SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 11/6/2020 1195764 Ducks sign 1st-round pick Jacob Perreault to 3-year 1195784 ONCE A LEAF: Ill-advised fight the lasting Leafs legacy entry-level contract for goalie Mark Laforest 1195785 Why fighting for a spot with the Maple Leafs suits Joey Anderson just fine 1195765 Jakub Zboril’s chance? Might former first-rounder stick on Bruins defense? 1195791 Patrick Johnston: Jets' depth can lean on Hellebuyck, but Canucks count on blue-line balance, speed 1195766 Sabres fundraiser to benefit causes close to Dale 1195792 Why Jayce Hawryluk is an intriguing fit for the Canucks Hawerchuk, his family Flames 1195786 Golden Knights prospect tiers: Players to watch for the 1195767 Staring into the Flames’ crystal ball: 20 bold predictions for 2020-21 season 2020-21 1195787 Vegas Golden Knights Open New Ice Center in Henderson On Tuesday 1195768 Will Chicago Blackhawks’ opponents think twice about targeting their smaller defensemen with Nikita Zadorov on 1195788 How Lundqvist feels about joining Ovechkin on the Caps 1195769 Patrick Kane, Darryl Belfry talk hockey skills, their early days and more Websites 1195770 Blackhawks survey 2.0: Fans weigh in on Stan Bowman, 1195793 The Athletic / A young NHL player agent comes out, Jeremy Colliton, ‘rebuild’ supported by hockey’s biggest stars 1195794 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: 6 NHL teams that have me stumped right now 1195771 Red Wings hope draft pick Kyle Aucoin is a chip off the old 1195795 .ca / 4 NHL players who should benefit from their block long layoffs 1195772 Red Wings, non-playoff teams likely to start camp sooner, 1195796 Sportsnet.ca / For this Senators superfan, jersey collecting but when? is much more than a hobby 1195797 Sportsnet.ca / Alex Ovechkin wants to end pro hockey Oilers career with KHL's Dynamo Moscow 1195773 Oilers notebook: Defensive blueliner William Lagesson 1195798 Krebs on living with Stone, dinners with Fleury and tearing it up in Sweden working on his 1195774 Lowetide: Oilers’ reasonable expectations for 2020-21: 1195799 What can be learned from a teenage player’s first NHL The Goals season? 1195800 USA TODAY / Stop the count! 10 times sports history Minnesota Wild would have changed by calling game early 1195775 signing with his hometown Wild is very much a longshot at this . 1195789 Jets bring Marko Dano back into fold 1195790 Q&A: talks on-ice development, getting a 1195776 Canadiens' defence prospect Josh Brook joins German dog and more team SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1195777 Projecting the Devils’ opening-night lineup in 2021 — and beyond 1195778 Rangers’ Tony DeAngelo’s account appeared to be deactivated over COVID tweet 1195779 ’s $9 million deal removes Rangers uncertainty 1195780 Rangers, Ryan Strome agree to two-year deal, avoiding arbitration 1195781 What the Ryan Strome contract means for the Rangers 1195782 GARRIOCH: coach Troy Mann gives his perspective on some of Ottawa's top prospects Penguins 1195783 Why the Penguins are relying on Todd Reirden to fix their power play 1195764 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks sign 1st-round pick Jacob Perreault to 3-year entry-level contract

Son of ex-NHL player Yanic Perreault has become an accomplished scorer in the junior-level Hockey League

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD |PUBLISHED: November 5, 2020 at 3:16 p.m. | UPDATED: November 5, 2020 at 3:16 p.m.

The son turned into quite a rebellious teenager, and that was OK with the Ducks.

That’s exactly why they selected right wing Jacob Perreault late in the first round of the NHL draft last month (27th overall), and also why they signed him to a three-year, $2.775-million entry-level contract Thursday. They didn’t want a replica of his father, former NHL player Yanic Perreault.

Jacob Perreault has grown up to become an accomplished -scorer, having scored a team-leading 39 times in 57 games last season with the of the junior-level . He also had 31 assists before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the OHL in mid- March.

Yanic Perreault was known for his solid two-way game and attention to detail during an 859-game career with the Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, . and Chicago Blackhawks from 1993 to 2008.

“Jacob is a pro-level sniper,” Ducks assistant general manager Martin Madden said after the team selected Perreauly 27th overall in the NHL draft. “He’s physically ready. He’s powerful. He can shoot and score from anywhere in the offensive zone. He also fills a need in our prospect pool.

“We’ve got nobody that plays like him, looks like him or scores like him.”

Perreault is expected to return to Sarnia for the 2020-21 season, although much remains to be determined because of the surge in coronavirus cases in Ontario. The OHL plans to open training camps Jan. 23 and to begin its pandemic-shortened season Feb. 4.

It’s also likely Perreault will be invited to the Ducks’ training camp whenever that might be held. The NHL hasn’t set a firm date for the start of its 2020-21 season. Commissioner Gary Bettman initially targeted Dec. 1 for the start of the season, but then pushed it back to Jan. 1.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195765 Boston Bruins “That fact won’t be lost on them,” Ferguson said of the available openings for Zboril and Vaakanainen. “At the same time, as a management group and development group, we always implore them to Jakub Zboril’s chance? Might former first-rounder stick on Bruins prepare and compete the same way. If they prove they’re ready to make defense? the next step and push their way through, a spot will be made. Or maybe that spot will be on a different team. But without question, that potential opening, a spot to compete for, is there. Let’s face it, it’s not lost on them and it’s not lost on anyone. It’s going to be up to them, like in any other By Fluto Shinzawa Nov 5, 2020 year, to earn it with their performance, demonstrate they’re ready to go do it and do it over time.”

The quality of video from the Czech Extraliga is quite good, according to Uncertainty surrounds AHL, ECHL seasons John Ferguson Jr., the Bruins’ executive director of player personnel and Last month, the AHL announced Feb. 5, 2021, would be the targeted general manager. The services the Bruins employ do start date for the upcoming season. It may be that Providence opens play fine work at cutting up each player’s shifts, just like video coaches do in at Dunkin’ Donuts Center without fans. the NHL, for specific and personalized viewings. The target date will allow AHL teams, in conjunction with the NHL, to On these clips, Ferguson likes what he sees from Jakub Zboril, the identify players who could attend ECHL training camp. The ECHL is defenseman currently on loan to HC Kometa Brno until the NHL planning to open play on Dec. 11. In all likelihood, players on entry-level establishes a plan for training camp. NHL contracts and AHL deals would be eligible to report to the ECHL. “Real strong. Real strong,” Ferguson said of Zboril, the 13th pick in the One wrinkle for the Bruins is that Atlanta, their previous ECHL affiliate, 2015 draft. “He’s on a very encouraging development curve, from where suspended operations for the season. The Bruins are working on an he became a real go-to defenseman for us in Providence to where he is arrangement to place players with the . now in Brno, playing extensive and important minutes in critical situations.” “If we can get back and do so in a safe manner with the appropriate protocols in place, they’re all raring to go,” Ferguson said of eligible The video confirms what Ferguson, the Providence coaches and the players. “To a man, they’ve had enough, for a lack of a better word, of development staff saw in person last season. They watched Zboril, with just practicing in small groups. It’s intermittently been up and down and reinforcement from stay-at-home partner Josiah Didier, grow into the getting shut down. Which, let’s face it, is not unlike the bulk of the team’s strongest defenseman prior to the AHL’s shuttering. Ferguson populace these days. There is a form of exhaustion.” interprets these as signals that the 23-year-old might no longer be an NHL question mark. On loan

“I would have said I was more hopeful than emphatic,” Ferguson said of Along with Zboril, prospects Joona Koppanen (Koovee, Finland), Oskar prior projections of Zboril as a varsity defenseman. “I’m much closer to Steen (IF Bjorkloven, Sweden), Nick Wolff (DVTK Jegesmedvek, emphatic now. Because he made good strides, but we still wanted to see ) and Robert Lantosi (HK , Slovakia) are all playing on loan that high level sustained over a few weeks over just a few games. That for their respective European clubs. happened. He was playing at the top of his class in our organization for an extended period. We saw that over months leading up to the pause — Dan Vladar is practicing with Kladno (Czech Republic), but has yet to see that extended view as opposed to games or weekends.” any game action.

For now, the Bruins blue line is compromised. Torey Krug is gone. The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 Nobody can replicate his touch on the power play.

Zdeno Chara could follow Krug out of Boston. If he returns, in specific five-on-five and shorthanded situations, Chara should still be a fearsome presence next year.

It would be unfair for the Bruins to expect Zboril to assume both of their responsibilities. But one of the reasons general manager Don Sweeney has yet to pursue external reinforcement for the left side is the readiness of their internal option.

“He was at the top of his game,” Ferguson said. “Providence won 12 straight. He was a go-to guy for us. He was logging high, important minutes and doing the things we thought he was capable of. Now, understanding the next challenge is even greater, there’s no reason to believe he can’t make it or can’t make the step and continue on what’s been a strong year-over-year improvement. Now it’s time for him to challenge himself to grab the next opportunity.”

Previously, it was all well and good for Ferguson, Sweeney and the Boston bosses to proclaim that jobs were up for grabs. The truth was that Chara, Krug and Matt Grzelcyk had the three left-side jobs locked up the past two preseasons. Even if Zboril played like Duncan Keith in camp, there was no way he would advance past any of the three on the depth chart.

Zboril knew it. His only chance to play would be pending the misfortune of others. That happened in November 2018. Zboril’s two NHL appearances took place when bodies fell like raindrops. On Nov. 16, Zboril made his NHL debut, only because Chara, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, John Moore and Urho Vaakainanen were hurt.

It’s different now. He knows, at the start of camp, at least one job is available. Maybe two. Competing for a legitimate opening is easier than being recalled, having a short leash and playing not to make a mistake.

That opportunity, to a lesser extent, is also available for Vaakanainen. He’s behind Zboril for now, partly because the 2015 first-rounder has a greater volume of AHL results than the 2017 first-round pick. 1195766 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres fundraiser to benefit causes close to Dale Hawerchuk, his family

Lance Lysowski Nov 5, 2020

Barrie Colts v Mississauga Steelheads

Former Sabres star Dale Hawerchuk was head coach of the OHL's from 2010 to 2019.

With the yet to formalize its plans for the 2021 season, the Buffalo Sabres are using different methods to support the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative throughout November.

The Sabres’ efforts are centered around honoring alumnus and Hockey Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk, who died in August following a recurring bout with stomach cancer. The team announced Thursday it will sell puzzles and posters featuring a mosaic of Hawerchuk with net proceeds benefiting Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hawerchuk Strong, an initiative supporting causes close to Dale and his family.

The mosaics, which are available on ShopOneBuffalo.com, were created using hundreds of Sabres game photos. The 500-piece puzzles will cost $25 and the posters cost $10.

“Dale left a lasting legacy as a hockey player and coach, but more importantly as a brave and caring person,” Sabres vice president of community relations Rich Jureller said in a statement. “We hope this small token of our admiration for him and his courageous battle will serve as a tribute to the type of person Dale was and we can’t think of a better way to honor his legacy than to raise money for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hawerchuk Strong.”

Hawerchuk, formerly coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Barrie Colts, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in August 2019 and took a leave of absence from coaching on Sept. 3, 2019. His treatments included removal of his stomach, and he completed chemotherapy treatments in April, triumphantly ringing the bell of a cancer ward in Barrie. His son, Eric, announced in July that Dale’s cancer had returned.

Hawerchuk scored 1,409 points (518 goals, 891 assists) in 1,188 career games for four NHL teams from 1981-1997. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.

Hawerchuk was acquired by the Sabres in 1990 and starred for the team for five seasons, totaling 110 goals with 275 assists for 385 points in 342 regular-season games. He had 75 assists for the Sabres in 1991-92 and set a career high with 80 in 1992-93, figures that rank Nos. 2-3 in franchise history.

In addition to the fundraiser, the Sabres will honor Hawerchuk this month with a special edition video of “The Royal Round,” which premieres Nov. 10. It will feature appearances from Sabres alumni Brad May, Dave Andreychuk, Scott Arniel, Dave Hannan, Clint Malarchuk and Gerry Meehan.

Buffalo News LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195767 3. First hat trick goes to last winter’s most consistent skater, Elias Lindholm, who, now working in the middle of Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane, whips three (road) pucks past Winnipeg goalkeeper Connor Staring into the Flames’ crystal ball: 20 bold predictions for 2020-21 Hellebuyck — one per period — in the fifth date of the regular season schedule. A statement game for the first-line .

Same afternoon … By Scott Cruickshank Nov 5, 2020 4. First fight. With the Jets’ Adam Lowry eager to exact revenge for August’s playoff-ending injury to Mark Scheifele, it’s Connor Mackey who steps up for — and in front of — Tkachuk. Mackey is a former college For forecasters, there are no-brainers. Connor McDavid is going to skate player — and a rookie pro to boot — but you wouldn’t know it after he fast — and produce points. Alex Ovechkin is going to shoot hard — and shucks his mittens. He and Lowry chuck ’em in a wild taffy-pull at centre score goals. Matthew Tkachuk is going to push buttons — and annoy ice. Worth noting: Mackey’s dad, David, was a toughie during the NHL’s people. wicked late-80s and early-90s. The apple not falling far and all that. Everyone knows that. 5. Later that week, in a plus-four outing against Edmonton, Mark Another given? If the NHL decides to plop all seven Canadian entries into Giordano reaches 900 games — all on behalf of the Flames. Not bad for a single division for the 2020-21 season, the Calgary Flames can bank an undrafted guy who, coming out of junior, signed a three-way deal for on half of their games running extremely hot. the minimum salary at the ECHL, AHL, NHL levels. Jarome Iginla’s club record 1,219 games may remain a long way off, but the latest benchmark Because — by virtue of history, recent and otherwise, and the promise of is a credit to Giordano’s distinguished journey. repeated run-ins during a winter of condensed scheduling — the west side of the Great White North’s table promises to be a spicy bonanza. 6. First shutout belongs to David Rittich. Not exactly the forgotten man, Furious even. but definitely the second-stringer in the Calgary paddock. On this night — the 12th game and only his second start — Rittich blocks all 35 pellets to In the Battle of Alberta, reinvigorated thanks to the surly contributions of stymy the home-ice 4-0 for his fourth career shutout. Zack Kassian and Tkachuk, the Flames and the Edmonton Oilers will His first-star twirl, featuring an exuberant salchow, does not go unnoticed continue to create sparks (to the delight of an entire province). by the hosts’ grumbling stars. But no one should blame the colourful Meanwhile, matches against the Vancouver Canucks, with a sizeable Czech for any outlandish behaviour — this had been his first time portion of their former lineup (one goalie, one defender, one ) now performing at Rogers Place since August’s mid-game crumpling against decked out in red, are certain to feature flare-ups, no? the Dallas Stars.

As for the Winnipeg Jets — what happens in the bubble doesn’t Then again, while starring or stumbling, Rittich has always been an necessarily stay in the bubble. No doubt, the Manitobans were excitable sort … harbouring hard feelings after their qualifying-round punt. Those wounds have been festering, which should heighten the snarl of upcoming 7. So, the first (and only) suspension this season goes to, yes, the goalie. meetings. The Flames visit the Montreal Canadiens — and it is not a great night for Rittich or anyone else draped in white. So when Josh Anderson tucks in All of that is coming. (The less said about the string of clashes against his fourth goal of the contest early in the third period, the netminder the Ottawa Senators the better.) erupts, madder at himself than anyone else. However, his stick-swinging tirade does not make allowances for Anderson’s proximity and the big So what else is in store for Flames fans? winger absorbs the paddle in the middle of the back. Rittich’s two-game Crystal ball buffed, let’s see the future holds for your favourite team, ban opens the door for Louis Domingue to, well, open the door. besides single-anthem preludes to all games. 8. Well into the season, during a home-ice matinee against Vancouver, Here are 20 bold — and strangely specific — predictions for the 2020-21 Dillon Dubé drains a notable goal — his 20th — on a 100-foot Calgary Flames. breakaway. Postgame, no surprise, the winger tells reporters how happy he is to have found a permanent home alongside Sean Monahan and 1. Jakob Pelletier — warmed up by QMJHL deployment, fuelled by the Johnny Gaudreau. Even if the young go-getter’s numbers are decidedly world juniors tournament (or, possibly, incensed by being cut by Team Cy Youngish — 20-9 — the freshened-up second line looks solid, in no Canada) — is hopping by the time he gets to the Saddledome, forcing small part due to Dubé’s pace and enthusiasm. the Flames’ hands with his fierce play. Determined to entrench himself in Calgary — and getting in the (ice time) way of newcomers Dominic 9. Shortly after Dubé’s milestone marker, Monahan does it again himself Simon and Joakim Nordstrom — the slight 19-year-old plays games and — beats a goalie (Mike Smith, in this case) to register his eighth straight stays put the entire season, kickstarting his NHL career with 34 20-goal campaign. On a one-timer. On the power play. On a nifty feed appearances (and 13 points). from the left corner from some guy named Gaudreau. Sound familiar? Later in the contest, with another strike, the 215th of his career, Monahan A little of Pelletier’s work comes on the third-line flank with centre Mikael ties Lanny McDonald for No. 6 on the Flames’ charts. (And by Backlund and Sam Bennett — even if that soon becomes Josh Leivo’s contributing six game-winners this winter, No. 23 reaches 46 in that everyday perch. But for most of his spins, the rookie joins Derek Ryan department — only Theo Fleury, 53, and Jarome Iginla, 83, have and Milan Lucic on the fourth unit. collected more.)

2. The Flames’ track record in season openers is bad. Like, really, really (Sergei Belski / USA Today) bad. Winless in the last 10, at 0-9-1. Going further back, it’s 1-15-1. And here’s a bigger (and every bit as crummy) sample size, 2-19-4. Surely, 10. After registering two power play points — one goal, one assist — in you argue, this one is different, seeing as how it is totally unprecedented the opening period against Winnipeg, Rasmus Andersson initiates a net- — Game 1 in January? Well, when the Flames lifted the curtain on the front scuffle with Jets centre Nate Thompson in the second period. They lockout-shortened 2012-13 season on Jan. 20 against the visiting San put up their dukes and Andersson lays claim to the club’s lone Gordie Jose Sharks, they got crowned 4-1. And in 1994-95, when the season Howe Hat Trick of the winter — despite Tkachuk’s season-long flirtation began with a Jan. 20 game in Winnipeg, the Calgarians could rustle up with the feat. only a 3-3 tie. 11. In the weeks leading up to the NHL trade deadline, with the club But this time? Against the Ottawa Senators at the empty Saddledome, going remarkably well, there is speculation that the time is right to move the Flames rush out to a 3-0 lead — Dillon Dubé, Sean Monahan, Jakob on from Sam Bennett, who, after recovering from an “unable to Pelletier doing the honours — but permit the guests to roar back (Brady participate” designation, is spinning his regular season tires. Josh Leivo, Tkachuk with a pair of tallies, including the extra-attacker equalizer at on the third line with Mikael Backlund, is making redundant No. 93. Jakob 19:48). Which sets the stage for Matthew Tkachuk’s shootout beauty — Pelletier deserves to be around and Dominic Simon, after a poky start and, believe it or not, an actual season-opening triumph for the Flames. and his own midseason injury, is showing flashes of how much game he has. And, with Bennett’s playoff reputation well-established, there is no For only the third time in more than a quarter-century’s time, they start a shortage of bidders for his services. Then the young man does what he season with a 1-0-0 record. does, frustratingly in patches, he turns it on. Bennett reels off eight points, including six goals, in seven games, starching several enemy blueliners in the process. With a chance to sell high, very high, general manager Brad Treliving ruminates … then decides to soak up one more postseason from the young man. (A determination that has the Seattle Kraken licking its chops.)

12. By the season’s home stretch, the blue line’s future is on display nightly — Juuso Valimaki and Rasmus Andersson operating as the team’s top pairing, maybe a year, or even two, ahead of schedule. The duo is dynamic. Solid defensively, with plenty of offensive juice. Remarkable, in particular, is the play of Valimaki, who, after missing an entire season, is splendid. The Finn is en route to being shortlisted for the Calder and Masterton Trophies. (Enjoy negotiating that contract in the coming offseason.)

The second pairing now features 30-somethings Mark Giordano and Chris Tanev. Neither of whom has been bad this season, but they’re not at the surging level of Nos. 4 and 6. The locals’ third set, by the way, is the lefty-lefty arrangement of Noah Hanifin and Connor Mackey on most evenings. Russians Alexander Yelesin and Nikita Nesterev have also suited up on the Flames’ back end.

Good thing because …

13. One dark night in Ottawa, just days after the deadline, Giordano, scrambling for position to the left of star goalie Jacob Markstrom on the kill, pings his 37-year-old right hamstring. Again. Taking up the Flames’ leadership reins — now and going forward — is Matthew Tkachuk, who, like he did last season, is pacing the squad in points (averaging a hair more than one per game) and penalty minutes (hitting triple digits). Meanwhile, Giordano’s playoff availability is up in the air.

14. Johnny Gaudreau, with a 5-on-5 tally against the Toronto Maple Leafs, collects his 55th point of the season, putting him at 500 career points. From the 2011 draft class, only Nikita Kucherov and Gabriel Landeskog reached that plateau before Gaudreau, the 104th pick that year, does.

15. In Game 70, the regular season finale, at Rogers Arena, Andrew Mangiapane makes official his first 20-goal season by pitchforking a rolling puck through the pillows of goalie Thatcher Demko late in the third period. Which, as part of Calgary’s top-heavy rotation, completes a remarkable achievement — all top-six forwards recording at least 20 goals.

16. Minus their gung-ho over the final 11 games, the Flames still manage to post a robust record of 42-22-6, slotting them second in the Canadian Division, barely behind Toronto.

17. With 66 careers wins as an NHL head coach, Geoff Ward is deadlocked for 14th, with Pierre Page, on the franchise’s all-time charts. His points percentage, now at .629, is second best, behind only Terry Crisp. Jack Adams Award attention is coming his way.

18. For ace Jacob Markstrom, it stands as a wonderful first season in Calgary. No, he doesn’t appear 60 times, but, as advertised, this is someone capable of holding down the fort, shouldering the workload, leading a team. The 6-foot-6 Swede makes 52 starts, posting Vezina Trophy-worthy numbers — 32-16-4 (2.22 GAA, .922 SV%). Hart Trophy voters are also taking note. Rittich, no slouch, posts a line of 10-6-2 (2.55 GAA, .912 SV%).

19. With the injury bug working its way through the team, particularly the bottom six, a number of forwards are able to make their debuts in 2020- 21. In addition to Pelletier, here from Day 1, youngsters Glenn Gawdin and Matthew Phillips and Adam Ruzicka all get their NHL whiskers thanks to multiple appearances. And first-year pro Emilio Pettersen, the top scorer in AHL Stockton, receives a pat-on-the-back invitation to the regular season finale — and contributes three helpers against the Canucks.

20. Schedule impressively in the books, the Flames arrive at the postseason. Is this the spring, for only the third time since winning the 1989 , that they survive the Round of 16?

Glad you asked. Because, as hard as it is to believe, the Flames … crystal ball clouds over.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195768 Chicago Blackhawks Zadorov said the Hawks plan to put him in a variety of situations on the ice — some that he might not be used to — and “do whatever it takes to open up my potential.”

Will Chicago Blackhawks’ opponents think twice about targeting their Blackhawks center Ryan Carpenter, left, loses his helmet while battling smaller defensemen with Nikita Zadorov on the roster? 'He’s an imposing Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov in the third period Nov. 29, 2019, figure.’ at the United Center.

After all, he’s still young.

By PHIL THOMPSON CHICAGO TRIBUNE |NOV 05, 2020 AT 7:00 AM “He’s not 30, he’s 25,” Colliton said. "So we think there’s more growth in his game. He has some experience, he’s played in the playoffs and we’ve liked him for a while. Adam Boqvist is fast, but he wasn’t quite fast enough during one shift in February. “We think he can be a piece of the puzzle as we try to build this team.”

The Chicago Blackhawks defenseman was trying to pick the puck off the Chicago Tribune LOADED: 11.06.2020 wall when the Boston Bruins' David Krejci blindsided him into the boards, hurting his shoulder and causing him to miss the next game.

About a month later, the St. Louis Blues' Oskar Sundqvist elbowed Boqvist in the head, setting off a brawl and putting Boqvist in concussion protocol for the rest of the regular season.

As any defenseman would, Boqvist tries to give as much as he gets, but the reality is he’s 5-foot-11 and 179 pounds and sometimes gives up a size advantage to the likes of Krejci and Sundqvist, both of whom are centers.

“We saw teams go after Boqvist last year a little bit," Hawks general manager Stan Bowman said. “He got hurt a couple times.

“I don’t envision that happening nearly as often with Nikita (Zadorov) there on the back end. He’s an imposing figure and he’s not shy about making sure the other team is careful what they do.”

The Hawks acquired Zadorov from the last month in a trade package that included former Hawks forward Brandon Saad.

Zadorov was seventh among NHL defensemen in hits last season with 175 and sixth in penalty minutes with 65.

“(Bowman) wants to bring me to the next level of the shutdown ‘D,’” Zadorov told reporters in October.

Coach Jeremy Colliton said Zadorov brings a profile the Hawks don’t have in abundance.

“The size and the skating and the meanness is such a combination, it’s just really hard to find,” Colliton said. “When he’s on the ice, you’ve got to know that he’s out there if you’re on the other team coming through the neutral zone. There’s something to be said for just making the other puck carriers a little bit uncomfortable because you never know when he’s coming.”

In October 2019, Zadorov leveled the Calgary Flames' Austin Czarnik, then got into a scuffle on the boards when Milan Lucic rushed in throwing punches.

In December, Zadorov knocked the Montreal Canadiens’ Jesperi Kotkaniemi out of a game on a controversial shot against the boards that the Canadiens felt was slewfooting (taking a player’s legs out while hitting him) — or at the very least a dirty hit — but the play didn’t result in league discipline.

“He’s 6-foot-5, 230 pounds,” Bowman said. "He’s got a physical style of play. He’s a mean player. He’s hard to play against.

“You don’t want to mess with him. I think he complements our young defensemen very well because if you look at Adam Boqvist, he’s a younger, smaller, right-handed defenseman. Same thing with Ian Mitchell.”

Colliton also said the left-handed Zadorov can help Boqvist and Mitchell, “especially if we do end up pairing him with one of our younger, smaller, skilled right-handed defensemen. He can help them get out of D-zone. He can get a stop for them. He adds a little bit of edge and physicality and gives them a little more space so that those guys can do what they do best. We like that package.”

Zadorov’s more than just muscle.

“He’s got a strong defensive game,” Bowman said. “He’s a good skater, a good passer. He’s not really looking to carry the puck up the ice and be caught out of position too much. He can be a good partner for those guys.” 1195769 Chicago Blackhawks character for me because that’s not really who I am, but I just became this person. And so, I always wondered what that was like for you?

Kane: Well, I think, to be honest with you, that was one of the reasons Patrick Kane, Darryl Belfry talk hockey skills, their early days and more you started coming up. I’m 8, 9 years old, and all of a sudden, you start hearing about this hockey in Canada, and we knew that hockey is probably better in Canada, and you’re coming up to these practices By Scott Powers Nov 5, 2020 because we heard of a guy like you, who has so much passion and so much knowledge about the game and his practices were like no one

else’s. You get there, and all of a sudden, you don’t realize how intense it Darryl Belfry and Patrick Kane go way back. is till you’re out there your first couple of times and you’re stopping the drill and you’re yelling at the players and you’re throwing your stick in the It’s a hockey relationship that spans more than 20 years. It began when crowd. All of a sudden, it makes you more engaged in the practice, even both were just beginning to learn their crafts. Now, they’re both as a 9- and 10-year-old kid, which is probably pretty tough to do at that considered among the elite — Kane as a player, and Belfry as a age to be that engaged into a practice. development coach. From reading your book, you talk about that was out of character for you, With “Belfry Hockey” coming out this week, Kane joined Belfry on “Laz that was something where you were trying to get the players to pass a and Powers” to discuss the book, their early days together, how they’ve sweat test and you wanted it to have an uptempo practice. There was each evolved, specific development tools, their future and more. really no one that could run a practice like you. It was just known around our area. I know you were in Canada, a lot of us were from Buffalo, but it This interview has been edited for length and clarity. was only like 15, 20 minutes from my house to come over the border and Scott Powers: Last summer, Patrick, you can probably relate to this, but I skate in Fort Erie or Ridgeway Leisureplex there. actually had Darryl’s voice in my head for an entire summer because I’d Yeah, just a lot of good memories. One of the things I really enjoyed was walk around the city and I wanted to hear (his chapter recordings) and the Sunday mornings at Ridgeway. You’d have the younger kids at 7 understand it before I kind of edited and worked on it. For this a.m. to 8:30, I would skate with them. And then you’d have the kids my conversation, I certainly wanted to have it more of a discussion between age, 8:30 to 10, I would skate with them. And then I would skate 10 to you two and just the long relationship you guys have had, and Patrick, 11:30 with the older kids. And then I would drive back home and listen to who wrote the foreword to the book, kind of your experiences with Darryl. the Bills’ games on the radio. But I was on the ice for 4 1/2 hours and just But I certainly had in my head Darryl’s voice for so long, and I imagine as knowing you’re getting better skating with the younger kids. a player that’s something over the years, too, you can probably relate to. You talk about that, how started at the back of the line Kane: Yeah, I think so. I think probably the same thing just from listening and he would work his way up through the line to try and stick-handle in to those segment videos where every three games, it was five games for and out of players. Those are cool stories for me to hear because I was a while, but I think we’ve been doing three games the past three or four that kid when I was like 12 years old. I was asking for Nate Horton’s stick years, every three games he’ll send you like a 12-15 minute video and because I knew he was going to be in the NHL and I knew he was going just kind of break down those three games. Some of the numbers that he to be an unreal player. I think that’s what drew a lot of attention too, is kind of talks about in his book that he’s looking for — sequence that Nathan trusted you so much and he was skating with you all the possessions, puck touches, a positive percentage play, things like that, time, and we realize this is the best kid we’ve seen within our age group, that he kind of explains in his book really well that you’re looking for on a he might have been like two or three years older than me, but he was game-to-game basis, he comes up with those numbers for you. And like I skating with you, he was getting better, and I think that’s one of the said, it’s 12-15 minutes, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but it really helps. reasons that a lot of kids my age, the ’88 birth year, from Buffalo started Just to kind of get you thinking differently. coming up to skate with you because he had so much trust in you and we I remember, there was a situation maybe a couple of years ago where, saw the results he was getting from skating with you. for some reason, I was shooting everything high, and he noticed it in one But, yeah, you were pretty crazy. I think it always kept the kids on edge, of my sequences. Next game, he said, I want you to shoot blocker low, but it was in a good way. It was like, you’re intense, you have to be your first shot. And no joke, I remember the game, it was against the focused. If you messed up the drill, you’re going to hear it, you’re going to Islanders, it was the game I actually had my 800th point. This was the get in trouble. Everyone got in trouble no matter if you’re the best player first of three that night. And it was like a minute into the game, I get the out there or just in the middle of the pack or whatever it was. If someone puck on the right side, it wasn’t like a blistering shot or anything, just a messed up, you gave it to him. That’s just the way it was. shot right like a foot off the ice, blocker side and it goes in the net. Belfry: I don’t think people realize how good Nathan was when he was Things like that just make it worth it so much for you as a player. That young. That’s like a whole other podcast of how good that kid was, how you’re doing the extra work and you’re working with someone like Darryl, much far superior he was than everybody. And you’re right, like he would who’s not only so knowledgeable about hockey, but so knowledgeable come, but the best part was he was the best player in the area at his age about my game and the way that I play. There’s plenty of examples like group, but he was also the best player at the age group up. that, but that was just one that kind of stuck out to me because it happened so quick and right away. A minute into the game, you score a Kane: Was he ’85 or ’86? goal, all of a sudden, you’re feeling good and you’re off. I think I ended up with three that night. And like I said, I had my 800th point on my third Belfry: He was an ’85. That era, he’s from Dunnville, but he played in point. Just things like that, make it worth it. It’s been a longstanding Welland when I first met him. The age group above that, ’84, was like relationship ever since I was probably 8 years old, 8 or 9 years old and Daniel Paille and Daniel Girardi. They had four or five guys that went on here I am turning 32 this month. So, it’s been a lot of work over the years, to play in the National Hockey League. Then his age group also was very but it’s all been worth it. good, but he was really the best player in both those age groups. It was just incredible. Belfry: It’s funny how it all started in the first few years, and I talk a lot about it in the book because I was genuinely a kid teaching kids. I really The interesting part was when I first started, he was like the first guy that was just throwing stuff against the wall. We had Bud (Chenard), who I I had to push and learn how to find new things for. And so by the time a know is so close to you and so close to all the kids. That was really his couple of years came after that when your group, the ’88 group, came thing. He just got so close to everybody. His job really, he took it on, it up, I was much better. I knew more about it. I had messed around with a wasn’t really his job, he just took it on, was to try to teach me how to few things. And Nathan obviously was elite. So then when you came, it teach. So there are so many side conversations we’d be having about was different because Nathan was physically so gifted. He was 12 years how to challenge certain kids or how to do different things. old. He was 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, could move like a cat. And when you came up, your gifts were so much different. It was all so much in the At first, I was just like a complete raving lunatic on the ice because he mind, very cerebral, very space oriented. I remember Bud telling me, this was like, Darryl, you have to have presence, you have to have energy, kid’s different, you’re going to have to be very different with him than you you got to have enthusiasm. I’m like, how do I do that? And he’s like, were with Horton and you’re going to really have to grow. well, you got to drive the energy. So I just always wondered what that must have been like to see when I was there doing it? It felt so out of But I remember Bud saying at one of the practices, I’m like, look at this practice, we would do these like assembly line drills. We’re just going, going, going, a lot of timing. You jump out, you make a play, you move to much. So when he would give you a look like that, you’d be like, oh, what this line, you jump out, you make another play, you move to that line. And did I just do? Did I really just do that? And you’re just like heartbroken I remember standing beside Bud one practice with your group and I said and you’re looking, and Bud’s just like laughing in the corner, like glove to him, wow, look at these kids. It’s unbelievable how well they’re over his face, laughing. passing. He said, next pass, stop it and skate them anything that’s missed. If it misses a pass, stop it and skate them. But I’m like, Bud, it’s Belfry: It’s interesting, the backstory on that was, he came up to me going so good. He’s like, just do it. afterwards and he is like, how comfortable is Patrick to know this moment, to take that moment? He’s like, I told him, go and do it. He’s Sure enough, kid goes up, misses the pass, I blow the whistle. Stop, OK, like, no, I can’t do that. I’m like, go, go, do it. I just wanted to see how that’s it, this is terrible. You guys are awful, you can’t play like that. We comfortable he would be. And then he’s like, your reaction, Darryl, was got to be better. In my mind. I’m like, this is one of the best times we’ve everything. He’s like, I was dying. done it, and Bud’s like, that’s the time you got to push them. So he’s like, watch what happens. So I go, next missed pass and we’re skating. So Like the two of you just coming together, it was just wild to hear him. He sure enough, we go back in the line and the passes were just like on would set those things up all the time. It was always something where he point. And he’s like, I know you’re happy, I know you’re happy with where was trying to create these moments, right, like breakthrough moments. this is going, but you have to push these kids, and where you’re at right That’s a good example of one of them where he just like urged you to do now, this is the only way you can push it. Until you get more skills, you something at a time where I’m losing it, and he’s like, that courage to go can’t push it any other way. But you got to push it, so this is how you and do that. Is that courage or is that just a kid being comfortable? Like, have to do it. But he used to skate by me and say stuff in my ear, like, he trusted me, that this was the right time. Of course, he gets there, you think this is good right now. I’m like, oh, yeah, this is great. He’s like, knocks the stick out of your hand and your reaction is like … That’s what you need to mix it up, throw a curve at these kids, do something different. it’s all about, Darryl. That builds a relationship. We would talk for hours That was so huge for me to kind of learn like little timing pieces. about all the little things, and then afterwards, I’m like, what are you doing? And he’d be like, this is what I’m doing, this is what I do it for. I’m Darryl Belfry and Patrick Kane have been working together for about 20 like, OK, but he would never tell me beforehand, was always after. Like, years. (Scott Powers / The Athletic) go through the experience pure and then we’ll talk about it after. It was wild. Powers: Do you want to give a quick explainer who Bud was? Kane: The thing I really appreciated back then was, probably not as Belfry: Yeah, Bud was basically like an impromptu mentor. He saw me much back then as I do now, but as a younger hockey player, my dad when I was around the rink. I was really different. Like my practices, as was tough on me, but then once I started coming up and skating with you Patty says, were very different. I was getting a lot of grief in my guys, it was like you kind of took over that role and you became really hometown. It was like, who is this kid? Like, we need to get rid of him. tough on me. Whether it was you’re skating a crossover, doing a circle Like, what does he know? And you got to remember, back then, I could over speed and you’re slashing, slashing the hand, slashing the stick, so hardly skate, too. I was trying to teach myself to skate. And Bud was it’s like uncomfortable for you to handle the puck. I remember one time, I around the rinks and he kept hearing, like, we got to get rid of this kid, was going to be playing in a tournament. I don’t remember where it was, like, he’s got to go. And he’s like, ah, he does stuff, I’ve been around the but it was like on the next day, a Friday, and I came up to skate with you game my whole life and he does stuff different. I think he’s going to stay. on Thursday, like the night before, just to kind of get ready for the So he came to me and he’s like, listen, you see all these people here? tournament. They all want you out of here. I think I’m the only one that wants you You think it’s going to be a good skate. A kid by the name of Mark Zarbo here, and I’m going to build a bubble around you. I don’t want you talking was out there, who was an ’86 birth year and two years older than me, to no parents, no nothing. I will do all of that. But I need you to be able to and you put him up against me the whole practice. You just like kicked do what you do. And he says, I’m going to teach you how to teach and my ass like the whole practice. You would have those situations where I’m going to protect you. I’m going to keep you in this bubble. And that’s you would bring someone up, but then like once they’re up there, you’d what he did. And if he didn’t do that, I don’t know what would have bring them back down. And I remember skating that day and I was just happened. But he was like, you’re going to need this for like a couple so worn out, so beat up after. This kid just like took it to me all practice. months and then it’ll all go away. And he stayed with me for like 15 years. And I go to my tournament the next day and I just dominate that Like, it was incredible. I never asked for a dollar, just kept coming. tournament. So, it was like things like that you don’t realize and He’s like, you’re going to be able to do something. That was at a time appreciate in the moment, but then you look back and you realize, maybe when nobody, you couldn’t find anybody that would say, you know, this he was doing these things for certain reasons, just to kind of bring you up Darryl, he’s onto something. Most of the people were like, this Darryl, he and bring you down and make you a better player and a little bit tougher must be on something. It was like, he’s so different. He does things so that way as a hockey player. weird. Like, what is he doing? Bud’s like, I think I need to protect this, and Powers: Speaking of that, I know there’s one game, he sat you after the rest is history. Like I said, stayed with me for 15 years. When Patty scoring a goal. What do you remember about some of that tough love? was growing up, he would coach with us and he was like just this guy, he was the glue. He was the glue that put it together because I was learning Kane: Yeah, so this was something for me as a kid, I always got the puck and the kids were learning and he kind of brought it together, I thought. and I would just skate through the other team and deke the goalie and score. Then, once we started playing with the Playmakers and playing Kane: It’s funny, when you read the book, you say that he was your against better competition, I was able to do that a little bit, but not nearly mentor. As a player, we never really knew that. We just thought he was as much as I was at like at the AAA level or house-league level. like an assistant coach. We thought he was just someone helping out. Like you said, Darryl, he was hilarious. He’d run us through these So, I was trying it all game and it wasn’t working. And he said, Kaner, if workouts. He would have the kids who are out of shape, they’d be crying you do that again, you’re going to sit down on the bench, like you’re not and whining by the end of the workouts. He was just so fun. He was just going to play the rest of the game. So I didn’t try for a little bit, and then trying to get as much as he could out of every kid while making the all of a sudden, the team was up like 5-1 or something. We had an practices and the time you were there for fun, like a lot of laughs with amazing team, like best kids from Fort Erie, best kids from Buffalo, just a him. great team. I’m like, I got to get on the scoresheet here. I got to score one. So I deke through the team, I go in, deke the goalie and score. I He used to do this thing, if you had one hand on your stick, he’d come didn’t pass it to anyone. He comes up to me on the bench. He’s like, around and slash your stick out of your hands, and, say, well, you got to Kaner, that was a hell of a goal, a great goal, but you’re sitting on the hold onto your stick tighter. And then we started getting him back. I think bench the rest of the game. I just scored, I couldn’t believe it. Like, why one day we were actually having a really bad practice, or it was after would I sit on the bench? I just scored a goal for the team. maybe a tournament we lost or something, and Bud came up to me. He goes, Kaner, go get Darryl, go get Darryl right now. You’re sitting there But that was just another part of the process, like the teaching process. with one hand on your stick. I slash your stick out of your hand, and You got to use your teammates. You got to give the puck and get it back. you’re just not happy at all. You just gave me the look like, that was not And, you know what? That situation, no joke, I think really attributed to the right time to do that. my hockey sense and my vision. Because from that point on, I would maybe beat one or two guys, look for a guy backdoor for an open net. Or We’re 10, 11 years old, back then, making Darryl happy, you’re making I’d give it to a guy and then get around my check and get the puck back Darryl smile or laugh or anything, that was like the world to us as kids and then have my breakaway or my chance at that age. I really think because we just appreciated him so much and we looked up to him so after that my vision and my playmaking skills developed because of that carrying it up the ice. I think the first game I played, I had like four goals tough-love situation. and our team won 4-3. It was a great feeling. I think the next game I might have had a goal, and then all of a sudden, I was back on forward. Belfry: Bud and I used to talk about you all the time because you didn’t It’s like, you weren’t going to keep me on D. It was just something to kind have a shot that you can shoot from distance because the old Sherwood of switch it up. Maybe you saw something where I wasn’t getting the puck wasn’t exactly going to bend too far. Patty would literally stick-handle the enough, and all of a sudden, I’m controlling the play and bringing it up. I puck across the goal line or you would get like right on the goal line and had the puck a lot more and then I got my confidence back, and then, then for an extra touch, you would put it under the bar, like up in the roof. boom, I’m back up on forward. I would say to Bud, we got to do something with him where he can feel like he could get the puck back. It feels like if he moves it, he just doesn’t Belfry: So I can tell you about that conversation. What was leading up to have the trust in his teammates. Like, he always knows he could that was just seeing the whole play in front of you. What was happening probably make a better play than the guy who he’s passing to. Even was by the time you got the puck, you were getting it, but it was late in though we have good players, it’s still separated. the neutral zone, like really late. So now, you’re already in the offensive zone and then you’d be confronted with a D and then you’d have to I just remember Bud and I going through it like, what can we do, what problem-solve that. So one of the things that we had talked about was can we do? He’s like, you just got to tell him, you have to make it an just give you a chance to see things from back. Like, dump the puck in, absolute. You’re either moving the puck or you’re not playing. There’s no go back, get it, get your head up. You got everything in front of you, all other way about it. He’s like, you’re the only one that can do it because your options in front of you and then be able to pick things apart. It was you have his ear. You just tell him beforehand, then you see what almost like a different vantage point to see the game from. And then, Bud happens. If he doesn’t want to do it, then we’ve got to find a way. But I was like, if we flip him back, like just a couple games, like not enough to remember that. aggravate them, but just enough to kind of give him a different It wasn’t long after that that we moved (Eric) Bennett from D to forward, perspective. He’s like, I betcha he starts coming back more. and said, put him on the backdoor, go get pucks for Patty, but create It didn’t happen right away, but it has been something that has kind of some space. And try to make it a challenge to turn Eric Bennett into a evolved where you’ve kind of come back, and you like the game also at goal scorer, send him to the net. A lot of that started to come, like you times where the whole play is in front of you. It was like just messing started to do those sorts of things. It became more of a challenge. And, around with different ways to get you the puck, to try different things. yeah, the ice vision started to come. You had great vision because the When you’re young like that, you can do it. first step to ice vision is being able to see space. You always knew where the open space was. You just didn’t want to put the puck there for And then now, we fast forward and you go through whether it’s the OHL someone else because you knew you could beat people 1-on-1, so it was and you get to the NHL and you start to see these different patterns and harder. It was a really fascinating time, I thought. different ways, and it’s just kind of makes me think back to some of the early adjustments when you’re not getting the puck enough. So what do Auston Matthews is also among Darryl Belfry’s clients. (Scott Powers / we do? Well, one of the first adjustments we go to is always like, well, The Athletic) come back deeper, come back lower. You’ll come behind the D and get Kane: We’re probably like 11 when you moved Bennett up to forward. the handoff. Now you’ve got the whole play in front of you. It’s just so So, this kid’s like a physical freak at this age, like he’s bigger than funny how some of those things they kept going with you and you keep everyone, he’s faster than everyone, he’s stronger than everyone. He’s doing it now. playing defense. So Darryl moves him up to play forward with me. All of a Kane: I think that started to maybe develop in like 2010 when we were sudden, he became like kind of my protector. looking for ways to give me the puck more. It was really something that But at the same time, every time I would get the puck, he would drive the no one really ever done. I mean, you saw it on the power play a little bit net, and that became one of my favorite things to do. When we started where teams would use the drop pass, and that was a pretty effective implementing like the saucer pass or the area pass, space pass, as you thing for guys like (Pavel) Datsyuk and (Henrik) Zetterberg. But 5-on-5, I would call it, I would get the puck and I’d kind of slow down the play and started implementing it to my game and I would get those drop passes, I’d throw these area passes into this kid who was just driving the net a and all of a sudden, I’m coming up with so much speed. It’s really been hundred miles an hour and he would tap the puck in for a goal. That was an effective thing still to this day. a great feeling for me, and that’s something I never really experienced I think teams defend it a little bit better now to the point where if I’m before at that age because it was all about goal-scoring and stick- coming on the ice and I’m coming behind the D, all of a sudden, you hear handling in and out. So all of a sudden, I’m throwing these saucer passes their bench yelling, Kane, Kane, and they’re set up for that behind the or space passes to this kid and he’s tapping them in, and it was like a puck with speed breakout. That was such a great way for me to get whole new feeling for me because I never really experienced that before. pucks and get myself into the game to carry the puck, beat a guy or two, Now I’m really enjoying setting guys up and getting assists and making dish it off, get it back, carry it in, curl up, whatever it was. I look back at these open-net plays to add on to developing the vision. Throwing that part of my game really helping me to evolve as a guy that can control Bennett up there was another way to add onto it and really bring out the the pace of the game, and that was a play that really helped me with that. best of that ability, I thought. Powers: I know Adam Nicholas likes to compare it to Lionel Messi in how Belfry: Well, it was also at a time where people were taking liberties with you build up speed from behind the puck. you. Everyone knew who you were, so there was a lot of people taking runs. I was like, we need to get Bennett out there all the time. How are Kane: We talk about speed behind the puck, right? It was such a great we going to get him out there? Eric was the type of kid like if you way for me to not be ahead of the play, not get the puck standing still. wronged somebody, he’s going to avenge it. He’s not going to wait. Like, And even though I’m a winger, like even when (Joel) Quenneville was the if you hit Patty, he’s coming right away. It was like, that’s what we want. I coach, he would say, go back and get the puck. Usually that’s for a remember Bud telling him, like explicitly, anybody touches him, you need center or defenseman. Winger, you kind of stretch the zone or you play to respond. It was a way to kind of make you more comfortable. off the boards. So for me, it was a totally different aspect of the game that maybe I did a little bit before that I didn’t really know about. But now all of Bud would always describe it like, you have two kids, one needs one a sudden, it became like a conscious decision to go back there and get thing and one needs the other. One, we want to make it much more the puck with speed. And then our defensemen got really good at it. Like comfortable, like passing. And the other kid needs more puck confidence. Duncs (Duncan Keith) would come up, he’d draw a guy to him, he’d drop So it’s a perfect thing, even though it wasn’t always good for our team, it back to me. So, all of a sudden, one guy was beat, I have speed but it was really good for you and him. It’s one of those things where we coming up, those guys are standing still. I really had my pick of choice of talked a lot about it. Like two kids that need two different things, how can what play I’m going to make, if I’m going to move the puck or if I’m going we make it so that it ended up working? That’s what it worked out to. It to skate it in and make a play. was awesome. More than anything, it was good for our team, it was good for me to make Kane: I felt like there were situations too, I don’t know if you remember plays, but it really helped me get into the game by carrying the puck early this one, but we were playing for the Playmakers and I think I was in the game and having the puck and being part of the game, instead of struggling a little bit up on forward and you moved me back to D for just waiting around and standing around and waiting for the next guy to maybe a weekend tournament. It might have been like Friday, Saturday get me the puck. I was like, demanding it. I was going to get the puck. or something. I remember going back to D, and I’m like, what am I doing That’s something Darryl always mentioned, still to this day, is you got to playing D? But all of a sudden, I was getting the puck more, I was demand the puck. You got to be in certain areas to get the puck. If you’re of trouble, move it, get to another spot, get it back, well, that next puck is not getting the puck, well, yeah, we can blame your teammates, but it’s going to be so much better. not on them, it’s on you to get it. We got to demand it. You’ve got to be in the position to get it. That was definitely a start of that. I think that really changed my mindset as it relates to the things that I talk about with you. It’s not just getting the puck 40 times anymore. It’s about Patrick Kane and Darryl Belfry talk at the 88 Summit last summer. (Scott how many times can we get it in these sequences because that’s where Powers / The Athletic) the better pucks are going to come? It’s just so interesting, like once you got into the league, how it’s really evolved. There’s just so many cool Belfry: One of the interesting parts with that is there was a stretch, I think, things about that. from maybe your third or fourth year in the league for probably five or six years where if you had 40 even-strength possessions or more, you were Kane: I think another thing that I really liked just reading the book was going to get a multi-point night. Like the numbers were in the upper 80 that every player’s different, right? If you skated with me for an hour and percent that you were going to get a multi-point night if that was the case. you maybe had (John) Tavares or someone coming on after me, that you So, I was racking my brain all the time, how can we get this guy 40 had to change your mindset for that player. And that’s a cool thing, right? possessions? Every night he’s got to get this puck 40 times. How are we It’s not just the same thing for every player. I really enjoyed that about the going to do that? book how it’s not just like, OK, well, Kane does this, he’s successful at this, let’s try this with you. Well, no, you’re a different player. You’re going And so I started tracking. As part of our tracking, we were like, how many to be doing something totally different. I have to study your game. You times does he get it from the D? How many times does he get it from the talk about in your book, about watching video of the players before you other D? How many times does he get it from the center? How many would get on the ice with them because you want to be as prepared as times does he get it from the other guy? And so a lot of times where possible to set those guys up for what you call transfer to game, game you’d fall out of rhythm, I felt like you weren’t feeling the puck, you situations where you can take the practice that day and transfer it the weren’t getting enough pucks from the D. I felt like those numbers, the D next day of the game. So I thought that was cool within reading the book. numbers’ contribution to your overall puck plays would drop. So I was like, what’s an easy way? How can we get this puck from the D? Well, go Belfry: Yeah, it’s just the mindset of that, it has to feel authentic. Even back, get a handoff, that’s an easy one. And then like almost get in a though I’ve worked the longest with you and I know so much about your rhythm because your offense is so much built on that rhythm of the puck. game because I’ve studied it so much, and there’s a lot of pieces of your You talk about it a lot, getting it early, get the puck early, make a few game that really would work with other players, of course, but not plays, get it, get it back. So to try to compound those, the more jump everything. Because there’s people that come to me, man, like Kaner you’re going to have, everything is just going to be better. does this one play, like, man, I’d love to have that in my game. I’d be like, yeah, you would have to express it differently because you’re 6-foot-2, For me, so much of once you’ve gotten into the league has been, how like you have these assets and he’s got these assets, so it’s different. can we get you the puck more often and in better spots? What about the You can do something similar, but not the same, and this is how the second possession and third possession in sequence? Start looking at effect would be. the game. Because initially it was like basically bean counting. How many? And then it was like, wait a minute, what about the sequence? So learning over time, not overnight, but over time, how to make those Like, you get it three or four times. How does that work? To me, that’s decisions with the player about, yeah, I know you want to add like a delay been the fascinating part and watching you adapt to different ways to get game. Of course. There hasn’t been a player in the NHL in the top 10 in the puck because your game’s really evolved. scoring that hasn’t had an elite delay game, so, of course, you’re going to need to add one, but how? Like, what routes do you take through the Kane: You talk about puck touches and trying to get to 40. I remember, I neutral zone? Kane’s a left shot playing the right side. That entry is way think I was at an all-star game or something, and I was talking to different than your entries. You’re a centerman. You’re going to do it (Nathan) MacKinnon about working with you and whatnot. He’s like, well, differently. So, yeah, you want to have a delay game, but the way you’re how many puck touches does he want you to get a game? I said, 40. And going to come out at it, the routes you’re going to take, the skills you’re he’s like, 40? Like, he couldn’t believe that was the number, like that was going to use, the type of way you’re going to manipulate defenders is such a high number. So I remember that, but that was pretty funny. But going to be totally different. But, yeah, on the surface, we can make your yeah, that’s always been the number, try and get as much as possible. delay game better. That to me has always been good because in order And then we feel like if the puck’s in my hands and then good things can for him to use it, it’s got to feel right. And if it feels like something that’s happen. totally foreign or like he’s trying to be something he’s not, then it’s, of But the sequencing has been really interesting, too, because like that’s course, not going to work, and then his trust level in me is going to where some of my best shifts have come in the past. Whether it was plummet. making a play, getting it back, being in the right spot to get the puck back Kane: That’s just like thinking ahead of the curve, where it’s just not the or getting the puck off a rebound. It’s crazy how many points come off same thing for every player. That’s something I enjoyed about the book. offensive zone play when you get those sequences and you get a shot Just your preparation, I know it’s been amazing for me and we’ve thought and you get it back and you get another shot and another chance. It’s a of a lot of different things to do throughout my career, whether it’s like really cool thing that I think you’ve come up with, and something I don’t getting the puck in sequence or coming behind the puck with speed or think I would have ever thought about, is like getting multiple puck improving that dual-threat option. I think that’s when I started to take off touches in sequences and having those opportunities to get a second in my game. When I wasn’t like, OK, this guy is going to come in, maybe and third chance to score a goal or create a chance for your team. You he’ll score 20 or 30 and he’s going to have a bunch of assists. It was like, know when that’s going on, and that’s happened, in the back of your OK, well, let’s try to get to 40. Let’s get to 40, and that’s going to help mind, you know that something good is going to come of this. your passing and your vision and other plays that will open up even more Belfry: Well, it’s just evolving, too. I’m spending time trying to figure out. if you became this dual-threat player. I think that’s when my game really Like, what’s the next thing? Like, what’s the next thing for you? What’s started to take off. I think that was around like maybe 2012, 2013. the thing that’s going to matter the most? So you look at it from, I’m But just the preparation, you could tell reading that book, it’s just very watching the video, OK, we count it this way. What if we counted it authentic because I can hear your voice when you’re talking and like the differently? What if we counted it another way? And then you stumble way you talk. I thought it was really cool. But the preparation goes above upon, it’s like you’re just searching and searching and searching and and beyond when you’re talking about how you’re getting ready to skate eventually something pops up and then that’s a rabbit hole and you start these elite NHL players. going down that, and then you realize, holy shit, he’s getting a ton of puck touches in these areas and when he gets it the third time, he’s by Darryl Belfry hosts an assortment of NHL players to a camp in Florida in himself, like with an empty net or like the quality of the possession was most years. (Scott Powers / The Athletic) just so much better. Belfry: I think one of the things with the preparation part is to try to know To me, that was always the most fascinating part and trying to figure out how somebody thinks the game, to get an understanding of what their ways not only for you to get the puck back, but that it’s a good puck that habits are. I don’t think you can train anybody unless you know how they you can attack with, because not every puck is easy to attack with. So it’s think. Like with you, for example, you’re so much about options. So if I go trying to find those ways. You’ve always been really good at being able to on the ice with you and I say, hey, I got a skill that I think you should use, work yourself out of trouble. But sometimes you’ve got to work so hard I like this skill, I think this would work for you. Your first question is always and there’s really nothing there. But if you could get it, work a little bit out going to be, OK, so what situation? Like where? Like where on the ice? What’s the situation? How would it work, this and that? That’s how you So, that’s always been fun, always trying to work and navigate new ways think. I got to already know that. I better have the answer for that or we’re to produce with different players. I played with a lot of players throughout not going to get anywhere. And so, I try to take that approach with every the years, and so be it, but that’s just another way that it’s been fun to player, where it’s like, yeah, I know not only the skill I want to teach you, kind of read your mind and see what you’re thinking through a lot of but I know where it would fit in your game, I know what situations you use these different things. consistently. So much of the game is cognitive. It’s all in the mind, and so, if you don’t connect the mind to the skill, you’re done. It just becomes Belfry: Yes. There’s always a new challenge. There’s always something a skill. It’s not connected. So the player’s not going to use it. I’ve always that we can start looking at. It’s funny, because as skilled as you are and been, not always, but as I’ve evolved, I’ve gotten better, I think, at being as skilled as you’ve played, and the types of plays that you make that mindful of that cognitive approach because it’s critical. are, you know, there’s plays that you make that there’s no one else in the world can make those plays, I’m like, there’s still things I see like that we Kane: Questions for you, in the future for me, what do you see with my can get so much better at. I always like have to check myself because game? Where do you see it going? If you have any thoughts on that, I’m like, am I really saying this right now? Like these plays, there’s a maybe you have to do some preparation or some thinking about that. handful of guys in the world that can play at that level and make those types of plays, but I’m like, yeah, you know what, he sauces the puck too Befry: How much time do I have? I got 100 things I’d like to do, I’d like to much. He should use more hook passes. Keep the puck flat for the guy do with your game, of course. A lot of it comes down to, if you’re going to that gets it on the other end, maybe that guy can shoot it better. He can be an offensive player in the NHL, every player’s getting studied, so control it a little differently, use more space paths, lead guys into space everyone’s studying you, and so every year you got to come back with better. A lot of things like that that are really fascinating. There’s areas something different or you’re going to lose some diversity or the element where as skilled as you are and have been, I still see so much, like that’s of surprise. So, it’s areas of the game that are like inefficient for you, so cool. where you get the puck in a certain area a lot, you create a lot of chances from there, but the success rate is lower than what would normally be the Kane: The thing I liked was just how you always put it on yourself. It’s on case. So, that immediately becomes an area. How can we evolve this? you to make that player get something out of that session or become What can we do? better when he’s working with you. Because as a player, that’s how you view it. That’s how I view it. OK, I’m working with Darryl, I got to take A lot of times we need to connect the rush to the offensive zone. They advantage of this time out here with him because he’s the best in the can’t be separate. So what you’re doing off the rush has to be in the world, is the best in the business. So I’m out here with him for a reason offensive zone. How you play with different players. Like I remember, like and I got to get better today because I have this opportunity to be with just over the last say three years or so, the players that are coming in, him. And you take that same approach working with the best players in they’re all like these young guys that are coming in. And so, how can we the world. That’s not something I would really think of, because as a skills leverage their best skills and you working inside their skill set to become coach, it’s like, OK, maybe this guy can do it, maybe this guy can’t, but it more effective? So, it’s not even like what you necessarily need to do, was like your point of view is no matter who the player is, I’m going to put like what brand new skill necessarily, your skill now becomes how can it on myself to make sure he gets better on this ice session or in this you leverage what you do best to pull out and understand someone situation. I thought that was really cool to read about. else’s game, like a young player’s game, to bring out the best in them? And figuring out those dynamics, I think is an area that I think would be Belfry: I’m directing. So if it doesn’t go well, I obviously made a mistake. I super cool to explore. made a miscalculation somewhere. It’s a way to kind of add pressure. Like you guys are under pressure a lot, and so I need to be under the Kane: That’s the fun part, too. It’s always a work in progress, right? It’s same. I need to feel that pressure. Like, he needs to get this and you got like you never get to the point where you’re like, all right, this is good, to figure it out. And I love putting myself in that spot where the pressure we’re happy here. It’s like, there’s always something to improve on, is on you, no different than him. The only difference is when I’m doing it, always something to build upon. I think that’s something I really enjoyed it’s shut off to the world, not in front of a million people that have to watch about working with you, is it’s just like there’s really no satisfaction. I think that pressure. But still, I need that. There’s a juice there that gets me. we’re both on the understanding where we can be happy and maybe That’s real life for me. Like where I’m feeling at the top of my game is appreciate things, but there’s really never a satisfied attitude. when we’re in there and things start to roll and then I have the courage to Belfry: I remember, when we started talking about you, I forget what year say, yeah, it’s going really good, let’s create a problem here. Let’s create it was, but you were leading the league in scoring and then you got hurt. a problem, see if we can solve that problem. Then we get to the end, we solve that problem, like I’m bouncing out of the rink like I had a hat trick. Kane: I think it might have been, it was either 2014 or 2015. I think both years I got hurt, I was right up there. Kane: You have the best players in the world (in your summer camp) and we’re running like 2-on-4, 3-on-4 drills, and we talk about bringing guys Belfry: This one was just after Christmas, January, and you were leading down to give guys a break, and the sticks are breaking, they’re so mad the league in scoring and you had played with a lot of different forwards, and frustrated. Can’t make a play like 3-on-4, 2-on-4, it’s just like so like there was a different center, different (winger). You didn’t have that frustrating. It’s a summer camp. It’s not even like the regular season. But set line. That year was so eye-opening to me because I’m like, this guy, then all of a sudden, you go 3-on-3 full ice or we do 4-on-4, and there’s he can produce with all these types of players and find his way on the just so many plays being made. It’s just really smart. That’s another scoresheet and be able to utilize these players in different ways. You example. weren’t really changing your game necessarily, but there were certain things that you were doing to make it work, find your way. And that was Belfry: It’s trying to find different ways to challenge the top one percent. eye-opening because I felt like because you were able to be so It’s a fascinating process. How can we challenge them? How can we adaptable, like there’s got to be 40 goals here. There is a scoring title to make this week worthwhile? How can we get the most out of it? When be won here. you think about it from that perspective, then you better come up with stuff that’s out of the box, but not gimmicky at the same time. It’s got to But I looked at it and nobody’s winning a scoring title unless they score be real world that’s challenging. But you once you make it even, it’s going 40 goals. Like, it just isn’t happening. So I was like, you have to find that, to have a positive effect. And at the end of the week, you want people those 40, to be able to accomplish that, and that year really was leaving that week gong, man, I feel fantastic, I feel great, I feel like my illuminating to me so much because it was like you could do it with a timing’s on. I feel that’s what it’s for. It’ss the same idea, you put them in bunch of different guys, you can make it work with different players. And I a bad spot, make them work out of it, and then all of a sudden, it opens just thought, you don’t need the deck stacked necessarily in your favor to up and everybody’s moving and everybody’s doing well. That the goal. make it work, although it’s nicer. Obviously, when we had like (Artemi) Panarin and that was unbelievable, that run, but it was the years before Patty, do you have anything else? Was there anything else in your book, that I thought were really illuminating. Gave me so much confidence that like one last thing about it that stuck that was interesting, that you didn’t you could really take this to completely different levels. I took it more of a know about me? Because this is all about me, for once. I want to hear challenge, like, OK, like if he can be this adaptable, how much more one more thing before I let you go. adaptable could he be? Like, what else can we do here? Kane: I really enjoyed the Horton stuff. I could resonate with that. I Kane: Yeah, for sure. I think that’s something we always kind of prided remember going on the ice and seeing how good he was. I enjoyed that ourselves in. No matter who I’m playing with or what the situation is, what stuff. the team we have is, you’re always counting on yourself to produce, and that’s just the way it’s got to be. There’s no excuses or anything about it. I enjoyed the part where you said you had all these practices drawn up and all your drills drawn up in different colors, but you forgot the board the one day and went on to be one of your better practices. Then all of a sudden, you didn’t need the board and the drills any more. You just kind of went with your feel, the practice. I thought that was pretty cool.

I think that’s sometimes as a player, you do that, too. You want to be so perfect and like have everything dialed in and feeling great, but there’s so much to the game that’s just about feel. And you can’t really have that perfect mindset. Even you saying in the book, we want to be 80 percent on certain plays. So, OK, you have two chances to fail. But if you fail on one of those, well, the law of averages is going to figure itself out. You’re going to make eight positive plays out of 10 and only mess up on two of them. So I thought that was cool. But the board story was cool, and now you don’t even need it anymore. You just kind of go off your feel. I remember that in practice, too, how you would have your drawing on the board was so perfect all the time and it had the different color pens going on. It was pretty cool, but that’s cool you just go off the feel now.

Belfry: It’s trying to evolve in a way where when a problem arises, I used to be so much like, oh my god, this is a problem and that has to be fixed and not consider that this may be an opportunity to grow in some way. I think players sometimes get in that, too. Where it’s like, yeah, I make a mistake here, the first play of the game, you get it, it’s a turnover and now you don’t want to make that play again. You get gun shy. I’m not feeling it, I’m not on, so not considering that there’s other things.

I look at it now, like, every ice session, yeah, it’s hockey, yeah, it’s done in a rink, there’s puck, sticks, everything’s kind of the same. But it’s like a fingerprint every time you go on. Every finger looks like a finger, except when you look at the real details. Every print is different. That’s no different than a play. A play is a fingerprint. Every time you come out of the zone, it’s a looks like a breakout. You call it a breakout because it’s kind of that way. But things are different. The defensemen that you’re going against the first time is a smooth skating, 6-foot-2 defensemen. The next guy you go against is a small guy who’s playing his offside. The next time you go, they’re in a line change. They’re all three breakouts, but they’re different each time.

And when I forgot my paper and I got out there (in practice) and I had to make it up as I went along and I had to come up with something, I started to realize, that’s real teaching for me. Because now I’ve got to pay attention to the player. I’m not paying attention to the drill and making sure that it moves. Are they all moving in like ants, going in the same order and everything? No, I’m now watching, like this guy doesn’t like making plays on his backhand. I didn’t really notice that while I was focused on the drill. Now I’m focused on the skill inside the drill.

Well, that’s a fingerprint. That’s a fingerprint that’s looking into those details. And yeah, it’s a turning drill that anybody across the country would do. But the way I’m doing it now has a different detail. It’s going to pull something out. It’s more individually based. And I think that was the biggest thing I learned about that stuff and then that transfers into how I see the game.

Kane: Thanks for having me on to talk through it. Proud of you, Darryl. I’m glad I got a chance to talk to you about it and and be on the podcast for it. But that was a great read. I knew we were doing this podcast and I figured I had to read the book before and I read it in like five or six days. So it was really easy to read and they did a great job. So should be proud of yourself.

Belfry: Thanks. I appreciate you’re in that book from the first page through to the end. And we’ve been joined at the hip willingly or not for all these years, and it’s been a hell of a ride with a lot of different pieces that have popped in and out. So, it was great to be able to describe it and share it now and now we get to talk about it and go back. Now I found by going back, it’s been cool to kind of see that and then it shapes kind of how I want to think going forward.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195770 Chicago Blackhawks thirds of Blackhawks fans surveyed here gave him a 1 or a 2. Only 2.18 percent (53 fans) gave him a 5.

“There is some rational Bowman hate, and a good deal of non-rational Blackhawks survey 2.0: Fans weigh in on Stan Bowman, Jeremy hate, too. I can’t blame the guy that much for carrying out the orders; I Colliton, ‘rebuild’ get the impression he would have gone full-on rebuild years ago if he could have. Still, I hope what he’s doing right now is taking the flack for moving popular guys, standing up to the core, being the public face of the By Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers Nov 5, 2020 rebuild, and then he kicks himself upstairs to be the senior hockey guy, bringing in a GM with more developmental chops.”

“Bowman does have his strong points but the salary cap has been a Since we last gauged public opinion on the state of the Blackhawks, mess since he took over. How much of that has to do with McDonough? they’ve won a postseason series, jettisoned Corey Crawford and We’ll find out, I guess.” Brandon Saad, made significant pay cuts, layoffs and furloughs, and publicly acknowledged they see themselves as in a “rebuild.” All during a “Funny that people don’t even want to give Bowman a year away from pandemic that has left the salary clap flat and the future very much up in McDonough to see how he does. He’s going to get a huge contract from the air. So yeah, it’s been kind of a busy six months. another franchise as soon as he’s gone. He was sandwiched in between a HOF coach and a HOF executive. He knows how to listen to amateur How has that changed the mindset of the fan base? Nearly 2,500 fans and European scouts and use the built-in advantages of the franchise. weighed in with our latest survey. Let’s dive into the results (vertical axis Give all these guys a year and then let’s worry about canning more numbers are percentages). people. Nothing big is going to happen until the younger parts of this Rocky Wirtz is still held in high esteem by Blackhawks fans who remain roster get 100-200 more games under their belts, anyway.” eternally grateful for the franchise’s rise from laughingstock to league “The thing for me is Bowman’s head is in the right place. You could tell standard-bearer. But the Stan Bowman frustration among the fan base that he has a good idea for what he wants to do, but his evaluation of appears to have taken a small bite out of Wirtz’s support. Still, nearly 58 current NHL talent just time and time again has proven poor.” percent of fans gave him a 4 or 5. “The reality is Stan Bowman is one of less than a handful of multi-cup Comments: winning GMs in the league (Holland, Rutherford and Lamoriello being the “For those who lack confidence in Rocky Wirtz, I think some people have others) and that gives him a long leash. I remember Brian Burke saying either forgotten what it was like or weren’t fans back when Bill was on a podcast if Stan Bowman was fired he would get a new job in about owning. The organization is far from perfect, but this is a far far cry from seven seconds. The Wirtz family is entirely justified in giving Bowman a every good player being shipped out of town over money or home games shot at righting the ship. If it doesn’t work, fire him. But I do understand not being broadcast on TV. It’s just a shame that when the Blackhawks why they are giving him a chance. You can argue he came in late in the finally had ownership willing to put money into the team, they had that game in 2010, but the 2013 and 2015 teams are teams he built. And you pesky salary cap to deal with.” can argue, well the Hawks had the core. Lots of teams have great cores that don’t win Cups. Look at the Canucks and Sharks this past decade. “While it’s very true that Rocky is a far cry from his penny-pinching The Hawks certainly had elite players, but not generational like a Crosby skinflint of an old man, success breeds expectations. After six years and or Lemieux or even an Ovechkin.” three Cups, fans of the team now expect that the ship will be run intelligently and the money not just spent, but spent wisely. It’s pretty “I have contended for years that he was grossly overrated during the clear that Rocky is hands-off as an owner and (for better or worse) John good years, and he’s years beyond his best before date. He’s like the McDonough was the one steering the ship. Danny Wirtz is an unknown, politician that you’re entirely sick of, and just want gone. As an example, I but he doesn’t have any professional sports experience and doesn’t instill actually like the Saad trade, but I don’t care what Bowman does, I want a whole lot of confidence.” him gone, now. His messaging doesn’t matter anymore, including this phony attempt at transparency, because fans have tuned him out, as it “Being better than his old man is a low bar to overcome. While Rocky seems players have. I am totally fine with a rebuild, even a blowup deserves credit for opening the pocketbook to bury Huet and expand rebuild, but the last person who should oversee that is Bowman.” Hockey Ops, he understood that it was a sounds business decision, as it generated many more millions in playoffs revenue and exposure. Colliton’s numbers haven’t budged much, either. Fans remain skeptical, However, he started to cut the money spent even before Covid hit and though he got more 2s than 1s this time around. Bowman got 53 5s, handing the president job to his unqualified kid is bad news, in my Colliton got 52. opinion.” “I’ve said this before, but if you’re rebuilding, switching out coaches for “I have confidence that Wirtz can run the Hawks, and while I disagree not winning is a recipe for disaster and stunts the development of young with some of his decisions, I think he has a good balance of wanting to players and a great example of that is Edmonton’s woes. Colliton seems win, wanting to keep fans engaged, and knowing his business. Can’t ask to be bringing the kids along well. A development coach’s job is to give for much more than that.” young players ice time, but not so much they’re overwhelmed and give players feedback on how to improve, and by all accounts he has done “Gotta rebuild at some point, but do not trust Stan with the job. At what that. Do Keith and Toews get anything out of being coached by Colliton? point does Rocky start getting the blame? Stan has wasted the last five No. But he’s not here for them.” years but yet is still there. Is Rocky turning into his dad?” “I think Colliton is a good young talent developer, and will ultimately Danny Wirtz remains a largely unknown commodity to Blackhawks fans develop into a solid NHL coach. Just like some of the young players, he — the few interviews he’s done have been buzzword-heavy and short on was pushed into the NHL too soon. If he had been developing some of granular details — and the numbers here reflect that. His move toward the young players in Rockford, and a more seasoned NHL coach was on transparency has been well-received, however. the Blackhawks bench we might be in a different place.”

“I don’t know enough about Danny Wirtz right now but Bowman seems to “It’s his first head coaching gig. He seems like a good enough dude. He’s have his ear. I don’t think that’s a good thing.” going to learn and get better. But, if I’m just giving my opinion on it, I’m not seeing the talent development or the results at this point. I really hope “Regarding management, I have zero confidence in any of them, from I’m wrong.” ‘I’m losing money while winning Cups’ Rocky to the Nepotism Twins (Stan and Danny) to the overmatched coach. I’d expect the Hawks to “I think I spotted some ass-kissing of Bowman recently, when he made a continue to miss the playoffs until the whole lot (minus the owner, of statement to support Bowman’s claim that he had clearly communicated course) are swept out and good hockey minds are installed in their the new direction to the core, despite Toews’ statement to the contrary. I stead.” think little man, you may have hitched your star to the wrong wagon. I believe your credibility with the players may be tenuous as it is, but when Bowman remains the most divisive figure in the organization, with a loud you start taking a stand against the guys who actually won the Cups and segment of the fan base frequently calling for his dismissal. The public own the city, you’re going to find out who has the real power here.” acknowledgment of the rebuild hasn’t changed his numbers much, though he did garner a higher percentage of 1s this time around. Two- Based on his play in summer camp and in Edmonton, Dach took a big “I am happy with the “transparency” but I wish the letter came out before leap during the pause. He took a small leap in this survey, but he was the draft and free agency. By doing it after, it looks like they were saving already getting rave reviews before the postseason. Two-thirds of fans face after a complete miscalculation. I also do not believe Bowman, believe Dach will be a true No. 1 center, while only 1.03 percent (25 Danny Wirtz, and Colliton are the people who should be doing it.” votes) have no faith in him. “I am happy they are talking about transparency, but honestly, I’ll believe “I don’t think Dach will be an elite No. 1 center but I can see him being a it when I see it. I’m probably just being cynical, but saying you’re going to No. 1 center.” be transparent and actually doing it are very different things. It seems they’ve always played close to the vest so it may be hard for them to “I think Dach will be a very good player but I think he comes up short of change now.” being elite.” It’s always difficult to see beloved and highly accomplished players Boqvist took a step back in Edmonton, shying away from contact and kicked to the curb, and more than half of fans polled (54.4 percent) gave looking overwhelmed at times, That’s reflected in the survey, as his 5s this one a 4 or 5. Bowman said Crawford’s desire for a second year went from about 7.5 percent to about 4 percent. More than half of voters scuttled negotiations. (1,259 in all) gave him a 3, the mathematical version of a shrug emoji. “I thought it was a good time not to re-sign Crawford due to his age and “I do not think Boqvist will ever be a No. 1 defenseman. I think he will be give the young guys a chance. We weren’t on the cusp of the Stanley a top-four guy and power-play quarterback that will always need to be Cup. On the other side of the coin, most of Bowman‘s decisions have paired with a more defensive-minded partner.” cost us dearly. Look at what we now have for trading Panarin.”

“If Boqvist developed into a less physical Torey Krug I think that would Subban is a former first-round pick who has more than three times as make most people happy, would it not? However absolutely agree, many NHL games under his belt (66) than Delia (18) and Lankinen (0) Boqvist is going to need a guy to play the role that Hjalmarsson had combined, and Subban was the team’s top choice if Crawford wasn’t played for so many years.” ready for the postseason after his bout with COVID-19, but Delia is “Unlikely that Boqvist will be an elite top-pairing d-man but it is clearly the people’s choice here. That’s probably because he’s the only completely reasonable for him to be a second-pair d-man that gets you goalie fans have really seen play in a Blackhawks uniform, and Delia was 55-plus points.” pretty solid with a .908 save percentage in 16 games in 2018-19. Only Lankinen is waiver-exempt, so Delia and Subban are the likely tandem, Despite winning a postseason series in Edmonton, fans are slightly more at least to start. down on the Blackhawks than they were in April. The decisions not to re- sign Corey Crawford and to trade Brandon Saad surely have something “I’d like to state that I have no confidence in the three available goalies to to do with that. Sixty-six percent say the Blackhawks are on the wrong select from to replace Crawford. Gun to my head, I guess Subban, track, up from 62 percent in April. because he’s the immediate backup, but he’s young and I really haven’t seen him play much.” “I do think the Hawks are on the right track but they are going to have to be much better at managing the cap going forward, something that is “Delia was pretty good during his time two years ago, and Lankinen was going to be difficult to do with three years of term on Toews, Kane, and great in the World Championships. No one in 2011 that I remember were Keith, and four years left on Seabrook.” predicting Crow to be what he became.”

Interestingly, Blackhawks fans overwhelmingly support the rebuilding This one’s an overwhelming no, but it’s still notable that 542 fans think plan, even as they show little faith in the people charged with executing trading the iconic three-time champion captain is the way to go. For what it. As the comments suggest, the fan base fully recognizes the need to it’s worth, Toews said last month that he had no intention of waiving his add young talent and draft picks. They just wish it started a couple of no-movement clause. years earlier. “Trading any of the Core Four, I voted no, for several reasons. Firstly, I “I have a problem with everyone calling what the Hawks are doing a wouldn’t go to a game if I didn’t think I’d see Kane and Toews out there ‘rebuild.’ It’s not a true rebuild. Not signing an old goalie with — and Kane in particular can give you thrills on any given night. I also questionable health and trading a slightly overpaid veteran with one year don’t think trading any of them really makes the team better, partly on his contract is not what I call a rebuild. They’re simply committing to because trading some of the contracts would require giving up so much younger players in their system. And it’s not a ‘tank’ for a top-three pick that the team would be appreciably worst.” — though if those goalies don’t produce, they very well may end up with “If Chicago is serious about rebuilding, then trading everyone, except good odds to draw one.” players of the future like Dach, should be a reasonable proposition.”

“They need the rebuild right now, but I have no trust in those two leading Whom do fans love more, Kane or Toews? That’s always been difficult to it right now.” answer, and these results don’t help much to determine that. Kane does “The biggest issue with the rebuild is last offseason. Bowman made no win this poll slightly. While 542 fans sought to trade Toews, only 475 sense when trying to explain why he went out and acquired a bunch of wanted to deal Kane. A majority of fans want to keep both. older guys with term last year. If he had been smarter last off-season, “I don’t want to trade the core. I want to go all in and try as hard as we this rebuild would be in much better shape right now.” can to win while they’re contributors. I don’t want to see their last days as “Regarding the rebuild/retool, I don’t see how the Blackhawks have Hawks as mere mentors.” enough current and future assets to make it work. It appears they lack at “Kane is still elite, JT isn’t going anywhere. And what team is in a position least one top-six forward and two (out of two) top pair defensemen, and now to offer even a fair return for Kane?” Stan’s media tour did not reassure me about how he acquires those players.” This may have been the most surprising result of the survey. Duncan Keith may not exactly be the same player he once was, but he still has a “I am on board for a true rebuild, not on the fly — tear down and restart. lot to give and has continued to be the Blackhawks’ No. 1 defenseman. That includes the GM and coach. The GM’s plan has failed why would I Still, 1,324 votes were placed for the Blackhawks to trade him. He’s 37 expect it to work now.” and has three years left on his deal, but he probably does still have value Who could possibly be against transparency? Well, 182 people, to be in a trade considering his manageable contract. exact. This is obviously a topic that’s more important to reporters than “Keith may be the most valuable to trade.” fans, but since reporters are in many ways the conduits between the team and the fans, a solid 61 percent of fans are glad to see the team Brent Seabrook isn’t going to win any popularity contests these days. Of becoming more open with the thought process behind the moves. Let the course, that has to do more with his awful contract than him as a person media tour continue! and player. Hopefully, fans can distinguish that. Though trading Seabrook is the desired action, that isn’t a simple task. The Blackhawks “The new transparency approach is a great move, I don’t understand why would likely have to eat some of Seabrook’s contract and give up it hasn’t been in place previously. I guess winning overshadows anything prospects and/or draft picks to deal him. Seabrook has a no-movement else, but being open and honest with your fans, who have to pay big clause, too. money to see your team play, is something teams should do all the time.” “Seabrook was the only one I don’t think is worth trading. There is no way. Which is unfortunate, because I would pay absurd money for a return for him, so we would need to give up an asset to get rid of him. Toews/Dach/whoever sweater. I don’t think management will change the Better to wait and see if the Kraken want him, which is unlikely.” logo as long as people are buying it, either. Not a Native person so I don’t think my opinion really matters, but that’s just my two cents!” “It would take more than one asset to move him. Hell, playing Seabrook helps you tank. Play him 22 minutes per night.” “I’m sick of the defense of corporate logos. Let’s move on from it.”

“Hawks would have to give up many prospects and probably picks and “Also, given the horrific history of Native Americans in Illinois specifically, retain too much salary to offload Seabs.” I also need far more visibility and transparency in their efforts to include, promote, and partner with Native voices and communities to even be “I would give up a high first rounder to get the Kraken to take Seabrook remotely on board with their current primary logo. The history of the logo off our hands. Sets you back one year instead of four, and you can get a alone does not justify a white organization’s decision to continue to use it; really nice player for 6.8 million.” they’re gonna have to give me WAY more than that.”

This question is complicated and hypothetical. As of now, it doesn’t look “First of all, I have no issue if the Blackhawks decide to remove the like the 2020-21 NHL season will begin with fans being allowed in ‘Indian head’ and whatnot. I am a fan of the team playing on the ice, so a arenas. That could change if there’s a vaccine or a drop in positive tests. logo means very little to me. They can wake up tomorrow and call The other part of this equation is the Blackhawks may struggle next themselves the Chowderheads and it wouldn’t affect my fandom.” season, and that could have an impact on attendance. “If you want an honest answer, I think reporters tend to talk to the loudest A majority of fans are behind the Blackhawks tanking for a top pick next and nosiest people about the logo and have seen piles of people season. Of course, the lottery balls can bounce in weird ways. Just ask (including the aboriginal people I’ve seen in Canada) wearing the logo. the Detroit Red Wings. But in the current format, non-playoff teams with And I massively dislike giving positive or neutral coverage to idiots with the worst records do have the greater odds at landing top picks. Some spray cans. If the logo changes, the logo changes. Such is life.” names to potentially start learning for the 2021 draft are Brandt Clarke, Kent Johnson, Owen Power and Aatu Raty. “Well, I’ve been a Hawks fan for 50 years. 1) You can’t “make” other people feel degraded or uncomfortable. They choose to. 2) I am part “The league is all about youth right now and unless your young guys are Native American. My second great-grandmother, Charlotte Bell, was half coming from the top of the draft, you are going to struggle. Getting Kirby Cherokee, and was on the forced march called the Trail of Tears. She Dach at No. 3 was a gift. The Hawks need a couple of more top-tier picks saw and experienced atrocities. I have no problem with the logo. That next spring and in the spring of 2022.” representation is respectful, noble, and emblematic of an honorable man. “Am I fine with being one of the worst three teams in hockey to get the I’d be honored to wear his likeness. Certainly more honored than if I wore best chance at a number one draft pick? HELL NO, but do we have a a duck’s foot or horns and a pointed tail.” choice? They may get there no matter what they do, unless major “I love the logo, it’s the most visually interesting and colorful logo out changes are made. it is frustrating to see how poorly the last five years there. I’m a liberal, so I get the issues and respect the indigenous people have been managed by the organization.” who dislike it but I also respect those that don’t want it to change. I wish “Rebuilding is one thing, rebuilding with this staff is another. I don’t see the Hawks would offer apparel that didn’t have the logo, though. I know a how Stan et al get themselves out of the corner they’re painted into. A lot of fans would love to be able to buy something without the Indian lottery win and top-three pick of a franchise player could change that, I head image on it.” guess.” “I have no problem with the logo changing. The team isn’t the logo. A Maybe we should have asked whether you considered what happened logo isn’t a tradition. I love the logo and am not offended by it, but I can last season as the Blackhawks making the playoffs or not? Regardless, buy the argument that I don’t have, and shouldn’t have, much of a say in most voters weren’t too optimistic about the Blackhawks’ playoff hopes the appropriateness of it for others.” for next season. This result does line up with our recent story on how the The results are somewhat surprising here. Steve Larmer is the name you 2023 playoffs is a realistic time frame for the Blackhawks to reemerge. most often see on social media about which player’s number the “The Blackhawks will have to be bad (I mean really bad) before they are Blackhawks should retire next. The results here may indicate a recency good again. No team can reel off three quick championships in a cap bias or Larmer’s supporters being very vocal. Hossa will be an interesting league and expect to maintain or reach those heights again without first test case. He spent eight years with the Blackhawks. Is he more hitting rock bottom. Doesn’t matter who is calling the shots.” deserving than Patrick Sharp, Niklas Hjalmarsson or Corey Crawford? The organization will have some decisions to make. “The Blackhawks as presently constituted may be better next year than they were this year, especially if one of the goalies can be at least an “The answer to whose jersey should they retire next needed a ‘none of average NHL goalie. They have plenty of great talent in Kane and the above’ option. JR is a loudmouth jerk, Hossa didn’t play here long Toews. A rebound year from (Alex DeBrincat) and the further enough to qualify (IMO), Larmer was a good not great player who doesn’t development of Dach, Strome, Nylander, and Boqvist, coupled with a belong in the HHOF and doesn’t deserve to have his jersey retired, and better bottom six and I fully expect Hawks to at least be on the bubble why a push to retire the jersey of a player who died 85 years ago? Kane, competing for a playoff spot.” Toews, Keith and maybe Seabrook will all get their numbers retired sometime down the road, no need to push someone in the interim.” “Well I’m a lot more pessimistic than I realized after filling that poll out.” “Hawks should limit number retirements to the greatest Hall of Fame While a majority of voters did support the Blackhawks’ rebuilding plan, players that played their best/peak years with the Hawks. That would they apparently don’t believe it’s going to bring another Stanley Cup leave Doug Wilson and Chris Chelios as the top candidates. Gardiner during Kane and Toews’ time with the organization. Both players have also qualifies but didn’t know they had jersey numbers in 1930s. Keith, three years remaining on their contracts. Kane, and Toews will follow soon. Wouldn’t be angry with Hossa, but best individual seasons really with Ottawa, Atlanta and Detroit.” The Blackhawks have stood behind their logo and believe they can use it as a vehicle to educate fans about Black Hawk. Based on these results, “Hossa’s number should be retired next, no question. He was a game they have some work to do. The Blackhawks did announce some recent changer for the team and helped the organization win three Cups.” initiatives. “Absolutely Hossa’s number should be retired even though he was not a This question probably shouldn’t be ultimately determined by Blackhawks Blackhawk for most of his career. But I clicked on Larmer because his fans, but it was worth asking. We took a deep dive into the topic earlier number should have been retired long ago and it’s an outrage that they this year. You had a sense then that fans were divided on the issue. This haven’t done it yet. Instead he’s gotten one lousy “One More Shift.” result isn’t split down the middle, but there are enough people who voted against it (29 percent) that it’s apparent not everyone is comfortable with “Larmer makes that decision really tough. You ask me if Hossa should the logo. get his number retired as soon as possible, I’m a yes. You ask me whether Larmer or Hossa should have their number retired first? Don’t “I hate that the team that makes me happy makes other people feel know which way to go. And if either Hossa or Larmer get their number degraded/uncomfortable. The Hawks always will be my team but I won’t retired first, I’m not going to be mad because the guy I picked had to buy any merchandise as long as wearing it would make others feel that wait.” Bobby Hull is a polarizing person, and that’s firmly shown in the results here. It’s not the type of question the Blackhawks would ask their own fans, but if they do glance at this survey, you would think the 1,090 votes against would be noteworthy to them.

“Bobby Hull was a bad person for part of his life. I’m OK with second chances and redemption.”

“Bobby Hull’s foibles are well known (even if, for instance, the ‘Nazi’ comments are unfairly reported). He was an important member of the team and I’ve yet to hear of him doing anything unsavory as an ambassador. If people’s politics prevent them from looking at people as human beings, I consider that their problem.”

“It’s not a HOF discussion, it’s about a question as to whether he should be an ambassador. You don’t need a tavern-tanned ambassador walking around with all that baggage. Bad business.”

“Bobby Hull isn’t a great guy, apparently, but it seems his family has forgiven him. I don’t have a problem with him being an ambassador for the Hawks. I wouldn’t stand in line to shake his hand or get an autograph, but that’s my choice. If others want to, I don’t mind. He’s definitely deserving of admiration for his role on the ice and as an innovator.”

“While The Golden Jet was an amazing player, his off ice behavior toward women and racist comments are not acceptable for someone who would be considered as an ambassador of the Blackhawks. The puck drop at The Winter Classic in St. Louis was an embarrassment to the organization.”

The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195771 Detroit Red Wings started soon is a sense of normalcy in what’s been an abnormal hockey season.

“It’s really chaotic,” said Aucoin, who added his team and league have Red Wings hope draft pick Kyle Aucoin is a chip off the old block been extremely vigilant in taking every possible precaution. “Even at the rinks now, but our staffs have done a great job. It’s been different, but you have to be extra cautious.” Ted Kulfan And if he has a question about hockey or anything else, there’s always dad to ask at home.

Detroit — If Red Wings draft pick Kyle Aucoin needs advice about his “It’s been good to pick his brain,” Aucoin said. hockey career, he has an invaluable resource right in the house. Kyle Aucoin His dad Adrian played 18 years in the NHL, with seven teams, while playing a staggering 1,108 games. ► Pick: No. 156 overall (Round 6)

“He’s always been my role model, someone I could always look up to,” ► Position: Defenseman said Kyle, the Wings’ sixth-round draft pick last month. “Always there to ► Height/weight: 5-11/163 pounds give me knowledge about the game as we’d drive down to the games. ► Last season: Tri-City (USHL) — 48 games, 2 goals, 11 assists “He’s someone I want to model my life after.” ► Scouting report: Son of former NHL player Adrian Aucoin, Kyle is Interestingly, there was one hockey memory that sticks in Kyle’s mind regarded as a competitive two-way defender, a good skater, and plays a about his dad’s career. smart game, having been around NHL locker rooms. Needs to grow “When Detroit beat them out of the playoffs, and he was playing in physically. Headed to play at Harvard. Arizona (in 2010),” Aucoin said. Detroit News LOADED: 11.06.2020 Like his dad, Kyle is also a defenseman. But there aren’t a ton of similarities.

For one, Adrian’s 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame towers over Kyle’s 5-foot-11, 163-pound body.

Both father and son are outstanding skaters, with that skill one of Kyle’s particular strengths, and each has been known for his puck handling abilities.

But there is one difference, at least for now: Adrian had one of the hardest shots in the NHL in the late-1990s and early 2000s.

“He had a real hard shot,” said Kyle, who was able to work out with his dad and brothers at home in Illinois during the quarantine this year. “I’m working to get there.

“I’d say I’m a two-way defenseman and my biggest strength is my skating. I think the game pretty well and I’m smart on the ice.”

If Kyle Aucoin has half the career his father had, the Wings would be thrilled with that, and Kyle would as well.

And given Kyle’s attributes and development, don’t be surprised if the younger Aucoin does land in professional hockey eventually.

Kris Draper, the Wings’ director of amateur scouting, saw plenty of Aucoin while watching and coaching his own son Kienan in the Little Caesars program, against Aucoin’s Chicago Mission.

“I’ve watched Kyle over the years and he’s a smart, competitive kid,” Kris Draper said. “It’s funny when you hear that his dad had a growth spurt when he was 18, 19, so we hope Kyle gets that as well.

“He’s just a terrific skater, a real competitive kid.”

Kyle Aucoin actually got a text from Kienan Draper – a Wings’ seventh- round draft pick – after the draft.

“That was our rival team (Little Caesars); we were playing each other almost every couple weeks,” Aucoin said. “They had a great team and it was a battle. He texted me after the draft and said, ‘Finally we’re on the same side, and that’s cool.’”

Kyle is awaiting the start of the USHL season, where he’s playing for the Tri-City Storm. With Tri-City last season, Aucoin had two goals and 11 assists in 48 games.

Aucoin is committed to playing college hockey at Harvard next year.

“Education has always been real important to me and my family,” Aucoin said. “The coaches are unbelievable, you’re in Boston, and the campus is great. It was the best of both worlds, with a great hockey program and a great education.”

Aucoin had a steady dialogue with the Wings throughout the season.

Finally getting drafted, after the Entry Draft was pushed back about four months because of the pandemic, and getting another hockey season 1195772 Detroit Red Wings Michigan Live LOADED: 11.06.2020

Red Wings, non-playoff teams likely to start camp sooner, but when?

By Ansar Khan

The Detroit Red Wings will have some extra time to get back in game shape and get familiar with the half-dozen new players they added in the offseason.

The seven non-playoff teams, off since March 10, likely will start training camp sooner than the rest of the NHL. It remains to be seen when that will be.

“I think at this point, the non-playoff teams will get some type of earlier start,” Red Wings general manager said. “I’m not sure it’ll be 14 days; more realistically it might be a week. I think it’s part of the plan between the (NHL Players Association) and the league of trying to get back to work.”

The Red Wings could go more than 10 months between games. Much of the team has been skating and working out together.

“I think that’s a great idea,” Tyler Bertuzzi said of the extended camp. “We’ve had talks with our team and we’re all on board with that, just kind of get back in it, with the coaching staff to just go over everything.”

The NHL said last month that the season will not begin before Jan. 1. Many, including Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley, believe the season is not likely to start before February, and that it will consist of 48 or 56 games.

“It looks like we’ll be able to come up with some type of plan,” Yzerman said. “I don’t know specifically what that is, and then kind of keep my fingers crossed that things don’t go sideways again and we’re not able to play.”

Yzerman noted that travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada could have an effect. Some have speculated the league forming an all- Canadian division and multiple regional divisions in the U.S.

Yzerman is not concerned about players not being prepared following the long layoff.

“Players are skating, it’s not game-like situations but they’ll get it back relatively quickly,” he said. “I don’t know what training camp is going to look like, don’t know how many preseason games we play, if any, but from watching the playoffs, guys being out from March to late July, the first few games were sloppy, but after three, four, five games you saw the guys looking pretty good. I’m hopeful that our guys are all conscientious and motivated and self-disciplined and I believe they are.”

Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha said: “Hopefully, we can have an estimated time to (start), that would be step No. 1, just so we know exactly where we’re going with our workouts, get ready to have our bodies at 100 percent.”

The AHL recently announced an anticipated start of Feb. 5.

“Based on the environment right now, I think it’s very reasonable to expect them to start to play sometime in the new year,” Yzerman said. “What the league and schedule looks like and how many teams actually play is uncertain right now as every team has to decide their individual business model and their business model is different than the National Hockey League. Even more so than the NHL, (the AHL) is fan-driven, the basis for their revenue is having people in the building. The biggest challenge the faces is if they get any fans in the building and if there’s zero fans, do they want to and can they operate? That’s yet to be determined.”

If the don’t play this season, what happens with their players and Red Wings prospects who aren’t in Europe? Might the NHL expand the 23-man rosters?

“I’m not aware if that’s part of the plan,” Yzerman said. “I think an expanded roster is only necessary if the American League doesn’t play because we got to figure out what we do with our players under contract in the American League. As of yet, I think we can make it work with our 23-man roster and our compressed schedule. With our minor league teams playing, it should be OK.” 1195773 Edmonton Oilers Wisconsin plays host to Michigan Nov. 19-20, so maybe he could go after that, flying to Calgary to take the rapid COVID test, but any longer away might hurt his chances.

Oilers notebook: Defensive blueliner William Lagesson tearing it up in WHAT’S IN A NUMBER? Sweden Dominik Kahun has been loaned to his old German team in Munich, where he played four years for ex-Oilers Don Jackson. He’s Jim Matheson been skating there while awaiting the new NHL season.

“Don’s told me lots of stories, fun conversation,” said Kahun, aware Jackson played on two Cup winners in 1984 and ’85. Surprisingly, William Lagesson is outscoring Evan Bouchard as both Edmonton Oilers defencemen are soldiering on in the Allsvenskan, the Kahun is from the Czech town of Plana, on the border with Germany, but league below the top-drawer . didn’t spend much time there.

We mention both in the same sentence because one of them will likely “When I was three or four years old my parents broke up. My mom, who be the No. 7 defenceman whenever we get a new NHL season because was working at the time in Germany as a restaurant waitress, moved both are making cheap money and GM Ken Holland has no stomach at there and I went with her. My dad is a waiter and he lives in the Czech this time to add a veteran NHLer in free-agency like perhaps, local Republic,” said Kahun. product Kevin Connauton, who got into four playoff games for Colorado Kahun wore 95 in Buffalo as a line-mate with Markus Johansson and in the Edmonton bubble or Ben Hutton who was in Los Angeles. Victor Olafsson but doesn’t like the number. Nobody has ever worn 95 “I’ve been following Lagesson … he’s certainly getting a lot of points,” here. said Holland, who just signed Lagesson to a two-year contract for “I got 24 in Chicago and Pittsburgh and was 21 before that,” said Kahun. $700,000 and $750,000 with the upcoming 2020-21 season a two-way deal that will pay Lagesson $275,000 in Bakersfield. This ’n that: Joakim Nygard is back playing for Farjestads after minor surgery with one assist in five games. “He got injured again and it While Holland waits for a determination on a first face-off for 2020-21, happened to be the same hand (busted in late January),” said Holland. Lagesson, a left-shot Adam Larsson in terms of style of game, has nine Nygard, signed at $875,000, appears to be a bubble Oiler. He didn’t points in 11 games for Vita Hasten in Norrkoping, about 90 minutes south dress in the qualification series against Chicago … Lagesson made of Stockholm. This is out of his offensive weight class, of course. $65,000 in Bakersfield so that AHL guaranteed $275,000 is a huge bump Bouchard, who might be a younger version of on Long … Kahun played a fair bit with Evgeni Malkin in Pittsburgh but hardly at Island with their offensive bent and skating ability, has seven points in 14 all with Sidney Crosby. “One shift and then he got hurt,” said Kahun. games in Sodertalje, where tennis great Bjorn Borg grew up. Both are Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 11.06.2020 playing more than 20 minutes a game, so they’re right into it.

Lagesson’s two-year contract checks off a box because he’ll be eligible for Seattle in the 2021 expansion draft. But, at 24, he’s at that crossroads. Probably too good for the AHL, on the fence as an NHL player after eight Oiler games last year and 12 minutes a night in a third pairing.

Holland hasn’t put defenceman Oscar Klefbom and his $4.1 million salary on long-term injury status with his troublesome shoulder because there’s no rush to do so.

“I’m planning for 2020-21 that Oscar is not playing and anything other than that will be a surprise. A pleasant surprise,” said Holland, who would have room to sign another veteran D with Klefbom’s money off the cap, but has no interest.

“Yes, we could always use one more but we’re fine right for now,” he said. “We’ve got Lagesson signed. If we get (Ethan) Bear signed, then we’ve also Bouchard … I’m watching how Evan’s playing in Europe. He’ll be back for our training camp.

“As for Philip Broberg, my thought is he’ll stay in Skelleftea until their Swedish season is over. Our NHL season will go way beyond that (so he can come to Edmonton). We’ve got some young defencemen.”

Holland can also bring back Dmitry Samorukov from CSKA in Moscow when the KHL season ends with Samorukov playing about 18 minutes a night on the best team in that league.

Bear has little leverage because he has no arbitration rights. Bear may end up getting, say, a one-year deal in the $1.1 million to $1.2 million range. He had a salary of $700,000 last season as a rookie and earned his $20,000 performance bonus, so $1.2 million would still be a nice bump.

ROADBLOCK AHEAD?

While Oilers first draft pick Dylan Holloway still wants to be at world junior camp on or very close to when it starts Nov. 16 in Red Deer, his U of Wisconsin coach Tony Granato doesn’t sound like a guy who’s going to just pat him on the back and say “go get ‘em” after the Badgers open their Big 10 season Nov. 13-14 at U of Notre Dame.

“If we can keep him for a few other series and get him in there in early December like the original plan was that would be good for everybody, including Dylan,” Granato said in the Madison State Journal newspaper. 1195774 Edmonton Oilers Predicted goals

Although three lines will be devoted to delivering at least some offence, the time on ice will heavily favour the top two lines, as will the power-play Lowetide: Oilers’ reasonable expectations for 2020-21: The Goals deployment. The scoring leaders reflect those minutes.

Connor McDavid missed just seven games a year ago but there were By Allan Mitchell Nov 4, 2020 times when he looked fatigued. He is 23 and in his prime, and should be fresher this season with a few months rest. He is becoming more of a volume shooter each season while also maintaining a substantial shooting percentage (16.0 for his career). General manager Ken Holland Last fall when NHL teams began the long regular season, Edmonton has gathered more talented players for his wing and that should Oilers fans were realistic but hopeful about the team’s chances. The contribute to McDavid’s success. Projection: 42 goals Oilers during the 2010s were a confusing and at times galling roster collection of both elite talents bound for glory and fringe talents unlikely to Leon Draisaitl is predictable because he’s healthy and his shot total is make it through December. likely to land around 230 for next season. He is 25, so still in his prime and the shooting accuracy and prowess is seemingly more impressive Ken Holland was hired as general manager in spring 2019 to fix it, and each season. I think he could play a little less than a year ago (22:37) to Dave Tippett was hired as coach to make it go. As the train left the stay fresh and his 19.7 percent shooting percentage was higher than his station in the fall of 2019, anywhere in the top three spots in the Pacific career average (16.9) by some margin. What a mammoth draft pick by Division would have been considered a success. Craig MacTavish and Stu MacGregor. Projection: 40 goals Edmonton finished No. 2 in the division, but lost a play-in series against Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has scored 20 or more goals for three seasons in the Chicago Blackhawks and the success of the 2019-20 regular season a row, and added some torque and accuracy to his shot last season. The was dashed in a week inside the Rogers Place bubble. result was a season where volume increased slightly and he outpaced Was there improvement under Holland and Tippett? Are the Oilers his career shooting percentage at age 26. He’ll rotate on the wing on headed in a good direction? Did the offseason procurement move the both of the top two lines but seems more potent when paired with needle in a positive way? Welcome to the “reasonable expectations” Draisaitl. Projection: 22 goals series. We begin by looking back on Edmonton’s offence and projecting it Kailer Yamamoto had an amazing run after recall but is not an into 2020-21. established NHL player. That means the estimating his season is more Shots on goal difficult (far more possibilities). The bet here is that he stays in the NHL all season, establishes himself as Draisaitl’s ideal offensive winger and The Oilers finished 2019-20 well enough to land inside the top 3 in the even gets some time on the power play in his first full campaign. Pacific Division for the first time since 2016-17. Tippett had his Oilers Projections: 20 goals running historically strong special teams, but what about overall shot volume? A five-year look at Edmonton’s shots-per-60 reveals a season Dominik Kahun is on his fourth team as he enters his third season, but that is unspectacular compared to the team’s past: his NHL career is quality. The entire road map that got him to Edmonton is stranger than fiction. I believe he’ll play much of this season on a skill The Oilers were up slightly overall and at even strength in 2019-20, but line and will be among the team’s top even-strength scorers. He is the 2016-17 team had more volume in those disciplines. Even the power neither a volume shooter nor a sniper, but as a complementary skill play, an area that was phenomenal in goal-scoring during the past player Kahun landed on the jackpot. Projection: 19 goals season, looks pedestrian compared to the past. One item that will become more important as we drill down on last year: From January 1 to Tyler Ennis has a more complicated path to one of the top two lines after the end of the season, the even strength shots-per-60 increased to the Kahun hiring, but he can player either wing and coach Dave Tippett 30.36, and that is a significant increase season over season. may load up late in games while trailing. He’ll also, at the very least, have an opportunity to post offence on a No. 3 line with Kyle Turris. Projection: Goals and when they were scored 15 goals

In the summer of 2019 during the reasonable expectations conversation, Tyson Barrie will see most of the power-play time among Edmonton’s we talked about “shot volume” and winning the shot differential. As it defencemen and should thrive. The team’s power play could falter and turns out, the shot volume was relatively flat, and as we’ll see later the still be exceptional, and drawing more penalties could mean another year shot differentials were not strong positives despite the Oilers success. of filling the net with the man advantage. Edmonton scored 59 power- What was key? Goals on the power play. play goals, two more than the Boston Bruins, who earned 40 more minutes than the Oilers with the man advantage. He has a great shot, is Tippett’s Oilers scored 2.66 goals per 60 at even strength, a a volume shooter and can also find passing seams and quarterback a mathematical tie with the 2017-18 team. The 2019-20 team also blew all power play. Projection: 14 goals previous power-play units out of the water going back to Connor McDavid’s rookie season. Overall, the 3.11 goals per 60 including all Zack Kassian was on fire through 38 games a year ago, posting 13 goals disciplines is the strongest number by some margin. with a matching number of assists before January. After that, things went poorly in a period that included a suspension and a prolonged scoring From January 1 through the end of the season, Edmonton scored 3.08 drought. Kassian did receive a new contract but that weighed heavy too, even strength goals per 60 and 3.42 goals per 60 in all disciplines. That’s and he’ll arrive in training camp for 2020-21 with something to prove. a reflection of Leon Draisaitl moving to centre and laid the foundation for Kassian is a fine skater and effective when he’s on his game. He won’t Holland’s three big offseason acquisitions on the wing: Jesse Puljujarvi, stay on McDavid’s line all year but will score some goals. Projection: 14 Tyler Ennis and earlier this week Dominik Kahun. goals Shooting percentage James Neal should remain part of the power-play unit in 2020-21, and Edmonton’s power play shots-per-60 went down marginally in 2019-20 may score more goals at even strength too if he can stay healthy for the compared to the previous season, but the goals spiked. Why? Shooting entire year. He’ll offer Tippett a different look from left wingers Kahun and percentage. The Oilers power play delivered on 20.27 percent of all shots Ennis which could be advantageous to Neal depending on opponent. taken with the man advantage last season. That’s an exceptional stat, Expect a reduction from last year’s 19 goals due to fewer minutes and a major spike from the 2018-19 (14.92 percent). (played 16:18 a game). Projection: 14 goals

The team’s even strength shooting percentage increased slightly, but if Jesse Puljujarvi is looking for an opportunity and there should be at least Dave Tippett plans to outscore opponents in 2020-21 it’s a good bet two available to him. It’s a reasonable bet he’ll start on the Turris line and more shots on goal at even strength will be a part of the scenario. should get some minutes from time to time (especially later in the year) with one of the two big lines. Even if Holland has no plans to keep How are the Oilers going to do it? Three scoring lines, and at least two Puljujarvi long term, pumping up his point totals with cherry minutes need to be legit outscoring lines at even strength. Don’t expect the same alongside McDavid or Draisaitl is just good business. Sam Pollock’s kind of power-play totals (10.64 per 60 is the stuff of legends) but the Montreal Canadiens did it routinely back in the day. Projection: 12 goals 2020-21 group should score better at even strength. Kyle Turris is taking on a heavy load with the Oilers this season. Holland William Lagesson is likely the No. 7 defenceman this coming season. wants more offence and more goal suppression from his bottom six and That should mean 50-55 games based on history and he does have Turris is the big offseason addition to make things work. A talented pivot some offensive ability. He’ll play third pair and penalty kill, but he with plenty of experience, that’s a big ask and my bet is there will be surprised with his even strength scoring in Bakersfield and will contribute times of struggle. Offensively, he’ll deliver impressive assist totals and in the NHL. Projection: 1 goal should chime in some goals, too, mostly at even strength. Projection: 11 goals Philip Broberg might make the NHL team in camp but I have him as a later recall, possibly after the SHL season ends. Any deadline deal that Alex Chiasson will be in a tough spot if there are no roster changes sends out a defenceman might be made in order to find a roster spot for before opening night. He scored six power-play goals a year ago and the mobile two-way defender. Projection: 1 goal was an effective net-front presence, so he will post some offence. His even-strength goals will fall from a year ago (5) if he can’t play in the top- The total offence 9 forwards. Projection: 11 goals I have the 2020-21 Oilers scoring 275 goals, an increase over last year’s Darnell Nurse is going to play even more this season than a year ago Edmonton total. On a per-game basis last year, the Oilers scored 3.14 due to Oscar Klefbom’s absence for some or all of the year. He will be goals per game. Over an 82-game schedule (remember, the team played the top option on the left side as he was much of last year. Nurse scores just 71 times a year ago), the extrapolated total would be 257. often for a defenceman at even strength. His 5-on-5 points per 60 (1.14) I see an increase of 18 goals year over year, all at even strength. in 2019-20 ranked No. 33 in the league. We’ll talk about Nurse, a key player, more in the defensive section of the reasonable expectations Part of the increase is adding Turris and giving the third line a better series. Projection: 7 goals chance to post offence. The downside is the line will increase offence at both ends. Ethan Bear had a strong rookie season and will look to build on it in 2020-21. He won’t get much power-play time and most of his points will Most of the improvement offensively will come because of Tippett’s be the result of Bear’s exceptional outlet passing ability, but he has a decision during the Christmas-New Year’s period to move Draisaitl to tremendous shot and the club may look to use him in more offensive centre. The team now has a real chance at two quality outscoring lines situations this coming season. Projection: 6 goals during even-strength play, with an assist to Holland for adding wingers Puljujarvi, Ennis and Kahun in time for next year. Josh Archibald is in the same situation as Chiasson at even strength, those minutes are long gone until a move is made to create more playing Up next: Shot suppression, the penalty kill and the cost of not upgrading time. Archibald is deployed heavily on the penalty kill and it’s possible he in goal during this offseason. plays most of his minutes shorthanded many nights this winter. His The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 second-half offence was compelling (10-7-17 in 30 games) in 2019-20, so an injury might mean a more prominent role. Projection: 6 goals

Caleb Jones is a slick passer and an outstanding skater. He is also the most likely defenceman to move up the depth chart while Klefbom is out with injury. The Oilers may see Jones progression as being somewhat similar to what Bear accomplished a year ago. He could get some power- play time and should be productive offensively based on his plus skating and passing skills. Projection: 5 goals

Gaetan Haas will battle Khaira for the No. 4 centre job, it’ll be a role that includes penalty killing with little playing time at even strength depending on game situations. The puck was heading in a good direction with Haas on the ice a year ago (51 percent shot differential), but not much happened offensively. He’ll need to score more goals in order to stay on the roster. Projection: 4 goals

Evan Bouchard is likely a recall option but should see some NHL time if there’s an injury on RH defence. Barrie’s presence cuts off power-play opportunities for Bouchard, but he can make the puck dance at even strength, too. I anticipate a mid-season recall, he may stay in Edmonton if he can make an impression. Projection: 3 goals

Jujhar Khaira is a strong penalty killer and that might be enough to get him on the roster and keep him there. He has yet to impress offensively in an NHL career that spans five seasons. His goal differential at 5-on-5 last year (15-34) was a disaster and suggests there is very little room for error in 2020-21. Projection: 2 goals

Adam Larsson is a key player for the Oilers, but is one dimensional and often injured. During the period he was healthy last season, in the final 10 games of the regular season, Edmonton outscored opponents 11-5 at 5-on-5. He will be a prominent name in the defensive portion of the reasonable expectations series. Projection: 2 goals

Alan Quine is the most likely recall if one of the centres is injured or falters. He’s an aggressive player, that suits Tippett’s coaching style, and can help more than Khaira offensively. There’s a chance he wins an opening night job over Khaira or Haas, but it’s more likely he sees NHL action as a recall. Projection: 2 goals

Kris Russell will be deployed at even strength and on the penalty kill. His role at this point in his career is almost completely defensive. He played just 14 minutes a night at even strength in 2019-20, that number should spike at least a little with the injury to Klefbom. Projection: 1 goal

Joakim Nygard is a speed demon with talent and might surprise in training camp and win a job. As things currently stand, the sheer number of wingers with NHL contracts dictates Nygard spends most or all of his season in the minors. Projection: 1 goal 1195775 Minnesota Wild games … then jumped right into the playoffs, and it never was fully healed.

“What probably should have happened (after the season) is he should Dustin Byfuglien signing with his hometown Wild is very much a longshot have had surgery. Instead, the plan was to take the summer off, which he at this point. always does. He hunts, he fishes, he likes to take time off. And obviously trains. But he showed up in July, he skated a couple times. He complained about his ankle bothering him in August at our (Octagon) By Michael Russo Nov 5, 2020 camp. Didn’t skate in Da Beauty League. And then goes up to training camp, and his ankle’s bothering him. And he says, ‘I can’t do it.’

“Went and met with the GM (Kevin Cheveldayoff), and said, ‘I can’t play.’ First, Big Buff needs to be all-in, and right now he’s showing little desire And basically put himself in a really tough spot. He was scheduled to to end his respite from the National Hockey League after not playing last make — here’s the behind the scenes: he was scheduled to make $8 season and having his contract mutually terminated with the Winnipeg million. He had a hockey injury. But instead of going in and rehabbing it, Jets. The hard-shooting, enormous defenseman seems perfectly content and having surgery or doing what we needed to do — getting back on to continue fishing, hunting and raising his three children for the rest of track — he just said, basically, ‘I’m not dealing with this. I can’t play like time. this.’ And he was so disappointed. And after going through the summer, Second, a few months ago when Wild general manager Bill Guerin sat thinking it was going to be 100 percent, he just said, ‘That’s it. I’m done. down with Byfuglien and his agent, Ben Hankinson, in an attempt to I’ll quit.’ gauge Byfuglien’s desire to come out of semi-retirement, the Wild had a “And the funny thing is, he wasn’t being selfish, because he’s walking lot more cap space and were potentially on the verge of trading Matt away from $8 million last year, and $6 million this coming year.” Dumba. Byfuglien eventually had surgery and is feeling better. But instead of After all, Byfuglien, even at age 35, conceivably would have been a fighting for at least a portion of his money, Hankinson said Byfuglien perfect, short-term replacement. decided to mutually terminate his contract and “retire.” Weeks later though, Dumba trade talk has quieted and the Wild’s cap “He’s got enough money in the bank, he’s won a Stanley Cup (in space for next season has shrunk to $1.775 million if 2020 first-round Chicago) and he’s played a long time, and it probably got maybe a little pick Marco Rossi makes the team. bit stale — I don’t know — in Winnipeg,” Hankinson said. “He just said, But, in time, Hankinson, the former Gopher and Guerin’s friend and “I’m OK walking away from this game.” And you know it’s crazy because former teammate, still holds out hope that Big Buff will reconsider ending he still obviously can play in the NHL. There’s no one like him. The NHL his hockey career and sign with the Wild. Hankinson played a role in misses Dustin Byfuglien big-time. You don’t think I miss Dustin convincing Guerin it was worth taking a flier and trading for client Nick Byfuglien? I get a percentage of what he gets paid, too!” Bjugstad back in September, and it’s clear Hankinson will continue to Dumba update work behind the scenes to see if Big Buff has second thoughts and wants to play. As mentioned, the Dumba trade talk has cooled as we’ve entered the dog days of a bizarre offseason where lots of teams can’t simply add $6 “I’ve come to (Guerin) with a lot of different scenarios and he’s said no to million hockey players because of limited cap space or internal budgets a lot of them,” Hankinson said. “The Bjugstad one worked out. Hopefully due to the pandemic causing teams to hemorrhage money. someday the Byfuglien one will, too.” The one thing that has become very apparent is that if Guerin opted to Hankinson, who says several teams have called him this offseason trade Dumba now, there’s little chance he would get the No. 1 or 2 center curious if they could lure Big Buff out of retirement, joined Fox Sports that The Athletic has insinuated would be the desire. Teams just aren’t North’s Anthony LaPanta and me on our recent TalkNorth.com hockey trading those type of players right now, Dumba is coming off a down year podcast. Hankinson gave behind-the-scenes intel on his relationship with and we’re a year from expansion. So if a team added Dumba, they would Guerin to many of his clients, from Bjugstad, Alex Stalock, Darcy then be the team that would have to find a way to protect him and expose Kuemper and Nate Prosser to Ryan McDonagh, Jake Guentzel, Alex somebody else. Goligoski, and Patrick Maroon. So unless Guerin feels compelled to take a lesser package for Dumba or But the Big Buff stuff was scintillating as Hankinson took listeners futures, staying patient at this point probably makes the most sense. through what went on last season with Byfuglien and Winnipeg and what the sitdown between Guerin and Big Buff was like inside a Wayzata bar Keeping Dumba simply means returning this upcoming season with the and restaurant. Wild’s biggest strength — their top-four D — intact. Perhaps Dumba will rebound in 2020-21, raise his stock and Guerin could revisit trading him. Dustin Byfuglien (Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today) If not, Guerin would simply protect eight skaters and one goalie in next “There’s no one more fun to sit down and have a sandwich or a beer year’s expansion draft as opposed to seven forwards, three defensemen (with) than Buff,” Hankinson said of the Roseau-born player. “So I think and one goalie. The reason being is Ryan Suter, Jared Spurgeon and 45 minutes, of the, say, an hour, hour-and-a-half meeting we had was Jonas Brodin would have to be protected because they have no-move telling stories and laughing, and Buff telling stories. He’d never met Billy clauses in their contracts, so Guerin would need more than three slots for but one time quick at Da Beauty League. And I think Billy knows defensemen to protect them and Dumba. potentially what Dustin could bring to the locker room. He could bring Remember, there’s no rush in trading Dumba if Guerin ever decided to obviously a big, right-handed body, loose, fun in the room, protect the go that route. After all, he has three years left on his contract. guys on the ice. He’s a big bear. And just have him being himself would be a really good on- and off-ice addition to the Wild. Matt Dumba

“We told stories and laughed, and I think that’s what intrigued Buff a little Could Wild flood ECHL Allen with prospects? bit, to maybe spark that burner in him, to say, ‘You know what, this could be really fun to play at home, to put on my hometown jersey.’ The Wild announced Wednesday that they’ve extended their ECHL affiliation with the Allen Americans through the 2020-21 season. “I think the only way Buff would do it is if he’s 100 percent in. He’s got something to prove, he wants to win, and Billy would be the same way. This was noteworthy for two reasons. But right now, it’s probably on the back burner. But we’ll see. It’s my job First, the timing of the one-year extension lines up with previous reporting to obviously keep pushing those buttons.” by The Athletic that the Wild may begin an ECHL affiliation in 2021-22 Hankinson also provided play-by-play as to why Byfuglien ended his time with an expansion club outside Iowa City (Coralville, to be exact, at the in the NHL. new Xtream Arena).

“I think he played, what, seven or eight years with Winnipeg?” Hankinson Second, the Wild could conceivably place prospects and minor-leaguers said. “And the last year he … had a really bad ankle injury. And he came in Allen that typically would play in the AHL. back (in 2018-19) for the playoffs to try to play some regular-season The ECHL announced last month that Allen would be one of 13 teams to Suter, who sustained a foot injury in Game 3 of the playoffs and missed start its season in mid-December. With Allen starting Dec. 12, it’ll be Game 4, is feeling and looking good on the ice, according to a source. interesting to see how many players normally slated to play in Iowa will Bjugstad, too, coming off back surgery earlier in the summer, is actually start in the ECHL so they have a spot to play until the AHL starts progressing nicely. Feb. 5. Wild world junior hopefuls Guerin expects to place at least some players in Allen, but right now it’s unclear who would be eligible. A number of Wild players have shots to take part in the world junior championships. Normally, unless a player gives permission, the only players that can be assigned to the ECHL by an NHL club are those on entry-level contracts. Beckman, Ryan O’Rourke and Daemon Hunt will take part in Canada’s unprecedented 28-day selection camp starting Nov. 16, while Matt Boldy Wild prospects on entry-level contracts include Hunter Jones, Calen and Marshall Warren took part in Team USA’s evaluation camp last Addison, Brandon Duhaime, Mitchell Chaffee, Connor Dewar, Damien month. Marat Khusnutdinov is currently Russia’s No. 1 center in the Giroux, Will Bitten, Mason Shaw and Dmitry Sokolov. Karlaja Cup. Khusnutdinov and fellow prospect Vladislav Firstov, who is currently at UConn, also have great chances to play for Russia. But, what if the Wild wanted to put other players there like Kaapo Kahkonen, who is on his second contract? What if Louie Belpedio, Kyle MARAT KHUSNUTDINOV (#MNWILD) MAKES IT 2-0 FOR RUSSIA. Rau, Luke Johnson, recently-signed Ian McCoshen and even last year’s #KARJALACUP PIC.TWITTER.COM/QRJSN4UUQB AHL MVP and leading goal-scorer, Gerry Mayhew, would welcome a head start to begin playing? These players would normally require — STEVEN ELLIS (@STEVENELLISTHN) NOVEMBER 5, 2020 simply to get to Iowa. Pavel Novak, also in the Karlaja Cup and somebody who played as an NHL teams are hoping for some clarity soon. According to sources, NHL underage for the national team at last year’s , could officials planned to meet in the next few days to potentially make an push for a top-six forward spot for the Czech Republic. Rossi would be a adjustment to which players would be eligible to play in the ECHL. shoo-in for Austria as long as he wouldn’t miss any part of the Wild’s training camp. Even if the NHL pushed next season’s start date to Jan. The one thing the league is sensitive to is not taking a slew of jobs from 15, that could be enough to keep the Wild from assigning him to Team players normally signed to ECHL teams. So, while it would not be Austria. … surprising if a player like Kahkonen was deemed eligible, it would be surprising if the league allowed any minor-league player that usually Hunt is also playing in Virden, Manitoba, until the WHL begins. In two requires NHL waivers to play in the ECHL. games with the Manitoba Junior League’s , the third- round pick has three goals and an assist. … But, stay tuned. The Wild’s retro jerseys are expected to be announced and released for NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly was also asked last week by The sale in less than two weeks. Wild, and old North Stars fans, should find Athletic if there’s a chance that teenagers in the Canadian Hockey ’em sweet. League that normally wouldn’t be allowed to play in the minors could be assigned there if they needed a place to play. The context of the The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 question, to be clear, was Wild prospects Adam Beckman and Rossi.

This could be a non-factor anyway. Beckman could still be at Team Canada’s world juniors camp next month, make the eventual team and begin play in the WHL on Jan. 8. Rossi has begun playing for the ZSC Lions in the Swiss League (one assist in one game so far) and could be assigned there again if he doesn’t make the Wild’s big club out of training camp.

“I think it’s premature for me to really speculate because there’s so many moving parts,” Daly said last Friday about CHL teenagers playing in the minors if they have no place to play. “It’s almost like what we’re trying to do. It’s a lot of pieces. I had to brief myself on kind of what’s going on around the hockey world. And so I made a lot of phone calls over the last couple days to the key people in all the European leagues and the minor professional leagues here and the junior leagues. And, they’re dealing with all the issues we have to deal with.

“But I don’t think even the junior guys would have any objection that if they’re not playing that their players are taking opportunities to find places to play. My bigger concern is when the music stops playing, are there enough places and opportunities to play for the players we have?”

Minnesota-based Wild players starting to tune up

The NHL hasn’t ironed down a start date yet for next season, but the Wild players who live locally have started skating once a week at Braemar Arena in Edina with skating and skills consultant Andy Ness.

Those players partaking include Suter, Spurgeon, Zach Parise, Marcus Foligno, Bjugstad, Rau and former Wild forwards Eric Staal, Luke Kunin and Jason Zucker.

The group plans to ramp up this month by skating twice a week, but a source said, “It’s hard to train with no end in sight because timing is important.”

The NHL still says it’s hoping to start the 2020-21 season on or around Jan. 1. If that actually comes to fruition, training camp would start around Dec. 15.

That’s probably not a realistic start date, however, because the joint NHL and NHLPA return-to-play committee has still not actually met to determine what next season could look like. 1195776 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens' defence prospect Josh Brook joins German team

Brook is expected to report to both the Canadiens and Laval Rocket training camps for the 2020-21 season.

Pat Hickey Montreal Gazette

Canadiens defence prospect Josh Brook will get a head start on the 2020-21 season.

General manager Marc Bergevin announced Thursday that the team has agreed to loan Brook to the Krefeld Pinguine of the for the start of the season. Brook is expected to report to both the Canadiens and Laval Rocket training camps for the 2020-21 season.

Brook will arrive for the start of the German League season, which has been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first games are scheduled for Nov. 13.

The native of Yorkton, Sask., was expected to challenge for a job with the Canadiens last season, but had a disappointing training camp. Brook played 60 games with the AHL’s Laval Rocket and collected four goals and nine assists. The 6-foot-1, 193-pound rearguard has four goals and 10 assists in 67 games since the start of his AHL career.

Brook was selected in the second round (56th overall) by the Canadiens at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195777 New Jersey Devils played together for much of the past three seasons and would slot in first on the depth chart at center and right wing. That would leave Hughes and Gusev together if the Devils want their six most talented forwards on Projecting the Devils’ opening-night lineup in 2021 — and beyond the top two lines, and that was not a fruitful pairing for New Jersey early last season.

Could it work now, given that Gusev adjusted to the NHL and performed By Corey Masisak Nov 5, 2020 much better as the season went on and that Hughes should improve in his second season? Sure, but simply flipping Palmieri and Gusev might

help Hughes in the early part of his second season. Johnsson and Bratt General manager Tom Fitzgerald still has time and available cap space could play on either of the top two lines, though Johnsson might be a to adjust the Devils’ roster before the 2020-21 season begins, but he has slightly better fit next to Hischier, especially if Ruff intends to match already made several significant alterations. Hischier against other team’s top lines. That would be a good reason to put Palmieri with him, as well, and see if a Bratt-Hughes-Gusev line could New faces at forward, on defense and in goal have improved New survive against lesser competition. Jersey’s talent and depth, both of which they were short on by the end of last season after a series of trades. The organization has also made 45 Another option is to keep Bratt and Gusev with Zacha, which was a great selections in the past five NHL drafts, including 37 from 2016-19. This line for the Devils in the final weeks of last season. The issue would be could be the season when several homegrown players, as well as young finding two wings to join Johnsson and Palmieri on the Hischier and prospects New Jersey traded for last season, make their bids for a Hughes lines, and it would also mean relegating Zajac to fourth-line duty permanent place in the lineup. Fitzgerald has left enough spots in the at even strength. If a couple of the prospects have strong camp opening-night lineup open at this point in the offseason to foster showings, the prospect of spreading the Devils’ top skill forwards across significant competition during training camp, particularly up front. three lines and using Zajac’s as a pure checking line is intriguing.

We still don’t know when next season is going to start, but it almost The options present Ruff with a puzzle, and he will likely test out plenty of certainly won’t until the calendar flips to 2021. Once training camp does permutations before settling on one. But, for now, here’s a best guess: commence, the progress these young players have made while working Forwards out and skating on their own away from the team during the pandemic- fueled shutdown will be on display and could make for a camp full of surprises. Nico Hischier The influx of young talent might not lead to immediate success for New Jersey, but the roster in Binghamton will be much deeper with Nikita Gusev prospective NHL players than it has been in recent years, particularly on Jesper Bratt defense. With all of this in mind, we’re going to make some educated guesses about what the opening-night lineups will look like for New Jack Hughes Jersey and Binghamton. Kyle Palmieri And because you can’t really talk about the Devils without shifting the discussion to the future when New Jersey expects to be a Stanley Cup Jesper Boqvist contender, we’ll also take a swing at what the opening-night roster might Travis Zajac look like for the Devils in the fall of 2024 — or four seasons from now, assuming the NHL calendar shifts back to normal in the coming years. Janne Kuokkanen

Forwards Miles Wood

The locks: Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Andreas Johnsson, Pavel Zacha Travis Zajac, Pavel Zacha Michael McLeod The near-locks: Kyle Palmieri, Nikita Gusev, Miles Wood You might be wondering: Where is Merkley?. I think it’ll be hard for the The top contenders: Jesper Boqvist, Janne Kuokannen, Nick Merkley, Devils to keep Boqvist, Kuokkanen and Merkley, so the odd man out Michael McLeod, Nathan Bastian likely lands on Binghamton’s top line as the first call-up option in the event of an injury. There is no 13th forward in this group, for now. It could The dark horses: Nolan Foote, Brett Seney, Yegor Sharangovich, Mikhail be Seney because he’s a little older than the other prospects and doesn’t Maltsev, Marian Studenic, Ben Street have much left to prove in the AHL.

If Palmieri and Gusev are on the roster, they will fill prominent roles on The best bet for the 13th forward is someone who isn’t on the roster right opening night. They aren’t in the “locks” category because they’ll both be now. A lot of unsigned veteran forwards remain on the market. While the unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, meaning it’s possible Devils still have the cap space to add someone like Mike Hoffman or the Devils trade them before the season starts if they don’t make Mikael Granlund, it’s possible several veterans are looking for player progress on new contracts. tryout contracts. New Jersey could add one, like Drew Stafford two years It’s not likely the Devils move them at this point, especially given the lack ago, who ends up as the extra to start the season. Nick Shore, Tom of financial flexibility around the league. If they haven’t signed new deals Kuhnackl and Riley Sheahan stand out as options. by the trade deadline, that might be a better time for a contender to Defensemen pursue Palmieri or Gusev because they won’t eat up as much cap space. The locks: Damon Severson, P.K. Subban, Ryan Murray, Will Butcher The only reason Wood isn’t in the “locks” category is the possibility that young players beat him out for a roster spot in training camp. Wood could The near-locks: Dmitry Kulikov, Connor Carrick in fact perform better for Lindy Ruff than he did this past season for John The top contender: Ty Smith Hynes and Alain Nasreddine. But he could also end up as the 13th player or even elsewhere, given his contract. The dark horses: Matt Tennyson, Colton White, , Nikita Okhotyuk, Reilly Walsh If camp started today, there would be three forward spots up for grabs and a large group of young players in contention for them. Boqvist played Unless the Devils add another defenseman through a trade or free-agent the most in the NHL last year but did not have much success. One factor signing, it’s hard to see a scenario in which the first six players we can’t quantify right now: How much have all of these players mentioned here aren’t on the roster. Kulikov and Carrick don’t make a lot developed since March? Six of them — Boqvist, Kuokkanen, Merkley, of money, so the Devils could cut one of them, but it doesn’t look like that Sharangovich, Maltsev and Studenic — are playing games right now in will be the case. Europe. Will any or all of them have a better camp because of that? As for Smith, is he ready? Where would he fit in the lineup? Those top Who makes the roster will be one big storyline; where everyone fits and four defensemen should be the top four, unless Smith has a great camp who plays together will be the other one. Hischier and Palmieri have and pushes Butcher for a bigger role. If Smith isn’t ready, the Devils Reilly Walsh could look for another cheap free-agent option or keep Tennyson. White is the other young defenseman with the best chance of making a bid for a Scott Wedgewood roster spot; the other three are likely to spend much or all of next season Nikita Okhotyuk with the B-Devils. David Quenneville Defensemen Evan Cormier Ryan Murray Colby Sissons Damon Severson Jeremy Groleau Will Butcher It might be a bit aggressive to slot Foote into the top line immediately, but P.K. Subban pairing him with Street — a proven AHL scorer — makes a lot of sense. Dmitry Kulikov And in this scenario, he’d have Merkley — a gifted playmaker — to help feed him the puck, as well. If Foote is ready for that type of role, that line Ty Smith could do a lot of damage.

Connor Carrick The next two lines are where New Jersey’s organizational depth really shows up; any of those six could play for the Devils at some point in the Matt Tennyson next couple of seasons, and both lines should be productive for the B- If Smith is ready, would Murray play with Severson or Subban, and does Devils. Can players like Sharangovich and Studenic hold onto the gains Kulikov or Carrick earn the spot next to the rookie? Smith has played a they made in the last weeks of the 2019-20 season, when their lot on the right side for Spokane in the WHL, but Kulikov likely can slide production spiked? Fabian Zetterlund is also in line for a big year, now over to that side, as well. Tennyson would make sense as the eighth that he should be completely past the torn ACL and has had a long defenseman if the Devils decide to keep eight. offseason to work on his body.

It’s also possible that teams will be allowed to carry more than 23 players This should be one of the most prospect-laden defense corps New because of the condensed schedule and COVID-19-related concerns Jersey has had at the AHL level in a long time. The Binghamton blue line about having enough players available. In that scenario, a player like could be even deeper if Smith isn’t ready for NHL duty, though it’s Tennyson would make a lot of sense as a taxi-squad type. possible that Bahl or Okhotyuk ends up in New Jersey in his place if not. White and Jacobs are the veterans of the bunch, while Bahl and Walsh Goalies could fit well together. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them as a pairing with the Devils at some point in the near future. The locks: , Corey Crawford New Jersey … in 2024 The others: Gilles Senn, Scott Wedgewood, Even Cormier Trying to predict who will be on the roster four full seasons from now is There’s not a lot to say here regarding camp-related competitions. There pretty silly, but the Devils do have more foundational pieces in place now could be a lot of attention paid to who gets the start on opening night, but than they did four years ago. Just as a reminder, the Devils’ opening- it’s hard to see a scenario in which both goalies don’t play a lot if they are night roster four years ago featured Vernon Fiddler, P.A. Parenteau, healthy and perform at the level they have in recent seasons. Devante Smith-Pelly, Blake Speers and Yohann Auvitu. Given the likely compressed nature of the schedule, most teams will be Hischier is the only player on the current roster with a contract for the expected to split time between goalies. There’s also greater risk of injury 2024-25 season. Johnsson and Severson will be free agents after the with games closer together, so the No. 3 will be important. 2022-23 season. Senn and Wedgewood could compete for those games and will likely split time with Binghamton when everyone is healthy. A team currently in win-now mode would likely overturn most of its roster in a five-year period, save for the inner-circle core players. New Jersey is Binghamton not in win-now mode, and the Devils’ best path to being a Stanley Cup Nolan Foote contender in 2024 is for several of the prospects currently in the pipeline to develop into NHL regulars and help push a Hischier- and Hughes-led Ben Street resurgence toward the top of the NHL standings. The depth of the Devils’ homegrown talent does make it a little easier to project a 2024 roster. Nick Merkley Still, some of these players are likely to end up elsewhere, either in Brett Seney trades for players who will be on that 2024-25 team or because they didn’t work out. Yegor Sharangovich Forwards Nate Bastian Nolan Foote Marian Studenic Jack Hughes Mikhail Maltsev Alexander Holtz Fabian Zetterlund Jesper Bratt Brandon Gignac Nico Hischier Nate Schnarr Dawson Mercer Ryan Schmelzer Cole Sillinger LEFT DEFENSE Sean Monahan RIGHT DEFENSE Tyce Thompson GOALIE Jesper Boqvist Colton White Aarne Talvitie Josh Jacobs Patrick Moynihan Gilles Senn If Hughes, Hischier and Holtz aren’t slotted into these roles, something Kevin Bahl likely went really wrong. Foote might not be a first-line wing for his entire career, but The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler compared him to James Neal, Is this lineup good enough to make a run at the Stanley Cup? A lot of it is who scored 40 goals as a 24-year-old with Pittsburgh. Foote will turn 24 riding on the development of Hughes and Holtz, plus Bratt and Smith in November of the 2024-25 season. hitting their ceilings. It’s hard to win the Cup without a handful of truly great players. The Devils certainly think they have a few who will be great Dawson Mercer could be the No. 3 center, but the Devils might also need in the near future. A few more deft draft picks and big trades, and the him to fill out the top-six. It’s pretty unlikely that Zacha will still be here Devils could be making a run at a fourth title. four years from now as the team’s No. 3 center. Players drafted that high rarely stay with a team for a decade in a reduced role, and if he improves The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 over the next season or two, someone will likely give him an opportunity to play more than he would in New Jersey.

Monahan will be a free agent after the 2022-23 season. In our fantasy scenario, Monahan leaves the Flames and signs a six-year contract with another team in the summer of 2023. Let’s say Seattle, where he doesn’t have a great first season. The Devils, fresh off their first trip beyond the first round of the playoffs since 2012, have enough cap space and a desire to build a better third line for deep postseason runs to come. It costs a 2025 first-round pick and the club’s third-best prospect from the 2022-24 draft hauls to land Monahan from the Kraken.

Cole Sillinger is the Devils’ second pick in the first round of the 2021 draft, a pick they acquire at the trade deadline this year. One characteristic missing from this group of forwards is above-average size beyond Foote. Monahan helps in that department and develops into a strong two-way center by the time he’s 29 and on the Devils. If it is still a problem, adding a veteran forward at the 2025 trade deadline becomes a priority.

Defensemen and goalies

Ty Smith

Charlie McAvoy

Mackenzie Blackwood

Carson Lambos

Damon Severson

Nico Daws

Shakir Mukhamadullin

Kevin Bahl

Smith and Severson could end up as a pairing at some point in the future as top-four defensemen on a Stanley Cup contender. Charlie McAvoy, a free agent after the 2021-22 season, signs an eight-year contract with the Bruins. Boston is ready for a reset at some point after that, when veterans like Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Tuukka Rask reach the end of their careers, so the Devils trade for McAvoy at the 2024 NHL draft. Like Monahan, McAvoy won’t come cheap — first- and third-round picks in the 2024 draft plus the team’s second-best prospect that summer — but he can become the No. 1 defenseman.

Another possibility for that role comes near the top of the 2021 draft. The Athletic’s Corey Pronman has Carson Lambos ranked at No. 6 in his early 2021 draft rankings. Scott Wheeler also has Lambos slotted at No. 6. Even better, Wheeler compared Lambos to , so selecting him might help close a certain wound for Devils fans and put him on track to be a top-two or top-three defenseman for the club by 2024.

The next defenseman on both of their lists after Lambos is Luke Hughes, and if the Devils fans who already know who Owen Power is don’t covet him the most from this draft class, it’s because they’d love to see the youngest Hughes brother join Jack in New Jersey. In this scenario, Hughes rises up draft boards over the course of the coming season, and both Power and Hughes are gone by the time the Devils pick.

Shakir Mukhamadullin has a breakout season in the KHL and spends two more years in Russia afterward, joining the Devils for the start of the 2023-24 season. Size on the defense corps would not be an issue with Bahl and Mukhamadullin in the lineup.

If everything goes well, Blackwood is on a long-term contract by this point as an established above-average starter in the league. With his contract plus raises for Hughes and Bratt — not to mention trading for Monahan and McAvoy — on the Devils’ books, a cost-effective backup would come in handy. That could be Daws, who spends this season in the OHL and the next one in the AHL before replacing Crawford in 2022-23. Akira Schmid or Cole Brady might also be young, inexpensive options at that point. 1195778 New York Rangers

Rangers’ Tony DeAngelo’s Twitter account appeared to be deactivated over COVID tweet

By Greg Joyce November 6, 2020 | 1:14am

Outspoken Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo has been tweeting his way through the presidential election, but his account appeared to have been temporarily deactivated after a tweet about COVID-19.

DeAngelo’s Twitter account was back by Thursday afternoon, but it did not include the tweet that may have gotten him in hot water.

“What happened to ‘COVID-19’ the last 48 hours?” DeAngelo wrote Wednesday afternoon in a since-deleted tweet, according to a screenshot from the user @MerOutLoud.

What happened with COVID-19 on Wednesday was the United States setting a one-day record with 102,831 new cases, according to Johns Hopkins. There were also 1,097 new deaths reported.

Before the election, DeAngelo offered his support for President Trump, who had previously tweeted that “Until November 4th, Fake News Media is going full on Covid, Covid, Covid.”

“Well this be be [sic] my final tweet until the results are in,” DeAngelo tweeted Monday. “I hope the people will vote to keep America GREAT and keep an America FIRST agenda. Goodluck Mr. President! #MAGA #KAG”

DeAngelo didn’t quite stick to his word, retweeting multiple tweets throughout Tuesday, congratulating Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell on his reelection and also claiming that was trying to “rig” the election.

The 25-year-old DeAngelo, a New Jersey native, has not tweeted since his account was seemingly reactivated Thursday.

New York Post LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195779 New York Rangers

Ryan Strome’s $9 million deal removes Rangers uncertainty

By Larry Brooks November 5, 2020 | 12:02pm | Updated

Substitute Alexis Lafreniere for Jesper Fast up front and Jack Johnson for on the back end, and the Rangers you’ll see out of the gate — whenever the NHL gate opens, of course — will be pretty much the Rangers you saw following last year’s trade deadline.

Because, in reaching a two-year agreement on Thursday morning with Ryan Strome for a cap hit of $4.5 million per prior to No. 16’s scheduled arbitration hearing, the Blueshirts seem to have set themselves up for a reprise of the partnership between the center and left wing that was central to the team’s contextual regular-season success.

That leaves Brendan Lemieux, due for an arbitration hearing on Friday, as the only member of the returning varsity yet to be accounted for on the ledger. The Rangers have offered a two-year bid amounting to a cap hit of $1,012,500 per while the winger has requested $2 million per. (By the way, management’s first-year salary bid of $950,000 is actually below the qualifier of $971,250, which tells you again that when the team has systemic leverage, it applies it.)

The Strome agreement that followed weeks of negotiating melodrama leaves the Rangers with approximately $3,891,867 of space remaining for a roster that currently accounts for 11 forwards (excluding Lemieux and including Phil DiGiuseppe and Kevin Rooney), six defensemen and two .

The deal removes uncertainty for both sides. Strome doesn’t have to deal with the specter of a potential New York walkaway. The hierarchy doesn’t have to prepare itself for Strome choosing to depart as a free agent and the aftermath of attempting to fill the role as Panarin’s center, deep into an offseason in which the team has not yet been able to address its organizational issues down the middle. Strome isn’t faced with the possibility of having to circle back and take the Rangers’ $3.6 million, one-year bid.

Beyond that, Strome does not have to concern himself with what might well be a fallow free-agent market next season, and the Rangers don’t have to have conniptions if Filip Chytil is not ready to move into the top six at age 21. This deal would also allow the Blueshirts to make Strome one of their two eligible exposures in next year’s Seattle expansion draft, should that become necessary.

For now, though, the Rangers have Strome, whose acquisition from Edmonton on Nov. 16, 2018 in a one-for-one exchange for Ryan Spooner stands as one of Jeff Gorton’s most canny moves as general manager.

They have the center who posted 59 points (18-41) as the righty who ladled it up for Panarin on the left, the twosome racking up a .6575 goal- rate (48 goals for, 25 against) in 700:48 of five-on-five play. Selected fifth overall in the 2011 draft by the Islanders, one spot ahead of where Ottawa nabbed , Strome had not recorded more than 35 points since putting up 50 as a sophomore in 2014-15. So the union of Panarin, voted a Hart Trophy finalist off a 96-point season, and Strome was beneficial for all parties.

Dealing with cap issues created primarily by the 2019 buyout of and the 2020 buyout of Henrik Lundqvist, and exacerbated by expensive bonus packages to entry-level players Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko and Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers have spent the offseason pruning and gestating rather than remodeling.

They also kept their second-line center.

New York Post LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195780 New York Rangers

Rangers, Ryan Strome agree to two-year deal, avoiding arbitration

Ryan Strome put up career highs in assists Ryan Strome put up career highs in assists

By Colin Stephenson

The Rangers’ 11-year streak of avoiding arbitration hearings continued Thursday when they agreed to a two-year, $9 million deal with center Ryan Strome hours before his salary dispute was to be heard by an arbitrator.

Strome, 27, reportedly will earn $4 million in the first year of the contract and $5 million in the second year.

The agreement was the third the Rangers have reached with players who filed for arbitration this offseason. Goaltender and defenseman Tony DeAngelo agreed to two-year deals on Oct. 15 to avoid arbitration hearings.

Brendan Lemieux is the only player remaining with an arbitration hearing scheduled. His hearing is set for Friday.

Strome put up career highs in assists (41) and points (59) and tied his career high in goals with 18 last season. His camp had submitted a salary figure of $5.7 million to the arbitrator and the Rangers countered with $3.6 million.

An arbitrator would have been free to choose either of those numbers or come up with one of his or her own. But if that number had been over $4.54 million, the team would have had the right to walk away and allow the player to become a free agent.

The last time the Rangers actually went to arbitration, in 2009, they chose not to accept the arbitrator’s ruling and allowed forward Nikolay Zherdev to become a free agent. He signed with a KHL team in Russia.

The Rangers had to be skeptical about whether Strome’s numbers were inflated because he played almost the entire season on a line with Hart Trophy finalist Artemi Panarin. The team is squeezed tightly under the NHL’s $81.5 million salary cap. Therefore, general manager Jeff Gorton was limited in what he could afford to pay Strome.

Gorton has been clearing space under the cap for months, beginning with sending defenseman Brady Skjei to Carolina at the February trade deadline and continuing in September with his surprise trade of Marc Staal to Detroit and the buyout of the final year of Henrik Lundqvist’s contract. Moving Staal freed up $5.7 million under the cap and buying out Lundqvist saved $3 million this year, though it adds $1.5 million in dead money in 2021-22.

When free agency opened Oct. 9, Gorton and the Rangers were very cost-conscious. They let forward Jesper Fast leave (he signed with Carolina), and their most expensive signing was defenseman Jack Johnson, who agreed to a one-year, $1.15 million deal.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195781 New York Rangers free agency, where they will have plenty of money coming off the books after 2020-21. That is, unless Chytil makes a marked improvement and they think he will be that guy.

What the Ryan Strome contract means for the Rangers The two-year deal also makes Strome a potential asset to trade for more youth or picks at the next deadline; makes him an almost certain unprotected signed forward for the Seattle expansion draft; and if he’s By Rick Carpiniello Nov 5, 2020 still a Ranger after that, a rental at the ’22 trade deadline.

For the expansion draft, the Rangers must protect Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Panarin. That leaves four forward protected spots from The Rangers avoided an arbitration hearing with restricted free agent among Strome, Chytil, Pavel Buchnevich, , Julien Gauthier, center Ryan Strome by agreeing to a two-year contract with an annual Brendan Lemieux and others. Youngsters Kakko, Lafreniere, Vitali cap hit of $4.5 million on Thursday morning. Kravtsov, etc., are exempt. Actually, the hearing was scheduled to begin before the deal was made – What’s left: but teams/players can call a virtual timeout if they are still negotiating. Lemieux remains the only Rangers restricted free agent unsigned, and Nevertheless, as with every arbitration case the Rangers have faced he has an arbitration hearing set for Friday. Naturally we expect the sides since 2009, they signed the player before the arbitrator got involved. to agree to a deal prior to that hearing. Numbers game: The Rangers have requested a two-year contract in arbitration and Privately, the Rangers were hopeful of getting both Tony DeAngelo and offered $950,000 and $1.075 million. Lemieux’s side has submitted a Strome in under a total of $10 million per year. They signed DeAngelo salary of $2 million. So they will meet in the middle, either by agreement prior to his hearing for $4.8 million annually for two years, and now have or by arbitration, in the two-year, $1.5 million neighborhood. Not bad for Strome in at $4.5 million, so mission accomplished there. Lemieux, who made $925,000 last year and really didn’t have the statistics to warrant a big hike. I think that Strome, in a non-pandemic year, could have forced the issue and possibly gotten more money in arbitration. The risk, though, was Once Lemieux is signed, the Rangers will be in pretty good shape with having the Rangers walk away from the arbitration award (if it was no outstanding free agents left. Also, this leaves them – with the current $4.538 million or more) and then facing a COVID-19 flat-cap world in roster – no significant unrestricted free agents coming up next season, which free agents aren’t breaking the bank, and some are sitting on the when they will also have some cap space as the combined bought-out sidelines or signing short-term, low-money deals. Henrik Lundqvist/Kevin Shattenkirk dead cap hits are greatly reduced (from $11.583 million in ’20-21 to $2.93 million), Ryan Spooner’s dead This is also why Strome, 27, sold out a year of unrestricted free agency space ($300,000) disappears and Brendan Smith’s contract ($4.35 (next offseason) for just $4.5 million. million) comes off the books.

If the case had gone to the arbitrator, Strome might have gotten more As of now, Chytil, Pavel Buchnevich, Howden, Gauthier, defensemen money (and the risk of a Rangers walk-away) but he only would have Ryan Lindgren, Libor Hajek and Yegor Rykov, and goalies Igor gotten a one-year deal. Shesterkin and Adam Huska are set to be restricted free agents after the coming season. Who’s to say what the UFA market might look like next offseason, when the salary cap will once again (and perhaps for one more year after that) They will have to save some serious space for Zibanejad – especially if remain flat. And who’s to say what other GMs think of Strome’s Artemi the flat cap extends into ’22-23 (and who knows, right?) – who could Panarin-aided year. break the bank as his current contract ($5.35 million per) expires at the end of ’21-22. Best for Strome: How it shakes out: It’s in Strome’s best interests, obviously, to have landed back in blue, where he will surely have at least the opportunity to play again with Depending on where Lafreniere lands in the lineup, but assuming he’s a Panarin. That means more statistics, of course, but also means Strome top-six who forces Kreider to switch to the right side … and assuming will have the best winger he probably could have had if he landed Vitali Kravtsov forces his way into the lineup – he certainly might, but it’s anywhere else in the league. not assured — perhaps something like this, with a lot of ifs:

Some winners: Panarin-Strome-Buchnevich

Panarin is also a winner here, because the Rangers weren’t going to be Lafreniere-Zibanejad-Kreider likely to get a center as good as Strome to replace him if he were set free. And we know that Panarin, who had a career year playing with Kravtsov-Chytil-Kakko Strome, will be glad to have him back. Lemieux-Howden-Gauthier Filip Chytil is also a winner, because having Strome back will mean he Just having fun there. Don’t hold me to that. can continue to progress at his own pace and not be forced to be a No. 2 center at age 21. Though he certainly improved last season, Chytil didn’t The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 appear ready to make that jump quite yet. Now he will get a chance to play a third-line year with the likes of Kaapo Kakko, perhaps, or even Alexis Lafreniere, depending on what he shows in camp and in the early going.

Rangers coach is a winner here, too. Strome isn’t perfect, and he sure wasn’t very good in the brief play-in series. But he’s a guy the coach trusts in a lot of situations, a good teammate (don’t underestimate that), and at least for now, the very best option at No. 2 center. It would have been a challenge to find a replacement in free agency, and more of a challenge to find one internally.

The future:

I don’t believe the Rangers are nearly convinced that Strome is the legit No. 2 center they’ll need when the rebuild turns the corner. In fact, quite the opposite. I think they’re convinced he’s not. So am I.

Thus they will be in the market during the coming season, at the next deadline, or during the next offseason, for a No. 2 center, either by trade – using their cupboard of young players and/or draft picks to do so – or in 1195782 Ottawa Senators And, down the road they believe he’ll be ready for prime time. He started last year with the club’s ECHL affiliate in Brampton and then

was called up to Belleville when Hogberg was summoned to Ottawa GARRIOCH: Belleville Senators coach Troy Mann gives his perspective because of an injury to Anders Nilsson. on some of Ottawa's top prospects Last month, Daccord, a restricted free agent, was signed to a three-year deal by Dorion.

Bruce Garrioch The contract will be a two-way deal in the first two years that will pay Daccord, 24, $700,000 in the NHL and $125,000 if he’s with Belleville. Publishing date: Nov 06, 2020 The third year is a one-way deal at $800,000, and at that point Daccord should be ready to be the full-time backup or push for the starting job.

“I’m a huge fan of Joey Daccord. I like his confidence and his demeanor Youth will be served by the Ottawa Senators. in the net,” Mann said. “As a head coach, from the bench, you always The rebuild for the Senators started in Feb., 2018 when Eugene Melnyk want to feel good and have a goalie that has a presence and he does and general manager Pierre Dorion sat down at the owner’s home in that. The development plan we put in place for him came to fruition. Barbados to determine the best path to get the club back to “As far as starting in the ECHL, where there’s a lot more breakdowns, respectability. and it’s a great learning experience for any goalie to play in that league. I It was there the concept was hatched to tear it down and build it back up think that made him a better goalie. He came up here and got off to a again. great start. It’s safe to say Joey was a big reason we were in first place when the pandemic hit.” Now, as the Senators prepare for the start of the 2020-21 campaign, they’re confident they’ve got the right pieces in place and some of those Daccord has lots of upside and when Mann watches him he see prospects that have been knocking on the door with the club’s American similarities to the style used by former Washington goalie Braden Holtby. Hockey League affiliate in Belleville should be ready to make the next “I’m not going to say he’ll have the career of (Holtby) but I had him in step to the NHL level. Hershey for a couple of years and (Daccord) just reminds me of him,” Of course, it will be up to Dorion, assistant GM Peter MacTavish, chief Mann said. “It’s funny because Drake Batherson is one of those hockey scout Trent Mann, coach D.J. Smith and the rest of the staff to determine nerds that just watches so much hockey. where everyone fits. “I didn’t mention it to anybody last year, even though in my head I was, Belleville was sitting in first place in the North Division with a 38-20-5 ‘Geez, this kid reminds me of Holtby’ and one day in practice Batherson record and 81 points in 63 games when the AHL went on pause March was just finishing taking a shot and he comes back and says, ‘Geez, he 12. The club would likely have gone into the post-season as the top seed reminds of Braden Holtby’. That’s from a player that’s watched a lot in the division and even though they were the second-youngest team in hockey. I’m just talking from my experience with Holtby in Hershey and the AHL, it was widely believed this group of Senators was poised to the year where he was the No. 1 there before eventually going to have playoff success. Washington.”

That would have assisted the development of prospects like Josh Norris, ALEX FORMENTON, LW Vitaly Abramov, Drake Batherson, Alex Formenton, Logan Brown, Erik This will be interesting to watch when camp does begin. Brannstrom along with goalies Marcus Hogberg, and Joey Daccord. Many of these players will push for spots in Ottawa so At the end of last season, it would have been easy to predict Formenton here’s a look at what Belleville coach Troy Mann thinks of what it will take will make the next step to the NHL level. But, with the changes made, it’s for some of these players to make it to the next level. going to be more difficult for him to push for a spot and, let’s be honest, another year in the AHL wouldn’t be the worst-case scenario for the 22- DRAKE BATHERSON, RW year-old. Heading into his third pro season, the club’s No. 121 overall pick in the He had 27 goals and 53 points in 63 games with Belleville last season fourth round of the 2017 draft, it looks and feels like the time is now for and there’s no question he’s got great wheels which help him Batherson. tremendously at the AHL level. A No. 47 overall selection in the 2017 He’s a two-time AHL all star with 36 goals and 115 points in 105 career draft, he has spent some time skating with the Mississauga Ice Dogs of games with Belleville. the OHL in the last couple of months.

Mann feels Batherson is ready to make the next step. “He’s another guy just on the cusp,” said Mann. “He’s no different than any other kid that dominates at the major junior level, they just come in “His skill set is there,” Mann said. “I’ve said this a number of times, but for with some habits that they just can’t get away with at the pro level. me there’s nothing left for him to prove at the American league level. He’s done everything he can except for leading a team to a Calder Cup “I was pleasantly surprised at how coachable he was and how or show that he could (perform) in the playoffs. determined he was at becoming a better player and learning the finer details of the game. I was also surprised and just how much he was able “Mentally, he’s just got to be ready to be more consistent and, at the to bring offensively. I thought ‘Geez, if (Formenton) can score 15 (goals) same time, continue to move his feet because the game is so fast at that for us and be a great penalty killer it would be a great season.’ From an level so his skill sets can show. He’s certainly got the Hockey IQ and the offensive perspective, he exceeded expectations and he earned it. skill set to be an NHL player.” “His speed is certainly going to translate at the NHL level. For me, it’s In an interview with this newspaper last week, Batherson said he’d been has he learned enough of the smaller details of the game to play at that skating in Halifax three or four days a week with a group of pros, level. That’s the debate: Is he better of coming here and playing another including Ottawa draft pick Egor Sokolov. Mann said one area Batherson season?” has been focusing on is his skating and he’s been working with Halifax- based coach Jill Plandowski. Formenton has to play with more discipline. He had 65 penalty minutes last season and, yes, he’s tough to play against because he’s a “His conditioning needs to be at another level for him to be more competitor but he can’t afford to spend too much time in the box . consistent at the NHL level,” Mann said. “I know he’s been working with power skating instructor (in Halifax) and maybe just that extra half-step “If he’s back with us, discipline, is another area we’ll be working on,” will help him through the neutral zone or helps him get up the ice after Mann said. “He shouldn’t be leading the American league in minors or making a play on the wall. being in the top five. He’s just too good a player but he gets himself in trouble (playing) with that edge and with that stick work. That results in JOEY DACCORD, G minor penalties.”

The Senators like what they saw from Daccord in his first pro season. JOSH NORRIS, C When Dorion returned from the world junior tournament in Vancouver in Jan., 2019, he couldn’t say enough good things about Norris. Acquired in the deal that sent Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks in Sept., 2018, Norris was a piece the scouting staff insisted be part of the deal.

A No. 19 overall selection of the Sharks in the 2017 draft, Norris turned some heads in Belleville last season with 31 goals and 61 points in 56 games. And, Norris enjoyed that success coming off shoulder surgery he had after suffering the injury while playing for Team USA but still opted to leave the University of Michigan after two seasons.

He has a chance to be the club’s No. 2 centre and when camp starts he’ll have the opportunity to push for a spot in Ottawa.

“He’s just a fantastic kid. I’ve been around the AHL a long time and he’s one of my favourite kids to be around and coach,” Mann said. “He’s so coachable and fantastic to deal with on a daily basis. This kid’s a player and I’m just excited to watch him in training and see if he can make the team this year.

“I do believe there’s opportunity there for one of our young centre’s and I’m really looking forward to having Norris and (Logan) Brown battle it out and see how that goes. I don’t know if we could have asked anything more of Josh last year in his development.”

Much of the focus in Belleville was trying to help Norris improve his defensive game.

“Defensively, was something we talked about before we left with Ottawa with the NHL staff, they just felt from watching him in exhibition games and at Michigan that we were really going to have to hone in on and work on that part of the game,” Mann said.

“It came a long way last year and the kid deserves a lot of credit because he did a lot of individual video with Colin Chaulk and he was in tune with our video sessions and how we wanted to play and what he had to do as a centre. He was able to adapt and I’m looking forward to him being in a great battle. It’s difficult to say he’s completely ready because, at the same time, it’s a tough league.

“With the type of player he is, when you’re playing against (Sidney) Crosby and (Evgeni) Malkin and they’re the No. 1 and No. 2 and you’re a first or second-line centre, maybe D.J. can protect you early in your career. But Norris is a great kid and he’s going to have a great NHL career.”

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195783 “Todd’s got this way with the players where he doesn’t tell the players what to do,” Vitale said. “It seemed like he always gave Sid and all those players a great platform to be creative and successful. Todd basically provides this canvas and he tells the Michelangelos and Leonardos, Why the Penguins are relying on Todd Reirden to fix their power play ‘Now go paint this picture.’”

Vitale said the power play in 2012-13 and 2013-14, when they clicked at 24.7% and 23.4% respectively, reminded him of the TV show “Whose MATT VENSEL Line is it Anyway?” It was mostly improv, just five talented dudes riffing Pittsburgh Post-Gazette off of each other. In addition to the big three, the lineup included Chris Kunitz and James Neal. NOV 5, 2020 9:16 AM Those Penguins seemed to be perpetually in motion and almost interchangeable from a positional standpoint as they outnumbered opponents all over the zone and picked the penalty kill apart once they Chatting over the phone from St. Louis earlier this week, Joe Vitale was got it stretched too thin. eager to explain why he thought the addition of Todd Reirden would be more impactful for the Penguins power play than a right-handed sniper or That will stand out to you if you pull up YouTube and take a quick look playmaker. First, he had to share a story that seemingly had little to do through all of their power play goals in the 2013 playoffs, specifically with that subject. where Crosby was standing when the red light flickered behind the frustrated goalie. It was 2009 and Vitale had just finished up his college career at Northeastern. He turned pro then headed to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Sure, you will still often see him lurking just off the right post, where he where Reirden at that point was the interim head coach for the American has spent the vast majority of power play time the past few seasons. But Hockey League club. then there he is down low on the other side, sending a centering pass out to Kunitz in the slot. And that’s Crosby ripping a slapper home from the “My first few games were not good,” admitted Vitale, who is now a radio top of the left circle. analyst for the St. Louis Blues. “It was a big dust storm of information. I was stressed out. Any kid who is going to play pro hockey, there’s an “It was like organized chaos. They kind of knew where they were going, adjustment.” but it was so hard to defend,” Vitale said. “That, to me, is what made them so successful during my years there and it appears they’ve gotten One day, Reirden asked the rookie to meet with him after practice. Gulp. away from that a little bit.” The team logo is in the center of the Pittsburgh Penguins locker room in The Penguins had a pretty talented group of players last season. Crosby, Cranberry Township, Pa. Malkin and Letang played at a high level last season when in the lineup. “He wanted me to watch some clips of last game. I was thinking it was Patric Hornqvist, who has since been sent to Florida, did his slapstick going to be bad,” Vitale said. “A ton of coaches still in this league would routine in front of the net. Bryan Rust surprisingly chipped in with a team- take a kid in his office and say, ‘Look at this. Do you think this is a good high eight power play goals. play? It’s your third turnover in the first period. How am I supposed to But all those injuries seemed to prevent the Penguins from getting into a play you if you do that?’” rhythm. And they couldn’t find a satisfactory replacement for Phil Kessel Vitale, a 205-pound bundle of nerves, braced for the worst as Reirden in the left circle, which led to opponents overwhelming them on the queued up the video. The coach needed only six clips to get his message overloaded right side. across. All season, Sullivan encouraged his stars to move their feet and cycle “The only clips he showed me were the ones where I did something inside the zone. The only thing that seemed to be spinning around was really, really well. And I’ll never, ever forget that. That story has stuck their heads. with me throughout my entire career,” said Vitale, who went on to play six “A team struggling with confidence on the power play, they get stagnant. NHL seasons. No one is really moving and they’re looking for that perfect one-timer,” He then circled back to explain what that story from 11 years ago had to Vitale said. do with a Pittsburgh power play that couldn’t consistently connect last The Penguins scored on just 19.9% of their power plays during the season, prompting the Penguins to bring back Reirden as an assistant on regular season, and an untimely power outage in the playoffs loomed Mike Sullivan’s staff. large in their upset loss to the lowest-seeded Montreal Canadiens. Mark “Obviously, it’s important to have a mix of [lefties and righties] and Recchi, who oversaw the power play, was dismissed. The Penguins different talents on the power play,” he said. “But really, it comes down to targeted Reirden as his replacement. confidence.” Reirden was head coach for the rival Washington Capitals the last two In four seasons in Pittsburgh, which coincided with Reirden’s first stint in seasons. Their power play, which also slipped in 2019-20, was built on town as one of Dan Bylsma’s assistants, Vitale spent many a morning the threat of Alex Ovechkin’s blasts from the left circle and John Carlson chasing around Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang in running the point. practice power play drills. During games, he had one of the best seats in Vitale expects Reirden to assess the skills the Penguins have and figure the house as they tormented opponents. out what works for this group. Jake Guentzel, Jason Zucker, Kasperi So we reached out to the former Penguins forward to get his thoughts on Kapanen and Rust are a few candidates to fill out the top power play this why the team had, in terms of power play conversion rate, two of the top upcoming season. eight seasons in franchise history when Reirden was an assistant from Tactically, sure, questions remain. They didn’t bring in a proven righty 2010 to 2014. who can set up in that left circle and help make aggressive penalty kills Vitale suggested that it was as much about psychology as it was pay. Trading Hornqvist leaves a void in front but could lead to more strategy, adding that Reirden’s ability to read people is perhaps his player movement that creates more open space in the slot. Zone entries greatest strength. were at times problematic last season.

Vitale, who spent time in Arizona and Detroit before retiring in 2017, But beyond those Xs and Os, Vitale believes Reirden, with his ability to recalls Reirden encouraging open dialogue during team meetings. He connect with his players, will figure out how to get the power play back on often focused on positive moments in video sessions, especially during a track. power play slump. And the coach rarely insisted they run a certain play “You’ve got to have a good coach that’s going to instill confidence in that during that night’s game. team,” he said. “There wasn’t a person that instilled more confidence in The same thing would happen on the bench when he scribbled on a me.” whiteboard. Vitale remembers Crosby piping in and diagramming something in the air with his fingers. “That’s a great idea. Let’s try that,” Reirden might respond. Post Gazette LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195784 Toronto Maple Leafs Counting his junior years in Niagara Falls and North Bay, and his final NHL stop with the Ottawa Senators, Laforest wore 17 different club sweaters in 15 seasons.

ONCE A LEAF: Ill-advised fight the lasting Leafs legacy for goalie Mark “A lot of goalies were doing the butterfly and going down, but I was so Laforest small, I had to stand up,” Laforest said. “When I retired, it was going to be (final). My kids, Greg, Kara and Nick, are doing well. I have five grandkids (the most recent arriving this week).”

Lance Hornby He has coached some local junior B hockey in Welland, was assistant coach at Brock University for a year, but didn’t quite hang up his pads. Publishing date: Nov 05, 2020 He made five trips with Leafs and NHL alumni to visit Canadian Forces in the Middle East and Europe, playing in many ball hockey games.

Since 1917, more than 1,000 men have worn the Blue and White in “The most gratifying experience I’ve had outside of the NHL,” he assured. Toronto’s NHL history, part of a team that millions of Canadians grew up “I learned so much about what our troops do.” listening to, watching on TV or even seeing live, perhaps dreaming they An avid angler, he took up serious fly-fishing four years ago at the urging could play for them one day. of one of his sons. He’s proud of mastering a 13-foot spey rod, that Each has his own story, whether just one game or 20-plus seasons. landed a 42-inch, 25-pound Atlantic salmon on the York River in the Some won multiple Stanley Cups, others are part of the current 53-year Gaspe Peninsula. He’s also fished the Miramachi River in New drought. The Sun is profiling select Leafs and their experience in Brunswick and the Salmon River in upper New York State for steelhead. Toronto, looking at the colourful career of Mark Laforest. While there, he met young French Canadians Guillaume, Jeffrey and Andrew who’ve invited him on some intense fishing trips to the Gaspe, Mention Mark Laforest to older Toronto fans and their recollection won’t including being a three-week stint living in a tent. likely be his mask, his number, a 10-bell glove save or smashing his stick after a loss. Laforest joked that when he came to Toronto “everyone I knew back to Grade 3 wanted Leafs tickets”. The netminder known as ‘Trees’ applied his stamp as a Leaf with no equipment on, or even his sweater, as he headlined one of the best That was true even when he was with the Red Wings, as backup in the goalie fights ever, on Oct. 23, 1989 at the Gardens. 1987 playoff series against Toronto. Living in Windsor at the time, Laforest’s wife was pregnant and unable to attend a game at Joe Louis A line brawl had started in a game against the Devils at New Jersey’s Arena. So Laforest gave her tickets to two Welland pals who were end of the ice. Laforest was being taunted by rival Sean Burke as other attending the University of Windsor. scraps dragged on. Finally, Laforest decided to come on down and accept the challenge. “I went to their dorm to pick them up. One has full blue face-paint and a white Leaf in the middle, the other white paint and a blue Leaf. I’m “From far away at my side of the rink, Burke didn’t look that big,” Laforest horrified. laughed. “Then when I got closer … ‘uh oh’.” “I started getting hassled at the border because the guards were Detroit Burke had six inches and 30 pounds on the 5-foot-10 Laforest and fans who knew me. I got to the Wings’ parking lot and thankfully it was unknown to the latter, lots more boxing experience. Laforest held his own empty. But suddenly Steve Yzerman pulls in, then Lee Norwood and as Burke used his superior reach to land some shots as a few other guys. They’re crying with laughter, but then I still had to take these combatants on both teams stopped to watch. When their jabs abated and two goofs through our private security gate to get their tickets.” they’d turned to jawing, Laforest made another mistake.

“I tried to get one last punch in, thinking the ref was still around and he’d come back and break it up,” he said. “But he’d turned and skated away.” Toronto Sun LOADED: 11.06.2020

Round 2 also went to Burke.

“At that point, I wanted to get thrown out of the game anyway,” Laforest said. “We’re down 5-2, it was my first home start and I figured people would at least remember me for something good. I was exhausted and had to have a cigarette later in the dressing room. Over the years, I began to think I’d done okay against Burke, but then they invented YouTube and everyone could see I didn’t.”

Acquired just before training camp from the Flyers, Laforest was one of four goalies in the 1989-90 season with Allan Bester, and Peter Ing. From his crease, he watched the most explosive offence in a single Leafs season — 337 goals — a number not reached since.

“It was fabulous to see us in transition,” Laforest said. “That was the year Gary Leeman scored 51 and it was a pleasure to see the French kids (Vincent Damphousse, Daniel Marois, Gilles Thibaudeau), Wendel (Clark) and Eddie O (Olczyk).

But the defence, in transition during its first year without Borje Salming, had some holes. Laforest’s .886 save percentage actually wound up being the best of the four netminders.

His record didn’t include a 7-4 New Year’s Eve loss to Moscow Dynamo. With Harold Ballard away with medical issues, the Leafs finally played one of the touring Russian teams that the crusty owner had so staunchly opposed. Toronto dressed a ‘B’ lineup.

Laforest was on the move at season’s end in a trade with the Rangers, joining Tie Domi before the latter matured into a fighter/scorer in his second tour in Toronto.

“I loved my time with the Leafs,” Laforest said. “I’d watched Hockey Night In Canada every Saturday, even though I was a Chicago fan as a kid (and Tony Esposito in particular). Every game at the Gardens, my dad or mom or someone from the family was there.” 1195785 Toronto Maple Leafs As a sophomore on his high school team, Anderson averaged two points per game. The following year, Danton Cole, then head coach of the U.S. National U-17 team, thought he was receiving an offence-first player when Anderson joined his squad as a 16-year-old. What he saw instead Why fighting for a spot with the Maple Leafs suits just fine was an extremely dedicated and hardworking teenager.

“Usually you don’t get guys at his age being that attentive to detail,” said Cole. By Joshua Kloke Anderson had been the guy on every team he’d played for up until that Nov 5, 2020 point and wanted to maintain that status with the USNTDP. But the guy on that squad was , the eventual seventh overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft. Kyle Dubas was ready for the question. Always a high-energy player, Cole asked Anderson if he could become a The Toronto Maple Leafs GM had just traded one former 20-goal scorer reliable defensive player on the top line with Keller and to act as a puck (Andreas Johnsson) 47 days after shipping out another (Kasperi hound. Kapanen). The question was about where all of those lost goals were going to come from next season. “At the time, it was frustrating,” said Anderson, looking back during a phone interview in October. “I didn’t think it was the most glamorous Dubas shrugged. It was Oct. 10, and he was in the midst of a major thing. But at this point in my career, the most beneficial thing I did was offseason roster overhaul. In sending Johnsson to the New Jersey decide to go there and focus on those things.” Devils, the Leafs acquired Joey Anderson. The 22-year-old former NCAA and world juniors champion, with eight goals in 52 career NHL games to Fortunately for Anderson, there was a template he could follow. His his credit, was a relative unknown to the fan base. favourite player growing up was Mikko Koivu, a defensively responsible forward with the Minnesota Wild. Anderson had always appreciated and “He’s no slouch,” Dubas said of Anderson. “I know people don’t view it taken note of some of the more subtle aspects of Koivu’s game, including that way, but there was a lot of interest in Andreas, and we elected to go his defensive positioning, stick checks and back-checking. with Joey because of the combination of the talent he’s shown, his character and his competitiveness. So we’re excited about him.” “You look at the habits he had and the way he carried himself, those are things that are very admirable,” said Anderson. If it’s competitiveness the Leafs are after, Anderson has it in spades. On Oct. 30, Anderson signed a three-year deal with Toronto. The deal is He quickly realized he could be that kind of player, too. He learned how two-way in its first two seasons and will carry an NHL annual average to use his stick to force the opposition to make moves they don’t want to; value of $750,000. how to approach puck battles; where to position his body in the defensive zone; and where best to create a scoring chance off a turnover. Dubas said that with the new additions to the roster, the Leafs wanted to “continue to build out our depth and become more competitive. After a successful draft season during which Anderson tied for sixth in (Anderson) will be able to challenge and bolster that (roster depth) as scoring with nine points in seven games at the 2016 World U18 well.” Championship, and 20 points in 25 games with the USNTDP U18 team, the New Jersey Devils selected him with the 76th pick in that year’s draft. When Joey Anderson was growing up in Roseville, Minn, one-on-one That fall, Anderson headed off to the University of Minnesota-Duluth. games between him and his younger brother Mikey would often end the same way: with Joey’s hyper-competitive attitude producing anger, With extended family living in Duluth, Anderson always considered the followed by a fight. town a home away from home. He was there to attend school and play hockey. Other common activities of a college freshman didn’t appeal to “(Joey) always had that extra level he’d go to,” explained Mikey, a 21- him. year-old defenceman in the organization, whose efforts to loosen up his brother were always in vain. “It just wasn’t who he “There were times when I said, ‘Hey, you’ve got to enjoy this more,’” was.” UMD men’s hockey head coach Scott Sandelin recalled of Anderson’s early days at the school. “It’s not always do-or-die.” One time, their mother entered the basement after they had been playing down there. She discovered a piece of furniture had been moved to “I wasn’t necessarily comfortable with the whole college scene,” disguise a hole in the wall that was, according to her, “honestly, the size conceded Anderson. “It wasn’t like I didn’t have interests in other stuff, of Mikey’s butt.” The hole was the result of a body check Mikey had but all I wanted to do was play hockey. I went to school to play hockey, received from Joey during a game of mini-sticks. and my goal was to advance my career and help the hockey team win right now. My whole life has been like that.” Competitive sports run deep with the Andersons: Joey and Mikey’s grandfather, Tommy, played hockey for the University of Minnesota- Anderson’s singular focus was something his mother was always Duluth. Their father, Gerry, and their sister, Sami, both played hockey for supportive and protective of. Especially when dealing with critics. the College of St. Scholastica. The most competitive of the lot? That “He’s not the guy that cared about going to prom,” Dana said. “I always would be their mother, Dana, a former professional racquetball player. said, ‘Screw them. You are who you are.’” “I’m pretty bad,” she conceded. “But Joey would probably be No. 2 … Sandelin said Anderson’s energy and willingness to commit to a 200-foot after me.” game is “right up there” with some of the best players he’s seen during How bad? Dana had to cease playing games against her children, even his 25 years of coaching college hockey. His expanded game brought casual ones at the family cottage. him international success, too. He played on the American gold-medal- winning world junior team in 2017, and the following year, he captained “If we’re really being frank, it just wasn’t any fun unless I could compete,” the team to a bronze medal. she said. was on that 2018 U.S. world junior team. He said his That same mindset was evident in Joey from a young age. brother was never the centre of attention, even as the captain.

“The only toy he ever wanted was a ball or a hockey stick at Christmas,” “On the ice, you know he’s there to battle,” Mikey said of his brother’s Dana said. “He didn’t want a Tonka truck. And I just thought, ‘Who is this leadership style. kid?’ He knew what he wanted to do.” “I’m not necessarily working a room,” Joey explained. “I’m there to play Dana recalled another occasion and some less-than-stellar marks on hockey.” Joey’s Grade 2 report card. When she asked Joey what was behind the poor results, Joey simply explained that he believed it would be better for During his sophomore season in 2018, Anderson won the NCAA his grade if he finished the test before everyone else in his class. championship, then signed a three-year entry-level deal with the rebuilding Devils. In 2018-19, he played in 34 NHL games as a 20-year- “Compared to the other kids growing up, you could just see the look in old rookie, registering four goals and seven points, while averaging 12:54 his eyes,” Mikey said. “He wasn’t going to let anyone outwork him.” of ice time. This past season, he suited up in just 18 games for the Devils, scoring four times. The majority of his 2019-20 was spent in the AHL with Binghamton, where he put up 34 points on 15 goals in 44 games.

In Binghamton, his two-way game made him a vital part of what likely would have been an AHL playoff team. There, for the first time at the pro level, Anderson was able to create offence off turnovers. He finished third on the team in points per game (0.77). His ability to create offence off turnovers reminded his coaches of Mark Stone.

He also learned he could “relax” off the ice, and he socialized with his teammates more frequently than he had in the past.

“I’ve never been part of a group that was that close,” he said.

“I’d try to give him a FaceTime call and he’d be out with some of the guys, which was a little different,” said Mikey.

Cole, his former coach with the USNDTP and a former NHL player himself, said Joey possesses a key element that often distinguishes talented college players from NHLers: a mastery of the small details.

“I saw that in him,” said Cole. “He’s (an) NHL hockey player.”

With the Leafs next season, Anderson will be in a dogfight with several other players to win a spot in the bottom six forwards. Should he stick, he could be used as a defensive specialist who sees some time on the Leafs penalty kill. His four goals a year ago with the Devils, all at even strength, came with him making 60.8 percent of his even-strength zone starts in the defensive end. James Mirtle had Anderson slotted in as the team’s fifth right-winger on his latest depth chart.

Given his recent three-year deal is a two-way for the first two seasons, it’s likely Anderson sees some time with the Marlies as he moves in and out of the Leafs lineup. Should injuries occur, or should the Leafs seek a greater defensive presence up front, Anderson could see more playing time.

Anderson wasn’t a throw-in the Johnsson deal. He was a player the Leafs chose over other options.

“If I’m able to get an opportunity,” said Anderson. “I’d hopefully like to do a little more with this one than I did in New Jersey.”

The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195786 Vegas Golden Knights camp, but if he doesn’t he’ll be one of the first potential call-ups at forward.

Nic Hague, D: The Golden Knights’ blue line appears to be set with Alex Golden Knights prospect tiers: Players to watch for the 2020-21 season Pietrangelo, Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, Alec Martinez, and Zach Whitecloud. However, the organization has extremely high hopes for Hague, and a big time performance in camp could vault him into the conversation. It’s also worth noting that Hague’s cap hit of By Jesse Granger $791,667 would save the team $908,333 in comparison to Holden, which Nov 5, 2020 is very close to how much the team is currently over the salary cap ceiling.

Hague is also very familiar with Whitecloud. The two were paired The Golden Knights have reached a point in the early stages of the together for nearly the entire 2018-19 AHL season when they helped franchise where drafted prospects are finally progressing into potential lead the Wolves to the Calder Cup Final. NHL players. Through three seasons Vegas has yet to have a player drafted by the organization play in a playoff game, but that is likely to Tier III: Most likely to be called up at some point change as early as next season. Jack Dugan, F: Knowing Dugan, and how fiery and competitive he can That’s not to suggest a major influx of young players is coming to the be, he’d be pretty irked not to be higher on this list. He led the NCAA in roster. The Golden Knights believe they are firmly inside their window to scoring last season with Providence on his way to becoming a finalist for win a Stanley Cup, so they’ll likely side with proven veteran players over the Hobey Baker Award. Dugan is a big, powerful forward with good developing youngsters. Expect a very similar roster to last season’s filled hands and vision. Talking to people within the organization, they think he with familiar names. However, due to the salary cap crunch, and the may have even been ready to play last season, but he wanted to return progression of certain prospects, there are going to be openings for a to college. Now the only thing holding him off the roster is an extremely small youth movement in Vegas. deep group of wingers that he’ll have a hard time edging out in camp. He’ll be trying to compete for a spot on the opening night roster in camp, Which young players have the best chance of seeing the ice at T-Mobile but I think it’s much more likely he ends up with the Henderson Silver Arena this season? I’ve divided them into four tiers of prospects. Which Knights and will be on the shortlist for call-ups. are almost certainly going to be suiting up for the Golden Knights? Which will be competing for a spot in camp? Which will be hoping to impress in Dylan Coghlan, D: Vegas solidified the right side of its defense with the the and be ready for a call-up at any moment? Pietrangelo signing, which gives the Golden Knights a defender that prefers to play on the right side in every pairing – something they didn’t Tier I: Most likely on the Golden Knights roster next season have at all times last season. That hurts Coghlan’s chances of making the roster, as he’s also a right-handed shot. But it means that if any of Cody Glass, F: I almost didn’t include Glass on this list, considering it’s those three go down, he could be the first Silver Knight to receive a call- about prospects and he played in 39 games for Vegas last season before up. He’s an offensive-minded defenseman with a big shot who is having his rookie season cut short by a knee injury. comfortable on the power play, so he fits DeBoer’s mold well. There were two main reasons I opted to include Glass. For one, he’s the Keegan Kolesar, F: Kolesar made his NHL debut last season, but that only prospect I will classify as most likely to make the NHL roster. Even was the only game he appeared in for the Golden Knights. The details of his roster spot was in question early in the offseason, but after trading his recently signed contract extension suggest the organization believes Paul Stastny he’ll almost certainly make the opening night lineup. And he’ll be a regular NHL contributor down the road. His deal is a two-way the second reason is that one of the most commonly asked questions contract for the upcoming season (meaning he makes a significantly among Golden Knights fans is about Glass’ immediate future with the smaller salary when he’s playing in the AHL) but that changes to a one- team after a disappointing start to his NHL career. way contract for the 2021-22 season, and teams don’t usually sign deals Glass struggled to drive offense at even strength last season, with only like that without some confidence. I expect the 2015 second-round pick five goals and seven assists, along with one of the worst on-ice shot to be a regular call-up option for any bottom-six needs. differentials on the team. That’s partially explainable due to him playing Jimmy Schuldt, D: Just as Coghlan could be the first call-up for a down the lineup, and out of position on the wing. But there’s no doubt replacement on the right side of the defense, it will be between Schuldt Glass will need to improve his play drastically this season if he’s going to and Hague (and Jake Bischoff, the most experienced) if the left side come anywhere near replacing Stastny’s production. needs a fill-in. He gained valuable experience last season in his first year He’ll get a great opportunity to do it. Whether it’s on the third line, playing as a pro and should continue that progression under Manny Viveiros in with some combination of Alex Tuch, Chandler Stephenson and Nic Roy, Henderson. or in an elevated role between Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty. Tier IV: On the radar Obviously one has higher potential than the other, but both spots provide Glass with offensive-minded playmakers who can help him show the Jonas Rondbjerg, F: There were high expectations for Rondbjerg’s rookie playmaking ability that made him the first pick in franchise history. AHL season but it was cut short after suffering an upper-body injury in the season opener. The Danish power forward should be ready to go for Tier II: Competing for spots in camp this season and will bring a physical presence up front for the Silver Peyton Krebs, F: While Glass is the only prospect I’m confident placing Knights. I don’t expect him to be on the shortlist for call-ups but could on the opening night roster, he’s far from the only one with those work his way up the ladder as the season progresses. aspirations. Krebs, who was Vegas’ first-round pick in 2019, impressed Paul Cotter, F: It wasn’t a spectacular AHL rookie season for Cotter, coach Peter DeBoer during the training camp prior to the postseason, registering only four goals and five assists, but as one of the youngest and even found his way into the Golden Knights’ warmups during the players in the entire league Cotter adjusted well to the professional playoffs, hinting he was close to cracking the lineup. game. He’ll be better equipped to show more offensive upside this Krebs’ situation is a difficult one for Vegas, considering he’s not eligible season, but is behind quite a few forwards in terms of being called up. to play in the AHL yet as he’s only 19. He’ll either have to play for the Ben Jones, F: Jones has progressed well after being a seventh-round Golden Knights or return to the Winnipeg Ice in the WHL. But a selection in 2017. He bounced back and forth between the AHL and spectacular performance from him in training camp could make him an ECHL last year. This season I expect him to be a regular in Henderson. NHL player faster than some expected.

Lucas Elvenes, F: Another young forward with hopes of making the opening night lineup is last season’s points leader for the Chicago The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 Wolves. Elvenes finished with 48 points in 59 games in the AHL, which was the fourth most in the league for rookies. He didn’t receive a call-up last year but could be ready after a solid season of development. In the end, I don’t think he has much of a chance of making the roster out of 1195787 Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas Golden Knights Open New Ice Center in Henderson On Tuesday

November 5, 2020

By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com

The Vegas Golden Knights’ empire in the Las Vegas market will officially include Henderson on Tuesday at 10 a.m. when the two-rink ice center in downtown Henderson opens.

It’s called Lifeguard Arena under a naming rights deal with the hotel janitorial cleaning supply company and it will be the training center for the minor league Henderson Silver Knights and a community ice center for the Henderson community. The VGK’s ice center in Downtown Summerlin, which is called City National Arena, opened in September 2017 and is the headquarters for the NHL team.

Kids with Battle Born Kids will take the first official skate on Lifeguard Arena ice at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and Silver Knights head coach Manny Viveiros and some Solver Knights players will also be in attendance.

LVSportsBiz.com had a peak at the new ice center in June.

The Henderson Silver Knights retail shop at Lifeguard Arena, called, “The Livery,” will open at 10 a.m. This will be the first opportunity for fans to purchase the newly-released Henderson Silver Knights jerseys.

This is a separate community ice center from the 6,000-seat, $84 million arena being built at the site of the old Henderson Pavilion about seven miles away where the Silver Knights will play their minor league American Hockey League games.

LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195788 Washington Capitals

How Lundqvist feels about joining Ovechkin on the Caps

by J.J. Regan

Since he entered the league, Alex Ovechkin has been linked with Sidney Crosby. Though they were drafted a year apart, both players began their NHL careers in the same year after a lockout wiped out the 2004-05 season. It has been the best rivalry in the NHL over the past 15 years, but it has not been the only rivalry for the Great 8 in his storied career. There have also been numerous battles against goalie Henrik Lundqvist who for 15 years manned the pipes for the New York Rangers. Now that rivalry will be put aside as the two will join together as teammates on the Capitals.

Despite the storied history of the Ovechkin/Crosby rivalry, Ovechkin has actually played Lundqvist in the postseason more. Ovechkin and Crosby have met four times in the playoffs, but Ovechkin and Lundqvist have met five times. The Caps won the first two meetings, but the Rangers won the last three.

"It’s been so many years of battles and I have so much respect for [Ovechkin] for what he’s accomplished," Lundqvist said after signing with Washington. "He’s one of the toughest players to stop, there’s no way around it. You look at his record, it speaks for itself. And it’s been so much fun too to go up against him for so many years."

Rivalries can take on different forms and the Ovechkin/Lundqvist rivalry was never an overly contentious one. Sure, it has had its moments, but this rivalry never took on the look of a Mathew Tkachuk/Drew Doughty rivalry in which both players openly dislike the other. In their frequent battles, both Ovechkin and Lundqvist grew a healthy respect for one another.

"He’s been so fun to play against because of how good he is," Lundqvist said of Ovechkin, "But he’s also a character on the ice. So I look forward to now being on the same team."

While Lundqvist may have gotten the better of Ovechkin overall in their playoff meetings, Ovechkin has the one thing Lundqvist's storied NHL career is missing: a Stanley Cup. That is ultimately why they are now teammates.

With two young goalies on the roster in New York and management's eyes locked squarely on the future, Lundqvist was bought out of his contract and free to sign with any team in the offseason. He chose Washington because he believes the Caps give him a chance to win.

"I think at this point in my career, that's the most important thing. I want to have a chance to win," Lundqvist said.

And so long as Ovechkin remains one of the top goal-scorers in the NHL, Washington certainly has a chance. Lundqvist is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.

Well, except one thing.

“The one thing I told [Ovechkin], though, is I won’t do any one-time drills with him," Lundqvist said. "His shot is just way too hard, so I already took myself out of that one. ... Ovi with all the years playing against him, I definitely look forward to being on the same side now.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195789 Winnipeg Jets

Jets bring winger Marko Dano back into fold

Staff Report

Winnipeg Sun

Publishing date: Nov 05, 2020

The Winnipeg Jets brought back a familiar face on Thursday when they signed winger Marko Dano to one-year, two-way contract.

Dano will make his third stint with the Jets organization after signing on for $700,000, if he plays in the NHL.

He was first acquired by the Jets as part of a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2016. The Jets sent captain Andrew Ladd to the Hawks for Dano and a first-round draft pick.

Born in Austria and raised in Slovakia, Dano played 82 games with the Jets over three seasons before getting claimed on waivers by the Colorado Avalanche in 2018.

However, he played only eight games with the Avalanche before getting re-claimed on waivers by the Jets.

After playing 51 games with the of the AHL in 2018-19, he signed as a free agent with the and spent most of last season with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL.

In 141 NHL games with Columbus, Chicago, Colorado and Winnipeg, Dano has 19 goals and 45 points.

Dano, 25, was drafted in the first round (27th overall) by the Blue Jackets in 2013.

He had 12 goals and 30 points with the Moose in 51 games in 2018-19 and had four goals and 19 points with Cleveland last season.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 11.06.2020 1195790 Winnipeg Jets and you don’t even have an idea that that is actually happening. He’s just super strong. He’s always been a good brother to me.

I like to say that the hidden gem is when you don’t really know anything’s Q&A: Jansen Harkins talks on-ice development, getting a dog and more wrong because he masks it so well with his day-to-day attitude. And that really carries over into everything he does in terms of school. Graduating is a huge accomplishment for anyone but he’s worked really hard and he’s had to miss a lot of time for health issues and hospital times and By Murat Ates surgeries. I think everyone who knows Nick is just super proud of what Nov 5, 2020 he’s been able to do. I take that into consideration sometimes. You know, when you’re doing something you love to do like play hockey, as hard as some days are, you’ve just got to suck it up and dig down and realize what other people can be going through as well. He’s someone who Jansen Harkins was a 20-year-old AHL rookie in 2018 and an NHL “black gives you a good perspective on day-to-day life. ace” for the tail end of Winnipeg’s playoff run. Nick shared that one of his favourite memories from that time is hanging His time with the Jets didn’t last long — just six days passed between his out with you in the hospital. What is it like to have a Harry Potter movie call-up and Winnipeg’s elimination — but the experience was valuable. marathon in a hospital room? Skating with the black aces served as preparation for the 2020 playoff bubble in Edmonton, where Harkins scored his first postseason goal in There are definitely a lot of good memories from some of the hardships his first postseason game. that he’s had to go through. I mean, he used to go to the hospital every week up until probably about the middle of high school. So it was always But it was the trip home that changed Harkins’ life. fun just because that meant I was skipping school. I think every every A quick stop in Regina to watch his brother Jonas play in the Memorial month or so, my parents would let me not go to school and go to the Cup was followed by a road trip back home to Vancouver through the hospital with him instead. Sitting down and watching movies all day is Rocky Mountains. pretty awesome when it’s not you every week so those are definitely some highlights of my childhood. It was on that trip that Harkins asked his dad, Todd, a 20-year professional hockey player who played in 48 NHL games, something that Much less seriously: I like telling people about all of the times I’ve nearly had been on his mind for a long time. tripped over you in the dressing room after practice because you’re in there dodging cameras while stretching with your foam roller. Don’t you Harkins had grown up with a golden retriever and in this, his first full guys have a different room for this stuff? season away from B.C., he missed canine companionship. The only reason I’m doing it in the room is because it’s softer ground — “I had been searching for dogs for about a month or so online in it’s a bit nicer on the body. Sometimes I get forced into the gym or out Winnipeg, just killing time by looking at puppies,” Harkins says. “It was in into the hall when there’s not enough space. But that was a “go to” for me my mind but I was still living at home at the time — I couldn’t just go buy just because the Jets room is a lot bigger than the Moose room. I never a dog and expect it to be OK.” really got the comfort of the carpet before so I just tried to abuse that Harkins was nervous about asking his dad, but loved the every day I got it. puppy idea as soon as he heard it. Within minutes of bringing it up, I’m a pretty routine, focused guy when it comes to all things hockey. So Harkins sat in the passenger seat browsing Kijiji for puppy ads. He found when it comes to just getting off the ice and getting my body into a place Fawkes, an eight-week-old golden retriever, and arranged to pick him up where I can just be healthy and feel good, it’s just doing a little bit every in Kamloops. Father and son didn’t even have to make a detour. day. I’m by no means there two hours early and staying till dinnertime to “We pretty much just pulled over, picked him up, and drove about five do extra stuff, but when it comes to feeling good I think everyone finds a more hours home and had him puke in the backseat. And I mean he still niche of what makes them feel good. For me it’s just a little bit but I know hates cars ever since — I didn’t realize it until a few months ago but his there’s guys who do a whole lot more than me. first interaction away from his mom was just sitting in the backseat of a To your question, I guess I do a little bit extra but at the same time it’s car for four hours. I feel bad about that.” just convenient for my body on the carpet, so I’m sorry about that. I know “But he’s definitely been a blessing to me and just makes every day a bit the trainers get a little annoyed too because I keep the carpet all stinky more fun — someone to do things with. He’s just a fun companion to and my gear is thrown all over the ground until I leave, so I know they’re have around.” not too thrilled with me but it definitely makes me feel a bit better.

“His favourite things are definitely swimming — normally summers are Your whole family told me about your workouts on the famed driveway — full of it but it was a little bit mixed this year just with me being gone. In so steep that your family won’t even park cars on it in the winter. What the wintertime, I’m usually in Winnipeg so we usually go on nice long can you tell me about those windsprints? walks — he loves the snow. He just loves to run around and play so Yeah, that’s a Harkins staple. My parents have lived in the same house water, snow, chasing balls, he’s just a good companion to get out there since we were really small — pretty much since I can remember. We and get some fresh air. That’s my favourite thing to do with him.” went up and down through childhood, with friends coming over, or any Harkins spoke to The Athletic this week to discuss his dog (Fawkes, time we had to take the dog out or do anything: You’re hiking up the hill. named after Dumbledore’s animal companion in Harry Potter), the It’s probably about 50 yards at a 30-degree incline. So it’s pretty, pretty incredible year-over-year leaps he’s taken in his on-ice development, and hefty. more. And coming into junior hockey, my dad would tell me that he used to run Let’s start by talking about Nicklas Harkins. I asked him about you this sprints up hills when he was training — and I mean back then I can only summer and he said he looks up to you an awful lot. [Editor’s note: Nick imagine what training was like. I know he wrote my first few programs Harkins has Mucopolysaccharidosis, or MPS for short, and you can read and it was just straight arms, biceps and legs — so there was nothing too more about him here.] athletic about his workouts — but the one thing he taught me was the the hill sprints. I’ve been doing those ever since — every week or so. It’s If you ask us both the same question, I think we’re going to give you the tough now. You know, normally in the summertime, I have nice, warm, same answer. I mean, you see someone go through daily struggles but dry days and I can rip up it but since our offseason is the fall or winter, you don’t really see them happening because he’s so in the zone all the I’m pretty much raking leaves and dodging water on the way up. It’s been time. You don’t really notice that he’s working through things. With a bit trickier. someone in his position, you feel pretty fortunate that you just get to wake up and feel healthy and feel physically well and good every day. It Fawkes runs a cheerful bit of interference during Harkins’ hill workout. gives you a good perspective on the small joys of life — of just being Video courtesy . healthy and having a healthy body — and it definitely breaks your heart OK, back to the ice. In 2017-18 you played in the AHL and ECHL. In sometimes when you really think about it. But that’s someone that you 2018-19, you were an AHL regular. Then you became a point-per-game can really look up to — someone who can go through those hardships AHL player and made an NHL impact this season. Can you explain these huge, year-to-year leaps? You know, I don’t really have a real answer. For me, coming into new situations has always been — I wouldn’t say slow — but it takes me a little bit to just feel settled and get my feet under me. I think that in terms of going to junior and then going to Winnipeg, you know, just being a kid coming into new situations and new levels of hockey, you have to adapt quickly. I felt like I was adapting quickly, but you have to link that up with your confidence, your opportunity and your comfort level in different situations. I think until all three get paired up together, you’re not going to be at your best. Every team, every league, every year is a chance at that trio.

At the start, it was just getting my feet wet and earning the trust of the coaches playing pro hockey — which is so much different than junior — and then transitioning into my second year doing a bit better and getting a bit more trust from the coaches and obviously just playing better. Then, going into last year, you add in confidence that I finally feel like I fit in and I can do my part and be a good player and try to produce some offence. Having that all together — plus just getting some good bounces to be honest — that’s a big part of it. And obviously, you pair that up with good coaching and good players around you and I think that’s why I excelled quickly this year.

In terms of going up to the Jets, it was more having the benefit of being in the same city and having everything already comfortable to start with. And then it was just trying to merge my game straight into that level, which I think was a good thing for me because I felt like I was completely ready. I don’t know — if you get called up early or maybe you’re just reaching for it a little bit, maybe it’s different — but I feel like I felt ready. And I had the confidence that the coaches thought I was ready, too.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195791 Vancouver Canucks they’re going with a grizzled veteran in Nathan Beaulieu and the workmanlike Tucker Poolman.

Given the Canucks have the better puck movers, you have to give them Patrick Johnston: Jets' depth can lean on Hellebuyck, but Canucks count the edge here. on blue-line balance, speed The final tally

Up front, the Jets just have more proven offensive depth and fewer Patrick Johnston issues with their checking forwards. They should be a solid playoff contender, but with Blake Wheeler now in his mid-30s and the questions Publishing date: Nov 06, 2020 around Laine, you have to wonder.

The Canucks, on the other hand, aren’t as deep up front as they were last season and while Schmidt makes their top pairing better, they’re We’re still not sure when the next NHL season will start, but with most going to be leaning on the second pairing more than ever. teams sculpting their 2020-21 rosters let’s take a look at how they stack up on paper in comparison with the Vancouver Canucks. Like the comparisons with the Flames and Oilers from earlier this week, this is another case of two flawed lineups up against one another and a Today, we check out the Winnipeg Jets, who the Canucks will face in bit of a hands-in-the-air assessment: if the goalies get hot, anything could 2020-21 in an all-Canadian Division if the NHL chooses to create such an happen. alignment because of COVID-19 restrictions. It has been suggested this format is likely to happen, given the U.S.-Canada border remains closed until further notice. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 11.06.2020 Two years ago the Jets were in the Western Conference final but lost to the Vegas Golden Knights. Since then, they’ve been on a slide and a lot of that has to do with the story of Dustin Byfuglien.

In 2018-19, the burly defenceman suffered an ankle injury and never fully recovered. He didn’t play at all last season and his career looks done. At the same time, the Jets lost Jacob Trouba and Tyler Myers from their blue-line before last season.

They put up a good fight in their qualifying round series with the Calgary Flames this summer, but they’re clearly not the team they were in 2018.

What they’ve done so far

Not a lot. They traded for Paul Stastny, who was a deadline pickup in 2018 and performed well in the playoffs that year. He’ll turn 35 in December, but could still make an impact as the Jets’ second-line centre.

That is if Patrik Laine sticks around, of course. The Finnish sniper seems set to leave. He’s a restricted free agent next summer so he has some leverage with his situation and could force a trade. Losing Laine would obviously leave a big hole in the Jets’ lineup.

They added Nate Thompson to the checking-line mix, where there were already some nice grinding options for head coach Paul Maurice to consider. But there’s not a whole lot of upside in any of the six forwards who will likely suit up on the third and fourth lines, albeit there are no real liabilities either.

The Jets are big and play big, with a relentlessness to their game that has found them success in the past but really depends on the high-end forwards controlling the game. Kyle Connor is one of the league’s most underrated wingers and could yet drive more of the bus.

On the blue-line, the Jets picked up Dylan DeMelo at the trade deadline. He’s a no-nonsense defender but hardly a quality puck-mover.

They signed Derek Forbort this off-season, another no-nonsense defender but he struggled with a back injury last season and you wonder if he’ll be as effective as he once was.

How the Canucks stack up

The Jets’ offence is fine, but not a world beater. Their goals-against is better than the Canucks, but last season that was all about Connor Hellebuyck, who won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender.

The Canucks, of course, received an all-star effort from Jacob Markstrom but he’s no longer with the team. It’s all on Thatcher Demko now, and Braden Holtby to a lesser extent.

Clearly, though, the Jets have the advantage here.

On defence the Jets have a pair of good puck movers in Josh Morrissey and Neal Pionk, but both and Nate Schmidt are bigger two-way influencers for the Canucks. Tyler Myers is an offence-first defender and Alex Edler remains a strong defensive presence.

Like the Canucks, the Jets are going light on their third pairing, though instead of pairing a young defender like Olli Juolevi with a veteran, 1195792 Vancouver Canucks reflect that as they peg Hawryluk as a good defensive player who can reduce the number of shots and scoring chances against.

By bringing a high motor, two-way utility and being a pain in the neck to Why Jayce Hawryluk is an intriguing fit for the Canucks play against, Hawryluk checks off three crucial boxes Travis Green would be looking for in a depth forward.

What about the offensive upside? By Harman Dayal When Hawryluk was drafted early in the 2014 second round, he was Nov 5, 2020 picked not just for his grinder qualities but because he projected to have some offensive pop. His WHL track record at least suggested as much —

the Saskatchewan native recorded 65 points in 54 games during his draft The Vegas Golden Knights taught the NHL several lessons in their year before exploding for 47 goals and 106 points in 58 contests in his inaugural season. Most prominently, Vegas provided a template for what draft-plus one campaign. happens when you overthink expansion dilemmas — don’t expect clubs The transition to professional hockey wasn’t as smooth. It’s not that to repeat those mistakes with Seattle. Hawryluk’s time was tumultuous or disappointing, he just didn’t have the By the end of their run, Vegas proved another thing: opportunity can same offensive breakthrough he did in junior and it ultimately took him sometimes be just as important as talent in determining a player’s until his third AHL campaign to become a point-per-game player. success. Players who had been buried on depth charts elsewhere for Hawryluk was called up midseason in 2018-19 where he showed one reason or another were suddenly breaking out under the backdrop of promise in 42 NHL games — it looked like he was on the cusp of opportunity. establishing himself as a full-time big leaguer.

It was a reminder there are plenty of diamonds in the rough who just But 2019-20 was a difficult season. need a chance. Hawryluk ran into injury trouble and whereas he was a favourite of Bob Vancouver’s tried identifying players like this (Josh Leivo) and continued Boughner, new bench boss Joel Quenneville didn’t have as much time the trend this offseason by agreeing to a one-year, $800,000 agreement for him. He was subsequently placed on waivers and claimed early by with forward Jayce Hawryluk. Hawryluk doesn’t possess as high a ceiling the Ottawa Senators where he had a neat cameo with seven points in 11 but as we analyze his game, there’s a lot to like about the signing. games amidst growing ice-time.

Tireless motor, two-way utility and a pain in the neck to play against It was a nice audition but not long enough to leave a lasting impression for a Senators team that wanted to leave roster spots open for younger When you unpack many of the personnel decisions the Canucks have players. They decided to move on and that brings us to today where made upfront, it’s obvious that the organization has a clear plan on what Hawryluk is a Vancouver Canuck. The former Brandon Wheat King has they want their group to look and play like. the makeup of a credible NHL grinder but just needs an extended opportunity to prove he can do so on a full-time basis. Vancouver emphasizes high-motor forwards who are always moving, love to physically engage in the hard areas of the ice and aren’t afraid to We know that he’s a solid fit for how the Canucks like to play but do dirty work to retrieve the puck. Players that the club has targeted in offensive punch is what he’ll need to show to stand out in a sea of depth recent years like J.T. Miller, , Tanner Pearson, Antoine forwards competing for bottom-six roles. Roussel and Leivo fit under this umbrella. The Canucks’ top two forward prospects, Vasili Podkolzin and Nils Höglander, are also built in this This is where I’m a little bit less bullish on Hawryluk. In isolation, you can mould — they’re skilled yes, but they’re aggressive and active without the see some exciting offensive tools. He has a heavy shot. He keeps his puck as well. head up and has a trifecta of intriguing traits with his hands, vision and passing ability, which can lead to nifty plays like this one where he With this personnel, Travis Green and the coaching staff prioritize a fast demonstrates good poise to step around the defender and set up a and direct north-south playstyle. This is reflected in the up-tempo, scoring chance before finishing it off himself. aggressive forecheck that the club employs to generate turnovers and cycle offence. The problem that I’ve noticed, however, is that Hawryluk doesn’t really have the puck on his stick a whole lot. This became apparent in my The organization is building a clear identity. When one examines viewings, where he resorted to tipping a high volume of pucks in the Hawryluk’s tools, you can see that he’s an excellent fit. neutral zone or often deferred possession back to teammates in his own half of the ice. It also showed up in the microdata Corey Sznajder’s Hawryluk never stops skating. The tenaciousness and competitiveness tracked. with which he throws himself into battles defy his 5-foot-11 frame. The right-shot winger’s belligerent approach is reminiscent of Tyler Motte or Viz by CJ Turtoro Antoine Roussel. Hawryluk’s an average-to-decent skater (he doesn’t have a speed edge like Motte), but he compensates by using his smarts Hawryluk’s zone exit and offensive zone entry numbers indicate that he’s to anticipate where the puck is going to go next. rarely involved in advancing play up the ice and relied on lots of chips and dumps. He’s also firing just 5.3 shots per hour at 5-on-5 in the last Those attributes — the anticipation, competitiveness and physical edge two years — a shot rate that ranks 379th out of 431 NHL forwards. — are all on display in the clip below. Hawryluk (No. 79 Senators) is first Hawryluk simply doesn’t really carry the puck and make plays unless to attack the Columbus defenceman off the scrambled face-off loss, he’s got a bevy of time and space to do so, which is hard to find in the forces the defender into a poor D-to-D pass with a jarring check and is NHL. rewarded with a scoring chance once the Senators recover the puck. It’s easy to see why a profile like this — decent all-around offensive tools Hawryluk is at his best when he’s able to race onto pucks as the first but only average carrying ability — worked in lower levels but hasn’t forechecker (F1) and force the opposing defenceman into rushed translated as much to the pro level where players have to drive play and decisions of this kind. This is another example of that where he applies manufacture their own time and space with the puck. good pressure as the F1 to help disrupt a breakout attempt: As a result, when you break down the tape you’ll notice that an One thing I think the coaching staff will appreciate about the winger is overwhelming majority of his points come in transition where there’s that he plays a predictable and consistent game. The offence can more real estate to work with. A whopping nine of his 10 career NHL obviously vary a little bit but you know that he’s going to be “on” and fully goals are off the counterattack/rush. Three of those were miscellaneous engaged almost every night. He’s never going to shortchange you on (breakaway, broken play from a loose puck race, excellent individual effort and is always trying to finish his check or get under the skin of an effort) but the other six follow a distinct theme. In all of those six goals, opponent to provide a spark. he’s the off-puck attacker either making a centre lane drive to the net or emerging as the second layer trailer. His two-way game, meanwhile, also lends itself to being an asset. Hawryluk doesn’t tilt the scales much in this regard but he’s reliable, can Here are the three centre lane drive tap-ins (Hawryluk is No. 8 in clips play centre in a pinch and doesn’t require sheltering the way some of with the Panthers). Vancouver’s other depth forwards do. The underlying numbers certainly And these are the second layer rush goals.

During in-zone play, on the other hand, he mostly parks himself in front of the net. The fact the transition goals from above come with Hawryluk beginning off the puck is crucial to note. He’s not a rush creator in Jake Virtanen’s mould who can use speed to orchestrate entries and transition chances himself, but rather Hawryluk is a pretty decent finisher after a change in possession gifts open ice. This distinction is important because it suggests to me that Hawryluk’s NHL production to this point has been more about capitalizing on the opposition’s mistakes (the majority of these goals began with a possession flip) than it is driving play individually.

Hawryluk’s career NHL totals clock in at 10 goals and 22 points in 68 games, which prorated for 82 games is a 27 point pace — that’s not bad at all for a potential third/fourth line tweener. I do think that number has been aided by some puck luck, though as he’s carrying an inflated 16.4 percent shooting clip. You can see evidence of this in some of the clips as well, as many of them involve fortuitous bounces and strange deflections.

Couple existing point totals that are due for mild regression with what I’ve seen in the video and I’m not sure if Hawryluk truly possesses top-nine upside. I think he can change that projection if he adds explosiveness to his first step or two to help him create more space for himself, but until then I see more of a fourth-line talent. None of that precludes him from actually being able to play in Vancouver’s top-nine because the Canucks’ right-wing depth is weak but it’s worth keeping in mind nonetheless.

This isn’t a sexy signing by any stretch of the imagination but I like it as a low-risk gamble. Hawryluk is a demon on the forecheck, plays with an edge to his game and gets under the skin of opponents. The jury is out on his offensive game — he has nice hands, a good shot and decent offensive instincts but looks very dependent on his linemates to get the puck and create chances — but even if that part of his game doesn’t develop he can still be a meaningful contributor to the bottom-six.

We’re likely to see a condensed schedule for 2020-21 and that means between the arduous workload and injuries, you’re going to need lots of fresh bodies. Hawryluk’s traits make him a much more seamless fit in Vancouver’s lineup than the likes of Justin Bailey or Tyler Graovac, so at the very least he bolsters how many NHL calibre forwards are on the roster.

The fact Hawryluk’s on a two-way deal with just a $200,000 salary if he plays in the AHL means this signing comes with virtually no risk and modest upside. That’s exactly how teams should aim to fill out the bottom end of their rosters in the modern salary cap era.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195793 Websites Most every Canadian NHL player who took part in a Hockey Canada event from 2010 to 2019 would know Pettinger well. He was the person responsible for travel and logistics and for taking care of the players’ families for all those events. The Athletic / A young NHL player agent comes out, supported by hockey’s biggest stars After nine-plus years with Hockey Canada in Calgary, Pettinger switched over to the player agency world in February 2019, moved to Toronto, and joined CAA Hockey, one of the NHL’s leading agencies, where he works under veteran agents J.P. Barry and Pat Brisson. By Pierre LeBrun Pettinger is involved in scouting, recruiting and marketing with CAA Nov 5, 2020 Hockey and is striving to become a certified NHLPA player agent.

And when you meet him, you don’t forget him. Gregarious and funny and He had thought of the worst-case scenarios. handsome, he takes over a room. It’s that larger-than-life personality that has made him such a popular figure on the Canadian hockey scene. What if his close friends Tyson Barrie and Morgan Rielly didn’t understand? “I’m known as ‘Bayne’s brother’ now,’’ Matt Pettinger said.

What if his superstar pals Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid didn’t Pettinger’s desire to tell his story is two-fold. want anything to do with him again? One, because coming out to everyone is a massive relief. What if Bob Nicholson, who is like family to him, recoiled upon learning “I think I’m going to be a better person, a better agent. It’s a 500-pound the news? weight lifted off my shoulders,” Pettinger says. “I’m tired of walking into a What if his old boss at Hockey Canada, Scott Salmond, another close room and thinking, ‘Who knows and who doesn’t?’ I’m tired of playing friend, rejected him? that game.’’

It put a pit in Bayne Pettinger’s stomach for many years. On those Second, because of Brendan Burke’s legacy. And the chance to add to it sleepless nights, he feared the worst. in some way. Burke, the son of longtime NHL executive Brian Burke, made national news in 2009 when he came out while working for the But he also needed to be true to himself. Miami University men’s hockey team. Brendan died in a car accident in 2010 and in 2012, Brian Burke and son Patrick founded the You Can “I can’t imagine now sitting back and not having come out,’’ Pettinger Play campaign to fight homophobia in sports. says. “Because I would have been a shell of myself. I was starting to see that.’’ “I remember Brendan Burke,” Pettinger says. “Brendan Burke really broke down some barriers. His dad was the GM of the Maple Leafs at the And so, recently, the 33-year-old NHL player agent and former Hockey time. For me, that was huge, he was a pioneer, just the message of, ‘it’s Canada manager let his hockey friends know, one by one. ok to be gay and you can work in professional sports.’’’ He is gay. Pettinger hopes a by-product of his story will be to inspire a young “Doesn’t change a thing dude honestly. Just happy ur happy!’’ McDavid person the same way Burke did for him. texted Pettinger when he found out. “There is a spot for gay people in the hockey world,” Pettinger says. “If “We are happy for you and I am sure it feels good to get that off your you’re passionate about the game and knowledgeable about the game, it shoulders and to be able to be you,’’ Crosby texted Pettinger. doesn’t matter what your sexual orientation is.’’

Barrie, who grew up alongside Pettinger in Victoria, was elated for his Pettinger sought out Brian Burke recently. close friend. Rielly says he was overjoyed for Pettinger. Nicholson told “It was great. He’s not as big and gruff as people make him out to be,” him he had never been prouder of him. Salmond talked about his Pettinger says. “I cold-texted him one morning a couple of weeks ago. I admiration for Pettinger upon learning the news. told him I wanted to chat with him, that I was going to be in a piece about Everyone close to him in the hockey world had the same reaction. being gay in the hockey world and I knew he was a great advocate for it Support, love, pride. with his son Patrick and they have the You Can Play initiatives.

“Anyone that I’ve told now, it’s actually been somewhat overwhelming,’’ “He was awesome. We sat in his backyard. We sat for about two hours Pettinger told The Athletic. and he just said, ‘Bayne, the hockey world is ready for this.’’’

He’s been out to his immediate family for several years. To see him now Burke downplayed his role but came away impressed with Pettinger. tell the world, they couldn’t be happier for him. “I didn’t give him any useful information at all. He had already made up “We’re just proud, we’re supportive,” Bayne’s older brother Matt his mind, that he felt it was time to come out,” Burke said. “I might have Pettinger, a former NHL forward, said. “We’ve known as a family for 10 reinforced it for him, but I don’t think I helped him at all.’’ years, so it’s not news to us. But I think it’s going to be a weight off That his son Brendan was such an inspiration to Pettinger, that did not Bayne’s shoulders, to be honest with you. It doesn’t get any bigger than surprise Burke. having Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby supporting you. “That’s what we said, we would not let Brendan’s legacy stall with his “From a family level, everyone is 100 percent supportive and proud of death,” Burke said. “And we haven’t. So it makes me extremely proud.’’ him.’’ Pettinger hopes having the courage to share his story will hopefully reach Who is Bayne Pettinger? some people who are still struggling. Born and raised in Victoria, Pettinger played junior B hockey for the “If this story, and his journey, and his being involved in hockey since he Victoria Cougars and was a star rugby player in his youth. He was a 6- was a kid, and the fact a lot of his best friends are NHL superstars and foot-4 pure athlete with a smile that lit up a room. hockey players, if they can be accepting then I think everybody can be Pettinger excelled particularly in rugby where he represented Canada in accepting,’’ Barrie said. “Hopefully this can help whoever is going through 2006 at an under-19 world championship in Dubai. the same thing and maybe doesn’t feel like they can do it. Maybe this gives them some encouragement to show that there is a lot of positivity in But eventually, it was time to start thinking of a career. the hockey world.”

Pettinger was Hockey Canada’s manager of hockey operations and Echoed Rielly: “He’s had a lot of time to play this over in his head, he’s men’s national teams for the better part of a decade. He was part of been dealing with this for a long time. I think he’s at the point now where Crosby-led teams that won gold medals at the 2014 Olympics, 2015 he wants other people to experience the comfort that he feels. When it worlds and 2016 World Cup and with McDavid on gold medal-winning comes to hockey, when you talk to Bayner, he’s had some positive teams at the 2013 under-18 worlds, 2015 world juniors and 2016 worlds. experiences. He wants people to know that it’s OK. That there are people out there who will always be welcoming. So it’s obviously very brave and worlds. They became fast friends, having drinks together in the offseason I really admire what Bayne is doing.’’ on the West Coast.

Matt Pettinger thinks back to his NHL playing days when he says he The first words out of Rielly’s mouth when reached by The Athletic? undoubtedly had a gay teammate at some point. But the environment wasn’t safe or comfortable enough for them to come out. Which is why “I’m really proud of him. I’ve known for about a year, a year and a half, Matt hopes his brother’s story has a far-reaching impact. what’s going on with Bayne and his personal life, he was comfortable enough to allow me into that and be open,” Rielly said. “I just couldn’t be “I think this goes beyond hockey, it can be any athlete in any sport who is more proud of him, I couldn’t be happier for him that he’s at a place now gay and struggling with it,’’ Matt said. “If Bayne’s story even reaches just where he feels comfortable and happy to be able to be himself.” one single adolescent who is struggling, then it’s already a win.’’ You can tell in Pettinger’s voice how much Barrie and Rielly matter in his That the who’s who of the hockey world happen to be his brother’s life. friends, and that they’ve accepted him this way, that’s huge in itself, Matt added. “Tyson and Morgan are obviously very good friends of mine,” Pettinger says. “Tyson’s fiancee, Emma, has been a huge support system for me.’’ “That’s the gift that he has, he’s been brought into this environment with Hockey Canada and through his hockey relationships where his friends Pettinger recalls telling Tyson and Emma one night at the defenceman’s are people like Connor and Sidney and Tyson. You get NHL stars saying, condo. ‘This is fine, it doesn’t change anything, you’re still a great guy and we’re “We were just having one of those great conversations that you have with happy for you. You need to be happy.’ That’s going to resonate hopefully good friends,” Pettinger says. “Somehow, sexuality in hockey came up. with the hockey dad or the hockey coaches throughout Canada or the Tyson was talking about how he thought hockey was ready for this. And I United States who still have the stigma behind being gay and how it think right at that point I just blurted it out. ‘I’m gay.’ affects you.’’ “They were like, ‘What?! Let’s crack another bottle of wine!’ I remember Bayne Pettinger is ready to help in any way he can. thinking right in that moment, ‘Oh my God, I just said it.’ Tyson right away “Brock (McGillis) has done some great work. Scott MacArthur has done was like, ‘That’s fantastic.’’’ some great work. The Burke family with You Can Play has done some In hockey, it doesn’t get any bigger than Sidney Crosby and Connor great work,” Pettinger says. “I just want to be another soldier that’s part of McDavid. that. And helping break barriers. There are more people out there, men and women, who are struggling and I’m hoping to say that it is OK, it is To be able to call them both friends, that’s pretty special. going to be OK. If anyone needs to reach out, please do.’’ To see how each superstar reacted to Pettinger coming out was He wants to be another person’s Brendan Burke. fantastic, Pettinger said.

“I remember sitting there watching Brendan Burke and that was a real “They’ve both got multi-million dollar brands. I was just a guy that booked inspiration,’’ Pettinger says. buses on Team Canada for them … but luckily enough connected with them on a human level. And they’ve become great friends. To have those “It doesn’t change who I am. I’m not all of a sudden going to quit being a two have my back in this, it’s unbelievable. And there wasn’t any hockey agent because I’m going on a motivational speaking tour. I’m not hesitation.’’ changing the world here. I’m one small piece of the puzzle that’s trying to help the cause. And if it normalizes it to see a person like me in the Crosby played with Matt Pettinger at the 2006 world championships then game, then great. That’s all I’m hoping to do.’’ got to know Bayne at other international events.

Coming out “He’s a great guy and was always awesome looking after players and our family,” Crosby said via email. “I remember thinking it must have been a Pettinger says his family has been nothing but supportive. The youngest huge relief for him after all these years but also the fact that it was that of four siblings, Pettinger stressed how impactful sister Jahna (and long must have been a lot to carry. I let him know that I’m happy for him husband Stuart) and brother Reed (wife Sarah) have also been along and that it must feel good now to feel like he could be himself. As a friend with brother Matt (wife Chelsea) and his parents, Rick and Laurie. I wanted to show my support.’’

“When I told them 10 years ago, they said, ‘This is your journey, but McDavid responded immediately when reached last week. know that we have your back and whenever you’re comfortable making this public, we will be ready when you are,’’’ Pettinger says. “Bayner and I have been real close for a long time,” McDavid said. “I first met Bayne when I was 16 years old, I think, at the U-18 in Sochi, we won Close friends were next. During a particular time during his Hockey a gold medal together there. I definitely have had a lot of time with Canada days living in Calgary, there were many such friends in his Bayner, he’s gotten very close with my family.’’ personal circle who were there for him after he came out to them. McDavid tells the story of Pettinger being invited by his parents to Easter “Those people were so important to me,’’ Pettinger says. “They re- dinner in April 2019 despite the fact McDavid himself wasn’t there. assured me. They know who they are and I will be forever grateful to Pettinger had just moved to Toronto and had not built up his network of them. Some of them were co-workers at Hockey Canada. Some were friends yet. roommates, some were old high school friends, and some were close family friends that I could trust. “He fit right in with my grandma and grandpa and aunts and uncles and everybody. So, he’s definitely become part of the family,” McDavid said. “They were a real important safety net for me at that time in my life, and still to this day.’’ Pettinger’s big news didn’t change a thing for the McDavid family.

And then over the past year or so, Pettinger began sharing with close “I just told him that it changes nothing and I totally support him and I’m friends in hockey. just happy that he’s happy,” McDavid said. “He told me that he’s never been happier in his whole life. So that’s all that I needed to hear.’’ “I’ve known for a while and for me, I was just so excited to see him be able to come out of his shell and be more comfortable with who he is,’’ Bob Nicholson might as well be family to Pettinger. Barrie said. “Bayner has been a good friend for a long time. He’s one of “Let’s put it this way, Bayne wouldn’t be on this earth if it wasn’t for me,’’ the funniest and biggest personalities around and for him to be able to do laughed Nicholson. this article and be able to stop asking questions about who’s going to know or not, just be able to live his life, I’m just so happy for him. As the story goes, Nicholson introduced Pettinger’s mom and dad to each other, being close friends with both. “I could even see when I played in Toronto last year and he was in Toronto, he was more of himself and it was quite beautiful.’’ So Nicholson, the longtime Hockey Canada head and now chairman of the Edmonton Oilers, has known Bayne his whole life. Rielly met Pettinger while playing for Canada at the world under-18s in 2011 and the Ivan Hlinka tournament plus world juniors and men’s “Bayne is really part of our family,’’ Nicholson said. “My kids are really kind of clients we want to represent, so there isn’t any issue,’’ echoed tight with him. He spends a week in the summer with us when we have Barry. our family reunions.’’ That’s the kind of unwavering support that makes such a difference to It really is Pettinger’s second family. Pettinger.

“His family is so close to me. Bob’s like an uncle to me,’’ Pettinger says. “To have both co-heads of CAA Hockey state that is unbelievable,’’ “Obviously he’s got some stature in the game and he would represent the Pettinger says. “They both embrace it, and they’re both forward-thinking ‘old guard.’ But he was more than accepting. Bob right away was like, gentlemen.’’ ‘Whatever you need.’’’ The game is showing some progressive signs, Pettinger pointing to the Pettinger also worked for Nicholson for his first several years at Hockey courage from QMJHL prospect Yanic Duplessis in coming out. Canada before Nicholson moved on to the Oilers. Still, Pettinger knows some of the fallout won’t be great. The hockey “You built this up in your head, ‘Oh my God, Bob Nicholson, what if this world still has a ways to go. There still aren’t any active NHL players who tears our families apart?’ No, it’s not. It makes us stronger,” Pettinger have come out. says. “Bob said to me, ‘Bayne, I support you 100 percent. This doesn’t change a thing.’ It’s just reassurance in your head that it is ok.’’ Former hockey player Brock McGillis has been courageously leading the way as an activist on LGBTQ issues in sport ever since he came out, and Scott Salmond is the senior vice-president of national teams at Hockey he doesn’t hold back., Canada. He’s the guy you saw on TSN recently talking about Canada’s world junior camp roster. He’s a big deal in Canadian hockey. He was Which is what makes Pettinger’s story so different in many ways. It’s also a mentor for Pettinger during his time at Hockey Canada. been so darn positive ever since he started telling people.

“My reaction was probably like a lot of people, having worked with Bayne “I feel for Brock’s story. I never faced that,” Pettinger says. “I think it’s and having known him both as a colleague and a friend, there was a great that he’s calling out issues in the game, either conscious or level of surprise for sure, but that quickly turned to just admiration,” unconscious biases. I’m willing to join forces with Brock. I do believe the Salmond said. “The more I thought about it, how difficult it must have game needs to change. But again, my experience and my story has been been for him for I don’t know how many years, how tough it would be the opposite. It’s not me against the big, bad hockey world. It’s actually sometimes to be in that environment, although I do think we’re inclusive the opposite, it’s actually quite the opposite for me, that the big, bad at Hockey Canada. But just in the sport itself. I certainly admire Bayne hockey world has been quite accepting.’’ and I know he was probably fairly nervous to tell me, but ever since then, Not that the journey leading up to it was easy. Far from it. I’ve just tried to support him and help him in any way I can to tell his story and to support the story. I think that’s the most important thing. “There were some long nights in my 20s where I’m saying, ‘What’s going on here?’ You’re half in, you’re half out, you’re extremely confused, you In some ways, Pettinger wished he had been ready to come out when he feel good about it but then there’s the shame about thinking I can’t be was still at Hockey Canada. successful in the game. Because it’s an old guard.’’

“Despite having a good support network at that time, I still wasn’t ready to He sought help from psychiatrists. There was a lot of angst and bring it to my profession,” Pettinger says. “It wasn’t anything that Hockey confusion. And tears. Canada did. It was me. I wanted to be sure of myself before I was ready to present myself. It sounds a bit cliché, but you have to be able to love But he found his way. yourself before you love others.’’ “Bayne didn’t choose his path, the path chose Bayne,’’ Matt Pettinger This article probably doesn’t happen without his current employers said. showing their unwavering support. Our interview, held in my backyard Monday afternoon, was over. We From the CAA people back at the head office in Los Angeles to the guy went about 45 minutes. I asked a few questions, of course, but Pettinger Pettinger works most closely with in Toronto, Barry, there has been zero had so much to get off his chest, I barely needed to interject. hesitation in supporting him. He had waited 33 years to tell his story. And it was flowing out. “Bayne let me know he was gay shortly after coming to work with me in The people in his hockey orbit, it turns out, were ready for him. Toronto in 2019,’’ Barry said. “I had previously expressed strong feelings about equal rights and support of LGBTQ causes. I’m guessing he felt “Again, I have been very lucky. Not just Connor or Sid, but Tyson or comfortable and he should. That’s the whole point, creating an Morgan or Bob Nicholson or Scott Salmond or Pat Brisson or J.P. Barry, environment where everyone feels accepted.” what if they’re not comfortable with it? You don’t know that until you put yourself out there,’’ Pettinger said. Pettinger confided in Brisson a few weeks ago. Those fears have been put to rest. His closest hockey people have “I said, ‘You know what? I’m proud of you, I’m excited for you,’’’ Brisson embraced his news. They’ve embraced the real Bayne. said. “I said, ‘Bayner, I know it takes a lot of courage to come out.’ Honestly, I was excited for him.’’ Pettinger takes a deep breath at the end of our interview.

And Brisson has seen such a positive impact on Pettinger since he’s “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my entire life. Right now.’’ started telling people.

“I was talking to him again recently and I said to him, ‘Bayner, you’re flying right now. I’m excited for you,’’’ said Brisson. “He’s involved with The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 marketing at our place, with recruiting, it just feels like a big weight was lifted off his shoulders. And he’s such a smart guy.’’

Now that he’s opened up to the world, Pettinger understands it won’t be for everyone.

It’s one of the reasons he wanted to talk to both Brian Burke and Scott MacArthur, the Sportsnet radio host in Toronto who came out in 2019.

More to the point in his line of work, what if a hockey family doesn’t want to come to CAA now because they’re not comfortable that one of their hockey agents is gay?

“Well then, they’re not for us,’’ Brisson said without hesitation.

“If a potential recruit or their family didn’t want to work with us because of the sexual orientation of one of our agents then they simply aren’t the 1195794 Websites guys take even a small step back and/or Hart has the sort of rough year that good young goalies sometimes endure, it’s not hard to imagine the Flyers falling back to the middle-of-the-pack.

The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: 6 NHL teams that have me stumped The verdict: In theory, the Metro Division features two perennial right now contenders (Caps and Pens), one good team that’s especially tough in the playoffs (Islanders) and two teams on their way up (Hurricanes and Rangers). There aren’t enough playoff spots for everyone, and that’s before factoring in a temporary realignment that might shuffle things By Sean McIndoe around and drop someone like the Bruins into the mix. I still think the Nov 5, 2020 Flyers will be good, but I’m not sure they’ll be any better, and they might not have as room to work with as they’d like.

Calgary Flames It’s been a confusing year. There are a lot of things in the world I’m not sure about these days, including what month it is and whether I’m They’ll be good because: They aggressively addressed their most- actually muted on this Zoom call. If you ask me a direct question these discussed weakness in the offseason, paying up to land Jacob days, I will look you straight in the eye and flat-out guess, followed by Markstrom in free agency. We can debate whether that was a smart immediately forgetting what I just told you. contract, and maybe it looks bad in a few years. But today, it should be a nice upgrade over Cam Talbot (who’s now in Minnesota) and David But when it comes to the NHL, there are at least a few teams I feel … Rittich. well, not sure about, but at least vaguely confident. The Lightning are good. The Avalanche and Golden Knights should be, too. The Red They’ll be bad because: Talbot and Rittich weren’t actually a bad combo; Wings are not good, and the Senators and Kings are still a year or two they were pretty much a middle-of-the-pack duo, so it’s not like away from breaking through. The Oilers have Connor McDavid and Leon goaltending was the reason the Flames took a step back. And even if Draisaitl but not enough depth or goaltending, and will stay that way until they’ve upgraded the position, losing two top-four defenseman in T.J. the end of time. And a whole bunch of teams are stuck in the middle, Brodie and (probably) Travis Hamonic will cancel some of that out. The close enough to the playoff race but not really scaring anyone, just the Markstrom signing made headlines, but it’s no sure thing that the way the league likes it. offseason has made the Flames any better.

But every year, there are a few teams that I just can’t figure out. So as But they’ll probably be at least OK because: As easy as it is to forget we all wander around in a haze of confusion, let’s break out my annual now, this was a 107-point team only one year ago. Granted, they attempt to argue with myself about the half-dozen teams that have me followed that up with a disappointing season, but it’s proof that the core is stumped heading into the (whatever year it is next year) season. capable of contending. And remember, last year’s team had to deal with a bizarre midseason coaching switch from Bill Peters to Geoff Ward, one that nobody saw coming based on performance. Ward did a good job under tough circumstances, but like most coaches, you’d expect him to They’ll be good because: They were good last year. Like, really good. do a better job with a full season (including a training camp) to put his They were on pace for 105 points if we’d played a full season, and even system in place. that might be underselling it. In early January, the Flyers were muddling along with about as many wins as losses. They were fine. But over what Unless they’re not because: Hmm, a Canadian team that has a turned out to be the last 26 games of the season, the Flyers went 19-6-1, breakthrough season followed by a letdown, where we’re wondering if earning a playoff bye and planting their flag as a legitimate contender. they should get credit for how they looked at their best. If that sounds familiar, it’s a lot like what we went through last year with the Jets, That was last year. So what’s changed heading into a new season? Not another team that confused me. And it turned out that the recent, much. The retirement of Matt Niskanen was a surprise, but you could mediocre season was a more accurate predictor than the 100-plus point argue that helped more in terms of cap space than it hurt in terms of blue days. Sometimes, you don’t need to overthink it when a good team takes line quality. They lost a few depth pieces, like every team does. But all a step back to mediocrity. That’s just what they are now. the key names are back, so there’s no reason to expect a dropoff. The verdict: I’m lost. And to make things even more complicated, we They’ll be bad because: Virtually nobody had the Flyers pegged as an don’t even know what division the Flames will be in. Home ice in the elite team last year; they’d missed the playoffs in 2019. That doesn’t Pacific seems up for grabs, with the Golden Knights looking strong but mean they were a mirage, since we’re wrong about plenty of teams all nobody else really looking unbeatable. But would a temporary all- the time, but you’d probably like to see it for more than one season Canadian division present an easier path, or a tougher one? before you nudge anyone into the sure thing column. San Jose Sharks Beyond that, the Flyers didn’t look all that great in the postseason. They struggled with a Canadiens team that, on paper, they should have rolled They won’t be completely terrible (again) because: As bad as last year over. And they lost to an Islanders team that imposed their will on the was, they’ve still got some pretty good players. That includes a pair of series. It’s hard to know what to make of that whole deeply weird playoff 30-something Norris winners on the blue line in Brent Burns and Erik tournament, and maybe the answer is that we shouldn’t draw any Karlsson, plus a mix of forwards that lacks top-tier star power but has conclusions at all. But at the very least, you could piece together an more than a few guys who can play big roles on a contender. They argument that the Flyers are an above-average team that got hot for two looked to address their weakness in goal by bringing in Devan Dubnyk. months in the second half, but don’t deserve top-contender status yet. And with roughly nine months off between games, everyone should be rested and healthy, which is important for a team with a few key guys But they’ll probably be fine because: The most important player on the over 30. team is Carter Hart, and he’s 22. Goaltending is impossible to predict, especially younger guys, but if you had to make a bet you’d think Hart is Their days of being elite contenders are almost certainly over, but this going to be even better over the next few years. He’s also on the last team went to the conference final in 2019. Make the goaltending a bit year of his entry-level deal, which means the Flyers have a nice window better, let that extra rest give us the old Karlsson back, and mix in a few here with some extra cap space to work with. other guys having solid seasons, and the Sharks can at least be a playoff team, and maybe even a good one. Unless they’re not because: So far, they haven’t really done anything with that space. They were quiet in free agency, and while they’ve been They’ll be awful because: “As bad as last year was” kind of undersells it, rumored to be in on a few names on the trade market, nothing has no? Last year was very, very bad. It was one of the worst years in recent happened yet. And that cap space window only lasts for this year, memory by a team that wasn’t openly rebuilding – and it didn’t even land because both Hart and Travis Sanheim will need new deals. them a top prospect, because they’d traded away their first-round pick. That’s key, because the pipeline isn’t in especially great shape. There Meanwhile, they’re on the hook for over $16 million in annual cap hit to are no reinforcements coming. They lost their heart and soul in Joe Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek, who have been good, plus another Thornton and added a new starting goalie who might not be any better $7 million to James van Riemsdyk, who hasn’t, and all three of those than what they had, and other than that they’re basically the same team guys are over 30. The Flyers aren’t an old team by any stretch, with Hart, as last year. And that team, again, was incredibly bad. Travis Konecny and Ivan Provorov all entering their prime. But if the older But they’ll probably at least be respectable because: Lots of good teams years in a row. And it’s not like they’re sneaking in – they’ve had at last have a surprising off-year that everyone overreacts to, only to get right 98 points (or a prorated equivalent) every year. back on track. Remember the Lightning missing the playoffs in 2017? The Caps had a playoff miss in the middle of a long string of 100-plus That includes last season, when they were on pace for 102 points point seasons. The Bruins missed the playoffs twice in a row right after despite all sorts of injuries that took Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and others winning the Presidents’ Trophy. It happens, and every time it does, we out of the lineup for long stretches. They were really good. get a bunch of panicked think pieces about how the window has They’ll struggle to make the playoffs because: And then what happened? slammed shut. Then the good team turns out to still be good, and we all just agree to not mention it again. Oh right, they had everyone healthy for the playoffs and still lost to Montreal. Full credit to Carey Price and the Habs, but Cup contenders Isn’t it possible that last year was just one of those perfect storms? Put don’t lose to 12-seeds. And they especially don’t lose to 12-seeds while differently, is it really that hard to imagine the Sharks getting right back managing just 22 shots in a shutout loss with their season on the line. into the playoff hunt while we all go “Oh right, teams with two star The Penguins were a very good team for the first half of last season, but defensemen each playing 25 minutes a night tend to be OK”? they cooled off down the stretch, including a six-game losing streak in Unless they’re not because: Those contenders in the last section that February. Then they got exposed in the postseason. All the trend arrows had short-term stumbles were still 90-point teams. The 2016-17 are pointing in the same direction here. Lightning’s “bad” season featured 97 points and saw them miss the But they’ll probably be fine because: What should we make of that playoff playoffs on the final weekend. Last year’s Sharks were on pace to barely disaster? Here’s a theory: Nothing. The 2020 postseason was just weird, crack 70. There’s no comparison. Where’s the list of teams that went especially early on when everyone was rusty and getting used to the from this bad back to contending in one year? Maybe the Flyers in 2007. bubble format. We expected to see some surprises, and we reminded Other than that, really bad teams tend to stay bad. ourselves not to overreact. A 100-point team losing to a hot goalie in an The verdict: I’m pretty sure the Sharks are bad now and will be for a empty arena in August shouldn’t make us reevaluate everything we’ve while, but if they make it back to the playoffs this year I’m going to learned about them in the previous decade. pretend that I called it. Unless they’re not because: Somebody might want to tell Jim Rutherford Montreal Canadiens that, because he sure seems to be reevaluating. He’s spent the last few weeks shaking up the roster, the front office, and the coaching staff. He They’ll be good enough because: They can build on last year’s traded away a two-time Cup-winning goalie and handed the starting job postseason, when they beat the Penguins and gave the Flyers a tough to a guy who’s never had more than 31 starts. He’s traded away veterans fight. No, they didn’t make a deep run. But they surpassed expectations, in salary dumps, but also his first-round pick for immediate help. Does and that’s the sort of thing a good, young team can build on. Nobody is this sound like a guy who thinks this team just needs to stay the course? going to be calling them Cup favorites, but this will be the year to take the next step on their way there. The verdict: Sometimes, windows close gradually. Sometimes, they slam shut, 2019-20 Sharks style, and it only seems obvious after it’s already They’ll fall short because: Wait, “a good, young team”? Are we sure the happened. The Penguins sure do give off that vibe right now. Then Canadiens are either of those things? again, if we get to the end of the season and they’ve got 100 points and a playoff spot yet again, nobody will be surprised. First of all, good teams usually don’t finish .500 in the loser-point era. Yes, the Habs made the playoffs, thanks to a once-in-a-lifetime format And on the subject of closing windows, let’s end off with one that’s that let 24 teams into the bubble. Montreal was that 24th and final team. already locked. I think. Maybe. Full credit to them for making it count once they got there, but most teams don’t congratulate themselves for finishing with the eighth-worst Chicago Blackhawks record in the league. They’ll be in the mix because: They still have Patrick Kane, Jonathan As for being young, that’s an easier case to make. The Canadiens do Toews and Duncan Keith, not to mention Alex DeBrincat just entering his have some good young talent, both on the roster and on the way through prime and some other solid pieces. Their days of being Cup favorites are the system. None of those guys project as sure-thing franchise players, long gone – they haven’t won an official playoff series in five years – but but the talent is there. But this is also a team with a 33-year-old goalie, a they should be good enough to do what they did last year, which is hang 35-year-old captain/blue line workhorse, and a leading scorer who’ll be around the playoff picture longer than you think they should. 30 on opening night. Their second-best defenseman will be 33. Even They’ll finish dead last because: They have no goaltending. Like, zero. their new backup goalie just turned 30. The core is old, or at least old They traded Robin Lehner at the deadline and let Corey Crawford walk in enough that they are what they are. And what they are, again, is 24th. free agency, and didn’t replace them even though half the goaltenders in But they’ll probably be fine because: Having a veteran core surrounded the league were switching teams. by youth elsewhere in the lineup isn’t a bad way to go. In fact, it’s what Why would they do that? Stan Bowman suggested it was about most teams want. Marc Bergevin has looked like a guy with a plan, and positioning themselves for the expansion draft. There’s a simpler he’s had a busy offseason. If you think last year’s team wasn’t good explanation: They’re tanking. Or, if you want to be polite, they’re enough, well, the GM agrees. And if his moves work out, they’ll be better. rebuilding in an aggressive way that includes a very high draft pick next Unless they’re not because: That plan seemed to involve turning a lot of year. cap space into an expensive backup goalie and a $38.5 million winger But they probably won’t because: Are they rebuilding? They haven’t coming off a season where he had one goal, then pinching pennies in a exactly been trading veterans for picks and prospects. They moved public feud with Brendan Gallagher. They’re different, sure, and they Brandon Saad for Nikita Zadorov, who isn’t old but also isn’t some young should be deeper. But are we confident that this actually got significantly up-and-comer. Other than that, Bowman has tinkered, but he isn’t better in the offseason? I mentioned they were 24th, right? stripping down. There have been no rumors of any of the big names The verdict: Like the Flames, the 2020-21 division structure will matter being on the block, and maybe there couldn’t be with everyone locked here. The Atlantic is owned by the Lightning and Bruins, limiting into no-movement clauses. But shoot or get off the point, right? So far, Montreal’s upside even in a best-case. Put them in an all-Canadian the approach in Chicago has been contender in the streets, rebuild in the division, though, and the playoffs feel like a good bet, and first place isn’t crease. That might not be the right long-term strategy, but for now it adds inconceivable. And once they’re in the postseason, we know they can up to a team that should be OK, even if it’s not what they want to be. pull off an upset or two. Unless they’re terrible because: “If you have no goaltending, you have no Oh hey, speaking of that… chance.” That’s a scout talking about the Hawks, and he’s right. The question of what Bowman actually wants his team to do this year is Pittsburgh Penguins interesting, but it’s kind of moot. They’re going to be bad, whether that’s the plan or not. Case closed. They’ll be contenders because: They’re the Penguins. They’re always contenders. The verdict: I now look forward to Kevin Lankinen emerging as a Vezina contender because nothing makes sense. No, really, that’s it. The Penguins missed the playoffs in the first year of the Sidney Crosby era, and have been in every season since. That’s 14 The Athletic LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195795 Websites Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins To be clear, there’s no issue with Malkin when he’s playing. The stud

centre has registered 1.20 points per game during the past four seasons Sportsnet.ca / 4 NHL players who should benefit from their long layoffs and the only two players to exceed that total league-wide — Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov — have some pretty serious hardware to show for it.

Ryan Dixon@dixononsports The problem, of course, is the pesky GP category. The lanky Russian has routinely missed big chunks of seasons for the majority of this November 5, 2020, 9:59 AM decade thanks to various ailments. In fact, he’s appeared in 70 games just once — once! — in the past eight years (Malkin missed 17 contests in the 48-game 2012-13 season). A decade into his NHL career, the “Finnish Flash” was flickering. Pittsburgh succumbed to Montreal in four preliminary-round games, so Teemu Selanne completed the 2003-04 season — the last of the Dead ‘Steeltown’ is going a long stretch without much action. Combine a big Puck Era — with 16 goals in 78 games for the Colorado Avalanche. That break for the 34-year-old Malkin with a sprint of a season — maybe even summer he represented Finland at the World Cup of Hockey and scored sprinkle in some load management — and you wonder if he could be a one goal for the tournament bridesmaids. At 34, the first-ever Rocket force come playoff time for a Pittsburgh squad trying to squeeze all it can Richard Trophy winner was skating with a left knee made of slush. out of the Sid and Geno era.

That World Cup final contest between Finland and Canada was the last Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey high-level game many NHLers took part in for about 13 months thanks to world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what an owners lockout that torpedoed the 2004-05 season. When the NHL they think about it. resumed in October, 2005, Selanne was playing like he was 23 again, having used the time off to undergo reconstructive surgery and put in 10 We’re talking about the benefits of a layoff here, but there might not be a months of rehab. player on the planet more anxious for a good game of hockey than Patrick. The 22-year-old Flyers centre missed all of last season and the What a difference a forced break can make. playoffs with migraine issues. Now he has a few more months to recover without the anxiety of knowing his team is playing without him. Seven NHL teams haven’t played a game since early March, meaning even if the league fires back up on Jan. 1, 2021, a whole bunch of Patrick has been on the ice this fall and inked a one-year deal with the players will go roughly 10 months without real action. Another eight clubs Flyers coming off his entry-level contract. Here’s hoping the second played a few qualification-round contests before getting bounced from overall pick from 2017 is ready to roll whenever the next season begins. the amended 2020 playoffs, creating another glut of guys who got a whole lot of downtime to rest and recover.

While it’s hard to imagine any night-and-day situations like Selanne’s — Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 11.06.2020 the resurgent right winger scored 40 goals the first year after the lockout, 48 the next and played until he was 43 — a few players spring to mind as candidates to discover a sporting silver lining in this otherwise awful pandemic experience.

Here, then, are four guys who could pop in 2021 — whenever we drop the puck.

*I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time.

Erik Karlsson, San Jose Sharks

Karlsson’s last game was on Valentine’s Day versus the Winnipeg Jets, when he broke his thumb. Two years ago, during his first campaign in San Jose, Karlsson missed nearly 20 games with a groin issue that lingered throughout the 2019 playoffs. The last time he lined up for 82 contests was 2015-16, when he was a 25-year-old Ottawa Senator.

Now 30, the offensive-minded Swede seems like somebody who could use a long period away from the rink to rest his relatively slight frame. In fact, if you were to identify a team that probably needed to collectively catch its breath, it would be the Sharks. Last season was miserable for San Jose and its veteran core — from Brent Burns to Marc-Edouard Vlasic to Logan Couture — might all be better off for the long pause.

Tape to Tape

Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover Canada’s most beloved game.

Frederik Andersen, Toronto Maple Leafs

Andersen has started 244 games since joining the Leafs in 2016, more than every NHL stopper during that four-season span. Last year — the worst of Andersen’s four in Toronto — was the second straight campaign he operated without a suitable backup, until the team acquired Jack Campbell at the trade deadline.

Though plagued by more questions about ill-timed goals against, Andersen posted a .936 save percentage in Toronto’s five-game preliminary-round loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets after five months off. The combination of playing just a handful of games in the span of nearly a year, and entering the season with a capable No. 2 behind him, could result in a strong season for the big Dane — just as he’s about to become an unrestricted free agent. 1195796 Websites “I get them because they’re cool. I didn’t actually see risk, honestly, until Kyle Turris was traded.

“He was my first keeper jersey, a cool jersey, that got traded away.” Sportsnet.ca / For this Senators superfan, jersey collecting is much more Turris was dealt in early November of 2017, about a month before the than a hobby outdoor game versus the Habs. In exchange, Ottawa acquired Matt Duchene, signalling they were still going for it after reaching the Eastern Conference Final in the Spring of 2017. Wayne ScanlanNovember 5, 2020, 1:57 PM But by the Fall of 2018 the rebuild was full on and the rest of the roster ultimately departed. Of that 2017 playoff lineup, only Colin White remains, and he was fresh out of college at the time, making a cameo No one ever promised any fan a rose garden. appearance in a single game. Serendipitously, Cindy ran into White while Still, spare a thought for the bravest fanatics in sport: card-carrying, wearing his No. 36 jersey and got him to sign it. autograph-hunting, team-jersey-buying members of the Ottawa Senators When Karlsson was traded, at the opening of camp in 2018, it reminded fan club. fans of the day Daniel Alfredsson bolted to Detroit in 2013. Alfredsson The definition of frustration? Trying to keep current in fan merchandise was McKee’s first jersey, since given away. When winger Mark Stone left with a Senators team that in the past three years has: at the 2019 trade deadline, fans reeled. There had been an expectation he would be the next Alfie, and the next captain. A) turned over its entire roster, and B) just revamped its logo to a new 2D version, a remake of an early Senators logo. “Mark Stone was the crush, because that was one I figured was going to be around forever,” McKee says. “I honestly, honestly believed that Mark In that instant, super fan Tim McKee of Eganville became the proud Stone was going to be a Sen for life.” owner of nearly $10,000 in outdated Sens swag. McKee has suffered great cruelty. Like the time Bobby Ryan decided to How he relished that No. 61 Mark Stone jersey, the No. 65 of Erik switch to No. 9 from No. 6. Using his considerable persuasion, McKee Karlsson and the No. 7 of Kyle Turris. got a supplier to change over his Ryan jersey to a Chris Wideman, since Wideman was then wearing No. 6. (Changing names is easier than Gone, gone and gone. Collectors items, at least. changing numbers, which leaves marks). Beautiful. Done deal. Don’t even ask him about defenceman Christian Wolanin staying with the Then, just about the time the jersey gets remade, the Senators Uber club, only to change his number to 24 (for 2020-21) from 86. story breaks. Uh-oh. Wideman, who played a bigger role in that trash- “I reached out to him and told him he owes me two autographed jerseys,” talking fiasco than he did on the Sens blueline, was persona non grata McKee says. after that. His days were numbered. So was the time ticking on the relevance of McKee’s No. 6 Wideman jersey. Within three weeks of the We think he was kidding about Wolanin owing him. But no one could Uber video release, Wideman was dealt to the Oilers. blame McKee for trying to recoup some losses. Methot’s departure as a free agent in 2017 was especially painful. McKee Among the unwritten rules of extreme fandom: one does not wear a was a huge fan of Methot, an Ottawa product, and thinks Methot is Maple Leafs sweater to a Senators-Canadiens game and, once a player underestimated for the complementary role he played while Erik Karlsson has been traded, that numbered jersey stays in the closet. did his thing.

“To me they’re done,” McKee says, of the nearly two-dozen obsolete, “Anybody who is an Erik Karlsson fan needs to know that Marc Methot is autographed jerseys he owns. the reason Erik Karlsson could be as great as he was,” McKee says. He did wear a No. 3 Ottawa Marc Methot jersey when the Dallas Stars “That’s my personal belief. Erik in San Jose or even here after Marc left, came to town, but Methot was out with an injury that night. McKee also didn’t have the freedom he did when he was partnered with Marc.” donned a Turris sweater for Nashville’s first visit with Turris after he was McKee is no kid in the crowd, waving a fan poster, trying to get noticed. traded there. Now, Turris is an Edmonton Oiler, spoiling the fun of those At six-feet, six inches tall, he towers over many of the players he meets. who owned his No. 8 jersey in Music City. And he meets them all.

Combined, Tim and his wife, Cindy, own 27 Senators jerseys — nearly To use military parlance, McKee has done a superior job of infiltrating the all autographed by players long since traded or gone via free agency — ranks of the organization. He has been a corporate guest on team plus 14 hats and assorted hoodies, T-shirts and jackets bearing outdated charter flights, attended Senators soiree galas, golfed with Turris and logos. been invited to morning skates by general manager Pierre Dorion.

The man might be a masochist, and Cindy slightly less so, but they are McKee once managed to sell newspaper ads to the , no slackers. Cindy is doing contract work with Envari, an energy which, of course, necessitated a business trip to Florida, where McKee solutions company, after 37 years with Hydro Ottawa. Tim has been a not only attended Sens games but sat on the 50-yard-line, seven rows up top advertising salesman for many years in the challenging newspaper for a Miami Dolphins-Baltimore Ravens NFL game (complimentary business. He’s 54 and among his credentials is a Mayor’s City Builder tickets from a business connection), and sat in the owner’s suite in Award for outstanding volunteerism as commanding officer of the 3018 Tampa Bay, mingling with the likes of Steve Yzerman, still GM of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets Corps, and for being a board member and Lightning at the time. volunteer with the Orleans Chamber of Commerce. In Las Vegas, McKee combined hockey and a NASCAR race. We had to ask. What would possess an otherwise sane, accomplished individual to maintain this head-banging-wall, jersey-buying habit? For all his forged connections, McKee lets those personal player jerseys do a lot of the heavy lifting. They are the synthetic gateway to It is, after all, the modern equivalent of Sisyphus pushing the boulder up conversation. the mountain, only to have it roll back down again. One of McKee’s most curious fascinations involved one Magnus “The answer is compulsion,” McKee confesses. “Most of mine were Paajarvi. Seriously. When the Senators picked Paajarvi off waivers from specialty jerseys. For Canadian Armed Forces Night, or cancer Edmonton, to spend parts of two forgettable seasons in Ottawa from awareness night. 2018-19, McKee inexplicably picked himself up a No. 56 Paajarvi jersey.

“My Craig Anderson No. 41 was the first of the St. Patrick’s Day jerseys. “That jersey gave us some really cool moments. We went to a game in [Marcus] Hogberg I bought on the Chris Phillips jersey retirement night. Tampa a couple of years ago, he virtually hung out with me on the [Thomas] Chabot’s was an all-star jersey. boards during warmup. Every time he wasn’t doing something, he would “I have three Karlsson jerseys — one black, one red, and one from the come over to where I was at the glass and hang out. Which was kind of Outdoor Game [December, 2017]. fun. “I became more of a Magnus Paajarvi fan after that and bought a couple more of his jerseys.”

Anticipating the arrival of prospects is a big part of being a fan, which was why McKee contacted Arizona State University to get a No. 35 Joey Daccord sweater and tweeted about it, tagging Daccord. Daccord retweeted it.

Now, Daccord was one goaltending shot in the dark that is paying dividends. Selected by Ottawa with the 199th pick of the 2015 NHL draft (only 12 players were selected after him), Daccord had a stellar career at ASU, was signed by the Senators and got called up for his reward with a spot on the roster in April of 2019.

McKee was ready for him. Knowing that Senators players not dressed for the game eat at the Lexus Lounge before going to the press box, McKee gave his Daccord ASU jersey to a hostess named Jan in the lounge and asked her to get Joey to sign it. When Daccord saw the jersey, he asked Jan, “Is this for Tim?”

McKee got a kick out of that one.

Curiously, McKee wasn’t always a diehard Senators fan. He had been a sort of fair-weathered Boston Bruins/ booster, until he started working at the Ottawa Citizen in April, 2011. The newspaper was a presenting sponsor and McKee would take clients to games. He got hooked on the home team and the jerseys and gear followed. Alfie, then Craig Anderson, Bobby Ryan etc.

Despite the pain he has endured investing in transient gear, he isn’t yet cured.

This fall, McKee was out early, buying a new Adidas 2D Senators t-shirt even before the official logo launch at the NHL draft. He thanks his stars he held off on a No. 88 Tim Stuetzle jersey, because Stuetzle later announced he would wear No. 18 with the Senators.

As for his No. 7 Brady Tkachuk and any future Tkachuk jerseys he may buy?

Long may they run.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195797 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Alex Ovechkin wants to end pro hockey career with KHL's Dynamo Moscow

Emily Sadler@EmmySadler

November 5, 2020, 4:29 PM

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin said this week he hopes to end his professional hockey career where it began: at home, with Dynamo Moscow of the KHL.

“There are certain goals that I want to achieve after my career," Ovechkin said in Russian during an interview with Russian Television International. "But my career is not over yet. I’m still in my prime. I think I will definitely play for a few more years, God grant that my health is good. I would finish in Russia at Dynamo Moscow.”

At 35, Ovechkin is certainly playing like he's still in his prime, as one of the greatest goal-scorers the NHL has ever seen and showing no signs of slowing down. Washington's captain is coming off a 48-goal, 67-point season that was cut short at just 68 games -- this, after back-to-back seasons with point tallies just shy of 90 points each.

Asked for confirmation of his plans, Ovechkin reiterated:

“I really want to come back and end my career at Dynamo Moscow. After a certain number of years that I will spend, God willing, in Washington,” he said.

That last part is really important -- Ovechkin made it clear he's not looking to cut his time in Washington short. That point is particularly notable considering he's approaching the final season of the 13-year, $124-million pact he signed with the Capitals back in 2008. Asked about the possibility of receiving a big-money offer from another club, Ovechkin made it clear he intends to stay put in Washington.

“It’s not a question of money. It’s a matter of principle: I played for only two teams – Dynamo and Washington," he said.

Ovechkin, a native of Moscow, played with the KHL club before coming over to North America, and returned for a short stint during the 2012-13 NHL lockout. He has also been passionate about representing Russia internationally, suiting up with the national team during world championships and Olympic tournaments.

"It is clear, in two, three, four years, maybe five, I will end my career in Washington," he said. "I want to end on a beautiful note – to play my last match for Dynamo Moscow."

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195798 Websites "To be honest with you, I felt really good. I was confident out there. I definitely didn't feel out of place. Each and every day at practice and playing with those guys you start to realize ... you're not far from being that too. So, each and every day I kind of learned that I could for sure Krebs on living with Stone, dinners with Fleury and working on his shot play here very soon and it was pretty exciting to finally see that."

What have you worked on since the season ended? Is there one thing you need to focus on to take the next step? By Mark Masters "My shot. The goalies are so good in the NHL. I'm a pass-first guy, but I

definitely need to keep improving my shot ... and that's something that A freak accident during a training session left Peyton Krebs with a I've been working on since the day I left. Obviously, you can always work partially torn Achilles back in June 2019. That didn’t stop the Vegas on your speed and strength in the corners, because that never hurts to Golden Knights from taking the Winnipeg Ice centre in the first round of have so definitely working on those things, but specifically my shot." the draft a couple weeks later, but it did keep Krebs sidelined for almost How do you work on your shot? six months. "It's just reps. As a kid, I shot pucks in the garage and I always just try "Hockey is a big part of my life and being away from the game I learned a and shoot for accuracy, but you also want to have some zip behind it. I lot about myself and mental toughness," Krebs said. "It was a lot of feel like if you have some extra strength behind your shot then maybe it stress, a lot of ups and downs but, at the end of the day, I look back and hits a blocker and goes in instead of just hitting the blocker ... when you it went by pretty quickly." can add a little more zip on it you can get those nice bounces." It certainly helped that Krebs lived with veteran winger Mark Stone during What can you bring at the World Juniors? What role do you see for the rehab process. yourself on Team Canada? "I got to really create a relationship with Mark," said Krebs. "He brought "I can be a consistent guy in the lineup. I want to bring that extra spice, over guys for dinner and it was awesome to be able to have that. Being that energy in the lineup and be an impactful player. I think I can bring there for five months, he really helped me and made me feel like part of some good knowledge and be a fast guy who can bring the pace of the the team even though I wasn’t." game up. So, I'm just going to try to do my part to play that 200-foot Krebs returned to game action in November and although he was invited game and be a difference maker." to Canada's World Junior selection camp in December it was hard to You're a natural centre, but Team Canada has a lot of centres so how challenge for a job with only a handful of games under his belt in the comfortable would you feel on the wing? . The 19-year-old from Okotoks, Alta., didn't make the cut, but finished the season strong with 60 points in 38 games. "I'll play any position. I'll play D if they tell me (smile) ... a lot of systems have the first man back playing centre so in a lot of situations you're And then, in this strange, pandemic-paused year, Krebs got to going to play wing as a centre anyway. For me, playing wing is about experience his first NHL training camp in Vegas and earned his way onto making sure I win my wall battles and getting that puck from the d-man in the playoff roster. The ensuing experience in the Edmonton bubble the corner and making sure I win that battle to get the puck out and from boosted his confidence and has him feeling ready to contribute to Team there it's pretty much the same." Canada at the upcoming World Juniors. You already have international experience on your resume. What do you Krebs spoke to TSN via Zoom this week and revealed the important remember most about the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup win? advice Stone gave him during training camp and described what it was like to have dinners with Marc-Andre Fleury during the playoffs. He also "It was awesome. There were a lot of ups and downs in that tournament explained how he plans to bring some "extra spice" to Team Canada at that were pretty crazy. In those small tournaments a lot of things can go the World Juniors. your way and a lot of things can't and you can work your hardest, but you might not get that one bounce. I think I learned a lot. I learned that in The following is an edited transcript of the interview. hockey you can be the best team and be the best on the ice, but if you Is there a moment or a conversation that stands out from the NHL don't get those bounces and that little bit of luck then you might not get bubble? [gold] so you just got to keep playing hard and one day, one game you're going to get that bounce and it’s going to go in for you." "We were in there for 68 days so there were a lot of conversations that went on. I got to know Deryk Engelland and Marc-Andre Fleury really What was your takeaway from finishing fourth at the 2019 under-18 well. I went to dinner with them almost every night and getting to hear World Championship when you served as Canada's captain? stories from them and little bits and pieces of their career [and] learning "It was an honour [to be captain] with all those great players that we had. from them, it’s amazing." We had an unreal team. It was a lot of fun going overseas to Sweden Fleury is known as quite a personality. What do you pick up on hanging and to see a new city, a new country. Obviously, we didn't get the result out with him? that we wanted. I learned that just because you're Team Canada doesn't mean you can win everything and you still have to put the work in and do "Just an awesome guy. Each and every day he has a smile on his face. If everything right." anything you can learn the most from that, that each and every day it's a blessing to be able to play our game and just have a lot of fun doing it." You have a big family with two brothers and a sister. What was the pandemic experience like for you guys? Before you reached the bubble, you were living with Stone again. What's that like? "It was awesome. My whole family is here. My parents were going to the grocery store pretty much every week, every couple days actually, "It's amazing! Hopefully he invites me back again, because it's awesome. because we had four boys and a couple girls here so it was a busy Definitely a guy I look up to and have learned so much from ... He really household. We played a lot of card games, a lot of cross-country skiing treats you just like another guy and it’s pretty special. I can’t thank him when it was snowing and then we went mountain biking lots when it enough." wasn't and got a lot of family time. As much as that was awesome, I'm excited to play hockey." What's the most interesting thing he's told you? I saw your older sister, singer Maddison Krebs, came out with a song that "I came to Vegas not knowing if I was going to make the bubble and he was inspired by you and your brothers. What was it like to hear that? said to me, 'It's your first ever [NHL] training camp and you're selected [to be here] and the coaches and GM haven't even seen you play with NHL "Actually I heard it in the bubble and let a few guys listen to it. I think [Nic] players so take that as a good compliment and go out there and work Hague, he almost cried when he listened to it so it was pretty awesome. your bag off and have fun and as long as you do that good things will And I almost did the same so, you know, it’s a special song and it really come.'" represents our childhood and my mom and dad, how special they are to all of us kids, and it's an awesome song. Really proud of my sister for How close do you feel like you are to making the jump and playing in the doing that." NHL?

TSN.CA LOADED: 11.06.2020 1195799 Websites In other words, there is plenty of time for players like Hughes and Kakko to develop into the NHLers the hockey community expected them to become. But chalking up challenging rookie seasons like the ones they had merely to age is a gamble – if only because we know that strong first What can be learned from a teenage player’s first NHL season? seasons do mean something for the trajectory of a player going forward.

By Travis Yost TSN.CA LOADED: 11.06.2020

One of the most interesting statistical nuggets from the National Hockey League’s last regular season is that despite a younger-than-ever talent pool, the 2019 draft class was not a particularly effective one. Not yet, anyway.

You might think I am a difficult grader. After all, we are generally talking about 18- and 19-year old teenagers who are trying to jump to the highest professional level of competition with little preparation.

The handful of players making the jump each year are usually selected at the top of the class. This past season we saw 18-year-olds in New Jersey’s Jack Hughes, New York’s Kaapo Kakko, Chicago’s Kirby Dach and Winnipeg’s Ville Heinola make the jump. (On average, we see about seven teenagers make a same-season jump from their draft class to the NHL per year.)

While Dach looked impressive in 64 regular-season games and a cup of coffee during the NHL playoffs, the rest of the group left a little to be desired.

Kakko amassed 23 points in 66 games, but was routinely shelled at even strength, with the Rangers outscored 45 to 21 with him on the ice. Hughes had a similar story, with the Devils were outscored 39 to 18 with him deployed at even strength. Heinola was used sparingly, dressing for just eight games.

Development, of course, is not linear. Remember the Boston Bruins’ version of Tyler Seguin? His 2010-11 regular season was unspectacular, followed by a blistering second year – his development, especially on the defensive side of the ice, taking a bit longer to materialize.

Seguin’s career has been sterling since, and he isn’t alone. Buffalo’s Sam Reinhart had a short, underwhelming 18-year-old season followed by a second-year breakout. More recently, Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov’s second-year explosion has already pushed him into star territory.

Being a teenager at the NHL level, especially one who gets three months from his draft day to his first game, is the most difficult of tasks. Coaches and scouts calibrate expectations accordingly. But there is a similar trap to avoid or ignore what we have learned from a player’s first professional season. We may be far off from rendering a player as a hit or a miss, a boom or a bust. But the data isn’t meaningless, either.

I mentioned a few examples of players who took big jumps in their second year after a so-so first year. There are, unfortunately, a laundry list of names who under-delivered in both seasons. Buffalo’s Rasmus Ristolainen is probably the best example of that, but he isn’t alone.

One thing is clear from the data, though: teenage players who had strong rookie seasons tended to have comparatively strong second seasons, whereas teenage players with weak rookie seasons were much more of a coin flip to improve in year two:

The key takeaway here is that merely throwing away a player’s draft year season on the merit of simply being exceptionally young may not be appropriate. Players develop at different speeds and we have plenty of examples of prospects developing into stars in their second, third, or even fourth professional seasons. Each player’s strengths are unique and their limitations – be it size, skating speed, skill – are all critical variables to understand and can impact how quickly a player develops at the NHL level.

Superstars tend to manifest themselves immediately, though – some of the best draft-year seasons we have seen from players have come from names like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon and Aaron Ekblad, all of whom made seamless transitions. And even players a step or two below in talent level who had strong rookie seasons tended to have strong sophomore seasons, unlike their struggling first-year counterparts. 1195800 Websites 4. Boston Red Sox, 2003 ALCS Not only were the long-suffering Boton Red Sox five outs from reaching

their first World Series since 1986, the pennant would come at the USA TODAY / Stop the count! 10 times sports history would have expense of the loathsome New York Yankees. changed by calling game early Though everyone could see Pedro Martinez was tiring – he’d given up three consecutive hits and had thrown 118 pitches – manager Grady Little decided to leave his ace in to face Jorge Posada. Sure enough, Nancy Armour Posada tied the game up with a double and the Yankees went on to win in the 11th. USA TODAY The poor judgment would cost Little his job. But the Red Sox would end

their 85-year World Series drought the following year. The president of the United States is howling that this week's vote count 5. Men’s 4x100 freestyle relay, Beijing Olympics in several states should stop before it’s complete because he thinks that will make him a winner. Aside from being the stuff of banana republics, France almost ended Michael Phelps’ quest for a record eight gold that’s not how the rules of any game work. medals at the Beijing Olympics as it was getting started.

As the Atlanta Falcons and Phil Mickelson can attest, you don’t get to call In Phelps’ second event, the relay, the Americans were trailing at the end “Game over!” just because you’re ahead. Much as I’m sure Grady Little of the third leg. Worse, anchor Jason Lezak was swimming against would have liked to take the ball and go home after that devastating France’s Alain Bernard, the previous world record holder in the 100 change in fates in the 2003 ALCS, he isn’t 5. And Kentucky fans can hit meters, and he began the leg more than half a body length behind. pause every time Grant Hill’s pass to Christian Laettner is about to be replayed, and it still doesn’t put the Wildcats in that year’s Final Four. But Lezak chased Bernard down and then lunged ahead of the Frenchman at the finish, somehow managing to out-touch him to give the You have to play all the way to the end and accept the results. Even Americans a victory – and keep Phelps’ gold-medal goal on track. ones so painful they trigger rage, sorrow and embarrassment years later. 6. Alabama-Auburn, 2013 Iron Bowl “The biggest reason why this is so disappointing is that this is a tournament that I dreamt of winning as a kid, that I spent hours Alabama was undefeated and an overwhelming favorite to win its third practicing. I mean, countless hours practicing, dreaming of winning this consecutive national title. All it had to do was get by Auburn. tournament,” a shell-shocked Mickelson said after his 72nd-hole After Auburn tied the game late in the fourth quarter, the Crimson Tide meltdown at Winged Foot cost him the 2006 U.S. Open title. got to the 38-yard line with – thanks to some haranguing of the refs by “Had it right there in my hand, man. It was right there and I let it go,” said Nick Saban – one second left. Despite a long history of kicking mishaps, Mickelson, who, 14 years later, still hasn’t won the one major he craves. Alabama attempted a 56-yard field goal. “I just cannot believe I did that.” Welp. You’re not alone, Lefty. Far from it. The kick was short. Auburn’s Chris Davis, who had parked himself near In honor of ’s petulance, here are 10 times athletes could the goal line, caught the ball and sliced his way through a sea of Auburn have changed history if the game or series ended before it was actually and Alabama players, managing to elude everyone until he reached the over: opposite end zone. The 109-yard scoring run – technically he was only credited for 100 yards because the NCAA run – not only stunned 1. Mickelson, 2006 U.S. Open Alabama, it ended its national title hopes.

If ever there was a time for Lefty to win the U.S. Open, Winged Foot was “I never got over the returned field goal at Auburn,” Saban said recently. it. He had won the previous two majors – the 2005 PGA Championship and the Masters – and his short game that week was spectacular. He 7. Maximum Security, 2019 Kentucky Derby began the fourth round tied for the lead and was ahead by 1 stroke on Maximum Security was the wire-to-wire winner. Until he wasn’t. the 18th tee, needing just a par to win. Stewards disqualified Maximum Security after the race, saying he had But his decision to hit driver off the tee set off a chain reaction of bad impeded two other horses when he veered out slightly as he came events, and Mickelson would wind up making a 6 on the hole and losing around the final turn. Maximum Security’s owners sued – sound familiar? the Open to Geoff Ogilvy by one shot. – but their lawsuit was tossed out. 2. Atlanta Falcons, Super Bowl LI 8. Kentucky, 1992 East Regional final With 8:31 left in the third quarter, Matt Ryan connected with Tevin The Wildcats forced overtime on Duke, the country’s No. 1 team. Then, Coleman for a touchdown that gave the Falcons a 28-3 lead. Atlanta’s with 2.1 seconds left, Sean Woods gave Kentucky the lead with a one- defense was smothering Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, and handed layup over the country’s most-hated player, Christian Laettner. its offense had been both efficient and largely error-free. But you’ve all seen the video a million times now. You know how it goes. What could possibly go wrong? Kentucky left Grant Hill unguarded on the inbounds play, and didn’t put While the Falcons got tentative and sloppy, the Patriots scored on four anyone in front of Laettner at the other end of the floor. Hill heaved the consecutive drives to force overtime. They won the toss and went 75 ball to Laettner, who turned around and scored on a jumper as the yards for the score, sealing the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history buzzer sounded. and ensuring that Atlanta would forever be the butt of jokes. 9. Vegas Golden Knights, 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs 3. Golden State Warriors, 2016 NBA Finals Blowing a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven series is bad enough. Blowing a 3- A second consecutive title seemed like a given when the Warriors went 0 lead with 10 minutes left in Game 7 is even worse. up 3-1 on the Cleveland Cavaliers. They had beaten the Cavs in the Finals the previous season, and were far and away the NBA’s best team, Yet that’s what the Golden Knights did against the San Jose Sharks, having won a record 73 games during the regular season. giving up four goals – four! – in a five-minute power play. Vegas did manage to score again just before the end of the third period, only for the Plus, they were playing Cleveland, and everybody knows that city’s Sharks to win it in overtime. teams are cursed. The Shot. The Drive. Art Modell. Jose Mesa. 10. Lindsey Jacobellis, 2006 Winter Olympics But Cleveland native LeBron James dominated the next two games, as well as the final two minutes of Game 7, to give the Cavaliers an historic Lindsey Jacobellis had such a big lead in the inaugural Olympic comeback. It was the first time an NBA team had come back after being snowboard cross final that all she had to do was stay upright and the down 3-1, and it was Cleveland’s first title in 52 years. gold medal was hers. But she decided to get cute. And you know what Mom always told you about showing off.

Just short of the finish line, Jacobellis did a method grab and fell. By the time she’d gotten herself upright, the gold medal was gone.

USA TODAY LOADED: 11.06.2020