is another season to get things right before all bets are off. getting worse across the continent and that could make things difficult. Those are the basic findings of the Sun’s annual You Be The Boss The Jets would have a tough time even starting training camp in survey, conducted over the last week at Winnipegsun.com. Winnipeg under current health restrictions, let alone holding games at Almost 80% of those who took part in the survey said the Jets should not Bell MTS Place. trade star winger Patrik Laine, who has scored 138 goals in his first four We asked fans if they would attend games in the New Year at the NHL seasons. downtown arena, if the NHL and health authorities give the OK. Laine is rumoured to be on the trading block because he’s heading into Slightly more than 38% said yes, 25% said no and the 36.5% said they’d the last year of his bridge deal and may be difficult to get under contract only attend if there is a COVID-19 vaccine available. long-term, even if the Jets are willing to throw the bank at him. While there’s hope on that front, no one knows for sure when it will be The 22-year-old Finn is a special talent when it comes to goal-scoring available to all Canadians, so it seems highly unlikely that there will be and Jets fans clearly don’t want to see him shipped out of town, as fans in the stands any time in the near future. beloved Finnish sniper Teemu Selanne was back in 1996. Regardless, it seems NHL hockey is not that far from returning and fans Almost 75% of respondents said they’d like to see the Jets sign Laine to seem hopeful about the Jets chances. a long-term contract, although many suggested they wouldn’t want to overspend just to keep him. At least there’s that to hang onto in these difficult times.

Meanwhile, almost 60% of participants said the Jets should trade 2015 YOU BE THE BOSS RESPONSES first-round draft pick Roslovic, who is currently a restricted free agent. Roslovic has put up 26 goals and 67 points in 180 games while playing What would you do with Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff? mostly bottom-six forward minutes during his first three seasons. See how next season goes and then make a decision 71.5%

The Jets have been reportedly shopping Roslovic and defenceman Sami Give him a raise 17.3% Niku in recent weeks, in an attempt to land a top-four defenceman who can improve their left side. Fire him 11.2%

Slightly more than 50% of respondents said they’d like to see the Jets What would you do with Jets coach Paul Maurice? trade Niku, who recently signed an economical two-year contract but may have a tough time cracking the Winnipeg lineup. See how next season goes and then make a decision 60%

As far as management and coaching is concerned, fans seem somewhat Give him a raise 20.4% less enthralled with the work of general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and Fire him 19.6% head coach Paul Maurice than in the past. What would you do with Jets assistant coach Charlie Huddy? The majority of people (71.5% for Cheveldayoff and 60% for Maurice) said the two should be given a season to prove they can make the Jets See how next season goes and then make a decision 58.1% better before a decision is made. The implication there is fans believe the Fire him 28.8% Jets need to be going forward this season after two years of regression, or changes should be in order. Give him a raise 13.1%

The Jets made it to the Western Conference final in 2018, lost in the first What would you do with Jets assistant coach Jamie Kompon? round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2019 and then lost in the qualifying round of the NHL’s summer tournament this year. See how next season goes and then make a decision 69.5%

Among assistant coaches, respondents showed the most satisfaction Fire him 18% with goaltending coach Wade Flaherty, with 33.1% saying he deserves a Give him a raise 12.5% raise and another 53% saying they’d like to see how the 2020-21 season plays out. What would you do with Jets assistant coach Wade Flaherty?

That’s what happens when your goalie (Connor Hellebuyck) wins the See how next season goes and then make a decision 53.5% Vezina Trophy. Give him a raise 33.1% By comparison, long-time assistant Charlie Huddy, who handles the much-maligned defence, garnered much less confidence, with 28.8% Fire him 13.4% saying he should be fired now and another 58.1% saying they’d like to Should the Jets trade Patrik Laine? see what happens this season and then make a decision. No 78.3% Fans generally like the moves Cheveldayoff made this off-season — particularly picking centre Cole Perfetti 10th overall in the NHL Draft — Yes 21.7% although they’d still like to see the Jets acquire a defenceman who can play big minutes on the left side. Should the Jets sign Patrik Laine to a long-term contract?

Respondents gave approval to the acquisition of centre Paul Stastny Yes, but only if the price and term are reasonable 69.3% (92.3%), the signing of defenceman Derek Forbort (85.1%), the re- Yes, give him the max 15.4% signing of defenceman Dylan DeMelo (93.2%) and the signing of centre Nate Thompson (64.7%). No, he’s not worth it 15.3% If the Jets keep Patrik Laine, who should he play with in 2020-21? Which Jets prospect do you expect to have an impact the soonest?

Paul Stastny and Nikolaj Ehlers 49.8% Dylan Samberg 47.3%

Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor 19.9% Ville Heinola 30.5%

Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers 13.6% Cole Perfetti 20.2%

Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele 8.8% Declan Chisholm 1.7%

Paul Stasnty and Kyle Connor 4.3% What route should the Jets go in the expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken after the 2020-21 season? Paul Stastny and Blake Wheeler 3.7% One goalie, three defencemen, seven forwards 85.5% Should the Jets make a trade to improve the left side of their blue-line? One goalie and eight skaters 14.5% Yes 77.2% If the expansion draft were next week, which Jets players would you No 22.8% protect (pick one goalie and eight skaters or one goalie, three Which players should be on the Jets’ top defence pairing in 2020-21? defencemen and seven forwards)? Note: First and second-year players are exempt Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo 61.5% G Connoor Hellebuyck 97.1% Josh Morrissey and Neal Pionk 30.9% F Mark Scheifele 97.1% Dylan DeMelo and Derek Forbort 5.1% F Kyle Connor 96.5% Neal Pionk and Derek Forbort 2.1% D Josh Morrissey 96.1% What did you think of the Jets trading for centre Paul Stastny? F Nikolaj Ehlers 92% Good move 92.3% F Patrik Laine 91.9% Bad move 7.7% F Blake Wheeler 88.1% What did you think of the Jets trading for defenceman Derek Forbort? D Neal Pionk 83.7% Good move 85.1% F Paul Stastny 72.9% Bad move 14.9% D Dylan DeMelo 63.3% What did you think of the Jets re-signing pending UFA defenceman Dylan DeMelo? F Andrew Copp 62.7%

Good move 93.2% F Adam Lowry 26.3%

Bad move 6.8% F Jack Roslovic 17.4%

What did you think of the Jets signing free-agent centre Nate Thompson? F Tucker Poolman 16.4%

Good move 64.7% F Mason Appleton 11.5%

Bad move 35.3% D Sami Niku 10%

What would you do with RFA Jack Roslovic? D Nathan Beaulieu 6.8%

Trade him 59.8% D Derek Forbort 3.4%

Sign him to a short-term deal 33.3% F Mathieu Perreault 3%

Sign him to a long-term deal 6.9% F Bryan Little 2.3%

Did the Jets do enough this off-season to be a Stanley Cup contender in F Nate Thompson 1.4% 2020-21? D Luca Sbisa 1.2%

No 84.6% F Dominic Toninato 1%

Yes 15.4% Who was the Jets MVP in the 2019-20 season?

Did the Jets do enough this off-season to be a playoff team in 2020-21? Connor Hellebuyck 83%

Yes 71.9% Mark Scheifele 8.2%

No 28.1% Kyle Connor 4.9%

Which defenceman should see the most ice time with the Jets this Patrik Laine 1.5% season? Blake Wheeler 2% Dylan Samberg 49.6% Nikolaj Ehlers 0.1% Ville Heinola 30.9% Who was the Jets top defenceman in the 2019-20 season? Sami Niku 19.6% Neal Pionk 50.5% Which Jets prospect are you most excited about? Josh Morrissey 43.1% Cole Perfetti 67% Dylan DeMelo 2.7% Dylan Samberg 15.6% Tucker Poolman 1.8% Ville Heinola 14.4% Nathan Beaulieu 1.2% Declan Chisholm 1.7% Luca Sbisa 0% Trade him 10.1%

In what area do the Jets need the most improvement? F Jack Roslovic

Defence 83.5% Keep him 25.3%

Special teams 14% Trade him 74.7%

Forward 2.1% F Nate Thompson

Goalie 0% Keep him 52.7%

If the NHL and health officials allow the Jets to have fans at Bell MTS Trade him 47.3% Place at some point in 2020-21 season, will you attend? F Jansen Harkins Only if there’s a COVID-19 vaccine 36.5% Keep him 86.6% Yes 38.2% Trade him 13.4% No 25.2% F Mason Appleton How do you think the Jets would fare in an all-Canadian division? Keep him 77.1% Third place 36.1% Trade him 22.9% Fourth place 27.1% F Mathieu Perreault Second place 15.4% Keep him 11.5% Fifth place 11.2% Trade him 88.5% First place 6.2% F Kristian Vesalainen Sixth place 3% Keep him 52% Seventh place 1.1% Trade him 48% What best sums up the state of the Jets? F David Gustafson A team that just needs some tweaks 54.1% Keep him 79.9% A team on the verge of becoming a legitimate contender 31.2% Trade him 20.1% A team that lacks a foundation and isn’t going anywhere any time soon 14.7% F Dominic Toninato

THE PLAYERS Keep him 36%

What would you do with the following players: Trade him 64%

F Blake Wheeler D Josh Morrissey

Keep him 79.4% Keep him 97.2%

Trade him 20.6% Trade him 2.8%

F Mark Scheifele D Neal Pionk

Keep him 98.6% Keep him 92.5%

Trade him 1.2% Trade him 7.5%

F Kyle Connor D Dylan DeMelo

Keep him 97.3% Keep him 94.3%

Trade him 2.7% Trade him 5.7%

F Patrik Laine D Derek Forbort

Keep him 80.8% Keep him 73.6%

Trade him 19.2% Trade him 26.4%

F Paul Stastny D Tucker Poolman

Keep him 88.7% Keep him 83.5%

Trade him 11.3% Trade him 16.5%

F Nikolaj Ehlers D Nathan Beaulieu

Keep him 92.8% Keep him 72%

Trade him 7.2% Trade him 28%

F Adam Lowry D Sami Niku

Keep him 92.2% Keep him 49.2%

Trade him 7.8% Trade him 50.8%

F Andrew Copp D Luca Sbisa

Keep him 89.9% Keep him 36.9% Trade him 36.9%

D Logan Stanley

Keep him 44.2%

Trade him 55.8%

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 11.13.2020 1195943 Vancouver Canucks The startling projection reflects the provincial government’s reluctance for a total lockdown of the Ontario economy by January. If stay-at-home legislation to protect the populace from rampant social-gathering Ben Kuzma: Fan formula for next NHL season mixes COVID-19 logistics transmission of the virus is introduced in the new year, it would make it to equation impossible for fans to attend Maple Leaf games.

The Los Angeles Lakers won’t have fans immediately returning to the Staples Center for the Dec. 22 tip-off of the 2020-21 season. The Los Ben Kuzma Angeles Clippers, who share the same facility, are also expected to follow the same safety plan. Publishing date: Nov 13, 2020 There have been suggestions of allowing masked fans within 30 feet of

the court and patrons in suites with less than 25 per cent capacity not Run the concept of an all-Canadian division for next season by those requiring testing. By comparison, Milwaukee Bucks ownership believes directly involved in the NHL — players, coaches and executives — and fans won’t be in attendance until mid-March or April. you get encouraging one-word summations because it’s difficult to speak The Lakers’ decision was based on guidance by health officials. about the unknown. California ranks second among U.S. states in total cases with one million, A board of governors conference call Thursday revealed little of how a of which 328,000 are in Los Angeles County. There were 2,091 cases proposed seven-team schedule would be deployed, especially amid a reported in that area Wednesday. surging second wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic. However, The Lakers are also delaying the raising of their 17th championship increasing hype and hope are giving players and fans something to cling banner until fans return to the stands. to — whether the season starts Jan. 1 or Feb. 1. — and the league maintained in the call that it could be a shifting target. ”We appreciate your continued support and look forward to coming together, when it is safe to do so, to celebrate the raising of our banner In succumbing to stricter provincial health edicts and COVID-19 fatigue, and the quest for another NBA championship,” the Lakers said in a there’s a shared quest to stage some semblance of a season to soothe statement. the soul. A hybrid hub concept of four cities — possibly one in Canada and three in the United States — is one concept. But one that’s gaining more traction is teams playing in their home arenas with or without fans to generate some revenue and lower overall costs. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 11.13.2020

And that’s where it gets interesting and somewhat intimidating for the Vancouver Canucks.

The NHL and NBA set the bar for COVID-19 awareness in their bubble concepts last season by controlling respective environments. However, staging games in home arenas presents a myriad of concerns. Imagine the Canucks hosting the Calgary Flames in several games over a short period of time next season as part of an all-Canadian competition concept.

The Flames’ entourage must first test negative before boarding their charter flight to Vancouver and then work in concert with a team bus operator and hotel to ensure safety protocols are in place. And depending to what degree the local economy remains open for indoor dining and bar service, having players mingle with the populace is asking for virus transmission trouble.

Players are gregarious by nature and creatures of habit and that’s why restrictive NHL bubbles were so effective with zero positive tests, but they were also costly. Visiting players could be kept in an enclosed portion of a local hotel to minimize risks and only allowed food options presented by the establishment or delivery.

As for Canuck fans, they could conclude that troubling infection rates in the Lower Mainland can be kept in perspective when compared to runaway numbers in Ontario, and that there’s a safe solution for patrons at Rogers Arena to be slowly accommodated with testing and physical distancing.

On Thursday, B.C. health officials reported 1,130 new cases over a two- day period — 536 as of Wednesday and 594 as of Thursday — with 155 patients in hospital, 44 in intensive care and an additional four deaths to bring the provincial total to 288. There were 808 cases over the two-day reporting period in the Fraser Health Region and 248 in the Vancouver Coastal Health Region.

A concern in the two regions, aside from social gatherings, is residents travelling back and forth and possibly spreading the virus. And with a segment of Canuck fans travelling to home games by SkyTrain, there could be heightened concern if they enter the arena and are asymptomatic.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry introduced measures for a two- week crackdown on infection rates. She stated in the two health regions, residents are banned from social gatherings other than the immediate household, non-essential travel and indoor physical activities until Nov. 23.

Also on Thursday, Ontario reported a stunning 1,575 new daily cases, including 472 in Toronto. It’s the third consecutive day of a record high for a province that’s on track for 6,500 daily cases by mid-December. 1195944 Vancouver Canucks Together, Pettersson and Hughes would combine for $17.5 million in this scenario, which would essentially eat up all the money coming off the books. This really puts Vancouver’s cap situation in perspective — for as Canucks’ roster and cap projections all the way to 2023 difficult as navigating this offseason was, there’s no reprieve next summer given the enormous raises Vancouver’s two stars are due for.

It’s not as if the RFA negotiations end there. By Harman Dayal Thatcher Demko will be an interesting case to follow if he breaks out this Nov 12, 2020 season. His NHL track record will be limited ahead of next summer’s negotiations, particularly if next season is shortened, so a short-term

bridge is likely for him. Columbus has set precedent this offseason for It’s October 5, 2022, and the Vancouver Canucks are at a fully packed young, talented goaltenders with limited NHL experience in Joonas Rogers Arena for their season opener. Elias Pettersson, entering year Korpisalo ($2.8 million x 2) and Elvis Merzlikins ($4-million x 2) that two of a new contract carrying an eight-figure cap hit, has the puck and Demko could use ahead of his next contract. My initial suspicion is looks poised to do some offensive damage. He darts through the middle Demko could slot in at the lower end of that range unless he dominates of the neutral zone, draws a defender and then dishes to J.T. Miler on his as Merzlikins did, so we’ll pencil in a $3-million cap hit for the next two left-wing as he crosses the offensive blue line. years.

Miller snaps a hard shot from the top of the face-off circle that finds the Next on the list is Adam Gaudette. Vancouver was able to leverage back of the net. The Pettersson-Miller duo has connected for another Gaudette’s 10.2(c) status to press him under $1-million for 2020-21, but electric goal off the rush. Of course, they have, that much hasn’t changed the fact that the contract was just for one year means that he could earn for the Canucks in the 2022-23 season. a modest raise in the summer of 2021. The Northeastern University product signed his entry-level deal as a 21-year-old and will have The rest of the team around Vancouver’s elite nucleus has changed accrued three professional seasons so he’ll be arbitration and offer sheet significantly, however. eligible next offseason. That will significantly enhance his power, so the cap hit we’ve tagged him with for now could definitely be higher if he Inefficient bottom-six contracts have come off the books. Top prospects continues his upward trajectory. have been integrated into the lineup. Some veterans have been squeezed out because of cap constraints and have found new homes Cumulatively, the RFAs will command raises that offset the inefficient elsewhere. In all, roughly half of the entire 2020 bubble playoff roster is money that expires next season. In other words, barring something gone. unforeseen, Vancouver’s going to stuck in essentially the same cap bind next year. So what exactly does this version of the Canucks look like? Let’s take a step back and analyze the possible year-by-year evolution of With these RFA numbers and Micheal Ferland on LTIR, the Canucks Vancouver’s roster and some of the key decisions that await them. would be left with just $2.8 million in wiggle room. This would put the Canucks in a tough spot — as we saw this offseason, it’s not easy to The 2021-22 Vancouver Canucks: Still strapped for cap space markedly improve the roster when you’re lacking the financial means. Key unrestricted free agents in summer 2021: Alex Edler, Tanner Vancouver will explore every avenue to carve out extra room and Pearson, Brandon Sutter, Jordie Benn, Sven Baertschi perhaps they can use a sweetener to get out of the last year of Antoine Roussel or Loui Eriksson’s contract, but we’ve seen that moving money Projected remaining roster, including estimated RFA contracts: in a flat cap environment is a challenge.

Projected cap space remaining: $2.8 million This version of the roster has a big hole to fill on the blue line and the top-six, without the key pending UFAs (Edler and Pearson) pencilled in. Outlook: You’ll notice right off the bat that there a couple of empty roster Edler, with his long history in Vancouver, looks more likely of the two to spots and holes on this roster — that’s modelled out by design. This isn’t return. It remains to be seen if he’s still top-four calibre at 35-years-old, meant to be the exact opening night lineup projection — we know for but unless a prospect like Olli Juolevi or Jack Rathbone takes a massive instance Loui Eriksson definitely won’t be in the top-six — this is just to step, the Canucks will probably still covet Edler’s veteran presence on illustrate the foundation the club will be building from. We’re only going to the backend. If the Swedish defenceman is re-signed, Vancouver’s include players already under contract, plus RFAs with new estimated essentially capped out which would make the chances of Pearson contracts and then map out the club’s potential decisions from there returning slim. based on the remaining flexibility. Top prospects Vasili Podkolzin, Nils Hoglander and Kole Lind will all When examining the 2021-22 outlook, it’s evident the Canucks will challenge for roster spots in 2021-22 to replace Pearson’s value. Ninety- continue having difficulties adding to their roster due to cap constraints. nine percent of prospects don’t develop like Pettersson and Hughes Vancouver has just north of $20 million in commitments coming off the though, so we’ll see how many of them hit at the NHL level and how books due to Sutter, Pearson, Edler, Baertschi, Benn and the Ryan quickly. I think the most likely outcome is that only one of the three is Spooner buyout but most of that will be swallowed up by Quinn Hughes ready for a full-time middle-six role by 2021-22 and that a second player and Pettersson as they’ll no longer be on their entry-level contracts. of the three could potentially fill in here and there as a depth piece. If that The range that they (and frankly all of the RFAs in this exercise) could becomes the equation, then the Canucks will still need to add another sign for is highly variable. It depends on a variety of factors including their top-six forward unless Jake Virtanen becomes a full-time fixture there. performance next season, the contract length that the two sides agree on It’s going to take managerial creativity to significantly upgrade the roster and the financial climate of the league. for 2021-22. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner will be among the top comparables Ah, this is more like it. Eriksson’s contract is mercifully off the books. Jay for Pettersson and Mathew Barzal’s current negotiation with the Islanders Beagle and Roussel’s bloated cap hits are gone. And the Roberto will be another one to watch. Considering where Pettersson stacks up to Luongo $3.03 million recapture penalty will be cleared as well. This gives against the two Leafs forwards, an annual figure in the $10 million to 11.5 the Canucks a lot more operating room. million range seems like a reasonable estimate for a medium to long- term deal. A long-term deal isn’t the most likely outcome given The quality of the remaining roster really depends on the development of Vancouver’s flexibility, so we’ll clock Pettersson in at a flat $10 million for Vancouver’s secondary young players. It might be a little pie in the sky to a mid-range deal. imagine both Podkolzin and Hoglander panning out as bona fide top-six forwards — I think shooting for one to become a top-six fixture and for Hughes, on the other hand, is more difficult to project. Zach Werenski the other or Lind to be a valuable third line piece would be huge and a and Charlie McAvoy have set compelling precedents for team-friendly more realistic hope. As long as one of these prospects hits as a high end bridge deals but we don’t know what a long-term extension for a player of forward by 2022-23, the Canucks will be formidable at the top of their Hughes’ calibre might look like. We’ll assume the McAvoy comparable lineup. On the other hand, if Podkolzin, Hoglander and Lind hitch then and Hughes’ unique 10.2(c) RFA status grant the Canucks sufficient the club will have to essentially mine four new middle-six wingers to fill leverage to sign Hughes to a bridge deal at an attractive $7.5 million out the second and third lines. annual rate. It will also be interesting to see how smoothly negotiations go for Brock Boeser, who’ll be up for renewal again in the summer of 2022. The American sniper has a hefty $7.5 million qualifying offer — this is when The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 the Canucks will be forced to make a decision on whether they want to make a big bet on him or not. For now, I’ve pencilled Boeser in for an extension that matches the rate of his qualifying offer.

Virtanen’s RFA status will also be worth watching as he’ll expire with a $3-million qualifying offer. The club’s been patient and invested lots of resources into his growth but he’s not nearly as certain to return. He’ll have to earn his next contract.

On the backend, it’s once again about the growth of young players. Hughes will be a sure thing as an elite force and Nate Schmidt will probably still provide top-four value, but that’s where the blue line’s going to need more help. It’s paramount that one of Rathbone, Juolevi or Jett Woo hits as a second pair defenceman. Vancouver would still need a credible top pair defenceman to really solidify the top-four on top, but that’s at least possible, whereas finding two top-four rearguards will be difficult if these prospects don’t graduate.

The leverage of young talent flourishing will be similarly high in goal, as Holtby will be a pending UFA. In an ideal world, Demko ascends as the Canucks’ undisputed No.1, while Mike DiPietro emerges as a backup to give the club a dirt-cheap tandem that can provide quality goaltending. If it doesn’t pan out that way, then the club will have to plan for additional expenditure in the crease.

If all this were to come true, the Canucks would have roughly $22.4 million in cap space with 14 players signed. Keep in mind though, this is a very rough estimate because the RFA numbers for Pettersson, Hughes, Demko, Boeser, Gaudette, Rathbone and Juolevi are all projections. This flexibility number is prone to lots of fluctuation and could erode quickly if the club is forced to acquire veterans to fill in for some of these prospects we’ve projected in the lineup.

From this point, if the Canucks could fill out the fourth line, 13th forward, seventh defenceman and 14th forward/eighth defenceman roles (six roster spots) for roughly $6.5 million cumulatively, they’d have just shy of $16 million to add impact forwards or defencemen.

Sounds like plenty of money to splurge and add final pieces for contention, right? Not so fast.

Several core Canucks will become free-agents in the summer of 2023, including Bo Horvat and J.T. Miller who will be unrestricted. The first year of Nils Hoglander’s contract will burn in 2020-21 regardless of where he plays because he turns 20-years-old before December 31 so his ELC will expire by the end of 2023. Podkolzin’s contract, if he were to sign this year, can slide in 2020-21 but if he appears in at least 10 NHL games, he’ll be due for his second contract in the summer of 2023 as well.

That’s potentially four core pieces that could require new contracts so the club can’t be too aggressive in adding money that spans into the 2023-24 season. It makes sense, however, for the Canucks to target 2022-23 as a season to go all-in. They could use that one year of extra cap flexibility to acquire top players or rentals on contracts that expire before Horvat, Miller and company need raises.

What’s the takeaway?

Jim Benning and the Canucks will face the same cap challenges next offseason as they did this year. As a result, Vancouver faces an uphill climb in its endeavour to emerge as a Western Conference powerhouse within the next two years. The margin for error with cap management dissipates the instant Pettersson and Hughes’ second contracts kick in, all future salaries need to be efficiently allocated to field a credible supporting cast.

The 2022-23 season is when the flexibility to add difference-makers really opens up as all of the inefficient bottom-six contracts and dead money will no longer haunt the club’s balance sheet. That’s a unique one year window for the Canucks to be aggressive as the summer of 2023 will see contracts for Horvat, Miller, Hoglander and possibly even Podkolzin expire.

Above all, it’s readily apparent that the club’s next step rests on the shoulder of its young prospects filling into prominent roles. Teams with superstars of Pettersson and Hughes’ calibre just can’t afford to spend big on mid-level contributors. That makes tracking the development of the likes of Podkolzin, Hoglander, Rathbone, Lind, Woo, Juolevi and others all the more critical. 1195945 Websites “The biggest negative to me about using video is the speed of the player and overall pace of the game translates poorly to video. It’s much harder to gauge skating ability on video compared to a live viewing,” said an The Athletic / NHL’s video scouting debate forced to evolve as NHL scout. uncertainty surrounds 2021 Draft “You miss things the cameras don’t show. Their play away from the puck and how they’re reacting to the game, their body language, how they interact with players and coaches,” said a second scout. By Corey Pronman “Even the best camera work will miss stuff we want to see. You won’t get Nov 12, 2020 the whole rink view to see what the player is seeing. Plays that move quick and over long-distance are very hard to track,” added another

scout. The value of scouting a player live in person versus on video has been On the other hand, some feel you can miss a lot of things when you are debated in the NHL community for many years. There has been steady live scouting, too. movement toward embracing video in recent years but still with significant hesitation. “There’s lot of distractions in the rink. People are talking to you, people walking by you, there’s all kinds of things going on the ice with the In the year 2020, with leagues on pause, events canceled, schedules in players and coaches. You can filter through the irrelevant or unimportant chaos and scouts stuck at home for months on end, that steady crawl by moments of the game and drill down on the core aspects of the player’s NHL scouts toward utilizing video to evaluate players has turned into a game,” said one NHL scout. leap. “You can miss things in games. The game is fast, you’re watching The other main factors that fueled that change in the industry’s mindset, multiple players, or your focus just isn’t at 100 percent in a given according to NHL sources: 1) improvement in the quality and availability moment. Video gives you the ability to go back and make sure you of video 2) improved distribution of video by third parties, and 3) identified exactly what happened,” said another scout. increased willingness to use video. Efficiency is the big argument that comes up in favor of using video. The improvement in the quality of the broadcasts at the various levels of Often these files are cut shifts of an individual player, or an hour long hockey has been very clear over the last 10 years. Asking for a high- tape with stoppages cut out. definition stream in a major junior or USHL game was very tough years ago, and a lot of college and AHL games were SD-only, as well. There “I’ve found making player-to-player comparisons, particularly those in were a lot of games in various leagues and tournaments that simply different regions of the world, are a lot easier when you can go from weren’t available no matter the quality of the broadcast. This was as watching them back-to-back in the same video session,” said one NHL recent as a few years ago. scout.

In the 2019-20 season, the situation was a lot different. Almost any high- There is an efficiency argument too in terms of expenses. The cost to level hockey game can be found if you know where to look. CHL, USHL, travel in both dollars and time is very significant. You can spend an entire AHL and college games are mostly broadcasted in HD. European junior day devoted to getting to a remote part of the world to watch one game games are streamed in high quality. A lot of high school level games can live, or in the same time period you could watch 10-12 games of a given be found online. Most European tournaments are streamed in high player on video. quality. “You need to see the players live, but there is a point I think where you “The days of having to sit around for an hour to download a game, or need to balance the merits of seeing them live one more time versus how carry around disks and tapes are gone,” said one NHL source. “The much more you could learn on video,” said an executive. technology has improved, and the HD feeds now are excellent.” Since March, scouts have been stuck at home watching video on When I would debate the merits of using video with scouts five-to-10 prospects. years ago, a common and reasonable argument against it was that there isn’t enough video out there to do comprehensive work and so much of “Teams turned to video due to the necessity of the circumstances, and what was available was so low quality that it made it impossible to some who weren’t dabbling much in video prior to the shutdown I think properly evaluate players. That rationale does not hold as well today. were finding it beneficial,” said one NHL scout.

One of the biggest differences for NHL clubs in recent years has been For a lot of them that resulted in a lot of long days of eyes getting watery how video files are aggregated and distributed to teams. This has from staring at screens. I talked to some scouts who said they watched typically been done by third-party companies, the most prominent ones every game for all the top prospects in their area. being InStat and Sportslogiq. But there are a couple of other companies A trend across teams was having scouts do crossover video scouting of that have tried to compete in that space such as Iceberg and regions and players they typically would not have seen in a normal SportContract. These companies typically pitch themselves as video and season. In discussions with teams across the league, an environment analytics firms that provide clipped video and in-depth stats on players at where amateur scouts across the staff were providing reports on players all levels. throughout the team’s list was much more common than in previous With these services, a lot of NHL teams can now access shift-clipped seasons, as NHL hockey operations employees had a lot of extra time video on any player in the world with the click of a few buttons. This has and needed to find ways to use that time effectively. Some thought this allowed clubs to become much more efficient in their video scouting. was a useful way to bring more opinions into the process. Others thought this was a negative as it asked scouts to give opinions on players and “The ability to push a few buttons and instantly be diving into a specific leagues they were unfamiliar with. area of a player’s game in a credible manner is something that’s much different from five-to-10 years ago,” said one NHL executive. For the 2020 NHL Draft, 80 percent of the season was business as usual. Scouts flew across the world, went to many games, tournaments However, some see that as a risk to their process. and events, and interviewed most prospects in person. There were some major bumps at the end and the postseason was lost, but a lot of the “You run the risk of improperly framing a guy’s game through video. If work had already been done. you just pull up all the good or bad things they do, you run the risk of not getting the full picture and reinforcing a bias,” said one NHL executive. When we turn the page to the 2021 NHL Draft, there is a lot of uncertainty. Crossover scouts and scouting directors in the United States There is a large chunk of the scouting industry, at various levels of can’t travel outside the country. There are many lost opportunities for hockey, that firmly believes the value of watching players comes from mass viewings across leagues and countries that have been canceled or seeing them live and that video wasn’t a valuable way to evaluate did not allow spectators. The WHL plans to start in January and the OHL players. in February. Teams won’t be allowed to scout the world juniors. Leagues That idea has steadily changed, but evaluators who I would describe as are starting and stopping constantly with various spectator restrictions progressive thinkers still do see significant flaws in video scouting. and schedules constantly being re-arranged. In discussions with sources around the league, the main questions are whether various leagues or tournaments will play; the inevitable follow-up question is whether scouts will be let in.

One answer to these dilemmas is clear: Video scouting, and lots of it. Teams are already in the midst of using significant amounts of video to evaluate the next draft class. The 2021 NHL Draft will likely be the most scouted draft from afar in NHL history.

What happens going forward?

The NHL scouting business is changing.

“The efficiency and practical value of using video is something that all organizations are going to need to embrace at some point,” said one NHL executive.

“The ability to adapt is very important” added another executive.

A majority of NHL sources think this is the beginning of a systemic shift, but a lot of respondents didn’t agree.

“Video scouting is not the way of the future. This is a circumstantial thing, once we’re allowed to go back to business as usual things will snap back to the way it’s always been with a heavy emphasis on the live view,” said one scout.

“For the executives and crossover scouts, I think the technological improvements will help them a lot. But for most scouts, the ones who need to know an area, the job won’t change” said another scout.

The industry is not going to be massively overhauled. There have been plenty of NHL scouts in plenty of buildings already this season when permitted. The live view aspect of their job is still viewed as essential. What I think you are seeing though is a shift in mindset in the industry from “There is one right way to do this, and that other way is a secondary tool,” to “There are two equally valuable ways to do this that are useful in their own ways.”

“I don’t think you’ll ever eliminate the value of a live view. It’s the foundation of scouting, but you should look to supplement the live views with as much information as possible, which includes video,” said one executive. “People in other sports think it’s weird that we’re even having this debate.”

It’s interesting to compare the perception of the value of video scouting in hockey compared to other sports. For a sport like football, video is such a giant component of how they do their job to prepare for the draft. Baseball seems more analogous in terms of the perceived value of the live view, and the significant transition some MLB teams needed to make incorporating a ton more video in their 2020 draft process.

The 2020 NHL Draft has helped launch the scouting community into the era of video scouting, and if early indicators hold, the 2021 NHL Draft will keep them there. Beyond that is less clear.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.13.2020 1195946 Websites 2019-20 playoffs. They won’t be permanent, and they’ll see teams come for 10 to 12 days and play a half-dozen games or so, then head back to be with their families. One of the issues right now that the players and Sportsnet.ca / NHL return FAQ: What we know, and don't, about the league seem to be talking about is that hubs take a little while to get set coming season up (so Jan. 1 would be a hard date to hit), but the NHLPA wants to get going as soon as possible.

But the short answer here is yes, I think there will be hubs to start the Justin Bourne@jtbourne season.

November 12, 2020, 3:56 PM Where will those be?

I don’t think the league even knows the answers here yet, but I’d imagine the decisions will come down to some mix of areas with low COVID At some indistinguishable point over the past however-many years, I numbers, and states with the most lenient restrictions. became “an old,” which I only acknowledge now because I need to make an Inspector Gadget reference. Here goes: Inspector Gadget used to be Will there be fans? given his “missions” on notes that would self-destruct in a matter of seconds, which is essentially what you’re reading here: an article on what I think there will be, yes, hence the “lenient restrictions” part. I doubt hockey will look like when it returns … that’s almost certain to self- there would be many at first. Some of the fan protocols that will be destruct in days (or less) as the NHL’s board of governors are meeting adhered to when the NBA returns on Dec. 22 came out the other day, today and new decisions are rolling in by the hour. and they’re about what you’d expect. Fans will need to have been tested a couple days prior to the game, or day-of (with a rapid-results test). But that doesn’t mean it’s not helpful to start picturing the eventual shape They’ll need to distance and wear masks. The buildings won’t be full. of the coming 2020-21 NHL season, so let’s try to get things in better There may even be plexiglass between the players and fans (which hey, focus with the information we’ve gathered this week: the NHL has a head start on that front).

When will the NHL be back? But if the NBA is going to have fans back in their buildings on Dec. 22, even just a few, I can’t imagine the NHL going entirely fan-less. This one seems least likely to self-destruct in a comically bad way, given that the estimates here seem pretty consistent wherever you look. It How many games will they play? sounds like the league is pushing to return on Jan. 1, which means at worst (barring some dramatic event) we’re starting by Jan. 10. I say that The discussions around this seem to centre on the agreement that date, by the way, because if players insist they need Christmas at home players are only to receive 72 per cent of their pay this upcoming season with their families, I could see them coming back Boxing Day and having because there’s a (capped) escrow agreement. The deal was originally a two-week camp after that. made without any specifics on how many games have to be played, meaning the players think it’s 72 per cent of their agreed-upon number If Christmas is not an issue – and since the NBA has deemed it a non- regardless, and the owners can argue that it’s 72 per cent … assuming issue, I’d imagine the NHL could do the same – then Jan. 1 seems an 82 game schedule, implying the number would be pro-rated down perfectly viable. from there were there fewer games. So, there’s some ironing out to do between the players and league there. Hockey Fights Cancer But most estimates I’ve seen predict them playing somewhere in the 56- Since its inception in 1998, the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative has 72 game range, and that lines up with what I’ve personally heard as well. resulted in millions of dollars in donations to support cancer research (My take here is 56 would be really disappointing — I’d hope for at least institutions, children’s hospitals, and many player and local charities. north of 60.) So when would training camps start? A hub issue to consider Here’s where fans can start to get a little excited, because if you start One of the reasons the league doesn’t love the idea of hubs, which I Jan. 1, you’re probably bringing teams back by about Dec. 15, which you didn’t mention above, is that it limits ice sheets. That means only a few may note is only a month away. teams can play in prime time, which means puck drops have to be Further to that, the seven teams who didn’t get to come back and play staggered throughout the days (remember noon puck drops in the after the season pause this past summer (as a result of being what playoffs?). That isn’t great for viewing if you keep regular business hours, experts call being “not good”) may be granted an extra week to prepare. or if you’re a television network that would like decent ratings. Little That means some NHL players could be reporting to actual camps as insider tip here, too: most of them would. early as the second week of December. And that’s exciting, because As a biased observer (I should say “super biased,” as I work from home then you’d be looking at less than a month. and want day games), a return in any form would be amazing, even if it’s It’s worth noting too that a quick return to action here would start to put less than ideal. To get where we want to get – back to those wonderful pressure on teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York end-of-season playoff pushes and beyond, with the season’s integrity still Islanders, who have considerable roster decisions to make in the days in intact - we’ve got to start the journey in some fashion. between. If you’re someone who enjoys hockey action, this might push In the end, like so many people, the league and its players are just going more into your timeline in the weeks to come. to have to deal with “less than ideal” for a while, and plow ahead on our But will they play in hubs or no? way back to whatever becomes our next normal. And however it ends up looking, you can find some excitement in the fact that hockey is coming, There’s a lot of incentive for them to not play in hubs. Teams have arena- and coming reasonably soon. naming rights that require a certain number of events per year. Teams want fans; they want the comforts of home; and they want normalcy. (There’s another reason I’ll note a little further down.) Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 11.13.2020 But it sure looks like there’s going to have to be hubs at first, at least for a little while.

COVID cases are on the rise pretty much everywhere in North America, and the last thing the league needs is to have swaths of cancelled games while certain players (or teams) go into isolation, which would push the season back, leaning up against their “done by the Olympics” deadline of around July 15. It’s the safest way to start hockey up again, of course, but it’s also the most reliable way to complete the “full” season.

My loose understanding of what’s being assembled is a handful of hubs that will look quite a bit different from the versions we saw during the 1195947 Websites Behind Evans, there’s a good blend of skill, scoring, size and physicality on the fringe of the forward group, which adds to the changing dynamic. There’s more NHL-capable players in that mix to turn to in case of Sportsnet.ca / Diving into Canadiens' depth chart: Duo of Price, Allen injuries, and they’d be pushing players who are actually capable of filling must deliver bigger roles up the lineup.

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In the mix: Victor Mete, Cale Fleury, Noah Juulsen, Gustav Oloffson, The Montreal Canadiens are approaching the 2020-21 season with zero Josh Brook, Otto Leskinen, Xavier Ouellet cap space and, objectively, a much deeper roster than they’ve iced in five years. Bergevin’s a big proponent of having as much depth on the blue line as possible, and this might be the deepest crop he’s had since he took over And Marc Bergevin didn’t spend Geoff Molson’s money just for the sake as GM in 2012. Heck, the fact that a 22-year-old with 171 games of NHL of spending it. The Canadiens’ general manager told his owner he had experience (Victor Mete) could start off on the outside looking in is four boxes to fill with his off-season budget, and he delivered on filling testament to the fact. them — trading for and signing backup goaltender Jake Allen, defenceman Joel Edmundson and power forward Josh Anderson, and And this isn’t just a deep group; it’s a mean one. The top-four guys are all landing free-agent forward Tyler Toffoli. over 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, and they all play like it. They’ll be about as fun to face as Khabib Nurmagomedov was for that poor bear. Now the expectations have risen. “We hope to make the playoffs” has become “We expect to make the playoffs.” And when you put it all down Then there’s Alex Romanov, a 20-year-old who’s been virtually locked on paper, as we’re about to in this deep dive into the depth chart, that’s into a spot because of his in-your-face style. Couple him with Brett Kulak, reasonable. who’s coming off playing the best hockey of his career, and you have the makings for a pair that can be relied on to help keep top-enders Shea Balance. Weber, Ben Chiarot and Jeff Petry from being overtaxed.

That’s what we see when we look at this board, and we’re not alone. You could do worse than having Mete, Cale Fleury and Noah Juulsen as Canadiens coach Claude Julien sees it, too. next men up if injuries hit. A lot worse.

“It’s easy enough to look at the names of our forwards and see we have The depth is there. four lines that should be very competitive,” Julien said back on Oct. 22. “I’d say right away, with the number of players we have up front who can The versatility is, too. Size and physicality are the calling cards of this score and do good work, that we can easily eliminate the idea of a first crew, but there’s enough offence, speed and puck-moving ability in this line, a second line, a third line; I think it’ll be a question of the line playing mix to turn what was a perceived weakness into a strength. best during a given game playing as the top line that night. This defence should be markedly better than it was last season.

“We have a good depth and balance in our lines. I can make the lines Remaining Time -2:50 right now, but they can change tomorrow. That’s the beauty of what we have right now—we can move players here and there and still have good If this isn’t the best one-two punch in the NHL, on paper, it’s right up lines…” there.

Hockey Fights Cancer And it had better play out that way on the ice, because the Canadiens are using nearly $15 million of their cap space on Carey Price and Jake Since its inception in 1998, the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative has Allen this season. resulted in millions of dollars in donations to support cancer research institutions, children’s hospitals, and many player and local charities. With a shortened and condensed schedule looming, it was vital to get Price a more dependable backup than what the Canadiens have had in Bringing in a couple of 25-goal scorers on the right side helps. recent years. That Allen is coming off the best season of his career — his Granted, Anderson will have to rebound from an injury-riddled and first official one with the St. Louis Blues as Jordan Binnington’s backup unproductive 2019-20 season, and Toffoli will have to continue on the — only inspires confidence he’s up for the challenge. same path he was on with the Vancouver Canucks. But both players That Allen has a wealth of experience as a starter in the league also has should be able to take some pressure off top winger Brendan Gallagher. its value. If Price gets hurt, the Canadiens won’t be scrambling to find They’re also going to force Joel Armia to bring his best on a more someone. consistent basis and, as Armia’s shown over the last two seasons, his Charlie Lindgren has played enough games to parachute in for a few if best is a massive upgrade on what the Canadiens were getting from the necessary. If not, he’ll continue to be a good mentor for 21-year-old right wing of their fourth line last season. Cayden Primeau in the AHL. And that’s if Lindgren is still in the Still, all of that is a wash if Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi fail to take organization by the time the season gets underway. the steps they’re expected to after impressive showings in the 2020 The crease is overcrowded with KHL import Vasili Demchenko signed to Stanley Cup Playoffs. We’re talking about two promising centremen a one-year deal and with Michael McNiven also signed through the end Bergevin said the team can build around for the next 10-15 years, but of the 2021 season, so something could give at the position. they have less than 200 games of NHL experience between them.

It’s what made trading Max Domi away to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Anderson that much more of a risk. To start with, the Canadiens, who Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 11.13.2020 struggled to score consistently over the last two seasons, gave up a player who was among their three best in every relevant offensive category over the last two seasons. A player who played his best at centre.

But they’re banking on a big payoff. They’re banking on Anderson doing what Domi couldn’t do from the wing, and they’re banking on still having three playmaking centres that pushed Domi to the margins.

A fourth in Jake Evans, who is poised to emerge as a steady two-way option, also helps mitigate some of that risk. 1195948 Websites could raise the puck but didn’t have the puck control near what he has now. He’s got a long way to go, but after seeing him on the weekend, there probably is the potential he can play rec hockey one day. All Sportsnet.ca / Ex-Humboldt Bronco Layne Matechuk has hope for summer he said he was going to play this winter and he’s working hard to revamped hockey dream play in some capacity again.”

Thankful for the prayers and donations he and his teammates received from well-wishers around the world following the crash that also injured Eric Francis @EricFrancis 12 others, Layne recognizes the love and support from his parents and family members have played a huge role in his progress. November 12, 2020, 11:29 AM “They’ve been amazing,” he said.

“I don’t know where I’d be without their support.” The damage to Layne Matechuk’s face was so extensive that horrible, wintery night, his parents relied on the tattoo on the inside of his right arm Dad says they’ve certainly leaned on one another through a process that to help identify him in hospital. has seen him and his wife have to alter their jobs, and even move to Saskatoon for a time, to assist in their son’s recovery. Long before the Humboldt Broncos bus crash killed 16 of his friends and altered the course of his life, the young defenceman had the initials PMA “He’s learned for us, as well as him,” said Kevin, who proudly posted inscribed in his skin as a reminder to keep a positive mental attitude. video this summer of Layne wake surfing.

It’s those three letters that have guided Matechuk to a remarkable series “To see the progress like this, it’s all worth it. He was pretty banged up of milestones since the accident that included seeing him return to the ice and brain injuries vary so much. He’s not a quitter and we’re very proud this week in a viral video shot in his hometown rink in Colonsay, Sask. of him. Just yesterday he looked to see when public skating was again. He’ll be there when the door opens.” “Hockey was his life – it’s all he ever wanted to do, so to see him out there warmed our hearts,” said his proud father, Kevin, who posted the So will mom and dad, with camera in hand, documenting more cherished footage on Twitter. moments in the Colonsay and District Sports Centre he calls home.

“His mom asked him how he’d rate today from one to 10 and he said ‘11.’ “I threw (the video) on Twitter and the positive response is He recognized he improved a lot.” overwhelming,” said Kevin of the clip that was retweeted by the NHL and viewed almost a quarter of a million times. It was the first time he’d been on skates since last February, when COVID-19 threw yet another obstacle in his way. “I read the comments to Layne and let him know what an inspiration he is. It means a lot.” His dreams of pro hockey were ended April 6, 2018, when his team’s bus was t-boned by a tractor trailer on a Saskatchewan highway.

But the marked improvement in his shot, stride and puck control give new Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 11.13.2020 hope to his revamped hockey dream.

“My goal is to play on a rec team,” said the 20-year-old, slowly.

“It felt pretty good. A lot better.”

Layne spent one month in a coma and six months in hospital with a significant brain injury and other ailments following the crash he has no memory of. Against significant odds, he learned to walk and talk again, thanks to extensive physical and speech therapy, not to mention a will that prompted him to have “Believe” and his number 28 added to his right arm.

His father got the same tattoo.

Layne has eleven plates in his face and is still facing two more facial surgeries, including one to re-break his jaw. He walks with a noticeable limp and has limited use of his right arm. Doctors were still removing glass from Layne’s body almost a year after the accident.

Despite making tremendous progress, it’s still hard for him to articulate his thoughts.

“My speaking has gotten a lot better,” said Layne, who was drafted by the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2015.

“When I met (Sidney) Crosby it wasn’t the best, but it’s better since then.”

Layne is hoping his meeting with the Penguins superstar in Pittsburgh last year is one of many he’ll continue to have with players as part of his recalibrated career path.

“I wanted to become a chiropractor and a teacher before, but now what I want to do for a job is be a personal trainer so I can train hockey players,” he said.

Believe.

“We’re working on trying to get the brain to connect with the rest of his body,” said Kevin, who takes turns with his wife Shelley driving Layne to Regina for therapy three times a week, two hours and 20 minutes away from their hamlet of 450.

“He had major head trauma so learning to walk was a huge milestone they told us not to expect. Talking, too. He still struggles with his speech. The progress on the ice from February to now was mind blowing for us. Back then, he was taking baby steps and was wobbly, not stable. He 1195949 Websites following the 2021 season based on the system’s designed 50-50 revenue split between players and owners.

The unknown is par for the course in 2020. TSN.CA / NHL teams playing in home cities gaining steam to start 2021 season As cases rise across the continent, lockdowns will commence, like they did in Manitoba on Thursday - with gatherings restricted mostly to household members. All athletics facilities have been shuttered and the By Frank Seravalli Jets would need an exemption to conduct a training camp in Winnipeg in mid-December.

That remains a big ‘if’ at this point, with many governors and owners As COVID-19 cases skyrocket across Canada and the United States, the wondering whether a Feb. 1 start date is more realistic. NHL reiterated in a Board of Governors teleconference update on Thursday that the target date to start the 2021 season remains Jan. 1. The NHL has remained focused on a Jan. 1 start date because the league would ideally like to award the Stanley Cup by mid-July. A mid- Nothing has been written in stone - on either a format or start date - and summer ending would not only allow for U.S. television rightsholder NBC the clock is ticking with training camps tentatively scheduled to begin in to wrap coverage ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, but also allow for the one month’s time for a New Year’s Day start. NHL to resume a more traditional slate for the 2021-22 season and beyond - particularly with the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics planned to Players, who also conducted their own NHL Players’ Association interrupt that season’s schedule in February. executive board teleconference update on Thursday, have not been provided a date to report to their respective cities. It was Mike Tyson who famously said: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” The only tangible update, according to sources on both calls, is the growing appetite for teams to open the 2021 season in each of their To this point, the NHL and NHLPA have not formally made one, knowing home arenas rather than “hybrid” bubbles. full well that punch is incoming with the second coronavirus wave that’s walloping the continent. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman discussed the details of the proposed hybrid bubbles earlier this week, a concept that TSN reported on back in September. They remain one avenue for hockey to return. TSN.CA LOADED: 11.13.2020 However, citing significant costs attached to operating the bubbles in addition to potential lost revenue with games staged in neutral sites, the preference is for each team to travel city to city to complete a shortened regular season. The NFL and MLB have both conducted their seasons in that fashion. The NHL spent an estimated $75 to $90 million to stage the 2020 Stanley Cup playoff bubbles in Edmonton and Toronto.

A city-to-city 2021 schedule would include temporary divisional realignments, including a likely one-off, all-Canadian division - which rabid hockey fans might consider the only gift of the pandemic. (Good luck predicting that division's order of finish!)

Teams would be permitted to have fans in their arenas in limited capacities as dictated by local and regional health authorities. That would allow teams to generate marginal gate revenue, with the hope that capacities could expand as the season moves along and a vaccine becomes prevalent, along with recouping in-arena signage and advertising revenue via regional broadcasts.

Teams would likely travel to divisional opponents to play short series of games, think along the lines of a baseball schedule with two back-to- back games or three games in four nights before moving along to the next stop. This would reduce travel and players’ time away from families.

Just about the only certainty for the 2021 season is that it will not be an 82-game slate. There is no concept on the table that includes a full- length regular season. There are numerous schedule models ranging from 60 or 62 games to 56 and all the way down to 48 games, traditionally the minimum required for an accepted length in previous lockout-shortened campaigns.

With a shortened season ahead, NHL players have braced for a possible proration of salaries. They are already scheduled to be paid just 72 per cent of their stated salary for the 2021 season, with 20 per cent being paid back to owners for 2019-20 season losses, plus a 10 per cent salary deferral. (It’s 72 per cent because it’s 20 per cent off the top, minus 10 per cent of the remaining 80 per cent.)

To date, there has been no proposal tabled from the NHL to the NHLPA - and finances were not discussed on the Board of Governors call - but NHLPA members were told to expect an ask of increased salary deferral for next season rather than proration.

That would not change the amount of money players are paid, only when they are paid it, and would be seemingly be a much more palatable option for union membership. But in exchange for helping owners’ cash flow outside of July’s ratified Collective Bargaining Agreement, NHL players would likely ask for a giveback in return.

What that might be remains to be seen. Nearly every economic projection sees the players’ debt to owners rising to north of $1 billion 1195950 Websites Knights general manager Mark Hunter said he was surprised Brochu, at age 17, was able to handle the pressure and play consistently well in a big junior market like London where he finished with a .919 save TSN.CA / No clear favourite in battle to be Canada's World Junior starter percentage in 42 games. How do you assess his readiness for the international stage?

"Mark's been singing his praises. Even last year at the tournament, I was By Mark Masters picking his brain on his goalies in London and he had a lot of good things to say about Brett. The one thing I notice with Brett is he's a gamer. He's

a competitive guy. He's not the biggest guy [5-foot-11, 156 pounds], but Canada's goalie situation at the 2020 World Juniors started off looking he's a guy who battles and competes and makes saves and for the complicated, but in the end it was quite simple. Hunters to have a lot of faith in him says a lot. They obviously run a great program in London and they're very high on him so I'm intrigued. I've "With Joel Hofer and Nico Daws last year, those were the two guys talked to him over the last little while and we had the virtual goalie camp playing the best," said Hockey Canada goalie coach Jason LaBarbera. and the virtual summer camp and all that, but I've never been on the ice "They were at the top of their game." with him so I'm excited to get on the ice and see where he's at."

Daws and Hofer did not have any previous experience in Hockey Lennox posted an .876 save percentage in 33 games last season. He Canada's Program of Excellence, but they arrived at December's has Hockey Canada experience at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. What stands selection camp with the best numbers among the group of candidates. out about him? Guelph's Daws led the Ontario Hockey League with a .939 save percentage while Portland's Hofer was second in the Western Hockey "He's a big, athletic guy. There's a lot of raw ability there. He had a great League at .937. Hlinka Gretzky last summer, but got hurt in the shootout in the semifinal game and it set him back at the start of the season maybe a bit. He's got Daws started the first two games of the World Juniors before Hofer took a ton of raw ability. I remember at the [2019] goalie summer camp I didn't over backstopping Canada to gold and being named the tournament's know who he was and I'm like, 'Who's this kid?' He's a guy that you're best goalie. intrigued to see and talking to him and his goalie coach back home, they've put in a lot of work in slowing his game down and getting to be a Joel had gotten off to such a great start in Portland so much of camp was little more patient and trusting his feet and his natural ability." just constantly reminding him to keep doing what he was doing and to trust himself and be himself," LaBarbera recalled. "The thing with Joel Northeastern freshman Devon Levi, who dominated with a .941 save was his daily approach and his daily process never changed." percentage with the Carleton Place Canadiens last season, wasn't invited to the summer virtual camp. How did he get on the radar? This time around no goalie will arrive at Canada's camp with any obvious momentum. None of the five contenders have played a game since "If you go back and watch the World Junior A Challenge last year, he was March. Starting next week in Red Deer, Alta., Prince George's Taylor lights out at that tournament. Canada East doesn't always do well in that Gauthier, Kamloops' Dylan Garand, London's Brett Brochu, Saginaw's tournament and he got them to the finals. He was the MVP of [the Tristan Lennox and Northeastern University's Devon Levi will battle for Canadian Junior Hockey League] last year. There's a ton of ability there. the three available roster spots and, of course, the starting job. He's a super skilled guy. Not the biggest guy [6-foot, 185 pounds], but his compete level and how he goes about things is really high-end. I've had a "It's a wide-open race," LaBarbera said. "It really is and it's exciting. If I lot of really good conversations with him and he's a very mature kid. He was in those guys' shoes I'd be super jacked up." hasn't been on the radar in the sense he's been playing junior A, but a lot LaBarbera offered TSN a scouting report on each goalie during a Zoom of the NHL guys I talk to have a lot of good things to say about him. They conversation this week. He also outlined Hockey Canada's plan to get really like where his game's at. They really like the talent level and, the goalies up to game speed at camp. The following is an edited obviously, it showed with Florida taking him in the seventh round." transcript of the interview. What sort of plan have you created to get the goalies up to speed early in When I spoke with Gauthier this summer he mentioned that he slowed camp? down his game a bit last year and wasn't as erratic, which allowed him to "A lot of the plan, really, is to try and give them as many game-like stay fresh and play the most minutes in the WHL. What did you notice? situations in practice as possible. I know from my playing days that when "He's bang on with that. His game has definitely matured in that sense. you don't play for a long time things like traffic and bodies in front of you He's a lot more calm, a lot more patient on his feet. The one thing with and finding pucks through screens, reading plays off the rush, little things Goats is he's athletic and when he was younger he relied a lot on his like that are hard ... so we'll try to bring that stuff out as much as possible. athleticism to make saves whether that's doing the splits or those kinds of The guys that are able to get comfortable and adjusted early are the guys things. He still has that in his bag, but he doesn't rely on it to make every that are going to have success." save. So, that part of his game has improved a lot. He had a really good year on a team that wasn't that great in PG and his numbers [.917 save percentage in 50 games] really speak for themselves. He's the guy with TSN.CA LOADED: 11.13.2020 the most experience in the group and we'll see how he does in camp. He's a guy who definitely has a chance."

Garand posted a .921 save percentage with Kamloops. What stands out about him?

"His game really has evolved the last few years. He's played a lot of hockey in Kamloops [42 games last season]. They've given him a lot of opportunities there and he's had two really good years. One thing I've been trying to do with the guys is get them to send me some video of themselves just in their goalie sessions and I got his stuff last night and I was watching it last night and today and his skating has definitely improved. His pace has gotten up and you can tell he's a lot stronger. He's a guy who's very focused and determined on and off the ice. He's a mature guy and every time I talk to him I'm excited by the things he's going to bring."

What are you seeing in his skating?

"He just looks stronger. His foot pushes and his edge work just look sharper and there's not as much excess movement when he's moving around the crease. He looks like he's getting to his spots on his feet a lot better than he had in the past ... you can tell he trusts his feet a lot more." 1195951 Websites This is another example of where a defensive breakdown can happen quite far from the net - in this case, Myers took himself out of the play 150-feet from his own net, and the Vancouver forwards never could catch TSN.CA / Examining the Canucks' counter-attack issues up to take the passing option (Bellemare) out of the play.

You do not want to slow down a speedy team’s aggression - the top of the Canucks lineup, headlined by stars in forward Elias Pettersson and By Travis Yost defenceman Quinn Hughes, are the exact pieces you want to play an uptempo style of hockey.

But aggression can be a double edged sword. The best teams know how Whether you are the defending Stanley Cup champions or coming off a to harness it and have structure in place to recover when things break futile 17-win regular season, the off-season is critical for post mortems. down. Other teams, especially young teams like Vancouver, can get What went well? What can be improved upon? And for those targeted caught trading scoring opportunities from time-to-time. areas of improvement, are there structural or deployment decisions that For the Canucks next season, it’s imperative they keep their foot on the can be addressed by players and coaches, or a personnel issue that gas, especially when their young guns are on the ice. But mitigating the needs to be resolved by the front office? defensive risk this style of play opens up will be crucial in cutting down Teams know, generally speaking, where they need to progress. The the goals against number - especially in a hypothetical All-Canadian Dallas Stars know they need more than 116 goals (30th) at even strength division ripe with elite scorers who thrive off rush opportunities. next season. D.J. Smith’s Ottawa Senators have to generate more offence from dangerous areas on the power play, where they converted on just 14 per cent of opportunities. The Washington Capitals will be TSN.CA LOADED: 11.13.2020 trying to avoid a repeat of a league leading 266 minor penalties. And on and on you can go.

As teams find these inefficiencies, they will start combing through the data and video to understand why certain breakdowns continued to happen.

Consider Travis Green’s Vancouver Canucks for a moment. A young and upstart team with talent across the lineup, Green’s team made substantial strides in most areas during the 2019-20 regular season. And yet the team was out-scored at even strength, thanks in large part to giving up 152 goals (21st). Goaltending can’t be blamed here: the Canucks stopped 91.8 per cent of even strength shots with Jakob Markstrom and Thatcher Demko turning in fantastic seasons.

So, what gives?

This is where marrying up the raw play-by-play data with video becomes quite useful. The Canucks were secretly notorious for serving up counter- attacking opportunities after failed offensive zone sequences. On 10 different occasions last season, Vancouver gave up a goal within ten seconds after a failed offensive zone shot – the worst total for any team last season:

This sort of data certainly indicates a problem, but it doesn’t quite capture how these goal-scoring opportunities manifested themselves in the first place. Did an attacking Vancouver shooter take an ill-advised shot from distance? Was Vancouver’s blue-line too deep inside of the offensive zone? Were Vancouver’s forwards too slow on the recovering backcheck?

Let’s look at a few examples – first to validate the data, then to understand how some of these plays broke down. We can start on opening night of the 2019-20 regular season, where the Canucks gave up a counter-attacking goal to Edmonton’s Zack Kassian in the third period:

Right before the video cuts in, Vancouver’s Tanner Pearson takes a wide angle shot at the net, putting the puck right in the middle of some serious traffic. The video picks up after the Oilers collect the puck, and you can see that the wide angle shot and quick recovery by Edmonton puts Vancouver in a bit of a pressure cooker to make a clean change. The Canucks are able to get four defenders level with the attacking Leon Draisaitl, but all four overcommit spatially to the puck. That opens up an easy passing lane for Draisaitl to find Kassian, who would end up tying the game.

Let’s look at a more recent example: a March 6th game against the lightning-quick Colorado Avalanche.

This is an interesting one. Moments before Valeri Nichushkin’s counter- attacking goal, Vancouver forward Adam Gaudette had missed high against goaltender Pavel Francouz, putting the puck out of play and setting up an offensive zone face-off. The Canucks would lose the draw - it happens! - and the breakdown starts with defenceman Tyler Myers’ failed attempt at attacking the puck carrier in Matt Nieto. Not only does he not win the puck battle, he takes himself completely out of the play, setting up a two-on-one counter-attacking opportunity for Nichushkin and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. 1195952 Websites abrupt… because his hatch was open on his car, the shovel he was using, all the rake stuff was still out.”

The NHL wrote that Kelli Ewen told police officers that she and Todd had TSN.CA / NHL and Todd Ewen's widow fight over text message records been fighting via text messages in the moments before his death. The NHL says Kelli now insists there weren’t any text messages sent that day. By Rick Westhead “[Kelli Ewen’s] position simply is not credible, particularly because it follows months of obfuscation regarding her review and production of texts,” the NHL’s lawyers wrote. “The texts on Mr. Ewen’s phone are of The National Hockey League is in a battle with Kelli Ewen, the widow of critical relevance in this case. Four individuals have stated that Plaintiff deceased NHL player Todd Ewen, over access to the contents of his told them that she was texting with Mr. Ewen immediately before his iPhone 4 - text messages and data the NHL says may play a key role in suicide. Given that Plaintiff claims that the NHL is liable for Mr. Ewen’s Kelli’s lawsuit against the league. death, the NHL is entitled to this potentially pivotal evidence regarding Kelli Ewen filed a wrongful death claim against the NHL in April 2019, the cause of Mr. Ewen’s suicide. alleging Todd’s suicide in 2015 was linked to the league allegedly The texts from Mr. Ewen’s phone also are critical evidence because they downplaying the potential long-term consequences of repeated brain provide unique insight into Mr. Ewen’s behaviour and potential motives trauma and profiting from a culture of violence. for his suicide.” Text messages on Todd Ewen’s cell phone, the NHL says, will be crucial The NHL in August 2019 began to ask Kelli Ewen to turn over records evidence in the case and the NHL says it believes Kelli Ewen is refusing related to her claim against the NHL, including documents related to all to turn over some messages. NHL club alumni events that Todd attended or participated in, documents The league’s lawyers also wrote in an Oct. 21 court filing that privacy detailing altercations in which Todd was involved during his NHL career laws should not prevent the NHL from obtaining those texts. “As a matter or any other time, including domestic disputes, and documents related to of law, because Mr. Ewen is deceased, he no longer has any privacy the use of alcohol or legal or illegal drugs by Kelli or Todd. interest in the content of his phone,” the NHL’s lawyers wrote. Nearly a year later, in July 2020, the NHL expanded its demand, Todd’s case has played a key role in the debate over chronic traumatic requesting documents “related to any actual, possible, or contemplated encephalopathy (CTE) and concussions in hockey. marital infidelity by Kelli Ewen or Todd Ewen” and “all documents related to marriage counselling provided to Kelli and Todd.” Todd fought his way through a dozen NHL seasons, and his wife Kelli says he battled depression, anxiety and memory loss for the last 20 On Aug. 28, 2020, the NHL alleged Kelli’s lawyers had not handed over years of his life. any texts from the last eight days of Todd’s life.

On Sept. 19, 2015, Todd, then 49, killed himself in the basement of his On Sept. 8, 2020, Kelli’s attorneys delivered to the NHL 2,900 texts from family’s home in St. Louis. Todd’s phone. Two weeks later, on Sept. 25, another 3,700 texts were produced. Toronto neuropathologist Dr. Lili-Haz Hazrati declared in February, 2016 that Todd did not have CTE, prompting NHL Commissioner Gary “No messages between [Kelli] and Mr. Ewen, including texts prior to July Bettman to cite Todd’s case in correspondence with U.S. lawmakers. 22, 2015, or on the date of Mr. Ewen’s death, have been withheld from Bettman argued that the science over the recently-discovered brain- the NHL,” Kelli’s attorney wrote in a court filing. “The NHL asserts that withering disease was inconclusive and that Todd killed himself because gaps and inconsistencies exist in Plaintiff’s production and accuses media hype led him to believe he must have the disease. Plaintiff’s process for reviewing and producing texts [as being] severely flawed. The NHL is wrong.” However, in February 2018, Boston University scientist Dr. Ann McKee announced that Dr. Hazrati had missed it and that she had actually found Ewen’s lawyers also wrote in court documents that Kelli acknowledges Stage 2 CTE in Todd’s brain. having an argument with her husband on the day of his suicide.

While the Toronto researcher said she accepted those findings, the NHL “There has been no denial that [Kelli] and Mr. Ewen argued the day of has never retracted its statement about Todd, setting up a potentially the suicide, and on other days prior,” the lawyers wrote. “Mr. Ewen’s high-stakes courtroom battle. posthumously diagnosed illness, CTE, causes a constellation of behavioral, mood, and cognitive symptoms well known to wreak havoc A trial in the wrongful death lawsuit which could occur as early as July on the sufferer’s relationships with family and friends.” 2021 is projected to take about three weeks and may feature more than 20 witnesses, including Dr. McKee, who has discovered CTE in former NHL players, including Todd. TSN.CA LOADED: 11.13.2020 Others who could testify are league personnel, commissioner Gary Bettman among them; NHL team personnel such as doctors and trainers who witnessed or had knowledge of specific information related to Todd’s head injuries suffered in the NHL; NHL Players’ Association personnel, Todd’s family members, and post-hockey career business colleagues.

Kelli Ewen’s attorney wrote in an Oct. 28, 2020, filing that the dispute over text messages on Todd's cellphone “is not worthy of the court’s time.”

“In December, 2019, [Kelli Ewen] voluntarily undertook the relief requested by the NHL when she engaged a forensic data extraction company, Lighthouse, to forensically examine Mr. Ewen’s cell phone and extract all text message data—including deleted messages—from Mr. Ewen’s phone,” Ewen’s lawyer wrote, adding that thousands of text messages were turned over to the NHL, “including each and every text message between Plaintiff and Mr. Ewen that existed on Mr. Ewen’s phone.”

The NHL in newly filed court documents alleges that Todd Ewen’s decision to kill himself was an “impulsive decision."

The league cited the deposition testimony of Ewen’s daughter-in-law Tracy Ficor, who said that Ewen was spreading mulch in his yard shortly before he committed suicide, and his decision to kill himself “seemed